Communing With Nature

More Beach Stone

I am back at Cape May continuing my book.  At 7 a.m. this morning I was on the beach. I filled two hefty freezer bags with stones and communed with a couple of seagulls that pecked at the bags thinking the stones were food.  Unfortunately, they put a big hole in the bag and made it more difficult for me to carry the stones across the street to my hotel room.  But they were beautiful all the same....I love choosing the different colors and shapes.  They almost call me to them.  It is inspirational and natural and puts me in the mood to write, when I am connected to the earth. After that, I had a ballroom dance lesson.... where we worked on some new rumba steps. They were a little difficult to learn, but it feels good to conquer the turns which have frustrated me before.

Today I am reading everything that I have written for my newest novel;  40,000 words and then tomorrow I will start back with Chapter 18. It's exciting and I am happy with the direction of the story.

Hypnosis and Writer's Block

After my Lyme disease diagnosis explained a lack of focus, I was elated. The antibiotics worked, the Lyme was no longer in my blood and the focus came back....and then it went again.  I kept saying..."I can't focus," and it was a self fulfilling prophesy.  I found someone to hypnotise me to stay focused with my novel writing.  The results were amazing.  I was sure I could never be hypnotised.  I was sure my type A personality was too strong to submit to the power of suggestion....but I did.  My focus returned...in fact I cannot be swayed away from my work under any circumstance.  My frustration level has gone down and my words per day has increased way beyond what I expected.

Bounty of Nature

I am so intrigued by these beautiful ocean stones from Cape May! They are part of the wonderful quilt of nature.  Nature plays a big part in the story I am writing now, as do dreams.  Dreams are amazing indicators of what is going on in our lives. I kept a pad and pencil by my bed and wrote about my dreams before I forgot them.  We don't always remember our dreams and sometimes I had nothing to write, but when I did it was so much fun learning.

Cape May Ocean Stones



The Subject Matter

Another Cape May wonder!

Whatever I am writing...I am feeling.  If I am writing about dying and death I will grieve.  That's where I am these days. In my storyline, a couple has passed away in a car accident.  Writing about the person who is left behind, and what she is feeling, is exhausting.

I need to feel what she is feeling.  I need to place myself inside her head and her heart to know what is happening.  In doing so, I thrust myself into the midst of tragedy and try to make sense of it where there is none.  I try to find joy when there is none...and I try to give them hope.  But hope is not available everywhere.  It comes at a big price and is attached to "the other shoe which is about to drop."

The World is My Oyster

My sweet Natasha

My time in Cape May was extraordinary.  Words were flowing because of the positive energy and wonderful people around me.  I have always loved people from different cultures and there is a plethora of cultures at the Ocean Club in Cape May. It's interesting when someone meets you....and GETS you.....who you are....who you want to be.....your dreams.....and most importantly how you view the world. Although this totally intuitive and positive outlook cannot be translated into every character I create because not everyone is positive or intuitive, but it can be part of someone's persona.  Sweet Natasha will definitely be the model for a loving, compassionate and strong woman who has big dreams with a heart to match.  I feel honored to know her.

Productive Time By The Sea

The wonderful crew at the Ocean Club Tiki Bar
John, Anna, Jordan, Me, Chandler, Beth

This is such a wonderful working experience. I love being by the ocean and even though everybody is on vacation but me, I am able to focus.  In fact the life around me just makes me feel so excited to be part of it that is pushes me each day to make my word count.

Making moments count could be the "title" of this time spent in Cape May.  There have been so many beautiful moments....inspirational...happy coincidences that validate your decisions and choices.  I am so grateful to be here with these wonderful people.



Meeting New Friends from Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Isn't it ironic that I meet two people from Jersey Shore, Pa when I am at the Jersey shore?  Liz and Butch are teachers from this sleepy one horse town and wanted me to mention them in my book, however I couldn't figure out a way to do that.  We mutually agreed to put themin  my blog as a compromise.  Let's hear it for Butch and Liz!

They are very nice people and it was a pleasure to meet them.

Native American Storyline

My beautiful work space at the Ocean Club, Cape May, NJ

Imagine working on a Native American storyline on the beach? A lot of people who are creative are motivated by the water.  The smell, the sound of the waves, and the salt is all healing and soothing. For me all of it is inspiring and I feel so blessed to have this time by the sea.

On August 9, 2012 it will be three years since my mother died. I will passing the day writing. I hope she is looking down at me and smiling because of the Native American storyline.  Her maiden name was Crofoot: used to be Crowfoot but the W was dropped to assimilate.  I will also collect some beautiful stones by the beach, in her honor. These will be put in their own spot in my study at home in an abandoned birds nest that I found.  These will be Mary Ann's stones. When I get stuck with something, I will hold the stones and ask for her help like I used to do when she is alive. It sounds like a plan. 

Writing At The Ocean Club,Cape May, NJ

Writing here has been so productive for me. The sound of the ocean and seagulls in the background is a welcome reminder of my summers at Chadwick Beach Island. Positive energy is everywhere here...not only in Cape May, but at the hotel where I am staying.

When you are here for so long it's important to take care of your body and soul.  As I have said sitting so long takes its toll after a long day of writing. After work, I swim in the salt water followed by 45 minutes of ballroom dancing.  Most days that is enough to get the kinks out, but not yesterday.

At the Ocean Club they have an in house Massage Therapist; Penny Morris.  I had an East Meets West Massage with deep tissue and yoga stretching.  Penny comes to your room and is very knowledgeable and friendly.  As soon as she walks into your room you feel her soothing positive energy.  She sets up your room and gives you a choice of lovely music. At the end of the massage, I felt energized yet peaceful.  She does energy work also which means you will feel a positive shift in your personal energy. She is a delightful person.

 I just love my experience here and want to share it.  It's a great place to unwind, relax and enjoy the splendor that is Cape May!

Picture Writing Perfect

I am continually amazed by the beauty of nature. N.J. takes such a bad rap for being remembered by your first view of flying into Newark or New York airports and seeing the turnpike ahead of you.  I had planned writing in Montenegro and Capri this summer for another novel I am working on... that trip is happening in September and I know I will be inspired by the beauty of both those places but for now I couldn't ask for more natural beauty than Cape May. I feel so blessed to experience such interesting places in the world. The multicultural staff at the Ocean Club make me feel as if I am staying in an exotic resort getaway; a secret place of beauty and inspiration that is a rare find.

It was such a pleasant surprise to have this source of inspiration all around me, every moment I am here.  Today I am meeting with a realtor, having dinner with a new friend who has invited me to teach at her spiritual retreat at the Ocean Club in October.... and dancing the night away with the resident Dance Champion, Tom Cupp. Tom is one of the best ballroom instructors I have ever had with his ability to teach something and change it up until you as the student "gets it."  He also has a wicked sense of humor, quick wit and makes a lesson so much fun, you don't realize how hard you are working.

Spirituality and dance are definitely some of the "stuff" that inspires my writing and I am so excited to have found it in Cape May.  I have a feeling, I will be part of this sleepy (in a lovely way) seaside town forever now that its salt water flows through my veins.