July 1, 2026

 

Even though it looked as if it might rain, eight of our stalwart writers came to our meeting. It is summer, and the heat is dangerous. Be careful, drink plenty of water, and stay out of the heat as much as you can. It’s a great excuse to stay indoors and write. I’m doing my best to adhere to that policy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the United States of America! We’re 250 years old and have learned a lot, some of it the hard way. We can only wish we get smarter in the coming years. As authors, we may sway an opinion or two.

After a brief discussion about the use of AI for research or editing, we learned that none of us present use it for writing, only for research and basic editing features. How much do you think the major publishing houses use AI?

 

Leading off the reading portion of our meeting, Ernie Ovitz read from the opening chapter of his latest financial thriller, The Roaring Lion. This is the third book in the saga of Lee Santino, as he endeavors to shed the influence of the Chicago mobsters, of which his uncle was once the Capo. A lot of money is involved, and we can imagine what the Mob might do to get it. (Well, at least Ernie can.)

 

We all know that when Don Westerfield takes the floor, we’re going to hear some good stuff. Tonight was no exception. Don regaled us with two poems. In I’ll Remember You, he tells of a lonesome evening in Honolulu as a young soldier takes a break from yet another war in 1966. He meets a young woman as lonely as he is. They dance on a warm evening until the music ends, playing the song, I’ll Remember You. His second selection was a great follow-up to the first. Sweet Dreams tells of a love lost to wanderlust. Regrets follow but remain in the dreams of an unrequited love.

 

Haiku is a fascinating form of poetry. Each verse conveys a message clear in the author’s mind, but that could be different in the mind of the recipient. Scott Anderson fills our minds with images as he reads his Haiku selections. Nature, Human thoughts, and Fantasy are all there in so few words, read in a brief moment.

 

Bruce Haedrich approaches the future maybe a bit ahead of the rest of us. His stories often foreshadow technological and political ramifications before they occur. Some of his predictions are frightening; some are hopeful; and others are just simply amazing. In Bruce’s story, Nadia, we look into the future of robotics, specifically humanoid robotics. As Bruce nears the end of his story, things get complicated. If you’ve read any of his work, you know his stories are always complicated, but this one takes it to new heights. Look for the book as it moves toward publication.

 

James Kelly continues the saga of the Mackenzie family in his latest book entitled Advance the Line. It’s 1918, and the War To End All Wars finds the first divisions of the U.S. Army on the line in France. Young Lieutenant Mackenzie’s platoon is at the center of the company in an area where the fighting has been very light. The French commanders have placed the untested Yankee Division on this part of the line because they have not felt the brunt of combat and fear they might not hold if attacked. However, the German forces recognize the opportunity and launch a fierce assault. They drive the American forces back. Assigned to hold as long as they can, Mackenzie’s platoon suffers many casualties but holds. The Americans regroup and counterattack. They break the enemy’s line and drive them back. After the battle, Mackenzie answers the call for volunteers to join the Tank Corps. Despite his superiors’ wishes, he is transferred.

 

Fitting for this meeting, Roberta Molaro reads a new poem, Independence, written especially for our nation’s 205^th anniversary. In addition to her poem, Roberta shared some of her history with us as she tells the tale of Someday Hill.

 

It’s been a great evening. Beautiful words filled our ears and sank into our minds. We’ll meet again on July 15; it will still be hot, so you can stay cool and write. In fact, you can READ, Read, and read some more, then WRITE, Write, and write some more. In any case, KEEP ON WRITING!