The Man Must Marry(51)

Right takes us toward the mountains; left toward the ocean. More often   than not, Robbie votes we turn right. He likes heading into the   mountains, as there aren't many places to spend money in the wilderness.   Whereas the coastline ofMaine is awash with tourist attractions, most   of which have a way of sucking the dollar bills directly from our   wallets. Lobster shacks, antique shops, amusement parks, pottery and   craft coops, and schooner rides call out as my husband tries to sneak   by, his fists clenched on the steering wheel and his foot heavy on the   gas as he steels himself against my softly spoken, "Oh, that looks   interesting. Let's stop."

For those of you who might not know, stopping a heavy truck camper in   Route One summer traffic is about as easy as bringing a 22-wheeler   loaded with saw logs to a halt. But my husband of thirty years knows   that if mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy, and he smartly finds a   place to turn around and

go back.

But sometimes a girl's just gotta shop. I mean, what's the point of   venturing out into the big beautiful world if you can't lug some of it   back home with you? Granted, when we go to the mountains I return with   unusual rocks, beaver-sculpted sticks, and maybe a discarded antler or   two. They're all fantastic treasures to display around the house, but so   are bird feeders that look like lighthouses, wind chimes that sound   like offshore buoys, and lobster trap coffee tables. And the blueberry   jam fromWashingtonCounty is to die for.

Robbie is loading the camper right now as I write this, and just between   you and me, I already have a destination in mind. When we reach the   stop sign, I'm going to strongly suggest we turn left.

"Why?" he'll ask, even as he sighs in defeat.

Because, I'll tell him, I am writing a book that takes place in   KeelStone Cove, an imaginary town on the downeast coast ofMaine . And   everyone knows that authors must thoroughly immerse themselves in their   story settings.

After all, it's been a full year since I've taken a schooner ride. I   also believe we should eat lobster on the pier, just to add some   authenticity to my work. And what kind of writer would I be if I didn't   peruse the craft shops? How can I hope to convey the essence of   KeelStone Cove if I don't hit every attraction each tiny fishing village   has to offer? And I have to lug something home to place beside my   computer, to nudge my muse when I find myself staring at a blank screen.

So I urge you to also get out and explore your own corner of the world.   Lug little bits of it home with you. Leave your chores, your  challenges,  and your worries behind, and have fun. Can't get away right  now? Then  find a good romance novel and indulge yourself in a  minivacation!

Until later, fromLakeWatch  … keep reading,