Answer to the call

   Two days ago I put out a call for writing to post on the blog. I received three immediate replies.

Don Westerfield gave me two entries, both short - flash fiction pieces. He invites critique and suggestions. Read The Affair and The Cafe as follows. Let us see your replies.


Ian Schagen sent a timely piece, In the Time of Coronavirus. Read and enjoy it.

Lois Stern challenges the group with her premature departure for New York. Stay safe, everybody.

THE AFFAIR

Don Westerfield Sr.

No doubt the way it ended was the easiest way for her.
abrupt, unfeeling, without anger, just a message on his phone, it left him wondering, and at a loss as to why, but he guessed at the why, she had no future with him, and she needed a future. He said he understood, but I know he ached at the parting.

The months had drifted, as he had drifted, aimlessly it seemed. I told him affairs are always doomed before they begin, but he didn’t listen. His lasted longer than it should have because he fell in love with her, and he knew better too; this was not his first affair.

She certainly knew how to make him feel young again, she stoked the warm embers inside of him that grew into a fire. Of course, it was an unlikely pairing from the beginning, she was June, he was October, his Autumn years were waning, hers was at her Summer’s peak, 

I wish she had told him the why face to face though, even knowing it would be painful. I want to believe she was only trying to spare him the hurt. That’s when his drinking started, and his life fell apart. They say all things must end in truth, well it wasn’t just the bullet that killed him, I think when she took back her love, she also took back his youth. 

THE CAFÉ

Don Westerfield Sr.

  Her fragrance and the rustle of her dress brings my head up out of the newspaper. Completely forgetting the crossword puzzle I’m working on; I watch her take a seat a few tables away. I guess her to be in her middle to late forties radiating beauty and a self-assurance few women her age would possess. She seems to know she has my attention for her lips break into a slight smile as she gives a furtive glance in my direction.

  I feign attention to my paper as she gives the waitress an order, but I watch her every move, imagining myself sitting across from her. My mind races with anticipation of maybe touching, caressing or even loving her. If only I was bold enough to go over and make my acquaintance.

  Then her gaze lifts and her eyes look directly into mine as if she is reading my thoughts and saying, “come to me.” I push back from the table and rise from my chair, just as a figure comes between us. I see him bend down and kiss her cheek. She eagerly grabs his hand and pulls him to his seat. I quickly lower myself back to my paper and wonder almost out loud what the answer to eighteen down might be.

In The Time of Coronavirus

United in self-isolation
Millions in every nation
Join together in separation.

Those with a conscience, those with a heart
Can help each other, for a start,
To keep people safe by staying apart.

We’re in this together, wherever we are
United aloneness, both near and afar
All of us living on this spinning star.

In the time of the plague, kings and lords hid inside
With others kept out, and many then died
With nowhere to go, and nowhere to hide.

Now things are better: we each have a hole
That we can hide in, keep down the death toll
Waiting in hope for the good times to roll.

And while we’re apart, we’re connecting with others
Family and friends, aunts, sisters and brothers
May even have time to make calls to their mothers!

Ian

Now I thought I'd throw out this challenge to the group. The next Tales2Inspire theme is SAYING GOODBYE. I don't want a bunch of tear-jerking stories - there are many scenarios in life where we say goodbye to one situation or person, and start anew. How many such ideas can the group come up with - individually and collectively. Who knows, some might be so clever that they would like to submit a story for the next edition.

I hope you all remain healthy and that this latest scare is just that, more bark than bite.

Hugs,

Lois

3/26/20 Update, Staying Isolated

I'm staying away from people and working on my latest endeavor. I may actually have time to get something done now that I've been furloughed from my job. Betsy is doing her best to keep me busy but I've managed to find some hiding places in a two-bedroom villa with garage, believe it or not.

I have a wonderful spouse and her sense of humor keeps me on my toes. Yesterday she asked me if I was tired of being "cooped up". I shrugged, and she said, "I feel like we're "incooperated", now I think that's a new word for temporary incorporation into our "quarinternment" vocabulary.

Hey, I'd like to hear from you guys, you've got my email, rodshs62@hotmail.com for those to don't, so send me something you're working on even if it's just a paragraph or sentence you may be struggling with. If I can't help, maybe someone in the group can. Let me know if you want help and I'll post the problem and ask for the group's help.

I miss you guys! 
Keep on Writing

Meeting Changes

Due to recent events, I cannot attend a meeting this week. I recommend we cancel the meeting until we know more about this bug. 

Check this blog for meeting schedules in future weeks. Stay safe and don't take unneeded chances.

March 4th, 2020

Starting off the meeting a few minutes early gave us an opportunity to discuss a subject I find fascinating, Plot Driven or Character Driven stories. Sparks fly when authors begin to discuss subjects close to their heart. Both camps expressed viewpoints and there were those of us who weren’t sure which style we encompass. I find myself a little confused. A recent article from the NY BOOK EDITORS blog. 

Character-Driven Vs. Plot Driven: Which is Best, defines the hallmarks of a plot-driven story in this way:

When you focus on plot, you focus on events.

Plot-driven stories are often exciting and fast paced. They compel the reader to turn the page to find out how the characters will escape, evade, prevail, or overcome.

As an author of a plot-driven story, you have to meticulously tie together plot points to create a cohesive story. You naturally focus on ideas instead of people and their motivations.

In your story, you force your characters to make quick decisions that move the plot forwards. As a result, character development is secondary to plot development.

A Character-Driven Story is defined in the same article as:

A character-driven story is one focused on studying the characters that make up your story. Character-driven stories can deal with inner transformation or the relationships between the characters.

Whereas plot-driven stories focus on a set of choices that a character must make, a character-driven story focuses on how the character arrives at a particular choice. When you zoom into the internal conflicts, you tend to focus less on the external conflicts. The plot in a character-driven story is usually simple and often hyper-focused on the internal or interpersonal struggle of the character(s).

In a character-driven story, the plot is used to develop the character.

Many readers love character-driven stories because the author tends to put a premium on developing realistic, flawed, and human characters. Readers can see themselves or someone they love in these characters and, as a result, connect emotionally.

Can your story change from chapter to chapter? I think it may, depending on what type of story you’re writing. We’re talking about fiction here, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and other genres have limiting factors built in. A good writer must build believable characters and sustain a storyline to keep the reader interested, who wants to read a story with shallow characters and no rhyme or reason to its flow. If your character takes on a life in your imagination and directs the flow of the story, is that a character-driven story? Can a character drive a chapter while the storyline, plot, drive others? Think about it, find examples to support your arguments and bring them to the next meeting. Bring examples of your work in which you use either or both elements. Let’s have fun with this.

Well, what else? Oh, I almost forgot, we had two visitors at this meeting. Joann Buell’s sister, Helen Harvey is visiting from the Finger-Lakes are of New York, she sat in on the meeting as an observer. We hope she comes back again even if it’s during a subsequent visit. Also, Jean Young, author of Quicksilver Summer, joined us as she is vacationing here from Newfoundland, Canada. Jean tells us the writers in her home group have published an anthology of their work and it has sold well. Her book, Quicksilver Summer, has been used through the provinces in schools as a tool to help readers with limited reading skills learn to read better. Using simpler language and basic writing techniques, she makes reading and understanding easier. What is your target audience? Thank you for attending, Jean if you’re in the area, we welcome you anytime.

