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Dan Case
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Keynote Speaker Announced for “Write Now”
Conference
I compiled a list of the most
popular speakers at the “Write
Every Day” Conference 2010.
Every one of the 29 speakers at
the conference was mentioned at
least once on the evaluation
forms, but four were noted most.
They are… drum roll please…
KD Wentworth, Kelly JamesEnger, Linda Apple, and Deborah
Le Blanc. Yes, our very own
Linda Apple, our 2011 conference
chair, was one of the most popular speakers at the 2010 conference. And she is now working
hard to get some very good
speakers for next year’s conference, “Write Now!”
Steve Berry will be our keynote speaker next year. Steve tells
us he had a long row to hoe on the
way to being a NY Times bestselling author. His wife, Elizabeth
Berry, helped with the promotion
and to get him where his is today.
She will be doing a workshop for
us on how to replicate Steve
Berry’s success. In addition to
doing our conference, Steve and
Elizabeth will be staying over on
Sunday after the conference and
conducting a 4-hour writer’s
workshop for the Oklahoma Historical Society. Details on that are
forthcoming, but all proceeds
from this workshop will benefit a
project within the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The “Write Now” conference
will be held on May 5-7, 2011 at
the Embassy Suites Hotel/OKC at
1815 S. Meridian, Oklahoma
City, OK 73108. Yes, we are at
the same hotel as 2010. As many
of you know, every room is a
“suite” with either 1 King size
bed or 2 Queen size beds plus an
extra pull-out couch bed. Room
rates this time are $109 for 1 or 2
and $119 for 3 or 4 people in a
suite—a $10 increase for 3 or 4
people over the last conference
price. You can start reserving
rooms now by calling the hotel at
405-682-6000. Be sure to say that
this is for OWFI to get this special rate.
Of course, you would know
about the conference site and the
keynote speaker, Steve Berry, already if you had been checking
our website regularly. OWFI.org
has been revamped and is continually being added to this year
by our webmaster, Brad Smith.
Check out the new “members
only” area of the website. It contains an up-to-date membership
directory and the current and back
issues of The Report. To access
the members only area, you need
a password. Your old password
from the last version of the website is no longer valid, you’ll have
to create a new one. To do this,
click on the “members only”
menu item. You’ll be asked for
your email address and password.
Since you don’t have a password
yet, you’ll have to click on the
note that says “Forgot Password?” You’ll then be asked to
enter your email address and a
new password will be emailed to
you. Use this email to log in and
then the first thing you should do
is to change your password to
something you can remember. If
you have trouble logging in, or
the email address that we have for
you isn’t correct, then you can get
this fixed by emailing Brad at
webmaster@owfi.org.
Our board meeting that normally meets on the first Sunday in
September was moved to the second Sunday to avoid the Labor
Day weekend. The board will
meet at the Embassy Suites Hotel
in Oklahoma City on September
12. We’ll have a live demonstration of the new website and coffee! All delegates, officers, and
staff please plan on attending or
send someone else from your affiliate group in your place.
Right now is a good time to
start writing for the “Write Now”
contest. Categories are on the
website, OWFI.org, and in this
issue of The Report.
4
Don’t Miss This Book!
SUNDOWN CHASER
By Dusty Richards
Annie Withers , Book Review Editor
Book Three – Herschel
Baker Series
Berkley Books, a division
of Penguin Books
278 pages
Another year – another brilliant evening for Dusty Richards. He's the latest
to join a star-studded list including
Michener and McMurtry. April 10,
2010, National Cowboy Hall of Fame
gave the Western Heritage Award for
mass paperback books to Sundown
Chaser, third book in the popular
Herschel Baker series. That alone is a
first, as always before it's been awarded
to a hard cover book.
Piling honor on top of honor, the
bronze wrangler statue was presented by
Ernest Borgnine, who's amazing at 93
years old. His gravely voice made him
seem like a character in the book. Always the gentleman, Richards was humbled and slightly embarrassed to take the
spotlight from such an icon.
And Richards was spectacular, duded
up to the hilt for the formal affair in his
black hat and cowboy tuxedo. He was
pure theater as he gave the best 'awe
shucks' speech yet, telling about the time
50 years ago when, as a little boy, he had
a rare opportunity to sit in Zane Grey's
chair. On a fishing trip in Arizona, he'd
met a 90-year-old woman, the owner of
a ranch with a cabin where the famous
western writer used to stay.
“Do you suppose I could go up and
look around?” he'd asked. “I always
dreamed someday I'd be with him on the
bookshelf.”
“Well, go on ahead,” she'd said.
“Maybe something will rub off.”
To raucous applause, Richards ends
his brief words saying “And this year I'm
working on my 98th published Western
novel.”
*
Like the dusty trail from Mexico to
Montana, Sundown Chaser has lots of
plot twists and turns. And this tale has a
great collection of characters from horse
thieves and cattle rustlers to murders and
honeymooners. We've known Sheriff
Herschel now for two books, but when
we meet one of his relatives, we get to
know him a lot better. History hits us in
the face and we're pulled right into the
post-Civil War struggle. We can feel the
chaos, and the courage required to survive.
*
We shouldn't be shocked by now to
hear Richards had hardly hauled that
statue home when he was notified he'd
won another prize - the Will Rogers
Medallion Award in Lubbock for Texas
Blood Feud.
But I'm not through yet. The fourth
book in the Herschel Baker series is just
out – Wulf's Tracks, so hang onto your
cowboy hat. “Keep going Dusty – we
love you!”
Annie
Withers,
originally
from
Tulsa,
lives in
Kansas
City, and
is a member of KC Writers
Group, Tulsa Night Writers,
OWL, and OWFI. She writes
articles, mostly profiles, of people, events, and places and is
writing her first novel. She's a
designer, photographer, and
okay – a bit of a philosopher.
Pronouns: Just
Between We
by Elizabeth Danziger
Pronouns are not the opposite of
anti-nouns. They are handy little words
that substitute for nouns or other pronouns. They rescue us from writing sentences such as John drove John’s car to
John’s mother’s house. Most English
speakers intuitively know what pronoun
to use in a given sentence. However (you
knew there was going to be a however),
when it comes to using I and we, some
kind of grammatical insanity sets in.
Pronouns fall into three groups,
which are known as cases: the nominative, the objective, and the possessive.
You don’t really have to know those
terms but it might be fun to bandy them
about someday to show that you’re in the
know.
Nominative (singular-plural)/
Objective/Possessive
I-we/me-us/my-ours
You-you/you-you/yours-yours (pl)
He-they/him-them/his-theirs
She-they/her-them/hers-theirs
It-they/it-them/its-theirs
When the pronoun is part of the
subject of the sentence, use the nominative case: I went to see Martha. When
the pronoun is part of the object of the
sentence, i.e., the recipient or object of
the action described, then use the pronoun in the objective case: Martha came
to see me. When you want to indicate
possession, use possessive pronouns as
in Martha came to see my new apartment.
Now comes the tricky part: Whenever a pronoun is the object of a preposition, you must use the objective case. Of
course you recall that a preposition is
anywhere a rat can run. Rats can run by,
at, between, in, on, with, near, and so
forth. Whenever a pronoun follows a
preposition, you must put the pronoun in
(Continued on page 5)
5
Once Around the Web
FIVE CREATIVITY SITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
Jen Nipps, Web Review Editor
As writers, we tend to take for
granted the fact that we are creative. We
don’t always take time to make certain
our stores are sufficient, our well is refilled, or our pocket is stocked. Below
are five sites where you can go for creativity tips or to simply play.
1. The Artist’s Way –
www.theartistsway.com
The site was developed by Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way.
There is a discussion forum if you are
going through the course outlined in the
book. There are helpful posts and articles
even if you are not. If you are on Twitter, Julia Cameron is too at
www.twitter.com/the_artists_way.
2. Creativity Portal –
www.creativity-portal.com
Their front page currently says “101
Ways to Delight and Inspire Yourself.”
This is a very eclectic site. There are
sections for adults and children. They
cover everything from writing to painting, teaching to cooking, and many
things in-between. Articles are provided
by creativity coaches, teachers, and other
writers. (It is not a paying market.) They
now offer a “newzine” that comes out
twice a month. It includes creativity
coaching tips, book excerpts, arts &
crafts, etc. Their goal is to “jumpstart
your creativity.”
3. Creative Writing Prompts –
www.creativewritingprompts.com
I have known about this site for a couple
years. I’ve even used it a few times.
When you hover your mouse over one of
the numbers, a writing prompt will appear. For example, one says, “List 30
uses for a hanger.” The site consists only
of the one page. Ads for writing-related
books and software run along the left
side and across the bottom of the page.
4. Coach Creative Space –
www.coachcreativespace.ning.com
Developed by Dan Goodwin, a creativity
coach in England. It started out as a
stand-alone blog and website
(www.ABigCreativeYes.com), but as he
built a readership and interacted more
with his readers, he developed a community, hosted on Ning (www.ning.com)
around it. Here, there is also a wide variety of creative people covering a wide
variety of topics from writing to beadwork to artist trading cards and more.
Dan Goodwin is also on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/coachcreative.
5. Creative Thinking With…. –
www.creativethinkingwith.com
This is a new site to me, but it already
shows promise. They include a brief
biography and lessons in creative thinking from such people as Thomas Edison,
Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and
more. Some of the creative thinking
techniques they cover are mind mapping,
brainstorming, “dream incubation,” and
more. As if that isn’t enough, they have
“creativity teachers” with podcasts available.
These don’t begin to even show the
tip of the iceberg, to use a tired cliché, of
the creativity-related websites out there.
I think they are, however, some of the
best ones for writers. As a side note,
Jen Nipps is the
author of Devoted to Creating: Igniting the
Creative Spark
in Everyone , a
book of devotions centered
around creativity. She is a
member of the Tulsa NightWriters, McAlester McSherry
Writers, and Web Writing
Women. Her website is
www.jenifernipps.com.
both Creative Thinking With… and
ABigCreativeYes.com will be subjects
of future reviews.
Pronouns: Just
Between We
continued
(Continued from page 4)
the objective form. For example, you
would write Susan went to the movies
with him, because with is a preposition and because they saw a movie
together. It would be ridiculous to
write Susan went to the movies with
he. Often, both forms of pronouns
appear in the same sentence, as in he
went to the movies with her. Note that
in these sentences the object of the
preposition (with her) takes the objective case.
Any writer knows instinctively
that writing him went to the movies
with she is wrong because the pronoun
use is wrong. However, many writers
become confused when using the pronouns me and us. Somewhere in recent literary history, it became uncool
to say me. Maybe it was when Cookie
Monster began growling “Me want
cookie!” Whatever the reason, the fact
is that me and its plural partner us
have gotten a bad rap. Both of these
pronouns go in the place of the object
of a phrase or preposition. For example, between is a preposition. So if you
want to say between you and ___ what
would the right pronoun be? Right!
(Continued on page 9)
6
The Doctor is:
In
CURSES!
Robyn Conley, The Book Doctor
My 20-year-old daughter and I were
of my word choices in written or out
yapping on our cell phones about her
loud communication. Prudish? Not
really, it’s just not my character—and
car’s overheating problem in Fort Worth
-- 150 miles from our five acres in West
character is always the key. So if a WebTexas. The car was in my name and I’d
ster’s drops off my desk, smashing onto
be paying for repairs, but she believed
my toe, “BLAST!” would usually be my
“it will be fine, Mom, besides I don’t
pain word of choice. If I type too late at
night and forget to save my efforts,
have time to mess with it today.”
