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March 2007
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Dear Doris,
Welcome to my mystical balcony!
We are now in the dead of winter – although, thank God, it's never too dreary here in sun-splashed Miami.
Soon college basketball's March Madness will begin. But during this pause between seasons, my focus becomes mystical, for a chiquitico, as my daughter Sophia likes to say.
| KEY WEST CHARACTERS |
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I spent a few days in Key West, with Mariate and Sophia, visiting friends and chilling out -- literally. We hit a bitter cold spell while there. Luckily, it’s over, replaced by our balmy, 80-degree weather.
I paid my usual visit to Papa Hemingway’s house and to his old haunts. I watched the sunset with the locals, ate fresh mussels and seafood at the wharf and spent hours in philosophical discussions with Guru Prahta, pictured above.
Guru was once a hotshot, yuppie lawyer who shucked it all and moved to Key West with his wife Eve. Today, he spends his time meditating, writing and enjoying the moment. And when I come to town, we argue over a good bottle of wine.
In an increasingly materialistic society, it’s humbling to spend time with a person still able to enjoy the flight of a butterfly and the nuances of shimmering sunlight on the water.
Guru owns no car or house. He lives in an apartment that could fit inside my living room. He’s happy. Are you?
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| SPEAKING OF CAREER CHANGES |
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 Doris, my tireless publicist, asked me the other day to explain the difference between my life as a jet-flying, sleep-deprived, stressed-out consultant and my life today as a lonely, chair-bound, stressed-out novelist.
The answer: speed.
A top consultant is a full-out sprinter, always looking for a quick understanding of the situation, so he or she can apply the 80/20 rule. According to this corporate yardstick, in 20% of your time, you should be able to achieve the solution to 80% of the problem. The downside is that clients are always eager for a quick fix. So consultants are stuck sprinting from one problem to the next.
A good novelist is the exact opposite. He’s a lonely marathon runner always striving for the manuscript that's 100% complete. He knows that a book written with only 80% potential is a mediocre book. So he plots, works, schemes, revises, changes and does it all again, looking to achieve total understanding and satisfaction.
As sports writer Red Smith once observed: "Writing is easy. You just sit down at a typewriter and open a vein."
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| SUPER DUPER BOOK SPECIAL |
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Calling all book lovers!
For a limited time, I have my three books -- Getting Filthy Rich, Havana Confidential and Getting Filthy Rich -- available for the discounted rate of $14.95! Go to my Web site to find out how to take advantage of this special offer.
You can also read the latest favorable reviews for Getting Filthy Rich.
If you would like to arrange a book reading with author David Pereda, e- mail dorisbloods@earthlink.net or call 407- 797-9393.
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Let's talk ...
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Que pasa?
Where did February go?
This short month was full of significant dates: Valentine’s Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and the Chinese New Year; but I was so busy, I barely noticed them.
Since I last wrote you, Colts Coach Tony Dungy and his quarterback Peyton Manning finally won the big one; and then the Super Bowl Circus left town, leaving behind a void -- for about 15 seconds.
This is Miami, remember?
The city never misses a beat. The buzz for weeks has been the death of Anna Nicole Smith and the zillion lawsuits for the control of poor -- but rich -- baby Danielynn.
Too much. No wonder I felt like taking a breather this month. And where better for a writer to chill out than mystical, magical Key West, one-time home to Ernest Hemingway.
I hope you enjoy my story and photos from my recent trip there.
OTHER ITEMS:
- My life as a peripatetic consultant vs a lonely novelist.
- Super-duper book deal!
CONGRATULATIONS to my friend, Tom, who won the Super Bowl Quiz last time! Take the Miami Trivia Quiz |
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Pereda Books | 2333 Brickell Avenue #612 | Miami | FL | 33129 |
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David Pereda is an award-winning author and college writing instructor based in Asheville, N.C., USA.
His most recent book, Havana: Killing Castro, released in January 2010 and Havana: Top Secret, released in May 2009.
He is the regional director of the Florida Wrtiers Association's Western North Carolina division and founder of the Asheville Writing Enthusiasts (AWE). Pereda also is a member of MENSA, an accomplished international equestrian competitor and track athlete. He has won numerous awards for his writing
and has been praised for its intriguing plots and sharp dialogue.
Agents, publishers and movie producers are invited to contact: davidpereda@aol.com.
Copyright © 2006-2010 David Pereda. All rights reserved.
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