JUST TO LET YOU KNOW……A Nosegay of Violets can be purchased locally in Warrenton, North Carolina, at Lloyd’s Bakery at 108 S. Main St.; Friends Two at 126 S. Main St. and Oakley Hall Antiques & Art at 119 N. Main St. for $15.00. Tell ‘em I sent you.
And online at Amazon.com Thanks. Enjoy.
Filed under books, living with ghosts, Memoir, paranormal, women, writing
Well, it’s finally here and it is a great relief! Writing this book, A Nosegay of Violets, has been therapeutic, sending all those hidden secrets out into the Universe with a refusal of thinking “what if someone laughs at me?” or “what if no one believes me?” or “what will they think of me, knowing of the marriage I was in? “
Those questions no longer hold fear for me. I have survived the marriage and became stronger because of it. I have forgiven myself for decisions I made, (the hardest thing to do) believing they were the right ones to make at the time. And I have forgiven others who did me harm. They were just being who they were. And I had help along the way, from people-sometimes strangers-from friends, from family, and an Angel here and there when no one else was around to show up. WOW!
You’d think those would be easy moments to talk about, but they were not. Fear of rejection held me back. When I overcame that fear last year, I pulled all the scraps of paper with notes jotted on them and poured over my journals to be sure I would get everything right. It meant re-living the entire experience over again and again and again as I wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote. Excuse me, while I allow myself to have this feeling of being wonderful!
Filed under books, hauntings, Memoir, paranormal, poetic narrative, psychic phenomena, women's stories, wormen writing, writing
MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Saturday, Sept. 24th! A BOOK FAIR FESTIVAL at A Brewed Awakening Coffee& Book Shop, 610 Craghead St. Danville, VA. Please come out and say “hello”. !0 am to 2 pm on the sidewalks. Come hungry for books and for some good foods! The event is hosted by Bonnie & John Hale. They host a BOOK FAIR FESTIVAL twice a year, spring & fall.
I’ll be there with books in hand, enjoying the day, talking about ghosts and whatever subjects come up. COME OUT AND SEE WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!
Filed under Book Fair/Festival, books, booksigning, coffee, espresso, general, hauntings, living with ghosts, paranormal, Poetry, writing
It was a great morning last Saturday, when Sandra Martin hosted a talk, reading, and book signing for me at BackYard Birds ‘n Books-Sandra being the books, in Bracey, VA. Anyone can read the book, so I enjoy talking about the “back story” that doesn’t get into the books. That’s fun.
Since one story about ghosts leads to other stories, I wound up talking a lot about Bordentown (NJ) and spirits that have visited me during the night. They were, among others, the Fraser family, coming one at a time to help me in locating information about them. This was when I was writing Major Fraser’s, the history of a particular house in Bordentown and all its inhabitants from Day One. Actually, before there was a building on the property. I enjoyed writing this book, so I love talking about the writing of it. The book is now out-of-print, but there are still a few copies floating around.
Interesting family.
Even more interesting: since I brought my copy of The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring along with my passion for the story, and my discussing it, brought me being connected to the author through Lisa Hagan. We have both been long-time members of the IWWG. . . . hmmm. The more I think of this, the more I remember having a conversation or two with her during those years. WOW! Synchronicity. Ya gotta luv it!
A review on The Munich Girl will be coming up soon. You don’t want to miss it.
Mucho thanks to Sandra Martin for this wonderful moment in my life, shared with the best audience ever. They took part and shared some of their stories, too. How cool is that.
Filed under books, booksigning, Bordentown, hauntings, living with ghosts, New Jersey history, paranormal, Uncategorized, writing
What’s more exciting than winning a 2-hour consultation with Build the Fort author Chris Heivly? Actually having my consultation with him, at his headquarters on W. Main Street in Durham! That’s what.
Always aware of my surroundings, I was especially delighted in the set-up laid out before me. It is like a bee hive with all the different pockets of work spaces filled and everyone in them happily busy at work. This is a cheerful place, full of bright colors that instill confidence at first glance. It’s a place where dreams are confided and fulfilled. I’ve read the book (review posted already) loved it and now I am here to fill in the blank spaces. That’s with Chris’ guidance, of course.
The time has come to branch out, to make a plan to learn what avenues I need to travel in order to offer my talents and services to those who will benefit from them on a business level. I’ve been volunteering for many, many years now and it’s time to spread my wings and fly.
Chris is fabulous! He’s easy to talk to, immediately understands all my inadequate feelings of not knowing, how and where, to proceed next. We talked with comfort like I’d known him since he was born. That is very cool. He was also very helpful in getting me on my feet. I came home with a notebook loaded with ideas and scribbles that will direct me with confidence. I’m ready to set out and set the world aglow!
Thanks to LISA HAGAN BOOKS! For this great opportunity in winning this champion of wins!
A bunch of thanks to Chris Heivly, instructing me on how to Build the Fort! I’m on my way!
