Carol Newman Cronin's Blog, page 8

Join Me on the Water June 21

Looking for a way to start summer off right? Join me June 21st to watch 170-plus boats start a 636-mile race to Bermuda! I’ll be doing commentary from the top deck of the Coastal Queen, and tickets are still available. Even if you heard my race commentary in 2022, veteran Sheila McCurdy says every Bermuda Race is different; “It’s like using the same musical notes with different instruments to create very different riffs each time out.” So come back and join the fun again this year! 

I’ll admit right up front: there’s significant commentary competition this time around. For the first time since 1906, the race will start inside Narragansett Bay—right off Fort Adams—and the organizers have signed on some impressive narrators of their own. But onboard the Coastal Queen, we’ll share a guided tour of our beautiful Bay before and after the start, as well as a bird’s eye view from the tallest vessel of all. You can also listen in on the official commentary, while admiring the crowded rocky shoreline from a comfortable seat!

Another perk, while supplies last: your very own copy of the official race program, an impressive collection of stories normally available only to race participants. I contributed a piece about Hound’s history in the Bermuda Race, which was a fun way to use all the details I dug up while doing book research. This handsome 59-footer will be starting her fourteenth Bermuda Race in search of her fourth class victory, and I’ll definitely be cheering extra loud when she approaches the line. 

Watching from the Coastal Queen’s top deck is as different from watching on land, at sea level, as a midday watch is from the dark of night: an unmatched view, with no piloting responsibilities. And all of my books will be available, dangerously close to the bar, thanks to friend and very experienced offshore sailor Liz Baylis. You can board in either Newport or Jamestown, so go sign up before tickets sell out—and then come back here and add a comment so I know you’re joining us on June 21. 

Can’t wait for the first day of summer! 

Buy tickets here

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Transatlantic Sailing: From Vikings to Foiling

Last week, we enjoyed a Newport Harbor tour that provided even more amazing boat-gawking contrasts than usual—despite the unexpected pre-summer emptiness. For those of you reading from somewhere else, spring here in New England has been quite soggy; very bad for both boat prep and actual boating. As a result, most moorings were empty; a rare sight in Newport. 

A year ago, I shared with you the variety of sailing I get to do myself, but on this cruise I was perfectly happy to admire the highlights afar. After a turn through Brenton Cove past a few cruising boats I’ve written about, we headed for the inner harbor’s dock-smorgasboard: power and sail, modern and classic. We even spotted Hound, though her elegant profile was mostly hidden behind a (not-elegant) motoryacht. 

It was at Bowen’s Wharf where the variety dial pegged itself at 10.

Draken was first launched in 2012. Beyond her foredeck is the Coastal Queen, which I’ll be onboard for the start of the Bermuda Race! (Details next week)

Draken, a Norwegian Viking ship replica, is 115 feet long and billed as “the world’s largest Viking ship sailing in modern times.” In April 2016 she sailed across the Atlantic, retracing Leif Erikson’s voyage to the Canadian Maritimes. She arrived in Newfoundland on 1 June, headed to the Great Lakes for a summer of Tall Ships festivals, and then unstepped her tree-trunk of a mast to transit the New York canal system down to Mystic Seaport. Now she’s heading home again—this time, traveling on the deck of a Dutch cargo ship. 

Clarisse Crémer’s IMOCA was in Newport getting ready for the race back to France, her final chance to qualify for the Vendée Globe

Next stop on the harbor tour was Newport Shipyard, where several IMOCA shore teams were prepping for a race back to France. They all sport foils now, which is why the sprint from Brittany to New York took the leading crews just over a week—and why their singlehanded return might be even quicker. It is the final chance to qualify for the 2024 Vendée Globe, a singlehanded race around the world. 

IMOCA foils increase sailing speeds, but they also complicate lying alongside a dock.

Draken will likely beat all of the IMOCAs back to Europe, but only because she is not under her own single-sailed power. Sailboat design has certainly come a long, long way since the Viking days—though perhaps at some sacrifice to dockability.

Happy (almost) summer! Have you made it out on the water yet? Share your highlights in the comments below, or send me an email. I read every single one, with gratitude. 

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How To Hire a SUPERB Editor: 5 Tips

Several months ago, after reading Hello Goldilocks: The Best Time to Hire an Editor, a reader asked for my thoughts about finding an editor who truly understands what they are “going for” in their novel. IMHO that understanding is both the hardest part of editing (and writing), and also quite personal… but here are 5 tips that attempt to make 30 years of hard-won experience both useful and relevant to others.

1. Figure out the type of editing you need

I do my own copyediting, line edits, proofreading, and style checks; what I always need help with, even with non-fiction books, is developmental editing. In Why Hire an Editor?, I compare developmental editing to building a strong house foundation and frame. Various websites break down editing into 3-5 specialties; I like Reedsy’s comprehensive overview.

