WIP: Complete! Now for the Vacation
BEFORE THE STORM is done! I tightened the last scene on Sunday and emailed it (105,000 words, 406 manuscript pages) to my editor and agent. Now I wait for their thoughts on revisions. Meanwhile, it’s vacation time! Woo hoo! Actual relaxation. We’re having such a great time. I slept almost all day yesterday. It felt soooooooo good after several weeks of sleep deprivation. There are ten adults in this house and three kids, age three and under. It’s noisy but lots of fun. We’re in a development on Bogue Banks with a pool. I’d forgotten how great it is to putter around in the water, especially with the little ones. Haven’t made it to the beach yet–sun phobic–but hope to one morning soon. Today John and I are going to the little town of Beaufort to explore.
One of the cool things about this development is that it has a “private island” out in the intracoastal waterway. There is an incredibly long walkway through the marsh and sweetgrass leading out to a lovely gazebo where we’ve watched the sunset. I wisely brought my (mobility) scooter, the Rascal, with me. I rarely use it these days, but rheumatoid arthritis and a long walk don’t go together very well, so I knew it would be a necessity if I wanted to go to the little island. Here’s a view of the gazebo from the walkway. My grandson, NJ, loved getting a ride back with his wind-blown Grammy Di!
I’m starting to think about the sequel to BEFORE THE STORM. It’s fun to think about the various possibilities, especially when I’m 
not feeling any pressure (yet) to produce something concrete. I’m also dabbling with a non-fiction idea.
As for what I’m reading: TRAVELING MERCIES, by Anne Lamott. I read it long ago, but am re-reading it for my book club. It’s non-fiction, and a wonderful book I highly recommend about one woman’s spiritual journey. Lamott is so funny and irreverent, and yet her epiphanies are profound and could resonate, I think, with just about everyone.
I was just instructed it’s time to get off the computer and back to the fun, so that’s all for now.
Diane
I actually live not to far from Beaufort …in Kinston, N.C. & also Swansboro,N.C. that is a small fishing village right on the river & the Intracoastal Waterway …it is a beautiful little town …but so is Beaufort ,N.C. I hope that you & your family enjoyed visitng in our little area …I really appreciate the saettings in N.C. that you use in some of your books …Richard Gere is at Topsail Island right now filming one of Nicholas Sparks’ book , Nights in Rodanthe ..they filmes the outside scenes in the real community of Rodanhe out on our Outer Banks …I sure would love to see some of your books made into a movie …they are soooo good . After reading //Cee Cee m I am now trying to read every book you have written ,,,I guess you can call me a new fan for sure . :>)
thank you
Susan Manning
What gorgeous pictures! All of it and all of your family! Hope the rest of your stay is as lovely.
I’m listening to Grace, Eventually on audio right now. (Also Anne Lamott) Some pretty controversial topics in that one. That girl can really make you think–sometimes so hard it hurts.
Diane, you can certainly tell your having a wonderful vacation…these pics are beautiful, especially the 1 with you and NJ which shows some very special feelings between grandma and grandson. Not sure how long your trip is, but hoping everyday is magical for you.
Susan, I’m delighted you’re a new fan! We’re loving your little part of the world. We didn’t make it to Beaufort yesterday, but are going today. We’re running out of week, which makes me sad, but I’ll try to live in the moment and enjoy every one of them. I’d heard that Richard Gere and Diane Lane are in Topsail filming. How exciting!
Julie, I have GRACE, EVENTUALLY at home. I know it’s actually the third of her “spiritual journey” books, but hoping I can read it without reading PLAN B, the second one. Did you read PLAN B? Controversial topics, huh? I think that’s why I like LaMott. She doesn’t mince words and makes me think . . . a lot.
Margo, you’re right. I adore NJ. my grandsons left yesterday, but we still have little Sadie here (the dark-haired baby in the picture). She’s the baby of my stepdaughter, Caitlin’s friends. It’s been a fun congenial group.
That book of Sparks reminds me of one of my favorites-Bridges of Madison County. Even though my friends kid me about that sometimes…I like that book
Diane, I don’t think I’ve read Plan B yet, either. I did read Traveling Mercies. I only discovered Anne Lamott in about the last year (I know…where was I?), so I’ve bounced around a bit. Loved The Blue Shoe–as a former single mom, I was laughing my head off at some of the humor in the midst of despair.
Anyway, I think Grace (Eventually) can be read as a standalone book without any problem. (I punctuated it wrong the first time. Oops.)
In one section, she talks about living with a teenager about to fly the nest. I listened to it tonight while taking a long, therapeutic bath after a drama-filled day with my own nest flee-er. I had no idea this section was in there or coming up next for me. I laughed and then I cried. Talk about timing with a capital T. 🙂
Julie, that’s the thing about LaMott’s nonfiction. There’s something in each book that absolutely WILL resonate with someone, smacking you between the eyes. I laugh out loud on nearly every page, and then the words sink in and move me in a more profound way. can’t wait to discuss this one in book club.
I discovered La Mott with her wonderful book on writing, BIRD BY BIRD. Then I read OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (which refers to the fact that babies don’t come with them) and even though I’ve never had children of my own, I loved following her son’s first year through her eyes.
Brenda, you have plenty of company in liking BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. That’s one of those books people either seem to love or hate. Are you the person whom mentioned Dorothea Benton Frank’s FULL OF GRACE? Have added that to my reading stack.
You are correct…there does not seem to be in between. I’ll never forget the teasing I have received when I am around other teachers…
They wonder how someone as “straight-laced” ???? not really??? as I could condone adultery. I don’t look at the story like that…I look at a woman who fell her true love…she stayed for her husband and children…she sacrificed the love of her life for her family…in a country that was not hers…as for Robert-who could have helped that??? Dreams are good-we are glad we have them-even if they don’t always come true–to paraphrase the book…
I like the movie, but it does not get to me as does the story…
Okay, Diane-we finally “birthed that baby” and knew little about it. I feel as if a weight has been lifted and here you are starting on the sequel…whew…don’t know if I can handle that already 🙂 🙂 just kidding…here I am working on my little novel, another project, lesson plans, and travel…give me a break-I am just like that too…
My son is coming–and then I will go up to see him and go with him for the Ironman…he is moving south, and my husband and I plan to drive down in Florida for a week or so…then school and college classes-teaching this time…
Are we workaholics???
I am so proud of you. You did it…I hate deadlines…you must be used to them by now. Can you believe it??? Are you doing another book before the sequel, or are you going right into the sequel????
You’d think I had nothing else to do but comment on this blog, but there is always such interesting discussion going on here! 🙂
I love Dot Frank, although Full of Grace was probably not my favorite of all her books. Can’t put a finger on why. Some of hers take a little time to get into for me, but I am always so glad I hung in by the time I’m finished. Lots of wisdom and insight, and just plain fun and funny to boot! Can’t wait to get my hands on her newest. (The Land of Mango Sunsets, I believe it’s called.)
Julie-absolutely totally agree about Full of Grace-something I just did not want to read again.
P.S. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Frank’s books…just not that one
uh oh. bummer that that’s the one i have. 🙁 but i like the way it opens. I haven’t read her before. will let y’all know what i think.
tonight is our last night at the beach. agony! in some ways i’m ready to get home to the pups and a more normal internet access, but i’ll miss the fun and relaxation for sure.
Brenda, to answer your question a few comments above, I’ll move right to the sequel, which I have to have in by the end of the year (!) I must admit I did almost zero work on this vacation. Sounds like you have a nice balance of work and play this summer.
What do I learn on vacation? I am not as young as I once was…and I can be happy anywhere.
Good things to learn, Brenda. Especially the last one.