A Look To The Past ...Life In The Present and Hope For The Future

I often find myself enjoying old photos I have taken many years ago.  I look at the faces that were so young and realize how much time has passed.

I look in the mirror and am amazed at what I see.  There are times no matter what the face looks like that gazes back from that mirror appears to be in age, there is a child still in there looking out too.

The train rolls on and so does time.  Many years ago we went on a family vacation.  One of  the things I enjoyed was riding on as real old time steam engine.  There is a place in northern Ark where you can ride the train that is now used to give tourist the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and feelings from the past and occasionally when they make certain movies.  I believe the old steam engine is now retired and they have another train to take you on a ride to the past with sights and sounds of beauty riding through the beautiful hills.  I think this is the place  http://www.esnarailway.com/

My parents had given me a camera and as a child and explained to only take special pictures and make each one the best that you can.  I understand now it is to help prevent me from taking every and any picture I could click and later they pay to develop pictures of floors and other strange things.

The years had passed, but I still had the little camera and used it to take many memorable pictures for me and my family.  This trip was filled with wonderful moments shared with not only my children but parents and Grandfather.  He was an amazing man of heart, soul, and a gift of sharing with others.  Riding on an old fashioned steam engine train brought back memories for him and he began to share the tales from the past.  They had a man who told interesting facts about many things including the train. 

The shock and amazement on his face would have made a fantastic picture but I was shocked at the same time.  He slid his hand down touching the ornate bracket on the seat, asked me to stand for a moment and like magic the seat back rotated to face the opposite direction.  I thought he had broken the antique seat as did the tour narrator judging by the expression on his face.

Grandpa laughed and explained that many of the runs went from town to town and back in those days.  They did not want to try to turn every car around for the return trip and the people would not want to all ride facing backwards.  Many runs when to the end of their run and then at a train yard and the engine was moved to the other end of the train.  It was ready to go the opposite direction.  The hinged seats were the answer.  He went on to explain about many things he remembered as a very young child.  Everyone in the passenger car listened and was smiling as he shared the memories of the past.  You could almost see the little boy who had gone with his father who was the conductor.  He not only knew of those times so long ago but had lived some of them and heard others from his father.

It was a day filled with wonder and shared memories.  Of all the pictures this is one that I would like to share.  At one point I went to the back of the train and stood on the little area at the back of the caboose.  I took my picture as the track faded into the distance.  I could almost hear and feel the time fade into the past and heard the echoes of the stories I had heard from my grandfather and great-grandfather.  At that moment I felt as if I could look into the past as I was carried to the future.

We learn as we live.  We learn many things even when we do not realize and memories are made to be recalled if possible as needed or desired.  There are those special moments shared with loved ones such as a magic moment on the beach or the sight of a sunset that lights the evening sky ablaze with colors.  We see the laughter and smiles of family and friends. 

We have challenging moments as we learn new things or attempt new projects.  Children often think they learn when they go to school but every day we live is a learning experience.  It is what we do with what we have learned that can make such a difference.  I am trying to make a difference.  I do not know if my simple words or books will find their way to reach out or what others will think of them, but I am trying.  I am trying to learn everyday many new things and treasure each day as a gift.

I do not really want to forget the past.  There have been wonderful times and times that made me cry.  There have been times of great hope and wonder and times of fear and depression.  There have been times when life seemed so bright and unending and times I feared if I would see the new day dawn.  There were times in my life. I want to have the courage to stand up and not just be alive but really live my life and reach out to others.  I have said I would not give up...not today.  I want to continue that thought. 

I wrote a book with the same words in the title.  http://www.amazon.com/Will-Up-Today-Journey-ebook/dp/B00730UT6A/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346155252&sr=1-3     This is not a book I wanted to write.  This is the paperback https://tsw.createspace.com/title/3506777

This is my painting I used to make the cover for the paperback and the ebook.

I felt compelled to write this book. To explain exactly why I wrote it I would find it difficult to fully explain.  I felt compelled to write it.  I did not feel it would be beneficial or therapeutic to or for me.  I knew before I started how difficult it could be.... would be.  Some of the things I was going to tell about had never had words to tell for many years.  Some things I could not remember at all.....  Oh, I have to tell you....  I remembered when I began to write.  I had memories I did not know were even there flood over me so intense it was as if I was reliving the moment.  I was telling of an especially difficult time in life when I was in a head on collision.  I remembered most of it.  I thought I had, but what happened as I typed still haunts me.

