Plot Party

Sara, Lauren, Susan, and Ann - fellow writers discussing word issues.

  Trinity Writers' Workshop normally meets on Saturdays at the Trinity Arts Building in Bedford, Texas.  However, this past Saturday we met at the home of long-time member Bonnie Pemberton for a plot party. Twenty-four people attended with twelve people offering up a synopsis of their writing issues and questions they asked us to ponder.

Who died first - the wimpy husband, the heiress, or the gardener? Who is the murderer? What about that strange woman in the store - was her question part of a cult? Bats? Electricity? The Amazon Trilogy. All this and more was discussed as ideas begat ideas and the author in question furiously jotted notes.

Food, oh the food - we ate well, snacked some more, and enjoyed Clarice Bostick's homemade ice cream cake (her secret is the amaretto). Laughter prevailed.
An offsite plot party is a great way to renew a group's energy. It's loosey-goosey and the only limitation is the imagination.

Look out publishing world - there are some interesting stories headed your way in the future.

Author Roundtable

 Saturday evening, I was delighted to be part of an authors' panel at the Bedford library  We were introduced by Amanda Green, author of  Nocturnal Lives, and she let us loose to read excerpts from our books and answer questions from the audience.

The discussion was lively in regards to self publishing (four of us) vs. traditional (one) and why we chose to go our routes, the effort involved, pitfalls, and the satisfaction of being in control of our writing destiny.

 Here are the featured authors of the evening (clockwise from upper left) All are members of  Trinity Writers' Workshop
Arly Pineo: Cheat the Wind  Cheat the Wind
Sharon Owen: Thicker Than Water   Thicker Than Water
Bonnie Pemberton: The Cat Master The Cat Master
Ann Summerville: Gwinnel Gardens (and more) Gwinnel Gardens
Not pictured: Joanne Faries  My Zoo World  My Zoo World

Finally, there is nothing better than a great prop - Arly's husband created this fine clipper ship, ready to set sail for the China Seas, and Cheat the Wind.

Books 'N Authors and All That Jazz - 10th year

 Saturday April 28, 2012, I attended Books 'N Authors and All That Jazz, a conference at Weatherford College. It was their 10th Anniversary celebration and they put on a good show. I hung in the authors' wing, chatting with folks about my book - My Zoo World. Plenty of interest and enthusiasm

 My display included pictures of some of the critters cavorting through my chapters. Linda T's cat Benji was a star, as well as son Kevin's pit bull, Rusty. Certainly conversation starters.

 Other Trinity Writer attendees included Ann Summerville (A Graceful Death, High Tide, Storms & Secrets, and her latest The Berton Hotel), Sharon Owen (Thicker Than Water), and Arly Pineo (Cheat the Wind). Not pictured here are Sheryl Nelms (poet) and Kalvin Weaver (Kobra).  We hung out, made new connections, attended some classes (Dave Lieber is always a treat), and discussed the world of publishing in 2012 - ever changing, that's for sure.

The grand finale included some Jazz, thanks to the college jazz combo - very cool. Linda Bagwell, coordinator, also announced winners of various writing contests. Alas, I did not have to leap from my seat.
Nonetheless it was a worthwhile day in the world of writing and publishing....and all that jazzzzzzzzzz!

Sanctioned Voyeurism

Paid admission to wander about the Fairmount Historic Home Tour on Sunday - Mother's Day is sanctioned voyeurism. You can enjoy six historic, restored bungalow homes, built predominately from 1905 to 1920, and comment on design, decor, and overall atmosphere.

It's amusing to peer into corners, absorb others' taste in art, and imagine life in this corner of Fort Worth. As a friend said, as we walked about one of the bigger homes, "That's what's missing at my home - staff." Indeed, I could imagine sitting on the front porch and enjoying fresh squeezed lemonade as staff scurried inside to dust my magnificent hallway chandelier

Here's an example of a home being renovated. At one time it had been turned into apartments. Now it's gutted and returning to its original state. The home itself has character with lots of windows, hardwood floors, and a pleasant front porch. The neighborhood lends itself to friendliness and no doubt nosiness and plenty of stories. Check out Ann Summerville's book Secrets and Storms. She brought the Fairmount area to life in a mystery.

Now it's time for me to renovate a few stories, add some details and inspiration I took from the tour. And I have to find a place in a chapter for the four foot tall circus panda (standing on a drum and playing cymbals) that stood in a guest room. Perhaps it comes to life - hmmm, fantasy or horror?

A Graceful Death, Indeed

Proud to announce the release of A Graceful Death by Ann Summerville.

Writing is a solitary venture, and yet there is support in the writing community. I'm proud to have heard her read chapters aloud and witnessed the progression in her story. Characters came alive. The pacing quickened, and I wanted to know what did happen to Aunt Grace.

Set in a tiny fishing village on the Cornish coast, A Graceful Death introduces you to a vibrant cast of characters, a mystery, love lost and gained, and a satisfying ending. Along the way, you'll want to drink a cup of tea as you enjoy this cozy mystery.

Check out http://annsummerville.com/ or on Amazon see ISBN 160844211X.

Now I'm ready for her sequel. Cheers to published author, Ann Summerville.