Goddesses in the Dust: Amphitrite and Me by the Sea
An archaeologist unearths the Divine Feminine, one archetype at a time...
The rhythm of life here is simple. After our morning walk, I get to work. A handful of shells scattered across my papers serve as reminders of the sea a few steps outside my door.
Index cards with notes of what needs to be added to scenes.
Work to be done: edit completed draft of novel.
Nine chapters down...
...thirty five to go.
The view outside my kitchen 'office'
where visitors sometimes drop by.
My trusty Airedale lies at my feet, waiting for a chance to go back
here
where at the end of the day, we will once again pay tribute to Amphitrite in her domain.
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Amphitrite and Poseidon, Roman mosaic 4th century A.D.. Musée du Louvre |
Amphitrite was one of the 100 daughters of Nereus and Doris, also known as the Nereids. She and her sisters performed a dance on the island of Naxos, where the God of the Sea, Poseidon, noticed her and chose her as his wife. She refused his offer, fleeing to Atlas to hide, but Poseidon sent a dolphin to find her and bring her back. After their marriage she became Goddess of the Sea, and Poseidon rewarded the dolphin by making it a constellation. In art, Amphitrite is often depicted as the consort of Poseidon, enthroned at his side or driving with him in a chariot drawn by horses and other sea creatures, as shown above.
I've been spending time at the edge of Amphitrite's queendom. I came with my husband and pet Airedale to a place by the sea to work on my novel. My husband's job allows him to work remotely as well, so for the past two weeks we have set up our offices, he in a bedroom and me at the kitchen table, and started each day by getting up at dawn to see this.
The rhythm of life here is simple. After our morning walk, I get to work. A handful of shells scattered across my papers serve as reminders of the sea a few steps outside my door.
Index cards with notes of what needs to be added to scenes.
Nine chapters down...
...thirty five to go.
The view outside my kitchen 'office'
My trusty Airedale lies at my feet, waiting for a chance to go back
here
I would love to have a house with such a view one day. The sea is a great charmer. I am forever under its spell.
ReplyDeleteThe ocean really does take us to another plane. Writing is a lot of work when done well, and I'm looking forward to reading your published novel soon.
ReplyDeleterubye - first step is to finish it, next step will be to sell it, which is a completely separate journey. but i have faith that it will happen, just not sure how soon! xx
DeleteYou're in a beautiful setting to finish an arduous task. Plunge in and get it done because you have many friends rooting for you.
ReplyDeletethank you rosaria - your support means a great deal to me♡
DeleteAmanda, there is a lot of light in this post. You know how a trumpet sounds like gold syrup? Same thing happening here.
ReplyDelete'how a trumpet sounds like gold syrup'....wow. such a delicious image. you turn such beautiful phrases, suze.
Deletethank you, and i will be wishing for such golden moments in the coming days. xxx
What a splendid work place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a serene place to accomplish your task at hand. Best of luck to you as you finish. Many of us are already itching to read your finished work.
ReplyDeletethank you michelle. that cheers me on to the finish line~
DeleteWhat a delight for you to be next to the sea when you are writing! I hope the work keeps going well.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! What a beautiful place to work! x
ReplyDeleteWith beautiful Mia (and all your two-footed family) behind you, cheering you on....there is NO DOUBT you will arrive at your destination! (The Bell is Ringing for you, dear Twin!)
ReplyDeleteLove and Strength..... I'll be one of your first buyers!
Kiss Mia for me!
♥ Robin ♥
thanks dear robin - i am hearing that bell ringing loud and clear!!! xxx
DeleteWhat a blissful writing retreat! Your photos are gorgeous, especially the last one. I love that you were able to take your loved ones along. You are not missing anything but frigid weather up north. Congratulations on completing your first draft and best of luck with the editing. I often spend more time revising than writing, but it's rewarding to see it improve. My office is also covered in scribbled index card notes. I keep a stack by my bedside table.
ReplyDeletei agree, the revision process is rich and rewarding in its own unique way.
Deletehow is your novel coming along? i look forward to hearing how that is progressing~
I've just started writing a new YA novel while the other is being read by agents. My former agent isn't doing YA anymore so I've been looking for a new one, a very time consuming process. I'm eager to get back to writing.
Deletehow utterly divine and GOOD ON YOU!!! you GO girl!!!! what's the novel about or is that a stupid question....? gorgeous photographs...loving the beach and the dog...awww. best of luck. x j
ReplyDeletethanks janelle ~ it's a young adult novel set in greece - following the age old advice about 'write whatcha know' xx
DeleteYou lucky duck!!!! I know what you're doing, you know! I am doing too :-)
ReplyDeleteGet ready for an unparalleled joy when you hold that novel in your hands . Consider my pre order a done deal
I, Amanda, just finished a second draft of 400 pages of manuscript. I printed each chapter separately. Now I will determine what bridge chapters are needed (several at least) , wordsmith and chop, search for better verbs, and the hardest. Decide on the order of chapters . Can you relate? :-)
I love this part. I do it best when alone, but that is rare do I just plug along when I can. No doubt the sea contributes to your effort.
Yay!!!!!!!!
Love
kj
thank you kj - i am so impressed by your work ethic as i know you hold a fulltime job. don't know how you manage to churn out 400 pages and do everything else you do. i get up at dawn and write and it still feels like a mysterious process to know how you arrive at a completed work.
Deleteyes, i completely relate to printing out each chapter, working on continuity and realizing you need a bridge chapter here and there for transition purposes. but it is fun too!
thinking of you kindred soul, and sending many blessings as you navigate your writing journey....
love,
amanda xx
Oh, how I envy you dear Amanda.;) Writing and photography is something I would love to immerse myself into full time, if I could, giving up my current job in a blink of an eye, have I gotten the chance.;) And that view and setting clearly helps.;) Lucky you.;) Here we are in deep freeze and it is snowing heavily as i write this.;)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beautiful life.;)
xoxo
i feel very blessed to have had this opportunity zuzana. back home now and currently amidst an ice storm!!!
Deletesending warm hugs for the week ahead~
xoxo
amanda
it looks beautiful there, and what a great escape. taking two weeks to focus on something sounds like such a wonderful luxury, I'm rather envious. but also inspired....
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your novel!
ReplyDelete