Diving into our reading segment, Ed Ellis unlimbered a poem I think is one of best he’s written. Entitled Quantum Reality, this piece takes on a subject confusing to a vast majority of the rest of us. Quantum Physics, just the name conjures up pictures of atoms and exploding stars in my mind, is explained in this poem, as only a poet/physicist can derive. Passages like,

“Created by vibrating molecule bonds

Playing the music of odor

We listen to the quantum guitars

Of Chemistry”

create a picture in my mind and clarifies a fuzzy and distorted image that has long eluded me. More Ed!

Letters! Are letters a dying art form? Peter Frickel writes a collection of letters, real or fictional, hard to tell. Interesting, almost spell casting, for sure. He gives us a glimpse into the lives of people across the world and in all walks of life through these letters. A Legionnaire in the deserts of North Africa, an Attorney on vacation in the Pyrenees Mountains, writing letters home or to lovers. Each tome gives us an insight into the lives, loves, and fears of someone we don’t know. Also, the story of a river ending its journey upon entering the ocean as seen through the eyes of a youngster or is it a memory of a native home long ago, but never forgotten.

A THRACIAN CATFIGHT in the fourth century. Ernie Ovitz takes us to the year 311 as the emperor Maxentius plots to declare war on his brother-in-law Constantine. Gathering his allies and supporters in a vacation palace, a pair of female gladiators square off in a struggle to the bitter end as entertainment for the bloodthirsty spectators. Descriptive language and passionate composition bring reality to the page. A few suggestions cannot help but enhance the story. Great job Ernie.

Creation and Media Gone Wild are subjects for Scott Anderson’s poetry. In a haiku we’re left with a mystery about creation, are we suspended by a thin thread? What happens if the thread is dropped? When the media gets hold of a story, in this case, the Corona Virus, is the hype more important than the story, will the hype cause more harm than the disease? What a powerful tool words are, and in the hands of a master they can wreak havoc.

Bill Elam has a story with no names, only characters who draw you into the moment. This chapter breaks the no-name rule as Sam makes an appearance. Based on an actual case, Sam’s attorney takes a homeless vagrant’s case to the Supreme Court of the United States of America and changes the law forever. Yes, Bill, this man deserves his name.

How many people have met a two-faced monster in their lives? Rip Converse writes of an ambitious and innocent 15-year-old girl named Gabby. Her first crush, a boy who treats her well and seems to be a true gentleman changes when the evil flame of lust burns hot in his loins. He attacks with rape on his mind, physically abusive and intent on getting what he wants, Gabby must fight him with tooth and nail. A barely remembered tactic comes to mind as he holds her captive in his barn. Does she prevail? What next? Look for Rip’s newest book to find out.

Returning to the Poet’s Corner, we hear from Don Westerfield as he brings us two great pieces. Sailing to the Moon takes us on a magical nocturnal voyage. Lyrical and enchanting, this piece leaves us dreaming of calm waters and soothing moonlight. In a salute to his late father, My Father’s Vagabond Life, chronicles the life of a man whose flaws are overshadowed by his devotion to family. Times were hard in days gone by. Great story in verse, Don.

Embarking on a gargantuan task, Bruce Haedrich attempts to look at creation from the earth’s point of view. Giaia Earth, the Living Planet is the first of at least four installments. Having already taken on the formation of a hurricane from a wisp of a breeze in Africa, to the formation of the Great Plains in previous writings, he is stalking the universe. Amusing in some passages, frightening in others, his story is informative and spellbinding.

Manifest Destiny took Americans west. James Kelly tells us of their lust for land and riches which disposed native tribes from their land and drove some to near extinction. Lack of foresight and greed cost many their lives and livelihood. Here, on the frontier wagon trains formed and settlers abandon unessential belongings before setting out for the unknown. A young man views the process and looks toward his future.

Starship Diana has traveled across galaxies, suffered a mutiny, and was damaged by a collision with a meteor. Now her Captain faces the impossible task of landing the 3-kilometer-long-craft, which was never designed to be a landing craft, on a planet taken over by the rebels who mutinied. Ian Schagen’s stellar imagination presents many scenarios. How will this happen? Who will survive? Stay tuned and look for this and other Schagen books.

Who would think our founder and poet, Susan Haley, would ever write for a news outlet? Well, she did. She wrote an article depicting confusion in the media. Interruptions in interviews, misquoting and avoiding direct responses to questions. Does all this sound familiar? In the midst of another election cycle, we are bombarded with this stuff every day, night and day. When did she write this article? In 2008. It wasn’t new then and is still pertinent today as it was since the beginning of time.

Well, that pretty much sums it up for this meeting. I may have missed something, but I’m not perfect. Until the next time, March 18^th, KEEP ON WRITING.

BOOK SIGNING OPPORTUNITY

Book signing opportunity: Local indie authors are encouraged to participate in Authors in the Park, spotlighting local authors, Thursday, March 12,  11 am – 2 pm, Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota. Authors of all genres are welcome and encouraged to take part in this book signing event spotlighting local authors. We will heavily promote the event through traditional and social media, with flyers, and through other channels throughout the community to encourage members of the community to come out and support us.

The cost is only $30 per space and may be shared by two authors. Authors need to bring their own tables and chairs; tents are welcome but must be securely anchored. Set-up begins at 9 am and authors are asked to be set up and ready to greet guests by 10 am.

Tunes, Trucks, and Treasures (formerly the Brown Bag Concert Series) features food trucks and a different musical act each Thursday in February and March. Authors are welcome to participate any Thursday. Sophisticated Swing will perform on March 12. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse on the Phillippi Estate property. Tunes, Trucks & Treasures is presented by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

AUTHORS MUST BE REGISTERED BY MARCH 1ST
For more information and a Registration Form please contact Ramona Fields at ramonalovesdogs@verizon.net or 941-544-7549

February 19th, 2020

This week’s meeting gave us an opportunity to learn about Marketable Writing as presented by Ed Ellis. With questions and comments from the listeners, Ed took us on a journey through his Writing for Marketable Writers. From explaining the difference between a model and a plan to reaching our desired outcome. Although not all listeners agreed on all points, they did see options presented they’ve not always considered. Informative and thought-provoking, the presentation opened avenues for thought and options unfamiliar to all of us. Ed has put his presentation in pdf format and offers it to anyone who would like a copy. Email Ed or Rod, emails are listed to the right side of this post, with a subject line of Marketable Writing and we will send you a copy.

Thank you, Ed.

With time remaining in the evening, we opened the floor for reading. First up was Don Westerfield. Usually, Don brings us poetry, but occasionally he comes up with an entertaining piece of prose in his unique style. Always welcomed by the listeners, we look forward to Don’s work and settle in knowing we will enjoy what’s about to come; he didn’t disappoint us this week. Entitled, The Alien, Don entered the realm of humor and science-fiction in one fell swoop. Somewhere in a jungle of undisclosed location, a young woman suffers the loss of her husband to be. His untimely death leaves her distressed and sure she will never become a lover or mother; she will never know the joys of womanhood. Her fears are accentuated by the crashing arrival of a spherical object crashing through the canopy of the jungle and coming to rest a short distance from her mourning hut. The interaction of the young woman with an alien being is remarkable as she has little or no fear of the unknown due to her circumstances. The ending comes in an unexpected and awakening conclusion. Don’s next book may well contain this story and is worth waiting for.

