Sometimes Writing Is Easy…and Fun

Last night I had a lot of fun writing my article about Huntington Beach–Surf City USA. That surprised me, because as any of the many writers who read this blog know, writing is not usually fun. It’s a chore, it’s a pain, and it’s something we keep saying we’ll get around to and some times turns into an obligation that hangs around your neck like a millstone.

But last night was different. I was researching Dean Torrance, of Jan & Dean, learning about the 20 million records they sold, and the way he helped Brian Wilson improve the lyrics of his greatest hit, “Surf City USA.” My trip there was brief but it made an interesting story, with my surfing lesson and my long lunch with Dean. The city sparkles with that California sunlight, and the beaches are wide and out on the break, the surfers wait with bobbing dolphins.

Today I’ll finish this up, and email a link to Wendy Haase, who set up the visit for me. It will be a great relief to see that story posted on our front page, with a little surfing photo as a ‘thumbnail’. Now I’ve only got one more due, about Melbourne, which will no doubt be finished soon, if I can manage to enjoy writing it as much as this story.