Welcome to Writers4Higher!
Here I am, starting year two as the host for
the Writers4Higher blog. (I do look a bit like Piggy the muse cat at this point.) Thank you to all of the authors that have taken time
from their busy lives to share a bit about themselves. And to all of you
readers that make the blog a success.
I never imagined when I started this blog,
how many delightful, talented people I’d have to opportunity to know a tad
better.
Writers don’t feel comfortable crowing about
themselves. While we can dole out drama and pathos, murder and mayhem, and
sweet sultry love, the marketing part of this business often defies us. But how
will others know us if we don’t squawk a bit? As my funny Southern mother often
said, “It’s okay to toot your own horn, just don’t crank up the whole band.”
So many folks toil behind the scenes, giving
back through their writing, charitable contributions, and just plain everyday
goodness. This crosses political, social, and religious boundaries, to a place
of common humanity.
Writers answer “a calling.” Most live other lives, yet still manage to cull
precious time to hunker down and create. Hours poring over dialog, characters,
plot lines, pacing and syntax, not to mention the constant editing and
revisions. All, to make sense of life, touch others, and communicate.
This writing life should not focus solely on
competition. No! The perception of lack creates more of the same. What if,
instead of scrabbling for a foothold by stepping over fallen comrades, we help each
other? Applaud success, high-five the book contract, or be the first to bring
the Ben and Jerry’s with two huge spoons when that rejection letter or email
arrives.
Plenty to go around. No need for a constant
literary dogfight. These days, opportunity shines from myriad sources.
This is the spirit behind Writers4Higher. As
a fellow author, I understand those dark places where defeat and self-doubt lurk.
I also grasp the joy of that perfect moment when it all comes together.
As for me, I continue to learn. Will I crow
here? Nope. This place is my means to help others sharing the same path. Visit
my website—it is the place where I had
to crow.
My best to all of you!
I recently heard back from several of the W4H
family. What are those crazy kids up to now? Here are a few:
Donna
Meredith: Her thriller pitting hydrologist Summer Cassidy against
a corrupt CEO, “Between a Rock and a Wet Place”, is ready for submission. She’s
working on the second in the series, “Fraccidental Death.”
Malcolm Campbell: He’s
been busy as ever. Here are some of his projects: Short story: “How the Snake
Bird Learned to Dry It’s Feathers” – appeared in Quail Bell Magazine – inspired
by the Anhingas perched around Wakulla Springs 2013. Emily’s Stories:
Fantasy e-book collection of three short stories – “Map Maker” (Tallahassee
setting), “Sweetbay Magnolia” (St. Marks setting), “High Country Painter”
(Glacier Park setting) 2013. Moonlight and Ghosts: Paranormal
e-book short story set in Tallahassee 2012. Cora’s Crossing:
Paranormal e-book short story set at Marianna’s Bellamy Bridge 2012. The
Seeker: Magical realism/fantasy novel coming out this spring 2013.
Doug Alderson: Since
my interview on Writer4Higher, I have a new book out, The Great Florida
Seminole Trail, published by Pineapple Press. The book is a guide from
north Florida to south Florida of Seminole Indian historic and cultural
sites that reads a bit like a travelogue. The book evolved from my
friendship with Seminole families over the years, having helped organize
the Tallahassee Museum's Native American Festival for several years
and by my 30-year involvement with a Muscogee Creek ceremonial grounds in which
Seminole families sometimes visited. People say to write what you know, but I
try to write what I want to know, so the book was an excuse to dive more deeply
into Seminole history and culture. I'm also working on finishing a novelette I
started fifteen years ago and I hope to wrap that together with some short
stories for a collection. I always have a project going to help keep my mind
and imagination active.
Pat MacEnulty: I am
working on a screenplay based on my memoir. The working title of the screenplay
is "Hindemith's Darling." I'm also one of the workshop leaders at the
Sun Magazine Writers Retreat at Wildacres in April.
Julie Cantrell: I’m
excited to tell you I am wrapping up final edits for the sequel to Into the
Free. The second book, When Mountains Move, will be released September, 2013
and will continue the story of Millie Reynolds as she navigates the next phase
of her life. I enjoyed seeing where her journey takes her, and I hope readers
will join her as she heads to the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Olivia deBelle Byrd: I
am still actively selling Miss Hildreth Wore Brown-Anecdotes of a
Southern Belle. Because of your recommendation, it is at My Favorite
Books in Tallahassee.
