Island Driving & the Funky Ferry From Red Hook!

One of da car ferries outta Red Hook, mon, complete with
palm trees, a bar, & great reggae tunes to sway to as you roll with the waves. 

When we arrived in St. Thomas last week, we rented a jeep, since we planned to visit many different spots on St. Thomas and St. John.  In case you haven’t visited either of these two lush islands with a decidedly volcanic ancient history, life seems to move at a totally different pace than here in the continental United States.  Everybody we met was easy-going and relaxed.  Unlike Jamaica, they don’t say “No problem mon”, they live the motto without having to utter the words.  HOWEVER...the one ‘ting that is frustrating and stressy is getting behind the wheel in the Virgin Islands.  And here’s why:

A)     Despite the fact the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. Commonwealth, you drive on the left side.  Yep.  Just like our friends across the Big Pond do in Britain. 

B)      Everyone uses their horn.  Often.  Very very often.  In a span of say, five minutes, you may experience on St. Thomas several honks. Which brings me to...

C)      You must learn why you are on the receiving end of “the honk”. 

It took us several days to decipher certain meanings associated with the excessive horn-honking, and a honk could simply be a friendly way to say hi to a buddy driving past you, or “the honk” could be because they want to pass you quickly while you’re trying to turn and they think you’re taking too long, and with many of the roads being but only two lanes on narrow, hilly terrain, that’s not something you rush (turning).  Honestly, some people there drove like maniacs, and my hubs (we own a jeep by the way) is very adept at driving through mountainous terrain and maneuvering hair-pin curves and still was honked at frequently.

Over a few days, we came to ignore “the honk”, and towards the end of our vacation, we even honked a bit ourselves.  Why not?  When in Rome. 

Midweek, we decided to take the car ferry over to St. John to experience the beautiful beaches and isolated peace.  We were also curious if the honking was rampant on the island but blissfully it was not!  St. John was our little respite from “the honk”, and we found ourselves spending at least two honk-free days sunning on the secluded beaches and meandering the roads of the Juraissic Park-like island. 

To get from St. Thomas (home of “the honk”) to St. John (our island of ahhh) requires the use of a car ferry, and the whole element of “the honk” stops when you enter the marina at Red Hook.  You purchase either a one-way or a round-trip ticket on the car ferry, and as soon as you back your car over the ramp and onto the large boat, this is what you might be greeted with:

My video!  Many more fun 'tings to upload and show you soon!

Btw, you can't hear either my voice or the reggae music

 until I turn and video facing the bar area.

Palm trees, reggae music, and a bar!  All on a car ferry!  The mental strain courtesy of “the honk” melted away after listening to a musical reminder by Mr. Marley on how “every ‘ting is gonna be alright”. Who wouldn't love a boat like this?  The only things missing were Julie, Captain Stubing, Isaac, and a stateroom to crash in.  The views were gorgeous, and the feel of the salty air hitting your face was every bit as intoxicating as the beer and rum drinks savored by many of the passengers on board. 

But somewhere deep-down despite all the island fun, we decided we wouldn’t partake in the perpetual happy-hour on board, and opted to while away the twenty minute ride to St. John drinking bottled water rather than rum since we would be driving on even more mountainous terrain.

Feel free to enjoy a few moments from the honk-free, festive and fabulous car ferry, and remember, if someone honks at you, it ain’t nothing but a ‘ting.  Everything’s gonna be alright.

More island and literary musings to come!  

You Create the Caption!



Let's See What You'd Put Riiiiight Here!
 (original article and photo:  http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/07/09/070912-news-cape-cod-shark-1-2-zzinfogrzz/)


Some photos beg for a caption, and while we could get all factual, adding in the name of the freaked-out dad and where the incident happened, the news agencies already did the non-fun stuff for us, but we can of course, do more! 

I say this photo requires a new caption, and who better to write a snappy caption than the super-creative readers and writers who follow Soul and Sweet Tea!

You know I'm right.  You know you can do this. 

This idea to have a little fun came to me last night as I watched the nightly news and saw this picture, which to me is worth about a million words.

