VOLUME 8, ISSUE12
DECEMBER 2011
The Next Chapter T H E
E A S T
[email protected]
W R I T E R S -
G U I L D
[email protected]
Wishing all a
Merry Christmas and
Happy Holidays In This Issue President’s Perspective Feature Article New Book Releases Regular Contributors Back Page “Sayings”
The East Texas Writers Guild
-
etwritersguild.org
2
The Next Chapter
Page 2
President’s Perspective
December 2011
By Pat LaVinge
It hardly seems possible we are looking at the end of another calendar year. In a few weeks, most of us might be looking back to see what was accomplished, and what was not. Will the accomplishments outweigh the “nots?” It depends.
Feature Article
As an officer of East Texas Writers Guild, what little I have done in my capacity as president may have seemed somewhat overwhelming at the time—such as getting ready for our annual workshop. What a fiasco we had in setting up our speakers, who would sponsor the event, making sure the box lunches were ordered, providing accommodations if necessary, (it turned out they weren’t, but we were prepared), and what we wanted to hear from our speakers. Then when I informed the group the workshop was scheduled the same day as my son’s wedding, Glenn Rawlinson expanded his position as vice-president, and just took over my responsibilities. It turned out to be a very enjoyable and profitable day, with much knowledge of the publishing world passed on to the participants. Now we are preparing for another year. Mike Lantz, as usual, provided a long list of possible speakers. I’m already thinking of the workshop, and since I have no other sons getting married, I do plan to be there this time. 2011 has also been a good year for new books written by our members. Cathy Myers, Bobbie Shafer, Brinda Carey, Evelyn Byrne Kusch, Jerry Clark, Donna Gandy (whose recent submission was accepted by Dancing With Bear Publishers), Marvin Mayer, Kay Sellers (whose four published novels will be re-issued), and Mike Lantz (whose book is awaiting publication). I apologize if I have overlooked anyone, but this is an impressive list from our members. I hope to add my name to those above next year. Our Christmas Party will be on December 12 at the Chamber of Commerce Building on Broadway beginning at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is to bring a white elephant gift to exchange (a great fun activity) and something to eat or drink (non-alcoholic, please). This will be our last great event of the year, so I urge everyone to come and have fun, enjoy the company of your companions, and share in the joyful festivities.
1 “Friends are good to have”
We express our sincere condolences to Jerry Clark and his family for his wife Susan who passed away recently.
Contributed Articles Christmas Party
4
7
8 2
December 12 6:00 pm
Chamber of Commerce Bldg Bring snacks/food, drink and
The Next Chapter
Page 3
Anna Russell "Friends
are good to
have." The first week in October, Bill Keith, a friend of several years, sent her an e-mail. "Anna, are you going to submit a story for East Texas Baptist University's Christian Writers Conference?" She glanced at the calendar: the conference deadline was in six days. Could she do it? With her husband's assistance and suggestions, Anna expanded and polished off a story contrived after reading a three-paragraph 1990 obituary. As she hit the "send" key, however, she knew without a doubt, "The ending will kill my chances." Somewhat dejected she hesitated to even attend the conference, although she had paid fees. On Saturday morning October 28 she arrived at ETBU and asked for her name badge. The receptionist leaned back in her chair and grinned. "So YOU are Anna Russell."
Thought for the writer's day: I finally finished my great novel. 65,000 words. I am soo proud! Take that back. I was so proud. I just finished eliminating the pesky words: is, like, are, was, were, has, have, as,
“Well, ahm, yes, I am." “You must not know yet.” She jumped up. “At last night’s banquet your story was awarded First Place in Short Story (2,500 words) as well as Grand Prize.” For nearly a minute Anna stood with her jaw gaping, then put her hands over her face as tears trickled down her cheeks. “Dove’s Way Out” tells of a prostitute who accidentally shoots and kills her fiancé then turns the gun on herself, receiving only a superficial wound. Intriguing is the community’s sympathy and the judges reduced imprisonment sentence, but how many of us would take into our home a prostitute/murderess to nurse her back to health from c o n s u m p t i o n (pneumonia)? The best follows of how a deacon gets his “come-uppance” from her former coworkers and why. Threaded throughout the story is how the fragrance of Christ and His Word can
permeate broken lives. When Bill Keith (one of the judges, a presenter, and writer/ publisher) presented Anna with the certificates he said, "I tried to convince the other three judges your story wasn’t the best but they voted me down." He chuckled. "Someday you will be where I am." Again she cried as he said, “You ARE a good writer: keep writing.” Good words for a person who wanted to quit. A side note: in 2008, Anna received the same two awards for "Arora" a fictionalized account of her grandmother's out-of-wed -lock pregnancy and the power of the Word. Anna is attempting to make a novel of "Dove's Way Out" under a different title.