2. Make a good match

There are plenty of websites (like Reedsy) that list editors. Like finding an agent, you may have to kiss a few frogs before finding your Superb editor, because it’s very difficult to assess someone’s abilities and approach from what they write about themselves. Word of mouth can be a much better source if you already have a writing community; if not, finding an editor is another great reason to start building one.

3. Personality matters

Lots of people have the skills to edit your work, but very few will make that process truly fun. Negativity doesn’t work for me, but neither does over-flowery blind optimism. Give it to me straight, with a positive spin whenever possible. And unexpected laughter is a bonus!

4. Treat your editor as a team member

There is never only one path to “the best book you can write,” and walking any of those twisty-turny routes should bring joy—especially during the rare moments when you aren’t flying solo. Your editor is not a lawyer who’s going to put you on the witness stand to prove a pre-determined point; as I put it in Editing Best Practices: The Middle Distance, “The difficult part of editing is seeing what’s not there yet.”

5. Trust your gut

More than two decades ago, I wrote down some advice about handling group critiques: “A word to the wise, then: The things said about your work, no matter how well meant, are only important if you know (not think, not believe, but KNOW) they’re right.” Since then, I’ve used this gut-check to filter out the truly useful criticism from coaches, editors, and even other writers. (Sadly, I failed to record the writer’s name, so consider this an anonymous thank you.) 

Bonus Tip: There are no shortcuts

No editor will ever replace the hard work of writing: putting words on the page, and then trying to align and filter them until they point toward a logical yet still surprising The End. Yup, it’s a lot of work and involves a lot of thankless slogging. Yup, I’m not always sure why I keep doing it. Yup, editors can help—but even if you hire the perfect one at the perfect moment, in my experience it won’t significantly shorten the process.

I love hearing from writers (and readers), so please share thoughts about your own process in the comments below or by email. Thank you, and good luck to all with taking your next step, no matter where you are in your writing journey!

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Dreaming (Anxiously) about Sailboat Racing

A few nights ago, I had a vivid dream that I was onboard Katrina—and we were approaching a crowded starting line. As the countdown wound down to zero, my father tacked onto starboard and lined up for a perfect start at the boat end. To help with timing, I ran forward—but, in the irrational way of dreams, I found myself in the forward cabin instead of on the foredeck (where I could actually see what was going on). When the gun went off, we were over early by one second.

Once I woke up, I had a quiet chuckle. And unlike many dreams, the origins were obvious; I’m about to sail my first regatta since last October, and it’s the first time in almost forty years that I’ve taken more than a month or two away from racing. Also, starting is my biggest weakness. Apparently, my subconscious is stressed enough about this looming reentry into my chosen sport to completely bastardize a happy childhood racing memory. 

Cruising World’s lead photo in Coming Across on the ARC by Jimmy Cornell (March 1987) makes it look like Katrina is leading the 200-boat fleet.

When I related this dream to my father, he laughed and said, “Remember being over in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers?” I don’t, but Katrina’s log reminds me; the starting line for this very casual Transatlantic in 1986 was set so late (and we had undoubtedly left the dock so early) that we couldn’t get back downwind in time for our gun. As Dad remembers it, the race committee told us on the radio to “just keep going.” That certainly explains the heady lead we have in the Cruising World photo. 

My dream skipped over any racing, but it closed with a debrief in the cockpit when I accused my father of “being rusty.” That provoked another chuckle after waking, because it was so clearly a case of what the shrinks would call transference—in the barely-remembered voice of my cheekier, less empathetic, younger self. 

After a winter off, I’m obviously very hungry to get back into a Snipe again—even if my starting is as rusty as this dream predicts. And I’m also feeling very grateful: that what passes for a “nightmare” in my world involves no injury to anything but my own ego. I will undoubtedly have yet another chuckle about it when approaching that next starting line, because self-knowledge can be quite entertaining—and laughing at my own rustiness might also help quell those countdown nerves. 

Ever have a dream that taught you something about yourself? Share it in the comments below, or send me an email. And stay tuned to find out how my return to racing turns out!

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Big Reasons I Keep Blogging

Where Books Meet Boats will celebrate 15 years in June, and I’ve been working on a highlight post. But today I want to pass along someone else’s thoughts on why we keep blogging; tips from marketing guru Mark Schaefer, who is also celebrating 15 years as a weekly blogger (albeit with a much larger audience). 

After pointing out that nobody, even him, really cares about such an anniversary, Mark uses the milestone to share “5 Ways Blogging Changed My Life Forever.”* Though I’ve never needed to lower my blood pressure, his other points all struck a chord—and then served as an inspirational springboard to write my own five.

