Under Surge, Under Siege: The Odyssey of Bay St. Louis and Katrina
While the world watched the horrors of Katrina unfold from afar, I was writing from the heart of the storm's fury in my Mississippi coastal town. My on-the-ground account pulls the reader through the horrific winds and record storm surge that scoured the state's coast.For the next three years - writing from my home as it underwent repairs and served as a shelter for survivors and volunteers - I documented the bizarre circumstances of everyday life in the devastated town. The essays have garnered several literary awards, including a Mississippi Arts Commission Fellowship for Literary Excellence (2007). "Under Surge, Under Siege" combines those essays with journal entries and interviews with fellow survivors, revealing the miraculous healing powers of community spirit.A designer, musician and civic activist, I grew up in Charlotte, NC, then migrated to New Orleans in pursuit of her artistic muse. I resided in the French Quarter for two decades before moving full time to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1996. Writing has remained my primary passion and my work has been published in various venues, includingSalonandSouthern Cultures.From my home in Bay St. Louis, I work full-time as a freelance writer and photographer. My next book - a novel - is underway.