Our family reunion at Folly

7/27/09 -- Our family reunion at Folly Beach, South Carolina is over. A good time was had by all, despite a few jelly fish stings and a virus that crept up on 3 of the 16 in attendance.

Writing time was difficult to carve out on some days. At best my desk was my lap, while sitting on the bed. (Read: neck ache.)

If all the frivolity at the beach house proved to be a bit much, I went into the village and grabbed a booth at the Drop Inn Cafe. Sometimes it was quiet, but more often classic rock blared and ESPN commentators looked down on my work from looming TV monitors, making sure I was filled in on the latest on the latest baseball highlights or Lance Armstrong and the Tour.

All of which may sound less than ideal. Still, I believe that part of being a writer is learning to keep the story going no matter what. The more you do it, the easier -- and productive -- it gets.