I went to see Same Time, Next Year in neighboring Ashtabula, Ohio last night. If you're in the area, definitely go see it...it was wonderful! I saw the movie years ago and found that idea of sharing a life with someone...one weekend a year.
It really inspired me when I started writing for Harlequin's Everlasting Love series. That idea of a friendship that develops over a lifetime of summer vacations on Lake Erie (of course...although this one was set in Ohio!)
I will confess, I love the imagery of the opening. That idea that life is full of change...hang on here it is:
“CARO. CARO, COME ON.”
Twelve-year-old Carolyn Kendal threw open the cottage door and ran out onto the porch. The force of the wind took her breath away.
She looked out at Lake Erie. The wind had whipped it into a frenzy, pounding wave after wave onto the shore.
Stephan Foster, her best friend each summer, was on his family’s porch, waving at her.
Caro tugged at the leg of her swimsuit. The suit didn’t fit as well as it had when she’d arrived with her mom and dad at their Heritage Bay, Ohio, summer-home last month. She smiled as she continued pulling it into place. Normally, she didn’t like things to change but she was pleased that she’d finally started growing. For two years she’d been lamenting her lack of height, certain she’d never get any taller than four feet eleven.
She glanced down at her chest and hoped that if she was growing taller, she’d also start growing out, but truly, she didn’t feel very optimistic.
Optimistic was her word of the week. She liked the way it felt as it rolled off her tongue.
Optimistic.
It seemed like such a happy word. And on days like this, when the beach was this perfect, it was the right word to describe herself. She was optimistic.
“Caro.” Stephan’s voice was laced with exasperation. “Come on. We haven’t had a day like this all summer.”
He was now down on the beach, waiting for her.
“Caro,” he called again, louder, more impatient.
And though she knew they were getting too old for this game, there was a comfort in it. She might be starting seventh grade in September, but this was familiar and hadn’t changed. She stopped pulling at her yellow suit, quit playing with words and ran to him. Her bare feet made a slapping noise on the cement walkway then quieted as soon as she reached the rocky sand.
“Here comes one.” Stephan stood poised, ready to run.
Caro got ready, too. She extended her right leg, bending at the knee, waiting for just the right moment. She knew from years of experience, it was all about the right moment. Too soon, too late...either would ruin the run.
“Go.” Stephan sprinted forward and she followed on his heels.
The wind whipped the marshmallow-puffy clouds across the sky. Pushing. Pushing. The clouds bumped into the sun high over head. That was the moment that signaled they could start
They ran between the rocky cliff and Lake Erie, on the small swatch of pebbly sand, chasing the edge of the sun’s shadow.
Sometimes, if the breeze was lazy enough, they would catch it. But on days like today, when the wind really kicked up, they never did. But it didn’t matter. The joy was in the chase.
“We lost it.” Caro stopped, panting for air.
“There will be another shadow in a few minutes.” Stephan, a year older than she was, had the weight of that extra twelve-month’s wisdom. This time he nodded sagely, his summer-long hair flopping onto his forehead, and added, “Yep, everything always changes. We just have to wait, catch our breath, ’cause there’s always another shadow.”
Everything always changes. There’s always another shadow, she thought.
That movie inspired the structure of this story. That idea of coming back every year to two people who grow up together and then grow into a mature friendship...and maybe grow into something more. That idea of life being made of shadows and sunlight. And of course my lake (although I do share Lake Erie with everyone LOL).
People ask where writers get their inspiration...Susan and I have talked about that in some of our Trippin' with Holly and Susan videos (they're all parked on YouTube). Like I said then, they're everywhere. This story is nothing like Same Time, Next Year, but that movie did inspire me. And that marvelous play last night reminded me of why I wrote that book.
Inspiration is everywhere.
As summer gives way to fall, I hope you all find something that inspires you (I'm still inspired and gleeful over my pottery!)! If you haven't read it yet, I hope you'll check out Same Time Next Summer! And if you're in the area, check out Same Time, Next Year in Ashtabula!!
Holly
PS. Speaking of Trippin' videos, here's our most recent one...
Today Susan and I talk about childhood vacations and the little moments that stick with us. Little Moments. For me, those are the sweetest moments in life...and in my books!
I mentioned my Nothing But...short stories in the video. Check out this trilogy of animal adoption stories...and love!
Then go back to school with three PTA Moms. There's a bonus short story included! Check out the PTA Mom Collection!!
Able to Love Again...There's a new episode out today!
