Citrus Skies and the Wild Trees
Ancient Tides for my dusty feet
To think I did not want to meet
A girl now begs, write your name on me.
~Carlene Love
Buon giorno, readers. Thank you for being here today and for having stopped by the past several weeks to read our posts about our favorite writing places. While my mermaid sisters were blogging on this topic, I was in Italy with my family and so I asked that I be scheduled last to allow for time to return to the States and in turn, to my laptop. Yes, I went to Italy for two weeks and didn’t bring so much as a note pad. I guess I just needed to be away and on this great escape more than I needed to write about it.
Took this of the magical, mystical seaside town: Manarola.
One thing I love about being part of the Mermaids is that we are all organically at different places in our lives in general, and also, in our writing lives, yet we come together, just like family. It works beautifully, because we can each blog on the same topic and still give you a completely different perspective with each post. I love for instance that Pintip writes her RITA award winning books on her cell phone while juggling the tasks of being a mom to her little ones. And Alethea writes her magnificent adventures surrounded by keepsakes as unique and rich in story as the writer herself. Dana writes to a simply gorgeous view of a forest of trees. Breathtaking.
I’ll go ahead and admit it now that a month ago when we decided on our current topic, I worried I’d have to make something up. I didn’t have a favorite place to write. Are there more of you out there who like me, find yourself a “floater”? Some days it’s the kitchen table, some days it’s the floor, or your bed, or on those really interesting days, a dark closet with shoes poking you in the backend or the backseat of your car. Do you ever find yourself in the darkened movie theater when an idea strikes and you’re doing your best to either scribble it down on a napkin or hide the glare of your phone as you’re texting it to yourself?
Now what about this one–some days there isn’t a place because some days, you’re just not writing. I’d like to take a brief second to say this to you: cheer up. Head up, chin up. We all get there, to that place sometimes. I’ve been hanging out there as of late, just sort of floating. This is what I’ve learned: It’s totally okay. Someday, you’re gonna land somewhere and it’s going to feel like the writing home built especially for you. Or maybe you won’t land somewhere, because maybe your beautiful and unique stories come from a place that is simply untetherable. Keep the faith. I’ve somehow managed to have nine books published in the past three years, through ups and downs and feeling a bit ” writer homeless” at times. You can do it. I promise.
Now that I’ve told you about all the places I haven’t done much writing lately, let me tell you about the place I lived for the past two weeks…
It’s 7,000 miles away, in a land of gorgeous sunsets, historic waters, beautiful graffiti, the perfect cappuccino and people rich on life. I was hesitant to make the trip in the first place, but now feel I could write and never stop writing there. I hope I make it back someday. I’ve only written 29 words in Italy, words I scribbled on the little notepad in my room provided by the hotel. I’m so thankful to the Piazza Carlina (yes, my hotel happened to be my name in Italian!) and that little pad. I posted the 29 words at the top of this page. Hope it brings you a little closer to this beautiful land.
Now here’s to you, and wherever you may find yourself when your page becomes a little less blank.
CIAO, and if you’d like to see more from Italy, and me, swim on over to Instagram: carlene_love_
xoxo
Ciao, mi amiga! Love this post. I’m a floater too! Sometime I write at the library, other times in my spare room. Of course, I always “try” to write on my couch with reality TV on in the background but that’s usually when Harry crawls on top of my laptop for snuggle time. 😉
Ciao, Kerri Mermaid Hero! If I lived with Harry, all my written words would be about … you guessed it, Harry! He’s such a ham! How do you not write him into all your stories???
Carlene,
LOVE your post. Had to smile.. so much like Carlene.. talking about being a floater and then showing a video of her floating (okay, so only half floated, but still). Thank you for the words of inspiration, especially to those of us who haven’t been writing.
Oh, thank you so much, Miss Masha. I’m glad this post brought you a smile. At your service, my friend. Always.
Love you, Carlene! I know you must have had a wonderful adventure in Italy. I hope you can capture some of those words and ideas on the page while you’re floating through your favorite writing places.
Aww, I love you right back, Dana. xoxoxoxoxo I’m hoping that will happen too. I’m not sure about actual stories straight from Italy, but what this amazing country did give me was a brand new outlook on life and the world which was incredibly needed and refreshing. Here’s to the floating writers of the world!
Holy moly, Carlene, it’s like you peeked over my shoulder to see me – uhm, just sort of writing. What a blessing to take the blinders of guilt off!
Ciao to you, too, my friend. Let’s float along on the stream of self-acceptance, where the current brings us safely home, drunk on sunshine and giddy with the lazy days of summer.
Hi Susan! I was just thinking how helpful it is to know you’re not the only one in a given situation, whether it’s a rut or something making you feel guilty. I’m happy to know that telling the truth about my low productivity as of late has helped you and others. Sometimes it’s embarrassing to just put the truth out there but honestly, it’s the only thing that’s really going to be able to help others (and ourselves). I’m happy to float with you, my friend. Here’s to a guilt-free, giddy enjoyment of summer and some words mixed in there too. Love you.
Love that you’re embracing your flexible writing side with your orderly side. Your words always inspire me & I learn so much from you always. Thank you for allowing me to share the magic of Italy with you all! 💕
See Mom, told you I wasn’t a complete control freak. Just kidding. I love you and am so happy you came to Italy. It would not have been the same without you and I’ll have those memories forever.
🙂
Love your smile 🙂
Carlene a floater? Yeah, I can totally see that. You’re such a free spirit and that’s just one of the reason I love ya! <3
I loved all your photos and jealous you didn't take me with you.
Since I'm not a writer, I don't have a favorite place to write. I do however have a favorite place it read, and that would be in my bed with my pillows surrounding me. 😀
Oh Liz 💜 Dear, sweet Liz. This is such a nice surprise seeing you here in the lagoon. Yep, you know me 😊 Guilty as charged. That would have been fabulous to have you there! I would have made you pose on the New Moon steps in Montepulciano and dragged you through Verona to Juliet’s balcony. One of these days… oh and of course you know a certain rock star just so happens to be Italian. 😁 I love your special spot. It sounds perfectly comfy for your reading. I wish you many blissful hours there. Xoxo
I love that the hotel was your name! That’s absolutely the kind of good magic I ascribe to. And while I may be surrounded by my little altars of knickknacks at home, when I’m on the road, my talismans are my FRIENDS whom I LOVE. It was so wonderful seeing you in San DIego — I wish we’d had more time to adventure together, but thank you again for SAVING MY LIFE multiple times while I was there. Until next year! xoxoxox
I’m still pretending that you’re only a few minutes drive away, hanging out in beautiful downtown San Diego! Alethea, I love you to pieces. I was just happy to help someone who means so much. And I really, really, really want to come visit you in Florida! #coasttocoast