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WIWA NEWSLETTER
Vol. 4, No. 2 April -- May 2004
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CONTENTS
Message from the Editor
Letters to the Editor
On the Island
Off the Island
Cut the Fat
by Dr. Richard Lederer
Cheers
Recent Releases
Is This You?
News from the WIWA Board
Love of Language Talks
Writing the One Wheel Ride
by Lars Clausen
Contests and Market Requests
Fund Raising Committee Needs Inside Job
WIWA Celebrates Your Writing
Cyber Surfing
To Contact Us
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe
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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Give me a spirit that on this life's rough sea, loves t' have his sails filled with a lusty wind. --George Chapman
Nearly 17 years ago, my husband and I took delivery of our 40-foot sailboat the same week that we returned from our honeymoon. Since then, we've sailed 40,000 miles, gazed at the Southern Cross, been bumped by a baby whale looking for her mother's milk, weathered 25-foot seas, watched icebergs calve in Alaska, narrowly missed being run down by a cruise liner, and delivered a ton of taro to the remote Pacific Island Puka Puka.
Last month, Bob and I swallowed the anchor and sold our boat, Baba BarAnn. The labor of maintaining the boat for so many years was starting to outweigh the thrill of owning it. According to nautical lore, the two happiest days in a boater's life are the day she buys a boat and the day she sells it; but on that final day, I felt sadness, relief and joy all mixed together with memories from the most exhilarating times of my life.
Six years ago I began volunteering for the Whidbey Island Writers Association, the last three years as editor of the Newsletter. Volunteers dedicate thousands of hours of labor maintaining the WIWA ship, but like sails and halyards, volunteers weather and fray, and periodically need replacing. So with sadness, but also relief for new found time for new adventures, I've decided this will be my last issue of the Newsletter as editor.
I look back with fondness on the small group of volunteers who first met with our skipper, Celeste Mergens. "Sure, we can put on a world class writers' conference," we said a little naively since most of us had never been to a conference. Celeste, the exception, had come back from the Maui Writers' Conference with enthusiasm and a vision that spread to the rest of us.
Each of us took on a coordinator's role and figured out from scratch what had to be done. In the early years, Micky Coleman was participant coordinator, Susan Wilmoth planned conference events, Jacquie Milligan published the program, Nancy Ruff handled scheduling, Linda Jedlicka was Web master and I coordinated the fireside chats. You've probably met some of us, all members of the original crew and all still deeply involved with WIWA and the Conference. Of course, these were only a few of the positions that had to be filled. Back then -- same as with this year's mates -- we multi-tasked. I've been a scheduler, packet assembler, dishwasher, writer, editor, shopper, judge, chauffeur, speaker, deliveryman, interviewer, problem solver, crisis intervener, bathroom cleaner (Remember the receptions on the M/V Capt. Cook VII?), instructor, planner, chat host and researcher.
Some of my most memorable moments were luring award winning author Pam Houston and best selling authors Gary Kinder and Erik Larson to speak at WIWC. I'm most disappointed for not securing author and fellow sailor Jonathan Raban's phone number or email address so that we could shanghai him into service, but I still have hope, so if anyone knows how I can reach him, please email me.
Whidbey Island is a community of generous people who have supported WIWA throughout the years. I'm indebted to them for all they've done and continue to do, and I'm grateful to everyone anywhere who ever donated a story to the WIWA Newsletter, especially Michael Larsen of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency and best-selling author and linguistic guru Richard Lederer, for their informative, entertaining columns.
I cherish the friendships I've made through WIWA and encourage all of you to get involved with WIWA or any organization that supports writers, readers and literacy. Together, we can help each other. I want to thank all 1,450 WIWA Newsletter subscribers for your support and interest. Did you know there were so many of you in our writing community? Corresponding with and meeting you at past Conferences has been a pleasure. I've enjoyed hearing about your writing successes, some of which are relayed in this issue.
Some people have expressed concern that I'm sailing into the sunset never to be heard from again -- a romantic notion fit for a book's ending -- but I'm simply taking time off to devote to my own writing, interests and responsibilities. As an original crew member, I hold a lifetime membership in WIWA, and I plan to enjoy some of the benefits of membership. I'll be at the annual WIWA meeting May 20 and I'm looking forward to the new WIWA-sponsored "Love of Language" talks described in this issue. I'm proud to have established a prototype for the newsletter, and when the WIWA Board announces the next volunteer editor, I'll be there to help with the transition and turn over the helm.
