It happens to me a lot.
For instance, two years ago, we were in Bamfield, BC, and a friend of ours took us out for a ride in his boat. Now, that was fine and dandy--until the engine failed. And then the second engine failed. And then the gusting wind and big swell drove us toward rocks. The water was too deep for the anchor to catch the bottom...and, oh, did I mention my then 8- & 10-year-old children were on board with me???
On the positive side we could literally see the Coast Guard station about half a mile away.
When the CG dispatcher asked our position the boat's skipper told her to look out the window because we were waving at her as he said 'Mayday, Mayday'. The rescue boat got to us in under five minutes and we didn't smash against the rocks and no one died. Thank goodness :) And I decided I WAS going to have a coastie hero/heroine one day because they are awesome. So, that's the next story I'm planning to write, assuming my editor goes for it (a little fairy dust on that one please ;)).
Tell me about your real life dramas. Anything stranger than fiction?
Toni's first Bamfield-set release, DANGEROUS WATERS, went on sale yesterday.
7 comments:
Toni--that is one exciting story. You've just sold me your first copy and you haven't written it yet. I've used incidents in my work but nothing major yet. Too close to it.
Zowie! How very scary. And can’t wait to read the coastie story. I do love my coasties.
LOL Elise, it's always better looking back (from dry land!)
Rita, I know how much you love the coast guard. It's very different between the US and Canada but they are very brave individuals.
Great post :). My disasters aren't as exciting as youts LOL. They're more domestic,like nearly missing the plane last month coming home from the US, or dropping red wine down my clothes just before meeting an important client... and yes, they'll both be in an upcoming book!
Something similar happened to my husband when bringing a boat from France around the notorious - hell can't remember its name - but it was a notorious point. Both engines failed and they were drifting towards rocks in a big sea. He sent assistant into engine room, something had come loose and crashed against battery switches.
All was well, just in the nick of time, and yes, I have used it!
Bet your heart was beating faster, eh, Toni? Most of my adventures are of the small domestic sort, unless airlines are involved. Then they are of the small disaster sort. ::sigh::
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