Writers4Higher features author Kathy A. Bradley

Welcome to Writers4Higher

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Kathy A. Bradley

Hi, Kathy. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS, MY LIFE, MY INSPIRATION:

  

When I turned in the manuscript for my first book, Breathing and Walking Around, I called it creative nonfiction because that was the label Mercer University Press had given to the literary prize for which I was submitting it.  Of course, I had to Google creative nonfiction first.  I have since seen the term “place-based creative writing” and I think that is probably a better description of what I write.

I live on a farm.  The outdoors is both classroom and church to me, the places where I take my deepest questions.  Those questions are answered when my senses become engaged in some way – noticing a newly-bloomed wildflower or the way sunlight strikes a tree – and from that image a metaphor materializes. The metaphor becomes something like a decoder ring or a map key.  My job as a writer, from that point, is to tell the story, to bear witness to the experience in such a way that it will enable the reader, the listener to bring that same focus to his or her thoughts. 

My writing is also deeply informed by what Southerners call “my people.”  The stories they have told and the language they use have trained me to the cadence and melody of Southern voices, alerted me to the layered meanings of colloquialisms, made me tender to the weightiness of words like “home” and “place”, and helped me create a voice that sounds, to me at least, true. 

I anguish over every word.  Every word.  But it is good anguish because I love words.  I really do.  I’m also really particular about cadence and flow.  I’ll read a sentence over five or six times to makes sure the rhythm is right.  That’s probably from my early training in and love for poetry.  I love using poetic devices like alliteration in my prose.  

WHERE I SEE MY WRITING TAKING ME IN THE FUTURE:  I want my writing to continue to take me into conversation with other people who are curious -- curious about how the natural world acts as a template for our emotional lives, curious about the paradox that it is only by diving deep within ourselves that we can explore the universe, curious about the connectedness of all things.

HOW DO I USE MY TALENTS/TIME TO HELP OTHERS:  I have felt a deep responsibility for service since my elementary school Girl Scout days.  As an adult I've filled a resume' coaching youth sports teams, serving on non-profit boards, and being an active member of my church.  As I have become more committed to my writing, I have tried to find way to serve through my talent.  I am currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Georgia Southern University Department of Writing and Linguistics and a volunteer with The Write Place, an annual celebration of authors and books that takes place in my hometown.  I am a frequent speaker at civic clubs, schools, and leadership training events for women and girls.  

Would you like to find Kathy?

Check out the links to this talented author:

WEBSITE:  http://www.kathyabradley.com/

FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/breathingandwalkingaround/

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  http://smile.amazon.com/Kathy-A.-Bradley/e/B006UN2W4S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1457461290&sr=8-1

GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5841809.Kathy_A_Bradley

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Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

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Writers4Higher revisits author Ann Marie Bryan

Writers4Higher revisits a member of 

the Writers4Higher family of talented authors

Ann Marie Bryan

Ann Marie Bryan is a dedicated, graceful, multi-talented leader with a
passion for excellence. She is the CEO and Founder of Victorious By
Design, an organization dedicated to providing top quality professional
writing services, comprehensive personal and professional development
programs and exceptional performing arts services to meet the unique
needs of individuals and organizations. Ann Marie’s greatest passion is
to empower others to succeed by tapping into their God given potential.
She enjoys dancing, teaching, writing, meeting people and traveling.

NEW RELEASE

Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire
Book 2 - Encounters of the Heart series

Two hearts. Mirrored secrets. The ultimate solution – A marriage sealed 
by fire.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VOrbZM (FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED)

From #1 Amazon Bestselling author Ann Marie Bryan comes this stirring 
and deeply satisfying new addition in the Encounters of the Heart 
series, about the struggles of two broken hearts, mended by enduring 
love and sealed by fire.

When life takes unexpected twists and secrets are laid bare - remember 
to breathe.

Larry Kanate and his wife, Rozene, would be considered a modern day 
power couple. Years in the making, they have managed to keep love alive 
while supporting each other’s dreams.

Their undeniable love connection is unshakeable… seemingly unbreakable, 
until Larry discovers his wife’s crushing secret. As their 
picture-perfect world falls apart, she does everything in her power to 
get away from her past sin, but he is bent on never letting her forget 
it, all the while keeping his “little secret” close to his heart.

