SUNDAYS WITH SHARON: LAND OF LEMONY SNICKET (Sage Words from an Unlikely Source)

Our recent trip to the Sonoma County Fair was charmed and enhanced by the incredible Florence, the Land Yacht built by Gypsy Time Travelers. You can look up their website at www.gypsytimetravelers/com. I think we are planning a visit to Mendocino County for the incredible Kinetic Carnivale.

We are lucky to live in California, where all the strange and unusual things are. Northern California is like the Lemony Snicket of the United States. Strange. Beautiful. Fun. Unpredictable. We don't have the drama or harsh weather or horrible economic conditions that seem to plague the rest of the nation. People frolic here, come here on vacation, and scrape everything they can to "get by" just to live here. I was just lucky. I was born here, second generation, in fact.

Florence

Florence is such a curious structure. It's a vehicle, but it's also something much more. It's a stage, a living quarters, a happening, borne out of pure creativity and fun. Michael is a blacksmith. His creation is a magnet for kids and adults alike. We are oddly curious about things we know little about--things cloaked in mystery, with a little magic and sparkly stuff (perhaps some black faery dust too).

I loved the Lemony Snicket series on TV my two oldest kids watched years ago, brushing aside the concerns about "dark fantasy". I truly think dark fantasy has always had a place in our culture. Look at Hansel and Gretl, or Snow White, for instance.

I'm going to have more pictures in my Newsletter this month. We are trying out an expanded version and I'd love to hear what you think. Part newsy and part fun.

By the time you read this, my family and I will be in Disney World. I think that one of the most wonderful things about raising a child, or having grandchildren is the fact that for some space and time, we get to return to that age when we didn't know everything and everything grownup was a true mystery. Time enough for being an adult. For the next week, I'm going to be a child, and live through the eyes of my grandchildren.

We don't have Florence, but we have the adventure in our hearts! And just like the crew of Florence, we're keeping a sharp eye out for pirates!

Sundays With Sharon: Learning New Things

Learning New Things

It’s always a tradeoff, traveling away from home. Even when I’m doing my job, meeting new readers and other writers, the time away does eat into my personal writing time. I need a cave, with great music, scented candles, “immortal” supply of ice cubes, neck and shoulder rubs and lemony shower gel. If I could just live in that cave 24/7 I’d be happy. My characters and I would get along just fine. 

But that would mean I’d be writing for me, and I’m not. I’m writing for you, those that read my posts and my stories. You are the reason I have a job, and I never want to forget that. So, I go to conferences, learn and network, and come home newly invigorated and ready to tackle my writing jobs. I get to tell my stories about honorable men and the women who are worthy of their love and are lucky enough to be chosen by them as life partners.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Networking![/caption]

The highlight of my trip has been getting to meet my narrator, J.D. Hart and his beautiful wife, Cherokee. These people have such a loving spirit that is a rare find. I’ve gotten to see behind the scenes places in Nashville, told stories about the days of Elvis as well as other huge stars, and actually gotten to meet and shake hands with some of them. What a treat.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="255"] Me and JD Hart[/caption]

Sometimes people become fast friends when you meet them in person. I have yet to meet someone online and then meet them in person and have the friendship not only hold up, but grow. Collaborating with J.D. on the audio books has been one of the greatest joys of my writing year. Any artist who gets to share his or her work with another artist, and have them take their art and change it, make it even better through a blending of talents, is lucky. I thank my lucky stars every day I have been given this gift.

I don’t travel again for another month, and trust me when I say I’m looking forward to being home. But I have so many happy memories, stories shared and friendships started or strengthened, enough to keep me chuckling for weeks—all the way to Thanksgiving and my next big adventure. Stay tuned for that one!

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="149"] Adventures...[/caption]

I’ve chronicled some of the specific things J.D. and I have done in my post for The Realm. I think you’ll see why I have such fond memories. But I’ve also heard stories of hope, recovery from loss, business things that will help me do my job better, details about promotion, success strategies and forged alliances and friendships for future questions I don’t even know to ask.

My beautiful home in Sonoma County awaits, along with two very pampered Dobermans and the man who has been by me for the last 43 years and still calls me beautiful, my Silver Fox. I go home to the house he constructed for me, built for me so I could dream and relax and do all the crazy things I get to do every day. We get to grow old together, get to build our new bright garden together, and watch our family prosper and grow.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="404"] The Important Ones![/caption]

These and all the connections and friendships I’ve deepened and created are what’s most important in life. When I remember that, and remember to say thank you to all those who have enriched my life, like all of you, I get back ten-fold. It is truly an honor and such a joy to be your friend, your colleague, and your romance writer for life.

Sharon Hamilton