This is yet another fun way for us to flex our writing muscles, so show me the captions, and feel free to comment on which ones you think are the best.  This isn't a contest, but getting a thumb's up from a fellow writer does feel good doesn't it? 

By the way, being a former biology major in college, and knowing the kayaker and paddleboarder are sharing the water with a nearby large seal population, I'd say they were rather lucky chaps.

Rolling With the Flow-Thoughts on Dialogue

Let’s talk…about dialogue!

Good dialogue makes  a book read as smooth as silk, allowing the reader to turn each page with ease and anticipation.  When there's stilted or awkward dialogue, it forces the reader to stop,  re-reading paragraphs over and over trying to get the feel of the scene and it drags them down.  If the dialogue catches them too much, then most likely the book will never be finished.

I’ve had many people ask me about how I am able to write smooth dialogue and my answer is relatively simple…read your manuscript aloud.  If the characters aren’t engaged in natural conversation then
it’s off.  Borrow your kids or husband, or best friend and enlist them in helping you with sticky dialogue areas so that you can immediately troubleshoot the problems.

And yet other folks ask me how to create dialogue that has the right feel for the manuscript.  I tend to think the concept of writer’s “voice” comes in to play when taking this into consideration, for you must be able to breathe life into your characters, not just giving them mere words to say, but making them jump off of the page and seem completely real.   That’s what I believe is capturing the right “voice”.   If you can achieve this, then the reader can effortlessly fall head- over- heels in love with the book, and creates what I call a "soul connection" connection between author and reader.

Now here’s something I wasn’t sure how to approach, but I can’t skirt this issue and it's time I got it off of my chest.  Do me a favor, please take the time to create characters who converse with true authenticity.  Now here comes a confession where I am brutally honest about something that's bothered me for years.

Warning:  Rant Ahead!!!

 As a southern writer,  I feel great disdain for authors obviously not from the
south who create stereotypical dialogue for their faux-southern characters, forever clutching
on to outdated cliches.

Take this hint...

Here's a big hint...if you want avoid infuriating or insulting readers, and want your dialogue to feel true and organic, then go to the actual place you’re writing about and listen to people talk, all the while being careful to avoid falling into the pit of stereotype.  Example:  I may be a southern woman who actually drinks iced tea each day, but it doesn’t meanthat I’m constantly peppering my speech with “y’all” or “bless your heart”.  Nope, life here doesn’t work that way, and if you want your writing to actually work for you instead of against you, then get out of your comfort zone, and go do some feet-on-the-ground recon and actually visit the places you’re writing about, and get to meet the real-life characters who call that place home.

About ten years ago, I read a book I found so insanely mesmerizing, that I found myself hopping in the car and driving all the way from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia all because of “The Book” (as it’s
affectionately known in Savannah).  Do yourself a favor and learn from John Berendt, who truly captured the southern heart and soul of Savannah in MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL.
Heck, it was such a wild success that it threw Savannah into the national spotlight as a top tourist destination.  Isn’t it fabulous to imagine a little book having so much power?  But it did happen and it
still draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, and "the book" was so intoxicating to read, such a joy, that it made me gas up the car and go for a long ride down to where the Spanish moss hangs
from the trees.

So what’s stopping you?  Get in the car, buy a plane ticket and go! There’s nothing more fun than exciting new life experiences, except for maybe writing about these new life experiences.  Give your readers an
experience they’ll never forget, and take the time to do the research, get friends and family to read aloud, and create such meaningful dialogue that it becomes a beautiful memory that will stay with your readers forever.

Happy Fourth of July friends!

Volunteers Who Pay It Forward Each Day & What I've Been Doing!

Photo of hospital volunteers bringing a patient the joy of reading .
Dartmouth Hospital Medical Auxillary circa 1934

There are many unsung heroes each day who never get paid one penny.  I've worked at two large hospitals in my life,  and each day am amazed at the volunteers, many of whom are retired , enter the doors and selflessly give of their time and love to the patients, doing whatever they can to bring smiles to the faces of the injured or sick.

Healing isn't just about medicine, tests, and surgery, it's also about mending the soul and that's what hospital volunteers do!

