Noticing the hush of the world

Town Hall courtyard.

Notice everything.
 
That was one of the first lessons bestowed upon students at last week’s Rosemary Beach Conference for Writers. It’s a tall order, and it’s less about eavesdropping (although that’s part of it) and more about being in the moment. It’s simple enough to practice; even I can do it.

I ducked under an awning in the sprinkling rain one afternoon and found myself talking with a clerk outside Moonpize, a women’s boutique that was marking its fifth birthday. An older gentleman with sunburned feet joined us for shelter and posed questions about the conference. A former newspaper man, he had learned to fly airplanes at age 68. He joined us in class the next day and shared a story about a New York copy boy’s meeting with Ernest Hemingway.

Edward's bar

In the courtyard of Edward’s, a new eatery on South Main, I stood under a wine-colored patio umbrella beside a table as strangers gathered to break the ice in the courtyard. Some of them carried their own umbrellas and made remarks about the comparative size. The rain passed, the sun returned and equality was re-established. We gathered around the fountain and at cafe tables to talk about everything and nothing, as writers will do.

Another afternoon, I slowly savored a tender hamburger at Wild Olives — the first time I’ve been prompted to take a photo of something I’m eating, if that means anything. It was also good to catch up with an acquaintance who works there.

I ate there on recommendation of Hidden Lantern Gallery curator and artist Lauren Carvalho, who led me through her latest exhibit, “Polished Landscapes: Venetian Plaster Reimagined” by James P. Garrett. On display until June 9, the show features intriguing textured canvases; even those seeming flat hold some illusion of depth, and I knew there was a lesson there, too.

Friday evening, as the conference came to an end, I enjoyed coffee and an “itty bar” of chocolate at Amavida Coffee; the barista, Rachel, told me about upcoming open mic events for writers and readers. (Check our calendar in June for details.)

But there was more.

It’s a cliché to describe water as “clear as crystal,” but the private gulf beach area at the foot of South Main was just so. Clear and cool, with a surface as smooth as a pond, it could have been one of Garrett’s works.

Stand-up paddle boards skimmed above pale sandbars. People lounged on redwood chairs under deep green umbrellas, reading paperback novels. Small children played in the calm fringe of the surf. Fishing boats dotted the horizon like irregular staples joining the emerald sea to the cobalt sky.

After a walk ankle deep along the shoreline, I swam for a bit, then floated on my back, closed my eyes and listened to the hush of the world.

Now, for your next writing lesson, close your eyes and write about the first image that pops into your head when I say this word:

Peace.

(This is my Undercurrents column for The News Herald for May 17.)

More photos from Rosemary Beach

Okay, so I haven't had time to sit down and do a proper post about the conference. It will happen. Before Thursday, when my next column is due to be in print. Expect it then.
Meanwhile, I have a few more photos to share.

First is the wonderful Malayne DeMars, (at right) and a conference goer setting up morning coffee and snacks in the Town Hall. I loved the way the light played against the walls. This is a beautiful space, and the perfect location for writers and storytellers to gather.

Next is the courtyard at Edward's, a new eatery that just recently opened on South Main Street. Several of the group are there, including (foreground, right) Anthony (the other Tony in the classes) speaking with author and Flagler professor Laura Lee Smith; and (background, center) author and FIU prof John Dufresne holding up the column with his wife, the poet Cindy Chinelly talking to author and editor Leonard Nash (eclipsed by the fountain). Seated at the table to the left is poet Rick Campbell.

A closer (if not better) photo of Leonard, Cindy and John. We drank beer and talked about everything and nothing, as writers will do.

Again, a closer photo of Laura and Tony. This was after the rain passed and the sun returned, and just before we had a few author readings in the Town Hall.

A building on Main opposite the Town Hall courtyard, just because I liked the look of it. Sorry, but there are more shots of inanimate objects and landscape yet to follow.

Actually, I'm not sorry.

The participants for the panel discussion on "The Writing Business," which preceded the Edwards reception, Day 1. From left are Rick Campbell, Miles DeMott, Leonard Nash, Lynne Barrett (whose collection "Magpies" recently won a gold medal in the Florida Book Awards), Laura Lee Smith, and John Dufresne.

