My friend Wendy Sue wrote this description of the storm that blew through the Dallas-Fort Worth area the other night and I thought it was so perfect I decided to share it!


The wind has been howling for hours, shoving the leaves around in the massive, thick tree across the street, beating the tall bushes outside my windows until their branches slap the panes. I find the sound endless, peaceful, calming. I don't think I've spoken a word aloud for several hours. Funny to think about that. Tropical storm Bill attacked Dallas like an arrow hitting a bullseye, moving slowly, slowly through its whirling meterological dance way, way, way up in the sky. Rain fell torrentially, as the sewers raced madly to keep up with the endless flow of water that threatened to overrun them and, in many cases, did. As I drove through the area today, one appointment to the next, the rain hit the windshield in huge drops for a mile or so and then would stop, as if it were considering its next move. The next minute, I'd be back in a downpour. 

Once back home again, tired tired tired, I would hear random thuds and banging sounds outside. When awake, I would anxiously go from the front door to the back, occasionally stepping out barefooted to rescue a drowning potted plant or a runaway hutch for my garden hose.

For a while now--I don't know how long--I slept on Big Red, I watched a little TV---all that remains is the wind, as the long, long tail of the storm makes one more circular pass over us, like a massive, unseen monster that imprints itself at will and then ambles away without fear. Perhaps it will rain again. I just don't know. This is a very strange area I live in, way down south, so near the Gulf of Mexico.

Allow me a few journal-type musings here.  My keyboard has been relatively silent lately while I search for inspiration.  Nothing definite here, but I'm zeroing in on some insights about my niche as a writer.  It's a constant process of introspection; maybe those of you who aren't writers will be interested.

My writer friends, many of whom are at their best with fantasy and poetry, have been immensely inspirational in developing my own voice.  That said, I'm constantly more and more sure of my place.  I love it whenever I can express my faith.  Yet I've also been told that I may be at my best with romantic/erotic prose, which is gratifying (although I certainly don't write anything that includes B&D to the extent of much erotic fiction these days, and I like to build gentle, loving relationships as a background for sex).

My passion for music is such that I can't help but make it important to my characters (even more so as I develop what little musical talent I have).  I also can't help but include references to particular songs to create an ambiance (too much, sometimes, so that I've had to agonize over which and how many songs to include, and editing them out is painful).  Unfortunately, I've painted myself into a corner right now, as I can no further tap the character who is truly an amazing musician, and his kids aren't musically inclined, etc.  I'm hoping to come up with a character I'll love as much and who'll inspire me as much!

You may see some nonfiction from me such as music reviews in the future, too.  One of my music courses involved seeing performances and writing reviews, and my reviews got great grades.

In short, there's so much potential, and I'm sure pursuing these possibilities will soon offer as much inspiration as I can handle!  And, happy writing to all of you out there!  I'm also looking forward to some great poems and fiction from you.

Regards, Jen