And as someone who loves to write, what really speaks to my heart (and the volunteers do many wonderful things) is watching them push the book cart around the hospital, bringing the joy of reading to those in need of their spirits lifted.  I've seen them stop and visit the chemotherapy treatment rooms, offering an escape in the form of a paperback novel to cancer patients.  Also I've seen the smiles on the faces of children on the pediatric floor as they're handed a favorite, comforting story.

Won't you pay it forward by donating your old books to a local hospital?  I guarantee the smiles generated would warm even the coldest of hearts.

So fellow writers, I challenge you to pay it forward by donating a book!  And I am going to also let you know of an author friend of mine who did.

Many thanks to Sophie Perinot, author of  THE SISTER QUEENS, for sending to the volunteers at the hospital where I work, a copy of  her book.  And trust me, this historical fiction is anything but a boring history lesson.  I loved it and it's got excitement, passion, and plenty of drama for even a woman like me, who adores thrillers.

Historical fiction with spunk & plenty of romance.  Just my cup of tea!

Get it here!

Now back to me.  Why have I been amiss with my posts?

Hello NashVegas!

My short-lived hiatus from blogging was because I have entered the first fifty pages of my manuscript, THE DEATH BROKERS, in the 2012 Claymore Award for best unpublished manuscript in the thriller/suspense genres, and I'm really excited about it!  I'll be sitting on pins and needles until the weekend of August 23, when the winner is announced at the Killer Nashville awards ceremony.  It's my first big contest as a writer, and I hope my evil little manuscript punches its way into the top ten.

THE DEATH BROKERS, a hopeful for the 2012 Claymore Award at Killer Nashville!

So send out good karma, prayers, and thoughts and of course remember:

"That Which Kills Us Makes Them Richer"!

During the last few weeks, I've been very busy, deep in revisions,working hard to make THE DEATH BROKERS ready for not only the competition, but also for querying.  Cross your fingers for me, because at the latest, I anticipate my first query to be submitted within a month to month and a half.

I also am planning something quite unusual on that day.  It's my plan to throw a small party and invite some of my close friends over from the neighborhood to celebrate the "Mailing O' the Query" , and I'll also blog away,  sharing the night with you when that day comes!

The BEST way to approach querying.  Throw a party!

 As most writers know, querying is challenging, stressful, and overall a nail-biting type of experience.

 Rejections are painful and almost inevitable, but somehow I think having a positive mindset at the beginning of it all will make the difference and keep me from becoming discouraged.

What have you done to minimize the sting of query rejections?  How have you made your stay in query purgatory a bit more...well fun?  Let me know.

The Atlanta Braves Pay It Forward!

Warms the heart and soul.  I am proud to be a fan of the Atlanta Braves!

Soldier surprises family on field at Memorial Day Braves game: A special Memorial Day visit was in the lineup for Monday's Braves game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Click on the link above, watch the video, and cheer!

Flash Fiction Winner's Spotlight: Revo Boulanger

A Writer Who Pays It Forward

Tonight we're going to get to know an up-and-coming fellow writer and winner of the Soul and Sweet Tea "Spring Into Action" Flash Fiction Contest, the very talented Mr. Revo Boulanger.

Note his creative use of the winning mug!
Read more of his work on his blog at The Revo Files !

I first had the wonderful opportunity to meet Revo courtesy of a wonderful site for aspiring writers called AgentQuery Connect (get there:  www.agentqueryconnect.com !), and he has always taken the time to offer a hand up to other writers, offering outstanding advice and help in crafting their stories.

In later posts, we will also get to know Terri Bruce, our other winner of the flash fiction contest as well as the two talented runner-ups, Laura Renegar and Olivia Kelly!

So let's learn about the man behind the thrills, but don't forget to read his winning entry again at the bottom of the post.  I think you'll agree that Revo's edgy submission to the flash fiction contest deserves many more chapters written, because his story didn't end at 200 words, and it left our judges wanting more.

Let's hear from him now:

In turns a son, husband, father and grandfather I am blessed with being surrounded by terrific family and friends. I draw and cook well, play guitar badly, do my own laundry and read voraciously from fiction and non-fiction genres. I’ve also been fortunate enough to see the sun rise and set from both coasts of our great nation. In life, I have no complaints of any substance. My apologies for the lack of drama, but it is what it is.