My last six-year journey has been a dream come true for writers. Thank you for creating a caring and supportive community that extends from our island across the sea to you. Most of all, thank you for writing. Carry on mates.
May goodwill prevail,
Candace Allen
To read past issues of the newsletter see "News, Events & Resources" at www.writeonwhidbey.com and click Newsletter Archives.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Follow the Right Road
I was startled to read of Celeste's resignation. As one who has always followed the road that felt right, I fully support her decision; it's just hard to picture Whidbey without her.
Peace, Jules Older
Jules wrote a commentary about the Conference and its founder Celeste Mergens for Vermont Public Radio. The story Island of Paradise for Writers also ran in the June/July 2002 issue of the WIWA Newsletter and is available in the WIWA Newsletter archives online at: www.writeonwhidbey.com.
Memoirs Hit Home
Great newsletter again this month. Thank you. I especially liked the information about memoir/personal essays--hit home :)
Victoria Wolfe
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ON THE ISLAND
Susan Wiggs at BookBay
April 15, noon to 3 p.m. Meet Susan Wiggs at BookBay in Freeland where she'll sign copies of her latest book The Ocean Between Us.
Washington Poets Association Burning Word Festival
April 24, Greenbank Farm. Hear more than 25 poets including internationally acclaimed Tess Gallagher, Tim McNulty, Bart Baxter and Lorraine Healy. Non-stop presentations on two stages. Musical guests include: Trickster Hero Orchestra, Sister Monk Harem and Beverly Graham. Cost: $12, or students $6. For more information, see http://www.washingtonpoets.org/
WIWA Fiction Workshop with Susan Wiggs
June 26 - 27, Don't Dream it, Do It. Come with an idea and leave with a notebook stuffed with a work-in-progress after interacting with the fun, talented and prolific best-selling author Susan Wiggs. For more information, see WIWA's Web site: http://writeonwhidbey.org/cgi/bmc.pl?page=pubpg.html&node=1341
WIWA Love of Language Talks
Saturdays, 1 p.m., Bayview Hall, free:
May 1, Deb Lund, "From Idea to Publication: Creating Books for Children"
July 31, Ann Linnea, "Finding Voice Through Nature's Wisdom"
Oct. 23, Antoinette Botsford, "The Silence Between the Words"
For more information, call 221-2347, and see this Newsletter's related article: "Love of Language Talks."
Cascadia Culinary Arts Conference
May 21-23, Langley. Join over three dozen chefs, food writers, winemakers and food producers from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia as they share perspectives on the latest culinary trends and outlooks. Registration information is available at www.cascadiaculinaryarts.com.
WIWA-Sponsored Writing Groups
The WIWA-sponsored writing groups provide an opportunity to share your work, gain insight, and discuss the world of writing and publishing. Featuring a friendly forum and useful critiques, these groups welcome drop-ins and writers of every experience level.
The Evening Writers' Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Avenue. For more information, contact Judy at: judyt1@whidbey.net.
The North Whidbey Writers' Group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Great Times Espresso in Coupeville (waterside of Front Street, down one flight of stairs). For more information, contact Dot Read at: thereads@whidbey.com, or call (360) 331-2038.
The South Whidbey Writers' Group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland (Hwy 525 and Woodard Rd.) The meeting is in the small building closest to Highway 525. For more information, contact Natalie Olsen at: thegnat@whidbey.com, or call (360) 331-7709.
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OFF THE ISLAND
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
April 3, noon; Mary Daheim will sign her latest mystery, The Alpine Pursuit.
July 10, noon; G. M. Ford will sign Red Tide.
117 Cherry Street, http://www.seattlemystery.com.
Third Place Books, Seattle
April 5, 7 p.m.; Elizabeth George will discuss and sign Write Away -- a book of writing advice, not a novel.
April 23, 6:30 p.m.; Mary Daheim will read from and sign The Alpine Pursuit.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, http://www.thirdplacebooks.com
Seattle Arts and Lectures
April 8, 7:30 p.m., Benaroya Hall's Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Paul Theroux, travel writer.
