The Island of Misfit Authors

‘Tis once again the season to deck the halls, brush off the old traditions, and maybe even start a few new ones. When I was a kid, it wasn’t Christmas without the annual viewing of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. To this day one of the things I remember most about Rudolph is the Island of Misfit Toys. Some part of me identified with those toys because I was a misfit too. I was painfully shy and, due to the makeup of my extended family, I was far more comfortable around adults than people my own age.

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 Over the years, I became more comfortable in my own skin. When I started writing, for the first time in my life, I felt like I had found my passion. Then, when I finally got brave enough (I still struggle with shyness) to meet with a local group of writers during NaNoWriMo, I knew I had found my people. They were just like me! These people knew what it was like to have a head practically bursting with stories. They understood how you can intensely dislike a character that you created. They also knew what it was like to have stories—and characters—take off in a completely different direction from what you intended. It was like magic.

As I joined professional organizations and took classes one piece of advice kept recurring—find others that write the same thing you do. Get to know them. Learn from them. Network. I tried. Really, I did. However, that’s when I discovered that once again, I’m a misfit.I joined one group only to discover that it was a bit… clique-ish. I had enough of that sort of thing in high school so I let my membership expire. I joined another group of sweet/clean writers only to learn that I couldn’t promote any of my work there because my first novel was sexy, not sweet. Strike Two. Finally I found another group of multi-genre authors that seemed to be a perfect fit… until the founder of the group got too busy to run it and it died a quiet death. *sigh*

I have written fantasy romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and one genre-defying video-game themed romantic short story. My Kudzu Korners series is sweet, humorous, paranormal romance. I can find plenty of other authors who write humorous paranormal romance but their stories definitely aren’t sweet. I can’t help but think there are others like me but I have as yet to find them. Oh, well. Maybe someday. 

In the meantime, I’ll be over here on the Island of Misfit Authors waiting to find a home. Want to join me? Everyone is welcome!

Until next month, take care and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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10 THINGS I LEARNED FROM THE WILD WEST COAST, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

1. be open: We never know what we may find upon arriving at our coastal destination. Here’s my short list: tree down on roof; no power; leaks and puddles; brown drinking water; squirrel in cabin; bird in cabin; mice in cabin; small tsunami. Learning to be open means we are ready for anything. 

2. things change: Especially the weather. Sunny one moment, rainstorm the next. Life, at times, may be as changeable as the weather. 

3. stay warm: West coastal climate is cold and damp. If we get chilled, it’s hard to warm up again. As in all situations, taking care of ourselves comes first or we are no good to others.

4. bring cats: Cats are warm. Place cats on cold parts for added warmth, especially at night. Cats may also purr in sync with the ocean. Life is better with cats (or dogs for the dog folks).

5. breathe: We probably think we’re breathing right now, but there is something about the sea air that makes us realize that all breaths taken elsewhere are somehow lacking. 

6. watch fires: Per number 3, fires are a great way to stay warm. Fire is a force to be respected however. We should never underestimate the dangerous aspects of things that can kill us outright.

7. take a nap: Some say there is something about beach air that makes one sleepy; others think it’s just the chance to be lazy that sends us down for an afternoon nap once we hit the coast. Who cares why? Rest while we can because tomorrow may call for action. 

8. listen: There is no sound as soothing as a cat’s purr, except for possibly the ocean. The rhythmic pounding of waves upon shore can clear the mind, stimulate dreams, and heal the human body.  

9. slow down: Ocean time is different from city time. Some who come to the coast stay fixedly on city time. These are the folks seen cruising the tourist shops, racing from viewpoint to viewpoint, filling every moment with a latticework of plans. If we don’t take time to stop and reflect, we only skim the surface of a deeper experience. 

10. the world is made of patterns: From tiny quarks to the expanse of space, nature is woven in patterns. Without these patterns, there would be no life. See the patterns - the fronds of a fern; the lace of December trees; the rolling waves - and plum the secrets of the universe. The beach is the perfect place to ponder the miracle that is us.

Check out more blogs by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer at:

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more

Happy reading!