As an award-winning writer, Anna has articles or stories in Wedded Bliss, Senior News, and Texas Co -op among others. She is a member of Write with Grace and East Texas Writers Guild.
“Dove’s Way Out” tells of a prostitute who accidentally shoots and kills her fiancé then turns the gun on herself, receiving only a superficial wound.
when, after, that, and seems. My 2,000 word short story should be making its way into publication shortly.
Janice Ernest Editor/ Publisher WhileUWait magazine 3
3
The Next Chapter
Page 4
4
New Book Releases Love’s Golden Dream A Book by Bobbie Shafer Article by Janice Ernest How long has it been since you sat down with a good cup of coffee, some hot cocoa, or a coke and just read? Not because you had to, but because you wanted to? How long has it been since you found a story so delightful that it actually made you laugh and cry, and you just couldn’t put it down? Well, as they used to say in the old Wolf Brand chili commercial, “That’s too long!” It’s time to open a good book again and just read. Bobbie Schafer’s book, Love’s Golden Dream is a story about a young woman who has found the strength to leave an abusive relationship. The back of the book states it like this: “Able to escape with the clothes on her back, Aimee sets sail on an ill-fated ship. Before a hurricane takes it to the bottom, an older man gives his life fortune to Aimee before he dies. Rescued, Aimee vows to use her good luck to build a new life - as a man named Mack Kaymey - and to never allow herself to be found by the man that beat her, or to fall in love again. www.bobbieshafer.com The only other person to survive the ship wreck, Lucas Chase, also settles near Aimee, unaware she is still alive. Mack recognizes Lucas right away and can only pray her disguise will be enough to keep Lucas from looking too closely. But when Mack is held at gun point by a poacher, it’s Lucas who rescues ‘him’.” The story takes the reader on a journey to Sycamore Grove and unfolds with larger than life characters who will warm your heart, make you laugh, and even make you cry a little. You will not be able to put the book down. Will Mack ‘Aimee’ and Lucas share a love story or will Aimee’s abusive past come back to haunt her? Bobbie Shafer, the author, is a member of the East Texas Writers Guild and lives in East Texas. Her characters come from her colorful past as a country girl in a small town. She has been writing and setting her stories on paper for almost ten years now, and has written for many different publications. Love's Golden Dream is the first book in the Secrets of Eagle Creek series, and if it is any indication of the books to come, they will all be worth the read. So, go get that cup of coffee, order your copy from Amazon.com, dancingwithbearpublishing.com, or barnes&noble.com, and start reading!
ETWG member and poet Anne McCrady has had several publishing credits in the past few weeks. Her poem, "More" appeared in Peace Words, the anthology for the Art of Peace Festival in Tyler. Her poems, "Blessing" and "Poverty is an Empty House," were included in an anthology dedicated to the plight of the homeless, From Under the Bridges of America. Her poem, "Con Gusano," appears in a creative new collection of poems, stories, essays and recipes about tequila called, Agave, and her poem, "Urban Suite," was selected for a publication of Texas and Louisiana poets writing about seeing the sacred in everyday things, titled Improbable Worlds. Anne also wrote a blurb that appears on the back cover of a new poetry collection called As Long As We Need, by Austin writer, Lyman Grant.