April 27, 7:30 p.m., Benaroya Hall. Susan Sontag, essayist and novelist.
http://www.lectures.org/events.html
North Cascades Institute
April 30 through May 2, Landscape of Irony, About the Hanford Reach, natural and human history. Instructor: Susan Zwinger. To enroll, call 360/856-5700. http://www.ncascades.org/index.ldmx
Architecture of Fiction, Salem, Oregon
May 15, 2004, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructor: Elizabeth Engstrom. Cost $50 and includes pizza for lunch. Space is limited. For more information or a brochure, contact Liz@ElizabethEngstrom.com.
Washington Center for the Book, Seattle
Meet Author Isabel Allende:
Monday, May 24, 7 p.m., Gathering Hall, New Holly Neighborhood Campus, 7054 32nd Ave. S.
Tuesday, May 25, 7 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 1000 4th Ave.
Wednesday, May 26, 7 p.m., A Conversation with Isabel Allende, Moderator Nancy Pearl, Town Hall, 8th and Seneca
Thursday, May 27, noon, A Reading by Isabel Allende, Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave.
Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m., South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave. S.
For more information, see http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=about_news_detail&cid=1070564427734
Song & Word, San Juan Islands, Washington
Workshops and retreats in the San Juan Islands led by children's book author and poet Katherine Bond, author and nature writer Jennifer Hahn, mystery writer Patricia Rushford, singer/songwriter Cris Williamson, singer/songwriter Linda Allen, Los Angeles songwriter and author John Braheny and creative consultant JoAnn Braheny, freelance writer Sharon Wootton and singer/songwriter Maggie Savage. Due to accommodations, the workshops are for women only. Retreats for writers groups are available by arrangement. http://www.songandword.com/
Richard Hugo House in Seattle
See http://www.hugohouse.org/events/ for the latest schedule of events.
Writerific: Creative Training for Writers
online class with WIWC presenter Dr. Eva Shaw. See http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/oic/newofferings.cgi?num=PW for details.
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CUT THE VERBAL FAT
by Dr. Richard Lederer
In a letter to a 12-year-old boy, Mark Twain wrote, "I notice you use plain, simple language, short words, and brief sentences. That is the way to write English -- it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in."
Alas, with most of us, as we grow older, fluff and flowers and verbosity do creep in. Writing today often has too much fat, too little muscle -- bulk without strength. Much of what we read these days ranges from slightly flabby to grossly obese. As children we wrote sentences like "See Dick run." As adults, we are more likely to write, "It is imperative that we assiduously observe Richard as he traverses the terrain at an accelerated rate of speed." We gain girth and lose mirth -- and so does our prose.
What happens to people's writing in the years between childhood and maturity? For one thing, their reasons for writing change. The child writes for the best of reasons -- to tell somebody something that is worth telling. Little Janie Jones wants her friends to know about her dog, Spot. Her only concern is to share her joy that "Spot is the bestest dog in the whole wide world."
Mr. Jones, Janie's dad, also has something worthwhile to write about -- his company's new marketing plan, which may or may not be the "bestest" marketing plan in the industry. But his real reason for writing a long memo about the plan is that he wants to be perceived as having had "input" into the plan's development. As he writes, he worries about the impression his writing might make on his colleagues, especially his boss. He chooses his words carefully -- the more and the longer, the better. Even if his instinct tells him to write simply, he's afraid to, lest his memo not be taken seriously.
Janie has no such fear. While she uses a simple, clear, unaffected second-grade vocabulary, her dad draws on marketing terms he learned while earning his MBA. Relying heavily on the jargon of his business, he throws in a couple of viable alternatives, a new set of parameters, and a plan for prioritization that should be implemented at this point in time -- the bureaucrat's way to use seventeen letters to write now. When it's done, he has produced a bloated, tedious, pompous piece of writing full of sound and fury signifying very little.
As Janie grows older, her writing gradually becomes more like her dad's -- lacking in warmth, sincerity, and directness. She begins to worry about impressing her classmates and teachers -- or even Dad, just as Dad worries about impressing his boss. In junior high, her teacher assigns the class a theme about summer vacation and insists that the composition be at least 800 words. This encourages Janie to use two or three words where one would do the job, to stretch out her composition to the 800-word minimum set by the teacher. So what might have been an interesting, tightly written 500-word piece about a trip to Disney World turns out to be just another example of dull, flabby, padded prose, wheezing away as it lurches uphill.