“Brilliant,” is the sarcastic admonition
Wrong response. I told her we’d be
I’d mutter to myself.
there in three hours to pick up the car
and exchange my truck for her to use,
A couple of decades ago, when I led
the read and critique group in Fort Worth
regardless of her schedule, because it
Wednesday after Wednesday, I would
was convenient for us that day.
call out any writer who relied on curse
Her cell phone went dead about
words rather than using his or her noggin
then. So I tucked mine into my pocket
to find a stronger, more descriptive,
and headed outside to help the Irishman
load my truck onto
TRUE TO CHARthe trailer. About
A couple of decades ago, ACTER noun or
half an hour later we
verb.
when I led the read and crihit the interstate and I
Think about some of
tique group in Fort Worth
checked my phone.
your favorite stories-Wednesday after Wednesday, written or in film. Do
The SMS face
was open to my
you remember any
I would call out any writer
daughter and full of
dialogue? If so, I bet
who relied on curse words
“@%$&*%@*!”
rather than using his or her it was because the
marks I must have
spoken line was
noggin to find a stronger,
sent shortly after her
unique, not because it
more descriptive, TRUE TO
phone had cut out.
was full of curses.
Apparently my leg
Relying on ANY
CHARACTER noun or verb.
had speed dial capaThink about some of your overused word is a
bilities I had no idea
favorite stories--written or in no-no for any writer.
existed. So the next
Relying on overused
film. Do you remember any “curse” words is a
time her phone had a
dialogue? If so, I bet it was double no-no. Some
signal again the mesbecause the spoken line was writers are quick to
sage from me looked
like it was full of
unique, not because it was full say, “Hey, this dude
curses.
sounds just like
of curses.
Of course, she
someone I know
knew I’d never send
really talks.”
such a message, but in light of our terse
So what? Does it make the writing
previous words, the “cursing” helped
unique? Does it make the writing stand
add a bit of humor and levity to a rough
out enough—or, more importantly—
moment.
does it make the character stand out
The reason she knew I’d never send
enough to interest an editor or agent?
such a message was because it was OUT
Those are the crucial factors.
OF CHARACTER for me.
Too often writers use the easy way
Traditional cursing simply isn’t part
out or what they think is a realistic
sound. Our challenge is to make each
character have a different individualism
so our readers sink their teeth into that
character’s soul and that character’s
struggle. Let the dialogue reflect those
unique traits. Allow their word choices
the freedom to enhance their personalities on the page and in our imaginations.
Their dialogue IS their voice.
Choose wisely so we remember what
they say and how they say it. Yes, it
could be your character needs to use a
bloody curse now and then. Just make
those moments count and not abuse them
like a blasted crutch, even if your daughter’s dadburn car overheated again!
Robyn Conley is the author of several books, including
Be Your Own Book
Doctor (AWOC.COM
Publishing), as well as
What Really Matters
to Me: A Guided Journal, (Walking Stick
Press, 2000); Living
the Rapture, (Hard Shell Word Factory, 2000), the biographies: John
Grisham, Influential Cartoonists,
and Alexander Graham Bell,
(Lucent Books, 1999); Depression
(Lucent Books, 1998), and Meerkats
(Capstone Press, 1998). Her most
recent assignments, The Motion Picture and The Automobile, were for
Scholastic’s Children’s Press’s new
invention series. Pray the Bible is
her latest book…all available at
www.amazon.com To learn more
about Robyn and the FREE critiques she offers, as well as current
speaker topics and availabilities,
please check out
www.robynconley.com HAPPY
WRITING!
7
Work In Progress
It’s the Fishing
Marcia Preston
On a road trip one summer, my
thought about him alone beside
husband and I sped along a highthe pond, and of course I thought
way that cuts through southwestabout writing. The fisherman’s
ern Oklahoma. Green hills rolled
day might soon be caught up with
out on both sides of the road and
plowing or mending fences or
Paul was doing the driving. When
feeding cattle. But for a few hours
I first glimpsed the fisherman, I
on that green morning, he was
was lost in plot, working on the
focused on the meditative rhythm
next book in my head.
of casting and retrieving, casting
The fisherman was standing
and retrieving, beside the quiet
beside a farm pond, casting his
water.
line into the mirrored water. I
I wondered if he was picturing
looked for a big,
the underwater
loose-limbed dog
world his lure slid
In a resultsresults-oriented
in the scene but
through, or thinkworld, it’s easy to lose
didn’t see it. The
sight of the value of proc- ing of a pregnant
man was alone
ess; we’re centered on the heifer in the pasexcept for a batoutcome, the product. We ture and the miratered red pickup
cle of birth.
are trained to set goals
that waited by the
Maybe he was
and use discipline to
dam. The pond
achieve them. That’s fine remembering a
held none of the
morning when
and necessary. Writers
weeds or brush
want to be read, to reach he’d gone fishing
that make good
others on a personal level. with his dad. Perhomes for bass.
To achieve that goal, we haps he thought
And it was midseek publication. But just of nothing but the
morning, not a
as important are those mo- stillness and his
prime time for
ments we turn inward and own breathing.
fish to feed. I said explore our own minds and Catfish for supper
to Paul that the
would have been
hearts.
man wasn’t likely
a bonus; he’d
to catch a good fish there this
come to the pond for the fishing.
morning.
In a results-oriented world, it’s
Paul had seen the man, too,
easy to lose sight of the value of
and he just smiled. “It isn’t called
process; we’re centered on the
catching,” he said. “It’s called
outcome, the product. We are
fishing.”
trained to set goals and use disciThe snapshot of a man and his
pline to achieve them. That’s fine
solitude slipped out of sight. But I
and necessary. Writers want to be
read, to reach others on a personal
level. To achieve that goal, we
seek publication. But just as important are those moments we
turn inward and explore our own
minds and hearts.
The morning I saw the fisherman, I was on a research trip for a
future novel. I didn’t have a contract for the book; the premise
was just a proposal on an editor’s
desk. Later that day I stood on a
windy ridge beneath towering
wind turbines and knew I would
write the book whether or not it
would ever be published. It was
about the Oklahoma wind I’d
grown up with, part of my origin
story. Writing about it was important to me.
Publication makes a tasty supper, but we come to the table for
the process of writing. It’s not the
catching, it’s the fishing.
Marcia is past president, twice,
of OWFI, former
publisher of Byline
Magazine and published author of 6
books and counting.
She earned degrees
from University of
Central Oklahoma, taught in public
high schools for more than a decade, and worked for a time as PR
and publications director for the
National Cowboy and Western
Heritage Museum in Oklahoma
City. She lives with her childhood
sweetheart and first husband (it’s
the same guy) beside a creek in
central Oklahoma, where she gardens and dodges tornadoes.
8
Prosper in the Gig Economy: Simple Habits for
Writers That Pay Off Quickly
By Christina Katz
OWFI 2010 Speaker
Money is what writers earn for their
time and energy. Furthermore, writing
careers are built over time not overnight.
So don't put your career in jeopardy by
paying attention to everything else at the
expense of your bottom line.
Here are nine prosperity-increasing
tips that can quickly become habit and
put more money in the bank for the same
number of hours you already work or
maybe even less:
* Make a list of paid work vs. unpaid
work, if you don't have one already, and
update it monthly. Add to-dos like upcoming deadlines and prep for future
efforts, to make sure you don't have to
scramble later.
* Prioritize the work you do that is
paid over the work you do that is unpaid.
This doesn't mean the unpaid work is not
important or doesn't need to get done. It
simply means that you will get the paid
work done first and then tackle the unpaid work.
* Spend time with other writers who
make money writing. If they are too
busy (making money) to spend time with
you, sign up for their newsletters, read
their blogs or connect with them via social networking whenever possible.
When contacting successful writers,
keep your expectations realistic. There's
a reason they make the big bucks and it's
not because they are just hanging out all
day. When you are working, whether
online or off, be aware of folks who
drain your energy or co-opt your time.
You simply don't have time for those
people when you are supposed to be
working.
* Don't confuse "nice" people with
profitable people. Let's say one writer
invests all of his time trying to make
sure everyone knows what a great guy he
is, while another writer invests his time
landing assignments, delivering on deadlines, and landing the next gig. Who is
the more successful writer? I'd say it's
the more productive writer (the second
example). And he's the one I'd be more
likely to trust, as well. So go ahead,
broadcast your success!
* Tackle the types of assignments
that pay directly. Forget about any kind
of writing job you "might" get paid for.
Also don't count writing you do for exposure as "paid." And when someone
offers you vague future money for today's actual work, take twice as much
time to carefully consider the offer. Why
not just take on the sure-thing assignments, which are the projects that pay
you directly for your work? If you keep
things simple, you are more likely to
prosper in both the short run and the
long run.
* Spend the most time doing whatever you do best even if that means doing a few different things. For example, I
don't only write because if I only wrote
all day, I'd soon be bored out of my
mind, no matter how interesting the topics were that I was writing on. A restless
person like me needs to do a variety of
things. So I also teach and speak and the
three efforts feed each other and increase
my overall value as a writer.
* However, don't spread yourself too
thin. I do a lot of different things but I've
noticed that I can only do so many things
before I hit overload, especially since I
am a busy mom and wife, as well as a
working professional. This overload
point is going to be different for everyone and can change with your life circumstances, so adjust your expectations
accordingly. You want to do everything
you do well, not just scrape by.
* Capture all of your business expense receipts as the year ticks along so
that you can benefit from every deduction available to you when you pay your
taxes. I am not the queen of filing things,
so I just get a big basket and toss all my
receipts in there until I'm ready to sort
and report. If you need a primer on the
specifics of what you can and can't expense, pick up the March/April issue of
Writer's Digest magazine and check out
the article, "Taxpertise For Writers" by
Bonnie Lee. In fact, the theme of the
issue is, "Your Economic Survival
Guide," so why not read the whole
thing?
* Be timely. Seek and adopt the simplest systems to help you meet your
deadlines, pay your bills, get your taxes
submitted, etc. It doesn't matter which
system you use. What matters more is
that you make good use of the systems
that work best for you and switch when
one method stops working for you.
I bet you want to spend as little of
your time as possible being inefficient,
so that you can get back to writing. So
keep things simple: write, earn and prosper. An efficient writer is a profitable
writer.
And now if you'll excuse me, I have
some writing deadlines to meet.
Christina Katz is the author of Get
Known Before the Book Deal, Use
Your Personal Strengths to Grow an
Author Platform and
Writer Mama, How
to Raise a Writing
Career Alongside
Your Kids for
Writer’s Digest
Books. She has written hundreds of articles for national,
regional, and online publications, presents at literary and publishing events
around the country, and is a monthly
columnist for the Willamette Writer.
Katz publishes a weekly e-zine, The
Prosperous Writer, and hosts The
Northwest Author Series. Learn more at
www.ChristinaKatz.com.