When Larry’s day of reckoning comes, will fear hold him hostage or will 
he be completely honest with himself and God? Will their marriage be 
strong enough to survive mirrored secrets? Will their faith help them to 
handle the ultimate solution – a marriage sealed by fire?


Shades of the Heart
Book 1 - Encounters of the Heart series

A shocking turn of events. Past and present secrets revealed. Things 
will never be the same. Will they find the courage to forgive and create 
a love for all times?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1I94esM

B&N: http://bit.ly/1U6ynAj

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1LXWiRn

Smashword: http://bit.ly/1KzmCOp

iBooks: http://apple.co/1I1uiIe


NEW PROJECTS

Book 3 - Encounters of the Heart series

Connect with Ann Marie Bryan:

Website: www.victoriousbydesign.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriousbydes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriousbydes

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/victoriousbydes/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448888.Ann_Marie_Bryan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriousbydes

Google+: https://plus.google.com/106686897896390365782/posts

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1SpMmUn

Newsletter: (Sign up using this link) http://eepurl.com/bOw6sr

Thank you, Ann Marie!

Continued success to you!

Rhett DeVane

author and blogmaster

www.rhettdevane.com

Writers4Higher features author Terry Lewis

Welcome to Writers4Higher

The purpose of the Writers4Higher blog: to feature authors in a new light, a fresh look at the way writers use their talents and life energies to uplift humankind. Writers4Higher doesn’t promote religious or political views. Authors are asked to answer three simple questions: simple, yet complex.

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Terry Lewis

Hi, Terry. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

I grew up in Perry, Fla., a small town about 50 miles south of Tallahassee. My mother was a school teacher and my father had his own tile and carpet business. As a kid, one of my favorite tv shows was Perry Mason, and I thought Atticus Finch was a true hero. Not too surprising, then, that I eventually decided to pursue a career in the law—that and I had no real talent for anything else. I very much enjoyed my time as a lawyer, but I love my work as a judge. I’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years and it is something I look forward to every day.

Probably no surprise, either, that when I decided to take a stab at writing, it was a legal thriller. I credit Scott Turow with the inspiration to start. His Presumed Innocent was terrific, with an authenticity I found lacking in other novels. Could I do something like that? I didn’t know but I decided to give it a try.  

When I am not working or writing, I like to stay active, playing tennis and basketball. I know what you’re thinking--this guy’s too old for basketball. Perhaps, but I will do it till I can’t do it anymore. Having been side-lined for a while with a broken foot, I have a glimpse of what that might look like. I’ll just have to make that adjustment. I guess more time for learning the guitar.

My wife, Fran, is my best friend. We have been together since college and we now share our house with our sweet dog, Pepper. Our daughter and son-in-law live close by, which allows us to spoil our only grandchild, Ian, as much as we want.

Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

What was once a challenge, a one-time project, has become a sustained effort to develop as a writer and to produce the best work I can. At some point I think I will try my hand at some creative non-fiction—probably after I retire from my day job.

How do you use your talents/time to help others?

I have been involved in many civic organizations over the years as officer or board member, such as YMCA and Rotary, which have offered me many opportunities for community service, e.g., Habitat for Humanity builds, back-packing for Second Harvest and Kids Voting Project. A great deal of my volunteer time is spent in educational activities with students, lawyers and judges—probably the best use of the knowledge and skills I have learned along the way. Had I not gone into the law, I probably would have been a teacher. I have been heavily involved with judicial education for many years as faculty and administration. I am currently the dean of Florida’s College of Advanced Judicial Studies. I teach as an adjunct at FSU’s law school, make presentations at CLE courses and at local schools, and preside over moot court and mock trial competitions for high schools and law schools.

    

Would you like to find Terry?

Visit Terry's website for information about his books:

 www.terrylewis.com

Be sure to visit the Writers4Higher Market! We have gear for the writer in you.

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Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

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Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog

Writers4Higher features author Taj Shotwell

Welcome to Writers4Higher

The purpose of the Writers4Higher blog: to feature authors in a new light, a fresh look at the way writers use their talents and life energies to uplift humankind. Writers4Higher doesn’t promote religious or political views. Authors are asked to answer three simple questions: simple, yet complex.