Another sci-fi writer took the stage as Ian Schagen read a continuation of his tale of a starship’s journey across the galaxy. After being hijacked by a violent splinter group of colonists who’d signed on to establish colonies on previously uninhabited planets, the starship captain is awakened from wrongly enforced hyper-sleep by a minor malfunction alarm. Discovering he’d been forced into hibernation only a few light-weeks earlier, he turns the behemoth starship around and returns to the planet whereupon the rebels have established a fortified colony. Accomplishing the impossible, he guides the monstrous ship through the atmosphere and uses the atomic hyper-drive engines to attack the rebel outposts. Are his efforts successful? I guess you’ll have to wait until this tome is complete and published. Look for it in the future.

We returned to Castro’s Cuba with Jeff Kutcher as he read more about his friend, Amauri. Baseball is popular in Cuba, and games are commonplace. Amauri and his brother compete in one such game but must cut their time short as they must meet with their father. As they walk to the meeting, Amauri’s brother confides as to how he would someday like to live in the United States. The revelation is shared by the brothers but would not be popular with their father, a General in Castro’s army. Cuba has always been a tourist destination for Europeans especially those from Spain. In this episode, a pair of Spanish tourists are duped and robbed by an acquaintance of Amauri and his brother.  How does that sit with the brothers? We wait for the next installment.

We meet again on March 4th and look forward to seeing you once again for discussion and reading your work for critique or help. The readers for this meeting will be led off by Bruce Haedrich and Sue Haley, both choose to defer their turn this week so others would be able to read. Until the 4th, KEEP ON WRITING, and we hope to see you at the Firehouse.

February 5th, 2020

Another beautiful evening in Nokomis, Florida and a great meeting at the firehouse with the Sarasota Writer’s Group. The evening started off with a book giveaway; Bruce Haedrich brought in four copies each of his Dan Marin Mystery books and invited all of us to take those we wished to read for free. His only prerequisite was we write a review of the books we take to read. I hope to read a lot of great reviews.

We welcomed Keri Dieffenwierth back after an absence as she healed from a surfing accident, we missed her. Jim Kelly was in attendance; he was honored by the Suncoast Writer’s Guild in Englewood for his work with students in the local school system. Jim has introduced elementary school students to poetry for several years now and many have shown a true gift for it. Congratulations, Jim, great work!

With 22 in attendance and 12 writers wishing to share work with us, we moved directly to the reading portion of the meeting. Peter Frickel opened the session with a piece he calls The Vixen Pub. A man remembers the time he spent with an old flame as they are reunited. This reunion has a surprising twist as the evening wears on. His old love is not as she once seemed. Look for this piece on Peter’s web page or on Amazon in the future.

After his book giveaway, Bruce Haedrich shared an original piece documenting 175 Million years of change by giving a personality to The North American Plain. Speaking as the plain, Bruce takes us through the millennia as seen by the virtual eyes of what is now a large section of North America. Unique and informative, his piece might be the best simplification of tectonic plate movement I’ve ever heard.

A change of pace in Scott Anderson’s work is seen in his 3 poems presented here. First; Pride and Gluttony depicted the sins of a proud glutton as his confession unfolds. Second; Envy and Greed come to the fore in a second confession and the reader can feel compassion for the unforgiven. Third; Lust rears its ugly head as base instinct rules in the life of one seeking forgiveness.

Who knows what will come out of Ed Ellis’s mind when he takes up the pen? A true story with a well-learned lesson enthralled us as Ed and a buddy take a ride on their brand-new Harleys into the California mountains. All goes well on the way up the mountain, after a stop for refreshment the return trip gets exciting when his buddy misjudges a turn and crashes. Thrown from the bike, he lands upon a rattlesnake. The upset snake shows its displeasure by burying its fangs in the biker’s leg. Ed was adamant it was the leg, not his ass that was bitten. If it was the ass, it would have been ‘TOO BAD.’ Ed uses poor judgment in sucking blood and venom out of his friend’s leg when the paramedic mentions how cavities in one’s teeth would be the same as being bit. Both men spent time in the hospital receiving antivenom.

Chapter 6 of Barb Marvin’s mystery novel, her fifth or sixth book, follows an unnamed character out Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Development springs up in an area he chose to hide secrets, anger rises as he flees the area set on getting retribution for losing his valued secret place.

Everyman, Don Westerfield’s poem about the average person’s life hits a nerve for every person who hears it. Poignant, none escape the insight of this poet. My Poem as a Painting, his second offering, puts words in a new light with a comparison of art forms. Great work, Don, can’t wait for more from you.

What was it like to be a slave on a slave ship? Jim Kelly gives us a possibility in his poem Darkness. Listen carefully and you can taste the fear, shiver with cold nights, sweat in stagnant heat, and breath secondhand air as the imprisoned cargo is swept away to the unknown.

Castro’s Cuba is home to a growing lad. Jeff Kutcher tells of Amauri nearing the age of 15. He has an appointment with his father to discuss his future. An older brother has a job and lives an independent life, what does the future hold for Amauri? Sleep eludes him as scenarios fill his young mind on the night before the meeting.

Tales2Inspire is a creation of Lois Stern. Lois read a winning tale from her latest edition entitled The Swan by Linda Bond. Linda read us the rough draft before leaving the area last year. A kitchen remodel job causes excess anxiety in a woman who seeks to find calm in watching the swan on a lake behind her home. Well written and deserving of publication, this story shows how the simplest things can bring calm to a hectic life.

Already hard at work after publishing his two-volume work about the Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock, James Kelly has begun another saga, this time it takes place after the civil war. Entitled, McKenzie’s Plan, it follows the life of a career officer and his family.

Another chapter in Jane Forgey’s Life Altered memoir brings a story of an early snowfall resulting in a rare snow day off from school in November. Fun for kids, but what about Mama and Daddy? Keep it coming Jane, most enjoyable.

Moving away from his Si-Fi genre, Ian Schagen brought us a poem entitled Life Drawing. An art class is presented with a nude model posing for their assignment. Once the artwork is complete there are as many interpretations of shape and scale as there are students. Perception is studied in this wonderful offering. Great job Ian, looking forward to more from you.

That’s about all for this week, folks. Remember, Ed Ellis will present his program MODELS FOR MARKETABLE WRITING at our next meeting, February 19th. Ed says it’s about an hour or so, depending on how long the question and answer portion takes. Until then, KEEP ON WRITING!

Linda asks that I post this for all our members.

Linda Schell, Marketing Volunteer
Writers on the Air
97.5 FM 501C-3
Member of Ed Ellis's Englewood Group
Member of ABC Authors and Illustrators


ATTENTION: Open Mic live on 97.5 FM . . . Every Sunday WKDW 97.5 FM nonprofit radio invites amateur writers, poets, and comedians to perform or READ their poem, story, or screen play on its weekly program, "Writers on the Air." (3 to 4 minutes is suggested per round). We want funny or family-friendly content.  Sign-up: 2:30. Airs live: 3:04.

After the show a participating visitor who reads may be eligible for a three-minute author interview that is posted on the “Writers on the Air” Facebook page.

Join us at Common Grounds Meeting Hall, 12735 US-41, North Port and relax in our family-friendly BYOB Listening Room, which offers comfortable seating. Find us next door to WKDW 97.5 FM radio station in the Springs Plaza just south of Caddy Carts if heading south from Venice.  The public is WELCOME. Readers need not be published.

