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Twilight by the Sea
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Twilight brings us to subdued shores
The winding down of daytime chores
As we reflect on the hours before
And wonder if we’ve accomplished enough
While giving thanks to our God above
~
Evening brings us to still and rest
The anchor set on our work day quest
As we trust we’ve done our very best
And wonder what tomorrow holds
While giving thanks to the God of old
~
Nighttime brings us to a tranquil sea
The sails rolled up as if to sleep
As we accept what will be will be
And wonder when our last night will come
While giving thanks for all God’s done.
~
Wendy/2014
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I need a tranquil setting when doing creative writing.
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I wrote today’s poem while sitting in my van
waiting for my daughter as she attended her piano class.
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My opportunities for uninterrupted writing time
are limited at this stage of my life.
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My husband has been suggesting that I start writing a novel,
since I’m always dreaming up stories.
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So I started to do some research about writing a first book.
I found out that for every 100 people who start one,
only 3 will complete it.
~
Well that did it.
My husband has urged me several times to “get writing,”
and when I saw that challenging statistic,
I decided that I want to be one of those 3.
I’m past 10,000 words on my first draft of a mystery novel.
I’m aiming for about 85,000.
I’m finding that I need a bit more time each week to work on it…
So I’ll be cutting back to just one post, here, every two weeks for a while.
~
I’m in love with my characters,
and they’ve taken over manning the boat;
I’m just along for the ride.
~
Twilight Blessings ~ Wendy
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PS. For those of you who have already finished a book,
I just want to say — Wow!
I’m so impressed.
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~
Beautiful Verse! Hoping you have a Wonderful Weekend 🙂
Thank you, Morgan; blessings on your weekend too.
Lovely pictures as always Wendy… and enjoy the writing process 🙂
Thank you, dear Sue. The characters follow me around the house already; but I enjoy their company. 🙂
That’s a lovely part of the process 🙂
very, very beautiful. words and pictures, both.
Thank you so much, Beth. Have a beautiful weekend.
Beautifum photo’s and nice poem.
Thank you, Marylou. I always appreciate your visits. 🙂
Good luck with your book!
Thank you, Jeff!
Wishing you all the best in the writing of your book. Beautiful poem and photos of tranquillity.
Thank you for your kind wishes. I’ve realized that sometimes you just have to do it — perfect conditions don’t exist.
Looks just like the fishing boat we saw through the UCSC Marine Center telescope yesterday. . .
I love the old wooden boats.
serene and peaceful, Wendy! Wishing you all the best l in the novel writing department 🙂
groetjes, Francina
Thank you, dear Francina. It’s going to be a long voyage of love to get this done ( I hope to repeat it too). 🙂
Happy writing Wendy. Sorry to say I am in the 97% category 🙁 I am awaiting my evening rest so I too can find the serenity and calm it ushers in. ~ Blessings ~
I hope your weekend is a restful one, Deborah. Have you got part of a novel waiting for your return? It’s not unheard of for one to take a decade to finish. Blessings to you, dear poet friend.
Hope you do write that book, Wendy. Your writing is so beautiful.
Ellen, what a gracious comment ~ thank you!
Awesome, Wendy. As with all your other endeavors, I’m certain that your novel will be fabulous!
Sue, thank you for encouraging me in this step of faith.
So peaceful.
I’m so glad to hear that. 🙂
I’m going to make sure I don’t miss the twilight now! Good luck with your novel!
Thank you for your kind wishes. I hope you capture many beautiful twilights.
