Scribblers Retreat Writers’ Conference

I recently came back from Georgia, where I participated in the May session of Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference. I gave one-on-one lunch consultations on writing and publishing in the conference hotel’s bar—er—restaurant. Let me put it this way: my sessions were well attended! (Smug grin)…The conference took place at Sea Palms Resort on Saint Simon’s Island, and proved to be a refreshing treat in southern warmth and gentile hospitality. I was just one of the conference’s participating authors but they made me feel like I was the guest of honor.

The May conference is one of a series of four conferences held throughout the year (I’ll be giving a session in the SF stream in August, alongside Jack McDevitt—after World Con in Montreal). The May conference was about writing “How to” books; Dr. William Rawlings gave the keynote, setting the pace for a great conference.

I was late, as usual (my close friends who know me from another dimension understand “Nina time” and nod slowly with quiet understanding) and made an unwitting “entrance” to the opening ceremony. A distinguished and impeccably dressed lady waved me enthusiastically to her table and I concluded that she must be the conference coordinator—she wasn’t; she was one of the island’s icons and most respected citizens.

I was too ignorant to be suitably flattered at the moment and cheerfully took my seat, eying the fresh salad and the chocolate cheesecake that had already been placed at each place as a tantalizing prelude to delicious things to come. For some reason, art gallery owner and international socialite Mildred Huie Wilcox decided I was interesting (or was it my goofy lost puppy-dog smile that caught her compassion): she later invited me to her plantation house for some champagne and a tour of her incredible place. Mildred owns the Left Bank Art Gallery, Saint Simon’s first gallery that features dramatic coastal landscapes and scenes from around the world. More on this fascinating lady and her art in a subsequent post!

Saint Simons Island is a golden gem along the southern Georgia coast, about half an hour from the Florida border. Upon crossing the causeway across a wide expanse of coastal marsh that links Saint Simons to the Georgia mainland, I descended into history. Called San Simone by 16th Century Spanish explorers, the island is the year-round destination for visitors who want to sail, fish and walk along its miles of beaches. The island is dotted with old plantation ruins, reminders of its historic plantation days, when “tabby” mansions of antebellum cotton and indigo plantations dominated.

I drove along roads beneath rising arches of majestic Live Oak trees (Quercus virginiana), Georgia’s state tree. These are huge trees, with crowns that can reach 150 feet across. Trails of irish moss hung like green tinsel off their sturdy noble limbs. The moss swayed in the warm sea breeze that brought with it the intoxicating scent of white oleander.

On the first evening I was there, the conference organizers invited us over to one of their houses for a home-cooked meal. I was treated to some original southern comfort including pecan smoked BBQ pork, butter beans and collard greens, potato salad and deviled eggs (OH! They were good!), cornmeal bread, biscuits and gravy, and North Carolina pound cake.

I found the Georgians on Saint Simons Island to be some of the nicest people I’ve met. They exude genuine warmth, with a relaxed uncomplicated and open attitude that lacked any cynicism. I found them joyful and ready to see the best in you. Most of all, I was struck by their elegant and rustic charm. This would seem to incorporate an oxymoron, a paradox; but most things worthwhile do just that, don’t you think? Take their attractive lilting accent, for instance. It combines refined elegance and “homespun” country life in a speech that flows like a languid river meandering through an ancient valley. It is slow and measured, with its Rs remaining soft—almost non-existent—and broad vowels that yawn like the open marshes of the Georgian coast. The Georgian accent reflects the natural cadence of the bucolic landscape, the flow and ebb of its vast coastal marsh and a sensual connection to their environment. Here are some great examples of “Georgia Speak”: “theyu” for there; “griyuts” for grits; “piactuh” for picture; “ruhhnin” for running; “fanger” for finger; “down the road apiece” for a little ways down the road; and “Yalls is fixin’ fer sum trouble” for you’re in trouble now!

Photos:

1. Georgian mansion

2. Sea Palms Resort, Saint Simons Island

3. Dr. William Rawlings and yours truly

4. Frederica Road, Saint Simons Island

5. Marcia, owner of Hattie's Books, showing off The Fiction Writer and Darwin's Paradox

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

America, You’re Beautiful!—Part 4: Bozeman, MT, and The Leaf & Bean Coffee House

The look on the street is Carrie Bradshaw in country boots. No need to pack a blow-dryer; the Keep it Wild philosophy extends from nature to hair, which is also left untamed—Travel & Leisure Online

The visitor’s guide describes Bozeman, Montana, as “a charming town. In a John Wayne—Norman Rockwell—Bob Marley sort of way.” No where is this more apparent than in the heart of Bozeman’s historic downtown, along Main Street, near its intersection with Wilson Avenue. This area features a relaxed funky atmosphere, an exciting commingling of southern wild west and northern yuppy vogue.

