Category: Writing

Hello all,

Well, the day is here. August 29, a day that will leave in infamy (at least for me and many Gulf Coast residents). The day Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Mississippi, followed by the levees breaking in New Orleans. Hundreds were killed, thousands lost their homes and property, even more had to relocate and/or start over.

In the midst of the aftermath, I wrote a poem about New Orleans. Even though I no longer live there, I did grow up there. I miss all the beautiful parts of New Orleans, or NOLA as she often called with affection. This poem was my letter, my means of handling all the grief and sadness for my hometown. I hope you enjoy –

The Lonely Saxophone

copyright 2005-2013 Elaine Calloway

The saxophone’s melancholy notes dance in the humid air like lightning bugs flitting about in summertime. The musician is nowhere to be seen, but his music can be faintly heard along the lazy Mississippi River. The rich, slow music is the heartbeat of New Orleans, this port city surrounded by water. The Big Easy.

As the city awakens, noises fill the air but the saxophone still plays. The Creole Queen riverboat makes a loud whistle as she takes tourists down the river. Mounds of crawfish, shrimp, and spicy seafood abound here. Clapping visitors surround street performers in Jackson Square, wanting to see their favorite acts. Horse-drawn carriages make the ‘clop clop’ sound down the narrow French Quarter streets.

As my spirit absorbs these surroundings, I smile as I listen to the sad notes of a lonely saxophone, playing faintly as a constant backdrop to my home. The tunes may change, but the music goes on.

Black iron gates flank the streets in this Crescent City. Cherry-red geraniums bloom in decorative pots, and window boxes attempt to contain flowers bursting with pink, white, and purple. The flowers and the ivy cascade from the black iron balconies; they look like children dangling their feet before taking a swim.

The spirit of New Orleans – its people and its music – welcomes them all. At the time, I believe that the music will never stop.

On August 29, I was proven wrong. Katrina’s fury drowned the city’s own and the heart of New Orleans stopped beating. Cries for help and sobbing remained.

I gasp back tears as I see the rusted saxophone start to sink, its hollow insides consumed with Katrina’s waters. I hope that one day I can hear the music again. Until then, the absence of the lonely saxophone is deafening.

Hi all,

I’m guest blogging today about the #writing process and how plotters or pants-sters work. There is no one right way, the right way is what works for you to produce a book.

However, some things to think about…read the article here.

Research and Travel

by Elaine Calloway

I am one of those writers who likes to go to the places I write about in books. Many may disagree, may say that it is too expensive and it can’t be done, and that is certainly a viable reason. One can study the Internet, books, maps, magazines, and gather intel to work.

For me, however, I find there’s nothing like my own bizarre impressions when I visit a place. And it doesn’t always need to be an extra trip expense. RWA Nationals was in New York City a few years back. I went a few days ahead of time, met some friends there, and we explored the city. Doing so gave me a great feel for Raging Fire, my latest book release about a Fire Elemental stationed in Manhattan.

All those day-to-day things that magazines, books, and the Internet may not tell you are at your fingertips when you do your own travel research. Actually feeling the quiet air early on a Sunday morning along Fifth Avenue; this is in vast contrast to the madness and mayhem of Times Square any time of day. Being part of an eclectic city that never sleeps, feeling its pulsing heartbeat into the wee hours of the morning. All these things and more helped me write Raging Fire with more ease.

Not everyone can travel to the setting destination, however, my recommendation is that if you can do it, it’s worth it to get that extra sense of the place.

Elaine Calloway is currently writing The Elemental Clan Series. Book Two, Raging Fire, which is set in Manhattan, released on August 18 and is available in ebook and paperback. Look for books three and four to release in late 2013/early 2014 respectively. When she isn’t writing about the living, the dead, and the eerie in between, she enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with friends.

Water’s Blood, Book One – https://www.elainecalloway.com/waters-blood-book-one/

Raging Fire, Book Two – https://www.elainecalloway.com/raging-fire-book-two/

Elaine Calloway’s Book Two of The Elemental Clan Series, RAGING FIRE, is now available on Smashwords! This site contains all formats, including for NOOK, iPod, etc.

It should be available for direct purchase on Amazon within the next 12-24 hours. But if you want it early, you can go here.

For more information on The Four Elements and this series, check out the Raging Fire page.

Hi all, Many thanks to everyone for the supportive messages about my Elemental Clan Series! I have been working with a new editor, so Book Two (RAGING FIRE) will be released in August 2013 (yay!) but I am not sure of a release date yet. Should be in the coming week or so. Thanks and will keep you posted! Life has been crazy this summer! I became a Gramma, attended #RWA13, plotted out 2 more books, and then, oh yeah, there’s the day job too! How has everyone else’s summer been?