Recap and an Invite

[Marlene Anne Sassaman]

To those who have been following my blog and to those new to my musings let me begin this morning with a recap and an invite.

My writings began as a means to clarify my thoughts while holding myself accountable for my plans. My internet connection is about to run out for this month so I don't want to spend time researching when I posted my first blog. Safe to say it was about five years ago. Many goals have been accomplished. Writing a book like most aspirees has gone to the way side. It is just too challenging for me to focus long enough to even outline my chapters. 

With long solitude voyages, romantic travels on land and on sea, and now learning to play the piano there is just too many ideas to write about at the end of each day. But, writing always soothes my soul. Like an hour ago, at 2:50 am I was wide awake with poetic words flitting about in my head to the beat of my mate's snores. So, I got up and sought solace at my desk. Clipping away at the keys on my MacBook Air I got an idea. It is to become my new focus for becoming the type of writer folks want to read about.

The idea came from my accountant. Yesterday he insisted I borrow a book he had by David Harris. The book is titled, "Sailing Through Paradise: The Illustrated Adventures of a Single-Handed Sailor." It is written in the 'I-Me-My' style, akin to a two month memoir. David's abundance of pictures make the book an appealing page turner. Random glances on almost any given page that personal pronoun, "I" jumps out at me. Finally, a non-example of my intent in writing despite my blog reference to I,me,my. In my publications I want the reader to be invited to step out of their comfort zone while taking healthy risks, inspire confidence, and invite an appreciation for all that is good in life, and to overcome obstacles. As with my thoughts of David's accomplishment as a sailor and a writer, I can now go forth and revise. I don't want my publications to be about me. 

Knowing that revision is the crux of good writing my article about crossing the rarely sailed South Bight of Andros Island is again being re-written to reflect my real intent of messaging. While the crux of the tale is about the recent passage it was originally written as something my mate and I did. Now, I want to challenge myself to make it about what others can do, entice them to experience something few sailors do, empower them to take the path least traveled. After all, life isn't about me, my or I, it is about YOU!

P.S. In all fairness, I applaud David for doing what I have yet to do. His book is an easy read with enough pictures to make a great coffee table book. Surely, any guest, sailor or not, will intuitively pick it up if prominitely displayed.

To compliment David's stay in Luperon, I am including a picture I took during my stay last April. It is on the main street in Luperon, Dominican Republic. For more information and pictures of this cruisers hi-de-hole, check out David's book. The other picture is of my dear friend Linda, with whom we went sliding down the waterfalls about 20 miles west of Luperon...

Home, asleep, in the doorway...where else but on main street in Luperon

Linda at the Falls in Luperson, Dominican Republic

Lastly, yes my blog is about I,me, my. That is the intent of MY blog. My book and articles for publication in magazines and journals is intended to be about YOU....