It’s so hard to see the big picture when I think about my writing life. Sometimes it feels almost non-existent. Sometimes it’s on fire. When I zoom in to a specific period of time I think, ‘Oh no! It’s over!’
But when I zoom out I see that it’s a whole world unto itself…and I calm down a bit. It’s those periods when I’m not writing that I gasp and sigh and just KNOW that it’s over.
But it isn’t. I think I might always be a writer. In fact, last weekend when there was a discussion on retirement I made the very blasé comment, “I just see myself writing all day long every day.”
In that throwaway statement I realized that I have nothing to worry about. Downtime is downtime, nothing else.
This week I’ve been working diligently on my unfinished mid-grade novel with the goal of finishing it by the end of the month. I know it’s ridiculous to throw deadlines around like that, but for me they really spur me on to stay on task. I work best under pressure and under threat of deadlines. They become impossible lines in the sand that I must arrive to at the assigned date and time. I learned this method works best for me when I entered my first MUSKOKA NOVEL MARATHON. The deadline at that time was to finish a novel in 48hrs. Spoiler Alert—I DID IT! That first MNM novel was Sebastian’s Poet. It won the BEST NOVEL AWARD that year. 2007. A lifetime ago!
But I digress. I’ve been really enjoying this mid-grade novel. It feels good to be reimmersed in it. That’s the thing about writing fiction. The writer really does get inside the story. You can feel yourself falling into it. Sometimes I think, ‘If I looked up right now, I’d see the surface above me‘ as though I’m under water and softly embraced in another world. One of my own creation. That’s the part I love the most…disappearing and becoming the story I’m telling. Once you feel that, it’s like you spend the rest of your life chasing that high. Every time you get drawn into your own fiction, you reach that feeling again–that high–and thank the universe that you’re still able to experience it.
We just returned from our second visit to the ALL INCLUSIVE Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel in Cayo Guillermo, Cuba! It’s such a lovely LGBTQ2S+ friendly resort! We loved it so much during our first visit in May of 2022 that we just HAD to go back!
Judging by the amount of people who attended the special dinner for repeat visitors, this sign in the lobby of Gran Muthu Rainbow really should say WELCOME BACK!
We spent a week at Muthu Rainbow. It’s such a welcoming place and ALL of the staff are incredible and incredibly welcoming.
When we first tried this resort—three years ago today, actually–we fell in love. I had never experienced a resort catered specifically to the LGBTQ+ community before. It was such a memorable experience, we were destined to return. This visit was just as fabulous as the first!
A night shot at the pool…on the evening of our arrival!
As with our first visit, upon our arrival we were required to sign a form stating that we would not discriminate against anyone during our visit. This resort is open to everyone…all from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the straight community. As a matter of fact, I think the straight community are finding out about the resort now…there seemed to be a good mix of people visiting this time around. There were also quite a few more people, as our last visit was still perilously close to the pandemic and there weren’t as many travellers back then.
The entertainment is fabulous. Singing, dancing, cabaret, drag queens. It’s an extraordinary array of talent every night.Dropping in a photo of an evening’s entertainment from 2022. Looks like the shows are constantly updated. Something new every visit…This is a little promontory that houses a group of huts where MASSAGES are offered!
There are two beaches on the property. One is perfectly set up for lounging and swimming, and the other is off limits to swimming. I did notice this visit that the swimming beach had a bit more seaweed on it. They do clean it up, but it became a little too windy to take advantage of the beach during our visit this time around. I don’t know if there’s an actual windy season, or we just lucked out with the strong breezes during our week. At any rate, we only went into the water a few times and stayed mostly at the pool. We weren’t the only ones. The swim beach was quite empty the times we did go.
The swimming beach. You can see that the seaweed was not yet swept up in this shot.
Here’s a shot of the same beach in MAY 2022…
Here’s a couple glances at the NON swimming beach. This one runs parallel to the long pool. I like to think of it as THE READING ROOM. It’s fully appointed with chaises longues and umbrellas. It’s quite quiet and serene…with the beautiful background sound of lapping waves crashing against the rocky shore. Just don’t get too close to that shore. It would be quite dangerous to do so.
The non-swimming beach…The rocky shore – this one’s just for looking at.Quite a comfy set-up. You could potentially have this entire beach to yourself…The pool is absolutely VAST. Though, in truth, it’s actually two pools separated by a walkway in the middle that leads to THE READING ROOM. This is the SWIM UP BAR…The gargantuan pool!
I must say…there are so many chaises longues and cabanas that they are never fully occupied. One of the nice things I noticed here is the lack of towels saving chairs! Nothing is more frustrating than seeing towels sitting on empty chairs for hours at a time because some asshole wanted to save his spot that he never returned to! That doesn’t happen at Gran Muthu Rainbow.
There are multiple cabanas. All available to all guests. I have never seen them at full capacity.
At the back of the lobby, there’s a nice bar…it’s separated from the lobby by a door and there’s a piano inside with lots of seating. I call it the piano bar…it might be what it’s called, though I’m not sure. Off of this bar, there’s a patio looking out onto a pretty plaza with the ocean in the background.
