Creating Atmosphere, Part 3

In two earlier posts, I mentioned a few things about creating atmosphere in a story. This time, I’ll rely on the actual atmosphere for a bit of inspiration. Nature’s wonders have inspired countless artists, not to mention put the fear of the supernatural into any number of sailors. A sky like this might just do the trick.

 My wife and I had just finished dinner and were going for a walk. Not two steps outside the house, she pointed at the moon and said, “Look at that.” Indeed, check out that hazy moon, rising over the sunset. The colors of the setting sun, cast upon the clouds provide brilliant color that is contrasted by the silhouetted palm trees. This is a technicolor backdrop for any scene, tropical or not. This one happens to be in Aruba, but it might just as easily been taken on the high plains. Some day I would like to go to far northern Alaska or Canada, a place where I can see the northern lights. Now there is atmosphere (BIG-TIME), the embodiment of the interaction between the sun and the earth. If that doesn’t pop a few goose bumps I’m not sure what will. And then, after seeing these kind of natural phenomena, the mind has to be ready to incorporate them into a good story. Various belief systems have passed down through the generations the idea that the sky portends things to come. This may or may not be true. Do the stars predict the future? Do they reveal the past? I don’t know, but it’s a fantastic story convention to use such things. Perhaps there is a deep memory buried in human DNA that tells our minds to believe such things. Or, maybe it is true and you just have to be sensitive to the omens. Here’s another sky, this one taken just after dawn.

This is another after-the-storm shot. The clouds are breaking up, blue sky peeking through, sunlight poking out. Normally we think of sunlight shining “down.” However, here, the rays appear to be shooting up. Different.

Whether you’re a storyteller or not, it’s one of life’s pleasures to check out the sky from time to time. Don’t be afraid to look up, or down for that matter. It may not be doom you find. It could be a sign of good things to come. You simply have to be ready for whatever may come your way.

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 11:32 am  Comments (1)  
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Ribs at Amazing Restaurant, San Nicolaas

This restaurant is now called, “Amazing.” It was formerly known as The Promenade and is located at the beginning of Main Street in San Nicolaas, Aruba. I enjoyed many meals with friends at The Promenade and now like to head to the same place, albeit under a different name for the Thursday night, all-you-can eat, rib special. Here’s a look at the outside.

There is a waitress here who does an exceptional job, supported by another fellow who is as warm and friendly as you’ll find anywhere. I’ve been to this place enough to have a regular table, but truth be told, everyone is treated as if they’re a well-known regular. Here’s the dining room:

It’s a very welcoming space and usually quiet, which I appreciate as I have some difficulty hearing in a crowd. So let’s get to the ribs. Here’s a photo of round one.

There’s plenty of meat on those bones. The baked potato is also a decent size. Cole slaw and beans come on the side as does a dish of the rib sauce for extra flavor. There were three of us at the table and we each gnawed off two racks of ribs, drank a couple gallons of water, and polished the sides to boot.

If you’re on the island and you want to head down to San Nicolaas, why not stop here to fill your belly? It’s worth the ride and the price is right.

Published in: on July 13, 2008 at 9:32 pm  Comments (1)  
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An Aruban Original

Sometimes when you’re traveling, you meet the kind of person who can only be described as “original.” I mean this in the true sense of the word: the first of a kind. Well, one of the people I’ve met and become friends with who meets this criteria is Mr. Speziale of Aruba. I first met him in the 1990’s and over the years he’s shown me more of Aruba than anyone else. He grew up on the island, living in the colony that Exxon built for its American workers who operated the oil refinery here. Thus, he had a unique childhood. There were 21 people in his high school graduating class. He went on to work for Exxon in Alaska and New York City among other places. He returned to his boyhood home in retirement. That’s him on the left receiving his personal copy of An Island Away, which I’m hand delivering to him at Charlie’s Bar.

Thanks to my friendship with Mr. Speziale, I was able to see and do things in Aruba that I would have otherwise missed. Through him, I got to know Charlie (owner of the World Famous Charlie’s Bar), and Charlie (may he rest in peace) is one of the characters in An Island Away. More than simple introductions or explanations, Mr. Speziale provided running commentary as a sort of curator for the town of San Nicolaas and Aruba in general. This type of first hand information and insight is critical to good story telling. I’m grateful to know him and look forward to many more years of friendship.

Have you met someone who is an original? Let me know here or post on your own blog.

Published in: on July 13, 2008 at 10:28 am  Leave a Comment  
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Aruba Hyatt, Part 2

We’re on to the second part of the photo essay of the Hyatt Hotel in Aruba. We left off on our way into the grounds that form the central part of the complex.

Down the steps you go, across that bridge there, noting the water, the black swans, the parrots in their cages who might call out to you. A little further on, you see that the stream flows down to the swimming pools.

There are several pools here, one with a slide that plunges anyone willing to take the ride into the cool, refreshing water. Looking back, you’ll see the waterfalls.

Then there are the restaurants that front the koi pond where those black swans I mentioned also glide along from time to time.

In the evening the torches are lit and the lights in the pond. The place oozes romance. During the day it is just as beautiful. And then there are the bars next to the beach.

This is another haunt of mine. There was a bartender here that used to make me laugh so much I couldn’t get any writing done. He should have been a comedian. Maybe he was. Whatever the case, I enjoyed many an afternoon at this spot, scribbling in my notebook, watching people, and hacking through stories. For those interested in something a bit more nutritious, there is a juice bar beside the regular bar. Good thing, too, as sometimes we need a shot of vitamins to propel us through the afternoon.

Well, now you’ve had a look at the Hyatt in Aruba. I can still see my characters from An Island Away, acting out their parts here at this hotel. I think it is important to put characters into real places, locations that readers can see for themselves. It lends authenticity and provides an additional connection to the reader, which furthers the concept that a book is a dialog between the author and the reader. Just something to think about.

As mentioned before, I’ll be posting similar photo essays of other hotels in Aruba, Spain, and other places as I happen to work my way through the world and the stories I write.

Published in: on July 12, 2008 at 8:51 pm  Leave a Comment  
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