Is it just me, or is there something special about this time of year? The days are still warm, but the nights are crisp and cool. Routines are being established (or re-established), bedtimes are earlier, my favorite shows are coming back on TV, the holidays are just around the corner; here on the Shore, the crabs are fatter and tastier, and I could go on and on. Spring might be the time that the world renews itself, but fall is my time to renew and reflect. It’s when I start thinking about and writing my newest novel. Truthfully, it’s when I do my best writing. It’s when my head seems to be clearer, and my mind is ready to focus. I think a lot of it has to do with the girls returning to school. We are all ready to get back to business. But there’s no question that a good part of it has to do with living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland at this most beautiful time of year.
I think that’s why I set Picture Me here on the Shore in the fall. It’s the time and place for new beginnings, a time to experience beauty that is awe-inspiring. We may not have mountains and famous fall foliage, but we have sunrises over the Chesapeake and its tributaries that catch the autumn colors and reflect back hues of orange and red that set the water on fire. There’s no doubt that the Eastern Shore sunrise in the fall can’t be beat; and I meant it when I said the crabs are fatter and tastier. Those who have only had their share of the “beautiful swimmer” on Memorial Day just don’t know what they’re missing.
Julie Lawson spent a lot of time photographing the Shore in the fall, and I’m having fun re-tracing her steps as I try to capture with my lens the scenes that were described in the book as she captured them with hers. The companion Facebook page will highlight the pictures that I feel do her and this area justice. Stop by and take a look, and you will agree that there is no place like this anywhere else in the world.
So I as settle back today and write about Italy in my new novel, I will do so sitting in my sunroom looking out at the trees in my Eastern Shore backyard. They haven’t started changing colors yet, but they will soon, and I will enjoy the show as I spend my days gazing at the ever-changing kaleidoscope at my backdoor.
We should be able to get in at least one more boat ride before the air turns too cold. It won’t be just the end of one season for us, it will be the beginning of the next season and all of the promise that it holds. It’s a sure thing and a shore thing that we won’t want to miss. Life here on the Shore is more than good, and I challenge you to find any place better. Yeah, good luck with that.
Amy Schisler is the author of two mystery / suspense novels. Her first book, A Place to Call Home is in its second printing and may be purchased in stores, online, and through ibooks. Amy’s newest mystery, Picture Me, was released in August of 2015 and is available in stores and online. Her previously published children’s book, Crabbing With Granddad, may be purchased in stores and on Amazon.
You may follow Amy at http://facebook.com/amyschislerauthor on Twitter @AmySchislerAuth, on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/amyschisler and on her web site http://amyschislerauthor.com.
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