HarborFest 2017

Written by Mary-Jac O'Daniel

A few weeks ago, we went over to Harbor Fest. We enjoyed touring the different ships, on what was a pretty hot and muggy day. I even gave an inpromptu performance of one of my favorite Aussie songs, “Waltzing Matilda”! As we were walking down one of the piers, I saw a boat with the name, “Waltzing Matilda” on it. “Look honey, “Waltzing Matilda” I said to my husband, who understands the association with Australia. The owner was nearby and quipped, “Do you know the words?” Little did he know that when I lived and worked there for a short stint during college, I had made it a personal goal to learn all of the words to that song before I left. So, I bust out singing, “Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong under the shade of a coolibah tree and he sand as he watched and waited til his billy boiled.” The jolly Aussie joined in singing with me there on the dock. I gave him a quick smile and then darted down the pier towards my husband, who was disassociating himself from my lovely rendition. Later on, after we had sufficiently stuffed ourselves with various assortments of food and beverages, we escaped the crowds, and took the ferry across to Portsmouth where we enjoyed a barbecue and fireworks from the pier near a friend’s boat. 

About the author: Mary Jac O'Daniel is the author of "Zinneas Always Bloom" in By the Bay: East Beach Stories. Her story "Forays into Sailing" is in By the Bay 2: More East Beach Stories.

Forays Into Sailing

Today we have an excerpt from "Forays Into Sailing" by Mary-Jac O'Daniel.

But first let's read her blurb. 

Chance encounters sometimes provide the best opportunities for adventures, and new hobbies. “Foray’s into Sailing” describes Emily’s first sailing adventure. The story is a tribute to one of the sailing icons of the community, who was taken too soon.

Wow!  Don't you want more with that?

Well here's a bit more,  check out an excerpt from her story.

Author Interview: Mary-Jac O'Daniel

Have you met our author Mary-Jac O'Daniel?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her as well as a few photos.

Each of the contributing authors submitted a question for this interview.  Which makes for an interesting interview.

So stop by and check out Mary-Jac's interview.  Here's just a sample of one of the many questions.

What is your favorite genre movie and is it the same genre that you like to read?

I enjoy adventure movies. As far as things I read, I enjoy drama and adventure.

The Great Dismal Swamp Adventure

Written by Mary-Jac O'Daniel

We went to the Dismal Swamp on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. My husband asked me that morning, “Are you sure you want to go?” I was determined, “Yes,” came the quick reply. We had an arsenal of water bottles, some snacks and bug spray, and we felt prepared as we headed out the door. 

When we arrived we doused ourselves with bug spray and then began the four mile hike, one way, in the swamp. What’s near swamps—bugs. Lots of them. We constantly swatted our faces and laughed about having the trail to ourselves. *no one else was that dumb* 

We resolutely continued, and kept our good humor. We saw two buzzards on the path, presumably waiting for our demise. We hoped we would disappoint them as the temperature continued to increase. 

When we got to the lake at the end of the four miles, we briefly considered jumping in the water. I’m not sure what stopped us. The problem with going four miles out, is that one has to turn around and go four miles back. We finally ended our eight mile journey, right as we were running out of water and then promptly went and got the largest slurpies we could find at the nearest 7-11. 

I would love to go back—in the fall or spring. 

About the author: Mary Jac O'Daniel is the author of "Zinneas Always Bloom" in By the Bay: East Beach Stories. Her story "Forays into Sailing" will be in Volume II, to be published in 2017.

Halloween Memories

Written by Mary-Jac O'Daniel

One of my favorite holidays is Halloween. As a child, every year the older teenagers made a scary cornfield maze for the middle school kids to walk through. This, along with the movie “Children of the Corn,” probably contributed to my fear of cornfields. We scared ourselves silly running through this one- mile corn maze and then sat outside amongst a bonfire to tell ghost stories while roasting marshmallows. The older teens would bring their

guitars and the evening ended with a hayride and everyone singing familiar country and pop songs. As a suburban child that loved wide-open spaces, this was my idea of bliss. 

I still love Halloween, and I still love haunted houses—even though I’m a big wimp. The new Halloween tradition is to go to Busch Gardens for the Hallow Eve with my husband. Last year, we went alone, this year; we have friends going with us. It is something I look forward to every year, along with dressing up, and of course, candy. 

About the author: Mary Jac O'Daniel is the author of "Zinneas Always Bloom" in By the Bay: East Beach Stories. Her story "Forays into Sailing" will be in Volume II, to be published in 2017.