I do not know if you have ever been in a very traumatic situation but we have a way of protecting ourselves from things that are more than we can tolerate at the moment.  When I was in the hospital I complained to the doctor that I could remember so little of what had happened to me.  He told me it was a blessing.  He said it might be better if I never remembered.  I worked and tried and even demanded to see the records hoping my memory would return.  I felt so frustrated that I could not recall my own life.  I remembered bits and pieces and had enough to do to try to live and recover and life does go on.  Can you imagine what it is like to wake up and not even recognize the face in the mirror?  It looked like a monster with my eyes.

Little by little some little thing in every day life would stimulate a memory but it would be brief and fleeting.  The mind is an amazing thing,and I think the good Lord does not give us more than we can stand.  I remembered we were cooking out in the back yard with family and friends.  We needed something at the store and had an accident on the way.  As we came up from a side road the brakes went out and we went out onto a 4 lane highway with traffic.  Trying to turn to avoid it put us head on and I was in the passenger seat.  My daughter was driving and bless her heart, she tried her best...but............

I remember hearing voices.......the paramedic.........they said, "bleed out and may not make it."  I remembered the ER and realizing they were sewing on my face...a lot.  I drifted away.  There was one voice that reach out to the beyond I had gone to.  The voice of my husband telling me, "I love you and I need you.  I know you can hear me.  Don't leave me.  I love you" is the voice I heard.  I could not hear the doctor or others in the room.  I heard his voice calling me back.

I had accepted there were things that I could not remember and maybe should not remember.  They were not necessary to help me go forward in the future.  Why in the world would I ever consider writing a true story of my life or parts of it? My life is not over so the story is not ended.

Well, now that is a question.  I did not want to.  To write what I did,is like opening your heart and soul for the world to not only see,but have the opportunity to express their opinions for good or not.  Everyone has an opinion but this was not just a story I had worked very hard to create or a project I had worked to present.  This really was me.  No matter how hard you try there is always room for improvement.  There are those who view things differently and do not hesitate to voice that opinion or view.  I felt as if I was baring my soul to the unknown.

What intensified this feeling and emotions surrounding what I had written, is the thought that I had suffered this risk and done this work to offer something I had no idea if it would be what I had intended it to be.  How in the world would I ever find words to share feelings, memories, heart, soul and things so intense I could not even talk about them?

I do not know if I accomplished any of that but feel a sense of peace after hearing the emails, messages, and comments and reviews.  I do not use the word accomplishment because what and why I wrote it had nothing to do with writing a book to sell.

I felt compelled to write this book.  The intent I had was to be able to reach out to others with the idea that no matter how difficult life may become, it is precious and we should never give up.  Things may seem to be at their worst with no hope they will ever work out but we do not know the future.  There may be amazing things just ahead for us if we just do not give up...not today.  If we do that every day we have a tomorrow.

I wanted to find a way to find words that could reach out from the page with heart and soul, feelings and emotions.  I felt as if this was not something I wanted to do but was required to do or had to do.  There is a whole story behind that phrase too.  What are we required to do in life?

I knew it would be difficult to write these things but as I began to find words and type something happened to me.  Something so intense and real that tears streamed down my face as I sat here alone typing.  I remembered.  I did not write it all.  I wrote enough.  I remembered my face and head hitting the windshield and smashing through pushing the glass in broken little squares out in a round ball shape.  I remembered the car spinning and hitting it again and again but those time it raked my face over the broken glass.  The doctor was right.  That was something I did not need to remember but I am stronger now.  I still cried like a baby and felt as if I could not breathe.

Memories can be wonderful and comforting.  Memories can be things we learn from.  Memories can be a pain that takes all the effort we have to face and endure let alone grow and be stronger having survived.  Memories are amazing things.  Memories are many things to many people.

This book is filled with more than just the bad or traumatic times in life.  I tried to write real life.  There is no way I can tell you in this one little blog what it took 130 pages to tell.  I wanted to write a book that might be able to do more than entertain.  I wanted to make a difference and risked what ever might come from it.

