Unfortunately, I’m having a hard time blogging today about happily ever after.
Some of you may know that besides my exciting life as a Blaze Babe, I also write NASCAR-themed books for Harlequin. On Monday afternoon the NASCAR world abruptly lost Charlotte Observer reporter David Poole to a heart attack. And while many of you may not know or care anything about stock car racing, I’d like you to be aware that a powerful voice has been silenced forever.
This tragedy has me thinking about the amazing voices we have in romance—Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jayne Ann Krentz and Betina Krahn to name a few of my favorites. I have many friends and fellow Blaze writers who are talented and brilliant writers, people I appreciate for who they are as well as the stories they tell.
With all the chaos and unexpected turns in the world, I’m comforted by the idea that I can pick up a book by a writer I respect and find a few hours of escape and inspiration. And while there are days I feel joyless and drab, I can turn to both writing and reading fun and sexy stories when life isn’t so hot.
On that positive note, I can share that I’m working on a Blaze I’m really excited about. When my editor and I sat down in San Francisco last year and brainstormed my next few books, her advice was to keep going with my fiction island setting of Palmetto Island, SC and the cast of characters I introduced in After Dark (January 2009). So, back to the island we go…
I love writing about my homeland—The South. (And, yes, it’s in caps for a reason.) There was a time in my life when I was self-conscious…yes, folks, even embarrassed about my accent and background. And while those of us with a drawl have reason to regret some of the choices of our ancestors, our culture isn’t something we can deny. Even if we wanted to.
Often, I turn to food when I’m stressed. (Accounting for the extra ten pounds on my ass most of time.) It’s odd that I’d already planned to recreate my grandmother’s classic chicken and rice recipe for dinner tonight. Something inside me apparently knew I’d need the comfort.
So, I’m striving to write while I cook and listen to my Sirius radio (locked, obviously, on the NASCAR channel). I hear lovely stories of a man I actually never met, though I exchanged a few e-mails with him, I read his articles and blogs every week and listened to his radio show every morning.
I hope bringing you into my world today hasn’t been too melancholy. Like many of my fellow Blaze Babes, I’ll be here once a month, and I’m sure I’ll be back to my normal, sarcastic self when I post again.
In the meantime, I try to imagine my fellow Southerner David Poole in heaven, gathering the lost legends of the sport for an interview and giving all the angels something to talk about.
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I’m sorry you are feeling the loss of David Poole’s voice. And I’m glad it has you thinking of the importance of your own voice.
I am reading Dead Until Dark for the first time (I know, where have I been?) and I am blown away by Charlaine Harris’ voice. To the extent that I’m beginning to wish *I* had a Southern heritage to turn to in order to kick my writing from bland into grand.
The South has its issues, for sure, but don’t be ashamed of your roots. Use them to help you grow stronger.
I’m sorry about David too. It’s sad and I don’t think it’s ever a bad thing for us to reflect and remember what is most important in life.
As for comforting. I turn to food (I wish it was only an extra 10lbs) and movies. If I’m watching Mary Poppins when my husband comes home he knows I either had a really bad day or someone died. But it really does depend on the mood because my other go-to movies are Practical Magic, Wanted and The Matrix. That probably tells people more about my personality than I want them to know.
And as a Native Texan, I understand the accent thing. I’ve finally embraced mine and it’s actually opened a few doors for me.
I watch NASCAR. I was drug in by my hubby Chris. He took me to my first actual race here at Texas Motor Speedway back in the beginning of the month. It was fun and we had a great time. I don’t know anything about Mr David Poole, but that doesn’t make the grief any less for those in the NASCAR world. It is sad that he is gone and so suddenly but his words will live forever in the minds of those who read his works and heard his voice.
I am also a big Nascar fan and am sorry to hear of the passing of David Poole. I live near Richmond, Va. so I am lucky to be able to attend the two races that are held here every year. The closest one being this Saturday at RIR. I hope that a moment of silence will be offered in tribute to a great voice in Nascar.
I had no idea he’d passed away! I’m a huge NASCAR person myself and I’m often teased by the fact that I feel this strange connection with NASCAR people I’ve never met. But I do feel like they’re “my people.” We have this shared love and commraderie that only someone else who loves the sport understands.
As for the accent…I grew up in Southern Ohio, right where WV, KY and OH all meet. Growing up, I didn’t have a great Southern accent. I spoke hick. When I moved to Arizona I spent years trying to rid myself of that accent! Then I moved to NC and it all came rushing back. I’ve since given up, I am what I am. LOL
I’m sorry to hear of David Poole’s passing. Sounds like you’ve picked a great comfort food of chicken and rice.
I’m from The South also. I grew up in S.GA and now live in N. AL but my in-laws are from Indiana, so I understand the accent thing. I also grew up around stock car racing. I’ve read David Poole’s work before. He was a great sports writer and will be greatly missed. I read that Rick Hendrick is honoring David by marking his four cars with blue decals and the initials ‘DP’ on each one.
There’s nothing like good ole southern cooking to cure what ails you as my grandmother used to say. I bet that chicken and rice recipe is great! Feel better soon!
Wendy, thank you for sharing your world with us. The world of NASCAR and The South.
Thanks so much, guys! I appreciate you hanging in there with me today. The chicken and rice did wonders! And, hey, southern girls rule!
Wendy, enjoy your chicken and rice and never apologize for being a Southern Belle.
Wendy
sorry about the passing of Mr. Poole. I’m not a nascar fan, ut the rest of my family sure is.
I’ll bet he’s talking earhart sr’s ear off right about now, and loving every minute of it.
And i will confess i too speak hick, being from a small town in wv you dont have much choice. When im at conferences i used to try and hold back, but that got old. It’s me, so i say Yall and Hon a little too much. oh well.
I hope the chicken and rice helped you feel a little better, next take a really hot bath, with a glass of wine, works for me.
jody