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C.
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Mar 16, 2011 07:05PM

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Okay, let's CHAT! Who's here tonight? Readers? Writers?
I'm thinking about setting tonight because I've started a new story set down in Marathon, Texas. Big Bend country. I went camping there for two weeks a couple of years ago and was about ready to lash myself to a tree so I didn't have to leave! They have these funny roadrunners that dart hysterically out of the brush and run right at your feet, like little suicide kamikaze birds. I never saw one fly- they just run. And they have the strange and beautiful creasote plant, it is ugly as sin, prickly, just looks like dead thorny sticks- but then it rains, and in an hour it's covered with these tiny yellow white flowers with the strangest smell- almost an astringent smell, lime peel or something. I don't know how to describe it. Like nothing else in the world. Anyway, if I can figure out how to write that smell, and that plant, I think I'll have it rain just a bit as the characters are driving into town.
When we were camping down in Big Bend, there is a part of the Rio Grande that's shallow and muddy- my kid kept running across and shouting from the other side, adios, amigos! I'm in Mexico!
I'm thinking about setting tonight because I've started a new story set down in Marathon, Texas. Big Bend country. I went camping there for two weeks a couple of years ago and was about ready to lash myself to a tree so I didn't have to leave! They have these funny roadrunners that dart hysterically out of the brush and run right at your feet, like little suicide kamikaze birds. I never saw one fly- they just run. And they have the strange and beautiful creasote plant, it is ugly as sin, prickly, just looks like dead thorny sticks- but then it rains, and in an hour it's covered with these tiny yellow white flowers with the strangest smell- almost an astringent smell, lime peel or something. I don't know how to describe it. Like nothing else in the world. Anyway, if I can figure out how to write that smell, and that plant, I think I'll have it rain just a bit as the characters are driving into town.
When we were camping down in Big Bend, there is a part of the Rio Grande that's shallow and muddy- my kid kept running across and shouting from the other side, adios, amigos! I'm in Mexico!



I love the details you've included just in describing your visit - they're very vivid.
kel wrote: "Hi all. And to Sarah, if you are still around, I've so enjoyed your books. Your stories are such immersive experiences for me!"
thanks very much! that what books have always done for me, take me to new places
thanks very much! that what books have always done for me, take me to new places
Sue wrote: "Sarah, I set one of my stories in Texas. I really wish I had the opportunity to visit because it's little details like that you just don't get at a distance."
Texas is funny because it's so big, with so many different cultures and ecosystems- but with a few sort of blanket cultural things- work is important, and so are good manners. What you do is more important that what you say. And support the high school football game- it means a lot to the kids.
My family is all from Texas, but I didn't grow up there- my dad was in the Navy, and we always moved, which I loved. When I joined the navy myself, I took a tour of duty down in Corpus Christi, thinking to get back to my roots- Nearly the first thing I saw was this huge billboard for a "Rattlesnake Roundup" and I thought, what in the hell am I doing here! Help!
Texas is funny because it's so big, with so many different cultures and ecosystems- but with a few sort of blanket cultural things- work is important, and so are good manners. What you do is more important that what you say. And support the high school football game- it means a lot to the kids.
My family is all from Texas, but I didn't grow up there- my dad was in the Navy, and we always moved, which I loved. When I joined the navy myself, I took a tour of duty down in Corpus Christi, thinking to get back to my roots- Nearly the first thing I saw was this huge billboard for a "Rattlesnake Roundup" and I thought, what in the hell am I doing here! Help!
Anne wrote: "I'm with Sue. It's the little details you don't get from a distance, no matter how much research you do.
I love the details you've included just in describing your visit - they're very vivid."
We're heading into spring and I am so ready to go camping- its still possible out west to go camping and not see anyone else, and to see a few interesting footprints in the river mud in the morning!
I love the details you've included just in describing your visit - they're very vivid."
We're heading into spring and I am so ready to go camping- its still possible out west to go camping and not see anyone else, and to see a few interesting footprints in the river mud in the morning!