I had written Journey Home.  It is a novel filled with mystery, suspense, romance, intrigue and so much more.  I worked not for a time but for years to make it the best that it could be.  I was not satisfied.  I thought it need more than I could give it so I went to school.  I was the only grandma in class but taking advanced writing classes at ASU.  I did not care if I passed or failed if I could learn.  I should not tell you this because it sounds so much like blowing my own horn,but I worked so hard to learn so many new things.  I was not even a freshman with other students (some already had degrees) on the deans list in many instances and some already published authors.  I felt so outclassed.  Who was I to think I could work in class with them?  I was just me and would do my best.  Maybe I should not tell you that I got a 4.0 in that class and the next that was the highest level of study they had at the time.  My name at that time was Linda Brown.

Journey Home was 550 or more pages.  I think it was closer to 600 to start.  I totally rewrote the book.  It is now 480 pages that I am very proud of and think would make a great movie.  Now that is something I bet you have never heard.  I think every author believes their book would make a great movie and many of them really would.

When it came time to publish the book I did not have the money for professional help so I needed to learn new things and do new things.  I needed a cover.  I started painting pictures.  The one I chose for the book was one that I had done years before for my father inlaw before he passed.  It was a painting many people had loved through the years as they visited and saw it on his wall.  Each thought different things about the path and where it would lead.  It is not a complicated painting.  If you look at it, where do you feel it would take you?  Every book has an exact print of my painting as well as a story I hope you will not soon forget.  It has an ending that so far no one has claimed to see coming.  http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Home-Linda-Nance/dp/1456507214/ref=la_B004PVDVR4_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346158540&sr=1-2  you can get a copy from createspace too at https://tsw.createspace.com/title/3506777

I did a free book promotion and hoped others would find and read it.  I read the 5 star reviews and it almost brought tears of joy.  By now you may think I am really a weepy person but I am not.  The reviews and the thought that others took the time to read and then write reviews touched me so much.

Then came the 1 star review.  I could not believe how vicious it was saying it was so bad they could not even finish it.  There were no redeeming factors and such poorly written and edited....and so on.

Everyone has an opinion.  The world would read that one as they posted it everywhere.  I never claimed to be an expert or perfect.  I have stated that I could not afford professional help but I still believe in the other reviewers and my own thoughts.  So far no one has seen the ending coming.  I have read books that I did really enjoy but knew who, what, and where the end would work around to.  I wanted to take the reader with the characters to be there, see there, feel and hear and go right to the end with the story to carry them through.

I Will Not Give Up... Not Today... Life Is A Journey is different in many ways from my fiction.  I did not even try to edit the book.  I did not want to edit it and work to develop and create and present it for the reader to be entertained.  I wanted it to be real.  I wanted it to be straight from the heart and soul.  I have not even reread it since it has been published.  It is.  It is real.  It is me.  I know there are grammatical and punctuation errors but there were times as I typed there was no way to punctuate and create a proper sentence.  It is not a sentence.  It is a feeling, memory, or even emotion and was written directly into the book and is the book.   http://www.amazon.com/Will-Up-Today-Journey-Volume/product-reviews/1469994267/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending 

I talk about the books in a blog about memories.  We write from what we know, have learned or experienced.  What we write may be fiction and purely a figment of the imagination but there may have been times in our lives that we have learned or experienced things that provide the information or ability to develop and tell a story.

One of the short stories in A Tale To Tell is an old woman.  Watch What You Wish For is a story of an old woman who once wished she was dead.  What is it like for your heart to stop and you have an experience that takes you to another place?  If you die and come back...could you find the words to tell?  It is a fictional story.  There is no little old lady feeding the birds in the park.  How did I think of such a story?  I know how she feels.  I remember that too.  I want my stories to be real in many ways even if they are only fiction they should be the best fiction I can write.  I want to take you there too.

Another short story in that book   https://tsw.createspace.com/title/3819855 in paperback and also at http://www.amazon.com/Tale-To-Tell-Volume/dp/1475003757/ref=la_B004PVDVR4_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1346160348&sr=1-5 is The Midnight Hour.  It is a ghost story as are all of the stories in this book but it also deals with the issues of peer pressure.  As we get older we may forget memories of such a thing and now important it seemed at the time.  What if you felt compelled to do something you did not want to do and you believed was wrong but it was the only way to fit in and be accepted?  Would you do it?  If it was at The Midnight Hour in a cemetery that was to be haunted.....you might need to think again.
This is the painting I used that I had done for that books cover.

