I freaking love Christmas. Everything about it, from the warmth-in-the-cold vibe to the excuse to throw themed get-togethers. This year I even made a vintage 1950s housewife-style pineapple ham for friends that morphed into a drunken Die Hard movie night. Endless gløgg and spiked hot cocoa. Paradise! Yippee Ki-yay, mfers. Yes, zees American haz seen too many cowboy moviez.
I also love the heritage and history of Christmas, all the way to the deep roots of Northern European Jul. Did you know that, briefly, Christmas was BANNED in the colonies?! “Keeping Christmas” was legally penalized in Massachusetts in 1659. If you get too close to the rowdy, heathen partying roots of Jul, it gets uncivilized very quickly.
Of all the old Norse gods, one of the least talked about, but one of my favorites, is Bragi—the god of music, poetry, and words written and spoken. He was a pretty important figure, for what good is bravery in battle without the god of skalds to immortalize the deeds? Odin brought the world the gifts of runes and poetry, but Bragi must’ve been the one to workshop those into recognizable artforms. Props to Bragi for marrying one of the most desireable goddesses, Idunn. She was the goddess of youth and beauty, and she maintained a magical orchard of golden apples the gods ate to remain, well, youthful and beautiful. I can’t help but think if you slapped some flannel and thick rimmed glasses on them that the duo—a bearded indie musician-poet and organic apple orchard babe—would make perfect Oregon country hipsters.
When hearing Bragi’s name, I also wonder about the origin of the word “brag”. As my friend, fellow Alt for Norge contestant, and Gothi practitioner Alf Herigstad once told me, the art of the brag was very important to old Norse culture. It was often expected during special feasts or occasions to ritualistically brag, both for oneself and on behalf of others. To accept the horn of mead and declare loudly some great deed was met with a roar of approval from the fellow revelers. A chosen god was thanked and toasted. The horn was passed. Another would get their turn. You cheered.
It’s with that warm Christmas spirit, banned Jul swagger, and Bragi-style boastfulness that I reflect upon my very wordy 2023. Hail, Bragi! Perhaps he had a hand in all this.
The Year of Becoming an Author
Although my first and only book, Salmon in the Seine: Alaskan Memories of Life, Death, & Everything In-Between, came out in the spring of 2022, this was the year I really started to feel like an author. How so? Oddly enough, it’s less of a euphoric sense of accomplishment, and more of a bone-marrow deep sense of… normalcy.
What do I mean? There’s an amalgamation of little things in my day-to-day. The occasional indie podcast (here too) or digital publication invitation appearance invite via email or LinkedIn message. A comment in passing at a house party or bar hang of, “Hey! My cousin read your book and liked it, man.” New friendships with fellow scrappy, hungry authors met at a book fair or drunk after winning third in category at a reputable—but, honestly, unknown to wider public—literary award. Supporting others via Zoom book launch attendance. A pulse of endorphins when a local book store agrees to stock your book on their shelves. It’ll start as a commission arrangement with two copies, but hey! We’re on the goddamn game board at least.
There’s a pulse! Indeed, that’s how settling into being an author feels like. It’s thready, not unlike a newborn, but it’s there. On the other hand, what’s more precious than the thready pulse of a newborn? Absolutely nothing.
But, to appease Bragi, I’ll take a moment to boast. Below are the eight notable literary awards Salmon in the Seine won this year. Not bad for a “little person”, working-class-aligned memoir published via micro press!
Chanticleer International Book Awards, 1st Place in Journey Category
Feathered Quill Book Awards, Finalist in Categories of Memoir and Debut Author
Reader Views Literary Awards, 3rd in Memoir Category [Also, 5-Star Review]
Foreward INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Finalist in Travel Category
Book Excellence Awards, Finalist in Adventure Nonfiction
Independent Publisher Book Awards, 3rd in Best Regional E-Book
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist in Non-Fiction E-Book
Final plea here. I know plenty of you read the book and didn’t leave a review on Amazon. It’s dumb and I’m cringing as I write this, but if you wouldn’t mind leaving a rating and/or review, I’d be very appreciative. We’re stuck in this algorithm world whether we like it or not! You can do so here.
Transition to 100% Creative/Journalistic Writing
Last year, 2022, was the first of my adult life where 100% of my income was from freelance writing. No traditional employer-employee relationship where I had zero power. No more random deckhand gigs on tuna boats or tugboats or yachts. No hawking fireworks on the Rez or driving a tour bus or paddle guiding or oceanography research stipends. No more! The writer life for me. I’d much prefer to do those other things for pleasure or as a lark, not to put bread on the table.