4
The Woldert Spence House Bed and Breakfast
5
The Next Chapter
Page 5
New Book Releases The Black Ice Conspiracy
is a fast-paced, biting novel about a private, secret underworld organization made up of dedicated and wealthy individuals who use their power to fight terrorism in the hope of bettering the lives of those who cannot defend themselves. In the novel, Black Ice is a clandestine organization owned and operated by a board of international elites who control and manipulate governments, industry, and media organizations worldwide. Highly trained undercover operatives are sometimes deployed for missions of a more sensitive nature. The primary tool they use to dominate nations is the system of central banking. They have funded and sometimes caused most of the major wars of the last 200 years. They manipulate populations into supporting them and maintain a grip on the world economy through the tools of both inflation and depression. Professionals working for Black Ice are placed in high positions in government and industry. Black Ice works to maintain world peace, freedom, and equality, working behind the scenes to go beyond the limits of official organizations. In the Black Ice mindset, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. They view themselves as the watchdogs of the modern world. World freedom has been threatened by a new mind-control virus. Can Black Ice stop the madness? Will Jason St. Claire defeat the leader of Dark Star—the man who was once his best friend—the man who taunts him with memories of a love long lost, but not forgotten? Andrea Weston is dead—why can’t Nicholas St. Claire accept that? Was his father to blame? Was Andrea nothing more than a sacrificial pawn? Nicholas must know the truth—whatever the cost. Reviews: Highly Recommend - Outstanding Spy Thriller Black Ice is one of my favorite suspense novels. The book has a little bit of everything including suspense, romance, action, adventure, and mystery. I picked it up at a neighbor's house and started reading it. By the next day, I had driven to the book store and bought my own copy. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book. I never knew what was going to happen next. Barnes & Noble, Anonymous "This is a strong and timely concept, immediately apparent and intriguingly written...The author's voice is strong and clear." "The organization is good and the flow is unusually adept...There are quite a few transitions in the beginning...they're handled well and keep things moving at a strong pace." "There should be a strong audience for this book...very good first book...tightly written and immediately engaging."
5
--
6
The Next Chapter
Page 6
New Book Releases This book will not be easy to read. It is not a cozy, friendly little book meant to cheer you up and brighten your day. It is, however, a starkly true story of what happened to a little girl born in Texas in 1960. Brinda Carey’s first 22 years were an unimaginable hell – unimaginable, that is, to those of you who haven’t had your own version of that hell. Sexual abuse and manipulation by a deplorable father and a descent into the emotional wasteland of promiscuity are just two of the hallmarks of that inferno. Can anyone ever recover from unrelenting sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents? Brinda Carey did. Her message of hope and renewal is for every abuse survivor living alone with her pain – and it’s for everyone who wishes to know about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and forgiveness. www.brindacarey.com
After realizing he has been drugged, Colin O'Kelly transports from his enemy. He does not make it home but instead he lands in Kate Sweeny's backyard. When he awakens he has no memory or power. Kate has been hiding from her own people, the Tuatha Dé Danann, for twenty-five years. Then a stranger drop into her protected haven. Can she overcome her fear or will she run once she realizes what Colin is. Seamus and Megan race to find Colin before Mallaidh. Tired of looking for Colin, Mallaidh sends two hurricanes on a collision course for the Florida Keys in order to flush him out or drown him. Will the hurricanes wipe out Florida or is it meant to be a distraction for something much more sinister?
0 6
7
THE INFORMATIONIST: A REVIEW
Page 7
By Mike Lantz My first choice when reading fiction has never been the genre of suspense/ thrillers. I’ve read books by Brad Thor, James Grippando, Preston and Child, and others that, although they were good stories, always seemed to leave me with a sense of something missing. I usually came away feeling disappointed, even though I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. So when I picked up The Informationist by Taylor Stevens, I began with a familiar prejudice that this would be similar to most of the other novels I have read, another run-of-themill, typical spy/hit-man novel. I was wrong. The Informationist is by far the best novel I have read this year, and the key word I would use to describe it is “compelling.” It has interesting, complex characters and a plot that twists and turns like an Ozark mountain road, from page one to the end. The reader never knows what is coming next. There is plenty of treachery and betrayal, and there is absolutely no predictability as to who will win out – although one has a sense that the central character Vanessa “Michael” Munroe will somehow survive it all. I like Vanessa. She is a fighter and a survivor. She has plenty of positive attributes: talented, tough, intelligent, tenacious, beautiful, and deadly – my kind of woman. She also has plenty of flaws, demons and issues that haunt her from her past. She is far from perfect. At times she is on a quest to live life on the edge with no sense of caution, and at other times fights with a super-human determination to survive deadly situations by either outsmarting or outfighting her opponent. She is just the sort of person I would want as a friend, never an enemy. In this novel, Vanessa is retained by a wealthy Houston businessman to find his daughter, who has been missing for several years in Africa. The grieving father needs to know what became of his daughter, and Vanessa, although reluctant at first to take the assignment, eventually agrees, but on her terms and also naturally well-paid for her efforts. Once arriving in Africa Vanessa finds herself almost immediately embroiled in a dangerous, lifethreatening environment, endangering her life and those around her. Without giving away the plot, let me say, although she survives, those around her may not be so lucky.
