When it comes to the serious part of being a writer, the day and day out churning out new pages, most of what I do is done, here at the desk, with the computer monitor set at eye level and the keyboard on it’s ergonomic tray. But I also made a decision that I should be able to write anywhere and I take a notebook with me where ever I go, because you never know where inspiration will hit.
So, I thought I’d write about some of the places where I find myself scribbling away. If some of you have read earlier posts, you’ll know that I have a wonderful, supportive Hubster. He also happens to be a member of the Pacific Club. It is one of the oldest social clubs on the islands, and has a storied past of being elitist, racist and they did not allow women to be members until 1984. A bastion of boy- power for many years.

the view from the parking lot.

But, before it became “The British Club” and later the Pacific Club, the site where the club sits belonged to the Cleghorn Family. Archibald Scott Cleghorn was married to Princess Miriam Likelike, sister to King David Kalakaua. And they had a daughter, Princess Victoria Ka‘iulani Kawekio I Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn.  Ka’iulani was born at the Cleghorn estate, and a few years later, Cleghorn moved the family to a new estate he bought in Waikiki, named Ainahou. In 1926, the Pacific Club acquired the old Cleghorn estate. If you look closely, at the rock wall, you can see a medallion and a placard that state it was the site where the princess was born.

I don’t think this is the best image of her, a bit too stylized for my taste.

Then, if you pull more of the ferns away, you can see this maker that explains the medallion.


I often work in the library, which has a large collection of hawaiian books. It’ s quiet, with a cool breeze blowing in from the windows. You can’t help but wonder about how many conversations have been held in that room, how many “gentleman’s agreements” were made there, and how they have had an impact on life in Hawaii.
For me, the princess has been an inspiration for my current WIP or work-in-progress. She remains something of a tragic figure in Hawaiian history. Born and raised a member of the royal family, she was educated and trained knowing one day she would be queen and would rule the nation of Hawaii. But all that changed in 1893 Queen Liliuokalani was deposed, the monarchy was overthrown, and Hawaii was annexed by the United States Government. She would never live to be queen. She died at age 23 on March 6, 1899.
I don’t want to get all airy-fairy on you, and say that I feel her vibes when I’m writing there, but the title of the blog is Social Alchemy and alchemy is the pre-cursor of magic-making. And isn’t that what all writing is? A little bit of magic on the page? What do you think?

Are there special places that capture your imagination and inspire your creativity?