1. The positives of pondering

Mark says, “Blogging forces me to clarify my ideas… The seeds of my legacy are planted here.” Not everything I blog about makes its way directly into books and articles, but this weekly writing is a sandbox where I can test out what I really think. What I wrote five years ago is still true: “Over the past decade, I’ve learned a lot about both writing and sailing just by sharing my thoughts with you.” (Read Happy 10th Anniversary, Blog) 

2. Introvert Revenge

I hadn’t even considered this, but I completely agree with Mark that “shaking hands all night at a cocktail reception is my idea of torture. I am a mingler misfit… through a blog, I can build… friendships with people every day without actually meeting them!”

3. Happiness is being heard

When I’m really doubting myself, I wonder if the sign above my desk is really true: that What you Write Might Change the World. And then I share a personal victory (or failing), and I hear from readers saying they understand. I’ve been heard! 

4. “Consistency is more important than genius.” 

When I sit down to write a blog post, I’m usually fired up by a fresh thought I want to pursue about books or boats or (best of all) both. Sometimes, though, I admit… I have to dig a little. But you all have invited me into your inboxes every Thursday morning, an honor I don’t take lightly—so I make sure to consistently publish every single week.

5. A little engagement goes a VERY long way

Mark might have a (much) larger platform than I do, but we both appreciate our readers. So please continue to add comments or send emails when you’re particularly inspired; we never know where such casual interactions might lead.

I used to think that blogging was just filler: a way to procrastinate from the “real” work of finishing a novel. What I’ve since realized is that these weekly posts strengthen and enrich my bigger projects, while providing a chance to engage with others. All without leaving my desk—isn’t it incredible? Thank you!

*For more inspiration (and excellent marketing tips), read Mark’s post: 5 Ways Blogging Changed My Life Forever

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Books Meet Boats: Splicing Together May Passions

Every spring, I’m both excited and overwhelmed as the days warm and lengthen: all those boat and book and house projects vying for my time and energy! This year, I’m trying to embrace that overwhelm by splicing my passions together; a phrase I stumbled onto recently that claims to inspire the best fiction. (Of course that writer called it “braiding,” but I prefer the more nautical version.)

I believe that weaving some of what we enjoy into each day can build the best life as well. What better way to fill a spring day than with morning writing (when my creative brain is at its best), gardening and/or varnishing in the afternoon, and an hour or so of wingfoiling as my reward? And who else but me would find so much joy in that combination? 

Maybe we are what we eat, but I’d also argue that we become what we do. This year, in this heady season of ever-earlier sunrises, ever-later sunsets, and warmth enough to work outside without too many layers, I’m trying to embrace the annual surplus of “chores.” The key is creating some sort of balance, not letting books or boats or anything else take over completely. 

How about you? Are you finding spring overwhelming or joyous (or both)? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send me an email. I read every one, with thanks—even in this most busy and distracted season of the year.

P.S. I’d include the link to the original post that inspired this one, about braiding together passions as a fiction writer, but now I can’t find it… and I need to get on to my next spring “chore.”

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5 Spring Tips for Getting Out on the Water

The ocean is still chilly, but even along its edges air temps are finally warming up—perhaps the best season of all for wingfoiling! Paul and I started our local foiling season in early March, egged on by seeing others out enjoying the brisk winds. Our first 20 minute session wasn’t long enough to justify the ten minutes of dressing and ten minutes of undressing we call “Wetsuit Yoga,” but it did help us dial in clothing to make longer sessions possible. Since then, we’ve been gradually building back up to an hour on the water.

While we’re rigging and unrigging, passersby ask many different questions. But their basic assumption is remarkably consistent: Aren’t we a little cray-cray to be adventuring out into and onto water that’s still forty degrees below normal body temperature? Like I’ve said before about standup paddling, off-season may not be the best time to begin wingfoiling… but it’s a GREAT time to progress. So here are some general tips to help inspire your own safe pre-season boating adventures, followed by two more wingfoiling-specific points for those who are curious.

1. Dress for the water temperature, even if you’re not planning a swim

I find this increasingly difficult as the gap between sun-warmed air and still chilly ocean increases.

2. Don’t get cold before you start

I’ve found overdressing while rigging up really helps.

3. Don’t scrimp on clothing

I finally broke down and purchased some wingfoil-specific booties and gloves, after a few years of trying to make do with what was already in my well-stocked dinghy closet.

4. Stay within self-rescuing distance of a shoreline

This time of year, there are very few boats out and about that might be able to provide assistance. 

5. File a float plan

Always a good idea, but especially important when the water is still chilly. 

For sailors and aspiring wing-dingers, I’ll add a few more reasons

Why spring is particularly niceHarbors are not yet chock-full of boat-obstacles.Air that is warmer than the water it’s blowing across attaches very well to the surface, so puffs are more visible and predictable.Cool air is denser, so we can get up and foiling on smaller (easier to handle) wings.Every week is a little warmer than the previous one!