Mike Lantz is an active member of ETWG who has served as one of our members at large, as our Vice President for 2 years then as President in 2009 & 2010.
I tell my students if a person reads only ten pages a day, one could read a book a month. And you could do that with The Informationist, because it is only 307 pages. But, I dare you to try. The cover should have a reader’s advisory that says: “Don’t start reading this book unless you have time to finish it.” Did I say this book is compelling? It may be a cliche to say this, but this book is almost impossible to put down. I found myself reading late into the night, trying to find a stopping point, but the plot moves at such a fast pace and one chapter bleeds into another in such a way that it really does compel the reader to keep going. Ten pages a day? Are you kidding me? One hundred is more like it. Some people have read through the book in one sitting; I can’t do that. I’m a slow reader, mostly because I want to enjoy each and every word in this novel – and sometimes go back and re-read a section because my inner voice says, “She did what?” Come on. Read this book. Start with ten pages a day. I dare you. 7
8
The Next Chapter
Something To make You Grin
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS MEN LOVE
PAGE 8
BY Hugh Neeld
Ladies, Christmas is near and chances are that you’re desperate for gift ideas for the men in your life. Don’t fret. I read a magazine article recently that says buying gifts for a man is much less complicated than buying gifts for a woman. They even had a list of rules that you might find helpful. Rule #1: Buy him a cordless drill. Never mind that he already has one. Some men have a dozen. They won’t complain. A man can never have too many cordless drills, or any power tool. They always look good hung on a peg board in the garage. Rule #2: If you can’t afford a cordless drill, buy him any tool with ratchet or socket in the name. Men love the sound of these two words— ”Hey, Charlie, can I borrow your ratchet? If you need a 3/8 inch socket, you can use mine.” Hugh Neeld pens humor, and over the years his articles have Rule #3: If you’re really broke, buy him anything for his car; an ice been published in several area scraper, floor mats, a pair of fuzzy dice to hang from the rear view newspapers, and in his book, mirror. Men love anything for their car. The Curmudgeon Report. Rule #4: Do not buy men socks or ties. And never buy man a bath robe. If God had intended for men to wear bath robes he would not have invented boxer shorts. Rule #5: Buy him a new TV remote control to replace the one he’s worn out. Better yet, buy him a big screen TV with the little picture in the corner. Watch him go wild as he flips and flips and flips. Rule #6: Do not buy a man any fancy liqueurs. If you do, they will sit in the cupboard for 20 years. Real men drink whiskey or beer. Rule #7: Do not buy any man large size containers of after shave or deodorant. Men do not stink—they are earthy. Rule #8: Buy men a label maker (almost as good as a cordless drill). Within a week there will be labels on socks, shorts, cups, doors, pets—everything. No one knows why. Rule #9: Never buy a man anything that says “some assembly required” on the box. He will have parts left over and it will ruin his Christmas. Rule #10: Good places to shop for men include Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Nevada Bob’s and NAPA Auto Parts. Even if he doesn’t know what it is, if it’s from NAPA it must be something he needs. Rule #11: Men enjoy danger. Get him a monster patio grill with a 50 gallon propane bottle. Give him an extra thrill by telling him the gas line leaks. Hamburgers, anyone? Rule #12: Tickets to any professional sporting event within 300 miles are a smart gift. He is not interested in hearing a string quartet or seeing a retrospective on 19th century quilts. Rule #13: Men love chainsaws, but never buy one for any man you love. If you don’t know why, see rule #8 and what happens when he gets a label maker. Hugh Neeld continued on page 9 8
The Next Chapter
PAGE 9
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 - “GRIN” CHRISTMAS PRESENTS MEN LOVE By Hugh Neeld Rule #14: A good wheelbarrow or aluminum extension ladder is hard to beat. Never buy a real man a step ladder. It must be an extension ladder.