In addition, Janie and Mr. Jones read so much bloated writing that they start to emulate the style that seems to be the norm. Even if they were fortunate enough to have good writing instruction in school, they allow hard-learned skills to rust. They lose confidence in their ability to write clearly and convincingly. They underestimate the power and grace of the simple, declarative sentence. To get their points across, they resort to the theory that if one word is good, two words must be twice as good.
Far from contributing to the reader's enlightenment, wordiness enshrouds meaning in a fog of confusion. As William Zinsser, the author, teacher, and journalist, wrote in On Writing Well, "Writing improves in direct ratio to the things we can keep out of it that shouldn't be there." Cutting the fat is probably the quickest and surest way to improve. No matter how solid is your grasp of grammar, punctuation, spelling and other fundamentals, you cannot write well unless you train yourself to write with fewer words.
Dr. Richard Lederer and his daughter Katy Lederer, author of Poker Face, are scheduled presenters for WIWC 2005. Richard is the author of more than 3,000 books and articles about language and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series. His latest book A Man of My Words, My Career-Capping Reflections on the English Language was selected by Book of the Month Club, Literary Guild and Quality Paperback Books. Richard's syndicated column, Looking at Language, appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. He was named International Punster of the Year and awarded Toastmasters International 2002 Golden Gavel. You can explore Richard's Web site at www.verbivore.
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CHEERS
Your good news cheers us on! Please share your successes with us. Email the editor at: candace@whidbey.com.
WIWA 2004 instructor Laurie Lynn Drummond's recent release Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You is receiving rave reviews. Her essay "Girl, Fighting" appears in the latest issue of Creative Nonfiction, Number 22.
It's a joy to announce that Gary Ferguson has won both the 2004 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award and the 2004 Mountains & Plains Booksellers Non-fiction Award for Hawks Rest: A Season in the Remote Heart of Yellowstone (National Geographic Adventure Press, 2003). Gary has been a frequent instructor at WIWC, generously sharing his knowledge and time with burgeoning writers. Watch for Gary's upcoming W.W. Norton title The Great Divide: The Rocky Mountains in the American Mind this June 2004.
Tamara Hillman's cowboy poetry is featured on http://sundancerswest.com/. Her poem "Travis," which immortalizes a friend's dog, was also recently published by Cowboy Fun. Tamara plans to travel the cowboy circuit this summer reading her poetry.
The German translation of Bharti Kirchner's latest novel Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries awaits release this September. Meanwhile, Thai foreign rights have been sold. An extensive interview with Kirchner on her body of work was published in the January-February issue of the prestigious literary magazine The Bloomsbury Review.
Best selling author, Seattleite and past WIWC instructor Eric Larson recently won the 2004 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award for Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic & Madness at the Fair That Changed America.
ArtsWest in West Seattle recently produced WIWC 2003 presenter Kevin Morrison's play Ladyhouse Blue. The show has also had three New York City runnings, and each year, it has about 20 productions on the college circuit.
WIWA Newsletter Editor Candace Allen has the cover story for the April issue of Log Home Living. Read "Run for the Money" on page 36 of the magazine, or online at: http://www.loghomeliving.com.
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RECENT RELEASES
Death of a Warrior
Stephen Hannemann
Hara Publishing, November 2003
http://www.deathofawarrior.com/
With its complex plot, finely drawn characters and all-too-possible crisis, Death of a Warrior delivers an action-packed thriller, perfectly spiced by a sensual love story that keeps the reader in suspense to the last page.
Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You
Laurie Lynn Drummond
HarperCollins, February 2004
http://www.stedwards.edu/hum/drummond/
This collection of short stories by WIWA 2004 instructor and ex-cop Laurie Drummond provides blistering fictional portraits of Baton Rouge's policewomen.
Tell Me My Story Mama
Deb Lund
HarperCollins, March 2004
http://www.deblund.com/
Whidbey Islander Deb Lund's latest picture book is a sweet celebration of every child's unique birth.
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IS THIS YOU?
Agent Seeks Writer She Met at Conference
Conference participants, if you wrote a book with the word "geezer" in the title, please contact WIWA at writers@whidbey.com. An agent wants to talk to you about your book!