9
The Pros and Cons of Joining a
Writing Group
Pronouns: Just
Between We
continued
By Lisa Koosis
As any writer can tell you, writing is
being able to gain from other's strengths
a solitary pursuit, and most writers are
and to share your own. Everyone reaps
the benefits.
solitary creatures, quite content to work
alone. Still, writers can often benefit by
Cons
the company of others with similar goals
- Sometimes feedback can be rough.
and dreams, so many writers turn to
Writing groups are not all rainbows and
writing groups. Whether meeting in loroses. Often feedback, no matter how
helpful, can be tough to hear. Many
cal, public places or in an online format
groups take a policy of "zero sugarcoatonly, writing groups can be a blessing
for a writer.
ing." If they don't like
Joining a writing
something, you'll know
group, however, can be Writing groups are wonderful it. Be sure you're prea big investment of time tools for a writer. They of- pared to take (and give)
criticism.
and effort. So if you're
fer support and encourage- difficult
- Writing groups often
thinking about joining
such a group, you might ment, vital feedback, and a require a commitment.
want to weight the pros
sense of camaraderie often For writing groups that
and cons to decide if it's missing in a writer's life. If focus on critiquing, you
worth your while.
may be required to proyou sow your seeds well, vide several, in-depth
Pros
- Writers often find you'll reap priceless rewards critiques on work from
that family and friends,
group members.
from your writing group. other
no matter how wellYou may also be reintentioned, are often
quired to bring a new
less than supportive of their "hobby".
piece of work, ready to be critiqued, to
Writing groups are a great way to find
meetings. So be aware of and ready to
oft-needed encouragement and support
comply with group requirements.
from others who share the same inter- That pesky old issue of public
ests, dreams and goals.
speaking. In most writing groups, mem- Writing groups -- if you find the
bers read aloud from their work. Those
right one -- are great for critical feedwho are uncomfortable with public
back. If you're considering submitting
speaking might be better suited to online
your work for publication, a good writgroups.
ing group can be invaluable towards
*
helping with those final edits, offering
Like everything else, writing groups
suggestions on continuity, wording,
are not for everyone, and these are just a
characterization, and other vital parts of
few things to consider when thinking
your work.
about joining such a group. Ultimately,
- Like any other profession, netfor those willing to put in the time and
working is one of the tools for success.
effort to make it a worthwhile experiWhat better way to network or to situate
ence, there are definite benefits to be had
yourself for networking than to join a
by joining a writing group.
writing group?
Lisa Koosis is an author on
- In any given writing group, there
will always be members with different
http://www.Writing.Com
strengths and weaknesses. One of the
which is a site for Writers
greatest benefits of a writing group is
(Continued from page 5)
It’s me. Contrary to the beliefs of certain
broadcast personalities, there is nothing
classy about saying or writing between
you and I. This phrase is actually an incorrect use of the pronouns.
Another form of pronoun abuse has
become endemic among certain groups,
particularly among teenagers and children. Instead of saying Mary and I want
to go to the movies, they will say “Me
and Mary want to go….” Pronoun barbarians even descend into phrases such
as “Me and her want to go….” These
phrases reek of ignorance. When the
phrase containing the pronoun is the
subject of the sentence, it requires the
subjective case of the pronoun. At least
you and I will be using these pronouns
correctly.
Obviously, using these words is not
brain surgery. Maybe we should keep
that just between us.
About the Author: Elizabeth
Danziger, author
of writing text
"Get to the
Point!" has
trained business people all
over the U.S. to write clearly
and concisely. Her clients
include Norwest, Transamerica, Lipton, U.S. Dept.
of Commerce and others as
well as smaller firms. Find
her at http://
www.worktalk.com
10
Write Now Conference
2011: Contest Information
Contest Eligibility Requirements
and Entry Procedures
For each entry, contestants must
include a self-addressed, 9 x 12
stamped envelope (SASE), and a
standard OWFI cover sheet. Contestants must pay careful attention to
format and word length. To facilitate
fair judging, entrants' names MAY
NOT appear on the manuscript.
The annual OWFI contest is
open only to paid OWFI members.
If you are not yet an OWFI
member and wish to join, you may
submit the membership form and
your dues payment along with your
contest entry form, or send it separately to the OWFI Treasurer. (Name
and address are on the form). You
may join as a Member-at-Large (no
association with any recognized
OWFI affiliate writing group) for
$25.00, or as an affiliate member for
$15.00 ($20.00 if paying after November 30, 2010) plus any dues required by the affiliate and paid to the
affiliate. Check the list of approved
OWFI affiliates and their contact
information at www.owfi.org.
Note: Members who join OWFI
between mid October and mid February are advised to review contest
information and requirements posted
on this website, or photocopy all
contest information from a fellow
member to ensure having it well in
advance of the contest deadline.
1. Entrants must be paid-up members of OWFI or full-time students (students must provide
verification of student status).
Membership dues are $15 per
year if paid before November
30th and $20 if paid after November 30th for affiliate club
members and $25 for membersat-large.
2. No manuscript that has won a
cash prize (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in a
previous OWFI contest may be
entered again — EVER.
pay for individual entries.
9.
10.
3. Contestants who win first place in
an OWFI contest category may not
enter that same category the following year.
4. Unpublished entries must be unaccepted for publication at the
time of submission. (If accepted
by a publisher after entry, the
submission will be considered
valid.)
5. Electronically published novels
for the trophy awards must be
hard copied before being sent to
the category chair.
Persons, whether entering as a
team or an individual, may enter
a category only once.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
Entrants must pay a $20 NONREFUNDABLE entry fee,
which covers administrative
costs and awards. This entitles
participants to enter as many
categories as they want (see #9
above).
11. Manuscripts must be submitted
to the appropriate Category
Chair.
12. Entries must be postmarked by
February 01, 2011. OWFI is not
responsible for entries lost or
delayed in the mail.
13.
Mail all entries flat, no folds.
Folded manuscripts or entries in
envelopes smaller than 9" x 12"
will be disqualified.
6. Judges may not enter contests
that they are judging.
7. Category Chairs may not enter
category they chair.
8. If entries are co-authored, all
members of the writing team
must be OWFI members. The
team will be considered a single
entrant. and must pay a separate
entry fee for their co-authored
entries apart from any fees they
MS PREPARATION & FORMAT
14. All unpublished manuscripts
must be editor-ready. That
means *typed and doubled
spaced* on one side of 8½" x
11" white paper with headers and
page numbers. Poetry may be
singled spaced. Book sample
chapters must also be double
spaced but "front/back matter"
such as synopsis/overviews, ta-
11
Contest Eligibility Requirements and Entry
Procedures
Continued
ble-of-contents, and chapter outlines should follow industry
standard (double-spaced, singlespaced or combinations thereof).
Play, film, or TV scripts should
follow industry-standard formats. Use an easy-to-read 12point font such as Times Roman
or Courier that results in approximately 250 words per page
(about 25 lines per page). Manuscripts using small print which
violate these conditions will be
disqualified. Fancy fonts other
than italics are not allowed.
Clear photocopies or computer
printouts (laser, ink-jet, or nearletter-quality dot matrix) are acceptable.
15. For ALL ENTRIES in unpublished categories (books, short
works, and poetry): In the upper
right hand corner of the first
page, type the category number.
Beneath the category number
(upper right hand corner of the
first page) type one of the following:
* Number of lines (for poetry
entries)
* Number of pages entered
(for book-length prose entries)
* Word count for short works
of prose (short stories, articles, etc.).
Calculate using word processor word
count or average 10 words per line,
25 lines per page.
* Specific genre (see category
descriptions) in multi-genre categories--optional but highly recommended
16. Entries over the maximum length
or under the minimum length
will be disqualified.
17. No author's name, pen name or
other author identification may
appear on any manuscript page.
Do not submit a manuscript in
which your name is blacked out,
whited out, cut out or covered
with tape.
18. A completed copy of the 2011
Official Cover Sheet must be
attached to each submission with
a paper clip (do not staple). The
sheet must include: Category
name, manuscript title, name of
club, author’s name, address and
phone number. If not affiliated
with any OWFI club, check
Member-at-Large box.
19. All entries must include a selfaddressed envelope no smaller
than 9" x 12." If you plan to pick
up your entries at the conference,
you may omit postage, but the
self-addressed envelope is required. Use your own name and
address for both addressee and
return address on these envelopes. Paperclip the return envelope to each entry. Note: Trophy
entrants who choose not to pick
up their materials at the conference should provide an appropriately sized and stamped mailer
for postal return of their published book entry. Entries without the proper return envelope
will be disqualified and destroyed. Entries without return
postage, which are not picked up
at the conference, will be destroyed.
CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION
· Entries or entry forms/fees postmarked after the February 01, 2011
deadline.
· Contestants or entries fail to meet
the Eligibility Requirements (see
above).
· Manuscripts folded or mailed in
envelopes smaller than 9" x
12" (SEE EXCEPTION for Trophy
entries).
· Entries sent to the wrong Category Chair, though authors may resubmit before the postmarked deadline.
· Any manuscript that is not
“Editor-Ready”
- Handwritten manuscripts.
· Manuscripts which use smaller
type that allows more than 250
words on a double-spaced page
(approximate).
· Entries over the maximum length
or under the minimum length.
· Entries that contain any author
identification (name, pen name, byline, etc.) any place other than the
coversheet.
· Entries without the proper return
envelope (these will also be destroyed).
· Any manuscript found not to be
the original work of an entrant. The
Executive Board or its designated
committee will screen all winning
entries.
12
2011 Write Now
Contest Categories
Following are the 33 contest categories to which you may submit your entries. The first 29 are for unpublished
works (must be unaccepted for publication at the time they are entered into the
contest.) Categories 30 through 33 are
trophy awards given for books published
in the previous year. In addition, a
Crème -de-la-Crème award winner is
chosen from among all the first place
entries of the unpublished categories.
1. Mainstream Novel: Fiction-- Mainstream is a ‘genre-less’ category. A
successful mainstream novel tackles
subjects of universal appeal, driven by
characters and plots that find acceptance
in the “mainstream” of readers. A mainstream novel can be a romance (Nora
Roberts), a horror novel (Stephen King),
fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien), mystery/
suspense (Robert Parker), historical
novel (Patrick O’Brian), and even young
adult (J.K. Rowling). Traditionally, this
category is large and diverse. Submit
first consecutive chapters including prologue, if any, and synopsis. Complete
submission limited to 45 pages (or less).
2. Contemporary Romance Novel:
Fiction-- Contemporary romance novels
take place ‘present-day,’ following
strong, vivid characters on their journey
of discovery and emotional conflict to a
shared and satisfying conclusion. No
plot point, setting, or current event takes
precedence over the one central theme:
the relationship between the two main
characters. The end must leave the
reader believing the protagonists' love
will endure the rest of their lives. This
category includes romantic suspense and
Christian romances. Submit first consecutive chapters including prologue, if
any, and synopsis. Complete submission
limited to 45 pages (or less).
3. Historical: Fiction-- Historical encompasses novels set anytime in the recent or distant past (pre-1900) including
Ancient Greece, the Old West, knights
or cave people. These novels are time
capsules of an era and/or culture--the
setting serves as a character itself. However, “Historical romance” focuses on
the relationship between the two main
characters as they fall in love, not the
world events happening around them.
Submit first consecutive chapters including prologue, if any, and synopsis. Complete submission limited to 45 pages (or
less).
4. Mystery/Suspense Novel: Fiction-This category is made up of two broad
categories. Mystery Novels are all about
the ‘whodunit.’ These books have a
strong hook/murder and a cast of suspicious and compelling characters, and
readers compete to solve the puzzle before the author reveals the answer.
Whether told in first person or third,
mystery novels showcase the main character as he/she follows a maze of clues
and incidents leading to the Big Reveal.
Detective and police procedural, espionage/spies, amateur sleuth, series or
stand-alones, a winning mystery novel is
a tightly-woven question from beginning
to end. Suspense Novels and related
Thrillers also require a strong hook that
often includes a murder/death involving
a strong main character and compelling
cast. But unlike mysteries, suspense/
thrillers more often focus on ‘howdunit.’ The antagonist may be an individual, organization (government), or
thing (virus) known to readers from the
beginning but often hidden from the protagonist. Suspense novels and thrillers
may be first person but more often third
person, and often employ more than one
viewpoint character. The main character
may be the good guy or the bad guy.
Whether a medical, psychological,
techno, legal, or other sub-genre, the
winning suspense novel is action-driven
from beginning to end. Help the judge by
noting “mystery” or “suspense/thriller”
on your mss. Submit first consecutive
chapters including prologue, if any, and
synopsis. Complete submission limited
to 45 pages (or less).