The patio behind the ‘piano bar’…The drag was fabulous…
I’m not going to say this resort is perfect, but we love it. We are talking about going back for two weeks for our next visit. Yes, there was almost no hot water for our entire week. We do follow groups on Facebook for this resort and they are apparently fixing the hot water issue now. But even if they didn’t, as much as I hate not having hot water, I think we would still return. Until you experience the difference between regular resorts and LGBTQ+ friendly resorts, you really don’t know what you’re missing. It was like we could put one worry to rest the entire time we were there. We could be 100% ourselves and not worry about those who don’t accept us. Trust me when I say there are some at regular resorts that are not going to accept you if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. You don’t always know who they are, but you know intuitively that they’re there. At Gran Muthu Rainbow the vibe was completely different. We didn’t have to consider the possibility that there were haters amongst us. It’s next level relaxation.
We even had entertainment at the buffet…They occasionally have a special drink station in the buffet. Take advantage of that!I’m sure everyone has a favourite entertainer at the resort. This was mine.
On the hill to the left of the non-swimming beach, you can find what I called a blowhole. Not sure what else to call it. It’s a hole looking down into furiously crashing waves several meters below. Looks absolutely dangerous and life-taking, but also quite beautiful. Worth a look if you’re there. Just don’t get too close, as I’m sure you would meet certain death if you were to fall down this hole…
A gaping maw of danger!It’s bigger than it looks here…
If you are LGBTQ+ (or even if you’re not), this resort in Cayo Guillermo, Cuba is definitely worth a go. The people are incredible! It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close to it. We enjoyed the food, the drinks, the entertainment, the beach, the pool…all of it!
Out for a stroll on the property. It’s quite a vast property…lots of space to walk about.Entertainment EVERY NIGHT!
They do have a few specialty dining restaurants, though they’re not always open. I believe this has something to do with occupancy, though I’m not entirely sure. There were more guests this time around, but there is still a lot of space for more occupancy. I don’t think it would make sense for them to have the specialty restaurants open all the time with the amount of guests present.
The main course from our special REPEAT GUEST dinner…which was held at the Indian restaurant.
You may experience some shortfalls at Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel, but they will be so worth the overall experience. I would rate it 5 out of 5! It’s no wonder people keep coming back. There’s something special about this place. You have to experience it to know what I’m talking about. It’s an oasis for the LGBTQ+ community. Treat yourself to the magic!
You will be spoiled at Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel…
We booked this vacation with AIR CANADA. There are other options. You could go with Sunwing or book directly through the Gran Muthu website. I understand the hot water issue is currently being fixed. Honestly, we got by without it. The rest is just so special and magical that the inconvenience was worth it for us.
GRAN MUTHU RAINBOW HOTEL – CAYO GUILLERMO, CUBA. You will thank me for this recommendation! It’s pure magic!
“I Will Tell the Night is a touching novel about going home again. There are so many vivid details in Craig’s work, and it will fill one with a bit of necessary hope.” – Alison Manley, from the review of I WILL TELL THE NIGHT on THE MIRAMICHI READER
As a writer, I’m almost certain I’m not alone in having a literary bucketlist. One of the top items on my own literary bucketlist (LB) came true this week. Not once, but twice! For years I looked toward The Miramichi Reader as one of those publications I wished to be a part of…at any level. It’s right up there on my LB alongside the item Get Poem Published in the Paris Review.
I was absolutely thrilled a couple of months back when they responded to my wish to be a part of their WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK feature with an ‘absolutely!’ I prepared and submitted my piece for that feature at the speed of light, just in case they had a change of heart.
My Why I Wrote This Book piece came out earlier this week. You can click the image from their Facebook page below to go directly to the piece…there are several different books/authors featured:
Today The Miramichi Reader posted a review of I WILL TELL THE NIGHT. It’s such a lovely review too. I don’t know about other writers, but when I know a publication has one of my books with the intention of writing a review I am on pins and needles until that review comes out! It never gets easier. This is my ninth novel. I was as scared waiting for this review as I was ALL the rest!
“It’s a sweet and tender read, surprisingly wholesome…”
“I felt cared for by the river in Craig’s very realistic dialogue.”
I’m not going to lie, the quotes above brought a few tears to my eyes. I invested so much into this story. I still feel as though it might be the best thing I ever wrote. It, at the very least, has a very special place in my heart.
I would like to thank Alison Manley (the reviewer) and The Miramichi Reader for taking the time to review my novel. I could not be more thrilled to have it featured at such a prestigious site at The Miramichi Reader!
Here’s the synopsis of the novel:
I WILL TELL THE NIGHT – Finn Barker escaped his family in Miramichi, New Brunswick, decades ago for the anonymity of Toronto. When he learns of his mother’s impending demise, he decides to make the trip back home to say goodbye. But going back will awaken all the sleeping ghosts Finn’s not quite sure he’s willing to stir. With no time to decide, his split-second decision to jump back in has him driving across the country, with his boyfriend Steven behind the wheel. Along the way, Finn begins to unpack the mess he left behind. There’s the grandmother, MyImogene, he adored, and the twin brother who died of cancer when his own parents would have preferred to lose the other twin. There’s also the huge scandal Finn orchestrated with a teacher that gave him the Dutch courage he needed to flee. It was almost all bad.
Finn makes it in time for goodbyes, but then there’s the still very active strife between him and his father, the funeral, the family, and the secrets that shed new light on the cause of the rift between his parents and his beloved MyImogene. Every family carries secrets. Finn discovers they’re the one thing you can’t escape, no matter how far away you run. Secrets always catch up. Often, it’s death that has a way of bringing them back into the light of day. He was able to make peace with his dying mother, but can Finn make peace with all the rest…or is it time to run away for another thirty years?
You can purchase your copy of I WILL TELL THE NIGHT here:
