Whatever Wednesday - Art Unites

Earlier this year, Ray and  I participated in a little art project at the library.  You could paint 3x3 canvases. 

Over three hundred folks participated at several events.  Each tile became a part of this community tree. 

How fantastic is  this?   Every time I walk into the library now, I stop  and marvel  at the  variety of each image, and how the patchwork looks united on  the wall. 

Community and Heart.   Art!

 

Cold Feet, Warm Heart, and a Few Sales

Final update to Bedford Arts Fest, and it has a happy ending. I arrived in a blustery wind and placed at "extra" table 10 - this amounted to the hinterlands. Forget a nice table cloth, I needed boulders to lock down any paper.

Fortunately, Sue Ireland, a watercolor artist, came over and said, "I can move my table a bit, and we can fit you in near me."   Great - this got me out of the direct north wind and also into the flow of customers. Plus we had the added bonus of chitchat during lulls.

Traffic picked up and for such a horrific day, it turned into decent flow. Folks in shorts, folks in winter coats -that's Texas during a weather change. Anyway, I actually sold a few books (can't brag on recouping my table investment, but that's okay) and I believed my books went into good homes.

One young girl (age nine) chose a poetry book. (!).  One young man came back for "My Zoo World", and he was enthusiastic, "This sounds SO funny."

A writer friend drove in from Haslet and bought a poetry set - Thanks, Becky! She is so supportive.

I was surprised at lack of interest in my flash fiction. I truly thought folks would like the idea of super short stories. I had several people say, "I barely have enough time to read my Bible."  Well, I can't compete with that book.

All in all, it was a fun day and I enjoyed walking around to other artists' booths - stainglass, jewelry, oils, watercolors, puppets. There are a lot of talented people eager to share their work. I think the City of Bedford should be pleased, especially considering the weather.

I finished up the night at the Bedford Library - it was open mic poetry night. A small group of hardy souls shared their words (yes, I read - Blend and also Fall), and applauded our efforts.

My cold feet warmed and caught up with my heart. Yes, it's fun being an author.

Romancing the Book Event Pics

 Bedford Library held its first all day author event. Authors, like me, had display tables and could sell books.

 Here are Carole Nelson Douglas  http://www.carolenelsondouglas.com  and Sharon Owen http://www.sharonkatherine@sharonkown.com

 Carole is crazy prolific - the library had a separate display for many of her books. What is interesting is she's moving some work from traditional to her own e-publishing. She "wants control of her work." The  publishing world is changing a lot.

 Workshops were held and also author readings. Sharon Owen reads from her mystery - Thicker Than Water. We eagerly await the sequel.

Here, Carole is checking out Ann Summerville's cozy mysteries. Quite a selection to choose from.
http://www.annsummerville.com

I don't have a picture here, but Bonnie Pemberton read from The Catmaster and her sequel The Lizard Returns.

It was an enjoyable day. Next year we need to lure even more of the general public into our web of words.

Sneak Preview: Love Tatters

Saturday is an all day FREE author event at my local library in Bedford, TX. Hope there is a good turnout (I think the weather is actually supposed to turn "cold" - that should help keep folks indoors). I plan to read some stories from my new collection - Wordsplash Flash.

Here's your sneak preview of one - Love Tatters

Makyla surveyed the school bus seat choices and resigned herself. Age seven, she pouted, “You didn’t save me a seat, Layla, like you promised.”

“Sorry. Today, Tami had sweets. We’ll sit together after school.” Layla’s brown eyes tilted up and she gave an emphatic nod, before her dark head bowed over a game.

“I saved you this seat, Mac,” said Ethan as he leaned and patted the cushion. She looked to make sure he hadn’t placed anything squishy, like a jelly donut, in her place.

“My name’s Makyla, not Mac.” She flounced into her seat as the bus lurched toward the school. She sighed. I hate being the last pick-up. “Hey, not my hat again, Ethan. Give it back.” She reached up to smooth down her flyaway curls. “You look dumb, you know that, don’t you?”

Ethan had her red hat pulled down so that it covered his ears. He grinned and his face flushed as he shook his head. Then he dangled the hat in front of her before flinging it backwards. There was a clamor as boys tussled. The bus driver shouted half-heartedly to sit down and behave. Makyla glared at Ethan, then faced forward, ignoring the frenzy behind her.

At school, she and Layla walked to class. “Wait up. Here’s your stupid hat.” Ethan tapped her on the shoulder, stuffed it in her hand, and ran down the hallway.