Marina Brown: Well,
the novel, Land Without Mirrors, continues to do well. I am
speaking before book clubs and doing signings and have only five-star ratings
from Amazon, even receiving notes from readers in Germany and South America! This
year I will bring out a collection of stories, Walking Alone Together, from
my years as a hospice nurse, inspired by amazing people who, in their last
weeks and even hours, experienced growth, joy, and sometimes the only true
epiphanies of their lives. I am working on two new novels. One, set in Italy...
near the town of Pitigliano. It is a place where la malocchia, the evil eye, still
impacts people's lives.The other novel is set in Rhett's southern soil: Houston,
Mississippi, in this case. The story of a 50-something divorcee, still a sexy
babe, who's accomplished a lot in becoming a bank manager, and who has decided
to go back and rebuild the little place in the woods where she and her mother
once lived. Other than that, I continue to write for several nationally
distributed design magazines and freelance for newspapers, including the
Tallahassee Democrat. I'm still playing cello with the Big Bend Community
Orchestra and dancing flamenco with Fuego Flamenco and tango with the
Tallahassee Tango Society.
Ginny Stibolt: My
second book "Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida" has
been released and I'm in the middle of a whirlwind three-month book tour with
32 events, both speaking engagements and garden fests.
Susan Malone: Hey
Girlfriend, Amazing it's been a year!!! And yes--new book out for
me! “What's Wrong with My Family? And How to Live Your Best Life
Anyway,” by me and my bro. We've been having a ball promoting it.
What fun!
Mary Kane: I
just completed my final draft of a screenplay based on “Southern Justice.”
What an interesting new challenge it was to convey a story through
dialogue and limited action description. Without narrative and my
opportunities for smart-mouth commentary, it sure was a challenge. Now
I'm working on my next book. It involves the same groovy set of
characters. This time the case is an environmental class action.
Adrian Fogelin: What's
new with me? Last year's title, "Summer on the Moon," has been
getting some good traction. It won the silver medal in the Florida Book Awards
and has been selected as an honor book for the Society of School Librarians
International Book Awards. I just completed the next book in the
"Neighborhood Series." The title is "Seven," and it
involves a kid with a magic hat, an abandoned garage in the woods, and a
mysterious missing uncle. My next book will be a late life romance suggested by
my agent as a good topic. I don't think he bargained for how old my characters
are going to be. Let's just say they're in a nursing home. No words have hit
paper yet, but they're filling my brain and are about to spill. In addition to
my own work, I continue to edit novels as part of my "book coach"
service. I'm having a great time visiting and dinking with the fictional worlds
created by other authors.
Bob McKnight
pens a popular political blog and is an ABC TV commentator on political
happenings in Florida. Senator McKnight's Blog
Tricia Booker
continues to spread laughter and joy with her blog about motherhood, life, and
lunacy in the Sunshine State.
Gale Massey
works hard at her craft. Every time I see her on Facebook, that woman is
attending a workshop or retreat. She’s also had success with her newspaper
articles.
Tim Dorsey’s
latest novel “Riptide Ultraglide” has been released. As usual, Tim has all
kinds of craziness going on—a Serge Storms Cruise set for March of 2014, and
now Serge’s Glades Jamboree has been slated as an annual event, end of October.
Shelagh Watkins continues
her success with Mandinam Press, in the UK.
Anne Petty released
her new novel “The Cornerstone” recently. We hold Anne in our thoughts and
prayers as she faces her latest challenges. Love to you, Anne!
M.R. Street has
a new book, “The Werewolf’s Daughter”. She’s busy with signings and promotion.
Chuck Sambuchino continues
to speak and teach and also pens a wonderful blog for writers. This man is a
whirlwind!
Barbara Kiger is
preparing for the release of her next novel.
The others? They're in a mad whirl--doing the work of writing.
The others? They're in a mad whirl--doing the work of writing.
My best to all of you, my Writers4Higher family!
Rhett DeVane