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Author and Educator Taj Shotwell

Hi, Taj. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

1. Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

Born as Theresa Ann James, I use the acronym, “TAJ”, as my pseudo. I’m the middle child of eleven children, raised by a strict career-military father and a God-fearing-homemaker mother.  Reading fictional stories allowed me to escape from the realities of my then dysfunctional environment.  I learned strong morals and hard work ethics, early on. Parental guidance was stressed on behavior, cleanliness, and leaving home by age 18. Yet, special family gathering included my mother’s angelic singing, dancing, and poetry. This later inspired me to write songs & stories, and choreograph dance. I enjoy family drama films, plays, and TV shows, including action, suspense, and mysteries.

Asking anyone for anything, including help, has always been difficult. Having to ask, caused me to feel weak and powerless.  Even today, I feel I must earn my way and is reluctant to accept gifts. I’ve always had to have a “Plan”-- backed up with “Plan-B”, and believe in going above and beyond.

In 1979, when I lived in San Francisco and a single mom, I earned a MBA. That summer, I wrote my first play called “Black Snow”, but had no idea what to do with it-  so, I filed it away.  Years later, I decided to return to college to earn a doctorate degree in education.   I wrote my dissertation on the outcomes of the performing arts on students’ learning.  Immediately after graduating, I wrote a concept report for a performing arts boarding school (7^th-12^th grades) with a unique curriculum and program, and imagined someday its actual existence.

In 1993, I moved to Tallahassee to accept a position as a full-time university professor. During my down-time, I wrote a family drama play called “Maggie: Never Bitter”, inspired by my mother, Maggie. Years later, in 2006, the play was presented in a public reading at the university-- under the direction of the university’s Theater department. I received helpful critiques and made adjustments accordingly. However, shortly after that event, my mother became seriously ill.  I set the play aside—delaying a full stage production--- and for several years dedicated any extra time I had commuting 10-hours to Memphis from Tallahassee to care for my mother.   After my mother’s death and my retirement from the university, I worked full-time on the play and the boarding school plans. Hoping the play landed on “Broadway”, my vision expanded to film, therefore, I converted it to a screenplay and submitted to agents and producers.  An emotional incident occurred with a relative that triggered me to start writing fictional drama novels (based on my life, from the mid-1950s): "Middle Child: Build a Fence All Around Me" was launched in December 2014, and "Middle Child 2: Better Than Good," was launched in June 2015.  

International traveling and a healthy life-style play an essential part of my being.  My feet have touched the soils of many continents. Yet, I plan to compete the bucket-list.  To maintain fitness, I eat healthy foods-- and have volunteered as a certified aerobic dance instructor at various centers and schools, since 2004- domestically and internationally; including Costa Rica, India, China, and cruising down the Rhine River in Europe.

One of my greatest fears is to become a burden to anyone. Maybe it’s because of the possible act or expression of disappointment and inconveniences that I’ve witnessed some caregivers develop, especially a family member.  I believe that the best gift we can give our children is our independence and to make less importance on leaving behind financial rewards.

Divorced for many years, I have a well-educated and liberated daughter, and two young adult grandchildren (a male and female).   All of whom are good people and I love dearly, yet I definitely believe they are from another planet.

2. Where do you see your writing taking you in the future? 

My vision/purpose is to share my work with the public and entertainment world, and perhaps, leave behind a small contribution or legacy for future artists, educators and readers.  Writing novels, stage and screen plays, and educational resources have been truly fulfilling.  Each day, I awake thinking about my work; rationalizing the joy, entertainment and knowledge that I will bring to others; envisioning my work on the stage or film; and about the prospects the work will bring to skilled artists. Furthermore, my educational resources will be used in many classrooms for student’s professional development.

3. How do you use your talents/time to help others?

I’m an educator first and I cherish my accomplishments.  However, I’m in the position to give back to a profession (performing arts), that I admire and one that helped me throughout my life endeavors. I’m the founder of “The Business of Arts Academy, Inc.” (BAA), a 501c3 year round boarding and day school – (in development).  BAA will provide a comprehensive college-preparatory academic in arts and business for co-ed students in grades 7^th through 12^th.   The academy will be located in the Tallahassee, Florida, area -- serving local, national, and international students.  All proceeds from my literary work are contributed to the development of the school and I volunteer my efforts.