Find my books at:
It really inspired me when I started writing for Harlequin's Everlasting Love series. That idea of a friendship that develops over a lifetime of summer vacations on Lake Erie (of course...although this one was set in Ohio!)
I will confess, I love the imagery of the opening. That idea that life is full of change...hang on here it is:
“CARO. CARO, COME ON.”
Twelve-year-old Carolyn Kendal threw open the cottage door and ran out onto the porch. The force of the wind took her breath away.
She looked out at Lake Erie. The wind had whipped it into a frenzy, pounding wave after wave onto the shore.
Stephan Foster, her best friend each summer, was on his family’s porch, waving at her.
Caro tugged at the leg of her swimsuit. The suit didn’t fit as well as it had when she’d arrived with her mom and dad at their Heritage Bay, Ohio, summer-home last month. She smiled as she continued pulling it into place. Normally, she didn’t like things to change but she was pleased that she’d finally started growing. For two years she’d been lamenting her lack of height, certain she’d never get any taller than four feet eleven.
She glanced down at her chest and hoped that if she was growing taller, she’d also start growing out, but truly, she didn’t feel very optimistic.
Optimistic was her word of the week. She liked the way it felt as it rolled off her tongue.
Optimistic.
It seemed like such a happy word. And on days like this, when the beach was this perfect, it was the right word to describe herself. She was optimistic.
“Caro.” Stephan’s voice was laced with exasperation. “Come on. We haven’t had a day like this all summer.”
He was now down on the beach, waiting for her.
“Caro,” he called again, louder, more impatient.
And though she knew they were getting too old for this game, there was a comfort in it. She might be starting seventh grade in September, but this was familiar and hadn’t changed. She stopped pulling at her yellow suit, quit playing with words and ran to him. Her bare feet made a slapping noise on the cement walkway then quieted as soon as she reached the rocky sand.
“Here comes one.” Stephan stood poised, ready to run.
Caro got ready, too. She extended her right leg, bending at the knee, waiting for just the right moment. She knew from years of experience, it was all about the right moment. Too soon, too late...either would ruin the run.
“Go.” Stephan sprinted forward and she followed on his heels.
The wind whipped the marshmallow-puffy clouds across the sky. Pushing. Pushing. The clouds bumped into the sun high over head. That was the moment that signaled they could start
They ran between the rocky cliff and Lake Erie, on the small swatch of pebbly sand, chasing the edge of the sun’s shadow.
Sometimes, if the breeze was lazy enough, they would catch it. But on days like today, when the wind really kicked up, they never did. But it didn’t matter. The joy was in the chase.
“We lost it.” Caro stopped, panting for air.
“There will be another shadow in a few minutes.” Stephan, a year older than she was, had the weight of that extra twelve-month’s wisdom. This time he nodded sagely, his summer-long hair flopping onto his forehead, and added, “Yep, everything always changes. We just have to wait, catch our breath, ’cause there’s always another shadow.”
Everything always changes. There’s always another shadow, she thought.
That movie inspired the structure of this story. That idea of coming back every year to two people who grow up together and then grow into a mature friendship...and maybe grow into something more. That idea of life being made of shadows and sunlight. And of course my lake (although I do share Lake Erie with everyone LOL).
People ask where writers get their inspiration...Susan and I have talked about that in some of our Trippin' with Holly and Susan videos (they're all parked on YouTube). Like I said then, they're everywhere. This story is nothing like Same Time, Next Year, but that movie did inspire me. And that marvelous play last night reminded me of why I wrote that book.
Inspiration is everywhere.
As summer gives way to fall, I hope you all find something that inspires you (I'm still inspired and gleeful over my pottery!)! If you haven't read it yet, I hope you'll check out Same Time Next Summer! And if you're in the area, check out Same Time, Next Year in Ashtabula!!
Holly
PS. Speaking of Trippin' videos, here's our most recent one...
Today Susan and I talk about childhood vacations and the little moments that stick with us. Little Moments. For me, those are the sweetest moments in life...and in my books!
I mentioned my Nothing But...short stories in the video. Check out this trilogy of animal adoption stories...and love!
PPS
Don't forget my new release Polished Off: A Maid in LA Mystery is out! Check out Quincy's newest adventure!
Then go back to school with three PTA Moms. There's a bonus short story included! Check out the PTA Mom Collection!!
Able to Love Again...There's a new episode out today!
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Find my books at:
In Erie, you can find my books on the shelf at Werner Books!