For details, contact Linda Schell, Lschell2@verizon.net, 941-223-1262. Please visit our FACEBOOK PAGE: “Writers on the Air.”

January 22, 2020

Welcome back. Our second meeting in 2020 was well attended. Two new attendees joined fifteen regulars this week. JoAnn McGraph and Doaa Talees (excuse me if I misspelled a name) attended their first meeting while Lois Stern returned for her annual escape from the icy winds of Long Island.

This was the last meeting in January, our first meeting in February will take place on our usual first Wednesday of the month, Feb 5th. We’re back on schedule the first and third Wednesday of the month. 

Last meeting, we enjoyed a look as some words not often used in today’s lexicon. While many of us knew their meaning, we seldom, if ever, use the words. This week Scott Anderson heard another word, used by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States while seemingly scolding prosecuting and defense teams giving their opening statements at the Presidential Impeachment Trial, he accused both teams of pettifoggery. Do you know what it means? Dictionary.com defines it as:
1. to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.
2. to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.
3. to practice chicanery of any sort.

Regardless of your political views, the use of a word not often used in twentieth or twenty-first-century speech is interesting and, as writers, we must take note of the language used around us. I do not promote writing with a thesaurus at hand in order to search out uncommon words as you write, but I do promote using the strongest verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs when needed to make your writing stand out. Be careful, use the adjectives and adverbs judiciously, too much can ruin a great story.

Our last meeting saw the group read answers to a challenge; write a story using or about the phrase Stay low, don’t fight, in 35 words or less. The results were varied and interesting. Following the same vein, another challenge was issued; in 35 words or less write a story about Firehouse. The results were remarkable, ranging from wailing sirens to sizzling submarine sandwiches, the super flash fiction entries covered even ships at sea in prose, dialogue, and poetry. We do meet at the Firehouse in Nokomis, Florida and are forever grateful for the use of the hall. As a small token of our appreciation, the group wants all the Firehouse entries emailed to me, rodshs62@hotmail.com for printing and inclusion in a publication to be presented to the Firefighters and Officers of this station. If you’ve written longer stories or even a novel about firefighters and firehouse life, please allow us to share that with these brave men and women who risk life and limb to protect us from disaster. You never know what you’ll get when you challenge a group of writers. The challenge issued for next meeting is somewhat daunting, Summarize the novel, Moby Dick, in a single sentence of 35 words or less.  Ed Ellis has figuratively nailed a $5 bill to the mast for the writer who does it with the shortest sentence.

We moved on to the reading portion of our meeting. Opening with Don Westerfield reading two wonderful poems, First Snow of Winter addresses the wonders seen in the first snowfall of the season. Displeased birds, curious rodents, bare trees giving up the last stubborn leaves, and children’s enchantment are vividly expressed in Don’s expressive work. Inspired by an old man remembered from his past, The Old Bachelor expresses a man’s memories and regrets over a lifetime in which “If only” became his mantra.

Barb Marvin revisited Chapter One of her novel Defenseless. Having rewritten the chapter, she presented it for our assessment. A consensus of “much better” met her reading of a suspense-filled scene in which a mysterious man drives through the darkness of post-midnight toward an ominous mission in rural Sarasota County. Tension builds until culminating in a cliffhanging action which primed the group to hear more. Great job Barb.

A letter to a new student whom Ed Ellis is mentoring delivers a message of inspiration as the next phase of life dawns. In the closing paragraph, sage advice warning not to attempt to work toward success and failure at the same time by narrowing viewpoints is given and we hope heeded.

In a chapter entitled The Patriots, Bill Elam presents an open-ended scene where a group of men gather around a firepit and share experiences. As the old men relive and remember experiences gained in life through war and peace, the young listen hoping to learn about life and the price some may have paid. Where in his story does this belong? Is the old man of his story a teller or a listener in this scene?

Have you ever wondered how hurricanes are formed? If you get a chance to read Bruce Haedrich’s story, The Storm, do so. Depicting a dry swirl of wind in the Sahara as a living being, the story follows it from birth to its final moments and reads as a romantic tale. Struggling to survive in a hostile world, the wind grows, meets and joins a community, falls in love, and mates with elements met on land, in the sky, and on the ocean to form the mature storm marching to its death on another shore. Intriguing, with a sensual bent, the writing is superb and fun to read.

A Letter Never Sent by Jane Forgey held wonderful thoughts and recapped the history of friendship fostered by what began as a commercial relationship. As the owner of a café, Jane befriended a couple as they became regular customers while vacationing in her area. After years of association they were fast friends and shared tales of travel, experiences, and personal outlook on life. Tragedy struck as the male half of the couple passed away and the reason for vacations died with him. The letter remains unsent, even after many years have passed.

Science Fiction stories and politics are Ian Schagen’s preferred genres. A chapter from Armontiriath, his latest work, sets up a story with unlimited possible outcomes with both subjects taking center stage. As the starship hurtles through space, an insurrection involving passengers and a member of the command staff change the ship's course and mission. Where will it lead, only Ian’s mind will lead us there.

Poet Scott Anderson presented work with both melodic structure and meter combined with a deeply moving subject. Clouds of Separation presents four, four-line stanzas without refrain, which beg to explain one’s faith or questioning of faith. How the simple collection of moisture seems to hang as a curtain separating heaven and earth and represent a barrier across which we struggle to see is expressed so beautifully. Look for Scott’s collection, hopefully soon.

When aboard a vessel at sea or in the inland waterways of a country, hazards abound. Who would expect to be awakened in the darkest hours by the U.S. Coast Guard while anchored in a protected cove? JoAnn Buell and her husband experienced such trauma while sailing up the intercoastal waterway on the Atlantic coast. In A Bad Night, she tells us, that while riding out a bit of inclement weather, it seems they trespassed into the waters of a military facility. Tired, the couple anchored for the night doing their best to find a leeward position seeking protection from wind and rain. The midnight hail of a cutter ordering them to move or face impounding of their boat, brought them from their bed naked as newborn babes and scrambling to find robes. All’s well that ends well, however. This is only one of many stories JoAnn has written as she journaled her way through the voyage. I hope we get to see them all one day.

Closing out the evening, Lois Stern read of her beloved uncle in Unkie and His Tell-tale Trail of Smoke. A frugal but fun-loving man, Unkie was seldom without his pipe. Even as a firefighter, he once failed to extinguish the pipe before putting in his pocket as he clung to the rear step of a fire engine racing to fight a fire. From family gatherings to his final days in an assisted living facility, his pipe was as much a part of him as any body part. The full story can be found in the latest edition of Tales2Inspire.

Well, that’s all for today. Join us one of these evenings at the Nokomis Fire Station. We have fun, you’ll hear some really good stories and meet interesting people. Our second meeting in February will feature a presentation by Ed Ellis, an hour about Models for Publicizing your books. Join us and, until then, KEEP ON WRITING.

