Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! A New Decade Begins!

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor of Southern Writers Magazine

Yes, at Southern Writers Magazine we say Merry Christmas! After  all that is what it is. So again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from all of us here at Southern Writers Magazine. We hope your year has been a happy and prosperous one. There are still a few days left in the year for you to tie up any loose ends. But remember these last few days are also the last few days of the decade.

Author, p.m. terrell recently posted on Facebook, “There’s only two more weeks left in this decade. What would you consider your most memorable moments of the decade?” The response was amazing! Looking back over the last 10 years wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. A lot has happened and choosing the most memorable ones, although difficult, was a great opportunity to count my blessings.

Looking back also gave me an eye-opening moment to realize 10 years has passed in the blink of an eye. Another is about to start. So much planning and goal setting went into the last 10 years. I had to ask myself what my goals are and plans for the next 10 years. What have I learned and what do I hope to learn in the coming years?

As great as my last 10 years have been, I want the next 10 years to be the best yet? In order to assure that happens planning and goal setting come into play again. Also taking stock and knowing where we have been, will make us aware of what is possible. The next step is to set your goals higher. As business like as this sounds it can also be used to plan personal finances and family time. All parts of our lives are intertwined so we must plan as such.

So simply put it boils down to 5 questions. Where are you now? What are you excited about now? What would you change? Who makes the decision? What is the solution? With this  searching and planning you should have the best decade yet!

Back to p.m. terrell’s question, “What would you consider your most memorable moments of the decade?” For me that was easy. On December 17^th Nancy and I celebrated our 50^th Wedding Anniversary. We first took a trip to Hawaii. We then renewed our vows in the presence of family, including 8 of our 10 grandchildren, and friends in the little church in Arkansas we grew up in. We were fortunate to have the pastor that married us return to renew our vows. Now that’s memorable!  

 

   

Sundog Books and the Redneck Riviera

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor of Southern Writers Magazine

On a recent weekend trip to Seaside Florida, enjoying what is known there as the 30A Lifestyle, I visited the Central Square area for brunch. I discovered next door to the restaurant is Sundog Books. Sundog Books, http://www.sundogbooks.com/, is one of those fabulous independent bookstores and it is owned by Linda and Bob White. Sundog has not only survived the slump independents went through but apparently has thrived through that period. Although the place was busy I was able to visit with Manager and Memphis Native Carolyn Rogers. Carolyn is a great representative for Sundog and you can tell she loves everything she does there.  

I couldn’t think of a better place, a perfect fit for a bookstore than on the square on Hwy30A. Surrounded by miles of beach and most beach goers sit on the beach reading. It is a wonderful marriage between authors, reader and bookstore. Sundog goes one step further by promoting local authors as well.   

As I was approaching the porch of the bookstore there sat a gentleman signing his books. His name is Harvey H. Jackson III and his book is The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Rivieraan Insiders History of the Florida-Alabama Coast. Harvey is uniquely qualified to write Redneck Riviera due to the fact his grandmother bought a home  on the beach in the area is 1954  and he is Eminent Scholar in History at Jacksonville State University. Harvey has authored other history books dealing mostly with his State of Alabama. Harvey noted the property his grandmother owned in 1954 he has inherited and is there now. He has seen the great changes and effects of the growth and decline of the area since he was a child. His love for the area and his background in history makes a great combination for an excellent read on the area. The area known as  the Redneck Riviera, Mobile Bay to Panama City, may be struggling with its identity today with the push for a more dignified  title of the Emerald Coast. I am sure the later sounds better is you are a realtor selling beach property and with the high style of living there now it may indeed win out.

Southern Writers Magazine exists to help authors. It is encouraging to see what Sundog Books is doing for local authors. Carolyn Rogers said Harvey’s Redneck Riviera is one of their best sellers. I am sure that is true because it is about the area, the authors personal and professional input and Sundog Books allowing promotional opportunities. If you are in the area I hope you will stop in and I hope Harvey is there to greet you and sign his book for you.

If you know of similar cooperative efforts as Sundog Books and Harvey Jackson are enjoying please let me hear of them.