Coming late to writing, I’ve jumped into the deep end of the pool (sans water wings) and learned to swim the hard way – by writing whenever possible. Thrillers and paranormal romance is my passion as I seek to add a dimension to both segments that I feel is lacking – that of the elusive realistic (i.e. highly complicated) male/female relationship. Whether or not I’ve succeeded remains to be seen by the readers I’ve yet to earn.

Yes, that’s right. I said earn. I do not believe in a magic wand or fairy godmother that will magically grant me respect as a writer. I know there’s only one way to accomplish my goal. It involves a shovel (figurative) and sweat, pain, and perseverance (all very real). The timing is generally beyond my control so all I can do is keep hammering away, seeking that all too brief opening that gets me to the next step.

I wish my contemporaries luck and success, just not as much as I wish it for myself. But at the end of the day, wishes are just a suggestion box ticket for dreams, and dreams, while entertaining, are not of substance. Conflict and achievement is won on the ground, not in the clouds.

In closing, I leave you with my very favorite quote as presented by a man that had that rare combination of vision and drive:

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.   -Theodore Roosevelt

Revo Boulanger

Now sit back and enjoy his winning entry!

The hotel was as good a place as any to lay low. Set far enough into the cypress swamps it existed where GPS maps dropped off. It was just me, a meager staff, the gators and a big bag of money.


“Mr. Drake?” The words followed a knock at the door. “A Mr. Lane arrived. He asked about you.”


Perfect. The one person I didn’t want to find me does. 


“Thanks June, tell him to meet me by the dock. I’ll be right down.”


Lane is a born hunter, a bull shark that swims with goldfish. There are only two problems with that; I’m not a goldfish and this is my pond.


I watch through my window, seeing the man in the linen suit and white fedora meander closer to the brackish water’s edge. If I breathe in deep I can smell the North Country. He’s out of his element.


He wants his cut, and for his sins, he’s about to get it. The gators love the perfume of blood.


Rather than grab a pile of bills I put a pair of pennies in my pocket. Someone has to pay the ferryman.


After all, it’s the least I could do.


(200 words) @RevoBoulanger

"Pay It Forward Monday" The Journey of One Book Part 2

So this is my book.  It's an eco-thriller, and I hope it will bring someone hours of adventure.  I've found just the place to donate, and it's one I see every day on the drive home from work.

I've arrived.  Here at the Better World Books "big green bin"!  My book's  ready to take a little trip!

:

going...

gone!

This book could find its way to the other side of the globe, or possibly find a home across town.  It's an exciting thought though, that my book could actually become more well-traveled than I am, so I'll hope that's the case.

Once again, here's a listing of the organizations Better World Books helps!  Take the time and take a look at each of them, for they're worthy causes.

Literacy Partners Teaming Up With Better World Books

I'd like to hear from you too!  Each Monday we're going to find a unique way to pay it forward, so if you have a tip on your blog how you're doing it, let me know!  Please message me here at the blog, or on twitter (I'm joeynga on the tweet).

Now for another "Pay It Forward Monday" announcement.

A Contest Looms On the Horizon...Again!

I've decided to do yet another contest to bring attention to amazing writers, called "Leave Me Breathless!", where in 200 words are less you will write a tense, action-packed moment based upon....well I can't exactly TELL you what it'll be about can I?

No, not that type of breathless...

But THIS type of breathless!                                                                     

But what's different about this contest?  It is flash-fiction, after all...

1. NO judges.  Yep, that's right!  No judges.  You will be your own judge and people can comment on your entry, because we're here to positively help each other become better writers write? (sorry, couldn't resist that).  
2. The winner will be chosen by my son.  And he will pull the winning number out of an Atlanta Braves baseball cap!  I'll even video it, so we can unveil the winner and make it more fun!  
3. What better gift for the "Leave Me Breathless!" contest than a fancy-schmancy Soul & Sweet Tea reusable water bottle!  It will keep you well-hydrated as you bring to life five-finger death punches and firecracker-hot scenes.  Who knows?  You might even get yourself out of breath, if the written scene is juuuust right.