Writer Seeks Gentleman from Drummond's WIWC Class
Would the gentleman who wore a black and red wool hunter's jacket in Laurie Drummond's WIWC class "Diagramming the Story" please contact Kate Kalb? She wants to follow up on a comment you made and also read more of your work. email Kate at: Kathleen.Kalb@METROKC.GOV
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NEWS FROM THE WIWA BOARD
WIWA Opening Office
The Executive Board is currently organizing an office in Freeland that will be the communication center for WIWA and its activities. In addition, the office will provide a centralized library of information -- available to local members -- of literary journals, publication guidelines and local, regional and national contest information. The Board hopes the site will provide a hub where members can meet and exchange information and ideas. Initially, volunteers -- writers serving writers -- will staff the office. More information about opportunities to volunteer will be available at the annual meeting.
Annual Meeting
Be sure your dues are current. Your membership card is your entry to the annual meeting to be held May 20 at the Greenbank Farm. Contact writers@whidbey.com for more information about membership or see the Web site www.writeonwhidbey.com and click: About WIWA/Association Membership.
At the meeting, members will elect representatives to fill open seats on the Executive Board and ratify the continuing terms of those board members already in place. In addition to this election, members will be asked to act on a number of other issues presented by the Executive Board. Those present will be eligible to win a fabulous door prize of amazing value to writers. (Hint – it has a keyboard, but is not a piano.)
A formal announcement of the annual meeting time and location and a proxy will be sent to each member in the near future.
Poet Sam Hamill to Read at Annual Meeting
Port Townsend poet Sam Hamill will read from his work at the annual meeting. Hamill is the author of more than thirty books of poetry, essays, and translations from the classical Chinese and Japanese, ancient Greek, Latin, and other languages. He has been a recipient of fellowships from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission.
Nominations Sought for WIWA Board Membership
Applications for Executive Board membership must be received prior to April 12, 2004. Term of office for an Executive Board member is three years. The Executive Board requests WIWA members send their nominations, along with the nominee's resume, to: Whidbey Island Writers Association Executive Board, Box 1289, Langley, Washington 98260.
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LOVE OF LANGUAGE TALKS
Love of Language, a series of quarterly talks by published authors, will "stimulate the writers' Renaissance talking place here in Island County," says natural history author and poet Susan Zwinger. WIWA, the All Books Club and Zwinger have joined forces to reward Whidbey's local writers and readers with the free series, which will also report on the state of literary arts and WIWA. The All Books Club generously donated Bayview Hall's rental fee.
May 1, 2004, Deb Lund, Children's Book Author
From Idea to Publication: Creating Books for Children
Children's writer and teacher Deb Lund will share stories and information on the process of creating a children's picture book. Her book, Tell Me My Story, Mama, was recently released from Harper Collins. Deb's sweet text is matched with delightful artwork by Hiroe Nakata in this celebration of every child's unique birth story. Deb's picture book Dinosailors, a high-rhyming, tummy-tickling tale of dino-hi-jinks on the high seas, was inspired by Whidbey's Shifty Sailors. Published by Harcourt, Dinosailors has been recommended by Book Sense and it was a main selection for the Children's Book of the Month Club. Tthe Seattle Sonics featured the book in a literacy campaign clip.
Deb is a director of Cedar, a home school support program for the Coupeville school district. She visits schools and libraries as an author and performer. She lives on Whidbey with her musician husband, Karl Olsen, and their son, Kaj. Two siblings from Haiti will join their family soon.
After Deb's talk, families are invited to a kid-friendly BIRTH-day celebration for Tell Me My Story, Mama. Deb and her books will be available for signings during the party. For more information about Deb Lund, visit www.DebLund.com.
July 31, 2004, Ann Linnea, Natural History Author
Finding Voice Through Nature's Wisdom
Ann Linnea is an educator with a broad background in biology and environmental studies. She has co-authored an award winning book, Teaching Kids to Love the Earth, (Pfeifer-Hamilton, 1991/University of Minnesota Press), which teaches environmental appreciation to children, teachers, and parents. After surviving an exhilarating and at times extremely dangerous 1,800-mile circumnavigation of Lake Superior by sea kayak, Linnea wrote a deeply moving and metaphorical memoir of the journey entitled Deep Water Passage: A Spiritual Journey at Midlife, (Pocketbook, 1997). In the spirit of thinking globally and acting
locally, Ann wrote a locally acclaimed environmental history book, A Journey through the Maxwelton Watershed, (Maxwelton Salmon Adventure, 2002). Ann holds a B.S. degree in biology with honors and distinction from Iowa State University and a Masters-of-Arts-in-Teaching from the University of Idaho. She is co-founder of PeerSpirit, Inc., an educational company building communities of reflection, adventure and purpose.