Volunteers needed for the 2020 Southwest Florida Writers Conference

Volunteers are needed for the 2020 Southwest Florida Writers Conference
       
     The conference will be held, April 18, at the Port Charlotte Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. www.southwestfloridawritersconference.com


      Not registering for the conference? We could use your services as a volunteer. 
      The doors open for volunteers at 7 am. Check-in begins at 8 am and the first workshops begin at 9 am. 
• - Room monitors - an opportunity to listen to all the workshops held in one of six workshops. Training will be given for room monitors on how to use the AV equipment. 
• - Timekeepers - Keep things moving by keeping the attendees meeting the agents and local faculty on time in one to one sessions. 
• - Check-in desk - check off attendees as they arrive and hand out the swag bags, name tags, and programs
• - Agent transportation - pick up an agent from a local airport and bring them to their hotel. A great way to interact with an agent on a personal level someone attending the conference, or a room monitor. We will have to coordinate the agents' arrival and departure times with their transportation volunteers. They will also need transportation from the hotel to the cultural center. Lots of chat time with a NY agent.
 All volunteers will receive coffee in the morning, lunch and dinner and are welcome to stay and listen to the Keynote speaker as a thank you. contact Joanne Tailele - Joanne.tailele@gmail.com

A Note from Lois Stern

January 16, 2020

I recently sent this to my NY writers' group members and thought it might be helpful to some of the Sarasota group as well: 

How Important are book reviews anyway?

In a recent blog by Jeniffer Thompson, a Personal Branding Expert & Digital Marketing Strategist from San Diego, Ca. she wrote:

Reviews are directly linked to book sales on Amazon because that’s what drives their algorithms. The more reviews you have, the more people will see your book. The more people that see your book, the greater the chances are that someone will buy it, and therefore review it. You see where this is going, right? Due to Amazon’s algorithms, if you have less than 10 good reviews, your book will likely never be seen. 

Two things I know for sure: How important it is to get Amazon posted reviews and how hard it is to get them! So, I am asking you each to join in that effort. 

Here are a couple of ideas you might try to make it easier for potential reviewers. But know in advance there is a caveat to posting reviews. The reviewer must have spent a minimum of $50 on Amazon purchases to qualify. No problem for most of us, so let me move on.

1. On a time crunch? Aren’t we all! Suggest that potential reviewers read a specific portion of your book to get its flavor. (Maybe 35-50 pages). Honest, you don’t have to read the entire book to get a good feel for it.
2. You might try offering some discussion questions to help target several key points in your book. I have made it super easy for my readers by posting BOOK REVIEW DISCUSSION QUESTIONS at the end of each Tales2Inspire book. (See attached sample)
3. And be sure to offer folks a FREE book in exchange for an honest review (Ask that they post it within 30 days, or they are likely to forget.).

Think about it for a moment. How many books will you review for your fellow authors in 2000?

Lois W. Stern
Creator of Tales2Inspire® - an 'Authors Helping Authors’ Project/Contest

January 8th, 2020

January 8th, 2020

The first meeting of 2020 was well attended, 13 lucky writers including 2 first-time attendees were in attendance. Welcome to Santiago Gallegos and Joann Buell. I hope you enjoyed our meeting and plan to return.

Unfortunately, our co-host and good friend Ernie Ovitz was under the weather and chose not to share his misfortune with us. Get well soon, we miss you.

Rod presented a list of 28 unusual words, more likely known to our older writers than youngsters, they ranged from Bamboozled and Discombobulated to Whatchamacallit and Whippersnapper. If you would like the list, email me at rodshs62@hotmail.com. Be sure to include Writer's Group in the subject line.

A month ago, more like 6 weeks actually, a challenge was issued to the group by Peter Frickel, write a story in 35 words or less using the phrase, Stay Low, Don’t Fight. Eleven writers present took up the gauntlet and several presented multiple entries; all were interesting. From the trenches of WWI to reasoning a will to live in this modern world the mini-stories each struck chords of excitement in the listeners. Great job, so much fun the group asked for more. Scott Anderson suggested, and we accepted the challenge for the next meeting to write a 35-word mini-story about a Firehouse. Good luck. Since we meet in a firehouse, this should be interesting.

We progressed into the reading portion of the meeting after a short discussion concerning a few minor points each of us face when writing. Some good general knowledge.

Bruce Haedrich led us off with a piece of flash fiction entitled The Phone Call. A dialed cell phone with the daughter's correct number input was answered by a familiar voice, not his daughter. The voice belonged to his departed brother who’d passed away some time earlier. The conversation which ensued was both disturbing and enlightening. Less than three minutes were consumed as the brothers talked. A well-educated scientist, his brother explained how the call may have occurred and what might have happened. Bruce was even more befuddled and when the signal weakened and static obliterated his brother’s voice, he was loath to hang up, but hang up he must with questions unanswered and bewilderment compounded. Was this real or a dream? 

When Tish McAuley took the stage, she read a part of her memoir in progress. After moving to Siesta Key, she watched her family fall even deeper into a dysfunctional chasm. Her older brothers began drinking and heavy drug use, emulating their mother. When a local pharmacy was burglarized, her brothers were suspects. The little sister, Tish was often discounted as a pest, but when she led the police to the stolen drugs her brothers knew they must watch out for her. From then on, she was included with a vow of secrecy. They gave her the first beer when she was still a child. Alcohol became her portal of escape from the world into which she was thrust. How did she know things? From where did the knowledge come? Was she crazy? Or, does she have a way of seeing beyond here vision?

Letters, not the things which form words, but tomes filled with information we send to friends and relatives. Peter Frickel loves letters, handwritten and personal. He’s even filling a book with letters from and to friends and acquaintances. Letters are our thoughts, our feelings, nurtured as we would our children, and shared with those whom we love. All writers must have an affinity for letters, past and present.

Bill Elam has returned from his Kentucky home to spend some months with us in the warmth of Florida. A refinement to the opening chapters of his work, I think the working title may be Ripples, follows the consequences of an old couple which might or might not live in Florida. Bill’s story is a bit unique, powerful, and engaging. His characters have no names, often the plot is abstract and allows the reader much leeway in interpreting the story. The old couple lives unremarkable lives except in the eyes and hearts of those whom they befriend. When published, this will be a fantastic read.

Scott Anderson came through with another provocative poem as he presented his, Winds of my Native Land. Homesick for those who shaped his young world and the environment of his past, Scott’s well-crafted words sent a chill up the spines of his listeners. Well done, Scott.

One of our new attendees, Santiago Gallegos, read a piece he’d written for friends who’ve recently purchased their first home in Florida. Prose with a lyrical twist honored the Sunshine Girls. Well written and on point, the piece shows a romantic soul directing the words of this author.

Ending the readings, Susan Haley read a poem written a few years back which still carries resonance with Susan today. Resiliency depicts Susan’s will to survive and bounce back from adversity. How would we survive if not resilient?

It was a great evening and, even though we are off schedule this month, well attended. For those of you who couldn’t make it this time, we hope to see you on January 22nd at the Nokomis Firehouse. Until then, KEEP ON WRITING.

THE END OF 2019?

2019 is coming to a close. It has been a productive year for most of our writers but is a year really over. All our hard work of the past year is still relevant, it needs editing, rewriting, and publishing. Whatever you do, don't abandon even the most trivial pieces, save them, cherish them for someday they may become the basis for a new story.

We at the Sarasota Writer's Group wish you a very Happy New Year and remember each day begins a new year. KEEP ON WRITING!

December 18, 2019

Welcome; writers and readers are often one-in-the-same. Here in the Sarasota Writers Group, our writers read their work to other writers so they can become better writers. Join us sometime, see what it’s all about.