Morning recess. Dodgeball. “Ethan Merritt, chunk the ball at someone else,” Makyla hissed in his ear as they changed sides of the gym.

Mrs. Monroe had everyone form a circle for reading time. There was a scramble for spots. Dismayed, Makyla found herself between Ethan and Nick. She squirmed as Ethan surreptitiously pinched her leg. “Young lady, do you need time out?” the teacher asked. “No, ma’am.” “Well, then, sit still.” Makyla scrunched her face at Ethan, looking so engrossed in the story.

Lunchtime arrived and Makyla, seated with Layla and her friends, blocked the straw cover that Ethan blew her way.

After lunch, she ran to the swings and flew high until Ethan pushed her off. Makyla limped to the nurse for clean up. She heard the nurse call her mother, “She’ll be fine. Ethan is a charming freckle-faced hellion seeking attention.”

Makyla returned to find the class creating Valentine’s. “Here’s a black crayon for you,” cackled Ethan. She found a red and drew a heart for her mother.

Class ended, the bus ride home mercifully quiet. First stop, Makyla exited, then turned as she heard her name. “Hey Mac…for you.” A huge red heart sailed out the window and then shredded under the bus tires.

First published in Doorknobs & Bodypaint, February 2009, Issue 53

Library Mardi Gras

Saturday evening - Mardi Gras Casino Night at the Bedford Public Library. This successful fundraiser, sponsored by the Friends of the Bedford Library, was a hoot. Over two hundred people contributed money to a good cause, and in return, had a rollicking party time.

BBQ dinner and wine in the large conference room. Then gambling in the hallowed library itself. Blackjack, craps, and roulette, plus Texas Hold 'Em poker kept folks entertained and vying for prizes. Now I blew my chips within an hour. Ray managed to win $20,000 (fake), but wasn't close to prize status. Over $100,000 earned the television, Samsung tablet, and more.

You could purchase extra chips, and also tickets for wine, beer, and soda. All funds went toward the library.

Roars of laughter, alcohol, and gambling in a public library. Hey - it got people in the doors after hours.

Hopefully, they'll be back again to checkout books and read - but at that time.........ssshhh! Use your library voice, and no food or drink allowed.

First Place

 I entered the Bedford Library Short Story Contest. Deadline was September 1st.

 Saturday, September 15th - Bedford Library Evening with the Authors. My shiny face was on the poster and I did get to read an excerpt from My Zoo World. The other authors represented fantasy, poetry, romance, and suspense. Nice variety and fun reads.

 Here I'm chatting with Rebecca Balcarcel  - excellent poet

And then Amanda Green (VP of Friends of the Library) announced the winner of the short story contest - Whoa! That's my name. I accepted a check from Jim Davidson - a Bedford council member and Friend of the Library.  Very exciting. My tale is called "Bumper Car Life", and I am working on compiling my shorts stories for a collection.

Author Roundtable

 Saturday evening, I was delighted to be part of an authors' panel at the Bedford library  We were introduced by Amanda Green, author of  Nocturnal Lives, and she let us loose to read excerpts from our books and answer questions from the audience.

The discussion was lively in regards to self publishing (four of us) vs. traditional (one) and why we chose to go our routes, the effort involved, pitfalls, and the satisfaction of being in control of our writing destiny.

 Here are the featured authors of the evening (clockwise from upper left) All are members of  Trinity Writers' Workshop
Arly Pineo: Cheat the Wind  Cheat the Wind
Sharon Owen: Thicker Than Water   Thicker Than Water
Bonnie Pemberton: The Cat Master The Cat Master
Ann Summerville: Gwinnel Gardens (and more) Gwinnel Gardens
Not pictured: Joanne Faries  My Zoo World  My Zoo World

Finally, there is nothing better than a great prop - Arly's husband created this fine clipper ship, ready to set sail for the China Seas, and Cheat the Wind.

Third Prize - Bedford Library Short Story Contest

Fall. Pumpkin time at the arboretum. Also, Bedford Library/ annual author roundtable. Plus the announcement of short story contest winners.

It was a veritable potpourri of author styles. Rebecca Balcarcel - rich poetry. Sarah A. Hoyt writer under several names - science fiction, fantasy, and the furniture refinishing mysteries. Roni Loren erotic romance. She did read the family friendly version of a chapter.

Good eats. Good reads. Kick off to a fantastic fall season for authors. And ... ta da - 3rd prize for my story The Babysitters.