October 23, 2004, Antoinette Botsford
The Silence Between the Words; Storytelling and oral tradition as living expression and literary source
Storyteller Antoinette Botsford grew up in a family that values storytelling. "My mother told stories about the past, my father told stories about the future." Her education includes a Ph.D. in Theatre from UCLA, a master's in Folklore and Mythology and -- the important part -- "a whole ton of life experience." She's especially known for native North American tales (many learned from her Canadian-Métis relatives) as well as a growing Celtic collection she calls "The Forest of Broceliande." A large part of her performance repertoire includes stories she weaves from fragments of family history and anecdotes, as well as stories she describes as "traditional and true" that she has adapted from world cultures.
Botsford toured for six months with Utah's Grammy-winning Douglas Spotted Eagle in his stage show, "Voices of Native America," and is a frequent performer and teacher at arts festivals including seven years with the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. President of the Ojai Foundation Jack Zimmerman describes her as "a gifted and profound teacher and storyteller who brings a heightened and complex understanding of myth to contemporary life."
For six years, Botsford served as children's editor for The Napra Review, and for four years served as a judge for an important literary competition, and is an editorial consultant in children's publishing.
"May we find each other in the silence between the words?" -- Antoinette Botsford, http://www.rockisland.com/~storybird/.
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WRITING THE ONE WHEEL RIDE
By Lars Clausen
http://www.onewheel.org
Four thousand miles into a 9,000-mile, 50-state unicycle tour of the United States, I had an excruciating realization that I might be a writer. Our two huskies had just woken us in the middle of the Vermont night as they scrambled from underneath our RV, clanking their chains. A moment later my wife looked at me and groaned. The smell of skunk rose into the motor home, stronger, until it became a physical force. After the initial shock, my first thought was, "How will I write this?"
At mile 6,000 in Alabama, I knew I was hooked on writing. Two policemen had stopped to check my ID and try to dissuade me from unicycling on the highway. Their slow pace kept me leaning over the car window for almost half an hour. Even as they spoke, I found myself hanging onto every word, prompting myself to remember the dialogue. The encounter became the opening for my book One Wheel -- Many Spokes: USA by Unicycle.
...The Alabama afternoon pushes the limits of heat and humidity for unicycling. I drink three quarts of iced tea from the deli where I am resting. Outside, as I walk across the dusty gravel lot to the road, a police cruiser spots me and slows. Pulling over on the grass shoulder the car stops. Two officers peer from inside. The one riding shotgun motions me to his window.
"Are you riding that?" he asks.
"Yes," I answer, beginning my journey's third encounter with police. The driving officer takes over in the slow pattern that southern speech can so easily assume.
"You're riding that on this road? On this road, you're riding that?"
"Well, yes, by the side of the road."
"By the side of this road?"
"On the white line."
"On the white line on this road?"
"Well, next to it. Alongside of it."
Shotgun finally breaks in and asked if I have my ID. I hand him my card. "You
don't have ID?" he asks.
"Sorry," I answer, taking back my VISA card and handing him my Washington
driver's license.
The driving officer starts an ID check on me. "This your name?"
"Yes, Lars Clausen."
"What do you call that thing?"
"A unicycle."
... Write a page a day. Write 1,000 words a day -- all good advice. My personal discipline is to get on the road and ride at least 50 miles a day. Then the urge to write is almost as powerful as the physical experience of land and people.
A solo bicycle ride from Los Angeles to Boston and a tandem honeymoon tour through Europe produced journals. This time, riding a unicycle through our 50 states turned a ride and a journal into a book. One reason for publishing now is having lived enough life at 40 years of age to want to wrap language into my experience more tightly than I ever have before. Another reason is email. During the ride, I sent weekly updates to over 500 people. The commitment to these people kept me writing, sometimes past midnight, sometimes after unicycling more than 90 miles in a day. At the end of the journey, I had a core of material waiting for the leap into book writing.
