A Novel Creation www.WatersWords.com

  I’m sitting at my computer struggling with this week’s topic for the blog. I named the blog: “A Novel Creation” for two reasons. The first was my idea and is rather weak. The second idea was, in a way, revealed to me by God. Much later.   I’ll start with the first.  When I decided to turn my attention to becoming a published author, I attended a conference at Wheaton College in Illinois. I was there to learn what I needed to do to publish. Actually, I already knew the first step was to write something. Before the conference I began crafting my first novel. At that conference in 2012, I heard over and over again I needed to write a blog. I didn’t even know what a blog was, much less anything about writing one. I started to research “blog” and bumped into work by Jeff Goins challenging writers to write.  I was one of the early members of a Facebook group emerging from that work called “My 500 Words.” Through his work I learned about blogging. The goal was to write at...

  “A Chill in the Water!” Or Lessons Drawn From the Rainbow River”   My first trip to Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida was as a teen. The spring-fed water is icy cold even on the hottest day of the year. I understand the water travels underground from the Appalachian Mountains. The river is only seven miles long and as clear as a pane of glass.   You  cannot “ease” your way into the water. “Easing in” is akin to cutting off your toe a sliver at a time. Simply Excruciating. No. You must make the commitment and jump in.  The ice-cold water surrounds you. It nearly takes your breath away, but you quickly adapt.   The current is strong, so most people bring or rent innertubes to float down the river, the fish swimming happily beneath them. Fish in that river are hard to catch because they can see absolutely everything …hook, line, and sinker. This past week I had the opportunity to visit the river. Mike and I took a dr...

 Summer Olym-pups While millions watched the summer games played out in Paris on television, Mike and I enjoyed our own summer Olympic champions as they performed here.   Roxy came out on top in three major events. She won the gold in “squirrel chasing without harming a single squirrel.” She also placed first in the “barking and bouncing at the same time” event. And although the competition was tough, Roxy landed on top with the “m ost  drool in a single dinner session.” Roxy It should be noted that Roxy was disqualified in one of the eating events for eating her opponent’s food before eating her own. Honeybee was not to be outdone, going for the gold in protecting Mike from Becky and winning by a landslide. Although she failed to keep Becky from entering Mike’s office, (Becky was able to pass her by without even a nip) she  tried… whereas Roxy allowed full entry to Mike’s office without a whimper. Honeybee also reached the top podium in meatloaf devouring, though th...

 Debby I’ve known a few “Debby’s" in my life. It was a popular name for my generation. Probably because of an actress named Debby …or was it Debbie…Reynolds. However you spell it, there were always multiple Debby’s in my classes from first grade through high school. This blog isn’t actually about those friends. It is about the hurricane by the same name.  My High School Friend Debby Westlake Shared This "Hurricane Selfie" for This Week's Post. Thank You, Debby! Growing up in Florida I often heard old timers say, “What we need right now is a good hurricane.” I didn’t get it. I guess “a good hurricane” fills the lakes, waters the plants, and cools the air. It does seem the hurricanes today hit harder and wreak more havoc. Of course, in the last fifty years there have been many changes to the Florida landscape. Now I see fewer orange groves and open fields. It seems our newest state products are condominiums, HOA planned communities, and theme parks.  Maybe we just see ...