5. Western Novel: Fiction-- Novels in
this category exemplify the flavor,
drama, and resilience of the people who
populated the wild frontier of the western United States between the 1700’s
and 1800’s, as well as Contemporary
themes of the modern West today. Cowboys, Indians, pioneers, gun battles,
ranch life, western novels can be either
epic or intimate in scope. If the story
revolves around the relationship between
two characters that only lived in the old
west, move up two categories to Category 3 (Historical).Western novels are
time capsules of an era and/or culture,
the setting a character itself. Submit first
consecutive chapters including prologue,
if any, and synopsis. Complete submission limited to 45 pages (or less).
6. Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Novel: Fiction--This category is made up of three
totally different genres: Science Fiction,
A novel in which futuristic technology or otherwise altered scientific principles contribute in a significant
way to the adventures. Often the novel
assumes a set of rules or principles or
facts and then traces their logical consequences; Fantasy, Any novel that is
disengaged from reality, often set in nonexistent worlds, such as under the earth,
in a fairyland, on the moon, etc. The
characters are often something other than
human or include nonhuman characters;
Horror, fiction in any media intended to
scare, unsettle or horrify the reader. His-
13
2011 Write Now
Contest Categories
torically, the cause of the "horror" experience has necessarily been the intrusion of an evil, or occasionally misunderstood, supernatural element into everyday human experience. Any fiction
with a morbid, gruesome, surreal, exceptionally suspenseful or frightening theme
has come to be called "horror." Help the
judge by noting “sci-fi” or “fantasy” or
“horror” on your mss. Submit first consecutive chapters including prologue, if
any, and synopsis. Complete submission
limited to 45 pages (or less).
7. Nonfiction Book: (Any non-fiction
book)--This category is made up of an
enormous range of divergent genres,
composed of two broad categories which
typically are presented/pitched very differently in the marketplace; however, all
seek to educate, inform, and/or entertain
and sometimes inspire. Narrative Nonfiction follows the form and style of
various fiction genres (think The Perfect
Storm and First, Do No Harm). Depending on style, biographies and autobiographies or family histories may fall under
the narrative nonfiction umbrella, which
basically consists of any “true” subject
told in a narrative form. The author often
has a personal stake or shared experience
in the story. This form requires strong
viewpoint character(s), story problems
and satisfying resolutions. Length of
complete work parallels similar works of
fiction. General Nonfiction more commonly presents technical, self-help, howto information, inspirational works, or
otherwise fact-based material derived
from an author’s own expertise, author
research, and outside expert sources.
Style varies widely but in all cases content must be presented in a pleasing and
accessible format. Chapters typically are
broken up with sidebars, bulleted lists,
photos/illustrations, tables and other
value-added materials and may include
direct quotes, footnotes, etc. Length of
finished work varies widely, from short
(under 20,000 words) illustrated gift
books to encyclopedia-length reference
books over 150,000 words. Help the
judge by noting “narrative” or
“general” on your mss. For Narrative
Nonfiction submit first consecutive
chapters (and prologue, if any) with full
synopsis. For General Nonfiction submit any representative chapters, and
include a chapter outline OR book proposal per industry standard (overview,
market analysis/competition, table of
contents, etc). Submission limited to 45
pages.
8. Picture Book: Fiction or nonfiction (for ages 1-8)-- Picture books
are large art-filled books for children,
which are primarily targeted to ages 08, but are also appealing to older kids
and even adults. They are designed
to bring information and/or entertainment to life for young eyes, and the
text must be minimal. These books have
a beginning, middle, and end. Picture
books do not necessarily feature a character, but when they do, he/she/it must
solve his or her own problem and the
problem should be something significant. Often a picture book portrays a
concept such as numbers, letters,
weather, colors, etc. They may also
evoke a mood, such as a bedtime story.
These books should be engaging and
present the topic in a fresh, child-like
way. In addition, the well-conceived
picture book should allow plenty of
room for the illustrator to portray the
action without author intrusion. (Show,
don’t tell). Ten pages maximum.
9. Middle Reader Book: Fiction or
non-fiction (for ages 8-12)—Same as
Category 10, yet written for younger age
children. For fiction, think Hank The
Cow Dog. Submit first two chapters,
complete synopsis or outline, prologue if
any and/or nonfiction proposal (per industry standard). Submission limited to
35 pages.
10. Young Adult Book: Fiction or
non-fiction for ages 11 and older-This category has the same rules as all
books: for novels, write compelling stories with beginnings, middles, and ends.
For nonfiction, provide accessible and
interesting content that informs, inspires
and/or educates. YA books are written
primarily to the older teen audience (1518). For novels, think Harry Potter; the
main character should have an important
problem he/she struggles to solve. The
story should engage the reader in caring
whether the character achieves that goal
by story’s end. These often deal with the
tribulations of growing up. Non-fiction
should focus on providing information
that educates and informs the reader.
Review the various novel and nonfiction
book categories for further descriptions.
Help the judge by noting “novel” or
“nonfiction” on your mss. Submit first
chapters and prologue, if any, with complete synopsis or outline, and/or nonfiction proposal (per industry standard).
Submission limited to 35 pages (or less).
11. Poetry, Unrhymed-Short-- Any
theme, any style. Poetry deals with
the poet’s voice, with images, with
ideas, but set in strict forms dictated
by poetry conventions/standards and
the author’s imagination. Poetry
may tell a story, present a single
idea, paint a picture or feeling with
words, etc. In all cases, it is an art
form and should go beyond plain
prose to evoke something deeper. 16
lines and shorter. (Epigraphs and
spaces are not part of the line
(Continued on page 14)
14
2011 Write Now
Contest Categories
(Continued from page 13)
count.)
12. Poetry, Unrhymed-Long-- Any
theme, any style. Poetry deals with the
poet’s voice, with images, with ideas,
but set in strict forms dictated by poetry
conventions/standards and the author’s
imagination. Poetry may tell a story,
present a single idea, paint a picture or
feeling with words, etc. In all cases, it is
an art form and should go beyond plain
prose to evoke something deeper. l7
lines and longer. (Epigraphs and spaces
are not part of the line count.)
13. Poetry, Rhymed-Short-- Any
theme, any rhyming form. Poetry deals
with the poet’s voice, with images, with
ideas, but set in strict forms dictated by
poetry conventions/standards and the
author’s imagination. Poetry may tell a
story, present a single idea, paint a picture or feeling with words, etc. In all
cases, it is an art form and should go
beyond plain prose to evoke something
deeper. 16 lines and shorter. (Epigraphs
and spaces are not part of the line count.)
14. Poetry, Rhymed-Long-- Any
theme, any rhyming form. Poetry deals
with the poet’s voice, with images, with
ideas, but set in strict forms dictated by
poetry conventions/standards and the
author’s imagination. Poetry may tell a
story, present a single idea, paint a picture or feeling with words, etc. In all
cases, it is an art form and should go
beyond plain prose to evoke something
deeper. 17 lines and longer. (Epigraphs
and spaces are not part of the line count.)
15. Short-Short Story (Adult): Fiction-- Same description as a Short Story
(see summary in Category 16), but
shorter. Not more than 2000 words.
16. Short Story (Adult): Fiction-- A
short story is a brief piece of fiction
pointed and more economically detailed
as to character, situation, and plot than a
novel. They often revolve around a single theme, one climactic event developing a single character in depth. Narrower than a novel, a short story contains
these basic elements: characters, setting,
plot, conflict, resolution, climax, dialogue, protagonist, and antagonist. All
short stories should present the major
character with an important problem that
the character must struggle to solve, and
engage the reader in caring about
whether the character achieves that goal
by story’s end. 2000 to 4000 words.
17. Juvenile Short Story: Fiction-Same description as a Short Story
(Category 16), yet with a subject matter
aimed at readers ages 3-7. 600 words
max. For readers 8-12, 1000 words
maximum. Must put age range with
word count on page one of manuscript.
18. Young Adult Short Story: Fiction- Same description as a Short Story
(Category 16), yet with subject matter
aimed at readers 12-18. Limit 1200
words.
19. Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Story: Fiction-- Same description as a Short Story
(Category 16), yet with subject matter
aimed at readers interested in the three
genres represented (see Category 6 for
details). Help the judge by noting “scifi” or “fantasy” or “horror” on your
mss. Limit 5000 words.
20. Prose Humor: Fiction or Nonfiction-- Prose humor is exactly that: a
piece of writing meant to evoke humor.
Everyday experiences can resonate with
the reader, or common interest stories
when written in a clever and entertaining
voice bring forth a smile. The humor
piece should also meet the criteria of its
form; column, short story, article/feature
or essay. Limit 2000 words.
21. Essay (Any subject of contemporary interest.)-- Essays are personal
opinion pieces using narrative form to
convince the reader of a certain point of
view, or at least to better understand that
writer’s view. There are formal, factdriven essays (George Will), and informal, lighter essays (Erma Bombeck).
Bear in mind the quality and logic of the
argument and how well the author uses
facts, reasoning, and literary tools such
as analogy to convince. Sometimes an
opinion can be presented, a point of view
expressed, an argument driven home, in
a novel or unusual way: by telling a
story or seeming to take the opposite
point of view, or a fable with a clear
moral at the end. Limit 2000 words.
22. Play, Film, or TV Script-- One,
two, or three acts. As in all categories,
must be unaccepted and unproduced at
time of submission. Help the judge by
noting “play” or “film” or “TV script”
on your mss. Format should follow accepted industry standards. Submit 10 to
30 consecutive pages and complete synopsis.
23. Technical and/or How-To Article
(Any subject.)— This category is made
up of two different genres that both aim
to educate readers in different ways.
Each style presents a problem, describes
why it matters, then provides the solution--and sometimes offers a call to action. Technical Articles generally are
longer, and cover a narrow but serious
subject in great depth and rely on more
than one expert (often including the author) to provide information that educates and informs a specific target audience. While the article may be scientific,
15
2011 Write Now
Contest Categories
it should also be readable and easy to
understand and absorb. The reader
should come away with useful information. How-To Articles often are shorter
info-tainment (1500 words may be too
long!) lighter fare that may rely on the
expertise of the author alone. These articles not only educate and inform, they
also provide specific and detailed steps
for the reader to accomplish the stated
goal (how to bake cookies, make a craft,
prepare a devotional, write a novel). A
central theme follows through to the end.
Help the judge by noting “technical” or
“how-to” on your mss. Not more than
3000 words.
24. Feature Article: Non-fiction-(Any subject.) These are the articles
listed prominently in a publication
(magazine, newspaper, online, etc) covering a subject of great interest to that
venue’s target audience. The article must
clearly have a reason to exist and not
simply serve as a vehicle for advertising.
Nor should it be a vehicle for presenting
the author’s opinion about a particular
topic (For opinion pieces, see the “howto” or “inspirational” or “essay” category
descriptions). More than just-the-facts, a
feature article uses a great hook, expert
quotes, and a bang-up conclusion to convey its topic. The author’s style or
“voice” gives the piece life. Not more
than 2500 words.
25. Western Article: Non-fiction—
Whether dealing with some historical
aspect/person, or just the best little dude
ranch in Texas, the western article needs
to always retain its distinctive flair. Refer to descriptions for technical article
and feature article--and incorporate the
western flavor. 1000-5000 words.
26. Inspirational Article-- Should concern a personal experience or struggle,
which provides inspiration or hope to
others. A profile or personal story should
touch the reader in some way and/or
impart a valuable message and/or educate the reader in some way. Not necessarily religious in nature, the piece
should strive to inspire and motivate the
reader. It may be a vehicle for presenting
the author’s opinion about a particular
topic that has personally affected him or
her, and may also include a call to action. The author’s style or “voice” gives
the piece life. Limit 3000 words.
27. Mazie Cox Reid Column Award—
A column is a reoccurring piece that
would commonly run with a byline and
photo (think Dave Barry, Hints From
Heloise). These are theme pieces—
whether humorous, political, or how-to,
the overall theme, author’s style and
column format remains the same for
each installment. The column should be
consistently useful, and should have a
clear reason for existing. Columns usually are assigned to writers with expertise in the subject, because an author’s
credentials lend credence to the words.
