Donna's Book Pub (DBP)

My Ash Wednesday Morning Conversation and a Poem from T. S. Eliot

2012-02-22T07:57:00.002-06:00

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, a time that symbolizes our mortality and our need for repentance.

In our household it means giving up something we like, or doing something extra (like a chore) we don't like--oh, and not eating meat today or on Fridays during Lent.

Here's how my Ash Wednesday began.

My granddaughter, getting ready to leave for school: Can you grab me a bottle of water from the fridge?

Me: I put a cold Dr. Pepper in for you last night. I thought that's what you like for lunch.

Gd (in a sad voice): Um. Yep, I do. Thanks a lot for reminding me. I gave up soda for Lent.

Me: Oops. Sorry. I forgot. (I do that a lot in the morning--and the rest of the day for that matter.)

Gd: What did you give up?

Me: Candy.

Gd: But you don't eat that much candy. (She is so sweet.)

Me: I try not to, but put a box of Good and Plenty in front of me and I can't resist.

Gd, heading out the door to her car: Those things are nasty. Gotta go.

Me to Grandson, who's eating a bowl of cereal while I'm making his lunch: Is a peanut butter sandwich okay?

Gs: How about pizza rolls?

Me: Can't eat meat today.

Gs: Then I guess so.

Me, as I make his lunch: What are you giving up for Lent?

Gs: I don't know.

Me: How about candy?

Gs: I don't know.

Me: How about soda?

Gs: I don't know.

Me, after he finishes breakfast: Did you remember to brush your teeth?

Gs: Yes.

Me: Do you have your study sheet for your Science test?

Gs: Yes.

Me: Did you dab your medicine on your face?

Gs: Yes.

Me, as he walks to the door: Did you decide what you want to give up for Lent?

Gs: Listening. (Ha. Ha)

Me: Instead of giving something up, why not do something extra around the house?

Gs: Maybe.

Me: How about taking out the trash?

Gs (grinning): Maybe. Or I could give up my X-Box.

Me: Seriously?

Gs, laughing as he walks out the door for carpool: Just kidding.

Me (wondering): What am I gonna fix for supper?

For all you poetry lovers, here's a link to the poem "Ash Wednesday" by T. S. Eliot.

Fact Check: Ringo Starr is Not Dead

2012-02-20T10:05:00.003-06:00

Yesterday at Sunday Mass, the priest gave a homily with the message of: wouldn't it be wonderful if churches were filled to standing room only like arenas are for sporting events and major concerts.

(I agree; it would, except maybe for parking.)

During the homily, some examples he gave of SRO events were the Super Bowl, the World Series, and a concert given by Paul McCartney--"the sole surviving Beatle."

Screech . . . Rewind. What did Father say?

At that point I stopped listening to the homily.

Paul McCartney is not the sole surviving Beatle. Unless I missed something, Ringo Starr is still alive. I hadn't read it in the news or heard about Ringo's death on TV. No way I could've missed something newsworthy like that.

Confession time: In the mid-60s, I attended an all-girls' Catholic high school and got caught up in Beatlemania. Our cliques were divided along musical tastes. There was a group who loved the Beatles (I was in that group). There was Clare and her group who loved the Beach Boys. And then there was everyone else.

Back then I could tell you the birthdate of each of the Beatles. I still remember that Paul is the only left-handed guitar player in the group. I knew the drummer Ringo Starr's real name is Richard Starkey, he's the only Beatle with blue eyes, and the sole Catholic (not sure if that's still true).

One of our nuns chided us for our obsession with the Beatles. She told us that five years after graduation no one would remember the Beatles. Umm. I don't think so.

The good news is that Ringo Starr is not dead. I visited Ringo's website this morning. He is still alive and planning a tour with his All Starr Band later this year.

Which brings me to the point of this post.

In writing and in speaking, facts are important. If you don't get them right you risk losing your audience, the same way I zoned out yesterday remembering the Beatles instead of thinking about how wonderful it would be if more people attended Sunday Mass.

Several years ago I attended a writers' conference where one presenter talked about the topic of how important it is for writers, including fiction writers, to get their facts straight. The speaker called it verisimilitude, which means (I looked it up for meaning and spelling): "the appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability."

As someone who has been guilty on occasion of not having verisimilitude in her writing, I speak from experience.

In the first critique group I belonged to I read an essay about going to a book fair with my sister and finding a Latin book that had once belonged to the boy who took me to my grade school's eighth-grade dance and who later died in Vietnam.

The essay was based on an actual experience, but I embelished one of the details for dramatic effect. In my essay I wrote that my sister and I met up in the snack bar, where I showed her the book, when we actually met up at the drinking fountain. No big deal, right? Not for one reader.

The leader of the critique group called me out on the fact that there was no snack bar at the book fair. He knew that because he was a long-time volunteer at the book fair. Even though the crux of my essay was true, because I changed that one small detail, I lost credibility with him.

The lesson I learned was to check my facts and don't embellish minor details in non-fiction.

In the current critique group I belong to, we have several spot-on fact checkers who can catch even the slightest mistake or minor detail that doesn't ring true.

A couple weeks ago one of our guys read an entertaining short story about a gangster who was a driver for a mobster. In the story, during a trip from Chicago to St. Louis, the gangster drove past miles of cornfields in Illinois in the winter.

Illinois. Winter. Cornfields. Like they used to sing (and still might) on Sesame Street: "One of these things doesn't belong here. One of these things just doesn't belong."

A few of us jumped on the fact that corn doesn't grow in the winter in Illinois.

The point of this ~~post~~ rant is that for writers, facts and details really do matter. A drinking fountain is not the same thing as a snack bar. Corn doesn't grow in Illinois in the winter. And Ringo Starr is not dead.