Of course I’m looking forward to summer, but I’m also reveling in these refreshing spring days of foiling when there are no other boating distractions; kinda feels like I’m getting away with something.

Got a favorite spring water adventure? Share it in the comments below, or send me an email. I read every single one, with gratitude.

P.S. After writing this post, I found an amazingly similar one from April 2023: The Best Wingfoiling is Right Now

What I’m wearing, top to bottom

Zhik helmet
Fleece hood
4/3 wetsuit
50N buoyancy / impact vest
Fleece gloves 
5mm booties

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April 25: Talking Books, Boats, and Publishing with Henriette Lazaridis

Get ready for another fantastic evening at the Curiosity Store! Author Henriette Lazaridis is coming back to Rhode Island next Thursday to help launch her third novel, Last Days in Plaka, and I get to interview her as part of this year’s Independent Bookstore Week celebrations.

Reading an advance copy of this pithy book has already inspired an Author Spotlight, which in turn helped inspire another event at Curiosity. A year ago, Henriette and I had a fantastic in-depth discussion about her second novel Terra Nova, so I’m quite excited to help launch this very different story. 

I always come away from Curiosity’s events both inspired and joyous. Of course they do have an excellent wine selection… but they also bring the writing and reading community together to exchange ideas in a supportive atmosphere. Since Henriette is a fantastic teacher as well as a thoughtful novelist, I’m sure she will have plenty of fresh wisdom to share. I’m definitely going to ask about her new publishing venture, Galiot Press, which promises a tantalizing “sea change for the written word.” If there’s time, I’ll ask about her recent travels to Antarctica—and maybe even find out why she ran the 2023 Athens marathon.

Tickets include a glass of wine (or other beverage) and excellent appetizers; reserve yours here. The store is also offering a special “bundle,” which adds in a hardcover copy of the gorgeous book. Either way you should sign up soon, as space is limited—and this is the only RI event on the book tour.

I’m so grateful to have a local independent bookstore within walking distance, as well as author-friends like Henriette who both educate and inspire. I’m also grateful to you, my readers. So if you can’t join us next Thursday at 6pm, add any questions you’d like me to ask to the comments below; I’ll do my best to include them.

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Cruising World Bylines Then and Now

Cruising World Magazine is celebrating its 50th year in 2024! I’m excited to have a feature in the April issue, especially since that gave me an excuse to catch up with Captain Andrew Burton. I first met Andy in the early 1990s, shortly after I moved to Newport; he had just started Adventure Sailing. Thirty years later, after an estimated half a million miles at sea, he has racked up surprisingly few sea stories. Instead we talked about the joy he finds in Getting More Sailors Offshore, sharing his expertise with shipmate-clients.

I couldn’t remember exactly when I wrote my first article for Cruising World, so I dug back into my archives—and it was, coincidentally, April 1994! “More Power with Less Muscle” leaned on my experience as a rigger, explaining various upgrades and tricks for reducing the brawn required to handle bigger boats.

Leafing back through the yellowed pages, what surprised me most was how short my own attention span has become for last century’s meaty magazine pieces. I was also amazed by both the length and depth of the 1994 masthead; even in tiny print, all those fantastic editors and support staff took up a whole column. 

The magazine has morphed and evolved since then of course, alongside its sister publication Sailing World, but they are still putting out quality stories by and for sailors. I’m grateful that both have managed to weather the drastic transitions in tastes and technology of the last three decades. 

Cruising World has graciously allowed me to share a PDF of Andy’s story with you, and I encourage you to support them by subscribing. Meanwhile, Happy 50th Birthday to a fine magazine, and thanks for the excuse to write about a sailor who keeps the ratio of sea stories to sea miles impressively low.

P.S. I’ve got more articles in the works, so if you want to stay informed please subscribe to the Thursday blog.

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Unexpected Blog Connections (in Pictures)

Today we’re going visual. I started thinking about how one blog post often sparks another, and instead of drowning you in a sea of links I decided to create my second-ever infographic post*. Here goes, and let me know what you think!

Where Books Meet Boats

Here are three examples of (mostly) blog posts that inspired more writing, often about the “other” topic:

Personal back storyDrafting Dare to Fail How Books Happen

There’s a direct link between one story I wrote for Seahorse and my next book. Just add curiosity, and saying YES to an October sail!

Of course some curiosities remain just that.

I still haven’t written anything beyond one blog post about the strange historical link between a favorite author and her sailor husband, or found a way to weave the Chargicator into my fiction. But stay tuned, because you never know what might show up next Thursday…

Thanks for following along, and please let me know what you think in the comments or by email. Rest assured, I’ll be back to using my words next week.

*Here’s the first infographic I ever created, which still rings true almost 8 years later: 3×5 Ways to Change the World 

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