I know I have talked at length about my books and things that I write but those things are important to me.  They really are more than just a story in a book or a tale to tell.  They are each and everyone special to me.  Memories help to inspire and give me a realistic presentation in the stories.

I can sit and think back.  My little grandson can not imagine me as a young woman let alone a small child.  I had my day too though.  I could run and play and laugh and was filled with life.

As I grew older I went to school and the years passed.  Now I look back and it seems as if time is moving faster and faster.  That was a life time ago and then again it was only a blink of the eye.

I could walk, run, play, and even dance and felt the strength of youth or at least younger years.

Health issues and immobility, steroids and other things not only kept me alive but accelerated extreme weight gain.

I know we should love ourselves but I do not.  I hate the body I am trapped in.  I hate the appearance I have to others.  Here I am, a fat, old lady that walks funny.  (when I can walk) 

A time of choices.  I can feel sorry that life has brought me to this point or rejoice that I am alive.  There are so many things that I can do and will do.  There are many forms of prejudices.  When people meet a person who is extremely obese they do not always think of what may have contributed to this condition.  They may not and often do not care.  All they see is a fat looser who is lazy and worthless.  That may sound harsh but it is real.  Not all people are like that, thank goodness.  The bottom line is everyone has their own thoughts and I will not limit my life to people with small minds.

It still is intimidating to go out into the public view and stand strong or sit.... and hold my head up....do what I have in my heart to do...not give up and BE Me.

I am.  I am here.  I am not giving up and more than that, I want to help others to discover they can do more than they ever dreamed if they are willing to work really hard and not give up.

I started a writers group that I have already written about in another blog.  It explains the name of the group and what all it took to make this a reality.  It has been a wonderful experience.  It is not a large group.  You do not have to pay money, sign up or make a commitment.  All you have to do is have an interest in writing, publishing or any other thing related to books and be willing to help others.


We have had fun and learned so much.  I now have 5 books out in print and 4 ebooks.  To hold one of my books, let alone all of them in my hands, still gives me a thrill.  I hope others can make their dreams come true no matter what they are.  Every one of my books is a piece of my art with my writing.  Paintings, pastels, and a photo create the covers for the books within.

I have talked about some really traumatic memories and painful but there are others there too.  There are memories I have that warm the heart and make me smile.  There are memories of love and compassion, nature, special times, family and friends and heart.

All of these things work together to allow and enable me to write as I do and what I do.  All of these things help to make me who and what I am.  I am not giving up...not today.  I will close for now.  I may not write often but when I do I am sharing from the heart.  I want to say one last thing.  I wish you all a fantastic day and may you best and brightest hopes and dreams come true.

NEA Writer’s Group North East Arkansas Writer’s Group WHO…WHAT…WHEN…WHERE…WHY…WHY NOT?

North East Arkansas Writer’s Group  is a new writer’s group.  There is such a need for a group that can meet and have the opportunity to share, learn, and receive assistance and inspiration from others with the same interest and desires.

I could give you a list of our members…but you do not have to sign a list unless you want me to have your contact info.  You do not have to pay dues.  You do not have to make a commitment.  If you have an interest in writing you are welcome.  We can share things that we have written, receive feed back or ask for critiques.  We discuss numerous subjects that are concerns to those who attend.  If you have a question or something you are working on, all are more than willing to share information or assist one another.  I walked in alone as a writer and soon felt the company, camaraderie, and companionship of friends. 

If you live far away you may be only a thought or click away.  I will be answering and discussing many things on my fan page relating to the writer’s group.  I will also be posting things on the blog.  If you want to participate we welcome you from near and far.  We can discuss and share, even if it is typed words instead of the sound of a voice.  I hope that this is something that can help and inspire from one to another here and there.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Nance-Fan-Page/162224753802546

North East Arkansas Writer’s Group (NEA Writer’s Group) will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 PM at the Books A Million store in Jonesboro, Ar.          

