Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A Blessed Place To Start A Novel

L Is For Lake

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


At the moment, I'm in the completion phase of my second novel, Muskoka Maharani, and one of the characters in the novel makes a startling revelation while standing in precisely the spot that I was standing when I took this photograph two years ago.

The character in my novel is a painter in her eighties who decides to finally tell an Australian newspaper reporter the greatest secret of her life. What she tells the reporter has wide-ranging consequences, but you'll have to read all about it in the novel. All I can tell you is that when she makes the decision to break her vow of secrecy, she is using oil and canvas to paint exactly the scene you see in this photograph.

In the meantime, here is my story behind this picture ....

If you believe in ferry tales, then Port Carling in Muskoka, Canada is the place for you. I'm standing on the boat dock of the Delta Sherwood in complete solitude.

There is nary a sound across the surface of Lake Joseph as I rise before dawn. It is half an hour to sunrise as I stand alone on the main dock. As the soft light appears in the sky, the still waters around me reflect the stunning array of early autumn colours of the spruce, maple, yellow birch, silver birch and dark green pine that form an arresting natural palette.

There is not a cloud in the sky as the sun shrugs the horizon's shackles and casts a shimmering shadow of slender liquid gold upon the ebony surface of the water. A few minutes later, that slim shadow has widened into a brilliant avenue of soft orange across the lake, probing both further and wider as the sun climbs.

If you could ever have a sound and light show without any sound at all, then I have been blessed with front-row tickets to this one. Suddenly, the sound of silence is eroded by the roar of a speedboat that heads unerringly eastwards, as if its helmsman is navigating down the centre of the avenue of light, controlling the motor's bass timbre.

A pity there are no steamboats on the lake today. That would have given me a real ferry-tale ending.

32 comments:

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Sheer poetry David, both your words, and the stunning photography. You have soooo much talent, I can only step back in awe. I love the outline of your plot, everyone loves a mystery - I think book no.2 is going to rocket up the best seller list. I'm so proud to call you my friend. x

david mcmahon said...

Dear Carol,

And I am just as proud to call you my friend as well, for many reasons.

Yes, the novel is part mystery, part pastoral tale and part thriller, I guess.

``Poetry''?? Dunno about that, Carol. But it's great to hear, believe me. My mother, who loved poetry and introduced me to so many aspects of this marvellous world, would have been tickled pink by your praise.

Thank you for your kind words and your constant support.

Humbly yours

David

captain corky said...

Beautiful pictures. I could spend years up there fishing. Your novel sounds like it's going to be a very good read.

Pete M said...

Lakes , Skies, Trees, Mountains, they all make for wonderful photo opportunities, well done David.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Captain Corky,

Yep, I could spend a long time ther with a fishing rod and a good book too!

Thank you, I'm glad the novel sounds good to you.

How's Junior going?

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pete,

They sure do. It's a great privilege to stand before these sights with a camera.

Keep smiling

David

Melissa said...

Beautiful photos David, and your book sounds very interesting. You had my attention when you were talking about the woman finally telling the secret of her life. It sounds very good. I just bought Vegemite Vindaloo and I can't wait until I read it!

Mike said...

The lake looks beautiful. I'd love to take a boat out there when the sun is going down. Great photos David.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Melissa,

Thank you so much for buying the book. It's wonderful to hear that. I really hope you enjoy it - but I'm happy to hear criticism as well.

I'd love to know what you think.

Delighted that you think Muskoka Maharani sounds good ... it spans two countries and peace and war as well.

Lovely to hear from you.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Mike,

It was a great privilege to be there in solitude and see scenes like that unfold in the morning light.

I am a lucky man ...

Keep smiling

David

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Your book certainly sounds interesting. Will it be released in the States?

The lake photos are dreamy and captivating.

kml said...

Wow - so beautiful, and I love the way you wrap it into your novel - very creative!

I do hope you will let us know when it is out - the pics are such teasers I can't wait to put it all together!

Merisi said...

Sure, I believe in ferries! :-))) The more, if they take me to beautiful place like the lake in your picture (I seem to remember to have seen it here before).
Good luck with your second novel,
must be a heady time, so close to deliver it to the publisher.
I spied and photographed a glass of Vegemite yesterday. Must mean good luck, don't you think so? I share it with you (the Vegemite too, if necessary *g*).

Cynthia said...

Again, wonderful shots David! Your book sounds great as well...BTW, Thanks for the encouraging words on taking better pictures!

Ali said...

Gorgeous photo David, I love night shots.

dot said...

Beautiful picture and your story plot sounds fascinating!

Neva said...

What a wonderful picture of the Lake. I will wait in anticipation for your book..it sounds wonderful!

Diva's Thoughts said...

Beautiful pictures!

fishwithoutbicycle said...

That's a beautiful photo David and I'm very intrigued by the sound of your novel. I love your blog, I'll be a regular reader.

Anyway I just wanted to stop by and say thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on my blog last week. Best, Fish

robkroese said...

You just love those groan-inducing endings, don't you?

K M F said...

beautiful photos

mrsnesbitt said...

Way David! Fantastic plot there! Great to sit down and read it after a day's teaching with 5 year olds! So relaxing to look at the photos too.

RUTH said...

Beautiful photos especially the first. Can't wait to get my hands on your book...the plot sounds intriguing.
Stay well
Rx

WalksFarWoman said...

David we're on a par this week with your 'ferry tales' and my faery tales! However your photos are simply stunning and show that extra mile that professionals go to get a shot.

Let me have a image of your book cover when it's completed and I'll post it on my blog with a link to buy.

Let's all make David's book a best seller then he'll invite us to his private island. ;)

All Click said...

Great pictures! I look forward to reading the novel too! I'm trying to start my own collection of short stories. I have the ideas..it's just fleshing them out and writing them down that's the problem. If it weren't for that i'd be famous by now ;-)

Andrea said...

BEAUTIFUL LAKE Love the sunset.

photowannabe said...

How magical. Your words painted as lovely a picture as the ones you posted.

FHB said...

Beautiful. Yep, you're the real thing, the way you weave those words together to create a compelling picture. Well done.

Max-e said...

Hi David
Enjoyed your post. You paint such graphic word pictures. Nice pictures too

Hin Man said...

Even without the boat on your 2nd picture, I feel the magic already in those pictures. The 1st picture sticks in my mind, the scene is very pretty.

Epijunky said...

It's not often that I read something and feel like I've been there...

Beautiful post, thank you.

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