WRITERS ON THE RIVER

Sunday November 15, 2011 writing partners Peggy Singer, Susan Morales and I participated in the thirteenth annual Writers on the River event in Monroe, where Fifty-one Michigan authors met at the newly renovated Ellis Library on the bank of the Raisin River.

Friends of the library welcomed us and served a delicious lunch, after which we displayed and sold our works to a steady stream of area residents. It was a family event, with parents and children delighted to meet the authors.

Several mothers and teenage daughters bought copies of “Family at Booknook.” In the novel Sparrow and Finch come of age together and sensitive moral issues are explored; therefore I encouraged these mother-daughter duos to read and discuss the novel together.

Bernie Smith was the vivacious and competent director of Writers on the River. In her emails she explained that she is not a man but a little old woman. A small woman she is, but certainly not old. Writers on the River is part of the legacy she leaves at her retirement. It celebrates the written word, a gift to readers and authors alike.

BEAR RIVER WRITERS' CONFERENCE

“Family at Booknook” is available on Amazon, at Nicola’s in Ann Arbor and the Adrian and Ann Arbor Meijer’s stores, also available on Kindle. Currently I’m engrossed in a rewrite of my second novel.

The Bear River Writers’ Conference has been my summer highlight; Hosted by The University of Michigan, it is held at Camp Michigania on beautiful Walloon Lake. This was my sixth year at the conference.

Richard McCann, professor of Creative Writing at American University and author of memoir, poetry and fiction was the workshop leader for our group of ten. This was my second workshop with Richard, an exceptional teacher, who is open and honest and touches you deeply. This year he was editing a memoir about his mother’s death. “Be in the moment; write the hard stuff, unflinchingly;” is his motto. His words and writing triggered much emotion.

We became a group of mourners, writing about the deaths of our loved ones and supporting each other in our losses.

The last day I felt lighter and did not write about my mother’s death, but about her life, her hard work and ability to persevere. The following is an excerpt:

"RED APPLE NAILS"

I remember my mother’s hands in motion, always in motion, with her delicious apple-red nails, filed almost to a point, polished to perfection—pristine. This, in spite of her cleaning our motel—six rooms, six toilets—scoured by hand, with a rag and Babo. Not even rubber gloves. Several times a day she applied lotion, which diminished the calluses on her hands and kept them almost smooth. She wore little jewelry, only her wedding ring, white gold with a tiny diamond—a gift from my father years after their marriage.

Late Saturday afternoons she relaxed in our tiny living room with her drink of choice, Coke and Jim Beam, manicuring her nails. Mesmerized, I watched her apply two coats of shiny-red. I don’t remember wanting my nails polished. That was for grownups.

WRITING AND READING

I’ve been taking a break from marketing. However, “Family at Booknook” continues to be available at Nicolas Books and the local Meijer stores. I’ve been working on a second novel about an abused woman with three children who at great risk finds the courage to leave a sadistic husband.

I’ve discovered Dan Minock’s creative writing class at Washtenaw Community College. Many have taken the class before. And why not? Dan is a talented gentle soul who recognizes the best in all of us. As a man of humor and nature he has published a book, “Thistle and Other Essays.” The students are diverse; some write daily, others are new converts. A lovely Japanese woman is exploring poetry in English. Four or five writers read each evening and we critic them, focusing on what the piece means to each of us. An added perk: senior citizens can take one course at WCC tuition free.

A reading recommendation: “The Help” by Katheryn Stockett. Set in the 1960s, a naïve young woman in Mississippi interviews Negro maids about their experiences working for white families, riveting.

NETWORKING AT THE DEXTER LIBRARY

December 1st was a frigid, windy evening. Peggy Singer, my writing colleague, and I drove to Dexter and had dinner at Northpoint, a local destination restaurant—good food.


Lisa Ryan and Brenda

Adult Library Director Lisa Ryan greeted us at the Dexter library, where I was to speak. Including myself there were a total of six people in a large room with forty chairs: Lisa, my writing partners—Susan and Peggy, Peggy’s friend Mary and a very late comer. Why so few? Lisa thought it may relate to the fact that it was the week after Thanksgiving and people had Christmas on their minds. And it was COLD! In addition I am an unknown writer and did not contact the media to get an interview about the novel and event.


