Annette A. Reynolds's Blog

Spring is just about here (whether the weather cooperates, or not, is a whole other story) and I think it’s time for a celebration (sort of) and a contest (definitely).

First things first, though, and in keeping with the springtime theme: Let me introduce you to one of my favorite blogs. Go to www.boisdejasmin.com and see if you don’t agree with me that it’s one of the loveliest sites ever. Victoria Frolova, Perfumista Extraordinaire, writes about all the facets of fragrance in an eloquent and evocative style that will have you hooked. So, I guess this is a small confession on my part: I’m CRAZEE about perfume and am always on the hunt for the perfect fragrance for me. It’s a very hard job, by the way, as there are so few perfumes that actually work for me. Having said that, I also must tell you that I have what seems like hundreds of perfume samples and I’ve run out of friends to give them to.

And why, you ask, am I going on and on about perfume, of all things?
Because, dear readers, Victoria/Bois de Jasmin and I are holding a contest together.

Y’see, this year - on the first day of spring - I turn (gulp!) sixty years of age and I figured why not combine my love of books and writing with my love of perfume and flowers. So here’s the deal: on March 21st get thee to Bois de Jasmin and find your way to the contest announcement , and then enter it. Simple as that! Just follow the “rules” and you’ll be eligible to win one of 5 prizes: Four readers/commenters will win 6 perfume samples each from my wide and varied selection, and the fifth prizewinner will get 6 perfume samples AND an autographed copy of my first novel, “Remember The Time.” (It’s out of print, so it won’t be a new copy, but I’ll send out the best one I can find.)

And I wouldn’t leave “A Sea Change” out of the celebration, so it will be specially priced at $3.21 for the whole month of March.

So, come one - come all! Join in the celebration: of Spring, of my 60th, and of the renewal of life on earth.

The one question I always get as a writer is: "How do you think of this stuff?" And, guess what? I have no witty response. So I cock my head, pretend like I'm thinking really hard, and then say something clever like: "I have no idea whatsoever." And that's the honest-to-god truth.

But what I do know is this: Everything I've ever written has come, first and foremost, from a sense of place.

Salmon Beach - the setting for "A Sea Change" - is real. It's a small colony of cottages, shacks, and homes at the bottom of a bluff near Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington. The houses don't just sit near the waters of the Tacoma Narrows. Built on pilings, they sit over the water. And in order to reach these whimsical residences one must walk down 200 stairs.

I lived in Tacoma for nearly 10 years before I even knew Salmon Beach existed. I was doing a rather elaborate book-signing at a local Barnes & Noble for my first book, "Remember The Time." The events coordinator and I hit it off, and I may have mentioned needing inspiration for my next book. And she said, "Have you ever been down to Salmon Beach? My sister has a house there..."

It was a spectacular summer afternoon when I first drove down the road to the parking area above Salmon Beach. I had no idea what to expect.When I got out of my car, walked to the edge of the bluff under a canopy of firs and madronas, and looked out at the Narrows and the vanilla cream-colored cliffs across the water I could barely breathe for the beauty of it.

I would have to say that within that moment the bare bones of "A Sea Change" rushed into my head and never left. It sounds spooky. It sounds cliched. But it's the truth.

I took these photographs (non-digital - this was in 1997) over several subsequent visits. I walked every part of the path. I memorized the smells and sounds. And with these photos taped to my computer desk, I began writing about Nick and Maddy, about Danny, and about Mary and Becky.

I hope these pictures give you some sense of the solitude, beauty, and awe that a place like Salmon Beach can inspire.

Keep reading. Keep dreaming. And drop me a line when the mood hits you.

Annette Reynolds

Photos In Order of Appearance:

Maddy's House: I didn't have to think twice about using this cottage as Jaed's house, where Maddy lives while on Salmon Beach.
Nick's Place: The house I used as Nick's rental isn't really across the small beach from Maddy's/Jaed's, but it was what I wanted it to look like.
Another View of Nick's Place: The mullioned window is the one he was gazing out of when he first spotted Maddy.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge: When I wrote "A Sea Change" there was only one bridge across The Narrows. Now there are two: One heads east and the other west.
Along The Path:An example of the path which is the main thoroughfare through Salmon Beach.
Along The Path (2):To the left is The Narrows, and the houses. To the right, the tall cliff. Note the attempt at retaining walls.