Punny Stuff: Puns for the Educated Mind

2012-02-15T08:17:00.000-06:00

The other day a teacher-friend forwarded an e-mail to me with more than two dozen "puns for the educated mind." I thought I'd share some of them today. With a few of them I had to read twice before the sly humor hit me. Thanks, Barb, for sending them to me.

The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

Hope you enjoy!

Notes from the Bleachers: How Watching My Grandchildren's Sports Inspires my Writing

2012-02-13T15:55:00.003-06:00

The weekends are always busy at our home. This past weekend was no exception. On Saturday, my grandson had a 6 p.m. basketball game, and my granddaughter had a 9:30 p.m. indoor soccer game.

We drove about 30 miles from St. Charles County up north to our grandson's 7th grade basketball game in Lincoln County.

Michael is the tall one on the left wearing the All Saints gold and blue uniform. He's easy to pick out in a crowd--as his pediatrician puts it: if Michael were in a room with 10,000 boys all born on his birthdate, he would be taller than 9,985 of them--and he's still growing, with his expected height to be 6'4" or possibly taller.

Back to the game. At the end of the first quarter, All Saints led 18-0. By the end of second quarter, they were ahead 26-0.

When the other team scored their first basket during the third quarter, parents and fans from both teams cheered and continued to cheer whenever they scored. Even though the boys on the other team must've known they couldn't overcome such a huge lead, true to their school's name (Sacred Heart) they had heart. Their boys did not give up. Neither did ours. They were gracious winners, in spite of the lopsided 46-8 win.

My granddaughter's late-night game was a different story. Cari's team was behind 2-0 near the end of the game then scored their first goal. With less than ten seconds left they scored their second goal and tied 2-2. Her team didn't give up either and were determined to press on. They changed their strategy and switched players. Her team didn't win, but they tied the game in the last few seconds.

What watching my grandchildren's games taught me about writing is: never give up and work hard until the last word is written on the page--oh, and keep revising until I get it right. Even when I get a rejection, it doesn't mean to stop writing. And when something isn't working, I need to try something different. Whether you passion is sports or writing, never give up.

Guess I better get busy and get back to writing; Cari has another soccer game later this evening that I don't want to miss.

Cinema St. Louis - Call for Entries from St. Louis-area Filmmakers

2012-02-08T10:38:00.001-06:00

Lights, Camera, Action!

For all you local filmmakers, here's an e-mail I recently received announcing a juried filmmaking competition:

Dear donna,

The second edition of Cinema at Citygarden - a co-presentation of Cinema St. Louis (CSL) and Gateway Foundation - invites St. Louis-area filmmakers to let their imaginations blossom by creating short works that incorporate Nature as a key element.

Cinema at Citygarden (on left)

This juried competition will award cash prizes - $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place - to the top three entries. The winning shorts will then be featured as part of a looped program that will screen on Citygarden's video wall starting May 25, 2012. In addition to the three cash-prize winners, up to seven other works will be chosen to be part of the video-wall program this summer. For programming listings, please visit www.citygardenstl.org.

A three-person jury comprising a filmmaker, film scholar, and film critic will select the video-wall program, including both the three cash-prize winners and the additional films. Jury members will be announced on CSL's Web site.

Cinema St. Louis will also screen the video-wall program - as well as additional Cinema at Citygarden competition entries chosen by CSL - as part of the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, held in August 2012. Those films will then be eligible for consideration by the St. Louis International Film Festival, held Nov. 8-18, 2012.

The cash-prize winners and additional works in the video-wall program will be announced on Friday, May 25, 2012. No entry fee is required. Submission deadline is April 2, 2012. For full competition details and a downloadable call-for-entries form, visit the CSL Web site: www.cinemastlouis.org.

For more information about Cinema at Citygarden, contact Cinema St. Louis at 314-289-4150 or visit http://www.cinemastlouis.org/.

Sincerely,

Brian Spath
Cinema St. Louis

Extrovert or Introvert - Which are You?

2012-02-03T09:30:00.001-06:00

The other day on the NPR "All Things Considered" site I read an interesting interview of Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.

After reading Susan's interview and reviews of her book, I realized I definitely need to head to the library and check out her book.

In her NPR interview she responds to questions, including: the difference between introversion and shyness, the culture of character vs. the culture of personality, and the value of working alone. The end of her interview includes a "Quiet Quiz" to gauge where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum.

Although it's not a scientific quiz, the questions "were formulated based on characteristics of introversion often accepted by contemporary researchers." Some of the questions include: I often prefer to express myself in writing, I enjoy solitude, I dislike conflict, along with 17 others.

If you would like to read the entire article, interview, and quiz, here's a link to the NPR article, "Quiet Please: Unleashing the Power of Introverts."

I took the quiz then asked my husband the questions. I rank high on the Introvert scale, and hubby is more in the middle. As I took the questions, though, I realized that had I been asked these same questions 20 years ago, although I still would be an introvert, some of my answers would've been different.

So, how about you? Are you an extrovert or introvert or do you fall somewhere in between?

Writing Naked and An Open Mic Night from High Hill Press

2012-02-02T07:51:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I queried an editor at WOW! Women on Writing. Some time ago I wrote an essay after I read a critique group member's comments on the top of the first page of something I wrote. The title of the essay I queried the WOW editor about is "Take Your Clothes Off and Other Critique Group Advice." In my essay I share ten pieces of critique group advice (some sweet, some strange) that I've received over the years.

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday afternoon when I received an almost immediate response accepting the essay and asking for a bio photo. Anyway, my essay is scheduled to appear on the WOW! Blog's Friday Speak Out on March 9. I'll post a reminder closer to the date.

