Houseboats

This vintage (circa 1970s) houseboat book just came in the mail, and I can’t wait to dig into it! It’s loaded with stories, history and photos of houseboat living over the years. Why the sudden interest in houseboats, you ask? Well, my fourth book is set on a houseboat, and I’m doing my research! I know, I know, I was formerly writing a book set in Paris, and I assure you that story is still alive and well—currently simmering! My process as a writer is to explore many story ideas and settle on the one that captures my heart most. And guess what? Houseboats and their inhabitants have fully captured my heart! I’m completely smitten with the characters and story, and have always loooooved houseboats (hello Sleepless in Seattle!), so it’s pure fun to set a novel in one. Stay tuned for some exciting updates on this new story. And, help me, um, write it by telling me what you’d like to see in a book set on a houseboat! Character ideas? Names? Plot developments? I’m open to your ideas, readers!

7 Comments
  • August 24, 2011
    reply
    Jodi Ferris

    How about the name of “Pessa” for a female character or little girl? (pronounced pace -uh) It is short for Princepessa; Italian for Princess. Too many little girls were called Princess, so it was a way to set our little girl apart from the others. ( We are not Italian, but our daughter loved the way the main character in La Vita Bella always greeted his wife with a lively ” Bonjourno, Princepessa!”)

  • August 25, 2011
    reply
    Donna Lewter

    I like the name “River” for a dog (of course a yellow golden retriever)
    And a good name for the houseboat would be “Wake-Up Call” which is what my husband and I named our 30 ft SeaRay we had on the James River. We don’t own it anymore but those were happy times. Good Luck.
    Donna Lewter

  • August 25, 2011
    reply

    I’m “getting” you might want to feature an interesting plant, exotic even, or perhaps a solarium of sorts which would be unique aboard a houseboat especially wonderful if the book is set during a dreary Seattle fall/winter. Also, somehow I’m seeing that a plant or plants come up as a touchstone in the book. Don’t ask me where this is coming from but from one writer to another, you know how these things just appear from the ethers.

    Looking forward to reading about another book set in the Seattle area!

  • August 25, 2011
    reply
    Pam

    Oooh, sounds dreamy! Can’t wait to see how the story unfolds.

  • February 19, 2013
    reply

    I was writing about a couple of houseboat tours I went on back in the late 80s and while looking up the Houseboat book (which I have owned for years), I ran across your blog entry. Now I see I have a new author to read; the covers of your books look enticing.

  • January 11, 2014
    reply

    I would love to see that book!
    If you ever visit Amsterdam, you are welcome to stay at one of our vintage houseboats.

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