  

Would you like to find Taj?

Check out the links to this talented author:

Website:    www.tajshotwell.com

Amazon:    Taj Shotwell author page on Amazon

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ta.shotwell

Twitter:      https://twitter.com/tajshotwell1

Goodreads:  Taj Shotwell on Goodreads

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Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

Writers4Higher blog

Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog

Writers4Higher features author Bruce Ballister

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Bruce Ballister

Hi, Bruce. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

1. Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

I’m a geek, and sort of proud of it. I was a geek before the word was invented. I was cross trained in college with most of a degree in Geology and all of the degree in Commercial Art. Finding that artists made no better living that art students, I pursued the graphic component of civil engineering and design until I was passed up the line to designer and then engineer. About the time Kubrick’s 2001 a Space Odyssey came out, I was already an annual subscriber to Scientific American, and National Geographic. Art and illustration gradually fell away, and my career morphed into public policy, urban planning and grant writing. But for reading, I still love the blend of science and science fiction. Often a great Sci-Fi story requires a reader to make only one small leap of faith to bridge the gap between literary fiction and science fiction. Because at their core, both genres require depth of character, hard decisions, human struggle, and compassion for human failings. Toss in, artificial intelligence, aliens, locations outside our atmosphere, or times easily accessible outside the here and now, and you have science fiction. A writer in Sci-Fi still has to make the problems of the protagonist real and ultimately solvable and the antagonist, sincerely driven by his/her/its own value systems.

My particular background and continuing interest in the sciences informs my inspirations and attempts to write science fiction. Arthur Clark blew me away with the Space Odyssey. Science fiction was cool! My first writing efforts were simple vignettes, conversations between two people at a crossroads, the edge of suicide, the edge of enlightenment, or an arrival at a major decision point. A few of those early efforts went well beyond thirty to forty thousand words and I found out I was writing novels. Surprise! I’m a writer. Now, I have aspirations of becoming not only a better writer, but one with a following. My Amazon fans seem to appreciate my early efforts. If you’re reading this, I invite you to take a chance.

2.  Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

Pulitzer Prizes, nah, I’m not a research/reporter kind of writer, but a Hugo would be nice, but primarily, I’d like to build a fan base that knows, based on the books already out there, that I will deliver. The delivery will included believable dialogue, deep backstory, interesting settings, danger!, probable love interests, (why not?), and a book that will leave you turning pages well after midnight. I am approaching retirement, a threshold I hope to cross without joining too many volunteer organizations, because I’d really like to write in the morning when I’m awake, rather than the wee hours when it’s questionable. And hey! … if you’re a publisher… let’s talk.

3.  How do you use your talents/time to help others?

As a third year member of the Tallahassee Writers Association, I’ve had a hard time saying no to the simple ask. (that’s always been a problem). So, the early ask to join the board of TWA morphed quickly to VP, the 2015 Conference Committee Co-chair, and now the President’s slot. Somewhere in there I took on the management of the Seven Hills Literary Competition which I hope to continue after this term as president closes. The presidential slot includes that famous abused phrase, “…and other services to be determined.”

We, the TWA, hope to offer value-added special workshops in addition to a great annual conference that has been moved to the early fall this year. Our monthly Third-Thursday meetings offer insights into the successes of regional talents in a wide variety of genres from historical, romantic, literary, short, non-, science, young adult, etc. -fiction to poetry, screenplays, editing techniques, plot and character development and some you-name-its.

I will never be a real pedagogue, but I love to share. If there’s something you don’t know, and I might, I’ll share it. And that’s pretty much the, philosophy of most of us at the TWA, we support each other, promote each other, and when time permits, we write!

Would you like to find Bruce?

Check out the links to this talented author:

Look for Tallahassee Writers Association on Face Book, and MeetUps, as well as www.twaonline.org  https://sevenhillsreview.submittable.com/submit and

http://www.meetup.com/Tallahassee-Writers-Association/

www.dreamlanddiaries.com

https://www.facebook.com/DreamlandDiaries/

Twitter Handle: @ballister49

LinkedIn: Bruce Ballister

Dreamland Diaries Part 1 on Amazon

Dreamland Diaries Part 2 on Amazon

Orion's Light on Amazon

Be sure to visit the Writers4Higher Market! We have gear for the writer in you.