This meeting was the last of 2019 and the group celebrated the Holidays with a spread of food. Walking by the table laden with cookies, brownies, cakes, candies, and a delicious spread of delectable sweetmeats, I seemed to gain three pounds. The fare was as plentiful as it was delicious. 

As is our semi-annual custom, we presented the Nokomis Fire Department a donation of $210 in appreciation of their allowing us to use their facility twice a month all year long. We advised the on-duty personnel how food usually remains after the meeting as most of us bring about four times as much as we can ever eat. The firefighters assured us, “the leftovers will be disposed of in a proper manner.” One firefighter whispered, unaware I might have overheard, “I have dibs on any leftover brownies.”

Despite enjoying the culinary delights, we had time to hear from seven of our authors.

Leading off the evening, Bruce Haedrich brought us a wonderful poem, A Christmas Story. Written much like the classic, The Night Before Christmas, Bruce took us on a journey to the North Pole. There, among the frozen sheets of ice, drifts of pure white snow, and not far from a little-used airport, he used a directional microphone to detect the sound of elves hard at work. It seems some enterprising young alumni of MIT had launched a plan to kidnap Santa, and Bruce was determined to warn the jolly elf of the impending danger. If Bruce doesn’t publish this, we’ll have to wait until next Christmas to hear it again. It’s worth the wait.

Whimsical seemed to be the theme tonight. Peter Frickel read a piece, My Other Heart, about his time with a Witch Doctor in Africa. It seems Peter developed a second heart, due to the administrations of said Shaman. On a visit to his Cardiologist, Peter had occasion to chat with another patient in the waiting room. He explained the phenomenon to the man. After hearing that it not only made Peter very happy, it also stopped him from ever having a broken heart again. The man tried to buy the extra heart, lots of cash was offered... Peter still has both of his hearts.

It was time for us to hear from our poets. Don Westerfield took center stage with two remarkable poems. Homeward Bound, gave us a glimpse into a man’s life as he took his sailboat out of the harbor on his final voyage. The small boat may someday be found, but will the passenger still be aboard? Why is the question, and the answer is, it’s The Nature of Things. Why can’t flowers bloom in Autumn? As usual, Don’s work gives us reason to want more.

Poetry begets poetry often in our writer’s world. Scott Anderson presented a couple short, but poignant, pieces. In Spring Training Scott recalls watching the Yankees with Mantle and Maris in the lineup and Dad beside him with a mustard stain on his gleaming white shirt. Oh, how we wish we could but go back to those wonderous days. Today's world is teeming with memories yet to come. In Morse Code, the horn of a Taco Truck sounded … –   ….  as it approached. No matter what the dots, dashes, and spaces mean, to Scott it will always mean TACOS!

Murder mysteries are always in vogue. Barb Marn is working on the fifth in a series and shared Chapter 5 with us this evening. A former Detective, now teaching a law enforcement class at a local college, gets a call from a colleague from the Tampa Police Department. As she also runs a startup Private Detective Agency, he asks her to find out if his nephew’s wife is cheating on him. Oh boy, right up her alley. There’s also this student who shows promise but seems to have his eye on developing a more personal relationship with his comely professor. Stay tuned…

James Kelly has published his two-volume tome on the life and times of General Winfield Scott Hancock, a Civil War hero. Look for, I am a Soldier First and Always, on Amazon. Not one to rest, he is diving into another project. Reading the opening gives us insight into his story. The 13-year-old son of the commander of a frontier fort interacts with an Indian boy about the same age. Their story is interwoven into historical fiction following three generations.

Visiting our group for the first time in several years, Jane Forgey introduced us to, her Window to the World. Jane takes us back to when an automobile was a luxury and on those wonderful trips to visit cousins, grandparents, or old friends, we watched the world go by through the window of a moving car. Good work Jane, keep going, we’d like to hear more.

We took several breaks to scarf down goodies, stretched our legs, and came back for more. When it came time to leave, we were almost hesitant to say goodbye, but all good times must end. Thankfully, we will be back in January, not the first and third Wednesday, but the second and fourth for January only. We hope to see you on the 8th and 22nd. Until then, Keep on Writing.

DECEMBER 4TH, 2019

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY! 
It was great to utter those words again at the Sarasota Writers Group. I returned from vacation to host this meeting of the group. It is good to be home.

It is December, and we have a nearly full house this evening. Nineteen attendees including one newbie. Welcome Bill Kemper, your insight and contributions were valuable, and you fit right in with this group. We hope to see you often in the future.

With 15 writers wishing to share their work, we jumped right into the fray. First up was Ernie Ovitz. In Chapter 50, he took us back to old Rome where there appeared to be a shortage of wine. A ship leaves port in the winter, an unusual if not suspicious activity. The Emperor’s intelligence officers get word three Senators plan to meet the ship at ports north of Rome; truly a suspicious circumstance. The son of one conspirator is taken while on his way home from school. The cruel Centurion in charge of the intelligence force counts on a mother’s love to protect her son. Will his plan work?

Deep in the Everglades, on Loop Road, there once was a notorious watering hole called, The Gator Hook. Dennis Cathcart, a regular in the ‘glades’ as an avid ‘snake catcher,’ made more than one of his snake catching trips to this area and may have had occasion to stop at The Gator Hook. In 1972 a fellow herpetologist from Austria named Eric, or is it Erich, oh well, the worked up a thirst while looking for snakes in the heat of South Florida. The Gator Hook was the nearest place to get a cold drink. Upon entering they read what turned out to be an ignored notice, “No Firearms or Knives Allowed.” Patrons at the bar almost all carried a very visible hunting knives, and some may have had suspicious bulges under their shirts at the waistband. Using common sense, the pair ordered a couple of cold sodas and took them outside with them rather than stay in the dim surrounding of the bar. Smart move?

Our "Pepe", Peter Frickle, introduced us to a Love Affair in North Africa. The ending was unique and a surprise to all in the room; after all, who expected the man to sell his true love, even if she was a camel. Continuing a discussion from the last meeting, in good humor, Peter and Bruce Haedrich teamed up to argue a counterpoint to Ian’s piece as introduced and posted in our last blog. Fun and interesting to say the least.

Working on a new story, one of our detective/mystery writers, Barb Marvin, shared an excerpt from the new story with a working title of Defenseless. Willa, her main character and retired police detective turned the teacher of Policing Studies at the local college, notices a student whose circumstances may put him at risk in police work. Her old partner from the force calls and asks her to lunch. Is something afoot?

When Ed Ellis starts to read, you never know what’s going to come out. This week Ed took us back to California and the day shortly after his discharge from the U.S. Navy. Young and unattached, he and fellow sailor, Slick share a Duplex. It’s a one-bedroom, one-bath unit and they have an understanding, the first one home gets the bedroom, the other gets the couch. Unfortunately, after a night on the town, Ed comes home late, and the bedroom is occupied. Sometime later, Ed, in dire need of bathroom facilities, tiptoes past the sleeping couple in the bedroom. Once inside the bathroom, Ed discovers something that strikes his funny bone, unable to help himself, his sniggering awakens the sleepers as he makes a break for the living room. What could be so funny?

Not all our writers have such happy tales to impart. Peter McNally recounts his life after a major stroke in Rewired. Robbed of both short- and long-term memory, Peter attempts to rebuild his life. Diminished eyesight, an inability to feel emotion, or comprehend simple tasks have destroyed his career and business. He struggles with everyday chores and actions. How can it get worse? The second stroke drives him to his knees.

