Ann Miller is back at the Scribes! And anyone who leaves a comment with their
(safe) e-mail address will receive a free e-copy of prequel: Kicking Eternity. Or you may request your free copy at www.AnnLeeMiller.com
Ann, how did you get interested in sailing?
My dad built a 40-foot yawl (sailboat) in our Miami, Florida, back yard that we ended up living aboard for a few years when I was an adolescent.
Wow! What an adventure for a teen. What were some highlights from living aboard?
[Laughing] I always say the Annie Lee (named after yours truly) was an aquaculture for mold and dysfunction. A psychologist would have a heyday with that, no doubt. My folks’ marriage had descended into its swan song during those years. But it’s pretty hard to knock shedding your Catholic school uniform everyday, shimmying into a bathing suit, and jumping overboard. My kid brother rode his tricycle off the end of our pier twice before my dad left the trike at the bottom of the bay. We rescued an injured turtle the size of a car tire and nursed it back to health in our cockpit. Not yet a proficient swimmer, my brother had to wear a Styrofoam football on a belt around his waist. Every so often my father would saw off a hunk until my brother only had the belt left. Since he’s still alive, I guess Dad’s method of drown-proofing worked.
Was there a down side to living aboard a sailboat?
Probably not for a the-cup-is-half-full person, but for a writer with excess angst, even at twelve, there were fish bones in the spaghetti, ubiquitous and hideous zinc oxide we smeared on our noses and cheeks and shoulders to ward off sunburn, a spider the size of my palm and spare palmetto bugs that shared the aft cabin with me, hippies passed out on park benches on my walk to school. Ultimately, my mother said living on a boat was too much togetherness, then she filed for divorce.
Did you incorporate any real-life boat experiences into The Art of My Life?
I have a shrimping scene that was inspired by a night on Pier 1 at Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove (Miami) when the shrimp were running. All the people who lived aboard gathered nets and lights and scooped shrimp into buckets late into the night.
After living on a boat did you need to do additional research for The Art of My Life?
My friends, Tim and Jan Solomon, who own and operate Key Sailing, http://keysailingsarasota.com/, in Sarasota, Florida, have fielded thousands of sailboat and charter sailing questions. There would be no book without their help. In fact, I plunked their forty-one-foot Catalina right into my book. However, don’t blame them if I got something wrong. I love it when readers catch mistakes. In this digital age, my flubs can be fixed in future copies.
Are there any funny boat stories you wish you’d included in the book?
My dad built a dinghy in our living room before he built our sailboat. But he had to take it apart to get it out the door—funny only in retrospect. Later, my folks sent me to a sailing club near the marina for pram sailing lessons. My most prized accomplishment was capsizing. I loved the confidence that once I got the small sailboat to tip over, I had the power and know-how to right it by standing on the centerboard. The several times I’ve shared this feat with friends, they failed to share my delight.
I think I might be one of them. But impressed you know how to handle the situation.
Thank you, Ann for sharing more about yourself with our readers!
And Readers, here is more about Ann’s latest book! And don’t forget to leave a comment.
The Art of my Life
Cal walked out of jail and into a second chance at winning Aly with his grandma’s beater sailboat and a reclaimed dream of sailing charters.
Aly has the business smarts, strings to a startup loan, and heart he never should have broken. He’s got squat. Unless you count enough original art to stock a monster rummage sale and an affection for weed.
But he’d only ever loved Aly. That had to count for something. Aly needed a guy who owned yard tools, tires worth rotating, and a voter’s registration card. He’d be that guy or die trying.
For anyone who’s ever struggled to measure up. And failed.
Buy Links:
Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-my-life-ann-lee-miller/1112910892?ean=2940015675597
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/230031
Bio:
Ann Lee Miller earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the SuperstitionMountains with her pastor husband or meddling in her kids’ lives.
Keep in touch with Ann at:
AnnLeeMiller.com
Blog: http://the-art-of-my-life.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnnLeeMillerAuthor
Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes 
Ann,
I must buy the book of a kindred soul! I began sailing on a 27 ft Buccaneer when I was married with 3 kids and a dog-that was 35 years ago. Although we never lived aboard, sailing, has been at the heart of our lives. We sail a 50 ft FARR, which we(boo hoo) are putting up for the NE winter for the first time in 8 years–normally we’d be provisioning winter in the British Virgins. Like you, I’m an author of 2 non fiction how-tos: The Perfect First Mate, and Kitchen Afloat. http://www.joysmith.net
Hi, Joy! Nice to meet another sailor and writer. Thanks for introducing yourself. Let me know how you like the sail through The Art of My Life. 🙂
I love the sound of your book, Ann! Adding it to the tbr pile now.
Thanks, Susannah! Happy reading. 🙂
Sounds great Ann! Some very funny tales of your youth upon the sea.Your dad sounds like a character.Thanks for sharing.
My dad was such a character, I’m considering writing a memoir focusing on my life with him. In his later years he was a dead-ringer for Willie Nelson and lived in a camper on the back end of a pick-up truck.
I loved the interview, good luck!
Thank you, Malanuette. 🙂
Ann,
Thank you so much for hanging with us today! I look forward to reading your book. The sailboat aspect totally intrigues me. I am taking sailing lessons with the kids this year, so it is timely. 🙂
Ann, thanks for your visit. I can’t imagine living on the water. Did you know that in Bangladesh the nationals build huts on the river? It is a regular neighborhood. Whenever they have typhoons, their homes and often the people get washed away. That does happen from time-to-time, but they keep building them. I was in Malumghat, in Bangladesh, a third world country. I Ioved your opening of “Kicking Eternity,” great hook. Blessings for success for your new book.
Hi, Gail. Thanks for the info on Bangladesh. I didn’t know that. Nice to meet you. 🙂
Hi Ann- lovely interview. I’ve never lived aboard but I’ve raced and cruised a J-24 and have a ton of great memories. Sunset at anchor was my favorite time, but racing in high winds came a close second! Your book sounds great. I look forward to reading it..