A fountain. Because it's my blog and I can post pictures of fountains if I want. Also because it drew me out of the hall and into the courtyard, water rippling down the stone and recaptured, as John might say, the very way water enters stone.

Thursday, then. If not before. Impressions and thoughts.

Peace.

Photo Blog: Rosemary Beach Writers Conference

So I have spent the past three days at the Rosemary Beach Conference for Writers. I plan to share some of the  lessons, prompts, activities and so forth in the coming days and weeks. Tonight, I'm still processing, so I'm just going to share a few photos.

At left: After the last session, I strolled down to Amavida coffee shop and ordered a regular coffee. The fine folks there know me, and they gave me the "locals" discount. I saw the conference poster and asked if I could gank it, since the thing was over now. As you can see, they said okay.

Next is an image of some of my fellow students and teacher Lynne Barrett explaining Twitter hashtags to them. We started using #rosemarybch12 for posts.

Next we have words of wisdom from John Dufresne, at least as misquoted in my notes. Think about that for a minute.

Yes, that's right. Trouble.

Leonard Nash is at the podium, Day 2, and he's about to talk to us about memoirs. "Writing your life," was the topic. We explored lists as prompts for examining all "the days our lives," as Grandma Simmons' favorite soap opera put it.

This is where the magic happened. Town Hall of Rosemary Beach. Through that door walked world builders and trouble makers and story shapers.

And me, too.

And here's the awesome hamburger I had at Wild Olives on Day 1. My cardiologist would not approve, so don't tell him. Bonus: I didn't have to eat for two days afterward.

One of my favorite views in Rosemary Beach is this vantage point from the south end of Main Street by the beach bath houses, looking north across the green.

I have a couple more photos on my camera (these were sent by phone to Foursquare) and I'll add those over the weekend as I return to talk about the lessons. I hope your week has been as filled with creativity and inspiration as mine -- but somehow I doubt it.

Peace.

Saturday is Free Comic Book Day

PANAMA CITY — The best things in life are free. And the proof is Saturday.

On “Free Comic Book Day,” held each year on the first Saturday in May, participating comic book shops across the known galaxy and adjacent alternate dimensions give away comics absolutely FREE (hence, the name) to anyone who comes into their stores. It’s meant to drum up interest in comics, promote art and reading, and basically make the world a better place.

“We use it as an opportunity to give back to the community and say thank you for supporting the store,” said Greg Ray, owner of Comic Emporium. “It’s a chance for first-timers and longtime fans alike to sample titles that they’re not reading.”

Comic Emporium will open early for its regular subscribers, then open to the public at 10 a.m. and continue the giveaways until 2 p.m., giving away comics and other items beyond those specifically provided for the event. Ray said he collects items throughout the year with an eye toward giving them away on Free Comic Book Day.

In addition, comic reviewer Kat Kan will be present to promote a KickStarter project for a comic-style textbook she’s working on. The evening will conclude with a Magic card tournament.

Each store may have different free titles available, as well as different rules for participating and limits to how many you can take (so everyone can go away happy). But each also will have a selection of genres and age-appropriate books provided to the stores at a reduced cost by the publishers.

“There is a larger quantity of products available than Superman, Batman and Spider-Man,” said James Finlayson, owner of Arena Comics & Gaming, where sketch artists and costumed heroes will be on site. “So many good things people lose sight of.”

Among the titles announced for the day are all-ages books (such as “Peanuts,” “Smurfs” “Donald Duck Family” and “Yo Gabba Gabba”), mainstream superheroes (including a “DC New 52” sampler and “Avengers”), sci-fi and horror titles (such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “2000 AD,” “Dinosaurs and Aliens” or a “Star Wars/Serenity” flipbook), and much more. >>You can see previews of the comics here.<<

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., New Force Comics will offer giveaways of “Avengers” movie promotional items and door prizes, as well as special rates on comics, toys, statues, graphic novels and more at random periods throughout the day. Children are encouraged to show up dressed as their favorite costumed heroes.