Wendy I know you will be successful with that, as your selfless heart always delivers well written gifts which are ever priceless. I thought about what you just said in your words above and just to add to your confidence, a step brother of mine who is a musician when we visited him after leaving St Louis , where he lives in Nashville, told me during the visit, I want you to hear some music that I have written specifically for some of your poems…I listened and I said its so beautiful. He replied come upstairs I want you to record them. Now this is out of character for the shy one… me, when I hear my voice, I said I do not like the way it sounds and no one else will either…hesitating to try. Finally I gave in to him, something new, something I was not confident in, and yet as I began to do it, I realized it was already deemed to be. So now I have recorded a CD of 15 songs his music and my spoken word. And you know my poems! Now you know I often suffer episodes with my MS and other disabilities, and I tire quickly and yet I completed it and when the first video containing one of the songs is finished…(very soon), it will be placed on you-tube to see how it does, 15 tracks in all and including 23 poems throughout. I will let you know when, through my blog or by email. I tell you this because you had that same moving to accomplish something so new but which will be very natural to you…as mine is to me. We serve by sharing our words, and we are blessed to do it. Now we both will be successful with new projects. Doing what we love to do within his spirit which we love so well. Wendy and Wendell both are in the midst of new adventures how grand is that! God bless you always my spiritual twin, let me know when it is complete! Spiritual blessings and hugs!
Thank you, Wendell, for your thoughtful encouragement. You have reminded me of a word I heard last year about being ready when God speaks through someone else. I think when it has been preceded with sincere prayer for God’s will to be done in our lives that we need to respond with faith and action when the messenger says it’s time. My husband is not a bossy or pushy person and yet he seemed to have a power behind his words — so I am moving through an open door. We’ll see what happens.
How exciting that you will be have your words recorded with music. I love hearing an author or poet read their own work aloud. Keep me posted, dear poet friend.
That’s a wonderful testimony, Wendell. Keep on persevering!
Hi Wendy, Blessings for your book, all your art, family, and you! Ellen
Thank you, dear Ellen. I treasure your blessing.
First I loved your poem and photos! Secondly, I’m so excited that you are writin a book. I wish you the best of luck it that endeavor and look forward to hearing about it’s progress. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Thank you, Natalie. I think it might be fun to put a small PS at the bottom of each post about the progress to help motivate me. I love hearing or telling good news (especially the “Good News”). ♡
Wendy -Lee!! 🙂
Loved reading your poem and I’m thrilled for you writing a story!
I’ll definitely download it and read it. I hope everything in your world is not too cold!
Love to you and your family, hugs Paula xxxx
Hello Paula,
It’s been a mild winter, so far, in our part of Canada. Thank you for your kind words. ♡
Hello Wendy,
I loved the way this post developed. Starting with the single boat at twilight, and your lovely poem. Such a restful and peaceful combination. ( Actually I joked to Fiona as we woke exhausted this morning after constant DIY work going on late into each evening – we’re now onto ‘sticking’ on cork insulation boards which I’m not going to put up on post – that your final night time peace, was indeed what we look forward to right now).
But then reading on through the problem of finding and making time to be creative, whether writing of photography. And finally the news about your novel. Well done to you for being challenged, and I’m delighted that you’re well on the way. I’m sure that there will be a huge thrill as your characters develop ‘on the page’ and wish you great inspiration and determination for this latest project, We look forward to hearing more in due course….
Best wishes
Julian
Thank you so much for your well wishes, Julian. I can only hope that this writing project does not go the same way a wall paper project my husband and I did at our former home went. Writing is definitely more fun than papering. 🙂 Blessings on you and Fiona as you both continue to work on your lovely old place.
Beautiful photos! I love the blue!
Thank you! 🙂
Beautiful imagery!
🙂
I loved the imagery expressed on your last picture!
Thank you, Clarence. I enjoyed writing it.
Love it. Beautiful words and images.
Thank you, Frances. The pictures wrote the words.
This whole post is wonderful Wendy, and the photos are superb.