Columnists present a distinctive voice;
you should feel you are getting to know
the columnist and have a reason to read
him or her again and again. Submit three
different columns (newspaper or magazine) of no more than 600 words each.
28. Confession Story: First person
fiction—The thing to remember when
writing a confession is that these stories
are strictly formulaic: sin, repent, reform. The characters begin with a problem (sin), go on to confront the problem
(repent), then take steps to fix it
(reform). While all endings needn’t be
happy, stories should be uplifting and
encouraging. Above all, a confession
story is a short story (see Category 16).
Beginnings, middles and ends are re-
quired. Limit 5000 words.
29. Nostalgic Prose—Short stories that
focus on down-home occurrences reflecting the past, these pieces evoke a
fond remembrance of a time gone by, or
memories of childhood. Common interest is the goal here. 1200 words maximum.
The following awards are trophy
awards given for books published in the
previous year. In addition, a Crème -dela-Crème award winner is chosen from
among all the first place entries of the
unpublished categories.
Best Juvenile Book Award: Published book of fiction or non-fiction.
Ages 1-18.
Best Nonfiction Book Award: Published non-fiction book.
Best Book of Poetry Award: Published book of poetry
Best Book of Fiction Award: Published book of fiction (novel or short
story collection)
Creme-de-la-Creme Award.
True creativity
often starts
where language
ends.
Arthur Koestler
16
How to Write a Book in Just 3-30 Days Even if
You Can't Type
By Michele Blood
Well, I feel that everybody has a
book in them. It's just a matter of when
you're going to write it.
Do you have experience or expertise
in some particular area? What about all
your work/career experience, personal
relationships, spiritual searching and
studies, all the knowledge, all your life
experience, the things that have helped
you in life?
Perhaps you're a computer programmer, you're a single parent, you've been
in sales, you know how to open a restaurant or a hairdressing salon. You know
what NOT to do in relationships etc.
which mean you know what to do!
Right? Well, I feel that everybody has a
book in them. Everyone has a story to
tell or an experience to help people.
Perhaps you have a how-to book in
you or it could be an audio program or
video/DVD. It's such an AWESOME
way to help yourself have PR for your
life's work and/or business. Also having
written a book will bring you 110%
more credibility in the marketplace. So
let's begin ...............
How do we write a book Michele????
This process I am about to share
with you is so simple and so much fun.
My friend Wilma McIntyre and I wrote
"Conversations on Money, Sex and
Spirituality in just 3 days using my
method. I have been using this method
now for over 12 years. I made it up because when I wrote my first book I could
not type. This process you can also use
when you are going to create a motivational audio program or even a video.
(Unless you can adlib to perfection. If
you cannot adlib without “um” thrown in
KEEP reading) as this method will help
you become very clear and totally professional.
Even IF you do not think you have a
book in you, writing out the following
exercises will help you gain so much
clarity on what you do want to do.
I have had MANY people complete
this section at my live events, really not
thinking they had a book in them and
some ended up writing books very
quickly with more enthusiasm and passion then they ever knew they had.
If you are reading this now because
you DO wish to write a book, I have
some GREAT and yet simple examples
to help you get started OR to quickly
improve the writing you are presently
doing.
First of all, make a decision on what
it is you choose to write about. For example, if I was in network marketing and
I'd been in the business for a while and
had success, I know that having a book
on how to have a successful network
marketing business would be tremendous for adding publicity and credibility
about who I am. This can be handed out
and also sold through your own Website,
or other websites including Amazon.com, and through many other areas.
If you do choose to self-publish your
own book, which I believe is a wonderful, freeing way to begin a writing career, we'll be covering that topic in another one of my articles on in the "How
to Self-Publish." For now let's get the
book written.
Write down areas of experience in
your life. List six areas of experience
you have in life. For example:
I have studied many spiritual books
and been to many seminars and
feel that I have a great metaphysical self-help book in me.
I have experienced a great deal of
success in sales, and would like
to write a book on sales.
I have a great deal of experience on
how to bring up children as a
single parent.
These are just a few examples to get
you started, because starting is what it is
all about. Go ahead and fill in six areas
that you have experience in from career
related experience to your personal and
home life.
AREAS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
Now that you have listed the areas
of experience that you have, write the
top three areas that you feel the most
desire to write about.
TOP THREE LISTING FOR
your Book, Audio Program, Product
IDEA:
Next, pick your number one area.
NUMBER ONE AREA I WOULD
LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT:
Okay, now you have the area you
would like to write about. Whether it is
fiction, non-fiction, a how- to - book, or
a workbook, an audio program or even a
video/DVD, next you are going to write
down some ideas for your title. It makes
it very, very easy so please do this with
an open mind. Write down five ideas
now, just off the top of your head. Don't
get too much into your left brain. Let the
ideas flow through your right brain, and
just write down anything you think of.
How to Bring up Children as a Single Parent
How to Increase Your Sales
How to Eat a Healthy Diet in the
Fast-Food Lane of Life.
Okay great!! So now you have some
ideas! These are just working book title
ideas; they are not in stone, they are not
it yet. Or one may be! This is just to get
your juices/passion up and your creativity flowing. Later, you will come up with
a great subtitle. These days, you can
have quite an esoteric book title, but
17
How to Write a Book in Just 3-30 Days
Continued
have your subtitle let the reader know
what's in it for them, what the benefits
are.
For example, you will notice that all
my MusiVation™ products have a very
dynamic subtitle. In my audio program,
Be Your Perfect Weight, the subtitle is
Dynamic Psychological Breakthrough in
Weight Control. As another example, the
title of my 6-tape audio program is Affirmation Power, and the subtitle, done as a
top of the title subtitle, is Be A Magnet
to Success through [then the title] Affirmation Power. My best selling book I
wrote with Rock Riddle How to Be a
Magnet to Hollywood Success, is subtitled Your Complete Step-by-Step System to Making It in Show Business. My
book I co wrote with Wilma Conversations on Money, Sex, and Spirituality is
subtitled How to Attract MultiDimensional Abundance in Your Life.
As you can see from these examples, if you show the people what's in it
for them through a well defined simple
descriptive subtitle, then they know they
are going to read a magnetic, powerful
book before they've even started reading
it.
Some of my titles are what's in it for
them, as well. For example one I wrote
with Bob Proctor, Be a Magnet to
Money is the title, so that's basically
telling them what's in it for them. And
then our subtitle is Dynamic Psychological Breakthrough in How to Attract
Money. So having a double whammy in
two very strong areas is very powerful.
Number one, your book title is telling them what's in it for them, and Number two, your subtitle is telling them
what's in it for them.
However, that is simply your title.
Now for the exciting part! You are now
going to write out your table of contents.
I suggest you write ten areas, or ten
chapters. This is a little more challenging
if you're writing fiction, however, I feel
that just writing down ten ideas for your
chapters or your book topics to start with
helps tremendously in getting the juices
flowing and keeps everything in Divine
Order. You will see this clearly later on,
after you write your ten topics.
Go ahead now and write ten topics
on the next page. For example, if you
were to write a book about sales, you
could start your topics with:
Is Money Everything?
Love Your Customers
Have a Positive Attitude
How to Keep Keeping On
Look Ahead, Not Behind
These are just a few ideas of book/
product topic contents. Write down
NOW ten- twelve areas. Sometimes people find such a great topic idea doing this
that IT ends up being their new title,
straight from their table of contents.
Now go ahead and create your table of
contents!
The next suggestion I'm going to
share with you on how to write a book is
so simple. It came to me when I was
working on my first book. I just find it
so EASY to write a book or an audio
program this way. What I do, is so very
easy and fun (because remember, writing
a book is FUN).
Write ten questions for each topic.
With these ten questions, ask a friend to
interview you and treat it as if they are
someone who is a TV or radio show host
(i.e., Oprah, Michele) who is really interested in that particular topic in your table
of contents, especially if it's a how-to
book or a non-fiction book. Simply write
out the questions; these will be questions
that you will answer for all areas that
you already know about. Then, I suggest
you start reading a lot of books about
that particular topic and getting a lot of
information into your mind.
You already have a lot of information in your sub-conscious mind that is
just waiting to be released when it's
needed. With these questions, get a very
good friend to interview you. Pretend it's
an interview show. Get a tape recorder,
get them to ask you the questions, and
then you just flow with it. Just answer
the questions; don't be nervous—no
one's out there listening to this! It's just
you! Ask your friend to please be very
focused and not agree or disagree, or
say, "Oh, yeah, that happened to me,
too." They are going to be a professional
interviewer and simply be there, asking
the questions. When you're finished with
one answer, they will ask you the next
question. Do this for each topic; it's so
much fun! Next, type up what's on the
tape for each topic (or have someone
type it for you). Finally, take out all of
the questions; then just leave your answers. Then you have a whole chapter or
topic for your table of contents done. Do
this for all ten areas. Do not edit as you
go, just take out the questions.
Once all ten topics have been done,
go back and start typing. Add areas that
you may not have had handy when answering the questions, for example, you
may want to quote a particular person in
your book. You may want to speak of
the story of a successful person in your
book. You can add that in later. What is
very important to remember, whether
you use this interview technique or simply go ahead and just write, is that you
go ahead and just write! Every time you
give yourself time to write, it doesn't
matter what you write, as long as you
write. Don't edit as you go. The editing
can be done later. Too many people will
never finish a book because they feel
each area or every sentence has to be
perfect as they go. Again, I repeat, DO
NOT EDIT until you have finished and
(Continued on page 18)
18
How to Write a Book in Just 330 Days
Continued
(Continued from page 17)
you have all the information written.
Now you have your story/product written! Then edit later. Don't even edit each
chapter as you go. Just get every chapter
written; finish that book. The editing can
be done later, either by you or by a professional.
I also feel it's wonderful, if it's a
non-fiction book, to write stories about
how other people conquered those particular topics. Perhaps you can even interview some well-known celebrities. A
lot of well-known, successful writers and
entrepreneurs want extra publicity. And,
it is free publicity for you. So, go ahead
and contact these people. You'll be surprised who knows whom. Email out to a
whole group of friends, "Hey, does anybody know Richard Branson?" "Hey,
does anybody know blah, blah, blah?"
"Hey, does anyone know Melanie Griffith?" You'll be surprised how many
people will know someone who knows
them. You know, they say, and I agree
with this, you know who they are—they
are us! They, which are us, say you are
only four phone calls away from any
person you would like to meet. And I do
agree with this. Sometimes it may be
five or six, but very rarely. Just take
some action. That is part of networking,
which is another chapter.
It is also a very good idea to write
little example stories of the success of
others or conduct a short interview with
the actual people. You can mention on
your book cover that these people are
included. And then, at the end of the
book, you can mention the person's book
and their Website and their contact information. People love this; it's free publicity. I have been interviewed for many,
other books. People always put my contact numbers; I love it! I would do it for
anybody. If anyone wants to interview
me, I do it. Anybody will do the same
thing. It's a very rare person who won't
do it. This way you also you get to be
networking and meeting great people
while you're doing interviews. Priceless!!!! Call some people you've always
loved to meet. It's so good to always
remember to be in the consciousness of
the people who are already doing what
you want to do.
If it's a fictional book you're writing,
storyboard it. I suggest you create a
mind map. Put a big circle in the middle
and get all the characters written from
that circle. For example, if it were Gone
with the Wind, then "Gone with the
Wind" would be in the circle in the middle. Then a little balloon off from that
would be Main Character—Heroine. If
you know you want a heroine, think of a
name for your heroine. Offshoot that—
what century is it written in? Is it Sci-Fi,
or is it back in the history books of the
1400's?