Filed under book review, books, general, Uncategorized, women, women's stories, writing
WARREN ARTISTS’ MARKET
2014 & 2015 ANTHOLOGY
SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2016 ANTHOLOGY
The Warren County Anthology (working title) submissions considered are: poetry, and personal impression. Only one prose piece will be accepted per writer; the maximum is 1500 words per piece. You may submit up to 3 poems; maximum-30 lines per poem. Include a bio up to 75 words. Submissions must meet our guidelines to be accepted, include a bio.
Write about anything relating to Warren County, North Carolina i.e. about your living here, having family here, visited here, been impressed by reading about it, or seeing it through the eyes of another.
The anthology is open to all writers. Place your contact information in the upper left hand corner of each page submitted. Name, address, and email.
Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2016. You will be notified of acceptance by June 30. The anthology will be available for purchase by Nov. 15, 2016.
Mail your submissions and inquiries to: haywoodpark@yahoo.com or arlenebice1633@gmail.com
The Warren Artists’ Market; Arlene Bice, Thomas Park, Sterling Cheston, Vernita (Nana Vee) Terry.
Filed under anthology, Poetry, reflection, Warren Artists' Market, warren county nc, writing
It’s here on Friday-our First Friday Poetry, open mic night, 4th Dec. 7:30 to 9:30.
Come in; you can hear Reasons for the Season.
Come in to hear original works read by the poets who wrote them.
Come in to read your own words or the words of someone you enjoy.
Come in; just listen, FoodWorks, 108 S. Main St Warrenton NC
Come in, nibble on local foods and delectable desserts.
Come in, taste the wines and beers of North Carolina.
Come in and share a table with old friends or meet new ones.
The September First Friday continues to exceed my expectations! I thought that the holiday weekend would bring us a small group dedicated to our efforts of bringing poetry and oral expression to Warren County. Instead, the Warren Food Works (WFW) was packed with a diverse crowd from 18 to 80 mingling, enjoying each other while eating, drinking, and soaking up the words cast out into the atmosphere.
A wide range of poetic subjects seeping from the hearts of writers-Warren County writers, and Virginia writers, too, silenced the room with absorption. The always-welcome songs sung so beautifully by Shavon Russell Jones and afterwards, her sister, (forgive me I didn’t get her name.) A big surprise to everyone when volunteer from behind the bar, Cris Hunter ended the evening with the most beautiful rendition of Nature Boy. It brought some tears for the beauty of it. Their voices were like melted chocolate, velvety smooth and mesmerizing to everyone.
Miranda Medlin offered a stirring presentation, taking all into her realm. Devonte, a poet from our last year anthology Sitting with a Drunken Sorceress gave us his words and Travis Bullock continues to bring people in just to hear what he has to tell us.
So many others came to read, to share thoughts, feelings, and to merely listen. It was a very full night; a night to show Thomas Park what his dream has wrought; a night to make him proud for all his efforts.
Recently I read an article by Megan McArdle, written last year, on writers being the worst procrastinators. Her reasoning declared was, that we were at the top of our English classes in school, by natural talent, without trying.
I carry on her idea by saying, much to my regret now; I didn’t study like the smart kids did. I was a natural test taker, went over the material the night before and always passed with adequate marks. Sadly, one doesn’t actually learn this way, only gets good grades.
As a result, we wind up leaving our assignments to the last possible moments, when the words begin to finally flow. When we do this, we have no time to edit the article, to improve it, to turn in the perfect piece that editors would not have to scour for the errors we just zipped over, thinking that our content is enough. Shameful.
To go one step further, I found a way to ignore that blank sheet of paper staring back at me. I have several projects going at one time. When one of them gets stubborn; fights against me, I pop it off the computer, put it back into its own little document file and move on to another one that I have stashed away, just waiting. Of course, there is a drawback to this method, too. (There are always drawbacks to everything!) It means that projects seem to drag on, deadlines set by me, smudged over. It’ll be ready next week…..which falls into the following week, which…..
Filed under book review, writing
A great day for writing……Hot pink geranium backed by the winter white of snow & view from the morning kitchen window; the English Patient soundtrack flows throughout the house along with the home smells of soup simmering. Great day to write deep thoughts and stuff.
Filed under writing
bemused razzle-dazzle
Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more
An Independent Non-Discriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations
Wise. Witchy. Wonderful.
Humorous & Inspirational stories about the lighter side of life....
THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE SHOULD BE CELEBRATED THE MOST
This Jane Austen blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details related to this topic.
Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
a food writer's journey
Writing, Scrapbooking, Podcasting My Family History
indispensable poetry from women over 50
From Sunrise County to the Universe
A group of poets and poetry readers.
Live, Love, Travel and Laugh (Proudly Pinoy)
- cream doesn't belong to carbonara -
Reaping Havoc On A Daily Basis
A Poet's Place | Wolff Poetry Literary Magazine is Publishing Poetry Submitted by Published & Emerging Writers,
Words of a clarklike female
Thoughts-Art-Things
purplestoneblog 