If you are from the metro St. Louis area and want to hear some wonderful writers read from their works, stop by the Sage Book Store tomorrow evening, Friday, February 3. High Hill Press is sponsoring the event, in cooperation with Sage Books, an independent bookstore located in the Frenchtown District of St. Charles at 1128 North 2nd Street; St. Charles, MO 63301. The fun begins begins at 7:00 p.m.and ends around 9:00, or whenever they kick us out.

Hope to see you there!

My Review of Newbery Medal Winner "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

2012-01-30T09:38:00.002-06:00

Last week I was excited to learn that DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos was selected to receive the John Newbery Medal from the American Library Association (ALA) for the "most outstanding contribution to children's literature."

Back in the fall I read and reviewed DEAD END IN NORVELT for Kidsreads.com and gave it five stars--the highest rating I can give for a book.

Gantos' novel has so much going for it, I don't know where to begin, so I'll summarize my review.

DEAD END IN NORVELT is part autobiography and part historical fiction, with some mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure. The setting is 1962 in Norvelt, Pennsylvania. The main character is twelve-year-old Jack Gantos, who has a problem. When he gets startled, excited or scared, his nose bleeds. And during the summer of 1962, there are lots of exciting and frightening events happening in Jack’s hometown. After he accidentally fires a live bullet from his dad's Japanese sniper's rifle, he gets in big trouble. To redeem himself he agrees to help Miss Volker, an elderly neighbor, with a special project.

Because of his Miss Volker's arthritis--and her promise to Eleanor Roosevelt--Jack helps type obituaries of the original residents of the town, which was established during the New Deal. During the summer an increasing number of original residents die, and Jack wonders if something sinister is going on in his home town.

While typing the obituaries, he also learns about how each resident has impacted the town. Besides Jack and Miss Volker, there are some strange residents in Norvelt, including his own parents, who are a study in contrasts of the era. His dad is a World War II vet who wants to leave Norvelt, while at the same time preparing for a Russian invasion from the Commies. His mom loves her community and wants to stay.

Without giving too much away, I'll add that Gantos uses a gentle touch to weave twentieth century American history into the story line along with wonderfully wacky scenes, delightfully memorable characters, and a mystery to boot.

You can read my entire review on the Kidsreads.com website.

Winner of A Cluttered Life and a Shout Out for Toilet Paper

2012-01-25T09:23:00.006-06:00

Thanks to Pesi Dinnerstain for being my guest blogger on Monday as part of the WOW! Author's Tour.

Pesi, your post about your thoughts on "Trying to Find that Small, Still Voice" was inspiring!

Also, thanks to everyone who left a question or a comment for Pesi and once again to Pesi for her response to comments.

The winner of the PDF file of Pesi's wonderful book A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys is:

TAMMY

Congratulations! I will get that to you this week.

For everyone else, you can find out how to buy Pesi's book on the A Cluttered Life website.

Next, I would like to welcome my newest follwer:

Rebeca Ruiz (aka Rebeca Wise)

Rebeca is an amazing writer and a sweet young lady who loves to read. Oh, and she has two adorable Dobermans. A regular at our Coffee and Critique group, her critiques are thoughtful and generous. She also is the new Vice President of Saturday Writers.

Rebeca also has a new blog with an intriguing title "The Toilet Paper Chronicles" with a blog address of tpchronicles.

If you're wondering why the unusual title, it's because Rebeca is a woman on a mission. She is using her blog to draw attention to Chron's Disease, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12, and which is a disease that affects more than a million people in the United States. I think it's a wonderful use of a blog--increasing the awareness and enhancing the understanding of this disease. On her blog she will also post about books and writing.

If you get a chance, drop on over and visit Rebeca's blog and sign up to become a follower, but don't forget to bring your own paper.

Guest Blogger: Pesi Dinnerstein, Author of A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys

2012-01-23T07:37:00.003-06:00

As part of the WOW! Women on Writing Blog Tour, please join me in welcoming my special guest today, Pesi Dinnerstein (a.k.a. Paulette Plonchak).

Dinnerstein has written selections for the best-selling series Small Miracles, by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal, and has contributed to several textbooks and an anthology of short stories.

Dinnerstein recently retired as a full-time faculty member of the City University of New York, where she taught language skills for close to thirty years. She has been an aspiring author and self-acknowledged clutterer for many years, and has spent the better part of her life trying to get organized and out from under. Despite heroic efforts, she has not yet succeeded; but she continues to push onward, and hopes that her journey will inspire others to keep trying as well.

Today she will discuss something that I often struggle with, and I'm sure many of my visitors who are writers struggle with as well.

TRYING TO FIND THAT SMALL, STILL VOICE

“How’s the baby?” my friend asked.

“The baby?” I asked back. “What baby?”

“The one you gave birth to this summer,” she said, beginning to sound alarmed.

“Oh, thanks for reminding me,” I said. “I forgot all about her.”

“How could you forget about your own baby?”

“Well, she’s so small that I can hardly see her,” I tried to explain. “I mean, she’s only the size of a splinter—so I keep losing her; and then I forget that she even exists.”

My friend stared at me in disbelief.

“But don’t you hear her when she cries? How can you not notice a screaming baby?!”

“What can I do?” I said. “Her voice is so small—even when she screams, it’s barely a whisper.”

“Then, how do you know when to feed her?” my friend pressed on.

“It’s a problem,” I admitted. “And, most of the time, I don’t remember to do it. Maybe that’s why she’s still the size of a splinter . . . . ”

I woke up in a sweat as my friend was about to dial the Child Abuse Hotline.

Horrified at this portrait of myself, I immediately tried to understand the deeper meaning of the dream. Using an old Gestalt technique I had once learned, I began a dialogue with the main character:

“Who are you?” I asked the baby—anxious to discover her true identity before she slipped back into my subconscious.