Storyboard all your characters.
What type of characters they are, their
characteristics, what type of personalities
and looks? Allow the story to take on its
own vision and flow. When you storyboard, mind map a fictional book, and
put it up on the wall, it really gives you
access to great ideas, because you're
mystically saying to the Universe, "This
is what I want to write about—give me
ideas." And it will come to you!
Michele Blood is a
successful, multitalented lady with
a diverse business
arena. In addition
to creating Musivation ™ products and seminars worldwide,
she has trained major companies
worldwide including Nestle, Prudential, Shell Oil, Motorola.
19
The Three-Step Method That Will Get
You Writing - Guaranteed!
by Will Kalif
You dream about writing a novel or
maybe you have already started one yet
for some reason the manuscript is collecting dust in a desk drawer. There is no
complex psychological barrier that prevents you from writing. You can write
out a complete novel from start to finish
in no time and with no anxiety. I guarantee it. Here are the three easy steps.
Step 1- Free up some time and
turn off the television!
The most common complaint is "I
can't seem to find the time to write".
Turning off the television solves this
problem. How much Tube do you watch
every day? How much do you watch
every week?
What do you really get out of it?
Turn it off! Better yet give it away. I'm
serious. Me I am pretty lucky. All the
buttons on my television are broken and
I can't find the remote. So my TV is
stuck on channel 3 which means the only
thing I can do is use the VCR. For a
while I could use the VCR to change
channels but I lost the remote for this too
so the only thing I can do is pop in a tape
and press play. I watch one or two movies a week and I am definitely not missing anything -it's my gain. Now I have
the time to write and so will you. Maybe
you will even read a little more.
Step 2 - Gather all the materials
you need by buying a notebook and a
pencil.
I hear it all the time: "I can't use a
computer well. I can't spell. I don't have
the things I need to write. What kind of
software should I get? Well I got something for you. You only need a notebook
and a pencil. You don't need a computer.
You don't need a book on writing. And
you don't need anything else at all. What
did they do before the computer was
invented? They wrote things out long
hand. And you should do this too. The
computer is way too much of a distraction. How many times have you logged
into your computer to do something and
got side tracked only to find the hours
pass by and you didn't accomplish what
you set out to do?
There is an additional bonus to writing with a pencil and paper. It inspires
creativity. There is just something about
the physical act of writing that will bring
you back to your childhood and the creativity that is locked inside there.
Step 3 - Sit down somewhere and
write.
That's it. Just write. Don't let your
mind psyche you out. Don't even give a
second thought to all that stuff about
dialogue, setting, characterizations, plot
lines and the like. It doesn't have to be
great. It doesn't even have to be good.
That will come later. It is just like exercise. The more you do the better you get.
You will improve. But only if you write.
Sit down and write the first sentence
and watch it grow into a first paragraph
and then into a first page and then a first
chapter. Writing a novel is kind of like
rolling a snowball downhill. Once you
get it started it takes on a life of its own.
Before you know it the story will be
writing itself.
If the blank page scares you then
here is the first sentence for you. Fill in
the blanks and don't worry about giving
me any credit!
"His name was _______ and he appeared to be an ordinary guy. But he was
anything but ordinary. He was a
__________ and this is something that
the rest of the world couldn't really understand.
Remember:
The only thing that is preventing
you from writing is the fact that you are
not writing. Don't worry about anything
except whether or not you are writing.
Grammar, punctuation, spelling, passive
sentences are all meaningless if you have
no novel at all and a novel with a thousand mistakes is better than no novel at
all. Write the story and consider all the
mechanics of writing later. Along the
way your writing will improve.
Does this method of writing work?
It sure does! This is the exact
method I used to write my first novel. It
is no great work of art but it is done and
it is published. And since then I have
finished my second novel and I am now
working on my third and fourth.
The name of that first novel is Fulcrum Shift and the very first line I wrote
is "The figure walked quietly down the
cobblestone alley with purpose". Look it
up on Amazon.com and when your novel
is complete, published, and available on
Amazon you will be proud of the results
even if it's no great work of art.
About The Author: Will Kalif
is the author of two epic fantasy
novels.
Visit his science fiction,
fantasy and
creativity
site at:
Storm The
Castle - Creativity With Attitude. Or check out his epic fantasy site: EpicEpic-fantasy.com. For
daily news and information about
fantasy try his blog Heroic
Dreams
20
New Types Of Poetry
When Insults
Had Class
By Steven Gillman
A few new types of poetry to play
with or use as inspiration for your
own new forms.
How many ways can
you play with poems?
There are many different types of
poetry. I counted 50 on a quick search of
the internet. You may have heard of
Haiku and Limericks. There
are the more obscure types
too, like Terzanelle and Sestina. Learning different types
of poetry though, isn't nearly
as much fun as inventing your
own, so here are some ideas
about that.
Types Of Poetry - Playing With Stanzas
What is a stanza? A division of a poem consisting of
two or more lines. How many
ways can you structure a
stanza? As many as you want.
Look at this stanza from the
poem, "Gratitude:"
So there is nothing to say
There is nothing to say
There is nothing
Nothing...
But gratitude
Each line is a smaller part of the
previous line. In this case, it quiets the
mind in order to emphasize the last
word: gratitude. However, this idea
could be used in many ways. You could
start with a line like, "She watched the
birds come in from the sea," and it can
reduce to, "Come in from the sea;"
"From the sea:" "Where Michael was left
alone in the storm."
God," each stanza starts with one of our
senses: "See God... in stars and
sunlight... and the face of your lover;"
Hear God... in wind and waves... and the
music of the birds." All the senses are
covered. How could we use this general
idea? By starting each stanza with a different verb or adjective? By
starting each stanza with a
different person's name? By
having each stanza get
smaller or larger as the
poem progresses?
How many ways can you
play with poems? "Dream
poems," could be a type of
poetry that puts actual
dreams into verse. "Dialog
poems" could have stanzas
or lines answering each
other back and forth. A series of poems could use all
the exact same words, rearranged , with an entirely different outcome in each. There are endless types of
poetry you can create.
Each stanza could have lengthening
lines. Lines could be varied in length to
create a picture on the page. Playing
with stanzas is a fun way to create new
types of poetry.
Ideas For New Types Of Poetry
In the poem "Do Not Believe In
Steve Gillman has
been playing
with poetry
for thirty
years. He
and his wife
Ana created
the game
"Deal-A-Poem," which can be
accessed for free at: http://
www.dealapoem.com. And for
more creative ideas from Steve,
visit his website http://
www.999ideas.com/.
"He has never been
known to use a word that
might send a reader to the
dictionary."
- William Faulkner
(about Ernest Hemingway)
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of
it."
- Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is
intensely disliked by his
friends."
- Oscar Wilde
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like
having you here."
- Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man
and worships his creator."
- John Bright
"Some cause happiness
wherever they go; others,
whenever they go."
- Oscar Wilde
21
Affiliate News
Arkansas Ridge
Writers
Acceptances and Sales
ANN HOLBROOK: SHORT STORY:
“A Change of Mind,” Voices Anthology
Volume III (06/10).
Novels & New Books
LINDA APPLE: NONFICTION: Connect! A Simple Guide to Public Speaking
for Writers, AWOC.COM Publishing
(05/10)
signing and reading from JOURNEY TO
DIE FOR at Books on Broadway in
Siloam Springs. AR. --15th, Spoke and
answered questions on A WEDDING
TO DIE FOR, for at book club, Mt.
Vernon Presbyterian Church in Pea
Ridge, AR. --August 19-22 Spoke at
Killer Nashville on "Senior Sleuths," and
on "Creating Tension Without All that
Gooshy Stuff." --28, Appeared at Frisco
RR Festival in Rogers, AR, signing all
day at Arkansas and Missouri RR booth.
(Train rides available.) September: 18th,
Signing at Fall Train Show, Clarion Inn
in Bentonville, AR, all day. --25th, Beginning series of signings in Harps Food
Markets in Northwest Arkansas to be
held throughout the fall.
Professional Activities
LINDA APPLE: Conducted a break-out
session on Writing with Charisma at the
West Texas A&M Writer’s Academy in
Canyon, Texas.
VELDA BROTHERTON: Summer
Book tour includes signings at 15 local
rural libraries in four counties; Shiloh
Museum of Ozark History Digital presentation; T. Charleston Book Store,
Branson, MO; Books in Bloom, Eureka
Springs; Arkansas Authors Showcase,
Bentonville, AR; Nightbird Books, Fayetteville, AR; Trolley Line Books,
Rogers, AR; 2 appearances at Lake Fort
Smith State Park; Radio Interview
KUAF Fayetteville, AR (NPR); Spoke at
Arkansas Writers Conference, Little
Rock, AR.
DOUG KELLEY: Spoke at the Fort
Smith Museum of History on the history
of flight and business aviation, using
material from pending publication
(7/24/10).
RADINE TREES NEHRING: August: 5th, Appeared on Frank Truatt
Morning Show in New York. --14th,
Writers of the
Purple Sage
building, --again. MECHELLE ANDREWS lost two family members. Our
sympathies go out to her. BOBETTE
DOERRIE will be teaching at the
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, Woodward Campus this fall.
July meeting was an Ice Cream Social
held in the home of MECHELLE ANDREWS. Nine members were present,
plus guest, Dick Wilkerson of Meeker,
Oklahoma.
Acceptances and Sales
CAROLYN LEONARD HEAVENER: ARTICLE: "Painting the Old
Homestead,"
Persimmon Hill (Summer 2010.)
LEORA BRIDGEWATER: ARTICLE: "Gossip," View From the Pew,
Beaver Herald Democrat (June 2010.)
Inklings
Professional Activities
CAROLYN LEONARD had the privilege of interviewing Colorado artist Joseph Bohler who was in Oklahoma City
for the Prix de West Artist Awards at the
National Cowboy and Western Heritage
Museum. JOANNA PEARD attended
the July board meeting of the Cowboy
Storytellers in Burlington, Oklahoma.
Club News
Member THERESA CASPER has
moved from Woodward to Guthrie.
LEON BEALL was re-building fences
and barns ripped away by a tornado,
when a raging fire accompanied by
Oklahoma winds came along and destroyed what he had repaired. He is re-
Acceptances and Sales:
KAREN COOPER: A poem entitled “Osiyo, Athens of Oklahoma” was
published in the July/August issue of
Oklahoma Today magazine.
Contest Winnings:
MARTHA BRYANT: Adam's Ale
placed 1st in the Mainstream Novel category of the Abilene Writers Guild Annual Contest 2009-2010.
Professional Activities:
BRANDI BARNETT: presented a
workshop entitled "Getting your Ducks
in a Row: journal your way to a novel"
at William Bernhardt's Annual Writing
22
Affiliate News
Continued
Workshop, "Finding Your Voice," in
June 2010. She will speak on the same
topic at the Eastern Oklahoma Author
Festival, Tahlequah, OK, on October 30.
SONIA GENSLER: will speak about
"Acquiring an Agent" at the OK SCBWI
fall conference, Chandler, OK, on September 11.
Ol’ Tascosa
Wordslingers
Acceptances and Sales
NATALIE BRIGHT: ARTICLE:
“Jumping and Twirling” Amarillo Magazine (05/10)
MARIANNE MCNEIL LOGAN: POETRY: Wind, Sand and Sky; Mississippi
Poetry Journal, “A Legend in His Own
Time—My Brother—Fred McFarland”.
Novels & New Books
JODI KOUMALATS (THOMAS):
NEW RELEASE: Welcome to Harmony,
Berkley (June 1, 2010).