The Writers4Higher Market

Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

Writers4Higher blog

Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog

Writers4Higher features author Talya Tate Boerner

This issue, Writers4Higher features

Talya Tate Boerner

Hi, Talya. Welcome to the Writers4Higher family!

 1.     Tell me about yourself. Your book(s), your life, your inspiration.

Here are a few things about what makes me tick and why we should be friends. I’m not afraid to drink from a regular garden hose or eat raw cookie dough. Unless I’m buying books or plants, I don’t like to shop. I love freshly ground coffee and logo t-shirts. I know how to make mud pies and snow cream and play dough from scratch. I can type fast without errors—an invaluable skill that has served me well.

I love interesting writing, some poetry, old movies, and hardback novels, especially southern classics. I don’t use semi-colons. If you find one in my writing (and you will), it’s because an editor insisted. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Baylor University, and once upon a time worked for the previous owner of the Dallas Cowboys. My husband is often mistaken for Alec Baldwin. My two grown children are the best people I know. I hope to be like them someday.

Clutter and incessant chatter make me crazy. I’m an extroverted introvert and need my quiet time. I’m inspired by music and nature. Sometimes I have vivid science fiction dreams, but I never write them down. I have a butterfly garden in the backyard, two schnauzers that rule the world, a stray cat living on my porch, and an armadillo burrowing under my house. Milkweed is my new favorite plant.

I enjoy cooking and believe most any meal can be improved with a side of collard greens. I love Arkansas and the South and think the Ozark Mountains are as gorgeous as any place on Earth. I’m a farmer’s daughter who really was raised in a barn.

My book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, is southern fiction set in the 1970s near the banks of the Mississippi River. Mark Twain was right when he said, “Write what you know.”

My protagonist, ten-year-old Gracie Lee Eudora Abbott, is the daughter of a hardworking cotton farmer who, in Gracie’s words, drinks too much beer, is mean as the devil himself, and is probably going to Hell. As she sets out to rescue everyone in her path, she saves someone unexpected in the process.

Themes of the book include coming of age, loss of innocence, man versus nature, family struggles, end-of-life issues, isolation, and salvation. There’s laugh out loud humor, too. As described by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Guinn, “There’s magic here, in a wonderfully told story that will find a special place in any reader’s heart.”

 2.     Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?

I have no idea and that’s a fun thing because there’s very little surprise left in this world. I have several other projects in the works that I plan to finish, including two completely different novels and a children’s book that is ready to be published. (Anyone, anyone?) I plan to continue freelancing. I enjoy writing about the uniqueness of Arkansas and educating people on the delta. And since you asked, I see my future self having a book signing event at Magnolia Market in Waco (of Fixer Upper fame… hello! fellow Baylor alums...), preferable during the weekend of a Lady Bears home basketball game. I plan on writing for Garden & Gun Magazine, too.

3.     How do you use your talents/time to help others?

I believe in paying it forward. As a relatively “new” writer in a world of endless information, I try to soak up everything I can about writing. There’s always room for improvement, and I never want to become formulaic and unimaginative. I am thankful for the help I’ve received along the way and will always help new bloggers and writers by sharing what I know and mentoring when I can.

Literacy is my cause. I tutor at the Ozark Literacy Center, an organization that helps adults learn to read and write English. The thought of not being able to read makes me sad. The thought of never writing letters long-hand makes me sad as well, but that's a different topic.

Ideally, I hope my writing jolts a fond memory, reflects special in the ordinary, and helps folks realize we are all very much alike deep down where it counts.

Would you like to find Talya?

Check out the links to this talented author:

Website | Google+  |  Instagram  | Bloglovin’  | Contently  |  Linkedin Blog  |  

Twitter  |  Facebook  | Pinterest  |  Facebook Author |

Be sure to visit the Writers4Higher Market! We have gear for the writer in you.

The Writers4Higher Market

Rhett DeVane

Fiction with a Southern Twist

Writers4Higher blog

Rhett's Website

Rhett's funny Southern Blog