Sailing is as much about judgment as it is movement—reading wind, water, and timing with precision. These posts explore life on the water, from practical experience to the quieter realities of navigation, weather, and decision-making, where small choices can carry significant consequences.
Chapter 12 juxtaposes the public discovery of Sandra’s body with Mitchell’s cold detachment and the private escalation of his marriage with Samantha toward its darkest turn. The opening scene sets the contrast starkly: the news of Sandra’s corpse on Scarborough beach plays out as domestic background noise. Mitchell, unfazed, butters toast with Vegemite while Samantha
Between Glass and Keel – Ch12 Read More »
Mitchell Felding has perfected the art of patience. Years of silence, of watching, of listening, have honed his instincts into something sharper than morality. The Beast within him no longer whispers — it storms. A woman named Sandra Williams becomes his latest fascination. Separated, contradictory, forever lying to herself and others, she is everything Mitchell
SEETHINGS III – Synopsis Read More »
The author reflects on sailing as a metaphor for disorientation in life and relationships. Without landmarks, both sailors and characters in SEETHINGS II face uncertainty that reveals their true selves. Disorientation can prompt either despair or growth, ultimately questioning the reliability of confidence and moral compasses in navigating life’s complexities.
The Disorientation of Sailing and Storytelling Read More »
I write the occasional fluff* piece. This is one about yacht names. *(“fluff” lightweight blog posts under 1500 words) —those quick reads I throw together when something quirky catches my eye. Today’s culprit? Boat names. Specifically, the groan-worthy ones slapped onto multihull yachts.) Living near the ocean, I see plenty of them: Catatonic, Try Hard,
Multihull Boat Names: No Evil Today, Just Dumb Wordplay Read More »
It’s amazing how real life sneaks into fiction—sometimes subtly tweaked, other times copied word for word. I’ve blurred reality plenty in my writing, adjusted timelines, changed names, dialled up the drama—but some moments need no embellishment. One story slipped into my novel untouched: the rescue of the turtle. I was making tea aboard my yacht,
Turtles, Truth, and Fiction Read More »
Mitchell watched Natasha walk away in her mother’s yellow dress—Nina’s dress. She moved just as Nina once did: light steps, glances over the shoulder, playful gestures. Mitchell called out gentle instructions as if through a dream. The scene played out as it had in his mind for years, except now, Natasha was unknowingly resurrecting the
When Memory Wears Yellow Read More »
Mitchell gives Natasha control of the yacht for the first time. She watches the shoreline, nervously monitoring the boat’s drift. He knows it’s not moving—but gives her this task to build trust. It matters to her. She wants to prove she can sail with him, belong with him. The engine hums. Mitchell disappears below, leaving
Dressed Like Memory Read More »
Mitchell calls Tony with a demand: fake an urgent counselling session this afternoon. Tony protests—he’s about to leave for a family trip—but Mitchell reminds him of their dark history and the leverage it holds. Cornered, Tony agrees, alters his records, and forges an appointment for 2 pm. His wife, Sophie, believes he’s doing something noble.
The Calm Before the Breakage Read More »
Mitchell helps George install radar on Kiwi Sea, hoisting him up the mast while swapping jokes with Mike—another gadget-obsessed sailor. As Mitchell listens to stories about hidden shipping containers and forward sonar, it’s clear: everyone here prepares for the worst, even if it never comes. The conversation shifts to sailing beyond the bay. Mike talks
What the Bay Knows Read More »
Mitchell and Natasha awaken to a quiet dawn aboard Surly Mermaid. A light breeze ripples the bay. Natasha, still sore from the previous day, teases Mitchell about it while sipping tea in the cockpit. But their morning calm is broken when they spot a strange white float drifting nearby. Curious, Mitchell investigates in the dinghy
Tangled Beneath the Surface Read More »