“I’m the writer that you always wanted to be,” she whispered.

I sat up in bed, suddenly wide awake.

“Then, why do you appear as a tiny infant?” I asked.

“Well, since you don’t nurture me, I can’t grow.”

“But I didn’t know even know you were there,” I said in defense.

“That’s because you’ve never been silent long enough to hear my small, still voice.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to take that in.

“You’re right,” I finally said. “And I’m really sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?”

As she slowly drifted into the night, she cried out, “I need a pen . . . and a piece of paper . . . and someone—please—to listen . . . . ”

I’d been searching my entire life for that small, still voice—and, somehow, I had never heard her calling to me. In fact, I probably spent a good part of the time running in the opposite direction.

But inspiration comes at strange times and from odd places. I awoke the next morning unable to think of anything but that little splinter of a writer who could only get my attention in a disturbing dream. I ran out immediately and bought her a notebook with a big rainbow on the front and a matching pen.

“This is for you,” I told her. “It’s very tiny now—just like your voice—but maybe . . . if I keep listening . . . it will grow into a full-sized book someday . . . . ”

Synopsis:

Insightful, unsettling, and wildly funny, A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys (Seal Press) is the story of Pesi Dinnerstein’s quest to create a simple and orderly life—only to discover that simplicity is not so simple and what constitutes clutter is not always perfectly clear. When a chance encounter with an old acquaintance reveals the extent to which disorder has crept into every corner of her existence, Pesi determines to free herself, once and for all, of the excess baggage she carries with her. Along the way—with the help of devoted friends, a twelve-step recovery program, and a bit of Kabbalistic wisdom—her battle with chaos is transformed into an unexpected journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

For more information visit: http://www.aclutteredlife.com/http://www.aclutteredlife.com/ or http://www.sealpress.com/

Hope you enjoyed Pesi's guest post. Feel free to leave comments!

One lucky visitor who leaves a comment by Wednesday, January 25, will receive a PDF copy of Pesi's inspiring and humorous book.

Last Thursday and Today

2012-01-20T13:15:00.002-06:00

Last Thursday, our area also got clobbered by a snow and ice storm just before morning rush hour.

Last Thursday, my husband had an appointment to have a biopsy done at a doctor's office, which is located in the middle of a busy hospital complex about 25 miles from our home.

Last Thursday, it took us over two hours to drive to the doctor's office because of the traffic and road conditions. I called ahead and let them know we were sitting in traffic and would be late--very late--for the appointment. Hubby's surgery didn't take too long. The nurse who assisted the doctor told me it took her four hours to get to work that morning, and most of the patients who were able to make it were late.

Last Thursday, when I asked her when we would know the results of the biopsy, she said the doctor would let us know the following Friday at Hubby's next appointment--but if there was a problem with the biopsy, they would call right away. In that case no news would be good news.

Last Thursday, we drove home nervous and anxious, not only because of the icy roads, but also because of fear of the unknown. Hubby was on pain pills for a couple days, but waiting to hear the results from the doctor was the hardest part.

Today was a different story.

Today, although it was very cold outside, the roads were dry and clear.

Today, it took less than half-an-hour to get to the doctor's office. We arrived early for a 10:00 a.m. appointment. Hubby got in right away. His appointment took less than ten minutes.

Today, we were out of the office and back in the parking lot before 10:00 a.m. Hubby wanted to have a late breakfast, so we did.

Today, the best part of the visit was that the biopsy was negative.

Thank God! And thanks to all my family and friends for their prayers--every day.

Well Versed Acceptances and An Announcement

2012-01-19T07:45:00.003-06:00

Earlier this week I received official notification that two of my essays won in the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild contest for non-fiction. Both submissions will appear in the 2012 edition of Well Versed, the anthology of the CCMWG.

In addition to placing in the contest, I was excited for a few reasons.

Well Versed is a well regarded anthology. The 2011 edition won best book award in the 2011 MWG President's Contests.

Contest judges for the 2012 issue are esteemed writers and editors: Evelyn Somers Rogers, the Fiction judge, has been associate editor of The Missouri Review since 1990. Poetry judge, Harvey Stanbrough, has had work nominated for the National Book Award. Non-fiction judge Becky Carr Imhauser, is a former newspaper and magazine editor who has written six non-fiction books and has had more than 900 articles published in national periodicals.

Even more exciting, two members of my critique group, Marcia Gaye and Alice Muschany, had works which placed in the contests and will have poems and essays included in the Well Versed anthology. Here's a link to the CCMWG site, with a list of the winners, bios for the judges, and the names of writers and poets whose work will appear in the anthology. If your name is among those listed, Congratulations!

Now for my announcement: Hope you will visit Donna's Book Pub next on Monday, January 23, when I will have a special guest as part of the WOW! Women on Writing author's blog tour.

Pesi Dinnerstein, author of A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and my Missing Keys, will post about "Trying to Find that Small, Still Voice."

I'm always happy to read advice from other writers, so I'm looking forward to read what Pesi has to say.

Until next time . . . Happy writing!

Thoughts on Creativity: Chocolate Covered Bacon, Anyone?

2012-01-17T07:37:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was unseasonably warm for mid-January. With the temperature hoovering around 70 degrees, it was a perfect day to be out and about. Because it also was a holiday, a group of eight of us met for lunch at Lewis and Clark in St. Charles, MO, to celebrate my niece's birthday. Maybe it was the warm weather, but I decided to try something different. I ordered the spicy gumbo soup and house salad. It was the first time I had their gumbo, and it was a spicy surprise. I would order it again.

