Before I ever put pen to paper, music shaped the way I experienced the world. As a musician, I learned to listen, not just to the melody but to the silence between the notes, which can often hold more sway. Think of the dramatic pause, the side-eye, or a subtle half-smile. These signals often change the meaning of the words they enhance, just as the manipulation of time affects the notes you hear.

I like to think that cadence, contrast, and stillness inform word choices in my work. Whether in the frenetic pace of a tense moment or the quiet impact of a single reflective line, I strive to leave resonance after the story ends. 

Perhaps that sense of space between is why the sea has always spoken to me. There’s a rhythm in its restless motion as well as a challenge in its unpredictability. For these reasons, sailing has been my lifelong passion, not merely for its freedom but for its lessons. Sailing not only teaches us how to read the winds and trust our instincts it helps us to embrace the unexpected.

Most of my writing is set in Provincetown. There is so much to love about the place: its ramshackle old houses, miles of beaches and dunes, the creative energy within its galleries and studios, the stories of those who came seeking refuge, reinvention, or the freedom to be themselves. And, of course, the ever-present ocean. (Check out my “As I See It” page for some images.)

At home, my greatest joy is my dog, Dori, who, in her quiet way, reminds me to savor every moment, whether finding contentment in a sun-warmed patch of yard or a morning walk along the beach. Our wanderings remind me to keep my heart open and cultivate joy.

I hope my writing reflects this attitude along with the joys of found family, the power of resilience, and the undeniable truth that life—like the ocean—is both challenging and full of infinite possibility.

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Thanks for reading!

A. C.