1515 S. Caraway Rd

NEA Writers’s Group

We hope that by gathering together and sharing we might offer and receive encouragement, support, information and individual growth assisting us to accomplish our goals and make dreams come true.  Through discussions, readings, critiques, and assistance we may share and receive, it is my desire that each person find something of interest and benefit from these meetings of friends reaching out to one another sharing a common interest and goals.  If you love to write, want to write, are published or write for your own pleasure or just have an interest or want to share with others, we hope to form an interesting group to grow, share, learn, and reach out.

At this time our meeting will be on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Books A Million Store on

Caraway Road

in Jonesboro, Ar.

You may contact me, Linda Nance at lindajnance@gmail.com for questions or more information.  Or join in the fan page.

Linda Nance     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Nance-Fan-Page/162224753802546  I am the author, illustrator and cover designer for two novels and a children’s book.  I write novels, children’s books, poetry, short stories, essays, editorial pieces and many others.  I have had the opportunity to appear as an inspirational and motivational speaker.  I am listed as a mentor for public speaking.  I founded the NEA Writer’s Group in North East Arkansas and hope that it will provide a special place for people to share their passions for writing and learn as each one helps the other.

Some of the things I have written are…….

THE PUMPKIN FIELD

Through the years as I have told or read this story the children sat listening to every word. When the story is over it is only beginning as the questions flood forth about all different things from the different children. I see emotions relating to excitement, curiosity and a desire to share their thoughts, feelings, experiences and questions.  
Each and every page is an art work done to bring the story to life. I am so pleased to be able to share something so special in so many ways. The characters are ones that will remain in memory not to haunt but to be happy memories almost like friends on an adventure. The first of the book allows you to write to and from, making it a gift that is special just as you would a greeting card. This is a greeting of happy memories and good times shared. 
 
In a short and magically poetic story many doors open allowing communication on various topics and of as many thoughts as are possible in the young minds of those who share the tale. It is not just a story to tell but one that can be special in many ways. 
On this journey through the pumpkin field there are strange, ominous, mysterious, and even magical things that occur. Was it real or was it a dream? Could that be why it is requested even now into a new generation? I hope that my illustrations will bring this tale to life and just as my children and grandchildren and so many others have loved this tale, it will bring a special smile and create memories shared by all who read or receive it. This book is my gift to be passed on and shared, that can live on and reach out beyond the pages leaving delighted smiles. The Pumpkin Field is a little book with a big reach.

Contemporary family-oriented story with suspense. 
Journey Home Lara Stanley’s life is about to drastically change as she embarks on her journey home after the death of her uncle. Join in the journey with mystery, romance, drama and a story to remember.  
Journey Home  
Even from the grave, love comes to make sure the Journey Home is safe and fulfilling—excellent suspense keeps pages turning ‘til the end- GABixlerReviews  

Linda Nance awakens the reader’s understanding of what greed, hate, revenge and deceit really mean. –Fran Lewis Reviews

            JOURNEY HOME 

         

Journey Home is filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and romance, at the same time showing how swiftly greed, revenge, deceit and betrayal can escalate to deadly proportions. 

Lara returned to the home where she had grown up.  If she stayed she would inherit the bulk of her uncle’s holdings but if she left, the man named Allen would inherit everything.  She accepted the terms of the will with mixed feelings.

            Lara had endured strange occurrences but felt sure that the odd things happening would stop when she moved.  Instead of answers to her problems she found more questions and a situation that appeared more ominous as time passed.  The man that her uncle had trusted seemed too good to be true.  He and his friends offered to help.  She knew that it would never stop until she found out who it was and made them stop.

Day by day the turmoil and torment increased.  The situation became more than irritating and worrisome.  The feelings increased warning of impending danger and ultimately a fight for life.  What stalked in the night also began came closer and closer day by day.

Lara’s new friends and an investigator she hired began to fear for her safety and worked together.  The instigators also bonded together to carry out their devious plan.  To survive, Lara would have to find the whole truth.  Life became a nightmare that increased to deadly proportions.  This is a story of mystery, suspense, a touch or romance, treachery, friendship, and betrayal that takes the woman on a journey of life to find her way home.  Only time would tell, if she lived at all and could heal enough to be able pass an open window without wondering who was outside looking in and an unlocked door fearing what was about to intrude.  This was a Journey Home.