After lunch, four of us decided to take a walk down Main Street and visit some shops. First on our agenda was Main Street Book Store. Vicky, the owner, welcomed us warmly, and we chatted a bit. The store looks great. I intended to ask if Vicky had any copies of the St. Louis Writers' Guild anthology, but as usual I got side-tracked talking and looking around and forgot to ask. After my sister bought a crossword book for her husband, we were on our way.

The warm weather brought out shoppers. The street was busy, which is a good thing for the merchants, but not so good if you're trying to jay-walk across the street.

After a few more stops I bought some candles, and my sister-in-law found a cute pair of earrings. Next was Riverside Sweets for their peanut brittle, which my brother-in-law claims is the best he's ever eaten, and my husband also likes to munch on. Their chocolate-covered pretzels are yummy. The store was crowded, with long lines to order ice cream and pay for candy. Some folks, entered, saw the long lines, then left.

After paying, I waited outside for the others in our group. I watched a husband, wife, grandma, and young girl about seven walk in then quickly exit. The girl complained, "But Daddy, I want an ice cream." Her father told her, "Life's a b****. We need to find a bathroom." Why would a dad talk to his daughter that way, no matter how badly he needed to find a bathroom?

As we wandered to our cars I spotted a sign at another store. The white, letter-size sign was hand-printed in black and read: "CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON." I did a second take on that one and wished I'd brought my camera.

My first thought was that eating meat covered with chocolate just doesn't seem right. As much as I like chocolate (and bacon is okay), I don't think meat dipped in chocolate would be tasty. But what do I know? I've eaten ham cooked with brown sugar and pineapple on top. Maybe the chocolate covered bacon is a sweet and salty combination like a chocolate-covered pretzel.

As I got in the van and drove home I decided that judging without trying limits my experiences and narrows my thinking. While I doubt that I'll ever try the chocolate-covered bacon, my lesson yesterday was to enjoy the surprises in life--like 70 degree weather in January and spicy gumbo soup--and be open to new ideas and experiences. Isn't that what creativity is all about?

What about you? Have you tried something you didn't think you'd like but were pleasantly surprised?

Thoughts on the Golden Globe Awards - An Uncomfortable Evening

2012-01-16T09:41:00.002-06:00

Last night I watched the Golden Globe Awards--well I caught most of the program--in between reading, talking on the phone, and doing laundry.

Uncomfortable is the word I would use to describe the event. Most of the audience looked like they were all dressed up to attend a wedding of a boss they didn't like, but had to attend anyway. Sitting at home I felt uncomfortable for them.

Ricky Gervais did a repeat performance as the emcee. Last year he was criticized for his put-downs of the audience, but his performance stirred up a controversy and generated publicity -- so that got him invited back this year. His jokes? weren't all that funny. His humor? was critical of the audience and the Foreign Press Association, who puts on the awards. Guess Ricky didn't get the memo about not biting the hand that feeds you. Or maybe he doesn't care. In any case, he set the tone for the event, which was, as mentioned above -- uncomfortable.

The room looked crowded and the tables were jammed together. After the winners' names were announced, guests stood to make room for winners to zigzag through the aisles to get to the podium.

Other attempts at humor fell flat. Jimmy Fallon looked foolish doing a Mick Jagger impresonation. And George Clooney's attempt at being funny by complimenting one of the other younger nominees about the size of his anatomy didn't get many laughs, expect from the guy who appeared happy with Clooney's compliment. Madonna swiped back at Gervais after she won an award, but calling him a girl sounded like an insult a teenager might hurl to get even.

Several winners thanked their families, their agents and a guy named Harvey something or other, whom they compared with as being God. Whenever Harvey's name was mentioned the cameras kept showing a balding man laughing and shaking his head. He seemed very pleased with all the fuss, so I guess he must be someone important--at least in Hollywood circles.

The evening was not a total waste.

Christopher Plummer's obvious love for his wife was touching. During his acceptance speech he commented how her "beauty and bravery take his breath away, even after all these years."

Michelle Williams accepted her award with grace and put it all in perspective when she spoke about her love for her daughter.

The first person Jessica Lange thanked after she accepted her award was the writer who created the great story. While a few other winners mentioned writers, Jessica Lange's came across as being sincere and not an afterthought.

After watching last night's Golden Globe Awards, I've decided that I will make a note to watch movies (oops, I guess they're called films) that include Jessica Lange, Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams, and a few other notables.

Did anyone else watch the awards last night? If so, what are your thoughts?

My Article on "Writing Tips from a Contest Judge" is Posted on the Walrus Publishing Site

2012-01-12T20:33:00.003-06:00

If you write short stories and one of your goals for the new year is to submit to contests, check out Walrus Publishing's recent posts.

The post from Lisa Miller, publisher and editor of Walrus Publishing. announces "Twelve Months with Walrus, Monthly Short Story Contests Begins in 2012." Lisa's publishing company is sponsoring monthly contests with cash prizes and opportunities to have your work included in an anthology which will be published in 2013. There is a small fee to enter the contests. Be sure to read the details and guidelines on the Walrus site.

While you're there, check out my article on "Writing tips from a Contest Judge." I wrote the article shortly after I judged a short story contest, so the topic was fresh on my mind. I've included specific suggestions on how to catch a judge's eye and the one thing you should always include in your story.

Hope you find my article helpful, and if you enter the Walrus contests or any others listed on their website, good luck!

Traits of Successful Women Writers

2012-01-09T08:12:00.004-06:00

One of my guilty pleasures on weekends is watching Book TV. Generally I wait until my hubby and grandkiddos are out and about or busy doing something else before I tune in. Otherwise I get groans from them because they want to watch something else.

Last night, after the late news was over and everyone else in the house was asleep, I switched to C-SPAN's Book TV and caught most of a presentation given by Marji Ross, President of Regnery Publishing. Last night's presentation was a broadcast of a talk she gave in November at the Heritage Foundation.