Chesapeake Bay Living: Slover Library

Did you know thate we had a talk on June 28th at Slover Library?  We did!

We were also fortunate enough to get a tour of the library from our very own Will Hopkins.  We really appreciated the time he took to tell us the history and show us around.  It was fantastic!

I know what you're thinking.  What's so great about a dark, cramped library?  Well for one it isn't dark.  Two, it isn't cramped.  This place is huge!  I could honestly get lost in it.  It's very open and bright.  

Karen Harris, Gina Warren Buzby,
Will Hopkins & Jayne Ormerod

And it quite modern.  I was blown away when I found out you can look up books at the special kiosks.  I'm from a time when you had to search through card catalogs.  I may have just dated myself there, but that's okay.

Plus it's not just books.  They have computers and offer different classes.  I won't tell all, you'll just have to go check it out for yourself.  This place is fabulous and offers a lot!

And I absolutely love that they incorporated the old building with the new structure.  There's so much beautiful architecture downtown that I was glad they blended instead of just tearing a building down.

So if you are in the downtown Norfolk Area, I highly recommend stopping by.  And if you haven't already, get yourself a library card.

Book Signing

February 27th was your opportunity to get an autographed copy of our book.  Did you miss your opportunity?  

Jenny Sparks, Mike Owens, Jayne Ormerod, Mary-Jac O'Daniel,
Karen Harris, Michelle Davenport, Patrick Clark & Gina Warren Buzby

Not to worry!  We will have another book signing on April 30th, so mark your calendars!  More information to come on that event.

Origins Part Four

Did you read Origins Part One?  How About Origins Part Two?  Maybe you read Origins Part Three?

No?

Well go ahead and read it, we'll wait.  Take your time, we're in no hurry.

So you're back for more right?  You would like to know where more of the stories from in By The Bay came from right?  Did it stem from something that happened to them or was it just a creative idea?

Well wonder no more!  Our wonderful author, Jenny Sparks, came up with a great idea.  Why not share how we came up with our stories.  

So, over the course of the next few days we will share our authors thoughts with you.

I hope you enjoy installment number four!

Books For The Holiday

On November 20th the East Beach Writers Guild got together for their monthly meeting.  This month we brought children's books to donate to Toys For Tots.  Books can be a fantastic gift.  From toddlers to teenagers we donated books that we thought someone else would love.

Back Row: Gina Warren Buzby, Jayne Ormerod, Jenny Sparks & Patrick Clark
Front Row: Mike Owens, Skip McLamb, Mary-Jac O'Daniel, Karen Harris, Michelle Davenport & Will Hopkins

Big Screen Dreams: Zinnias Always Bloom

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Mary-Jac O'Daniel envisions Reese Witherspoon as Karen and Taylor Richardson as Makenna.

Karen

Makenna

What do you think?

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Graham Green

The table is laid out beautifully, a centerpiece of mums is surrounded by food that makes your mouth water at the sight of it.  You are handed a glass of wine and told to choose a seat.

I'm sure at this point you're wondering what exactly is going on.  

I've just set the scene for a literary dinner party.  We asked our authors if they could choose three authors, living or dead, to bring to a literary dinner party.  So I thought I would share a few.

Mike Owens has invited Charles Dickens, Graham Green and Patrick O'Brian.

I wonder what these four men will be discussing?  

Zinnias Always Bloom Excerpt

Today is we have an excerpt from "Zinnias Always Bloom" by author Mary-Jac O'Daniel.

But first, why don't you read the blurb?

Zinnias Always Bloom is the heartwarming story about finding comfort and solace wherever one lives, and embracing the adventure and challenges that accompany all military moves. Most of all, it is about making a place home, no matter where that location may be. 

Wow!

Now check out the excerpt.

Author Interview: Mary-Jac O'Daniel

Have met our author Mary-Jac O'Daniel?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her.  As well as a few candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Mary-Jac's interview.

Did you know that sports have always been a part of Mary-Jac's life?   She's not one to watch sports unless it’s the Olympics. She cannot remember a time, when she was not involved in some competitive sport. Her favorite sports have changed through the years. When she was younger, she was a marathon runner, but gymnastics was a favorite sport. (She says she just wasn’t talented enough to be competitive). In her late 20s and early 30s, triathlons were the favorite sport. And presently, she's always up for a run; however, competitive sailing is her latest love.