Where it’s beautiful

We finally have sunshine and it’s glorious.

I remember reading Firestarter by Stephen King and it talks about the expression on the heroine’s face after she’s been kept indoors for months and she finally sees the sunshine. The book goes on to say that prisoners who finally see the sun have that same expression.

I know exactly what that expression looks like.

I see it on every Canadian face on days like this. They walk around in a daze, amazed that this is real and they’re not dreaming.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s still cold. There’s still snow on the ground.

We don’t care.

The sunshine is a thing of beauty. It’s like gold from the sky. We haven’t seen it in over 4 months and we really, really like it.

Animals and people alike appear from where ever they were hibernating to come out in slow motion. Cautious; wondering if the miracle they see is real.

Spring is here.

Pay It Forward Friday: Steve Vernon

Pay It Forward Fridays came from this post by Emily Guido. The idea is to feature a blogger or author on Fridays and give them a little shoutout. Anyone goes as long as they’re interested.

I’ve received an incredible amount of support from bloggers, authors and people I’ve met on line who didn’t know me and were just very kind, supportive souls. And, when I read that post by Emily Guido, I thought: time to give back.

I loved this quote from Emily’s mother:

“I cast a couple of pieces of bread on the water and the waves bring me back a ham sandwich.”

Karma is a beautiful thing.

Today, I’m focusing on Steve Vernon.

Steve says this of himself:

“I am a storyteller.

I am a writer.

Words are what I work with – whether spoken or written.

Over the last few years I have released three maritime ghost story collections – HAUNTED HARBOURS: GHOST STORIES FROM OLD NOVA SCOTIA, WICKED WOODS: GHOST STORIES FROM OLD NEW BRUNSWICK and HALIFAX HAUNTS: EXPLORING THE CITY’S SPOOKIEST SPACES.

A fourth collection – a follow up to HAUNTED HARBOURS – is due out in the fall of 2011.

I have also released a children’s picture book MARITIME MONSTERS.

I have recently released my very first Young Adult novel, SINKING DEEPER.

I have a cat named Kismet who ignores me. I have a beautiful wife named Belinda. I have a backyard full of blue jays, crows, the occasional chipmunk, and dandilions galore.

My Mom thinks I’m pretty cool too – or at least she tells me that.

Have a look through the blog and you’ll find out if mom is lying or not.”

Steven has written two ebooks:

Click here to check them out.

He’s also the author of the very popular Haunted Harbour, among others.

Haunted Harbours has sold over 7 000 copies! You can pick up copies at Amazon.ca , Amazon.com and Chapters/indigo/Coles.

A very talented writer, Steve warns that “…I have a bit of a split-personality when it comes to my writing. In addition to all of the wonderful family-friendly regional books I have released there is a darker side to my work.” Check out Steve’s blog here and find out more about this amazing Canadian author.