Next week my husband and I will drive up to Maine. On Friday morning we'll board a ferry in Rockland to cross 15 miles of West Penobscot Bay to reach Vinalhaven Island, where I plan to immerse myself in the atmosphere, setting, and voice of my novel-in-progress, get to know my characters, and weave the plot that will bind them together.
It was three years ago that we first went to Vinalhaven, although we have explored and loved the rugged coast of Maine for nearly thirty years. One day while paddling our kayaks on the Basin (a nearly enclosed tidal "lake" rich with wildlife), we came across a dilapidated fisherman's shack perched on a boulder just above the water.
We went ashore to explore and found the door of the shack open. But even more intriguing than the shack was an inscription chiseled into a nearby rock. It was actually more of a poem than an inscription, one that started strong and clearly etched, but faded into rough granite, leaving a mystery to be solved.
And from that rock, a seed of a story germinated...
11 comments:
I can't wait for this novel, Edie! I know you are weaving the tale yourself, but I it does seem that a mystery is being revealed to you. Hope you have a productive time.
I love the photos! What a beautiful and mysterious environment. Perfect for writing.
Thank you, both! Yes, there is a mystery to unravel and somehow incorporate in my story. I can't wait to be out there!
Tell me more: please.
Edie, this is very exciting to read and revel in your photos and beginnings of your story. Whenever I think of the Maine Coast I think of one of my favorite artists, Marsden Hartley. He was born in Maine. His late paintings were inspired by living with a fishing family on the coast of Nova Scotia, which is not Maine, but your photos and the poem in the rock reminded me of Hartley's late paintings. Check them out if you have a chance-- perhaps there will be some fertilizer for your seed?
Lauren,
Thank you for recommending Marsden Hartley's paintings. I will definitely look them up and hope for even more inspiration!
That shack is so intriguing:)
What wonderful makings for a mystery! It looks like the shack was still being used. I was curious as to who was pictured in the large portrait behind the wood stove.
Have a great trip!
David,
Yes, I think the shack was still being used occasionally--maybe by whatever fisherman happened to be in the area. And that portrait was actually like an old tintype photograph. There was another one that was used as a table top, but not shown in the photo. I'm curious to see what kind of shape the shack is in now.
Edie, what a wonderful description of the seed of the story. I'm eager to hear more about your path. Have a wonderful trip, one that is full of images and surprises.
Like others, I am intrigued by your discovery and eagerly anticipate what you "make" of this inspiration.
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