A giveaway

Friday I am participating in a blog hop with a guest writer, Charlene Raddon, who will be promoting her newest book, Scent of Roses. Be sure and come back Friday to read what her newest book is about; then go to her site where my book, From Here to There, will be featured. Comment either here or at Charlene Raddon (where she is also sponsoring a giveaway) and one random commenter will win From Here to There in a PDF or an eBook format--their choice.

Does that sound confusing enough? Well since I am new to blog hops, that won't be surprising to me. I am doing the best I can to get it across how it works... I think... The point that matters is one eBook copy of From Here to There will be free to someone selected randomly from the commenters-- leave contact info in your comment. I think I got that right.

The following video discusses the energy behind From Here to There.

Yaquina Head June 14th

The Oregon Coast June 14th-- always an inspiration especially the lighthouse at Yaquina Head because of the life those old light keepers had. Even though this one is quite close to Newport, it was resupplied by boat. They led an isolated life as well as a very important one for early shipping. With ships often not far offshore, it was all too easy to crash into rocks without these steady beacons at night or in a fog. There were no nights off.

Years before them, the Native Americans lived on the headland where they had sheltered coves in the rock as well as plentiful food supplies from the sea, hunting, and roots to dig. Their archaeological evidence was left behind.

Friday the harbor seals were basking on the rocks below but photographing them was tough with their whiteness against the dark rocks. The murres were all over the rocks with no interest in fishing for themselves or performing acrobatics. I did see a few swimming and one eating something but without a better telephoto, it's guesswork what-- orange colored; so maybe a starfish?
 

Some years back it was as though I saw two imaginary people. They were the light keepers; and whether it was from a dream or the energy they left behind, I cannot say. I did a quick digital sketch. This would be looking south toward the lighthouse from the beach.

True West

Whenever I was in Tucson, I'd head for the used book store and pick up some copies of True West. I didn't subscribe because I was already taking a couple of other magazines. Finally I realized I was no longer reading my art magazines and the old photos alone in this magazine would make it worthwhile getting.

So the first issue came and I'm pleased. It is light fare. Some are fun. Some new tweaks on old stories. A few have been extensively researched like one on the Bloody Siege at Milk Creek in Montana where the Meeker Massacre is more widely known and this story not so much. If you haven't seen the magazine and have a love of Western history and entertainment, you might check it out.

Some of the stories were ones I knew but some are about characters new to me. An example would be a story on Dave Mather as it asked the question if he broke the law or served it-- and where did he actually end his life. As a writer, I find it interesting to learn these tidbits about the real people who lived in the West during the years I have based my own stories. 

Solitude and the Writer

Lately my creative life appears to be revolving around the camera in one way or another. I have put off starting the next book. This was not so much because I don't know where it's going-- as it's evolving in my head quite nicely. It's more because I am not sure I have a big enough block of time to do more than get the first chapter laid out. Sometimes that works and sometimes it creates a mixed energy that can be avoided by just waiting until the time is here.

Long time friends were here on Sunday. Diane Widler Wenzel was beginning the largest plein air painting she's done in ten years. She took on even more of a challenge when she chose to videotape the process to share how such a painting evolves. She set herself up down by the creek.

The reflections in a summer creek are fantastic with so many colorful places where you can hardly tell the reflection from reality. A polarizing lens helps to capture it with the camera. I am thinking sometime I will put together a slideshow of the reflections I've taken through the years and seasons.

As Diane got her painting laid out. I relaxed out in the new yard area and contemplated life and art. No, I didn't. I petted the cats and more or less took a day off-- other than fixing everyone a lunch-- as the guys worked on a (broken-- don't ask how that happened) ATV, cleaned out a barn, and stuffed a wool bag. Me, I just enjoyed listening to the birds and staring up at a beautiful blue sky as some clouds floated past. That cats approved my choice.

On the week-end, I bought a new Logitech webcam. It has wide angle as an option. They all take adjusting the color, contrast, gain, exposure, etc. as light changes. I am hopeful with it I will get less obvious pixilation and sharper images as I continue to learn to talk about my books, the writing process, or whatever comes to mind. It's still a challenge but rewarding too.

