SORRY I havent been taking care of blog like I should

The holidays got in the way....also got my nose glued to the computer lately. I was obsessed to at least get a working draft of my novel (manuscript). Now the editing. I'm really proud that I wrote a novel....now what to do with it, eh? I am, to tell the truth, a little insecure about the editing. I have never been good at grammar, or spelling or formating....but I seem to have a headful of ideas. Oh well....it's good to get it off of my plate.

The name of it is Flowers for Trixie and is a faction novel....mostly fact and a little fiction. I am one of the characters....when you read it, you will see which one very obviously. Yep...I was there. I changed things a little to make the story flow better (I think). also to make me look better.:)

Trixie didnt have a brother, but she did live with the preacher, had a country bumpkin husband who lead her astray, they did try to rob the drug store and she did serve time. She also moved to Sparta (real town, different name...but that town was called Sparta in the TV show... In The Heat of the Night, where it was filmed...got on the crew of that show...but that is another story.)

In Sparta she met, Tracey and he left her for another woman, taking away the home place she put alot of sweat and money into. SHe did work for me and got her $$$ from her disability w/c check from her injury, as stated in novel.

Unfortunatley she was an addict, met Wayne (really a key man) and he really cared for her, but was afraid of commitment. He was married to Dave's sister (remember the bartender) for 10 years and didnt want a wedding anytime soon. I might have better gone into more on that in the book, but didnt. Anyway also as a side note, Dave and his sister (Wayne's Ex) were adopted as a pair and raised together in a happy family next door to Wayne....another story.

But this is about Trixie, after her breakup with Wayne, I invited her to stay with me in my pool house. She had a lovely daughter who was from the union of the Preacher's partner' rape. (she was really from the union with her first husband....I think). Then she met Marvin....a married man (married to a younger woman with severe RA) who came to the clinic often, always with a big wad of cash. I hope I painted him well as he also b ecame a main character in the novel. He co-owned the local pawn shop with his dad, who was well connected in this small southern town.

I started playing trivia with Wayne as friends, and Trixie got very jealous. THey were still friends or something. We planned to go on a minivacation together to florida with kids and another couple. In the story I had 2 girls, I really only have one. Also during this time, I met on a professional basis, he was a pt., Bill, the cop, who in the story, I had a close friendship...which may lead to something else. Bill was also married but gets a divorce as his younger wife runs off with younger man. (that is true.) Bill got custody of 2 kids....but in real life I fixed him up with my best friend but it didnt work out. Here, 10 years later, I still talk to Bill, but am happily married to someone else. (not in the story).

Trixie turns into a real drug freak and her and Marvin live in a rental house. She had always been a drinker so they partied! Marvin, who really did play Santa, lost alot of weight and it was rumored that he did have cancer. He didnt...he was just poppin pills with Trixie.

We really did go to Florida, my friends, kid and Wayne and had a great time as described. Judy is a real person as well is her boyfriend, Steve. The rest of the story was pretty straight on like it happened. ...the shooting, the investigation...including the quarry, the deeds, the body, the burial. Like I said there was no Heath, so the person who took Amanda in was Trixie's first husband, Jamie, who had become a fine christian, remarried and had several kids in Devil's hollow. Amanda married and had 2 kids. she is now divorced and living in NOrth Ga.

The confession with Mr. Johnson sr. is made up to tie the facts together. Nothing was every done about Trixie's death.

The other made up part about this story was the shooting of the preacher....he is still living in North Georgia.

Creative November Meeting

Brrrr....its cold out there! Even in the cold and darkness a few members ventured out to our meeting. We took this time to 'play' some creative writing games and exercises and chomp down on some treats that Ms. Lois so graciously donated. Our first exercise was prompted by bags of goodies. Each bag had 3 items...we had 3 min to trade and then had 10 min to write a story about these items....must be connected. Great stories and a variety of thoughts on the subject.
OUr next exercise was to concentrate on descriptions. One exercise that helps is to describe an item in 3 words...kind of like doing an ad. It is harder than you think!
Our last exercise was to write about a gift box...what was in it and who were you going to give it to.

We also discussed a time and place for our Xmas social, our Sat critique meeting and possibly moving meetings to a sat. Well get more opinions and come up with a game plan.

Our next meeting is Dec. 6th for a critique meeting at the Hospital cafeteria. Hope to have a good group. See you then, have a great thanksgiving!

Sue Dye, local poet

Sue Dye, local Clarksdale citizen and poet was our guest at our DWA October meeting. Her poetry reading touched the audience. Would it not be great to get her on tape ? She was awesome! It was also special as we helped her celebrate her 91st birthday. Lucky us! Please visit us again, Sue!

October meeting - what fun!

Tonight's meeting was so fun! It was a special treat to hear Sue Dye recite her poetry....insightful words that create pictures and emotions and utilize both versatile grammar and "every day" straight to the heart truths. The visitors to our group were a pleasure as well and I hope they will find a way to meet with us again soon. Ms. Dye concluded her presentation with a poem about a "darling chickadee".....I think that was quite appropo as the title could easily apply to this youthful, exhuberant 91 year old darling. Imagine...being able to share poems written over a span of 60+ years. We just received a spare taste of what must be a fantastic journey in musical words from a woman who clearly loves people and life to the utmost.
Thanks, Virginia and Lois, for providing this memorable experience for our group!
~Laura A.

Submissions in print

Hey everyone....the submissions for the TWF contest were printed in the Clarksdale Paper. I heard Billy's submission was printed and then I saw A day on the Farm by Cal Trout was also printed. If anyone has a copy of Billy's ...please get us one for our scrap book.

Lots of things going on for writers and mentors. Joe Campbell who is an author from Indianola invited us to attend a day in his honor tomorrow Oct 14th. A book signing is planned at the library and entertainment at the BB King museum. I will try to get the flyer to you all as soon as I get it. I will be there and they will be interviewing me as well for the "writers in the Delta" episode and the documentary on his life.

THe Friends of the Library has appointed me to be in charge of a newsletter. We are going to involve the winners of the essay contest that they had in April as mentors. Hopefully we can continue this and help our library with PR and a newsletter. ANy volunteers ? :)

Also we need volunteers to be on the Writing Mentor Committee. This is a grant program that will involve 5 students from the 3 high schools in the area to get motivated about writing, and maybe learn a few things. For more information, please email John Mayo.

Dont forget you all , meeting is this thursday at 6:30 at the Cutrer Mansion and we have critique group on Sat. at 9 am. Invite your friends. Our guest speaker is Sue Dye, famous author and poet. This will be a fun meeting.

My personal road bump

Yes I was really off lately. My husband who is the physician at CCA prison got reassigned. We just moved here and bought a house. Guess where...Minnesota. Can you believe it...peter is the smartest guy I know, he has Millions of degrees and board certifications and worked 70-80 hrs a week at that place. he even spent our anniversary there! (all weekend and holidays). but i told him that i would rather not move and loved Clarksdale and the people and the writers group, etc.

so God provided, within 2 days he had secured a job at Parchman as a physician and also a temp job in Florida for a month to fill in the gap....so i guess you guys are stuck with me.

see you soon!

I am embarrased!

Our announcement for the 2nd prize winner was incorrect....Shannan Rule Bardwell was the author of God Bless the Boon! So sorry Shannon!

I was also a little disappointed in our newspaper coverage. I thought we would have at least one or two submission (I emailed to Patricia) and some photo coverage of the luncheon. If I missed it, someone tell me...I a
have been a little off lately.