But, as is often true of aspiring creative idiots like me, much of my work was in the corporate realm. I’ve said it before, if Gabriel Marquez had to write advertising copy for a chemical corporation, none of us are above it. But this was certainly not the dream I chased. Indeed, many times I wondered if a retreat to normal office space would be better. At least I’d get benefits.
This year I finally yanked myself from the sweet milk of the Monopoly Man’s engorged teet (you’re welcome for that image). It’s been all magazine articles, book sales, and editor work since the exit. Even a teeny, tiny bit of Substack money. Honest stuff. Bragi approved, Idunn organic. I’m still learning the ropes and it’s by no means a life of relaxation and ease, but who the hell trying to float as a bone fide writer is seeking that?!
And you know what? It’s been going pretty well. Thus far, it’s been mostly magazines in the sea salty space both commercial and recreational. In the Bragi spirit, below are the four Boat Writers International magazine writing contest awards I won this year:
1st Place, Boating Issues Category, High Seas for Power & Motoryacht
2nd Place, Boating Adventures Category, Creed of the North for Multihull Power & Sail (Reprinted for SAIL)
Merit Award, Frontier of Firsts for Power & Motor yacht
Merit Award, A Giant Awakens for Passagemaker
Most importantly, the work has not gone unnoticed among the general readership. Among the positive feedback I’ve received, the one below stood out for my piece about John Steinbeck’s boat the Western Flyer for Passagemaker magazine:
“I read your outstanding article on Western Flyer in PassageMaker a few days ago, still marveling at the story, and the Story Telling. Years ago, while reading The Virginian (Owen Wister), I realized how much I've learned to appreciate the story telling as much or more than the story. In the matter of Western Flyer, I delighted in both the story and your writing, as weaving the early days of the Western Flyer and the rebuild together made the entire experience almost magical. Great job! I didn't recognize your name, and simply had to look you up and contact you to say, "Well Done!" I've retold the story to my children (39/42), wife and brother, simply amazed and delighted in the story and how it was told.
Scanning through the list of other articles that you have published, I saw several that I remember reading - just never learned about the author. I'll pay more attention in the future.
Alex A. Diffey, Jr., (Boat - Camano 31', "Boatwright", Pamlico River)”
Thanks, Alex! Merry Christmas to you. Fair winds and following seas.
The Sea Chest Editor - A Career Highlight
I write with a small pile of the brand-new issue of The Sea Chest at my side. I’ve been the editor of this feisty wee tri-annual historical journal of Puget Sound Maritime (PSM) since the spring when they picked me up. This new issue, Winter 2023, is the third of my tenure. Here is my Letter from the Editor that summarizes the work the best:
I must say, it’s been an extremely rewarding gig. I’m not spilling any tea when I say that PSM—the region’s nonprofit devoted to maritime history since 1948—is going through a post-COVID era of change. A new editor (me), a new executive director, new board president, and renewed investments are all examples of the organization’s metaphorical vessel refit. But the positive feedback from what we’ve been doing has been incredibly rewarding. Motivational, even. I’m reviewing materials bound for the Spring 2024 issue now, all in the spirit of getting ahead of the press cycle.
Being the editor of The Sea Chest is one of the things I’m looking forward to most in 2024. We’re just getting started over there with a new epic chapter. Beyond us at PSM, Cascadia’s people of the sea— both past and present—have done and are doing awe-inspiring things. It’s our job, Bragi-style, to immortalize their stories with this journal. Skål!
Again, among the positive feedback I’ve been getting for The Sea Chest, this stood out:
“I just received the latest Seachest and have to say I am proud to be a member of this society.
I particularly enjoyed the comments about Roger.
Thank you to all and please put me in contact with the editor to congratulate him.
Best Regards,
Pacific Fishermen, Inc.
Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and PFI Marine Electric
Doug Dixon, P.E.”
If you’re in the holiday spirit, becoming a member of PSM would go a long way to support their good work and The Sea Chest. Membership includes a subscription to the magazine. You can do so online here.
Also! Consider subscribing to Norris Note, either for free or as a paying supporter. It’s pretty great to write directly to y’all without the clunky, disorienting apparatus of civilization in the way.
Merry Christmas, dear reader. The world may be crazy, but you don’t have to be. Gather with loved ones ‘round the tree and share some stories. What got our ancestors through dark winters a thousand years ago still works today—and will a thousand years hence.