Besides discussing each of my books, I also have recorded a few on topics like sexuality in the novel, techniques in doing a video, video potential as another communication medium, etc etc.

My weeks ahead will grow increasing chaotic which may break my posting rhythm here and on Rainy Day Thoughts. We are loading the first of our winter supply of hay. Farm Boss does that work as when bales weigh 800 lbs., I sure am not going to be out helping stack them. It is purely a job for a tractor.

The busy times over the next few weeks will all be enjoyable with more grandkid time as well as Farm Boss's 70th birthday. I am enjoying the season, the family activities that are sandwiched into the ranch jobs, and the wonders of living on a creek during the summer. It's wonderful right now as a deer wandered through and Farm Boss scared the fox as he surprised him hunting by the old harness shed.

I made this video to play with the webcam and discuss something I think  does matter to the writer. Thinking more on those kinds of topics is on my mind--

It is or is not of value?

Instead of working on the new book, weeding the garden, going for another walk, what am I doing??? Working on the business of creating videos that might sell ideas. Like what the .....!  It's funny in a way as at one time I thought of such videos as a waste of people's time-- to watch or make. Never say never fits today.

When I saw the first book trailers where writers discussed their work, I liked them a lot. Especially this was true if they were sharing their working environment or the energy of a place that inspired their work. Along with that I have watched TED talks where various topics were discussed by experts from a podium, and I began to think more about the possible value of learning to do discussion videos for my ideas and work.

As I started, I had no idea where I would be taking it. I've been learning as I go and sharing that process here. Just as I think I have one angle figured out, another crops up.

What I still do not know is if this media, for ordinary people, is a way to interest or inspire others. I do know one thing. When you are almost 70, it's kind of neat to find a new challenge, a new direction that challenges you. I like it that something I didn't see as mattering begins to tweak my mind with the question-- does it?

Of course, in the meantime the weeds are taking over the garden which is not going to get any photographs or video time-- unless it gets a whole lot more photogenic. I think I need a fairy godmother who has an interest in gardening ;)

the video discussion downside

Creating discussion videos has been teaching me a lot.-- some of which I have not much liked. For instance one side of my face looks like a whole different woman than the other side. When I talk, it changes everything for the dimensions of my features. Watching myself talk is something I have always disliked-- so that's not new. I don't mind the sound of my voice on the video as much as expected. If I could just pose and have an audio say the words, that'd be the ticket.

When doing these videos, I have been surprised how easily I can goof up the words. I don't work from a script. I have several ideas that I decide are the crux, but it's amazing how many ways I can goof that up. Do one. Goof it up. Delete. Do another. Watch it for a bit and decide it's not working. Delete. That means I am looking at me a LOT of times before I finally get it right. I can begin to understand why people decide a goof doesn't matter and just keep on talking.

The big deals for me have turned out to be dialogue and lighting. Lighting matters more at almost 70 than it might've ten or twenty years ago. But you work with what you have and ten years ago I wasn't even thinking of publishing my books or doing a blog of any sort.

Why would I do videos if basically I don't like how it makes me feel about me?

I think it's one more way to communicate particularly to a culture that has gone very visual with television and computers. People learn many different ways and not all will get something through reading. For those who are visual and verbal, these kind of videos could be better ways to communicate a truth of any sort.

For me it's a truth about my writing and creativity but for others it could be the environment, love of animals or even politics. Whether this will really work to sell books or anything else, I have no idea. I am though going to give it a try... if I can stand myself long enough.

finding and loving someone

Sometimes I think romance, two people ever finding each other in this big world, is an almost mystical thing. How do we explain something like this:

Chloe Mayo paints man, finds man, marries man

Some say reality is different than fantasy-- sure it is-- until you listen to people talk about how they met and then you see the hand of fate so often.

Of course, romance isn't the end of the game. We fall in love and then life happens, we get busy, involved with the business of surviving in the world.

When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

That's the essence to find that romance which goes beyond. Romance novels aren't all that unrealistic. They end though before the real work begins :)

The creek is lush with green. The wood ducks have raised their ducklings, whether the raccoons and beaver have done likewise, we don't know-- can't have a wildlife cam everywhere. It is a wonderful time though these weeks before the Solstice.