Friday, February 22, 2013

Southern Coastal History and the Lighthouse Lady

                                  Writing to Inspire, Encourage and Enlighten


The Early Bird gets the fish?
Hi. I’m Marilyn Turk, and I’d love to tell you about all the published books I have for you to read. I’d really love to, however, I can’t. Yet. My books are still waiting to find just the right home so that my future readers will have the exciting opportunity to read them. So let me just say I am very honored to be part of this esteemed group of writers!

Unlike many of the writers on this blog, I have not spent my whole life wanting to write a book, but I wrote – in my diary mostly. English was always easy for me, and I thought it was for everyone, so I chose a career in sales, which seemed more exciting. Shame on me, I didn’t appreciate the gift God had given me to write until much, much later. Meanwhile, the books I loved to read were historical fiction, allowing me to travel backwards through time. I pictured myself in the settings, imagining what it was like to live during those periods.
Sunrise on the Bayou

I’m a southern gal, having lived in Louisiana, Georgia and Florida, so I know Southern. I know boys too, having birthed three and now have three grandsons. My husband and I live near the Gulf of Mexico where we enjoy the beauty of the coastal environment and its fish and fowl, whether boating, kayaking or fishing. I also love to play tennis, even though I’m a very late bloomer to the sport.
 
 At first I had no plans to write a book. But my interest in the Civil War fueled my exploration of history about the places where I’ve lived, and soon, my mind started asking “What if…?” So my research collided with my creativity and the seed of a book idea was planted. While working on my first book, more book ideas took root, so I now have two novels finished, with more to follow. Naturally, I write Southern coastal historical fiction. So far, each book features a lighthouse, which represents another of my passions. My website, http://pathwayheart.com, based on Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path,” has a lighthouse blog where each week I post a story about a lighthouse and relate it to a scripture.

St. Marks Lighthouse, Florida



My short stories and devotionals have been published in a variety of magazines including Guideposts, as well as, books. One of them, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Devotional Stories for Tough Times, will be given away in a March drawing.







                                                 

Sunset on the Bayou
                         I am thankful to be represented by Joyce Hart, Hartline Literary Agency.

21 comments:

  1. Hello Marilyn, nice to know you. I love the pictures here. Looking forward to more posts from you. Praying you get published soon....God bless.

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    1. Hi Chaplain Debbie, Thanks for the feedback and the encouragement. I'm pleased that our own pictures turned out so well.

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  2. Hi Marilyn, It is nice to meet you on this new blog. your writings sound like a good place to be, I am going to ck your website as I have always been interested in lighthouses. I live in the south transplanted from Ky when I married a Ga guy. thanks for sharing your comments.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Hi Paula,
      Thanks for the reading my blog. Hope you like the lighthouse blog as well.

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  3. Hi Marilyn,
    Nice to meet you. Love the pictures. And can't wait for your books to be published.

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    1. Hi Patricia, Nice to meet you too! I'm pleased the pictures turned out so well. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  4. Good afternoon, Ms. Turk! :)

    I smiled when I read your name, as the Turks were family friends that I heard stories about growing up! I'm sure your not related, but I wanted to tell you that it brought back happy memories! I am Southern by birth as well, as I hail from Florida, too! :) I must confess, despite my love of our wildlife, water fowl, and natural walking trails,... I sort of long for a change of pace + environment! In full essence: snow! :) One nice thing though, is because I was bourne here, I appreciate a hearty Southern spin in fiction! Anywhere from historicals to contempararies to romances to small towne fiction! There is always such a warmth and knowing nod when you settle into characters that feel nearly akin to people you've met in real life!

    I don't believe its ever too late to start anything! Did you not hear about the grandmother who graduated medical school at the age of 90? Did you know that Master Swimmers who are upwards of 30 to 100 can compete in the Olympic Trials? And, if your equesterian inclined, there is no upper age cut off to enter Dressage? I celebrate the possiblities that life affords, especially if you didn't have the opportunity to pursue a dream or a sport! We all come into our own right at our own timing,... the Seasons yield their good tidings when everything aligns as their meant to be! Take heart! I think your at the best moment to dig into tennis + writing! You have a lot to give!

    And, journal writing is where you started writing down the bones of what would come next! There is a book, one of the few writer encouragement books that left a lasting impression due to all the wicked sweet advice that was contained therein,... its called: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg! Consider it chaulk full of positive antidotes for writers who are emerging in their craft! :)

    I wasn't sure if we can share links here, but I shoppe at Powells due to all the lovely inventory for both new + used books {a goldmine for any writer! esp for research needs which combined with your local library is a piece of heaven!},... if you key in her name, it *pops* up all her books! I didn't even know a new one was about to come out! :)

    If you ever pick up one of her books, I hope you'll make a connection with her guidiance as much as I did! She really understands what writers go through!

    I look forward to reading your inspirational posts, and observing your journey towards publication! You have the best attitude! Ooh, wait, I missed the part about your short stories being published! Congratulations!! :)

    I'm so very thankful I stumbled across this blog shortly after midnight today!

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    1. thanks, Jorie! Yes, I'm on my second career at this third phase of my life. I've gotten encouragement from other writers who started late like Martha Rogers, who is on this loop. She's a success story for a late-bloomer like me! Thanks for your tips, and I hope you enjoy reading the future posts.

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    2. Hallo, again, Ms. Turk! :)

      I love finding writers coming into their prime between 40 and 100! :) It gives so much encouragement for those of us who are coming into our own at a time in life where others might raise an eyebrow as it wasn't straight out of the gate! :) Another author I'm keen on getting to know better, as I keep trying to dig into *Roses!* but life interferes with my best laid plans is Leila Meacham!! Another long time favourite of mine, of course, is Rosamunde Pilcher! I think we're all late bloomers in various ways!

      I am quite sure I will enjoy your future posts! You have a wonderful way with how you present what's on your mind! Cheers!

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  5. Marilyn, that sunset picture made me want to sit on a back porch with a book and put my feet up. Beautiful. Very nice to meet you.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. My son took that picture from the dock of the condo where I lived before I got married four years ago. What you can't see well in the picture is a shrimp boat across the water to the right. I had a balcony where I enjoyed sitting and taking in the natural beauty.

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  6. Hi Marilyn!

    Great post! I'm a Southern gal from central Louisiana. :) Good luck with your continued road to publication!

    Morgan

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  7. Hi Marilyn! I've told you this before, I love lighthouses and the history around them. One of my ancestors was a lighthouse keeper in Michigan. I family along the Gulf. Most in MS. I love it!

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Christina. Who knows? maybe your ancestor will show up in my lighthouse blog!

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  8. Hi Marilyn, I saw the post on Hartline. Nice article. Blessings!

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  9. You continue to inspire and WOW me!
    Your BFF in Baton Rouge

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    1. Thanks, BFF! The feeling is mutual with my admiration for your art!

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  10. Marilyn, delightful to meet you. I had family in Baton Rouge for a while and my mom and dad met in New Orleans. My love of fishing took me to the bayou behind my brother-in-law's house where I caught my first alligator gar. It lived up to its name - I almost lost several fingers. Thanks for the pictures. It was nice remembering some of our nights in Louisiana.

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    1. Linda, thanks for the comment. Nice to meet you, too! My husband taught me how to fish, but an alligator gar almost ruined his proposal! He had wrapped up the ring box and put it on a line he threw out when I wasn't looking so I could reel in my ring! But just as I got it close to the boat, an alligator gar almost snatched it off the line! My husband told me he would've gone in after it!

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