I am looking forward to the last show of the year. It’s coming up this Saturday Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 100 vendors offering unique gifts.
The show is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus. Overall, I did well this year compared to previous years. Although I missed a big one–Christmas Through Lowell due to illness.
Books available
Book Nook of Saugatuck, Bettie’s Pages
My hottest seller remains historical fiction The Lost Town set in Singapore, MI.
I am wrapping up the final edits to The Quest for the Lost Town.
My second best seller is my award-winning Greenwich Meridian Memoir which is a two-generation saga trackng our escape from former Czechoslovakia.
Stop by to purchase a unique gift that keeps on giving. My book no. 2 Secrets continues to sell very well. Part of its magic is the 3D optical illusion cover titled Gossip, and then the killer title Secrets.
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As I logged in 2,146 in the 50k-word challenge for a total of 46, 445 in two writing sessions, I lived a normal Sunday going to mass at St. Pat’s and even cooking festive dinner.
I paid attention to the sermon given by Vicar David about the good sheep and the bad goats. Doing bad stuff is just as despicable as doing nothing at all. I regret how many times I have been just an observer rather than acting, except for the Velvet Revolution in 1989, when I walked into the streets to manifest against the socialist regime.
I’ve been touched by the church’s prison ministry and the need for women’s underwear in the county jail. This time, I took action, I bought underwear, reading glasses, and socks, and put a book in the prison package. I have to get out some travel-size toiletries from the hotels, that I had forgotten to take.
We also stilled the plum ferment, but the yield is half of last year’s, which is not good. It must be due to the low content of sugar, which is a result of not enough sun when the fruit ripens.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever worked on a book on the beach. I’ve written on beaches before, but never a contiguous piece of an actual manuscript, the sequel to Shifting Sands: The Lost Town.
“What’s lost can be found even on a beach or underneath the singing sands.”
Scuba Divers
It’s very fitting to write the sequel on the beach amidst the little dunes with the wind blowing from the south. The life saving wind is cooling down the air temperature that reached 82 F. It’s 90F in Orlando. I am savoring the warmth of these moments as a major winter storm is whipping the Midwest.
It’s been quite an experiment that I started aboard the Allegiant two- hour flight to Punta Gorda, FL to see if can pick up writing whenever or wherever I leave off. So far it has been working out despite all the beach distractions.
The Pavilion
Epiphany Church
Yes, there has been plenty of distractions from the posted Red Tide caused by red algae, private jets taking off behind my back, to the falling umbrella, cute divers with oxygen tanks, a screaming kid and the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Then yesterday I broke my eyeglasses, forgot my card and much more.
After mom’s surgery this morning, a cup of coffee and two cups of Earl Grey, I regained some composure still undecided whether I should go for the Ashes in the morning by myself, or wait the outcome of the surgery. Mom was recovering well so I went for the gold- that is what I call going to the beach.
The improvement since yesterday was remarkable; no more coughing caused by the Red Tide or smell from the dead fish washed ashore.
“It comes and goes,” mom said about the unwelcome visitor to the Florida beaches. Regardless, the Red Tide the beaches of Venice are busy with tourists and snowbirds. Yoga on the Beach with Elin in the mornings enjoys around 200 yogis of all ages.
But back to the manuscript. I am about five to six chapters away from the end. Do I know the ending? I don’t and I like it that way as it keeps me on the edge, and probably preventing me from sleeping too.
What are the major forces in the story now? Well, the secrets of Singapore remain covered with sand. How will they emerge? Who will help uncover them? That remains unknown.
To be continued…
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Happy holiday season 2022, may the light shine on into the long winter nights
I logged in 48,415 words in the NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge on this First Sunday of Advent as I watched Fr. Dat Tran dressed in Advent blue approach the altar at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Grand Rapids for the Sunday mass at 10:30 a.m.
And sudden warmth and light flooded not only the cathedral but my heart as well. If I hadn’t been writing for the last 27 days, there would have been only the darkness of a blank page. So many people want the light of a new story, a new beginning. And that is Advent. The beginning of a new liturgical year and new stories waiting to be told.
This time I prayed for the success of the challenge, not just for me but all of us, so the stories can enlighten the world in its darkness. The purpose of the challenge is not only to reach the 50k -word- goal but to help young aspiring authors. I feel I have done that, and that I will continue the noble goal of inspiring others to reach for the light. In the name of Chiara, Vera, Ashley and all.
You are the reason why I write.
To be continued..
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Palova. All right reserved.
It’s day three of National Novel Writing Month and the temperatures steadily hold in the upper 60s, even reaching 71 in the afternoon in West Michigan.
I wrote happily this morning 1,708 words not banking any extras for rainy days aka holidays. I have introduced the inciting incident into the story which made my heart beat faster.
Inciting incident
Exactly as depicted in the roller coaster plotting method. With sweaty palms and a racing heart, I stopped before the steep climb and went for a walk to alleviate the pressure of excitement.
There is something about the roller coaster plotting method that keeps you on the edge, just like on the real ride. You hold your breath and wait for what happens next.
Last year I used the beat sheet method. But I’ve learned both from my podcast author guests and from meditations that change pushes you forward. It was the jerk I needed as I reverted back to my most productive time, morning writing, and afternoon reporting.