PHYLISS MIRANDA AND JODI
KOUMALATS (THOMAS): ANTHOLOGY, Give Me a Texas Ranger,
Kennsington (July 1, 2010)
Natalie Bright: NEW RELEASE: Oil
People, Apollo Publishing L.L.C. (June
2010), for
teaching guides and activity pages
www.oilpeople.net
Honors & Awards
MARIANNE MCNEIL LOGAN:
CONTEST: 1st, National Federation of
State Poetry Societies, “Our Cowboy
Dad’s Philosophy”. 1st, Permian Basin
Contest, “A Legend in His Own Time—
My Brother—Fred McFarland”, and
selected to be read at their Poetry Celebration. 2nd, Genevieve Feagin Kallander
Award Mississippi Poetry Contest, “Can
We Talk?”
PHYLISS MIRANDA: Judge a Book
by Its Cover Contest, “Give Me a Cowboy”, 2nd place “Sexiest Cover” award.
JODI KOUMALATS (THOMAS):
RITA nomination, historical romance,
“The Lone Texan”.
Professional Activities
NATALIE BRIGHT: INSTRUCTOR:
Write Stuff for Kids Workshop, PCHEA
Fall Conference, August 2010. INSTRUCTOR: Write Stuff Intensive
Course, ages 12-16, WTAMU Department of Education, 6 weeks beginning
October 7, specifically developed for
homeschooling families.
NANDY EKLE (NANCY KEEL):
houseofhorror.org.uk has named Nancy
as their new Junior Copy Editor. Currently accepting short stories about zombies and/or Frankenstein-type monsters;
contact Nancy at keelnancy@yahoo.com
and she will forward guidelines.
PHYLISS MIRANDA AND NATALIE BRIGHT: INSTRUCTORS: Writing Basics Workshop, 10/16/2010, Ambassador Hotel, Amarillo. All day workshop for the beginning writers; to print
registration form go to
www.nataliebright.com.
MARIANNE MCNEIL LOGAN: POETRY READING: Sam Houston Park
Event, Amarillo. July and August Cowboy Poetry Breakfast, Country Barn
Steakhouse, Amarillo.
Kansas Writers
Association
Publication And Sales
ARLENE RAINS GRABER: Devoted
to Traveling published by Devoted
Boods released in February, ARTICLE:
“Remembering Matters” published by
The Lookout Magazine (July 2010).
Book signings so far at Watermark
Books & Café, and Barnes & Noble,
Wichita, KS.
Club News
GORDON KESSLER, Kansas Writers
Association Ambassador has created a
new website for writers,
www.writersmatrix.com and also
launched a full agenda of one-day writing seminars teaching his book, Novel
Writing Made Simple. He just completed
seminars in Kansas and Nebraska.
Gordon has also produced an idea to plot
and finish Storybinder for the novelists.
A one-day “Scene of the Crime Conference was held March 27, 2010 at the
Wichita Airport Hilton Hotel hosted by
KWA, with 14 workshops and editor and
agent appointments.
Tulsa
Nightwriters
Acceptances and Sales
MIKE KOCH: SHORT STORY: Massacre at Guadalupe Canyon, August issue of Frontier Tales
MYRA JOHNSON: 15 DEVOTIONALS: Christ in Our Home, Augsburg
Fortress, 4-6/10
Novels & New Books
DALE WHISMAN: FRIENDS ON
FIRE AND A WITCH AMONG
FRIENDS, AWOC Publishing, 8/10
JIM LAUGHTER: FROM VICTIM
TO HERO, THE UNTOLD STORY OF
STEVEN STAYNER, Buoy Up Press,
7/10
MARY ANN KERL: DEVOTED TO
ECONOMIZING, AWOC Publishing,
7/10
CARLA STEWART: CHASING LILACS, Faithwords, 7/10
MYRA JOHNSON: WHERE THE
DOGWOODS BLOOM, Barbour Publishing, 7/10
VICKIE MCDONOUGH: SECOND
23
Affiliate News
Continued
CHANCE BRIDES, 9/1, CHRISTMAS
MAIL ORDER BRIDES: The Prodigal
Groom, 9/10
MICHAEL HORTON: SOMETHING
TO SAY RIGHT NOW, AR Publishing
Company
Contest Winnings
CINDY HAYS: CONTEST: Finalist in
Contemporary category of the Genesis
Contest sponsored by ACFW, 5/10
Professional Activities
SALLY JADLOW: Teaching writing
classes at Matt Ross Center in Overland
Park, KS
LOTTIE WILDS: Elected president of
Sapulpa’s Route 66 Night Writers, 6/10
PEGGY FIELDING and JACKIE
KING: Video interviews:
www.youtube.com/watch?
y=0kmiyekzaas and www.youtube.com/
watch?y=14s521eppru
Honors & Awards
BARBARA HOWELL: Received a
Silver Communicatory Award from the
IAVA for the Marketing and Promotions
kit for her book, Splinters: The Pain, the
Passion, the Point, 7/10
DALE WHISMAN: Screenplay:
SHADOWS, won the award for Best
Feature Length Screenplay at the 2010
Barebones International Independent
Film Festival, 5/10
VICKIE MCDONOUGH: Triple Finalist in ACFW’s Carol Award, A WAGONLOAD OF TROUBLE in short contemporary category, A BREED APART
from the novella WILD WEST
CHRISTMAS, HIS BELOVED ENEMY from the novella A BLUE AND
GRAY CHRISTMAS
Professional Activities
JIM LAUGHTER: BOOK SIGNING:
From Victim to Hero, the Untold Story
of Steven Stayner, Mardels in Tulsa.
Speaking at the dedication of the Steven
Stayner and Missing Children’s Memorial in Merced, CA with various radio,
television and radio interviews, 8/10
CARLA STEWART: BOOKSIGNING: IN Tulsa, Perryton, TX, Edmond
and St. Louis, MO. Participated in the
International Christian Retail Show in
St. Louis where she had her first video
interview, 7/10
MICHAEL HORTON: Featured
Speaker at July meeting of Oklahoma
City Writers’ Club at OKC U.
MIKE KOCH, RADINE TREES
NEHRING, PEGGY FIELDING,
JACKIE KING, M. CAROLYN
STEELE, VICKING MCDONOUGH,
JIM LAUGHTER, BOB AVEY,
MARY SUZANNE LOPEZ, MYRA
JOHNSON: Multiple author signing,
Steve’s Books Tulsa, 6/10
JUDITH EMERSON: SPEAKING/
SIGNING for THE MYTH MAKERS,
Full Circle Book Store, 8/14
GLORIA TEAGUE: SPEAKING/
SIGNING to Arbuckle Creative Writers,
Ardmore, OK, 8/10
Normal Galaxy
of Writers
Acceptances & Sales
ROBERT FERRIER: Poems "Getting
There" and "Old Chemo Veins" in Blood
& Thunder, Musings on the Art of Medicine. Photograph "Reflections on Lake
Thunderbird" in Norman Living Magazine. Poem "George Sutton Bands a
Scissortail" in Crosstimbers Magazine. Poem "Front Steps" in Oklahoma
Today.
KATHLEEN NORRIS PARK: Three
articles to Journal Record,
OKC. "Watching Your Language columns in WriteLine (Galaxy's newsletter):
"We Colorful Writers," "What's the Difference," "Commonly Confused Words,"
"Trends, Changes and Good
Sense." Article "Mel Odom, Sink Into
It," in WriteLine. Press release for Norman Transcript, "Darlene Bailey Beard
on Children's Books." Press release for
Kate Fitzgerald, speaker at Baha'I Center. Produces Norman Cluster Newsletter, and Norman Baha'I newsletter. Article to Norman Transcript, "Galaxy
Winners at the Arkansas Writers' Conference."
ANN CHAMPEAU: Monthly market
columns in Galaxy's WriteLine, "History
for Outdoor Magazines," "Go For the
Big Bucks," "Family Tree Magazine."
FRANCES SEARCEY: 3 untitled poems published in Mature Living. Article
in Transcript, "Winners In the Galaxy
Annual Contest." 2 poems in Blood and
Thunder Journal.
KEITH EATON: Articles in Distinctly
Oklahoma Magazine, "OKC Kids, Going
Up While Growing Up," "Bagels and
Buddies," "OETA Station Manager, Bill
Thrash's Career in TV," "Allied Arts
Fund-Raising Campaign."
Submission accepted for publication in
the OCCC 2010 literary journal, Absolute.
JUDY HOWARD: Story, "The Perfect
Gift," in True Love, Chicken Soup for
the Soul.
RUSS LONG: Veterans' Stories in Norman Transcript. "Bicycling Past the
Norman Depot," in Transcript.
BARBARA SHEPHERD: 5 poems
and full-page bio in Poetry is For Everyone. A poem "Creative Spirit" in Lone
Stars Magazine.
HELEN DUCHON: Produces UWA
Newsletter each month for the University
Women's Association. Produces WriteLine each month for Norman Galaxy of
Writers. Produces Friends of the Library newsletter each month.
PATRICIA HARVEY: A regular contributor to Woodmen and the Cheyenne
Editions, weekly newspapers serving
Colorado Springs, CO.
STAN SOLLOWAY: Wrote Silliman
on Sports columns: "Blindsided by the
Blind Side," "Tiger's Crash & Fall,"
Dartsmouth Squash Hecklers," "Crass
Commercialism," "Twelve Months of
Sports Year," "The Trial of Mike
'Blackbeard' Leach," "Texas Stadium
Implosion to be Cheesy," "Skewered at
24
Affiliate News
Continued
the Skirvin," "Nascar Fan-Friendly Suggestions," "Mardi Gras Super Bowl,"
"WVU Fans Rude," "Conn Chooses
Cheese," "Rock, Paper,Scissors Ultimate
Sport," "World's Worst Pro Tennis
Player," "So many Tasers, So Little
Time," "Sayers-Urbacher Squabble
Bears Look," "Curious Case of Eddie
Currie," "To Galarrager: Life's Not Perfect," "Infighting, Disolvement Wearing," 'If I had a Vuvu."
VICKEY MALONE KENNEDY;
Story, "Bobby Sue Almost Got Married," published in Time Saves None, an
anthology published by Yard Dog Press.
A HOLI HAGAN: Co-producer of
WriteLine.
Novels and New Books
CURTIS "SMOKEY" STOVER: Had
his novel, "Blind Justice" published.
STAN SOLLOWAY and MIKE
KRAWCZYK: 2 new books published
by Comedy Empire Press: "Golfreaks"
and "Sports Fans are Crazy."
Contest Winnings
KEITH EATON: Won the "Bonnie
Speer Crème de la Crème Award in the
Norman Galaxy of Writers' Annual Contest for his nostalgia essay, "Pals in the
Golden West."
FRANCES SEARCEY: Won awards
in the Arkansas Writing Contest - 3rd
place for "Look What the Cat Dragged
in," 1st HM for "A Disastrous Vacation,"
and 2nd HM for "Minute Poem."
NEAL HUFFAKER: Arkansas Writing
Contest - The Gale S. Gill Award for
"How you Learned Something About
Yourself," 3rd Place for a haiku,
"Writing Haiku," 2nd HM for an essay
in 'Food, Glorious Food." Awards in the
Norman Galaxy of Writers' annual contest: 2nd in rhymed poetry for "A
Rhyme Too Late," 2nd place in nonfiction article for "Evolution, Religion and
Education." 2nd HM in fiction for
"Gentle Magic," HM for "The Bridge" in
rhymed poetry.
KATHLEEN NORRIS PARK: 1st
place in Galaxy's contest for "Infinity,"
in unrhymed poetry.
RUSS LONG: First prize in the Norman's Performing Art Studio's Depot
Centennial contest for "Bicycling Past
the Norman Depot." The prize was a
trip for two on the Heartland Flyer to Ft.
Worth and overnight in the historic
Ashton Hotel. 2nd place in Galaxy's
short story contest for "Casino Chip Exchange."