LIFE GOES ON The Family of five found themselves in crisis as they were evicted from their apartment after the father lost his job. With great trepidation they accepted help from a relative that offered them a place to live and new start in life. They had no choices except seeing their family homeless in a rough part of the city. It was not an easy adjustment for any of them as they experienced moments that would test their sense of humor and times that would test their strength of character. There were some difficult issues they would have to face and how they responded could have life altering consequences. Learning what family can mean was a lesson each person learned in their own way. This is a story of people and a place they would work to make their home. It is struggle, heart, moments of triumph and times of despair. It is a story that speaks to many of us in different ways as the characters struggle with life. They had weathered the difficult transition of the relocation and would face new challenges as life goes on for them all. Life Goes On is a dramatic story worth reading and remembering.

I will soon be sharing many of the short stories and have even thought about publishing them in a special book formed of a collection of stories, poetry, essays and other pieces of interest.  Right now I have the new novel I am working to edit and design the cover taking shape and a new children’s book that will be a collaborative effort from the amazing story my grandson has share in is youthful enthusiasm.  I was so shocked to hear a story from a 6 year old child that I think will be so fascinating and entertaining I can not wait to start it.  With my help with words and illustrations I believe his little story will be outstanding.  I am going to write a book that is co-authored by a 6 year old and can not wait.

I hope you will join me and share in the journey I am taking to not only write, illustrate, and publish my works but to reach out to others and find a way to make a difference.  I wanted to be able to have a voice and I will cry out to the world and tell them to never give up on their dreams.  Dreams really can come true…if you do not believe me…Hold one of my books in your hand and you have not only a story that I think is unique and entertaining but one of my original art works or paintings as well.  You hold a dream in your hands.

NEA Writer’s Group July 21, 2011 meeting

NEA Writer’s Group

July 21, 2011 meeting

We hope that by gathering together and sharing we might offer and receive encouragement, support, information and individual growth assisting us to accomplish our goals and make dreams come true.  Through discussions, readings, critiques, and assistance we may share and receive, it is my desire that each person find something of interest and benefit from these meetings of friends reaching out to one another sharing a common interest and goals.  If you love to write, want to write, are published or write for your own pleasure or just have an interest or want to share with others, we hope to form an interesting group to grow, share, learn, and reach out.

At this time our meeting will be on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Books A Million Store on

Caraway Road

in Jonesboro.

When you think about starting a writer’s group it is more complicated than you might think to try to organize something that will be functional and a pleasure to those involved.  The meeting last night was far from difficult.  It was such a pleasure and joy from the beginning to end.

There will never be a time when everyone will be able to attend all of the time.  The people in this group are inspired, talented and passionate individuals that gathered together sharing not only their projects and ideas but enjoying the benefits of such helpful ad insightful comments and perspectives of the others of the group.

There were some novel and unique ideas brought to the discussion.  One member is working on a cook book.  That sounds like something you might have seen before but I assure you this is special and will be an asset for more than the item prepared from a recipe.  This book will be an opportunity to not only find delicious things to share with our family and friends but an opportunity to open the door to communication and a way to help people to stop and think about what they eat and what goes into the things we might love. 

The one thing that thrills me is the idea that by designing a cookbook that has easy to prepare recipes and shows concerns about the healthy aspect of being aware of what goes into the food we eat it teaches more than cooking.  It can help to create a mind set that could affect the health and habits for a lifetime.  It can open communications and provide an opportunity for the teen or tween to succeed.  The instructions are simple and easy to follow allowing the individual to create beautiful and fun foods that they can share with family and friends.  think the "joy" found in cooking is when it comes out right and you get to enjoy your success. Makes you want to try another recipe and then another. And, then there is "it taste so yummy factor" Ha. I tried to hit every possible quick fix food group in the book: Dips/Dunks, Wraps/Frappes, Smoothies, Sorbets/Salas Ole, Milkshakes/Cheesecakes, Soups/Salads, Trail Mixes, the list goes on and on. No food is a bad food and the ingredients can be manipulated to control fat and sugars without losing flavor, I've shared that in the book. Also, the Whacky Paks are complete foiled dinners just ready to pop into the oven. Teens on the run can get a nutritous meal as quick as just eating junk. At least, this is what I hope to teach them.