A cross between Louisville’s bohemian Bardstown Road and Victoria’s attractive Government Street, Main Street of downtown Bozeman is a memorable walk. Lamps adorned with colorful bouquets of local flowers line the downtown street. Most of the buildings are heritage-style brick facades with original signage. Among the galleries (like the Beatnik), antique stores and movie theatre, I spotted several music shops, like Cactus Records, which sells international and local music and equipment. Main Street is an attractive retail corridor that houses more than 100 shops and restaurants, including those selling sporting goods, clothing, furniture, kitchen equipment, and technology. Remember, Montana has no sales tax.

Nina’s American Book Tour: Bozeman, Montana

The Barnes & Noble book store in Bozeman, Montana, is located on Main Street, a hip and funky street that gets downright interesting by the time you hit 10th Avenue (more on that in a later post). I signed several copies of Darwin’s Paradox last week at the store and must thank Jeni, Karen and Louise (hope your ankle is better, Louise!) for their help in setting everything up on such short notice. If you live in or near or are simply passing through this cool city in the Montana mountains and gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, drop in to Barnes & Noble and pick up a signed copy. Last I heard there were still some left.

Bozeman itself is a colorful and attractive city with cultural diversity and a level of “coolness” that comes from being a university town set amidst lofty mountains with a western flavor. Bozeman is located in the Gallatin Valley, surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges. North of the city, the Bridger Mountains attract thousands of skiers each winter. The Gallatin Range and the Madison Range, south of Bozeman, rise more than 10,000 feet and have peaks covered with snow much of the year. Montana State University is located in Bozeman, with a very attractive campus and programs that range from agricultural sciences, engineering to the fine arts. I spent some time there, particularly in the student union building, where the bookstore and the pub were. I would so enjoy teaching here; I just might…My son wouldn't mind it too much either. According to PubClub.com: "this is place to go if you love to be outdoors and ski...ski bums are all over the campus and so are the hippies...its a true party college." The Museum of the Rockies, located on campus, features many wonderful paleontology exhibits. Jack Horner, the world's top dinosaur hunter and an adviser to the movie "Jurassic Park," works at the Museum. Occasionally, Museum visitors see Professor Horner inspecting the Museum's latest exhibits.

The visitor’s guide describes Bozeman as “a charming town. In a John Wayne—Norman Rockwell—Bob Marley sort of way.” The town’s history goes back to the time when Gallatin Valley (where Bozeman lies) was used by Indian tribes, including the Flathead, Sioux, Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Blackfeet, who all hunted for game and edible plants. According to tribal lore, Indians agreed not to fight in the Gallatin Valley, instead conceding to share the area’s beauty and resources with one another. European fur traders came in the 1700s, with Lewis and Clark leading a historic expedition to the Three Forks of the Missouri in 1805. Mountain men roamed through the area trapping beaver and acting as guides.

The town is named after John Bozeman, a Georgian who’d left his family to find fortune in the West. The town was named in his honor in 1864, shortly before he was killed near Yellowstone under mysterious circumstances.

Yellowstone National Park, just south of Bozeman, was created in 1872 and is the first and oldest national park in the world. Bozeman is often referred to as the “Yellowstone Connection”. After an unsuccessful bid to become the state capital, Bozeman was chosen as the site for the new agricultural college, which became Montana State University, home of the fighting Bobcats.

Bozeman currently supports a population of 30,000 interesting "urban cowboys" from young to old and funky to intellectual. From appearance, dress, comportment and speech I was treated to an attractive and exciting commingling of southern wild west and northern yuppy vogue. Travel & Leisure Online wrote: “The look on the street is Carrie Bradshaw in cowboy boots. No need to pack a blow-dryer; the Keep it Wild philosophy extends from nature to hair, which is also left untamed.” I felt at home.

America, You’re Beautiful!—Part 2: Louisville, KY

During my stay in Louisville, I drove into the Highlands—an area near downtown Louisville marked by a ridge of land between the middle and south forks of Beargrass Creek—and found myself walking the eclectic commercial stretch of Bardstown Road from Market Street near what’s known as the Cherokee Triangle to Taylorsville Road.
Bardstown Road is one of the most unique shopping districts in Jefferson Country, and features some of Louisville's finest dining establishments, along with the best antique shopping and people watching in the country. Known variously as “punk street” and “Restaurant Row” for its copious nightclubs, pubs and eateries, Bardstown Road is a mixture of artistic, organic, punk and yuppie influences. I saw nothing ordinary here.