Present and Accounted For!

Hi, everyone. My name is M. Elaine Moore. I’m a fiction writer and poet living in eastern North Carolina. I’m not an NC native, but was drawn here by the Outer Banks and the infamous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. One novel and much of my poetry is centered in the village of Buxton, the landscape of my heart. Although I’ve never lived on that isolated spit of sand, each and every time I cross the bridge, it feels like coming home. My real home is three hours inland, but my soul is in Buxton.

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew swept through the Carolinas, devastating our part of the state and trapping us in our flooded home in the woods. We were rescued by boat after a long, terrifying night. Our dogs and every pet in the neighborhood were rescued the next day by volunteers including my husband. In the end, we lost our home, cars, and possessions, but all the living things I love were saved. The flood has taken a toll, and up until a few months ago, I hadn’t written a word since the storm. I’m happy to say I’m writing again after over two years.

I am the mother of four incredible kids ranging from 31 to 14. Both of my daughters are about to make me a grandma, and I can’t wait to meet my new granddaughter and grandson. In addition to my kids, I’m mom to six dogs, most of whom are rescues. Nothing on this earth will love you like a rescue dog. Writing from home gives me time to love and care for all my family members, human or otherwise. My husband, Jack, supports my writing career in every way. He is the wonderful soul who introduced me to the Outer Banks. Without him, I couldn’t live the life I have or do the things I do.

I love to read, but since becoming an editor, have trouble doing it for fun. I tend to mentally edit everything I read, from news articles to social media posts to novels. I draw, paint, and love being out in the garden, even if it’s only to pull weeds. I’ve always loved music but have no musical ability. My youngest child somehow got the music gene and plays several instruments. Nothing is more relaxing to me than listening to him play ukulele.

My biggest accomplishments aside from my children are my books. I’ve written and published four novels and one children’s book. My novels have been well received. Nothing feels quite as good as receiving a good review. My good friend and editor @rhondak introduced me to Steem, and I can’t wait to get started. I plan to blog about several different things from writing, to family life, to pets, to life in general.