Wednesday, November 14, 2007

New Friends, Refurbished Spirit

I knew only one other person who was coming this week. Well. I'd actually met three of the writers headed down here, but I only knew one I could blather to. However, I met another writer who also headed for a walk on the beach upon arrival, and I hope she'll be a good friend from now on. Come to think of it, I feel the same way about all the writers I'm sharing this week with. (I wrote this with correct grammar the first time, and it just felt stiff. I don't feel stiff about this.)

It's only Wednesday, and I've only been here since Sunday, but it has been potent. All day long, despite 12 women living in this house this week, the place is in utter silence, except for the ocean throwing itself ashore. (Siren song.) A sudden burst of conversation or a door slamming feels like swearing in church. I love this silence. At home silence distracts me--possibly because of the lack of an ocean chorus--but I'm delighting in it here.

Right now, I'm looking out at doggies jumping in the surf and boys/men chasing them. My walking buddy is climbing the dock steps to this house. My next-room neighbor is pulling up her favorite lawn chair on the deck. And there is peace.

The rest of the world is still out there somewhere. Good and bad news shows up on my news feed. My daughter is slaving through classes so rigorous they shake her a little, and I ache to make her feel more confident--because she's brilliant. My son hasn't called in a few weeks, and he and his beloved are on my mind. My husband had a long drive yesterday, and I found myself wondering, "Where is he now?"

But those were my subplots. Right now, in my story, I'm writing at the beach and finding my soul.

6 comments:

Amanda said...

Saw your check in post on 70 days of Sweating and thought I'd drop by. Looks like you're on top of things. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of retreat are you at? How did you find out about it? Good luck on writing. Thanks, Amanda

Portia Da Costa said...

So glad to hear that you're having fun on the Sven challenge...enjoy your retreat! :)

Anna Adams said...

Amanda, thanks for dropping by! I'm at a writer's retreat, sponsored by the Lowcountry RWA chapter. It's been wonderful! Every writer should get to do this. Not only have I been just so at peace on the beach, but I've been writing like crazy!

Good luck on your writing, too!

Anna Adams said...

Portia, thanks so much for coming by! I really appreciate your Sven support! :-) Seriously, it's nice of you to take the time out of your schedule to drop by.

And I really do wish everyone could experience the joy I've had retreating! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like absolute heaven. I wonder if I could write so lyrically were I in such a beautiful place...

Hmm, probably not. Enjoying it vicariously through you, though.

Anna Adams said...

Awww, Julie. Thanks for dropping by. Unfortunately, the Internet was not reliable at the house so my plan to blog daily went awry. ;-)

You must miss the ocean as much as I do--or I'm assuming you lived near it in the old days. ;-)