Unicycling 50 states is simple compared to writing the story. A map, a road, determination, luck, and a great support crew (my family and friends) got me to my destination each day. Writing is completely different. For every destination on the route, there are a dozen different ways to tell the stories, a dozen nuances that could be chosen. There were times when this truth felt overwhelming. For the most part, though, I felt a wonderful sense of creative freedom in the transition from turning the wheel to turning the story.
Halfway through the writing I attended the Whidbey Island Writer's Conference and an all day workshop by Gary Ferguson (Hawk's Rest: A Season in the Remote Heart of Yellowstone.) I was looking for some final polish, assuming I was close to finishing One Wheel -- Many Spokes. Instead, I started again with a new direction. "Go deeper," was the advice. "It's about the road. It's also about you."
The book is better because of Gary and the other students in that workshop. Other professionals have also helped. One surprise has been the amazement these people express when I listen to their hard accumulated experience and wisdom.
"Who wouldn't listen? I ask.
"You'd be surprised," I hear time and again. "So many people ask for help, but all they really want is for me to say that they are doing everything perfectly well."
If I have a novice's learning to share, it is to be open to the help that people offer. Be open to surprise, to learning, to change. If I have a novice's encouragement to share, a unicyclist's encouragement, a writer's encouragement, it is, "Go for it." The unicycle ride through all 50 states was the greatest adventure of my life, yet there are pieces of the writing process that surpass even that.
Lars Clausen rode his unicycle on stage at WIWC 2004 and presented Conference Director Celeste Mergens with a unicycle. Some people have expressed doubt that she can learn to ride, but I believe Celeste will follow in Lars' track, master the unicycle and ride on stage at next year's conference. --the editor
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CONTESTS AND MARKET REQUESTS
Mint Candy for the Spirit
Jenning S. Bev is looking for fresh true stories that make you smile for inclusion in her anthology to celebrate life. Payment for accepted stories is $25. April 30 deadline. See http://www.writinggigs.com/ for details.
Living Stupid: Dumb Things Smart People Do
Stephanie Marston, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Empowered Woman's Soul, seeks stories for Living Stupid: Dumb Things Smart People Do. Send your humorous true-life stories to Living Stupid, P.O. Box 31453, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87594-1453. Or email stories to samarston@earthlink.net. Chapter headings will include dumb things people have done At Work, Around the House, At Play, In Love, Outdoors, On Vacation, In Friendship, With Children, With Your Parents, With Your Pets, By Yourself and During Sex. The maximum word count is 1,200. For each story selected for the book a fee of $100 will be paid. Stories must be received no later than May 15, 2004.
The Power of Purpose Awards, A Worldwide Essay Competition
Nineteen winners, $500,000 in awards, no entry fee. Must be 18 years of age or older. May 31, 2004 deadline. http://www.powerofpurpose.org/
Million Dollar Muse Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Meeting the Muse Chapter of the Missouri State Poetry Society. Cash awards will be given to five winners in each of two categories: Best Rhymed Poem and Best Unrhymed Poem. Any subject, form and length will be considered. Entry fee is $2 per page. Sept.11, 2004 deadline. For a copy of the contest rules, send a #10 Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) with your request to: Amy's Muse Contest, 1325 W. Sunshine St., Box 168, Springfield, MO 65807
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FUND RAISING COMMITTEE NEEDS INSIDE JOB
The Whidbey Island Writers Association is embarking on a perpetual fund-raiser to provide some steady and predictable income for the Association. We will be placing Naturally Yours healthy snack trays in locations where WIWA members have some influence and can keep an eye on things (office break rooms, businesses where the snacks complement rather than compete, and at writer-related classes and activities). The bags of snacks will sell for $2.00 per bag. If you have a location to suggest or if you would like to join the fund-raising committee, please contact Fund-raising Chair Donna Hood at 360-341-1860 or mjonent@whidbey.com.
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WIWA CELEBRATES YOUR WRITING
First Novel for Stephen Hannemann
I attended last year's conference and although my first novel Death of a Warrior was in the editing process, I received great insight from Elizabeth George during the Mystery Workshop and following talks. Also, I spent a good deal of time with Richard Lederer. Death of a Warrior was officially released by Hara Publishing November 15th and is now in distribution through all of the major wholesalers. I didn't realize that selling a book was so much work. I have been on the road every spare moment.
