JULY 20, 2022

We were short on discussion time for this second meeting in July, so we moved into our reading venue after a bit of frivolity and chit-chat.

Leading off the evening was Ed Ellis. Ed published his long-awaited book, Engage Possibility, A Model and Bridge for Individual Independence, this month. Ed asked, “What makes the Mona Lisa so famous?” He recorded all the answers he received. Interesting, he says it has something to do with his next book. Hmm???

Have you ever wondered how it feels to be part of the dark drug scene? Our own Tish Mcauley can tell you. She is telling us as she reads from her book in progress, Angel. Almost daily, fear, abuse, and terrible illness are part of life. Any strange car in the area might mean police are about to break down your door and take you to jail. The phone ringing sends chills up your spine, and so-called “friends” desert you and steal your belongings and money before they run away. Can you call that a life?

This time we’re back with Emperor Constantine, as Ernie Ovitz reads Chapter 17 of his historical trilogy. The Emperor has an ally in the camp of his dissenters, Strategus. A death in the ranks of the potent Arvell Fathers gives Constantine a chance to install someone of his liking. However, Strategus brings a compromise to him as they meet aboard a trimaran warship.

Blessed to have several outstanding poets in our ranks, Scott Anderson is one of the best. Reading a poem entitled Shooter, Scott tells us it’s one of the darkest works he’d done in a long time. Herein a youngster contemplates his life and actions. The dice roll touches his heart, soul, and spirit in Scott’s poignant words.

Do you know Gaia? Bruce Haedrich does, and he is sharing a lengthy letter from our Mother Earth (Gaia) with us, the second of Gaia’s letters. It contains some interesting information. In Chapter Two of Gaia II, a Planet in Peril, Gaia tells of The History You Do Not Know. Did you know extinctions are commonplace on our planet? Keep an eye out for Bruce’s subsequent publication.

As a writer, we face some truly extraordinary challenges. For instance, Peter Frickel recently played host to two remarkable young girls, his granddaughters. Though wonderful to have them around, visitors do distract writers. Even though the girls were there, Peter carved out a few hours to write. Sitting in his garden, he contemplated; Inanimate Objects, such as a river stone, so silent and robust; Hands, soft, loving, firm, and confident; and the Mockingbird, such a clever devil to sing songs not his own. Peter now has the distinction of being A Celestial Super Nova, as he has self-initiated himself after hearing the story of Gaia.

Another poet of distinction took the floor as Don Westerfield strode to the podium. As he read Play for Me Again Those Old Songs, his first reading brought a lump to my throat. Memories danced across my mind as title and artist names came to me clearly at their mention. As the memories in my brain faded, Don came forth with another offering, Healing Time. Looking through the window of time, the poet sees a changing world filled with mysteries solved and unsolved and regrets fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams. Then, just as I was catching my breath, another beautiful story came from Don’s lips. I’ve Never Chased Butterflies looks back in time remembering those wonderful things the poet has done, but wonders and regrets not having stopped to smell the flowers; touch a rainbow, or chase a butterfly

Two very close friends and a bully inhabited Richard Cope’s part three of his story Those Who Trespass Against Us. As the three friends play in a swimming hole below a highway bridge, a car stops on the bridge, and someone tosses a burlap bag into the deepest water. The bag wriggles and clanks as it strikes the water’s surface. Our young hero dives into the water and must dive deep to retrieve the bag. Finally ashore, the three friends open the bag to find it contains metal and three puppies. Two of the pups don’t make it because they’d inhaled too much water. The third, however, is alive and full of spirit. Who threw the bag into the water? We might find out in later readings, or maybe we’ll have to wait until Richard publishes the story.

James Kelly took the floor and read an amusing scene from his newly published book, These Sacred Lands. The young Lieutenant Mackinsey’s wife awakens him early in the morning. “It’s time,” she says. The flustered first-time father stumbles outside, rousing the woman next door, on his way to fetch the Doctor. To all of us who were first-time fathers, we felt empathy for the confused young soldier.

Well, that about does it for this week. It’s hot outside and staying inside with air-conditioning sounds like an excellent reason to write. When you get tired, take a break, and read a good book. Even if you like to be out in the heat. KEEP ON WRITING!

 

July 6th, 2022

July already! My goodness, how time flies. Our core of die-hard writers hangs in there despite summer vacations and Independence Day activities. Twelve stalwarts showed up for tonight’s meeting with enthusiasm and ready to discuss the business of writing.

We started the evening by discussing using real product names in a novel. Some product names have become synonymous with a genre of products. For instance, Kleenex has become a word used for many brands of facial tissues, and Coke often signifies any brand of Cola. There are other examples of improper brand name designation, but it’s unnecessary to expound here. However, using a brand name or specific product name in a derogatory manner in a novel could land you in hot water. If a writer uses a Tonka truck filled with C4 and Timken ball bearings to kill a school classroom full of students, both companies may take exception and initiate a lawsuit. I hope that writer has good insurance and a lot of money. If you must use a name brand or name of an actual business in your fiction, take a little time to ask permission or use a fictitious name. It may save you time and money.

