In pursuit of something "completely different".....

(Photo by Kim Salter)

I have been pretty busy and that's putting it mildly. Since the last time I checked in with all of you, I have acquired a new job and have gone full steam ahead in my part-time endeavors. I have a data entry job that I love and despite the fact that my schedule has changed, I still go full bore on my creative pursuits. Currently. I'm nurturing the photography side of things by going on as many photo shoots as my schedule allows and when I'm not engaged in that, I'm working on new greeting card designs. Also, I recently published my first novel which you can find here-

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00IHYDNLE

I have decided to go with Amazon, as they are a great company and they have a farther worldwide reach. Not only that, they are very easy to download for many people. FYI, a Kindle is not required to read this book. It works just as well as on your PC, Mac, tablet or phone. 

Just in case you didn't get to check out my last blog, my new book is about a young British woman who loses her whole family on board the Titanic. Rather than letting the tragedy mark her for life, she instead embarks on a journey of self-discovery and blossoms into the person she was meant to really become. 

I have always had an avid interest in the Titanic and also in stories where the protagonist changes in some way, usually for the better. You could say that I am drawn to such stories and people because I can relate. I am not the person I was in my 20's, 30's or even as much as ten years ago. I am on an ever-enduring quest to figure out what I want to do in life. I think that as I hit a 'certain age', it became imperative for me to get off my butt and try some new things. And I have and it's paid off handsomely in terms of self confidence and my own blossoming into a person that I can not only admire but live with as well. 

As a result of my partnering with Amazon, this blog is also going to be part of my Author Page feed as well. Hopefully, this means that more people will visit this blog as well as All The Rods and All The Creatives. 

You can visit my Author Page here-

http://www.amazon.com/Kim-Salter/e/B00IHYDNLE

I am going to try my level best to keep all these blogs going. I apologize for not doing so recently. And as always, thanks to all who come, visit and read. 

For All Time

(Photo credit-Terri Mills)

My life has changed beyond my wildest dreams and I have so many people to thank for it, I can't even begin and it's going to take a while. 

It is truly amazing how a life can change in the blink of an eye. Mine did. Two weeks ago, I felt alone and lost without a notion of how I was to get along. I had a change in circumstances which made things look rather bleak. First I got mad and then I got busy. 

I was able to not only change things but for the better. I am in disbelief at how keeping my faith and my head has made things so much better. 

'For All Time' is the name of my first ever full-length novel. I have always been extremely fascinated by the story of the Titanic and have dutifully watched every documentary I could about this ill-fated vessel. The movie 'Titanic' is possibly my favorite movie of all time. 2012 was the hundred year anniversary of the sinking and in the back of my mind was a niggling of an idea that would not rest. The small voice grew louder and louder until it was impossible to ignore. 

Images were coming to me in bits and pieces. They displayed themselves in my dreams and also in those silent contemplative moments when they would scurry across my mind like grey clouds across a storm-filled sky. 'For All Time' was begging to be written. And so in July of 2012, I began. 

'For All Time' centers on a young British woman named Lillian Spencer Graham, who is aboard the Titanic on its first and only voyage. She is a newlywed who loses not only her dear husband Freddie on the ship but also her in laws and her own parents. She seems to have lost everything until her luck changes in a most unexpected way. 

This story focused on those deep friendships one has that have spawned the expression 'family of choice'. Lily, now all alone in the world, must depend on her newly created family of choice who offer her all the world has. The theme of love in all its forms is also a central theme to this story. 

Lily has left behind one world to grow into yet another and in the process grows into the person she was meant to be. 

Inspiration for this story came via the Titanic and the rich history of this wonderful ship. I also drew inspiration from the following:

Robin and RJ Gibb's gorgeous 'Titanic Requiem'. I listened to this soundtrack over and over again. It kept company with me as I uploaded my manuscript into NOOK Press. 

Find out more here- 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pjrt3 & here https://www.facebook.com/thetitanicrequiem

The influence for the artistic life of Lily was inspired with love and gratitude by the members of the Pinellas Park Art Society. The book was dedicated to them for all they've given me as a means to develop as an artist. The dedication is my way of showing them my deepest appreciation for their support. To find out more about this organization and the wonderful people within it, please visit them here- 

http://www.pinellasart.com/  and here 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/106669949374066/

**Note, when the book is made available for World Wide sales, I will post the info within this blog.**