Clairvoyance, a gift or a curse? This is the question for Tish McAuley. A young woman is murdered in the rear parking lot where she lives. Police question Tish at work and a presence worms its way into her mind, her partner/husband is a suspect in the slaying. Does she protect her man? The presence tells her he didn’t do it. She feels the pain and anguish of the victim. Does she tell the truth, or lie to protect? Unusual activity in her pituitary is seen by another clairvoyant as the beginning of her “Third Eye.”

While on vacation Rod DiGruttolo found time to scribble the opening chapter of a story. Working under the title of Diagnosis Dead, the story begins with a man being murdered and his murderer taking the body away.

Our “Newbie”, Bill Kemper was a cop in Detroit for some years. Like most cops, he found graveyards were a good place to write reports, especially at night, not too many interruptions and the neighbors are quiet. His cemetery poem, Tombstones, was insightful but not so deep as to warp one’s mind. Good work Bill.

A visitor from California, Vic, has written a book entitled How to Avoid an IRS Audit. For those of you facing that possibility, you might want to pick up a copy off Amazon.

Poets look a the most mundane tasks as an adventure as shown in Scott Anderson’s poem, The Market. A trip to Publix is a world tour as he explores the offerings his mind sees the villages of France, soars over the city of Los Angeles, drifts past the banana plantations of Guatemala, climbs above the sun-swept mountains of Columbia, wafts pasts a dairy in Ireland, and sweeps above the swaying grain of Iowa’s wheat fields. That’s just for breakfast folks. I guess it may have been from the trip to the market or a television special on the plastic pollution in this world which sent Scott’s mind toward, The Plastic Bag. With big oil corporations touting the usefulness of plastics, the simple plastic bag is everywhere, Oceans, Trees, Landfills, ditches, forests, and deserts.

Reading from his work, Promontory Castle, Bruce Haedrich relates the tale written in iambic pentameter about a castle of old, its king and people. This reading has the “Hoats,” barbarians with a vicious bent following the retreating king through the castle gates. The king is betrayed and slain, but what of the royal family, the children? Smuggled from the castle by Mira, their nurse and nanny, they are placed in the capable hands of the blacksmith, a fearsome man of great stature and fighting skill. What is to follow?

This meeting, Ian Schagen picks on his own Great Britain and their political issues. Writing as a statistician and SciFI writer, Ian looks ahead 100 years to a possible collapse of Great Britain as we know it today. 

Amuari’s Cuba was difficult even on the best days. In Jeff Kutcher’s tale, tourism in Cuba was/is a necessary influx of foreign cash. Amauri’s half-brother, Camilo, took advantage of the opportunities afford him by tourists looking to buy illicit drugs. It was risky but profitable.

What is Beyond the Sun? Susan Haley asks, how can we know until we learn how to fly. One of two poems by Sue, it allows our spirit to soar beyond the sun an all the constellations. And back on earth we have a debt, an IOU, in her second poem we are reminded to honor our debt to all living things, we are not given the right to ruin and destroy. 

It was a good night and a great meeting. Don Westerfield’s daughter Melissa, and Don’s friend Vic Ey joined us for the meeting. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. You are welcome anytime. It’s time to say goodbye for this blog but remember, the next meeting is our annual Christmas Party, bring some goodies and a donation to the Nokomis Fire Department and join us on December 18th at 6:30PM. Also, the meetings in January will take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, the 8th and 22nd of the month. Given the writing prompt, Stay low, don’t fight!, bring us 35 words or less incorporating these words, use your imagination! 
Until then… KEEP ON WRITING

November 20, 2019

Rod is still in Louisiana, and Ernie led the meeting. Eleven members attended. Writers are a loquacious bunch when they get together. Our group is for sure. We begin gathering at the Nokomis fire station before six and by six-thirty, the conversations were in full swing. Rod's big booming voice of command can override the chatter to call the group to order with the words “GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY” but in his absence, it took Ernie a couple of attempts. In any event, approximately 6:30 pm we called the meeting to order. The first order of business was to welcome back Ian Schagen of Great Britain. Ian has published his book recounting his father’s World War II escape from the Nazis and his experiences following the path of his father’s escape route. Ian's return is most welcome.

Peter Frickel was our first reader. He shared his thoughts on the power of a single line to inspire the writer. Some of his examples were:
“Saliva heavy with hunger … the lion.”
“Wind … a blade of grass bows to royalty.”
“Truth … is strongest sometimes between the sheets.”
The group responded to Peter’s examples with enthusiasm. The idea that a line triggers the writer’s imagination and takes on a life of its own led to the proposal for a group challenge. In 35 words or less, take a line and write, creating an image, a poem, the seeds of a story, or to dramatize a situation. We asked Peter for the line, and he has one for our challenge: “Stay low, don’t fight.” Given the December holidays, we have set the challenge date for our first meeting in January, Wednesday, January 8th. (We will be meeting the 2nd, and 4th Wednesday this coming January as our first Wednesday falls on New Year’s Day.) We have our first meeting
in January to look forward to, and we will be listening to where Peter’s line leads each of us.

Bruce Haedrich read next from his Hadley Pennsylvania Stories. He read excerpts from Promontory Castle, a classic tale of knights and kings written in iambic pentameter. The group enjoyed the reading and admired Bruce’s use of the classical form. Thank
you, Bruce. 

Scott Anderson treated us to five of his poems: Partings, Poet Burning, Little Kisses, The Garden, and The Duke of Mantua. Thank you, Scott.

Tish McAuley continued with her memoir. In her straight forward prose, we learned more about her life growing up with an abusive and alcoholic father, a Lt. Col. in the Air Force. She describes him as a man with two faces: a man much admired as an officer and leader of airmen who lived another life at home Acknowledging his wartime experience may have had something to do with demons he faced, she has no knowledge of what they were. It was the1960’s, an era when you didn’t talk about tough stuff or family dysfunction. Her parents moved to Orlando to be closer to her mother’s family living in Sarasota. Fighting, which was common in her home, eventually led to her father’s departure. The trauma left her mother even more dysfunctional. Her grandparents tried to help, with little success. Tish and her two siblings were left to raise themselves. That she can recount such traumatic experiences with grace and calm clarity inspired the group, and we encourage her to continue. Thank you, Tish.

Jeff Kutcher read more from his biographical novel of his friend and Cuban refugee, Amaury, continuing with the story of Amaury’s father, Nury. Amaury’s natural curiosity was irrepressible. Life in Castro’s Cuba was and is hard. However, it was less so for the family of one of Castro’s generals. Nury advised Amaury not to question their way of life. By nature, it was something Amaury could not do. Jeff reminds us all with his story how fortunate we all are with the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you, Jeff.

Dennis Cathcart brightened the mood with a whimsical piece he had from his file, opining upon the conditions of seasoned citizenship, The Old Gray Matter Ain’t What it Used to Be. What a hoot, and for those of us who know, how true. Great job, Dennis.

Susan Haley revisited her poem Alaska is Sinking after the group had given her some suggestions from her previous reading. In good humor, she confessed that she is a passionate environmentalist. We all agree with taking care of our good earth and Susan's words remind us of how precious it is. Her poem ends on an upbeat note, the earth will survive. Keeping things friendly, on the political side, as to man’s influence on climate we will leave to another forum. Thank you, Susan.