What better way to inspire a young person than giving them something in their life that they can succeed in accomplishing, amaze others with their efforts and thrill will the unique or special things they have done on their own and by themselves.  As they learn about the ingredients and different foods it also allows them to show and share their knowledge and create a desire to know and be able to do more.  This opens doors of communication as well as educating, guiding and offering an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and ability to be the hit of the party and star of the moment.

We not only discussed what the project was but thoughts and experiences we have had or learned about in the aspect of publishing, cost, the issues involved in creating the cover, design, presentation and even promotions.

The thought of acquiring sponsors for projects was an idea well worth considering and of possible benefit for current as well as future projects.  Viewing our endeavors in more than one perspective allows us more opportunity and insight into other alternatives.

One idea flowed into another and grew as the members gained in momentum expressing multiple ideas to help others in the group with different aspects of different projects.  It was wonderful to see the excitement on the faces and hear the enthusiasm in the voices.  The ideas were insightful, creative and inspired.

This same writer has a fabulous novel released and available at Amazon.  The title is Sliver Moon.  I will be adding more information later about the individual projects but had to take the time to say how much I have enjoyed reading such a novel that is well written and touches the reader in a distinctively unique story.  There are stories that are filled with drama, family relationships, personal issues, romance, excitement, intrigue and danger but this book has it all and more than that.  It is written in such a compelling manner the reader feels as if they can see and hear and know the characters…people… of the book.  They become more than characters… you know them, love them, hate them or fear them but they are more than just a story and a good read.  I have to add that I think a man would enjoy this book as much as a woman and each find something special in it’s pages.

Another writer shared as she read such heart warming and touching poems she had created.  Her talent and gifts are evident as they touched the heart and stayed with all who heard the words.  They were more than words of poems, they were heartfelt and sincere.  They were written and crafted containing such impact that they were more than what they said they…. were the emotion they conveyed. The idea that such powerfully and far reaching things could be put into book form is more than a book of poetry.  It is more than poems shared.  This would be an inspirational project capable of impacting the hearts of the readers and reaching out beyond the pages.

The discussions continued to include such things as cost of production, and even the composition of the collection in a unique presentation instead of a traditional book.  The ideas flowed from all attending.

This talented writer has the ability to create special poems that carry a specific message for an individual person or persons.  Expressions from the Heart is a place to find custom poetry for all occasions.  She addresses herself as a word arranger because she uses her talent with words to offer a gift of feeling and emotion.  She is a poet, a writer, and a special person who knows how to share heart and soul.

There is a book you will not want to miss.  Risky Faith is the title.  You will not find dozens of other books that are similar.  This book is exceptional in not only the quality of writing but the impact and inspiration offered to all who read it.  It is heart, faith, thoughts and feelings shared.  This is a text of motivation, insight and encouragement to share from the heart.  It is a small book with a big message and available at Amazon.  The cover is the idea and creation of the author himself and amazingly it is him on the cover.  You have to see this.  You also have to know this many is more than 70 and setting an example in life and in writing.  There is no trick of photography involved but an amazing man with a message and gift to all who read his works. 

He is currently working on a novel with dedication to crafting the project with the utmost care, enthusiasm, talents and enthusiasm.  He is a professional writer of original inspirational style doing special things in the world, his life and his writing.

Another discussion that took center stage was from a member currently involved in the process of refining and defining the individual parts of his book.  He constantly amazes and inspires me with his ability to create a tale that not only holds the interest in the story but has surprising twist and turns and surprise endings.  He grabs your interest in the beginning and holds it to the very end and then does one more thing.  He can write a story that you think of long after the book is closed. 

 He is making a collection of ghost and haunted tales accentuated with poems to thrill and chill.  Each and every one in the collection will open the door to your imagination and leave you wanting for more. 

The group shared his enthusiasm and excitement offering ideas and encouragement.  He smiles knowing the twists and turns of the tales that are on their way.

At the beginning I stated what I hoped that this group could accomplish.  I said… 

“We hope that by gathering together and sharing we might offer and receive encouragement, support, information and individual growth assisting us to accomplish our goals and make dreams come true.”  

   I have to say…  this meeting made me believe dreams can come true.  We have to be willing to work hard and not give up but there is nothing that can compare to the hope and encouragement from friends who are honest enough to be truthful and caring enough to want the very best for each and everyone. 

