Author, Artist, Storyteller
New Release
WILMA
A biography as told to Marilyn Woods
The autobiography of nearly-centenarian artist Wilma Creighton, as told to author Marilyn Woods, feels like an invitation into another world, the world of a woman who’s lived as large as she has long. Wilma’s stories, sometimes scandalous, sometimes sentimental, and always irresistible, are about living and aging with dignity, extravagance, and hilarity. Marilyn’s hope is that you’ll enjoy reading them as much as she enjoyed writing them, and that you might walk away as transformed and inspired as she did. Wilma just hopes you try to keep up — explore differences, find out what’s happening in the world, learn through travel, fearlessly hit the road.
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The House and the Writer
I just had a birthday.
Staggering number of years.
Years spent living a white privileged life. I grew up in Dallas, Texas where I lived with my parents and brother in a two-story house, painted the color of the leaves on a eucalyptus tree.
I meandered through the first sixty-something years of my life experiencing marriage, childbirth, graduate studies, an engaging and varied career in broadcast, and eventual retirement into a life as a farmer and winemaker.
That pretty-perfect existence changed with the force and unpredictability of a West Texas dust storm—true grit sandstorms, sixty to one-hundred mph strengthWith my family, I celebrated my fiftieth wedding anniversary at my husband’s bedside just days before he died.
Although I was certain I would never be happy again, the renaissance of me began my second year in a new house, a home in San Diego next door to my oldest son and his family. Throughout those years of country living, I vowed I would return to urban if anything happened to my husband. He always joked, “Yeah, you’ll return—with some young dude.”
There was no young dude, but there was an old house. Older than me. I fell in love immediately.
Built in 1925, the Spanish Revival home near Balboa Park in San Diego is a dignified one; she wears her years far more regally than I do. Her countenance is one of elegance, enchantment, and graciousness. Gated entry, red tile roof, stucco walls the color of candlelight, enclosed gardens bursting with vibrantly colored blossoms, arched doorways, polished wood floors, balconies, trees—olives, oranges, kumquats, apples, violet-blossoming Jacaranda trees, and lining the front sidewalk—the Mimosas I loved so much in my hometown of Dallas lining the front sidewalk.
She, this grand home, and I had a rough beginning, but she put up with my heart-wrenching sobs, fits of poor-me pity parties and occasional thought of jumping off the nearby First Street Bridge. She listened. Somehow, her silent message to me resonated. We can get through this. Together.
Time passed. Art filled the walls. The furniture was finally perfectly placed. The gardens continually bloomed. And so did my life.The safety, comfort, and cocoon-like, cashmere world I live in at the house numbered 215 saved me. Healed me. Inspired me. I became a writer in this home—no longer just a dabbler in journals.
Some of those journals turned into my first book about that idyllic time in our rural paradise—The Orangewoods, Seasons in the Country Artfully Lived—which had the misfortune to be published during the pandemic but continues to creep into readers’ hands.
And I continued to write. In my modest corner office, paned windows on three sides with a magnificent view of the skyline of San Diego, overlooking Maple Canyon.
Hard to remain uninspired in such an environment.
It was through writing that I healed. What a blessing to write. To want to write. To need to write. A perfect pastime or obsession in times of sorrow, in fear, in solitude, and in rapture.
After Goya
A Mature-ish Fairy Tale
It began with a gift. An oil painting that carried with it a bit of magic, the kind that some (inaccurately) believe belongs exclusively to the young.
On the brink of complete meltdown from the boredom and isolation of Covid-19 existence, an aging princess living alone high on a hill encounters a worldly prince in hot pursuit. His love of art and adventure is appealing, as are his dapper charms, but instead of falling into his arms, she resists for reasons even she can’t fully comprehend. This later-in-life romance is fraught with misgivings, false starts, and spells that must be broken.
Part real, part make-believe, it’s a story of love after immense loss, second chances and weaving your own “happily ever after.”
The Orange Woods
audio book available now on
Marilyn's debut memoir follows the lives of a big city radio couple who morph into small town farmers during a two-decade love affair with a magical piece of land in Southern California. Their dream-like life, complete with an orange grove, vineyard, a loyal black dog and unparalleled scenic views, comes to a sudden end when Jack unexpectedly dies, leaving Marilyn alone to face her devastation and her future.
It is an inspiring story of poignant memories, shining moments of laughter, immeasurable grief, and, ultimately, hope.
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Praise for The Orange Woods
Column: How San Diego author Marilyn Woods found creative life after a crushing loss
...when people finish reading “The Orange Woods"...they will have had several good cries over this beautiful, awful, awe-inspiring thing we call life.
