D.L. Havlin's Blog, page 12

We survived Irma … Now if we can get lucky and survive …

[image error]

Coconuts under the tree. During Charley the trees were laying where the coconuts are in this picture.

 

[image error]

Irma got her pound of flesh. She collapsed my seawall and damaged my boat.

Well, we did it. We survived Irma. Unlike our return after hurricane Charley, our house made it through with only minor damage. No steel doors blown off the hinges. No holes in the sides of the walls you could walk through. No dead squirrel blown against a tree so hard its body was literally inbedded in the bark. No power poles hanging from wires rather than supporting them. When we saw our end of the island after Charley, it looked like a giant weed-eater had cut down anything that was built or grew higher than twenty feet. In fact, that’s just what happened.

Hooray you say? Not so fast. Irma got her pound of flesh from us after all. As we walked around the house inspecting it, our hearts dropped. Our seawall on the canal behind us, failed! Its failure caused the davits that I use to remove my boat from the water to collapse on my boat that was secured to the ground. The damned davits damaged it and the outboard. Worse, the seawall is only 25′ from our home. The sand is eroding as I write this post.

 

[image error]

Earth caving in under my seawall. The davits clobbered my boat. My major concern is the sand slipping away from my house.

Your first question has got to be, do you have insurance? Sure, all kinds of it. Home owners. Hurricane. Flood. That’s $3,000 dollars a years worth. Why, the mortgage company insists on it. Soooooooooooo, I called my friendly insurance agent.

After a few pleasant words explaining my home came through just fine, the conversation went something like this.

ME – “We did have some damage, however. The seawall in back of the house failed.”

HE – Silence.

ME – “Hello.”

HE – “Ahhhhhhh. I don’t think that’s covered. You have a deductible on that ….”

ME – “Oh, I have flood insurance.”

HE – “That’s what I was talking about.”

ME – “I have hurricane and homeowners as well, surely …”

HE – “Ahhhhh, I don’t think it’s covered by them either. You’ll have to wait and ask the adjuster when he comes. Now, you know there is a deductible of around $xxxx you’ll have to …”

ME – “I know about the deductible. Look, the insurance company said it will be a week to fifteen days before they get someone here. I’m worried that the ground will collapse into the canal and endanger the house. Can’t you get someone out here to look at it and give me some advice on preventing a disaster?”

HE – “Sorry, you’ll have to wait for the adjuster. You might get a contractor out to fix it yourself. You know you have the deductible you’ll have to pay anyway…”

And so on ……………………………. One is reminded of the TV ad that informs the sufferer that his insurance only covers his problem during a zombie apocalypse.  Our agent’s representative, in his under-taker-style-tones assured us that the zombies had to be pregnant males suffering from rabies before our insurance was any good. Yes …….. we survived Irma. Now if we can survive the insurance companies and the governments help we might be okay. Well … honestly … it is to soon to bitch about the government … I’m just remembering Charley. Back then, those government types were pregnant, male, rabid, left-handed, blind zombies … they didn’t help a bit.

 

[image error]

Zombie Irma did this to my outboard.

[image error]

This is not the type hour glass we want in our back yard.

 

On a more positive note —– I’ll be attending the Florida Heritage Book Festival in St. Augustine this coming weekend with my Publisher, Taylor & Seale. It will be held on the Flagler College Campus in the Ringhaver Student Center, from 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday, September 23rd. It’s free to the public. You can get more information on the event by calling 904-819-6339. If you’re in the area … come see me!

#  #  #  #  #

 

 

Sharing history …

 

[image error]

“Florida, the forgotten years,” my presentation to Charlotte Counter history teachers at an in service day. The site was in the Charlotte County Library’s main office.

One of the really satisfying things related to what I do, writing historically based fiction, is getting to share some of the things I learn or just stumble upon, with others. Researching history isn’t a chore for me … I love it. I had a chance to pass along some of those bits of knowledge to a group of history teachers at an “in service day” that was sponsored by the Charlotte County Library. Thank you library administrators Tracy Herman and Chris Grabowsky for setting up this event.

For the past several years, I’ve been working on a four book historical novel series that tells Florida’s tale as it journeys into the 20th century. It will be titled, “Clayton’s Chronicles,” and will begin at the battle of King’s Mountain in South Carolina (a surprising, but appropriate place to begin a Florida story) and end in the 1950s when modern Florida started to evolve.

