HAUNT WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED by Nancy Gideon

A fun aspects of touring another, much older, country is discovering its myths and legends. Ireland is steeped in them.

One of the reasons I’m a paranormal writer/lover is all those books I devoured from school and public libraries growing up that fed my imagination, and my absolute favorites were scary ones from other counties and cultures. Face it, we in the U.S. just haven’t been around that long. I was an early reader because my mom wouldn’t send me to bed with such tales . . . so I paged through them myself safely tented beneath my covers holding a flashlight. I did the same last night – only propped up on pillows with the lights on.

It’s hard to walk the steep, narrow streets or climb grassy to stony hills in Dingle without feeling a whisper of the past brushing by you. Or experiencing a tingle of the beyond rolling in on the fog. From fairy circles to standing stones found just up the street from majestic churches, the misty veil brushes against your skin and whispers on the wind.

If ever there was an enchanted island, this is it. My calves are still aching from the countless stone steps and rutted goat paths taken to get a snap of these glorious views. Hiring a car (Thank you, Dolores for being guide extraordinary!!) was the best possible way to see the untouched countryside on roads so narrow you’d think bicycles would bump in passing. But if not for our fearless driver, I’d never have gotten to see this . . .

We’re halfway through our fantastical trip and maybe, just maybe there’s a story (or a dozen) just waiting ahead for me to tell.

 For now, it’s time to hoist another pint!

Slainte!

♚♚♚♚♚

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Oh The Amazing Places You Can Travel to With a Book

by Maureen L. Bonatch 

Photo from our vacation at Islamorada, Florida

While on vacation this year at Key West, Florida, we talked with a girl, who said that she spent two months traveling on a boat, and currently lived on a sailboat and absolutely loved it. I stood there with a million questions running through my mind. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around living like that since it was so foreign to what I was accustomed to.

I could feel her enthusiasm, but shuddered at the thought of enduring the long hot nights until she saved up for some kind of air conditioning­—while I envisioned having so few possessions and so much freedom. Yet, I knew in reality I could never live that life. I was too set in my ways, too much of a willing slave to my routines and possessions. But in my imagination, I could live that life.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

As a writer her story intrigued me. It would be a fabulous setting for a character, or something I would enjoy reading about. Because as a writer, and a reader, there’s something magical about exploring places I might never see. For every beach I walk upon, I think of a book I read years ago about sea turtles, I believe it was The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. I know nothing about sea turtles, but after reading this book, in my mind I think I kind of do, because I lived that life with that character.

What an indescribable joy to live so many lives in one lifetime. In reality, I’ve lived in one state all of my life, but in my mind I’ve been to many places that exist in the world, and others that only exist in an author’s imagination—and mine.

Get On The Train

There are two camps. Those who love Disney and all it entails and those who…don’t. I admit it. I’m in the second camp. I kind of put all those places—Disney, Epcot & Universal etc.— in one category.  I apologize to all of you who adore this magical world. It could’ve been a few unpleasant experiences, or it might’ve been because I’m rather introverted and don’t enjoy masses of people and long lines, but so far I’ve never seen the magic that enchants others.

But now that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter world exists in ‘reality’ at Universal Studios, I have to admit I would really love to see that. To be able to actually physically arrive at Platform of 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station (and not just in my imagination) and get on the train to Hogwarts would be fabulous.

I’ve been to Hogwarts in my mind many times and could only imagine the thrill of seeing it brought to live and how amazing that must feel to J.K. Rowling to see her imaginary world introduced to reality— to mere Muggles ;)

I’ve Never Left the Mountain

I live in Pennsylvania, so there are always some mountains in view, but they’re not the Misty Mountains. You know, The Mountains of Moria. Those of you who’ve read the Hobbit, and the Lord of The Rings books will understand. I read these books years ago, but I still think of that world as if it actually exists because the author brought it to life so magically.

They enchanted me, and still do. I traveled through those mountains with Bilbo Baggins and his crew and experienced the awe and terror they endured. I loved it­—in my imagination. In reality I might be more of a wimp than a warrior.

Sail Away

Photo from our vacation at Islamorada, Florida

I love puttering around in my home, surrounded by familiar things and places. Thus, exploring the world writing or reading a good book is a fabulous way to get away from the everyday all while staying in the comfort home. 

There are days I just want to sail away from all my troubles and daily stressors, and I can, just by sitting down with a book, or writing a new character. Perhaps one who lives on a sailboat might be in my foreseeable future.

Do You Have a Favorite Book Destination?

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Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keep her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu, her teen twins & alpha hubby keep her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Transportation: Then, Now, and the Future

My grandmother was born in 1896. The only means of transportation then was horse and carriage/wagon, a bicycle, a train, or boats. The automobile hadn’t hit it big yet, and the airplane was yet to come. When she died in 1980, she’d seen the advent of passenger planes and man walking on the moon.

Today, we have so many options to travel from one place to another. Hubs and I prefer driving to air travel. We like the slower pace, the luxury of stopping where and when we want. But, if we need to get somewhere in a hurry, we’re willing to take advantage of air travel. Sure, it can be a pain with the limits on luggage and the thorough searching of passengers and their carry-ons. Still, I’m glad those restrictions and searches are in place to protect all of us.

I’ve been fascinated by space travel ever since I was in grade school. Satellites and rockets. Alan Shepard and John Glenn were my heroes, followed closely by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Some nights, we can even see the International Space Station. And Space X will be offering trips into space for civilians.

When my two-year-old granddaughter is an adult, the options will be phenomenal. If so much changed in my grandmother’s lifetime and mine, imagine what Toddler Girl will experience. Will she travel to a settlement on the moon or Mars? Will scientists discover wormholes that can take her out of our solar system? Better yet, will they invent teleportation and she’ll get beamed from one side of our country to another?

Imagining the possibilities is why I write science fiction. My belief in love and happy ever after is why I include romance.

What possibilities do you see (or want to see) for your grandchildren?