Marti Melville

It’s a Little Disheartening

Almost without fail, whenever I attend an event that features my books (and usually those of the other authors represented by my publisher, Doce Blant Publishing), I run into someone who unabashedly admits he (or she) doesn’t read books.

The conversation goes something like this:

Me: “What is your favorite type of book to read?” Them: “I don’t.” Me (confused a little bit): “You don’t have a…

Sometimes it just comes without warning…

Sometimes, indeed…

Inspiration peeks through the clouded thoughts that sit in my story teller’s mind, exposing a thought or image that changes everything.

Today, it happened as I began to walk out the door. I’m pleased and feel drawn to get back to the Caribbean sea–back to the mystery that was the 18th century Golden Age of Piracy.

Arizona Fire Agate in a bronze wrap. Bronze chain included. One of a kind.

Healing properties of Agates: Cleanses and stabilizes the aura, eliminating and transforming negativity. Agates enhance mental function, improve concentration, perception and analytical abilities. It soothes and calms, heals inner anger or tension, and creates a sense of security and safety.

Pirate Games of the 18th Century

Pirate games in the 18th century really existed – a precurser to our popular gambing games.

It’s likely that games at sea were a much-needed past time used to fill those long days at sea. At heart, we all love great entertainment and games have always filled that bill – gambling too.

In truth, duties kept the crewmen busy most of the time. Still, others whittled away at trinkets created from wood…

Citrine Pendant in Gold

Citrine pendant – I found this stone on a beach in the Puget Sound, polished it, and wrapped it. Something powerful and personal from me 💛 Gold tone chain and wrap to compliment stunning colors amber, citrus and sienna. One of a kind.

Fireflies in North Carolina

This will be a quick comment – I’m busy of late. My daughter just gave birth to a baby still in the NICU. He’s doing well and we anticipate bringing him home sometime this week.

During the chaos of running people back and forth from the hospital, keeping two very active toddlers busy, running my businesses, adapting to the time change, and writing…my daughter graciously introduced me to fireflies.

I swear, my life just flashed before my eyes!

  “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride” took on a whole new meaning!

  Yesterday, my plane landed (finally) after the worst turbulents I’ve ever experienced – and I’ve experienced a LOT! Snow, sleet, rain, wind, and fog greeted us the entire descent. I thought I would surely pass on.

Thank the HEAVENS (literally) I had a book!

    I…

How to Write…Wait! What?

I’m speaking in a few days about writing. This is to a group that focuses on the metaphysical (right up my alley!) and has the same desire the rest of us have…to get that story, floating around in our heads, in print!

A few writers I know have offered advice. Of course, I listen because I sincerely believe that others’ experiences will enrich my own (sounds deeper than intended). In other words,…

I’m stuck!

  I’ve fallen off the “what next” idead train and landed in something completely foreign! Just what comes next in the story, is as evasive as the way out of a head-first plant into a snowbank.

My guess is to back up…take a look around and figure out what comes next. But therein lies the problem.

  I’m totally stuck in the quagmire of ideas that have no connection and zero direction.

S…

Fierce. Fighter. Fabulous. – Jill Kinmont (Boothe)

Anyone who has read The Deja vu Chronicles knows that Kathryn is a survivor. She’s fierce. This is a trait that doesn’t come easily – she had to battle against her weaknesses and fears until the day she became one of the fiercest pirates that sailed the Caribbean Seas.

Many have done the same (not necessarily becoming a pirate, although many of us would like to) – battling uphill against…

18th Century Acumens of the Rich and Famous – Ask Someone to Smile

Today is edit day on Onyx Rising! I came to a description of a voodoo priestess that I’d written not long after my visit to Grenada Island a few years ago. I was amazed at something unique to every native I met there.

Everyone had gorgeous teeth!

My husband even commented on the pearly whites of the Grenada natives. Remarkable really, until you think about diet and hygene (which our waitress said…

Curiosities of Pirates’ Affairs

I wasn’t sure what title would best describe this post – hopefully, that one does justice.

A few have asked how I got away with writing a female captive on board a pirate ship and avoid the mettling issue of rape and other foul intent against her. The answer is simple: it’s the truth.

Yes! History saved the day once again.

  Kathryn, under any other circumstances, certainly would have suffered…

Crushin’ It Badass

I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my delayed flight, watching people (who doesn’t in an airport). A conversation with a reader is playing through my head:

Him: “Hey, I just finished reading Midnight Omen and loved it.”

Me: “Awesome! So, what did you like most about the book?”

Him: “Kathryn is a badass. I love badass heroines.”

‘Nuff said…

Just a few minutes ago, a security officer walked…