The title of Ross's presentation was "Seven Surprising Secrets of Best-Selling Female Authors...and How Your Future Happiness Might Depend on Them." Her talk really was a celebration of women in a positive way--not anti-male at all -- which I found uplifting. She spoke candidly about how she worked through the grief of losing her husband, how she is open and honest with her daughters, and how she is a champion for publishing books with a conservative slant.

The primary focus of her talk, however, wasn't on her conservative politics, but on what she has learned after years in the publishing industry about the traits that successful women writers share. I'm always trying to learn from others who are much more experienced and wiser than I am, so I grabbed a notebook and pen and took notes.

The following are the highlights of her talk--at least what I jotted down late last night -- about traits shared by successful women writers and publishers.

Successful women writers:

* Understand the value of building relationships (vs networking). Networking has come to mean what can I get from you in exchange for giving you something I have, where building relationships is more long-term and personal.

* Like to communicate and share their experiences with others. More women belong to book clubs than men, for example.

* Know they need character to have integrity. They listen to their internal moral compass. Women remind society to stay on the right trail.

* Look for win-win solutions. Success is not finite; success breeds success.

* Know that little things matter, but they don’t lose sight of the big picture.

* Understand that service is strength. Serving others doesn't make a person weak; it can make them indispensable

* Celebrate differences between men and women.

Ross suggests women writers should:

* Be trustworthy and supportive.

* Embrace the success-breeds-success philosophy.

* Be problem solvers rather than just problem spotters.

* Volunteer to overcome depression and lonliness.

* Figure out what they believe in, write it down, and share it with their families. The act of writing down one's beliefs will help clarify them.

* Always bring a pen and paper (or iPad) to take notes.

* Be a person of character and live a life of integrity.

* Avoid chasing success only to leave happiness behind.

* Bring passion to your work.

* Be on a mission to reach people rather than just selling books. As you reach people, books will sell.

* Be an expert in something. Find your niche.

* Realize that books are changing their role in society. While e-books may continue to grow in popularity and sales, physical books will gain value as gifts.

As I re-read my notes this morning, I decided to share them with my readers. I agree with Ross that sharing experiences with others and building relationships is important, as well as is being supportive and embracing the success-breeds-success philosophy.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with her observations and suggestions? Are there any traits you would add?

In Wine is Truth and Iron Sharpens Iron

2012-01-06T08:19:00.002-06:00

"In vino veritas." - In wine is truth. (Plato)

"As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

In my last post I discussed how I believe I've become a better writer by belonging to a weekly critique group. My Coffee and Critique group is a source of inspiration. About 8-10 writers show up each week, but some weeks we have a dozen or more members sitting around the table drinking beverages and offering suggestions on manuscripts.

As the middle child in a family of seven, I'm comfortable being a part of a large group and I'm all about inclusion. But in some instances, smaller has its advantages.

In addition to my weekly critique group, I belong to a small group of women writers called In vino veritas--in wine there is truth, or IVV for short. Our IVV monthly dinner is an occasion to share candid, casual, and confidential conversation that doesn't leave the table.

Once a month the four of us meet for dinner at an Italian restaurant, where our first order of business is to order wine. After we toast one another, we enjoy dinner, drink some wine, and share ideas about writing, publishing, freelancing, teaching, editing, books, and almost anything related to writing.

We also talk about our families and our problems; we share our successes and insecurities and continue to talk until one of the employees dims the lights and lock the doors. Oh, and the servers there love us. Last night the waitress we had in December came over to our table to day hello. She told us she wished we would've sat in her section. Did I mention we all are friendly and courteous to the wait staff and are big tippers?

On nice evenings we stand in the parking lot and talk some more. It is a relaxing, yet invigorating evening.

I truly believe that just as "iron sharpens iron," when writers are in the company of other writers, be it a dozen or only two, they too sharpen their writing skills and become better writers.

Thoughts on Writing: Critique Groups

2012-01-04T17:14:00.007-06:00

If someone asked me to name the factor that has affected my writing most, hands down it would be belonging to a good critique group.

Over the years I've belonged to several groups and I've benefitted from each one in some way. Belonging to a good critique group has helped me become a better writer and has helped me get published, but most of all, I've made life-long friends.

During the day on New Year's Eve, Bill Mueller, a member of our weekly group, received a phone call from an editor at Writer's Digest. A story Bill read at critique group last year won second place out of more than 1700 entries in the crime fiction short story contest. Bill is an award-winning and accomplished writer whose work needs little improvement. When he read his story--I believe in two sessions--it was about 99-percent there. Our group made minimal suggestions. In the WD contest, Bill won big bucks, several books, and recognition on the WD website and in their magazine. How's that for a critique group success story?

If you're wondering what this Christmas-day photo below of my grandkiddos--who are about to take a ride on my brother's tandem bike--has to do with belonging to a critique group, here's what:

Both involve teamwork and trust.

Someone has to take the lead. While critique group members can help, the writer is in control.

Like a first draft, you need to take a test drive before you start.

A bad partner (or group) can mess you up.

A good partner (or group) can help you get to your destination quicker and safely.

When you fall, you have someone to pick you up.

When you get to the finish line, you have someone to cheer you.

It's fun!

If anyone has thoughts on the benefits of a good critique group, please share them in the comments. I'd love to hear them.

For this Writer, 2011 Has Been a Good Year

2011-12-31T11:24:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe 2011 has come to an end. In my little writing world, 2011 has been a good year, but the year hasn't been so great for some of my writing friends.

My heart goes out to the people from Joplin who were affected by the tornado last May. But out of the tragedy, hope arose. It was gratifying to see how many members of the writing community rolled up their sleeves and uncapped their pens to help.

