I am about to say something I have never said before. It’s really not like me, here goes: I miss June! I typically spend every summer just waiting and waiting for the fall season to return. I like fall. That time of year is nice. It means that eventually cooler weather will return. Lots of stores sell Halloween decorations (Oh, by the way there is a rumor on Facebook that Joann’s has started putting out some already! )
Last month, for the entire month of June, I was involved in a writing intensive. I met daily with writers from all across the country. Max Regan led the month-long event. I wrote two short stories and started reviewing many of my past tales. I may try to put together a collection of stories. When I started collecting them, I had many more than I thought. I now have a notebook full of ghost stories, grim reapers, essays and many haunted holiday tales.
There is something so inspirational about meeting with other writers around the country. Even though we all write in different genres and styles, it is still such a rich experience. It’s always helpful to know that someone else knows what it’s like to get lost in an idea and sit at a computer or with a notebook for hours getting everything down. And of course, these friends can also relate to the empty feeling of looking at either a piece of paper or a blank computer screen with nothing going through my head. Hot weather did not bother me, because I did not go outside that much. That’s pretty much the way I handle summers these days. I entertain myself indoors and try not to go outside until September or October.
As soon as the calendar flips to July, there is another “friend” to worry about. Hurricane Beryl. This is a big storm that does not appear to play well with others. He also does not stick with his own rules. He all but promised that he would not enter Texas. Now, hurricane warnings are popping up all along the Gulf Coast. I suppose Beryl is proud of himself, because he is breaking all kinds of records like earliest major storm in the Gulf, the biggest storm ever (or so it seems, Category 5 is big). This morning I learned that it is now headed for South Texas and Houston is included in the cone of uncertainty. Egad!
Did I mention that this is projected to be a busy hurricane season? I think I will crawl back into my study with my books, notebooks and laptop. Ghosts and scary monsters will fill my thoughts to keep me distracted from the weather. I won’t talk to anyone but other writers or those few who understand what writers are like. Yes, that is something akin to an ostrich sticking it’s head in the ground, but it sounds like a logical plan to me for the rest of this summer. That is, until the hurricanes show up at my door.
Until next time.……
“cool kids”. Most of the classes took place in the Boulder Book Store which means I returned home with more books than I started out with. And since this was before the pandemic, I could run around the bookstore with wild abandon looking at as many examples of the printed word as possible. It was a great trip. Since that summer, I have continued to attend Max Regan’s Exciting Summer Writing Intensives. Zoom is not as exciting as streaking around a bookstore in person, but it works. This summer I will be joining again via computer technology. The good part is that there are other writers here in the Houston area and we plan on meeting together for zoom classes and writing sessions. Don’t worry, if we need a bookstore fix, there is always Brazos Bookstore just a mile or two down the road.
Happy Birthday to RoadBroads! It was just six years ago when another writer and I had the crazy idea to drive all the way to Boulder, Colorado. It’s only an 18-hour drive. Easy! Once we arrived at Boulder we attended an annual Writing Retreat that was taught by Max Regan. He actually led two different retreats for 10 days each during the month of June. I had heard about these retreats for years, but this was the first time for me to attend one.
Unfortunately, the question was answered for me when the Pandemic struck in 2020. The June Writing Retreats continued, but not in person. Ever since 2020 I have attended this retreat via Zoom. The good news is that without travel and lodging costs, I have been able to attend both 10-day sessions. Instead of seeing the sights in Colorado, I get to see my desk and look out my own window for my everyday view. My work desk is not nearly as exciting to look at as the Flatiron Mountains, but I keep writing.