Christmas Wish
Rule #15: Rope. Men love rope. It takes them back to their cowboy origins, or maybe Boy Scout. Nothing says love like a hundred feet of manila rope.
CR Myers
I’m late. I’m late. For a very important date.
A question to ponder: Is the reason Santa is so jolly because he knows where all the bad little girls live?
Christmas has come and gone again. I’m late, I’m late, I’m late. We ate.
Book Signings
We ate. We ate and ate and ate. Pudding, dressing, and Shepherd’s Pie,
Marvin Mayer has enjoyed a hugely successful November with book signings in Winnsboro, TX, Rayne, LA, and Troup, TX. Another book signing is scheduled for Saturday, December 10 from 10 AM to Noon at Adventures in Learning in the French Quarter Shopping Center in Tyler.
Dumplings and roast—oh me, oh my. Cookies, candy, fudge, and cake. We ate and ate and ate. We drank and played And opened gifts galore, Our credit cards are to the max-Dolls and guns and trains with tracks Ships and games and blocks that stack
Marvin Mayer is a regular contributor to ETWG’s TNC. He also is our treasurer, He is a children’s writer, and his 1st book, Sammy Squirrel and the Sunflower Seeds is out and available to order at Barnes & Noble and online at Amazon.com. Additionally, you may purchase your autographed copy by contacting Marvin at:
[email protected] or www.kidsbooksbymarvin.com
Santa ate cookies; we emptied his sack. Hope next year he’ll come right back And bring us many more. We wish. We wish We wish, we wish, we wish. We wish you health and wealth and cheer. Your dreams come true—your family near But most of all—let me be clear, We wish you happy holidays And a happy coming year. 9
9
10
The Next Chapter
Page 10
Back Page…”Sayings” Anna Sez
Bobbie Sez
Making notes from slices of life got another story published for me. When I'm out and about, meeting people, observing scenes, and catching words here and there, sometimes I get a "gem." I scribble notes then I dash home and type something out. Later a revision produces an essay, story, or article. The result of keen listening and quick typing is the publication of "A Car for Daddy" appearing in Cherokee County Electric Co-op December issue.
With Dancing With Bear Publishing coming out with a dozen or more delightful children’s stories, it is only fitting for James Patterson to promote Encouraging Children to Read Week. His son is a staunch supporter of Patterson and urged him to write the series of children and y/a stories that tells of genetically altered young boys and girl who have wings. Since the debut of the Harry Potter Series, young boys and girls have enjoyed several series of books about witches, vampires, mythology, mystery, and how to adjust to pitfalls in school.
And My "A Car for Daddy" was published in Texas Co-op power Cherokee County EC, December 2011 issue. Although I submitted with about a six-week lead (usually a three-month lead is required), they "squeezed it in." I do have a history with them.
I urge writers of all genres to venture into the young adult, middle school age, from 9 yrs. and up, to turn their thoughts to that genre and create interesting, lighthearted, adventures for that age group.
Also, while I didn't meet NaNo deadline for 50,000 words by 11/30/11, I did add several thousand words to a novel I'm working on. Part of the project, one chapter of 1,400 words, was submitted 12/1/11 to Writers Digest Short Shorts Competition.
Interest in reading is developed in early childhood when a child bonds with a parent while listening to mom or pop read to them. Their curiosity grows as they wonder what else is there to read, what adventures await, what characters are lying unknown in pages of books not yet discovered?
Evelyn Byrne will be our speaker for our January regular meeting. Her topic will be “Social Media”.
There is a simple solution to that question, “What to buy that child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, neighbor, etc? ” Buy them a book. When giving a book, you give travels in time, adventures only imagined, pairing them with people from all over the world, and creating a need for more…more pirates, more mystery, more magic, more journeys. Books are the doorways children use to visit worlds they can only imagine and giving that doorway is giving them an education of choice.
Authors, please bring your books to sell at the annual Christmas party. Books make great gifts and stocking stuffers.
You can always present them with a library card with their book gift. A library card is a gift within itself.
Now is the time to get your articles ready for the next issue of The Next Chapter. We have plenty of space this early.
So you writers, write, give books, keep imagination of the young alive.
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s to dark to read”. Groucho Marx 10
