A First Time for Everything

Greetings Moon Beams!

I’ve been home for three weeks, so it’s starting to feel like old news, but here are pics from my recent vacation. My friend, and fellow writer, Kate Heartsong and I attended a writing workshop hosted by Hay House publishing. Did I mention it was held on a 7-night Caribbean cruise? Minor detail…but, yeah…it was awesome!

The view of the port in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

from Shawpark Botanical Gardens.

I would have sat my ass in the middle of Greenland bundled up in a parka to learn about publishing ins and outs from Hay House – number one metaphysical publisher in the world. But I’m not complaining. I got to soak up industry knowledge in between sun beams in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel.

Wading in the ocean in Fort Lauderdale & chillin at the beach in the Bahamas.

The highlight of my adventure on the high seas was my 6 mile round trip hike from the port to Shawpark Botanical Gardens in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I practically had to beat off thirty cab drivers that wanted to drive me there. But once I got into downtown it was a peaceful walk the rest of the way. That is, if you don’t mind 90+ degree weather and what feels like 100% humidity.

Nothing says vacation like a hibiscus flower.

I don’t think many tourists walk through Ocho Rios. The school kids, in their matching uniforms, looked liked they’d never seen anyone so…tall. Okay, maybe it was the glare off my SPF 90.  But I got lots of waves and smiles flashed my way.

A Jamaican Shaman I met eating and breathing fire in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

There are many advantages to seeing Ocho Rios by foot, things you’d miss if you were sitting in the back of a taxi. The plant life, the fire eating and breathing Jamaican Shaman, the two goats tied to a bush on the side a road. Sorry, seeing goats is not an every day occurrence for me. And I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure I heard a rooster.

The waterfall at Shawpark Botanical Gardens

in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Another advantage to getting off the tourist track in Jamaica, if you time it right, is arriving at Shawpark Botanical Gardens just as a tour bus is leaving. I had such an experience and it was heaven. It was just me, the gardens, the waterfall, the birds of paradise - the flower, not actual birds – and the butterflies!

Crazy beautiful flowers and tree in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Oh, the butterflies! There were swarms of them. Swarms I tell ya! I’d never seen so many butterflies in my life! Every shape, size, color you can imagine. I tried to photograph the little buggers, but, even though they fly like they’re drunk, they’re fast! My handy point-and-shoot was no match for their nimbleness.

Steppin' out for formal night on the cruise ship.

I’m home again. Back to my crazy life as an Admin turned Artist turned Writer. And I’m on deadline. I have three months to finish writing my book proposal, develop my platform (that’s fancy publishing lingo for developing my marketing plan), produce a 3-minute YouTube video and submit it all to Hay House sans agent – a rare opportunity. The reward? Someone who attended the writing workshop is going to win a publishing contract and a $10,000 advance. Wish me luck!

Peace, love, and art,
Marcella

P.S.
To learn more about Kate Heartsong and her recently published book, “Deeply We Are One,” please visit http://www.joyfulradiance.com/.

For more information about Hay House, please visit http://www.hayhouse.com/.