“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” – Henry David Thoreau
The best thing about having a blog is being able to share experiences — people and places — with others. My recent stint at Noepe Center for Literary Arts at Martha’s Vineyard has given me the opportunity to introduce not only the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, but also some of the wonderful writers I was fortunate to share a space of time with while there. And when you have met them, you will want to attend a session there as well.
I made a lot of progress with the Young Adult novel I was working on and I also learned a lot about myself.
For instance, I discovered the perfect rhythm of a day for me — write from 6 am to noon while guzzling coffee, take a l-o-n-g walk to the beach, 
light lunch, shower and dress for the evening, 
stroll with writing friends to the wharf, shops in Edgartown, or other sightseeing spots, dinner, 
long group discussions, journaling until bedtime. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect day?
I also discovered I could read from a section of my work-in-progress without breaking into tears although it resonated with a particularly emotional time in my life.
And I met and became friends with some amazing poets and writers. Talent oozed from the doors and windows, and I just hoped a little of it would rub off on me.
But here’s the best part. You can do it too. And over the next few weeks I’ll be bringing some of the people I met to you through interviews and excerpts of their work. 
You’re going to be so impressed!
The first interview I have planned is with the director of Noepe, Justen Ahren. You can follow the links and apply for your own writing corner on Martha’s Vineyard. And when you have read these interviews, you will want to do just that.
Where do you want your writing to take you?
Renee Johnson is the author of Acquisition, and The Haunting of William Gray. She is currently working on a Young Adult novel, while editing a suspense novel which has international flair–an homage to her love of travel and foreign food. She lives on a farm in North Carolina with her husband, Tony Johnson, and one very spoiled German shepherd named Gretel.
Renee Johnson Writes 
I love the part about reading from your work and not breaking into tears. I feel teary about my kitty situation just now and that brought a smile to my face.
I saw the post about your kitty. I’m sorry Lee. You have been such a good caretaker.
It seems like so many things are going on in your life, Renee. And I hope you are enjoying every moment of it. My best wishes are with you for your book and all future projects.
Arindam! How happy I am to have you visiting again. Thank you for all of your good wishes, and right back at ya! I know things are moving quickly for you too right now. Good Luck!
Thanks Renee.
You are so welcome.
Stunning.
I’d LOVE to visit there, explore. This is a dream of mine.
I Love that you read from your work. I understand. One cried because the words are YOUR Story, your soul.
Btw, you are gorgeous. x
You should visit and I have been sharing your blog site with my new friends, who visited with you there (whether or not they left a comment). We’re all one big circle of support for each other, don’t you think? And thanks for the compliment. It was a good day.
Martha’s Vineyard is gorgeous. I’ve only been there once. It was for a conference, but not a writing one. Perhaps that should be my goal–a writer’s conference there, because it’s such a great environment from which to seek inspiration. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Much appreciated.
Thank you too Carrie. And you should definitely check out the Noepe Center for a session of your own. My next post will be with the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Writing Residency and once you meet him, you’ll want to go there even more than ever.
This sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m also an early morning writer (when I finally get around to writing) 😉 I’m looking forward to your upcoming interviews.
That’s one of the beauties of having the space and time to write, you can find out what your natural rhythms are. Sounds like you already know yours, which is wonderful. I hope you enjoy the interviews.
Sounds like a fun thing to do!
It was. And a very productive time as well. Thanks for stopping over. I hope you’ll return for the interviews.
How exciting for you, Renee. Your photos look so inviting, and it sounds like you had a memorable time. You’re living the life. The writer’s life!
It is indeed validating to be among so many talented and generous writers. And don’t you find that when you finally name what it is you want, it is a lot easier to claim it? Love the writer’s life. Thanks Monica.
I want to be a mermaid! 🙂 🙂 That lighthouse shot is truly lovely, Renee. It does indeed sound like the perfect day. I’m wishing and wishing!
Thank you. The Edgartown Lighthouse isn’t far from the Noepe Center. And you should apply for next year. Then you can be a mermaid too.
That sounds like a dream come true to be able to have that experience! I’m looking forward to hearing more… 🙂
I think you’ll be impressed Meg! Lots of fabulous people coming soon…
You are right, Renee. It does sound like the perfect day. I’m more than a little jealous. 😉
That’s okay. I’m jealous of those who are there now. Oh well…
The residency sounds awesome. What an incredible opportunity! I’m looking forward to reading the interviews and excerpts.
It was awesome as were the writers I met there. You’re going to love the interviews Sheryl.
Oh to go to Martha’s Vineyard would be a dream come true for me! I love this post, you do indeed have the perfect day. I also write best in the early morning until about noon, then get on with everything else after that. On a good day that is…so long as I really make sure to do just that. Looking forward to your posts and so happy to share in your writing joy and journey.
Sherri, you can do it too. Follow the links in the interview with the director, submit your work, and I have no doubt you’d be participating as well. Hope you like the interview series. It is going to be great.
Great info, Renee. Thanks for sharing. The center is exquisite and I’m looking forward to learning more.
You’re going to love the interviews Sheri. I can’t wait to hear what you think of them.
A perfect day. A perfect place. Perfect company and much, much more. An inspiring and beautiful post. Help us see life with fresh, bright perspective. Thank you. All the best to you and your family.
And thank you. It was (and is) a fabulous place!
I can’t wait!
I started the interviews with the director, Justen Ahren. He’s fascinating.
This sounds like a wonderful time, Renee.
It was Patti. Am feeling truly blessed to have been a part of this time at Noepe.
Wonderful interview – both the questions and responses.
I really like what he said here “It was pure play and joy. It was my first experience of making things out of sound. It was a further investigation into how language, sound, equaled a thing, brought a thing to life. ” And he seems to still hold that joy of language and writing.
The Writer’s retreat sounds very cool
Thanks. Justen is a fabulous poet and the center is really growing. It was just on the list of top 25 residencies to apply for. Yay.