After the tornado, Claudia Mundell, president of the Joplin Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild, came up with the idea for an anthology as a way that writers could help our Joplin neighbors. Thus, the Storm Country Anthology was born, under the leadership of Deb Marshall and Kelli Allen of the Missouri Writers Guild, published and copyedited by Linda Fisher from Mozark Press, with special guest editor Dianna Graveman from 2 Riverscommunications.

I was fortunate to have my short story "Golden Lilacs Under the Worm Moon" included in Storm Country anthology, and I got to attend the book launch in November, where I was able to read and hear several of my writing friends read their works included in the anthology.

In addition to Storm Country, my work also appeared this year in the following anthologies:

    "Read Away Vacation" in Flashlight Memories  from Silver Boomer Books
    "The Night the Circus Came to Town" in Mysteries of the Ozarks IV from Ozark Writers
    "Look Back, But Don't Stare" in A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl from Mozark Press
    "Bridie O'Shea's Golden Haired Visitor" in Cactus Country from High Hill Press
    "Under Grandma's Bottle Tree" in Voices IV from High Hill Press

In 2011, my work was recognized for some awards:

   * Short story "Criminal Minds" received First Place in the MWG President's Award for Short Stories
   * Limerick "Summer Help Wanted" awarded Honorable Mention in the Summer Poetry Contest by the Missouri State Poetry Society
    * Personal essay "Sweet Memories" received First Place in the Dan Saults Awards Category from the Ozarks Writers League
    *Short story "The Window Washer" received Third Place in the Dr. Doris Mueller Poetry and Fiction Contest

Two of my short stories have been nominated for awards:

    * My short story "Bridie O'Shea's Golden Haired Visitor" has been nominated for a Spur Award
    * My short story "Under Grandma's Bottle Tree" has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize

In 2011 I reviewed almost 40 books and wrote interview questions for more than half-a-dozen writers for the Bookreporter network.

In addition to my acceptances and wins, I received my share of rejections and non-responses to submissions, and I didn't win anything in several contests I entered. But rejections and near misses are part of being a writer.

This year I've had several new followers on my blog, had numerous giveaways, and a few special guests. Those feats are something I hope will continue in 2012.

All-in-all, 2011 was a good year, and I'm hoping 2012 will be good for me --- and for you!

Happy writing and reading--and I hope to hear from you next year!

Wednesday Club of St. Louis 86th Original Poetry Contest for Local Poets

2011-12-29T09:34:00.002-06:00

Founded in 1890, the Wednesday Club of St. Louis has a long history of supporting the arts and intellectual pursuits in the St. Louis area. The club's goal is "to provide a center of thought and action for the advancement of education, science, philanthrophy, literature, and the arts."

If you are a poet who lives within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis, the Wednesday Club of St. Louis has a contest you might want to consider. The club has invited poets to enter its Eighty-Sixth Original Poetry Contest. The submission deadline is Feb 1, 2012, and the awards reception is April 11, 2012. Acclaimed poet Mark Halliday is this year's judge.

Entrants must be over 18 and live within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis. Prizes range from $400-$100. The submission guidelines are quite specific. If you want to find out more about the contest, here is a link to the contest guidelines.

The Wednesday Club of St. Louis also is sponsoring a Junior Poetry Contest for local high school students in grades 10-12, who must submit through their school's English Department. That contest will be judged by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins. Here is a link for the contest guidelines for the Junior Poetry Contest.

The Wednesday Club's 86th Original Poetry Contest is a great opportunity to showcase the talent of local poets. If I were a decent poet I would enter, but with my limited poetry skills I wouldn't have a chance. But I hope that some of my visitors who are poets will check out the contest. If you do enter, good luck!

The Early Bird Gets the MWG Discount and Woo Hoo, I'm a Winner!

2011-12-28T11:15:00.003-06:00

Now that Christmas is over, I'm looking forward to the new year. I've already come up with goals for 2012. One biggie is to exercise more: my physical muscles, my writing muscles, and my spiritual muscles. I've already signed up for the MWG Confernece which will be next April. I'm organizing a writing group at my local parish, with our first meeting scheduled in early January, and I'm going to eat less and start walking more, starting right away.

If one of your resolutions for the new year is to get serious about writing and you're thinking about attending a writer's conference, here's one that local, regional--and by golly--even national or international writers can attend.

Tricia Sanders, the Missouri Writers' Guild Vice President and Conference Chair, has been hard at work planning the 2012 MWG Write Time! Write Place! Write Now! Conference which will be April 20 through 22, 2012 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center of St. Louis. The hotel address is 16625 Swingley Ridge Road; Chesterfield, Missouri 63017.

Attendees who register by mail on on line by Dec 31 can save money. I'm all about saving money, so I mailed my registration yesterday to take advantage of the early-bird discount. MWG members and Chapter members can also attend at a discounted rate.

The scheduled presenters on Apr 20-21 are impressive and include authors, poets, editors, agents, and publishers. Claire Cook, Jane Friedman, Susan Katz, Susan McBride, Debra Hess, and Walter Bargen are among the speakers. On the additional day, Sunday, Apr 22, attendees can sign up for smaller group optional Master Classes at an additional cost.

Attendees can also reserve a table to sell their books and sign up to pitch their works to agents and editors--and, depending on membership status, attendees are eligible to enter all or most of the conference contests for modest fees.

If you miss the early-bird deadline, you can still sign up to attend; it will just cost a bit more.

Pop over to the MWG Conference blog to read an interview MWP Publicity Chair Sarah Whitney had with Highlights Editor Debra Hess. Leave a comment and you could win a conference tote bag.

