Collecting Seashells In Mexico
While we were last in Mexico, the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I took the bus to Playa Chileno, a beach near Cabo San Lucas. He snorkeled and saw some awesome fish. I relaxed on a big sun-warmed boulder and took in the beautiful scenery.
There were whales easily visible from the beach. There was a pirate ship. And there were some really interesting humans.
My favorite humans were a group of older ladies. They spilled out of their caravan of vehicles, chattering and laughing. I got the impression they were Mexican but from a different part of Mexico because they marveled at the beach and at the water and at the blue, blue sky.
I watched as they happily collected seashells and bits of washed up dead coral for their grandbabies back at home. One lady gave another lady some of her seashells because that friend would need more as she had MANY more grandbabies.
They brought their own snacks and drinks and seemed to be having the time of their lives.
That made me smile so hard! (grins)
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Muse Food – Hong Kong Reflections
The Dear Wonderful Hubby took this beautiful photo of Hong Kong while we were watching one of the nightly free light shows.
I love how all the colors are reflected in the water.
Having our characters reflect on past events is a very powerful tactic, especially if there has been a loss of a loved one in a battle or in some other action-packed event.
During battle, there’s no time for grief, for sorrow, for thinking about the loss. Everyone is fighting to stay alive. The action and reaction is fast, fast, fast.
It is not until later, when they are out of immediate danger, when they can slow down, that characters AND the reader can grieve. It is often during these reflections, during these internal replays that we are able to cry over the loss.
Use reflections or replays as a tool for great storytelling.
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The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque In Abu Dhabi
One of the must-see FREE sites to visit in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I took the public bus to the Mosque. We got a bit lost, looking for the public entrance (grins), but the security guards stationed around the Mosque’s beautiful grounds were extremely helpful. As was everyone we encountered.
Mosque rules apply. Shoulders and knees and, for female-facing people, heads must be covered.
I always travel with a head scarf in Muslim countries. I also cover my shoulders. And I never wear anything shorter than below-knee-length capris.
That is, IMHO, respectful outside the Mosque also. The women seem to appreciate my efforts (they are friendlier and more likely to offer help) and the men tend to show me more respect.
There was an awesome and FREE English-language tour, which gave us access to parts of the Mosque other visitors didn’t have and our guide shared with us the history and the architecture of the Mosque.
Take your time, if you can, at the Mosque. The details are exquisite and everywhere you look. It is very much a work of art. And, if you can find a quiet, uninhabited part of the Mosque, you will likely FEEL the spiritual vibes emitting from it. I found it to be an emotionally powerful place.
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Camels In Doha, Qatar
Last week, we chatted about the beautiful horses travelers can see for free in Doha, Qatar.
The camel pen is right next door to the horse pen in the old city! And it is open for viewing also.
I don’t find camels beautiful. (grins) They are very similar to moose (I adore moose) in their usual faces and forms. But they are magnificent. And they are strong. And they DEFINITELY have unique personalities, which makes them a lot of fun to watch.
This camel looks like he’s yelling over the fence at the neighbors.
This camel stole a ‘kiss’ while I was distracting her pen mate.
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Muse Food – Grouping Like Things
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted this collection of smooth, triangular boulders in Hong Kong.
One such boulder would have been interesting. But it likely would have gotten lost in the rest of the display.
Four similar-looking boulders, however, grab our attention. We notice them. We notice their shape, their colors, their size.
Writers use this same technique in stories. We employ symbolism more than once (I use it around three times or more), for example, because that ensures readers notice it. We repeat a key idea multiple times in slightly different ways.
Grouping like things or like ideas is powerful. Use it in your own writing!
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Horses In Doha, Qatar
Last week, I talked about how cats rule Dubai.
They rule Doha, Qatar also.
As do horses.
Horses are…everywhere. (grins) Visitors can watch horse races. They can ride horses over nearby sand dunes.
And they can visit the stables in the middle of the old part of the city. For FREE!
The horses, many of them beautiful Arabians, can be seen in their pens, eating and frolicking and doing horse things.
They can also be seen in the buildings, in their stables. The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I walked right into the buildings and that type of spontaneous visiting seemed to be encouraged. We watched as locals brought treats for the horses and fed them. Some kind souls offered us some of the treats so we could feed the horses also.
It was a horse lover’s dream!
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Muse Food – Pirate Ships In Cabo San Lucas And Other Adventures
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I were trekking along Playa Chileno, a beach near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico when we were delighted to see this faux pirate ship rounding the bend.
We weren’t the only travelers captivated by this unexpected appearance. Visitors from all over the world watched the pirate ship’s approach with glee and wonder.
And it reminded me WHY many people read our stories.
They are looking for adventure, for something different than their regular lives. This doesn’t have to be space battles to the death or daring rescues (though those are fun – grins). It merely has to be unusual and, perhaps, unexpected.
Give them adventure.
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Cats Rule Dubai
There were SO MANY feral cats in Dubai. And they appeared to be VERY well taken care of. We saw feed and water bowls everywhere and we chanced upon a man in a Santa hat cheerily filling some of those bowls.
There were also signs all over the place, including on the boardwalk, stating that no dogs were allowed in the area. You and I both know those were posted by cats.
(grins)
Oh and I wasn’t the only person taking photos of the feral cats. I bumped into cooing, adoring cat fans originating from all over the world.
Muse Food – Average Guy Angels And The Unexpected
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I spotted an average guy trying on a pair of angel wings in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The average guy seemed to love doing this. (He was surprised by the weight of those wings.) And everyone around him was smiling and laughing.
Because we don’t usually picture an angel as an average guy. They are usually stunningly beautiful and super fit and not wearing white running shoes with black socks. (grins)
Give your story an ‘average guy angel’, something unexpected, something enchanting.
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Moon Landings And Other Awkward Conversations
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I were sitting in a restaurant on a cruise ship. One of the things cruise ship restaurant staff often do, upon request, is seat strangers at a table together.
The table next to us was in that situation.
And we were shamelessly eavesdropping.
(grins)
There was a male/female couple and a woman on her own. She told the couple that Kevin, her husband, would be joining them. He was running a bit late.
The male half of the already seated couple dominated the conversation. He complained about the state of the US, spewed off some rather racist comments (they were all white folks at the table).
And THEN he REALLY warmed to his theory that the moon landing was fake.
He chattered for about fifteen minutes about how it was all scripted, how the astronauts were actors, how the space program was truly a means of funneling money to the Libs, etc. etc.
Finally, his wife nudged him.
“Oh, I must be boring you,” he told the solitary woman.
“It’s okay.” Her eyes glittered. “I’m used to all the space talk by now.”
Her husband sits down.
“Kevin.” She pats his arm. “Worked for NASA for thirty years.”
Friends, the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I almost fell out of our chairs laughing.
The delivery was perfect.
The conspiracy theorist immediately had an ‘oh sh*t’ expression on his face.
His wife’s eyes widened.
Kevin’s wife had an almost gleeful smile on her beautiful face.
Kevin, the former NASA worker, was completely oblivious and started chatting about what he did at NASA and some of the projects he’d been involved in.
It. Was. AWESOME!
(laughs)
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