“Hopefully it will be a little bit of fun for everyone,” said Rick Whitelock, owner of New Force. “It’s an effort to promote the hobby and get more books in people’s hands.”

Whitelock is what Stan Lee used to call a “True Believer” — that is, an unabashed fan. He recalls the first comic he ever owned: “Silver Surfer” No. 1, dated 1968, that his father bought for him at a local flea market in 1973. He still has it. It launched his lifelong love for the hobby that grew into a business.

“I’m sure it had something to do with the fact my Dad bought it for me, but I held onto it,” he said. “I was just learning to read, and how cool is this? Silver Surfer, the power cosmic, gliding through the spaceways? We all love Superman, Batman, the Avengers — but Silver Surfer is the one I identify with the most.”

Peace.

This was my Undercurrents column for The News Herald today.

Wordsmiths teaching the write stuff

John Dufresne

ROSEMARY BEACH — All stories are about love and death, according to Dania Beach author John Dufresne. Even this one.

Dufresne is one of the authors who will lead the three-day Conference for Writers hosted by the Rosemary Beach Foundation on May 9-11. Writers in all stages of development are invited to attend the gathering, where aspiring and accomplished authors will enjoy morning workshops, craft classes and a flash fiction “boot camp,” afternoon lectures and panels, and nightly receptions and readings.

The conference provides an opportunity for networking, creativity and motivation. But mostly, it’s about storytelling. Killing your darlings, if you get the editorial reference. Love and death.

Featured faculty make up a collection of award-winners and gifted teachers, including creative non-fiction writer and editor Lynne Barrett; poet Rick Campbell; and fiction writers John Cottle, Miles DeMott, Leonard Nash, Laura Lee Smith and the aforementioned Dufresne, who recently was named a Guggenheim fellow in creative arts/fiction.

Barrett will teach a creative nonfiction class; Dufresne will teach novel writing and flash fiction; Campbell will teach poetry; and Nash, Smith, DeMott and Cottle will teach fiction. The classes take place at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, through Friday, May 11, at Rosemary Beach Town Hall and other local venues.

The conference is open to writers of all skill levels. Registration is required: $300 for all three days (student rate $200) or $125 per day. Contact Malayne DeMars, executive director of the Rosemary Beach Foundation, at malayne.demars@gmail.com or 850-231-7382.

However, there also will be a series of free evening events for the general public. The events have proved popular in the past, DeMars said, as “featured faculty will read excerpts from their published poetry, fiction and short stories.”

Events include: Faculty reading 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, featuring Barrett, Campbell, DeMott and Smith at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall; Book signing and reception 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Hidden Lantern Bookstore and Gallery; and, faculty reading 5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, featuring Cottle, Dufresne and Nash at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Admission will be free for these events, but there is a $5 suggested donation to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast.

What do you love? What’s killing you? What haunts you? Come out, share and discover the stories.

Peace.

-----

(This is my Undercurrents column for The News Herald for April 26.)
<< Go there to see links to the various authors' websites.

Read something I wrote about the spring writers conference the last time I visited.<< (I was in a strange mood.)

Three Heathers: Meet the Artists

PANAMA CITY — The Heathers get the spotlight this weekend at CityArts Cooperative in downtown Panama City this month.

Not only is the current exhibit — “Heather, Heather, Heather” — a collection of work by three artists who share the same name, but also special consideration will be given to any visitors named Heather who attend Saturday’s Meet the Artists reception.

The three featured artists — Heather Clements, Heather Hay and Heather Parker — are all directors at CityArts.

“At least once a week, there are three Heathers in the building. Whenever someone calls out, ‘Heather!’ we all, of course, react,” Clements said. “As annoying/funny as that is, we decided to turn it into a positive: an art show. … We thought of all the possible names, but wanted to make people actually have to say the name three whole times, so we are indeed calling it ‘Heather, Heather, Heather.’”

