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.