I do so wish you well with the novel writing; I dont think I have a mind for it but I wish I had and applaud loudly those that do. Im sure you can do it and will! 😊
Love and blesings
Christine
xxx
Christine, thank you so much for your warm encouragement. I was not sure either about putting a pen to paper for such a big project; I’m just showing up each morning at my computer and the characters are showing up too. I guess it’s a go if everyone keeps up their end of the bargain. ♡
Beautiful reflective scenes, I could see you writing your book right there! Good luck to you Wendy. A mystery sounds great. I got an idea I think I’m going to try to, something that could be on the Hallmark Channel about angels in a shopping mall just before xmas! i started it before xmas, you’ve inspired me to finish it! May you have great inspiration
Linda, I am so happy to hear that I’ve inspired you to keep writing. Bit by bit a story is written and grows into a book. Even if I think I am not feeling “creative” I just show up and write. I’m amazed what can happen just by setting the time aside to work on the novel. Blessings on your project.
Wishing you lots of tranquil moments as you set sail on your creative writing adventure.
Thank you; I’ll be needing lots of those. 🙂
It’s a new world. No longer just an elite group can publish creative products, and so I wish you more than just good luck, but Godspeed on your novel. And I’m glad you choose to keep up with blogging.
I have almost always lived by the Great Lakes (Huron, actually). I’m sure it’s why our youngest daughter joined the navy. But when I studied in Scotland (1990!) I learned about the sea at an emotional level. With birds and waves and wind and boats and people I found the sea interesting, but not restful. How wondrous God is to make us each so uniquely ourselves.
Peace
I grew up in a semi-arid climate and found my visits to the ocean so intriguing. Now I can’t imagine not living near one as we have for over 26 years. It was while living in a beach house that I discovered that I wanted to write prose in addition to poetry. I still remember that moment when I was describing the shorebirds in my journal. I agree that our uniqueness is a gift. Thank you for your good wishes.
I wish you a happy new week.
http://marciento.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/virtual-exhibition-of-photography/
🙂 Thank you.
This beautiful post with poem and photos exhudes such deep peace. And news of your novel project – keep on with it as every few pages will slowly grow into the final draft.
Thank you, dear Mary, for your encouraging words. Bit by bit both gardens and books are grown.
How exciting for you!!! You are writing a mystery?!! Oh, keep the pen to the ground my friend…blessings.
Thank you for your encouragement, Laurie. I love how you worded it.
Beautiful words and imagery.
Thank you, Kath. 🙂
Wendy, I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I like that book you told me about. The first entry I read was like it was made just for me and what is going on in my life these days. Thanks so much for telling me about it. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Everyone I’ve introduced to it loves it. I am attracted to old books with green covers and that’s how I came to notice it in a thrift store. The new cover is nice too. I’m so glad that you like it. One day I would love to write a devotional book like that one — I think you would be awesome at writing one.
I’ve thought about writing a devotional. Maybe one day. I hope your book is moving along well. Hugs, Natalie 🙂
Awesome, Wendy! Cheering you on and looking forward to hearing about your book. Keep it up!
Thank you, Patty. I really appreciate the encouragement.
Lovely! Wishing you all the best with the book too!
Thank you, Christy. I have a dream of reading part of it aloud to a willing audience one day.
Enjoyed all of your photos filled with tranquility. Good luck with your book! I’ll look forward to reading it : )
Thank you for your kindness, Teresa. I’m enjoying the journey.
Blessings ~ Wendy
I join my sentiments with those of your husband’s. There is much inside of you that photos alone can’t capture! Many blessings on your book 🙂
Blessings always
JC
Thank you, JC, for such a lovely word of encouragement. Blessings to you & yours.
Blue, blue, blue. Beautiful! Wish you good luck with your camera and your writing
Thank you so much, Leo! I really loved the lighting that evening at the dock. My husband had suggested we stop there after having been at the beach. He’s full of good ideas. 🙂
BEAUTIFUL! Beautiful Photos. Beautiful Poetry. Beautiful Goal.
Thank you for your “beautiful” encouragement. I’ll come back and read these comments when I need a boost.
Awesome..Wendy as always…:-)
Thank you, Sriram. I feel that way about your art.
