“Success” by Bessie Anderson Stanley
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
In this month’s journal, I feel a modest sense of success. The featured photo is of the cover illustration by artist Joshua Miller of Book 4 in the Samba Dog series Samba in Italy. With numerous accomplishments and word-heavy tasks out of the way, I can now sit back and catch some of this beautiful Costa Rican weather. My time here in Escazú is winding down. I will miss this Pura Vida vibe.
1. Accomplishments
Samba in Italy: A Halloween Mystery is complete, and I am now waiting for proofs from my printer and distributor IngramSpark.
My efforts to have the book translated are moving full speed ahead. A couple of native-speaking journalists and language specialists who also happen to be family are diligently working on the edit and proofread of the translated draft. My illustrator Joshua Miller is ready to update the cover to reflect the Italian text.
Speaking of accomplishments — have you ever returned to a task that felt impossible, only to find your way through it?
The other day, after uploading my EPUB file to Draft2Digital and having it rejected due to numerous errors — all related to a font issue — I decided not to give up. With the help of some online resources, I downloaded a program that lets you look inside the internal workings of an EPUB file. After learning the basics, I located the source of the font problem, applied the recommended fix, saved the file, and uploaded it again to D2D.
Success. Accepted — and now available as a pre-order through this link: Pre-order Samba in Italy: A Halloween Mystery
My interview with the virtuosic Cuban pianist Ariacne Trujillo has been published in The Latin Jazz Journal. I think editor-in-chief Danilo did a fantastic job.
2. Books Find New Homes
When I arrived in Costa Rica I had quite a few books — two sets of my Samba series and a couple of Dojo in the Woods. I have gifted them to deserving kids, or kids at heart.
Now, different corners of Costa Rica can enjoy the beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of Joshua Miller. Perhaps some inspiration and appreciation for fun and imagination will carry over.
3. Conversations Worth Having
Recently, I have been spending time with a couple of US war veterans who have relocated to Escazú. Some fascinating stories about life in the trenches, Bronze Stars, and the fact that a country like Costa Rica — with no military — offers a serene taste of peace and happiness.
When asked what I do, I say: a writer of children’s stories. Then I offer an example. They reply that they can tell I’m the type who walks from the restaurant to the park and probably sees a few stories along the way. More like a hundred, I reply. Pacheco and George have provided many hours of deep conversation on the meaning of a life well lived.
4. What I’ve Been Reading
For the last little while: The Last Chairlift by John Irving. A wrist-breaking book — at least three inches thick. Can a book be measured by its weight? This one is worth the stress on your joints. (I mention this because a Canadian book reviewer once noted she hurt her wrist reading Irving’s latest tome.) I loved it. Irving is a master at creating deeply flawed characters you come to genuinely care about. This book — reminiscent of One Hundred Years of Solitude in its scope — is, surprisingly, a very easy read. It takes you into the narrator’s mind, his life, his loves, and the reason for his being. He has, unfortunately, been born with the fiction writer’s gene.
I’ve finally finished it, and now I’m on to Louise Penny and her series featuring Armand Gamache, the Quebec detective. The book is entitled The Long Way Home. So far, it is a serious page-turner.
5. Things to Do in San José, Costa Rica
Flamenco, plays, and musical events at the National Theatre. The Gold Museum — catching the remnants left behind by the Conquistadors.
Enjoying this amazing weather: hiking, discovering new parks, beaches, mountains, and volcanoes.
Finding new yoga poses, getting roughed up by up-and-coming JKA karate specialists. Beautiful. Pura Vida!
My Patreon page will have a new story, a potential new Samba the dog book. You are welcome to have a sneak peek.
Thanks for reading, and remember — if you know someone who would enjoy my journal, please pass it on. All my books are available from your favourite bookstores.
Stay safe, be well, and keep on reading and writing.
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