This museum and library process provides me with tractor trailer loads of information that screams for exposure. Plenty of this research fits into my novels … the truth is, there is way too much to include, novels the length of War and Peace are too difficult to sell to publishers. (Not necessarily readers) Many of these stories beg to be told. What I’ve done is to gather these interest grabbers into time period packages and present them at historical societies, libraries, civic clubs, book clubs, community centers, and schools. And, of course, at book stores.

Providing little historical tidbits that folks aren’t familiar with pleases these audiences! Facts like the story of how Florida’s Civil War debt was paid off and what a fishing trip had to do with it, intrigues people. Who invented the concept of air conditioning and why … the fact that the entrance to one of today’s most prestigious and “swanky” beach communities was once a squalid cattle port … the most important single vehicle used in the amphibious landings in the Pacific in WWII was originally designed as a rescue device … and one of the critical reasons Edison picked the place he decided to winter in Florida had to do with what he could grow there … all those facts and many, many more like them, fascinate folks.

 

[image error]

Q. and A. after the presentation. I love the interchange.

The conversations with my audiences are great vehicles to learn what potential readers prefer and, maybe more important, what they don’t like! It’s interesting to form bonds with these folks and to observe how much sincere interest they have in what I’m doing.

Sharing is a wonderful thing … try it some time … I believe you’ll like it.

 

Note: DL Havlin is available to speak to your organization or business. Check his website (link on this blog) for the subjects, reviews and seminars available.

#  #  #  #  #

Helping Harvey’s victims …

[image error]

What we “came home to” after Hurricane Charley’s eye passed over our home. This was after a preliminary clean-up. There had been 11 coconut palms around our house along with two huge mango trees that towered over it. You can see what was left. (Neighbors boat trailer – without the boat – Gone with the Wind) Please pass this post onto others who maybe able to help Harvey’s victims in any way.

Watching hurricane Harvey’s intensification brings back bitter memories. I’ll show some pics to illustrate what we experienced so you can understand what Harvey’s victims will have to endure. In 2004, our home and the north end of Pine Island, Florida, took the full force of Charley, an intense category 4 hurricane. It took us over two years before we fully recovered. Harvey’s victims must face that when the winds subside, the rain stops, and the sun shines again. They’ve only opened the front door to their problems. They will need all the help they can get! Following a few more picture examples, I’ve listed a few suggestions to help them.

 

[image error]

Damage to our dock and seawall. Note our neighbors roof draped over my boat

 

[image error]

Siding was stripped off, a piece of our neighbors house crashed through our house’s side, and the doors were literally blown off their hinges. Miraculously we didn’t loose our roof like nearly all our neighbors.

 

[image error]

Chairs and table from somewhere. It didn’t belong to any of our neighbors. Anybody recognize it?

 

[image error]

What was left of our palms. They were wrenched off at ground level. A house across the street literally had a palm tree blown through it. The root system stuck out one side and top out the back.

Help them over-come the bewilderment factor.

When you are faced with such a total disruption in your life, the hopelessness you experience makes it hard to know where to begin … or if you even want to. Unfortunately, doing nothing isn’t a good option. If you’re a friend or relative of one of Harvey’s victims, realize that as soon as the local officials allow it, you need to be there. Do what you can. Aid in clean-up. Help them get items they’ll need to survive the rebuild period if their home is habitable. Help them find shelter or temporary housing if not. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF MORAL SUPPORT!

Donate to disaster responders. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and others do a great job in helping provide necessities to victims. If you live in the area, churches and civic groups, will be involved. See what you can do to provide them with your hands, feet, mind, or funds. Be aware there is scum that will masquerade as aid agencies and try to scam your money so be sure of who you donate to.

Here is a list of necessities that someone must furnish. If FEMA and local government agencies are ready, they should be able to furnish a lot. But remember this … It is up  to us as friends, relatives, and citizens to do what government can’t! No matter how federal, state, and local officials try, they will miss things. IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO BRIDGE ANY GAPS! In a rough order of need they are.

First

1. Water

2. Ice or some means to keep things cool.

3. Means to replace inoperative toilet facilities.

4. Ability to communicate.

5. Food. (Can goods with can opener – paper products)

6. Life sustaining medicines.

7. Government MUST provide security for victims and their property.

Then

Generators, Grills, Tents or Alternatives, Camping equipment, Saws and cleanup equipment, (Many of these items you can loan or give to a friend or relative)

Finally

1. Clear and restore infrastructure. (Without destroying much of whats left – this happened after Andrew hit the Miami area)

2. Government should eliminate paper work and red tape. “Get it done then document it.”

3. Government should suspend or control local code enforcement until emergency subsides.

4. Government must see all insurance companies promptly and completely fulfill obligations to policy holders.

5. Send FEMA representatives into the field to distribute information on where and how to apply and receive various types of aid.

What the victims don’t need is a circus of media thrusting microphones and camera’s in their faces. This is particularly true of the carrion crows from networks like CNN whose primary objective is to use others misery to advance their political objectives.

(Please pass this on to others who may be able to help)

 

#  #  #  #  #

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If I say that, I’m afraid … “

[image error]

I’m proud of this flag and what it stands for. I refuse to apologize for the United States or its history. Am I proud of everything that my country has done? NO! Am I willing to PRETEND it never happened? HELL NO!

I heard these words spoken by an associate of mine. She’s a fine lady author who has a kind heart and as far as I can tell … not one bigoted bone in her body.  “If I say that, I’m afraid some people will try to destroy me.” She is Hispanic and she spoke the words about what she wanted to say about immigration. She immigrated to America the traditional way and has no sympathy for those whose first act was to break the law by coming here illegally.

Are we coming to that point in this country? Must an individual agree to say and think a prescribed narrative or be faced with ostracism, personal character attacks or even violence? It is the intent of a loud, self-righteous minority to convince all others this is an edict that can’t be violated. This narrative is the one they espouse, no other is acceptable. These proponents of the  totalitarian state. wish to control everything we do and everything we think while pretending to speak for the country.

The truth is we will have no country at all if we lose the freedoms our nation is founded on. Freedoms are precious and fragile things. Freedom comes with things that we may not all like, agree with, or in some cases abhor. Do I agree with a man who burns a flag or kneels during our national anthem? No. But I vehemently defend his right to do so. Do I believe that history must be rewritten to salve the feelings of those unjustly treated IN THE PAST? My answer is just as vehemently … NO! If any person is so devoid of mental acuity to not see the balance in these thoughts they are not objective in their thinking.

The law of our land protects each individuals right to think and say what they wish. It gives us the right to dislike another for any reason we chose. IT DOES NOT GIVE US THE RIGHT TO DESTROY. THAT’S PROPERTY, ANOTHER’S WELL-BEING, OR EVEN THEIR REPUTATION. The notion that it is reasonable for one group to destroy property, or riot and burn to protect their one point-of-view, or to change laws, history, everything to conform to their interpretations of how we should all live is a STALINIST/NAZI concept that has almost destroyed the world twice.

I refuse to accept the loss of freedom. Those of you that wish … may call me what you will. Do your damnedest. The self-security I have in knowing that I do not hate my fellow man because of color, religion, sexual preference, makes me comfortable in my skin. I do dislike those who wish to destroy this country FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR POLITICAL AGENDA.

I will never be afraid to speak my mind. That most assuredly includes what I write.

 

#  #  #  #  #

 

Time Out! … for relatives ……

[image error]

Son-in-law M. at Sanibel – with the new addition to the family – Ruger

It was time to close up the old lap top, put my research books on the shelf, and break out the sun screen. My daughter and her family came to visit. Everybody made the sojourn from NC with the exception of grandson #2 who began football practice. My daughter is a Florida girl and that means she has to get to the beach on a more or less regular basis or she goes into surf withdrawl.

Daughter L. brought along the latest addition to the family: An energetic, love-able Australian Shepard they’ve named Ruger. He’s a beautiful bundle of enthusiasm with intense eyes and a friendly persona. Look at those eyes!

[image error]

Meet Ruger.

L. loves to fish and we try to get out every time she comes. I had the boat in the water the first morning after they arrived and we fished between Florida’s summer thunderstorms. Fishing was good. We caught plenty of eating fish and had a few finny thrills thrown in. We hooked up with a couple of big sharks (6 to 8 feet) and a 100 lb class tarpon. The sharks were plentiful. We knew that because several of the trout we had on came to the boat as a head only. Here are some fishing pics.

 

[image error]

Daughter L. with a snook she caught. They’re out of season so it went back to the water without measuring.

 

[image error]

Son-in-law M. with his first snook. Guess who had bragging rights?

 

[image error]

Grandson B recuperating from his fight with a BIG shark!

