The Willamette and Columbia Rivers were big players in my memoir, My Music Man. These moving waterways play smaller, yet important roles in my novel. While Oregon (and beyond) rivers exude stretches of beauty and intrigue, who might recognize the stretch I selected to film my Beyond the Ripples trailer? Name this stretch for a … Continue reading Win a free book: identify this river stretch
Columbia River
The snow made me do it
Yes, once daylight appeared I had to set out to do my most favorite thing. Walk in the fresh snow, even if only a mere inch or two. And it made me remember this excerpt from my memoir. Had I known then, my snow-deprived self would have been jealous to have learned about the boisterous snowstorm … Continue reading The snow made me do it
Using what we know to imagine what might have been
This post was first published by Women Writers, Women Books at http://booksbywomen.org Weaving technical expertise into creative writing Had you asked me five years ago if I would ever write a memoir, I might have answered “maybe.” If the query had been about writing a novel? Never! My brain, schooled and journeyed through decades of … Continue reading Using what we know to imagine what might have been
Apology 2: to the Grande Ronde River
It has been almost a year since My Music Man was released by Bedazzled Ink Publishing. Being a history lover but not professing to be a historian (like Dad) made me obsessive in re-checking historical facts captured within my pages. I was pleased to reference these details - that made me feel better - and … Continue reading Apology 2: to the Grande Ronde River
The Portland Steamer keeps on puffing
"BUT OF ALL boats, Dad most loved steamboats. They ruled the stories he shared: carrying goods and passengers up and down the Columbia and the Willamette. Oh, to have been a passenger on the early steamboats puffing along the two-thousand-mile long Columbia River! Our Columbia: the river that introduced William and Chloe to the Oregon … Continue reading The Portland Steamer keeps on puffing
Columbia River Bar Pilots: A job like no other
Shortly after my dad died I received a phone call at work from a staff person with the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots. For the first minute of the call I assumed that this man was calling to offer his condolences about Dad. For, after all - it was widely known that the men and … Continue reading Columbia River Bar Pilots: A job like no other
“But of all boats, Dad most loved steamboats”
As I look ahead to share My Music Man at the Astoria Public Library next Saturday, it's only natural that I reminisce about the days of steamers. And in today's world, sated with news, worry, and conflict, it took two nudges to impel my brain to journey back, the second being my offer to lend … Continue reading “But of all boats, Dad most loved steamboats”
Surprises in the mail
There is something a bit mysterious about an unopened, gifted package. The idea for the novel I am working on (see: A note in a bottle) was made even more special by the surprise package I received in the mail that one day, so many decades ago now. The post-office delivered mailer I received the other … Continue reading Surprises in the mail
Book researching: snail mail to Google Earth
Dad, in his fictitious model railroad town of Zenith, (Those things left behind) reminded us that its adjacent port town was based on the Oregon town of Westport. As I crafted the opening chapter for my newest writing project, for whatever reason, my heart told me that Westport was the perfect location. Unlike in my … Continue reading Book researching: snail mail to Google Earth
Biddle’s Rock: A beacon of the gorge
The Columbia River Gorge. Isn't it true, no matter how many times we have traveled along the banks of the Columbia River as it weaves its way through this geologic rich gorge: we are awestruck? We are eager to show it off to those new to Oregon and it inspires us when we are lucky … Continue reading Biddle’s Rock: A beacon of the gorge