Peggy, Brenda and Susan

Still, Peggy, Susan and I had the opportunity to visit about the process of writing, about our group and about our books. Margaret Fuchs Singer published a touching yet riveting memoir, “Legacy of a False Promise, A Daughters Reckoning.” Susan Morales recently published a novel “A Bar Room View of Love.” In it a young woman attempts to expose an ashram and finds redemption. Check out their websites under relevant links on this blog.


Mary Higgins

Lisa, a savvy librarian and historian, has her own stories to write and Mary Higgins has written and produced a play. We stressed that writing groups provide structure, support and motivation. Lisa is in the process of establishing such a group at the library. Go Lisa!

What we learned: Many unknown authors, often self-published, send only a description of their books to the library. However, a book cannot be put into the library system without knowing the quality of the prose. This means that a librarian must read the book. A wise tactic for a little known author is to donate a book to the library. Lisa stated that, if a book earns a place on the shelf, her library will purchase another copy.

Intuitively I knew to do this when “Family at Booknook” was published. I donated novels to all the surrounding libraries. Since then, I’ve been invited to speak at Adrian, Saline and now Dexter libraries. All have assured me that they purchased extra copies. As with all writers, I want my novel read, and getting it in libraries is great exposure.

Talented Pittsfield Senior Writers

A few weeks ago I was a guest of the Pittsfield Senior Writers, a group of learned people with vast and varied experiences, including: coming of age in Boys Town, living under Japanese occupation and immigrating to the United States.

Under the direction of their resident poet and facilitator, Elle Cousino, these writers are embarking on a new adventure. In fact this dynamite group has published a book, “As Time Goes By.”

One member, Walter Palesch has published several articles and is well into a second novel. To illustrate how far he has come and a bit of his wit, as a teenager learning to read English, he had a crush on his gorgeous teacher. When reading “Dick and Jane,” he deliberately made mistakes. Then the young woman would turn to him, pucker her lips and say the correct pronunciation, while he inwardly swooned.

This was a fascinating group of people who had come together to share their stories. And, it was exciting for me to speak with a group of peers who are learning a new skill and sharing their wisdom and humor.

NEXT EVENT: GETTING PUBLISHED
DEXTER PUBLIC LIBRARY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1,2010, 7:00PM

ART-A-LICIOUS IN ADRIAN

EVENTS: SPEAKING ON WRITING AND PUBLISHING

Pittsfield Senior Center: Wednesday, October 18th, 10:00am
Dexter Public Library: Wednesday, December 1st, 7:00pm

NOVELS for $15.00: at Events, on line, Nicolas or Meijer

On Saturday my friend Sharon Feldman and I drove to Adrian, where I spoke at the Adrian library with four other local authors; a feature of Art-a-licious: a family fair, something for everyone. Children with painted faces made projects and improvised on stage. There were arts and crafts, with demonstrations including candle making, sock knitting and monotype printmaking; music, dancing, fair food and a gourmet dinner provided by Adrian culinary students. Amazingly it was not crowded and one could take a leisurely walk and enjoy the exhibits. Mark this fair on your calendar for next year!

Authors: Charmaine Stangl, “Charlie; The Dog Who Lived the Dream;” Deborah and Carol Marsh, “The Birth of a King;” Maurleen Gillin, a cookbook, “My Mother and Me;” Cristina Trapani Scott, “A Cup of Comfort for a Better World.” Cristina wrote a touching essay, “The Power of Pebbles” about the support and inspiration her daughter’s classmates provided, when her daughter had a debilitating surgery. The essay was one of fifty-five chosen in an intense competition, and she was paid!

The music and art were fierce competition; people wandered through the library, a few purchased books. Still, we enjoyed networking, reading and comparing experiences. Other than Cristine we had all self published and all concerned about marketing.

It was interesting that the two authors who were contracted to receive royalties had no knowledge of what that royalty would be. This was my experience with Author House. Not until the price was set, the book printed and I asked, was I informed. We authors who self publish are often naive. As I’ve mentioned before Mark Levine’s“The Fine Print of Self-Publishing” is one of several good books that are a must for anyone planning to self publish.

ART-a-licious IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN

Adrian is having a celebration of art Friday and Saturday, the 18th and 19th of September. The downtown area will host art, crafts, food and music in a festive atmosphere. It is large enough for diversity, small enough to enjoy. Demonstrations include glass blowing, sculpture and wood turning. Several local authors have been invited to speak at the public library. I will be there on Saturday the 19th from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Looking forward to seeing new and old friends.