 

[image error]

Some good eating fish. The 7 trout are from 15 to 21 inches. A mangrove snapper completed what we brought in. Just one of our catches.

The action was fast and we caught enough for three big fish dinners with enough left over for a couple of bags of fillets that went back to NC. Over the three days we tussled with a piscatorial variety – Trout, Snook, snapper, tarpon, three types of shark, Cobia, bluefish, jack, ladyfish, grouper, catfish, pinfish, and even a puffer. All except the shark were caught on lures.

Sigh! L. and family are gone. The books are off the shelf and the lap top is busy. Back to the salt mines.

 

#  #  #  #  #

Taking ten big ones ……

[image error]

What I call the “Author position” We’re in it so often we might freeze that way. (comp – clipart.co)

If you’re a writer, you spend a lot of time hunched over your computer. I know I do. One lady told me jokingly that her author husband even preferred sex in that position. I hope she was joking.

Writing is a very solitary and sedentary occupation. Once committed to it, you often find you live in your office chair. Inspiration comes in spurts and, when in the midst of one of these periods, it is difficult to break away and take that hour walk or thirty minutes on the weight machine. Your computer and chair have you chained to them with an invisible connection that would make you a billionaire if you could patent it and put it on the market. Deadlines and your immersion in the flow of a work can lock you in your work-space as securely as if it were a vault.

That simply isn’t good for your health. The “author position” encourages shallow breathing and this deprives the anatomy of healthy levels of oxygen. A famous author acquaintance shared his formula to avoid this pitfall. He called it his two-minute regeneration. It consisted of standing at his computer after each hour of time he spent there. First, he took ten full, deep breaths. Next he did six knee bends, six arm circles, and touched his ankles six times, Finally, he took another ten full, deep breaths. I’ve adopted that regimen. It only takes two minutes and it does wonders for how you feel AND it helps invigorate my work. Try it.

 

[image error]

Welcome to the Menagerie

[image error]

Hot author behind hot books in Matlacha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’d love to have all of you that can, visit me at the Matlacha Menagerie this Saturday from 10:30 to 3:00. This unique boutique gift and book shop is located at 4604 Pine Island Road. Matlacha is a quaint village located east of Cape Coral. The 40’s buildings and Bohemian decor are reminiscent of the “old Florida Keys.” Loaded with art galleries, unique gift shops, and sea food places, Matlacha is on the way to Florida’s Mango capital, Pine Island. Come chat for a while.

 

[image error]

Here I’m doing my historical presentation, “The Loyal 14th Colony, Florida in the Revolutionary War”

[image error]

Excuse me, I have to brag a little. Sandman Book Co. owner Heidi told me she put a RSVP for 30 seats at this presentation and 20 were filled in the 1st hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great crowd at the Sandman Book Co. last Saturday. The attendees were enthusiastic and really into history. The type of people who attend these presentations prove my contention that READERS ARE THINKERS.

 

#  #  #  #  #

I

Finding where to start … A literary dilemma

[image error]

Knowing where to start. When beginning a writer’s journey this is a crucial and difficult question.

Visit me Saturday! See where at the end of this post.

So you have this burning desire to express yourself. In writing. That’s a good thing. You probably have done that in the past, particularly if you’re over thirty. That’s not a slight to those under three-zero, just a tip of the hat recognizing that the electronic age has lessened our need to write. Texting and voice communication are so easy and prevalent, particularly with folks who have grown up with them, many may not have much experience capturing the detail of their thoughts in written form. Geezers and Geezettes do because they had to acquire those skills to function.

What does this have to do with where you start if you decide to write? It’s simple. Practice improves what you do. If practice wasn’t required, NFL players would show up on Sunday and watch TV or read books the rest of the week. If the Patriots just showed up on Sunday and their opponents practiced all week, New England’s won-loss record would be the opposite of what it is. Ask their coach Bill Belichick, I’m sure he’ll agree. That’s even with Tom Brady calling signals. If you start writing without practice, chances are your first bit of non-fiction isn’t going to rival Bruce Catton’s, “Terrible Swift Sword,” or your novel isn’t going to threaten Nickolas Spark’s “The Note Book” on the best seller lists. Practice is necessary for the novice or established novelist. Write something every day!