Ian Schagen, our British guest, did not shrink from the political side as he read a piece offering his ideas on American governance. Titled The Fickel Finger of Faith, Ian read an imaginary story of Charity, a woman selected from a random sample of the population to be President of the United States. He proposes our Constitution be amended to provide for political offices to be filled from a computerized random sample of the population. A professional statistician, Ian says the proposition is based upon his work and his belief a random and representative sample of the population could do a better job of governing than elected representatives. Revealing his own political preferences, he would have the random sample government enact the full lunch box, including universal health care and all the rest. The group kept it friendly, but more than one let it be known, we like our Constitution in its current form, thank you very much. Still, the story was good and this is the United States of America where all are invited to put forth their ideas. Welcome back, Ian.

Jim Kelly announced the publication of his two-volume work on the life of Civil War Union General Winfield Scott Hancock: I Am a Soldier First and Always, Vol. 1 –Rebellion and Vol. 2 – Turning Point. Jim read from a poignant scene of Hancock’s last days. Thank you, Jim. It has been great fun to see and hear one of our group’s members take his work from "first draft" to "finished product." You remind us all that with persistence it can be done.

Wrapping up the meeting, Ernie Ovitz read the conclusion of his apocalyptic short story, The Rock. In the final scene, it is disclosed,  a traitor has revealed the identities of the four horsemen and those in their movement to the government. They are wanted men and women and must warn their followers to go underground. The
Church is being persecuted, and like the ancient Church must preserver in the trial to come. From the Rock at the Four Corners of the county, Michael, their leader, sends the horsemen east, west, north, and south, to warn their followers. The government effort is being led by a man that Michael knows well, a dark figure from Michael’s past, Sam Beal. When asked what he's going to do.
Michael replies, "I have a date with the Devil in New York City."

Thanks again to all our writers. We are looking forward to our December meetings on Wednesdays, the 4th and 18th. December 18th will be our Christmas meeting. We encourage all who which to join us to bring a holiday treat to share. Not to worry, our
firemen friends will be happy to take care of any food we leave behind. Our December 18th meeting will be one that we present our groups thank you's and contributions to the firemen’s fund. We will take up voluntary collections during both December meetings. Hope to see you all there. 

Until then, keep on writing.

P.S. Winter has come early up north, and Season is here. Take care on the roads, it's a little crazy out there sometimes. When you are safely home or having a cup of coffee at your favorite shop, pick up your pen, and take up our challenge. January is just around the corner.

November 6, 2019

Meeting of the Sarasota Writers Group

Rod is in Louisiana and unable to attend the last couple of meetings so, Ernie Ovitz led the meeting, and we counted eighteen members in attendance. 

We began with exciting news from three of our members:
Doug Sahlin announced the publication of three of his Yale Larson PI mysteries, and the group got to see a copy of his finished work The Myakka Murders. 

James Harold Kelly, Jim to the group, announced the pending publication of his two-volume work on the life of a Civil War hero, Union General Winfield Scott Hancock; I Am a Soldier First and Always, Vol. 1 – Rebellion and Vol. 2 – Turning Point.  Jim had proofs of the book to show. We will look forward to seeing the final published editions.

Parker Converse announced the publication of Maelstrom, parts 1, 2 and 3, his stories of modern-day life at sea.

Congratulations to Doug, Jim, and Parker. Look for their work on Amazon.com.

With ten readers in the wings, we moved on to the reading portion of our meeting.

Tish McAuley has been attending meetings for some time. She's shared that she had a troubled childhood and had many issues to overcome in her life. Tonight the group applauded her as she shared the beginning of her memoir. In beautiful straight forward prose, she relays early memories of living through the fear and pain of abuse from her father, a military officer. It was tough to listen too, and we know tougher for Tish to write. It was well done, and the group urged her not to change a word. A great beginning Tish, we look forward to hearing more.

Peter Frickel has been sharing work that puts a voice to inanimate objects. Tonight he brought a Paris Café to life recounting events from the end of World War I through the Nazi occupation in WWII. Thank you, Peter.

Dennis Cathcart read from his extensive memoir as he has traveled the world in search of exotic reptiles and plants. In this instance, he recounts his first visit to the island of Haiti. It was during the dictatorship of the infamous Papa Doc. Dennis recounts visiting Haiti’s Iron Market and witnessing the extreme poverty islanders lived in. His tail of travel and collecting snakes was brought to a climax with a stop by a policeman looking for a bribe. Dennis’s companion brazenly told the officer that the snakes were for Papa Doc’s zoo. The man let them through, and they got off the island before anyone was the wiser. What amazing stories Dennis has to tell.

Jeffery Kutcher left off last time in the biographical novel of his friend and Cuban refugee, Amaury with the story of Amaury’s father, Nury. Nury came of age under the brutal dictator Batista but as he matured, he became a devotee of Castro. In his last reading, Nury found Castro and his band of rebels in the Sierra Maestra mountains and was accepted into his band. The story continues as Nury proves himself and ultimately gets to meet the man, Fidel Castro. The contrast Jeffery draws between the father, a Castro devotee, and the son, the refugee, paints a stark picture of the seductive promise of liberation through Communism and the grim reality of life under Castro’s boot. Well done Jeffery.

Mary Shaffer brought us an apocalyptic piece in which the world has become one of unending rain. We learn of a family on the move struggling to survive, they find an unoccupied house and break in to find it untouched, as if the owners had just walked out the door. Her story intrigued the group, and we urged Mary to press on.

Parker Converse shared an excerpt from his new work about Gabriella, a shrimp boat captain in a line of work almost exclusive to men. She is a colorful character who tells it like it is. Parker, we are looking forward to hearing more.

Bruce Haedrich changed up the pace with an essay remembering The Song. He argued that his generation, the silent one, men and women born between 1925 and 1945 who came of age between the World War II generation and the Baby Boomers, was the one that brought the world happy music. He took us down memory lane remember all those great old upbeat tunes of the 50’s and early 60’s. Punctuated by the “Day the Music Died,” Feb. 3rd, 1959 and the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, The Big Bopper. Bruce had us reminiscing over all those favorite songs. Thank you, Bruce.

As chance would have it, Don Westerfield followed the musical theme with his poem, Play Those Old Songs. A reading the group unanimously enjoyed, thank you, Don.

Scott Anderson continued the poetic theme with three of his poems: If Butterflies Could Speak, Small Places, and In Pencil Written. Scott has given the group a renewed appreciation for our poets. Thank you, Scott.

Ed Ellis read Brown Leather Gloves, his first-person account of a boxing match between a sailor and a marine. The sailor works himself into a high rage to fight the match. Ed being a Navy man, you can guess who won. After the match his trainer works to dissipate the rage. The sailor and the marine meet and the two combatants embrace, respect given, respect earned, respect received. When big Ed was asked if he was writing from experience, he grinned and said maybe. Well done, Ed, and thank you for your service.

Barb Marvin returned and shared Chapter 2 of her new mystery to conclude our evening. She introduced her character Willa Dupree, a teacher eager to help her students. Willa’s past work as a police detective sets her apart from her academic colleagues. One of her students, Asher, a new police officer is asking for help. Where will this lead. Barb, the group is eager to know.

Thanks again to all our readers, and to all who attended and shared their observations and helpful critiques. “Writers Helping Writers,” that’s what we are here for. Next meeting November 20th, until then, keep on writing.