If you publish your work on Amazon, Lulu, or any other Independent publisher, you probably have the chance to use an ISBN furnished by the publisher at no extra charge. Fine, but remember, that is their ISBN, not yours. You cannot use that number with any other publisher. Purchasing an ISBN is not for every writer, but if you are prolific or have an exclusive contract with a high-profile publisher, it might behoove you to check into such a purchase. Single numbers are expensive, $125 or so, bulk purchases will save money, ten for $295 ($29.50 each about 76% savings) or 100 for $575 ($5.75 each about 5% of the single purchase cost). Think about it.

Nine writers wanted to share their work with the group tonight. Leading off the pack was Dennis Cathcart reading from his newly published book, Koule’v, Chapter 4, The Canal. Boys will be boys, especially boys interested in reptiles. When a large dragline begins to clear excessive plant growth from a nearby canal in Davie, Florida, the local boys skip school to rescue and capture various snakes, lizards, and turtles from the debris. The local boys perceive the canal as their exclusive hunting grounds. When a group of boys from a different area shows up at the canal, the locals order them away. An argument ensues. One of the locals fires a fence staple via a strong rubber band at the intruders. Instead of its usual welt-leaving impact, the staple strikes an intruder’s arm points first and imbeds in his flesh. Although the injury is minor, the frightened local boys run away.

After introducing us to a second letter from Gaia, Bruce Haedrich read the edited first chapter of Gaia II, Chapter One, entitled Cruise Ship Earth. As a follow-up to the original Gaia, the first chapter explains the role Homo Sapiens have played in their time on Gaia. Bruce says Gaia explains several possible future outcomes if humanity continues in its present ways or changes to a more harmonious manner of living. Stay tuned, buckaroos.

Our resident butterfly researcher, Scott Anderson, took up a challenge from Peter to return to his poetry. Using a single decorative tile as his inspiration (an oak leaf and acorn in base relief), Scott fashioned a four-stanza Haiku poem entitled Oak Tree. Each stanza represented a season. Beginning with Winter, the poem took us through Spring into Summer and encouraged us to rest as Fall again turned to Winter. Great work, Scott.

Back for a two-month or so hiatus, Ed Demarco has completed a “final draft” of his murder mystery, Piece of Pi. Reading from Chapter 6, Where the Bodies are Buried, explores the thoughts and fears of attendees at a funeral. Ed’s unique style makes each chapter a series of vignettes exposing the lives of several people. Ed states, “I didn’t know who killed John Laymon until about 150 pages into the story. It was a surprise to me and should to my readers.” Good work, Ed. Keep on writing.

It’s July, and Don Westerfield read us two of his works. The 4th of July is an older work but surely appropriate for this time of year. You can hear the music and see the marchers as Don reads. In Imitations, Don looks at a “counterfeit world” where little is what it seems. The last stanza brings a smile to everyone’s lips. Then, as a favor to Susan, Don read a poem written by an anonymous poet entitled An Old Soldier Died Today. The room was quiet, nary a cough or sigh until the climax.

Newly published, These Sacred Lands is James Kelly’s latest book. The story covers years during the Indian Wars in the Dakota and Wyoming territories. Reading Chapter 36, Dash to the High Ground, we hear the tale of a fortuitous encounter of a Cavalry unit under attack by an overwhelming attacking force. Courage and good luck bring the company home to their families.

A short story set in a small rural town of Tennesee entitled Those Who Trespass Against Us shows us how evil unfolds in the life of a fourteen-year-old boy. An idyllic village succumbs to evil influences during the fourteenth summer of his life. Richard Cope’s story begins with a lad’s summer and friendships. We look forward to more of the story in future meetings.

Some years ago, during the first Obama presidential campaign, Susan Haley wrote a column for a San Diego newspaper. Tonight she read one of her columns. Susan could have written Cacophony of Chatter just yesterday. The terms used in the piece are still in effect today. Those who talk the loudest get the most attention. We, as a nation, have lost the art of listening. Yes or No answers are extinct. What begins as a discussion often turns into a cacophony of noise. How astute.

When our last reader took the podium, Rick Bailey explained his brother is an artist, now practicing as a tattoo trainee. Rick read his essay, Watch as a Circle Evolves into An Expression. During a recent visit with his brother, he watched and listened as his brother sketched. Rick compares the art of writing to the artwork produced by his brother. Both are exercises in try and retry as they go from a rough idea to completed work. Both bring the artist satisfaction. Well written and concise, the piece draws parallels to all art forms.

Well, that about wraps it up for this entry. We look forward to our next meeting on July 20^th. We hope you can be there. If not, try to read our next post. But – whatever you do, KEEP ON WRITING!