“Through discussions, readings, critiques, and assistance we may share and receive, it is my desire that each person find something of interest and benefit from these meetings of friends reaching out to one another sharing a common interest and goals.” 

I can not speak for each member of the group but personally left the meeting feeling renewed and inspired.  So many ideas from all of the different people sharing and caring about each other and their different, varied and individual projects created an enthusiasm and excitement within me.  The time flew by and I left with a smile.

 

I would like to list the books available from these talented members along with contact information to the authors and sites to share in their special projects soon.

NEA WRITER’S GROUP

NEA WRITER’S GROUP

Last night was the first meeting of the North East Arkansas Writer’s Group.  I was excited and apprehensive at the same time.  I had an idea but was unsure if it would work or others might be interested in what I wanted to do and be a part of it.  I will start by sharing the introduction I wrote for what I hoped this group will be.

NEA Writers’s Group

We hope that by gathering together and sharing we might offer and receive encouragement, support, information and individual growth assisting us to accomplish our goals and make dreams come true  through discussions, readings, critiques, and assistance we may share and receive.   It is my desire that each person find something of interest and benefit from these meetings of friends reaching out to one another while sharing a common interest and goals.  If you love to write, want to write, are published or write for your own pleasure or just have an interest or want to share what you write this might be something you would enjoy.  We hope to form an interesting group that helps and opens doors

To organize and create something this versatile and yet be able to directly provide a program that is beneficial for the needs of the individuals involved is a challenge.  I will not say that I have all of the answers but I will say that I intend to try to the best of my ability to start something special.

I will also try to continue to write about all of this on this blog.  I thought about starting a separate blog specifically for the writers group but started the project of publishing my books as more than just a way to create a book you could hold in your hand.  I wanted it to be a way to reach out to others and this group is the same thing.  I want people to be able to reach out sharing and offering support, assistance and inspiration to one another.

I realize there will be many challenges and things done or not done that could have been done better or differently but I and we will try our best.

 As I write this, it is difficult to decide to use the word I, verses we.  I have a dream or desire for this project.  I want it to be we that is…we that do….we that are the driving factor….but I do understand there will have to be some format of meeting and direction to stay on tract with the objectives of assisting each in their own projects and writing.  

This is a big project even if it is a small group.  I hope to hear from others near and far.  I am no expert on anything but I am inspired and want to try to do something special.  I and we are learning as we go and hopefully learning from one another.  I think that is the key.  If we want to learn, grow, and be able to be and do more.... then we will.  If we believe we can and are willing to work and strive in our chosen objectives, then how can we fail when doing our best is success in its own right?  

We gathered together last night.  Our group was small.  Five individuals with five opinions and hopes for what could be or become.  They took the time to listen to my idea and each joined in sharing their own thoughts and feelings.  I think we have a good start.

One of my concerns is that I would not be able to physically do this.  When I say that I get tired it is a fearsome feeling of more than fatigue.  I did good.  I am getting better all the time and not going to give up.  My husband did go and drive so I did not have to worry if I got too tired.  He is so sweet as he supports my ideas and dreams showing pride and support.  9 PM may not sound late, but for me it can be.  We discussed what time would be best to meet and it still seems that 7 to 9 pm would be the best for the group.  It is difficult to meet earlier for many to get home from work and back for the meeting.  7 to 9 it seems it will be.

The next thing to decide is the day of the week.  Monday is a problem for several people that showed an interest but were unable to attend on that day.  We are going to try changing the day to Thursdays.  I had felt that once a month was all that I would be able to do until we found out how I actually did and what happened after the meeting.  (How tired would I really be?)  I did great.  We are tentatively planning to now meet twice a month on the first and third Thursday of the month and continue at Books A Million.

I came home excited and full of enthusiasm.  I thought if we met for the first meeting to make a definite plan of what the group would be and how we hope to accomplish the task of forming a writers group that could accomplish a more complex agenda of multiple projects and topics it would be plenty for the first meeting.  I actually enjoyed meeting the others and hearing what the interest, projects, backgrounds and expectations were.  We actually had one member who shared his most current project showing a compelling start to a fascinating story waiting to be written.

This will be no easy project to form and direct staying on tract but I think we have more than a chance to make this happen…we can make it real.