Writing a Novel About Sailing—But Not for Sailors

The book became something else entirely—a story about reinvention, desire, and the unexpected thrills of starting over again, at sea, and learning to be independent and self-sufficient.

When I set out to write a novel that involved sailing, I knew I wasn’t writing for die-hard sailors. This wouldn’t be a manual on rigging techniques or an ode to the golden age of exploration. My story wasn’t about wind speeds, knots, or the perfect tack.

At the heart of it is a man who’s left behind the wreckage of a failed marriage. He’s not looking for love, but love (or something deliciously close to it) finds him anyway—aboard a 27-foot yacht, sailing the warm, picturesque waters of Moreton Bay. His life on land had been predictable, structured, weighed down by expectation. But here, on the water, everything feels different. He’s learning new ropes in more ways than one.

Of course, writing a story that unfolds largely on a yacht comes with risks. Will readers see “sailing” and assume it’s a book for boat enthusiasts? Will they expect pages filled with jargon and technical detail? I had to find a way to capture the romance of being at sea without alienating those who’ve never stepped on a boat in their lives.

For me, sailing in this story is less about the mechanics and more about the setting—how the water changes people, how it frees them. There’s a certain magic in the way a boat slices through glassy water at sunset, in the salty air that sticks to bare skin, in the gentle rock of the hull that makes inhibitions slip away. The sea isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a catalyst for transformation.

And transformation is at the core of my storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to dark fiction, to characters who find themselves in situations that challenge them in unexpected ways. In this novel, the protagonist isn’t just navigating the bay—he’s navigating desire, regret, and the seductive pull of a new beginning.

So, is there an audience for a story like this? I think so. Readers who crave something atmospheric, something a little dangerous, a little sensual—something that hints at the darkness beneath the shimmer of moonlit waves—might just find themselves stepping aboard.

Would you?

-M (author of SEETHINGS 2. SEETHINGS (the original is downloadable and free for a limited time)

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