I inserted a long break in between so it doesn’t feel like I am working all the time. The afternoon visit to the Lowell Arts Gallery was a sheer pleasure. Janet Teunis made it easy. I felt like back at home with the other artists setting up.
The sun is setting now so I should head back.
More tomorrow.
Long road ahead.
November reruns of spring and summer episodes of For the Love of Books Podcast
Nov. 3 Nikki Mitchell , Nightshade Forest
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
“Her DNA, heart and soul are in every square inch of the trail system that we all enjoy.”
Unknown
The second sunny day in a row in the high 60s in November in Michigan. I logged in 1,862 words with NaNoWriMo. After writing I hit the trail and met the patrol guy, who has been patrolling this beauty for the last 12 years.
The Book of the Dead (Omega) was open today at St. Pat’s Church along with the list of the dead in 2022 for signing.
On the trail remembering Betsy Davidson
Also remember a soul who left us on Sept. 5, 2022. I’ve done several stories with Betsy Davidson about the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail for Ledger’s Behind the Scenes feature series. An astute businesswoman and a community leader in Lowell, Betsy was always fun and light-hearted.
She was honored that the Ledger featured her.
May you rest in peace, my dear friend.
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, I’ve returned to my annual winter writer’s retreat on the island of Venice in Florida.
I missed everything; from the turquoise waters, tropical flowers to Mahi Mahi and Mango Bango at Sharky’s.
This year’s stay was very special because we had an unplanned family reunion that just happened when Doc Chavent and Ludek decided to join us in “Paradise.”
Since it was sort of a reunion, mom Ella slaved in the kitchen and made some tropical goodies like open-faced sandwiches with mango chutney and blue cheese spread. We bought cold cuts at the International Food deli in nearby Northport owned by Ukraine owners.
I admire these Ukrainian women who have been running the store sine 1989 with little knowledge of English, but with a lot of gusto for life and preserving the old country traditions by carrying foods such as sproty, smoked mackerels, Russian champagne, Alexander II black tea and loose tea packed in Russian nesting dolls.
Venice on the island with sandy beaches and pelicans is better known as “Paradise.” The temperature in the winter months is around mid 70F. We lucked out it was in the 80s all week long, and sunny.
We all met on Sunday, Feb. 20 by the beach at Sharky’s, the only restaurant on the beach in Venice. Ludek waited for us by the picnic bench and surprised Doc Emma and the grandkids, as well as Vincent by his unexpected presence. Our daughter didn’t recognize him in his beach attire and hat, and her new friend Vincent didn’t stand a chance, since they’ve never met.
However, the grands eventually realized that it was their own grandpa sitting underneath the palms drinking beer, even though they were jet-lagged after the long flight from Paris.
We all enjoyed the sunny tropical afternoon on the beach in February. Usually, we spend Sunday afternoons at home shopping after the Sunday mass.
This was a much-needed break from the winter drill of taking care of the house and our new business. But I also had to somewhat break away from my usual retreat routine except for the morning yoga on the beach with Elin.
My dad Vaclav gave me a ride every day for the 9 am yoga session on Venice Beach. The class is always well attended by close to 200 participants from all over the USA. But most of us are from either the Midwest or from New England.
I enjoyed the morning conversations about how many inches of snow was the northeast getting and how many flights have been canceled. The last yoga class before my departure was dedicated to Dotty of Michigan who was celebrating her 100th birthday and until two years ago did yoga with Elin on the beach, a definite testimonial to the overall benefits of yoga.
“Dotty wouldn’t want us to do any balances today,” said Elin holding a poster of Dotty. “ So we’re not going to do them.”
Elin offers plenty of tips on how to maintain balance, good posture, and fall correctly, if necessary. We often do executive stretches and airplane balances. Plus there’s a lot to do in town including Farmers Markets on Saturdays.
I love downtown Venice with palm-lined streets, boutiques, Ciao Gelato shop, Coffee and Wine Co., and restaurants. This year, colorful sculptures of mermaids and seahorses adorned the street corners and storefronts.
We only made it once to town for coffee with mom, and a few times to Jetty’s Jack for ice brewed latte with Ludek. However, we indulged in a fancy tropical lunch at Finn’s on an unlimited budget sponsored by the Docs from France.
You should never tell a Czech person that he or she can order whatever they want from the menu. Because they will. LOL
Mom ordered filet mignon, while dad went cheap and ordered fish and chips. We all shared octopus for appetizers. I have yet to acquire a taste for that.
The North and South Jetty located on the north side of Venice are wharves with marinas, kayaks, and boat rentals such as sailvenice.com and the Freedom Boat Club.
We enjoyed a sunset cruise with Captain Paul Aquaholic Charters starting at the Venice Marina by the Old Salt Dog. Marine patrol officer Paul for Sarasota County during the day turns into Captain Paul at night. Barefoot Paul took us out to sea via the Venice waterways past the dockside restaurants on the waterways.
We saw dolphins playing by the docks. They chased our small boat in the waterway and Paul even lent the Captain’s bridge to the grandkids to steer us toward the setting sun.
The journey into the sun that lit the gold and orange waters on fire to see the Gulf sunset lasted more than an hour, and created memories for a lifetime.
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
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