CityArts Cooperative, 318 Luverne Ave., is a community of visual, literary and performing artists who have formed the largest arts co-op in Northwest Florida, according to the directors. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.; browse the contemporary art gallery, tour the artist’s studios, learn about free art events and sign up for art and dance classes.

The exhibit — which opened April 4 and will continue through June 2 — features Clements’ intricate papercut art, Hay’s multimedia art inspired by her experiences with Chautauqua Learn and Serve Charter School, and Parker’s acrylic on wood and assemblage art.

Other aspects of the exhibit will evolve over time, enticing return visits to view the progress of interactive pieces. Clements said visitors named Heather would be invited to participate in the collaborative portion of the exhibit.

“We knew we’d be setting ourselves up for some joking and kidding with the ‘Heather, Heather, Heather’ show, so we decided to play into it,” Parker said. “Along with our art, the two-month exhibit features interactive pieces so visitors can share in the fun, with special courtesies extended to anyone named Heather.”

During the reception 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, anyone whose name happens to be Heather will receive special treats: free cupcakes, a chance to participate in a group photograph of “a field of Heather” (the people, not the flowers) at 4:30 p.m., and more.

Clements will entertain by playing the musical saw while visitors enjoy light refreshments. The movie “Heathers,” which also features three Heathers, will be shown.

A second artists’ reception (4 to 6 p.m. on May 19) will provide an opportunity for everyone to be a Heather for a day. “We will have ‘Heather’ name tags for all,” Clements explained.

---
This is my Undercurrents column for the News Herald this week.

Record store day is coming up April 21

Owsley Bros. @ Central Square

SEASIDE — It’s more than just nostalgia, this love of flat discs of vinyl imprinted with spiral grooves. And it can’t be hipsterism, because frankly I’m just too old to be hip.

Yes, I recall the first record I bought (the “Popcorn” single by Hot Butter, 1972; I was 8). I recall the 45s my dad gave me to listen to on my Close-N-Play in the years prior to that (“Rip It Up” by Elvis Presley, “Every Day” by Buddy Holley).

Mine was a childhood of Disney albums and Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Favorites,” and doing household chores to the sound of my mother’s Broadway musical albums (“Annie Get Your Gun” and “Fiddler on the Roof”).

Later I graduated to hand-me-down 8-tracks, and when cassettes came into fashion I used them to copy my vinyl. No one would buy an album on cassette, right?

I still have a turntable. I even have one that connects to my laptop so I can digitize my old records. But these days, I tend to buy old records just for the artwork; I frame them and display them on a wall, and I change them out as the seasons shift or my mood alters.

My most recent vinyl purchase — meant for listening — was The Mountain Goats’ “All Eternals Deck,” which came with a digital download of the album. Before that, I picked up the unlikely but awesomely titled “Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music From Outer Space” at a yard sale in the Country Club out in Lynn Haven; it will go up on the wall one of these days.

I’m thinking about all this because the annual Record Store Day is approaching.

On the third Saturday of each April, the joy of sharing music via the medium of vinyl discs is celebrated with International Record Store Day. The event is intended to focus attention on the niche art of vinyl recording as well as the independent record store by drawing fans to stores for special appearances, live performances, art exhibits, and deals on special record releases and other promotional products.

According to RecordStoreDay.com, Metallica officially kicked off the original Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008. Now standalone brick-and-mortar retailers around the world mark the day with their own unique festivities.

Since the shuttering of Tek Records in Panama City, the only independent record store in the area is now Central Square Records in Seaside (above Sundog Books). On April 21, Central Square “will have a boatload of exclusive releases,” live music throughout the day and giveaways including tote bags, label samplers and more, according to manager Tom King.

“We have confirmed critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Daphne Willis and our local phenoms the Owsley Brothers for in-store performances,” the shop’s website says. More performers will be announced as the date draws near. King added that Willis will play about 4 p.m. and the Owsley Brothers about 6:30 p.m.

This is Central Square’s fourth year to participate in the event. The store will open early (8 a.m.) for what the staff calls “the best music day of the year.”


See you on the flip side.


---
This was my "undercurrents" column for Thursday's paper.