Reader Reviews
David Hodgens, San Diego
The voluptuousness spills off the pages from the vineyards and orchards. The calm of rising and setting suns and full moon evenings combine with it to supply the luxury that only nature and quiet and countryside can provide. With masterful strokes, Marilyn Woods has painted with her words a tribute to a long era in her wonderful life. The vivid and crisp descriptions, seasoned with references to classic art works and contemporary music make photographs unnecessary. She has created a tribute to a time and to a love. The Orange Woods is beautifully written, but the beauty goes beyond that of the idyllic era described. It serves as a substrate for the portrayal of a love and devotion so deep that its magnitude will never be measured, as it is still expanding. It serves as the backdrop for a painful, long, slow, but ultimately successful recovery from the profound depths of loss over a loved one, and becomes a tribute to him, as well. In the dynamic of this literary painting, a tribute develops also to a strong supporting family, a limitless bank of fond memories, and of the comfort brought to one by the art with which she is surrounded. It is deeply and appropriately touching to all who have experienced love, ecstasy, contentment and loss. It becomes also a beautiful tribute to the author and artist who has lived the life and done the painting.
This precious book came up on my Kindle less than 24 hours ago. I couldn’t put it down. It is a love story spanning over 50 years. Entwined are heartwarming stories of wedded bliss, devoted family, art, music, travel and the beauty of nature. It is a love story to Jack, the authors husband, the strong, witty and sexy radio personality turned farmer and winemaker. You will cry with and for the author as she learns to deal with loss and grief. Marilyn is gifted at weaving their beautiful true life story together over the years and it will touch you to your core.
My friend, Cindy, selected this book for our next book club and I am so glad she did! I loved this book on so many levels. The author writes fondly about Pauma Valley, CA, and I live in this lovely valley. The author is an artist and enjoys collecting and critiquing art. Me too! Marilyn loves to travel and describes many of my favorite travel destinations. This well-written book is shared from the heart and with compassion. It is happy and uplifting but also heartbreaking. It is a book about healing. I look forward to discussing Marilyn's story at our next book club. An added bonus is that Marilyn Woods will be joining us in the discussion. Can't wait!
I’ve lived in San Diego for almost 44 years and could picture the many beautiful places written in this wonderful book. My hope is that this excellent author will continue to write and share more of her life as she continues on her journey. I wanted to hug her and let her know how strong she was to share her feelings. This book was beautifully written and brought not only smiles but tears as well.
Marilyn Woods writes beautifully with much love and gratitude. Her book, The Orange Woods made me laugh out loud at times, cheer for her, and then at times brought on tears of sadness. Only the best books do that. Living in San Diego county, this book spoke to me in many ways. I adored the love story of Marilyn and Jack and their love and zest for life and then the devastating loss of that love hurt as I read Marilyn's words. This story of raising a bustling family, creating a warm, comfortable and one of a kind home, her passion for her career, beloved supportive girlfriends and all that matters most in life grabbed my heart and held it until the very last page.
Every year or so i read a book that just grabs me - heart and soul. This is certainly one of them. I am a slow reader (dyslexia); which is a good thing when it is a book to savor and this one is. Every day, I treat myself to 3 or 4 chapters - between chores. It is so artfully written. As an art lover, I ate up her descriptions of how art is interwoven in Ms Wood's life. Loved reading about her love story. I have never read better descriptions of the piercing pain of grief and despair...as one of the hardest of the human condition.
Sue Chadwick, Oxnard, CA
Laura L. Engel
Ki Johnson, Colorado
Kate Joyce
Sandra, SD
215
In Progress
I was certain I would never again be happy.
Throughout my years of country living, I always vowed I would return to urban life if anything happened to my husband. He always joked, “Yeah, you’ll return—with some young dude.”
There was no young dude, but there is an old house. Older than me.
I fell in love immediately.
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The Eleven Year Plan
In Progress
“We’re moving into together in eleven years,” we tell interested parties, which garners mixed responses. Puzzlement. Hilarity. Shock. Disbelief. Silence.
It's an experiment of sorts. A way two late-in-life lovers have chosen to preserve the lustful, loving, and electric passion and adoration they are experiencing.
The unspoken question hidden in all those reactions, and perhaps even somewhere in my own heart is: will it work?
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PUBLISHED ESSAYS, POETRY & SHORT STORIES
We were together at twilight time.
As we strolled, holding hands after Cadillac margaritas and carne asada fajitas at our neighborhood haunt, the song “Twilight Time” drifted into my head.
In Stoner, a semi-autobiographical novel by John Williams, I stopped when I read the phrase “almost without regret.”
That grouping of words stayed with me a very long time. I don’t know why it resonated at the time; I think I do now.
A remembrance of minor league ball with my dad and this summer’s experience at a major league game with my grandson, Calvin.
A YEAR IN INK ANTHOLOGY
VOLUMES 11 | 12 | 13
2018
Marilyn's short story, Loosing Steamer, is included in the 2018 Year in Ink Anthology.
2019
Lyft, detailing her first experience using ride share, is featured in the 2019 Year in Ink Anthology.
2020
A short story by Marilyn is featured in the most recent Year in Ink Anthology: Volume 13.
EVENTS