Now for a bit of good news: Deb Marshall, President of MWG e-mailed and told me my short story "The Window Washer" won third place in the Fiction category of the Dr. Doris Mueller Poetry and Prose Contest. The contest judge was Harvey Stanbrough.

Congratulations to all the winners in the all three contest categories! There were nine winners in all. Texas poets cleaned up in the Poetry category. The Children's category was mixed with winners from Kansas and Missouri. But in the Fiction Category, the Show-Me State showed it was all Missouri, baby!

I'm excited. Not only that my story won third place, I made a little money, and the judge is awesome, but because "The Window Washer" is a story I feel strongly about and didn't give up on. So, I'll continue working on my story until it gets published. That reminds me; I need to work on some entries for the MWG conference contests.

So, there you have it. Two ways to kick your writing into high gear in 2012: a writer's conference with great speakers and a chance to win by entering the contests.

Call for Submissions of Prose, Poetry or Artwork from KC Voices (Paying Market)

2011-12-26T00:53:00.002-06:00

Christmas Day was lots of fun and over too quickly. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is ready for the new year.

If one of your goals for 2012 is to publish your prose, poetry, or artwork, KANSAS CITY VOICES has the mission to "discover, encourage and promote creativity and communication through literature, art, and other forms of cultural expression."

The editors are seeking unpublished works which are "exceptional written and visual creations from established and emerging voices" for their magazine which is published in November of each year.

While the payment is modest (ranging from $20-$30, plus contributor's copy), publishing in regional magazines is a good way to support small press and build a writing portfolio.

Here are a few highlights of their submission guidelines:

* Online submissions only
* Submissions need not relate to Kansas City or the Midwest
* DEADLINE: March 15, 2012
* Unpublished at time of submission
• Notification by June 15, 2012

The above are just highlights. The actual submission guidelines are very specific. Here's a link to Kansas City Voices with complete guidelines.

Good luck if you submit!

Christmas Carols -Too Much of a Good Thing?

2011-12-22T07:32:00.005-06:00

I love listening to Christmas music, and, even though I'm not a good singer, I love to sing along.

When Christmas rolls around, I drag out our special musical wreath and hang it on the front porch. The wreath has a string of lights imbedded in it and a music box attached. It plays six Christmas tunes in a continuous loop. The music is catchy. The music is loud. If you're any where near the front of the house, you can hear the songs. I love it.

I hit the play button every evening when I turn on the Christmas lights. Shortly thereafter someone else in the house hits the stop button.

"Why do you like listening to the same songs all the time?" Grandchild #1 says. "Don't you get tired of it?" She's the one who blasts the same CD in the bathroom while taking a shower at 11 p.m. each night.

"That is so annoying," Grandchild #2 says. "The whole neighborhood can hear it." I want to tell him that he and his friends are also annoying when the whole neighborhood can hear them playing outside.

"Turn that crap off," Husband says, grabbing the TV remote. "It's time for O'Reilly."

Away from home, I sing along with the radio and hum as I'm buzzing through stores. It puts me in a festive mood as I try not to think about how much I'm spending.

Yesterday while I was at Macy's I was enjoying the music and getting energized listening to the upbeat song, "All I Want for Christmas is You." Every time that song comes on the radio while I'm driving I turn it up and sing along. The lyrics give me chills. Sometimes the lyrics make me cry. People in other cars give me strange looks.

Apparently not everyone shares my love for that song. While I was paying for a gift, two Macy's cashiers were discussing Christmas music, oblivious to the fact that they were waiting on a customer, I guess.

"I'm so sick of that song," says Cashier #1 as she folds a sweater.

"Me, too," said Cashier #2 as she rings up my order. "I'll be glad when Christmas is over so we don't have to listen to it any more."

By the time I left the Service Counter I was bummed. "Bah, humbug," I mumbled. Then another song came on and I was humming along again.

How about you? Do you get tired of listening to Christmas carols? Or do you love the way they make you feel and are a bit sad when it's time to take down the tree, bundle up the lights, and turn off the music?

Reading Roundup III - Some Favorite Children's Books for 2011

2011-12-20T07:52:00.001-06:00

To complete my reading roundup, here are some of my favorite children's books for 2011. The links are to books with my reviews for Kidsreads.

BLESS THIS MOUSE by Lois Lowry is a charming story for animal-loving readers of all ages.

DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos weaves twentieth century American history with wacky scenes and memorable characters.

PAINTINGS FROM THE CAVE: THREE NOVELLAS is Gary Paulsen’s dark and gritty collection of stories about three children who use the beauty of art and/or the unconditional love of dogs to survive troubled childhoods.

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE by Melissa Ann Goodwin is a sweet and suspenseful tale filled with surprises.

THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: FOURTEEN AMAZING AUTHORS TELL THE TALES, Chris Van Allsburg. Stories written by children’s and adult authors: Sherman Alexie, M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King, Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka and Chris Van Allsburg, with an introduction by Lemony Snicket.

WARP SPEED by Lisa Yee is a touching story about belonging, being unique and standing-up to bullies.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with wonderful books.

Merry Christmas to "Santa Wore Cowboy Boots" Commenters --You All Are Winners

2011-12-17T09:28:00.003-06:00

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on my post and asked for their names to be put in the hat to win a copy of my story "Santa Wore Cowboy Boots" which appeared in A Cup of Comfort for Christmas. In the spirit of Christmas, I decided that rather than just selecting a few names at random I would send a copy of the story to each person who left a comment.

So the winners are

Bookie (Claudia)

Sally

Linda

Sioux

Melissa

Val

Janet

Carol

If you all will e-mail me at dvolkenannt (at) charter.net with your name and mailing address I will get your copy in the mail right away.

Merry Christmas, and thanks for continuing to visit my blog and sharing your thoughts and encouraging me to continue writing.

Donna