Beautiful as usual Wendy,
I think your photos are award winning. Lovely, Lovely!
Do you read Kristen Lamb’s Blog? She is an author and
started her own business to help writers. You may glean
a tip or two . She loves writers and gives them
great advice on how to get their work published.
Nin, thank you so much for the advice to check out her blog. I am now following it. 🙂
Great! Kristen is so real; so down to earth. She feels like a friend.
Best wishes and all blessings for the writing of your novel! I never would have written a novel if my husband hadn’t encouraged me. I was only interested in poetry, but now I’m working on my third novel, and I’m looking forward to the day when I can give up all other writing pursuits (memoir and self-help) to focus exclusively on fiction.
Rose Hall Media has just started posting inspiration, motivation free and tips: help for writers–short, to-the-point, truthful, and professional , (plus they’re not trying to sell you any online courses or ebooks about how to write or publish, which I tend to think makes them more trustworthy than those who are trying to get you to buy something).
http://rosehallmedia.com/2014/01/30/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-write-a-book/
P.S. I love the photos. I love the water, and boats, and everything having to do with a seascape.
Tracy, what a pleasure to hear that you were also encouraged by your husband to write. I am enjoying writing fiction more than I had expected, and so I can see why you would prefer time working on fiction over nonfiction. What surprises me the most is how much I love writing the conversations between the characters.
Do you find that your experience in writing poetry has enhanced your descriptive writing in prose? This is also a bonus that I had not anticipated.
Thank you so much for including the link to Rose Hall Media. I will check it out. Blessings on you (&yours) and all your writing projects
I have found that everything I learned about poetry has worked to improve all of my writing. No learning is ever wasted. 🙂
May you find the time and space you need to keep writing. We believe everyone has a unique story to share, and when that story is written by faith, it holds the possibility of power for transformation.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I could not agree more about “the possibility of power for transformation” when people tell others about their own experiences of healing. I often think there is room for so many more good news stories. Hope is always a good seed to sow.
What serene, inspiring views you have. Your poetry is both a prayer and a truthful observation, especially the “…The anchor set on our work day quest…” and your many thanks to God.
Beautifully done.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Marylin. The older I get — the more I appreciate the setting of the anchor each day. How kind of our Creator to give us a time for rest. Blessings on your weekend.
What lovely peaceful shots!
Thank you. I love your photography and blog.
Hi Wendy, I just wanted to add my words of support to your commitment to writing a book. That is so exciting! I hope I get to hear more about this “process” and look forward to reading the finished product–a labor of love. God’s blessings! Laura
Thank you so much, Laura. I really appreciate the support. It feels like I’m in over my head; however, I am enjoying the writing process. As long as I show up to write in the mornings — my characters show up too. 🙂
Breathtaking as usual!
Thank you, Jennifer. I always appreciate your visits.
I’m finishing up one book, and just started another! I’ve inquired to agents, but nothing has come up. Still yet, I feel like I should continue writing them. It is hard, yet, therapeutic in so many ways. I would love to read one of your books!
Wow! Good on you for finishing up one book and going on to write the next. I’ve read that this is an excellent thing to do while you are waiting and sending out queries. I always enjoy your blog. You have an engaging writing voice, and I think you will eventually find the right literary agent. I’ve heard that it can take awhile.
We’ll have to swap books to read once we both have them published. I’m a long way off from that — but it doesn’t hurt to dream. 🙂 Thank you for sharing my Facebook post.
Well done for achieving your goal Wendy, despite life’s challenges. I have so many filled notebooks! You are an inspiration! I agree about feeling peaceful to write. Your photos are very tranquil. 🙂 xxx
I always enjoy your pictures and poetry. It is a pleasure to visit your blog and a joy to have your kind visits. The best advice I’ve read so far about writing is to “Keep writing.” Stephen King tells his author sons to “Finish the book.” since you can always change it later.