Want four painless ways of getting experience? Try some of these:

Keep a personal journal. Capture what you see and hear pictorially with words and record your feelings with raw passion. Go back a month later and read what you’ve written. Does it bring that experience alive? Understandably? Fully? If it does you’ve taken a significant step forward.
Write short stories. The essence of writing a novel often starts with a short story. Writers like James Patterson are staunch advocates of encapsulating your ideas in 300 to 500 words. Forcing yourself to fully develop an idea in such constraints produces succinct, clear thought expression. There is a complete novel in my award-winning short story “There are no lights in Naples.” Go to my website’s home page, click on it, listen to the actress read it, and visualize how it can be expanded into a full novel or movie.
Write summaries … with your personal feelings expressed. This can be on anything that has effected you emotionally. A novel. A magazine article. A TV sitcom. (Gag) The nightly news. Limit yourself to 1000 words. Be sure your emotions dominate the summary. Let how you feel, from love to rage, clearly indicate what caused you to write about it. Go back later, a couple weeks will do, and be sure you captured those emotions and … you feel them again!
Volunteer at a neighborhood newspaper or local magazine. Do this after you’ve gained some experience doing the items listed above. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to volunteer (that means no pay) at these organizations. The smaller the community the more receptivity you’ll find. They’re fighting for their lives and are looking for straws, particularly free ones. The payment you’ll get is honest feedback regarding your writing. Litmus test city!

After doing some of the activities listed above, you are in a lot better position to start picking a literary area to use your talents or to pursue what you’ve already chosen. Then … going to conferences, taking classes, getting tutoring all will provide you with more dividends for your invested time and money.

[image error]

At the Sandman Book Company earlier this year.

This Saturday I will be doing one of my historical presentations, “The Loyal 14th Colony, Florida in the Revolutionary War.” It is going to be held in the spacious, air conditioned environs of the Sandman Book Co. located at 16480 Burnt Store Rd., in Turtle Crossing Plaza, near Punta Gorda, Florida. I’ll be speaking from 11:00 AM until noon. If you live near by (or not) stop and see me. I’d love to chat with you and you’ll be cool!

#  #  #  #  #

DL Havlin's short story wins

Below link is DL Havlin's winning short story reading:

https://novelwritingfestival.com/2017...

Hope you enjoy the reading and share with your world.

Come see me … Today!

[image error]

Hi! I’ll be at Copperfish Books this afternoon at 6 PM

I love to get to know my readers! If you’d like to visit with me, I’ll be at Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida today at 6:00 PM. The street address is 103 Marion Avenue. I’ll be signing my latest novel,The Bait Man. Its a suspense/mystery set in Florida that received a great review from Kirkus. There will be a Power Point presentation and a few readings from the novel. I always love to talk to those friendly Charlotte County folks and the equally friendly people other counties close by. Ya’all come. The Copperfish phone number is 941-205-2560 if you have questions.

 

#  #  #  #  #

Just in case …

Just in case … you live in the Daytona Beach area, I’ll be appearing at The Book Warehouse of Daytona tomorrow. The Book Warehouse is located at 1100 Cornerstone Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. I’ll be there from 2 to 4 PM, signing my latest novel, The Bait Man. It’s a suspense/thriller sent just a few miles down the road in Vero Beach. It received a good review from Kirkus, the toughest and most respected reviewer in the publishing business. I’d love to meet you, chat about writing, Florida and Florida’s history, fishing or anything else that’s on your mind.

[image error]

“The Bait Man” – Here’s the cover for my latest novel.

 

I’ll also be attending an authors meeting at Taylor & Seale my publisher. If you enjoy superior quality reading visit their website at http://www.taylorandseale.com  and check the multitude of offerings from this traditional publisher listed in their online catalog from over a hundred authors.

 

[image error]

There are no lights in Naples – my contest winning short story.

 

Just in case … you’d like to sample my writing, visit the home page of my website (click the link … DLHavlin … on the left side of this post.) You’ll see the announcement that my short story, There are no lights in Naples, won Novel Writing Festival’s contest and is their featured reading. Click on the link (underlined and in bright yellow), it will take you to Novel Writing Festival’s home page. It’s featured at the very top – simply click on the image and Elizabeth Rose Morriss does a great job of capturing the spirit and essence of the story.

Just in case … you’re experiencing a problem getting some of my back-list books, they’re coming. The “formalities” required to change from my previous publisher to my new one are complete. The books will be back at distributors in a matter of weeks. If you “can’t wait” contact me via my website and I can furnish you names of independent bookstores that have them in stock.

 

#  #  #  #  #