BARBARA SHEPHERD: 2 honorable
mentions, 2 third places, a second place
and a 1st place in Oklahoma City Writers' Annual contest. In Galaxy's contest,
won 3rd place in unrhymed poetry for
"A Simpler Time," 2nd HM in unrhymed
poetry for "The Weeping Woman," 3rd
place in nostalgia for "Can you Can
Can?" Won 2nd place in Lone Star International Light of the Stars Contest for
her poem, "Creative Spirit."
DARLENE HOBBS: In Galaxy's contest - 1st place in rhymed poetry for "The
Zircon Ring Speaks," 1st place in nonfiction article for "Superstition or Supernatural," 3rd place for "Going Green" in
nonfiction article; 3rd place for "A Nature Walk" in rhymed poetry. In the
Arkansas Writers' Conference - 2nd
place in Minute Poem Category, and HM
for a ballad in the Pen Women's Arkansas Pioneer Branch award.
JUDY HOWARD: 2nd place in Heartland New Day Bookfest for Thanking
Our Troops -- God Bless America Touring Quilts.
PATRICIA MOOR HARVEY: 2nd
place for "First Harvest," and 1st HM for
"My Sisters," in Galaxy's unrhymed poetry category.
RUTH LOEFFLER: 3rd HM for
"Morning of a Winter Moon: in Galaxy's
unrhymed poetry category and 1st place
for "The Japanese Gardener" in children's fiction.
ROBBIE LAMBERSON: HM for
"The Summer of 1950" in nostalgia.
EVELYN JEAN SPEAR: 3rd place for
"What You Don't Know Won't Hurt
You" in Galaxy's short story category,
and "Rosco's Christmas Gift" in short
story.
JOSIE LESLIE: HM for "Holy Night,"
in Galaxy's nonfiction article category.
LISA WILLIS: 3rd place for "Edgar,
the Mighty Hunter," in Galaxy's children's fiction.
LYNN WENDELBO: 1st HM for
"Sonya's Worries" in Galaxy's children's
fiction.
Professional Activities
ROBERT FERRIER read OWFI winning poem "Lines Lost While Biking," at
Galaxy May meeting. Judged Short
Story Category for OWFI contest. Read
"Red Dirt Rhythms: Oklahoma Poems,"
at the 5th annual Scissortail Creative
Writing Festival at East Central University in Ada.
ANN CHAMPEAU: judged Essay
category for OWFI contest.
KATHLEEN NORRIS PARK attended the Arkansas Writers Conference
in Little Rock.
CURTIS "SMOKEY"
STOVER: Book signing for Blind Justice at the Blue Bean Coffee Shop in
Oklahoma City.
RUSS LONG: Spoke of his World War
II experiences at a local cemetery's observance of Memorial Day.
STAN SOLLOWAY: Book signing at
Hastings in Stillwater: Read and signed
books at the Literate Book Fair; Roasted
at the Speakeasy; Performed at Lucky
Jack's in New York City; Performed at
Gotham Comedy Club in NYC; Emceed
Toy and Action Figure Musem fund
raiser at Looney Bin; read online at
www.sillimansports.com "World's Worst
Pro Tennis Player," "So Many Tasers,
So Little Time," "Column #400,"
"Sayers -Urbacher Squabble Bears
Look," "Curious Case of Elder Curry,"
""To Galarrago: Life's Not Perfect,"
"Big-12 Infighting, Disolvement Wearing," "If I had a Vuvu."
BARBARA SHEPHERD: Edited several chapters of a non-fiction book for a
writer. Elected for the 9th year as Treasurer of Words=wrights - OKC Christian
Writers. Presented "Formatting Manuscripts," to Wordwrights.
'MARK HARDICK: Chaired Galaxy's
25
DOROTHEY GRIFFIN and VELMA
DECKER passed away.
Affiliate News
Continued
annual contest. Gave a poetry presentation at the Performing Art Studios in
Norman.
FRANCES SEARCEY was category
chair and judge for OWFI. Co-chaired
Galaxy's annual contest.
JUDY HOWARD signed "Heavenly
Patchwork 1 and 2 at OWFI conference.
Signed books at the OK Library-12 /state
regional library conference at the Cox
Convention Center, The Renaissance
Hotel, The Hugs Project and Prime Time
Seniors Expo at the State Fair.
Honors
BILL TRUMBLEY won many awards
and medals at the 24th National Veterans
Golden Age Games in Des Moines including an etched glass trophy for "Most
Inspirational Veteran who exhibits the
qualities of fitness, sportsmanship and
competitive skill." Bill (80+ years old)
writes about his experiences in World
War II and his Osaqge heritage.
HELEN DUCHON was honored with a
certificate of thanks for her participation
in raising money for "Pennies for Peace Okla."
JULIE COOK was awarded life membership in Galaxy for her many, many
years as treasure and dedication the organization.
Club News
Officers
President: Sherry Bynum 405-3647818
Vice President: Kathleen Norris Park
405 310-6512
Secretary: Darlene Hobbs 405 32-8304
Treasurer: Vickey Malone Kennedy
405 447-3623
Member News
MADELAINE CULP is recuperating at
home from chemo and surgery to removed tumors in her shoulder.
Pen and
Keyboard
P&K
Acceptances and Sales
MIKE HINKLE: ARTICLES: "Lend a
hand to those suffering war's effects",
The Edmond Sun (05/19/2010), http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1414107173/Lend-a-hand-to-thosesuffering-war-s-effects; "Nostalgia
strikes deep", The Edmond Sun
(06/02/2010), http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1910023853/Nostalgia-strikes-deep;
"Just shut the book on offensive authors", The Edmond Sun(06/16/2010),
http://www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1358986949/Just-shut-the-book-onoffensive-authors; "Earning success
should still mean something", The Edmond Sun (06/23/2010), http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1617561126/Earning-success-shouldstill-mean-something/print ; "It's time to
shake off the political shackles of atrophy", The Edmond Sun, 06/30/2010,
http://www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1671035070/It-s-time-to-shake-off-theshackles-of-political-atrophy ; "Supreme
Court ruling denies true historical understanding in schools", The Edmond Sun,
07/07/2010, http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x657357843/Supreme-Court-rulingdenies-true-historical-understanding-inschools ; "Examples of religious insanity
are abundant", The Edmond Sun,
07/14/2010, http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x829291892/Examples-of-religiousinsanity-are-abundant ;"Godiva's ride
reveals poetry's power", The Edmond
Sun, 07/21/2010, http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x525979846/Godiva-s-ride-revealspoetry-s-power ; "Hidden legislation
would never happen today - - would it?",
The Edmond Sun, 07/28/2010, http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x972393019/Hidden-legislation-wouldnever-happen-today-would-it: "Wild Zoo
tale ends with a life saved", The Edmond
Sun, 08/04/2010, http://
www.edmondsun.com/opinion/
x1936220427/Wild-zoo-tale-ends-witha-life-saved
VEHOAE: BOOK REVIEWS: "Outside
The Box: Review of The Butane Gospel", by Mike Hinkle, at vehoae: NonFiction Research & Writing, 06/18/2010,
www.vehoae.com ; "Listen and Learn:
Review of Saltypie", by Tim Tingle, at
vehoae: NonFiction Research & Writing,
07/07/2010, www.vehoae.com ; "Tricks
and Tangled Webs: Reviews of 'Giddy
Up, Wolfie', in the anthology Trickster",
story by Greg Rodgers, at vehoae: NonFiction Research & Writing, 07/07/2010,
www.vehoae.com ; "Life's Lessons on
the Panhandle: Review of Prairie Dog
Cowboy, by Vivian Zabel, at vehoae:
NonFiction Research & Writing,
07/14/2010, www.vehoae.com ; "Down
Yonder: Review of Field of Honor, by
D. L. Birchfield, at vehoae: NonFiction
Research & Writing, 08/02/2010,
www.vehoae.com.
Novels & New Books
SUZY KOCH: CHILDREN'S BOOK:
Being Jacob: A Day at the Zoo, published by 4RV Publishing, July 2010.
Honors & Awards
VIVIAN ZABEL: Reception & Speaking Engagement, Author of Prairie Dog
Cowboy, 07/17/2010, No Man's Land
Historical Society and Museum, Goodwell, OK.
MIKE HINKLE: Television Interview,
Author of The Butane Gospel,
07/21/2010, "Morning Edition" with
Cindy Sheets, Stillwater television
Channel 31.
HALL DUNCAN: Internationallyrecognized author of children's books,
Hall Duncan, presented a program on his
Afro-American Cartoon strip, "Winner
26
Affiliate News
CAROL HAMILTON: Spoke about
Poetry Writing and led the group in a
poetry exercise at the June meeting of
Mid-Oklahoma Writers.
Continued
Williams", 06/24-27/2010, at International Humor Studies Conference, Hong
Kong.
Professional Activities
ELYSABETH ELDERING: Book
Signing, 05/22/2010, Uwharrie Books:
Neighborhood Bookstore Cafe, Locust,
North Carolina.
ELYSABETH ELDERING: Writing/
Geography Workshop - "Writing
Roads", 06/05/2010, Anderson County
Library, Anderson, South Carolina.
MIKE HINKLE: Pen & Keyboard
Reception and Book Signing,
06/12/2010, The Butane Gospel, MLS
Library at Edmond, Oklahoma; Full Circle Book Signing, 07/20/2010, The Butane Gospel, Oklahoma City.
Mid-Oklahoma
Writers
Acceptances and sales
DAVID ROPER: CHILDREN’S
STORY: “It’s Birthday Time for the
Three Little Worms,” High Five; ARITICLE: “Grandmother’s Porch,”
Looking Back, (June/July 2010).
BARBARA SHEPHERD: Had a poem
published in the new book: “travelin’
music, A Poetic Tribute to Woody Guthrie.”
Professional Activities
DAVID ROPER: Conducted a preschool story-time at the Newcastle Library (June 7, 2010).
BARBARA SHEPHERD: Read poetry
with other Woody Guthrie Poets at Istvan Gallery in Oklahoma City (July 16,
2010)
BARBARA SHEPHERD: Is sponsoring and accepting entries in Poetry and 3
Short Story categories for the Annual
Art Affair Literary Contest. Deadline is
October 1, 2010. See rules and previous
winners at www.shadetreecreations.com
Club News
Mid-Oklahoma Writers meets at 7pm
on the second Tuesday of each month
(accept for July and August) at the
Learning Resources Center, Room 110,
Rose State College, Midwest City, Oklahoma. Visitors
Oklahoma City
Writers
Acceptances and Sales
AUDRY STREETMAN had her poem
“Explain Psychosis if You Can” in the
2010 Blood and Thunder Journal published annually in November. Also, the
first chapter of her memoir, “The Well”
was published in the Crosstimbers
Spring/Summer 2009 edition.
SHELLY ANNE RICHTER sold 2
poems to Mature Living for their
Cracker Barrel Department. As Outhouse Annie, Shelly had poetry recitals
in July at several local retirement communities, and at the McFarland Methodist Church and the Clopton Family Reunion. Shelly also received a contract
for an article from Nostalgia Magazine.
MARIA VERES’S poem “To a Struggling Artist” was accepted for publication by The Lyric. Her poem “Surprise
Ending” was published in The Spiritual
Times online newsletter.
Novels and New Books
GERALD HIBBS new book The Dalgren Papers is now on sale
Professional Activities
JEAN STOVER will be presenting a
program about her book Murder on the
Run September 7 at the Choctaw Library
JUDY HOWARD presented “Under
Covers with Granny Reveals Oklahoma
Secrets” Quilt Trunk Show and exhibited
60 quilts at the Beaver County Pioneer
Library in June. She also presented the
show in July at the Baptist Retirement
Center.
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