Good Things Come in Threes: Victoria Lynn Shares Her Success Story.
WIWA founder Celeste Mergens and media specialist Penny Senseveire offered positive encouragement for both of my books last year in their almost-completed phases: Dear Sister, Once Abused, May 2003 and Hilda Is Here, Nov. 2003, Aradiance Publishing Co.
By following Penny's marketing class advice from last year's conference, I've had five radio interviews about Dear Sister, Once Abused, one television spot, four signing opportunities and two events (one at Elliot Bay Book Store). Three newspaper articles were published in response to this book, which is available online with Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Wal-Mart. Ingram distributes both books to book stores nationally.
I also received a positive review from former journalist for Life and Time Magazine Ron Scott on Amazon.com. I was asked to be a speaker and to teach a seminar for a fund raiser group in Frederick, MD. Readers in Boston and Denver are arranging community speaking engagements for me and my book. By attending a convention in August, I was able to distribute over 100 autographed books to booksellers. I was honored at my high school class reunion. With 300 in attendance that night, I stood in disbelief as they applauded. My heart was full. My emotions swelled beyond pride into tremendous gratitude for pursuing my goal to become an author. One of the women who honored me that night had been severely abused by a 5th grade teacher. As a result of reading my story, she had finally revealed her damaging secret. I often said, "If I can only help one person, the years of healing enough to write and represent this book would be well worth it".
My first royalty check for almost $1,000 called for a huge celebration of life itself!
A local therapist purchased over twenty copies and says it's the most helpful book she has ever used with her clients. Having my book published and available in book stores has given me an avenue for assisting in the detection, prevention and treatment of childhood sexual abuse.
Following last year's conference, Celeste glanced through my second book, Hilda is Here, an imaginative approach to effective housecleaning, and offered to look at my draft. She had some wonderful suggestions, and we laughed together for hours. She guided me to a graphic designer who assisted with the task of converting my 48 hand-painted watercolor illustrations into book form. A local realtor uses Hilda baskets with the book and fun cleaning supplies tied up with a bow as a gift for new homeowners. Hilda baskets have appeared in a major craft fair in Colorado. I'll be speaking to a women's group in April dressed as Hilda my humorous imaginative friend who loves to clean house.
My third book, Empty Nesting, is completed and ready to show to agents at WIWC 2004. Being involved with WIWA has given me a much greater appreciation of writers and books. I have found author success extends far beyond a monthly royalty check or acclaim from others. As an author, I have learned to truly reach out beyond self in the interest of others.
The quotes, suggestions and reality checks shared in the WIWA Newsletters have been useful during this past year of various author challenges. Thank you, Candace, for cause to look back over the last nine months. The successes, though non-monumental, are now more meaningful. Overall, this author undertaking has been worthwhile. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "My life is my message," and through my writings my message is being heard
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CYBER SURFING
Have you encountered some helpful Internet sites? Send us the address and your brief review.
Nancy Ruff recommends this fun site of mnemonics: http://users.frii.com/geomanda/mnemonics/spelling.html
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QUOTES
Fiction is the lie that tells the truth. --Eudora Welty
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world. --Ludwig Wittgenstein
The phrase ... a clutch of words that gives you a clutch at the heart. --Robert Frost, when asked about the basic point of all fine writing.
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TO CONTACT US OR SUBMIT AN ARTICLE
We are interested in hearing from you. Perhaps you've been to a recent book fair, heard a favorite author speak, or learned valuable tips from a writing class. Perhaps you're a professional willing to share your expertise. If you would like to submit an article; tell us about your good news for the Cheers or Recent Releases columns; send us your favorite quotes, markets, contests and cyber sites; or contact us about the newsletter for any reason, please email the editor at: candace@whidbey.com
To contact the Whidbey Island Writers Association, email: writers@whidbey.com
Whidbey Island Writers' Conference: March 5 - 7, 2004, The Spirit of Writing
The WIWA Web site is: www.writeonwhidbey.com.
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TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE
The WIWA Newsletter is published approximately every two months and is delivered to subscribers by email. If you would like to subscribe, send an email, with SUBSCRIBE WIWA in the subject line, to the editor at candace@whidbey.com. If you would like to unsubscribe, please reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject, and we will delete you from our records. WIWA will not share or sell your name or email address.