Monday, September 30, 2013

FREE VERSE POETRY GROUP

Booklet inside bios and information
On back a list of poets and their poems.


The Free Verse Group of Mountain Home announces the release of their second audio compilation of original poetry. 'DRIFTWOOD'. The production features 32 original poems
by 16 area poets. The groups first CD 'EXPRESSIONS'(2008) sold-out, and is in its 2nd printing.

 
May, the group awarded a scholarship to a graduating Senior [Colleen Queary - MHHS -'13], using profits from 'EXPRESSIONS' sales. Future profits from sale of both CD's are designated to
perpetuate the annual scholarship. Providing individualized instrumental accompaniment for each track, 'DRIFTWOOD' producer Ron Miller also edited, and contributed artistically to the
project. Windsong Press's Alathea Daniels provided the cover design, and insert - which includes poet's biographies.
    'DRIFTWOOD' subject matter, as eclectic as the poem's writers, ranges from - days with grandchildren, the pain of patriotism, cultural musings, senility, and - as might be expected . . . an overtone of admiration for nature. To learn more, or to purchase [@ $10.00 apiece]

'EXPRESSIONS' [2008], or 'DRIFTWOOD' [2013]

please contact us at (870) 425-8963, or

watermarkstudio@hotmail.com 
Or Mary Nida Smith at marynida@suddenlink.net I have them for sale for $10. Plus $2.50 for postage. I had the honor to read two of my poems on this beautiful CD
 

 

 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

LOCAL AUTHORS DAY DECEMBER 8, 2013

ATTENTION LOCAL BOOK AUTHORS -  December 8, 2013 1-4 p.m.Donald w. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home - information below. I'll be there, will you? Thanks Bobby for the correct date.
 
 
Fill out the information below and click on Complete Registration at the bottom of the page to register for this event. If you do not have an email address, type in signup@baxlib.org
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Local Author Book Sale & Signing Event

Event Type: Intergenerational
Age Group(s): Adults, Adults
Date: 12/8/2013
Start Time: 1:00 PM
End Time: 4:00 PM
Description:
 The Library will showcase local authors at this holiday book sale and signing event. Meet neighbors who are authors and have them autograph your purchases. Books make great gifts, so shop locally and support talented local authors!
Authors: please register for booth space beginning November 1. Space will be available on a 1st come 1st served basis.
   Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County
Location: Knox Rooms A+B+Great Hall
Registration Ends: 12/6/2013 at 10:00 AM
Other Information:
 Authors: please register for booth space beginning November 1. Space will be available on a 1st come 1st served basis.
Early registrants (up to 20) receive an entire 6' table. Wait listed registrants will receive either a 6' (if only 5 are wait listed) or a 3' table space (if 10 are wait listed. The maximum number of "booths" is 30. Max. # of chairs for 6' table = 2 per registrant. Max. # of chairs for 3' table = 1 per registrant.
Contact: Kathe Altazan
Contact Number: 870-580-0987 x2975
Status: Openings
Please Note
  • Attendee MUST Give 24 HOUR Cancellation Notice to Allow Others on the Waiting List to Attend. Space is limited. If you no call/no show TWICE for ANY events for which you are registered, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list for all future activities.

We're sorry. The first registration date for this event is scheduled for 11/1/2013 at 10:00 AM.
Please come back and register at that time.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Life is a Balancing Act


I wrote part of this on Facebook and it flew away before I was able to click post. After finishing this I tried to make some changes , it wouldn't lets me. I tried three times and the post disappear. This is my last try.

The Arkansas Ozarks hills are filled with numerous creative artists. Thursday, I attended the Area Art Club at Hill Country Gallery on the Mountain Home square.

I enjoyed our member Margie Payton’ presentation on Collage Art; Margie and Jeanie Roth have an art show at the gallery. Last night I dropped in to see Dana Johnson’s beautiful painting exhibit at the Palette Art Gallery in Yellville.

 

Saturday, September 21, Free verse Poets CD “Driftwood” will be released

and I am looking forward to listening to 16 poets read two poems each. I enjoyed their first CD “Expressions.” I didn’t read on the first one, but I was honored to read two on the second recording.

 

I am putting together all my finished writings in different genres, editing and filing

with guidelines of different publishers and magazines to submit, one at a time. If this is supposed to be I’ll be published, if not, another road will open up for me to travel.

 

It is difficult balancing everything. Just finished laundry, lunch, and there are a few more projects to do before a busy week ahead. The main thing to get behind me is workman from Hopper’s coming Tuesday and Wednesday to spray wash the house and deck, clean gutters, repair and stain the deck. If this works out there are a few more small jobs need to be done outside and inside the house before winter.

 

I have the greatest artist who paints the sky encouraging and directing me. Without Him, I am nothing.
 

Monday, September 09, 2013

Rules for Critique Groups


by Rhonda M. Hall

I have belonged to a writing group for close to nineteen years. We debated back and forth for a long time about the need for rules. Years ago, I took our real rules and twisted them a bit.

GENERAL RULES
We welcome all genres but the following: pornography, erotica, and non-fiction of any kind, and anything we don’t like.

Don’t discuss personal matters during the meeting, it’s not fair to rub your fantastic life into our faces. We’re here for one reason and one reason only, to ruin your life as you know it. When you leave the room crying we have met our goal. If you become a “regular,” you’ll get a members’ list with everyone’s telephone number, address, and electronic address for stalking purposes only. You can use these to keep your gossip greased or whine about these rules.

READINGS

Sessions on the first Wednesday of the month are reserved for readings only–no lessons. During the rest of the month, if there is time at the end of the meeting, members read portions of their works-in-progress. Tripping other members, so that you might take their spot is strictly forbidden, unless of course, I’m the one who doesn’t get to read.

The facilitator will determine the amount you may read. She/he also has the right to stop you if the work is offensive, inappropriate, or if you put us to sleep. If your work is putting everyone into a coma, congratulations you’ll probably be published in two months.

Don’t ask to read more than the allotted number of pages. (SELFISH) We don’t care if the Pulitzer deadline is just around the corner. You should plan ahead. Besides, we’re too wrapped up in wondering why we weren’t nominated to even listen. Please don’t take offense if members take out little dolls that look like you and stick pins in them. That pain in your neck is purely a coincidence. But not to worry, we have Chiropractors on retainer!

Do not explain your work. (Frankly, we don’t give a damn) If it requires explanation, then it isn’t ready for presentation. The setup should be included in the story. However, other members may ask that you bring them up to date. Do this as briefly as possible.(YAWN) We don’t need a psychological profile for each character, or for you, we don’t care that your mama spanked you.

Articulate and speak loudly. We can’t critique what we can’t hear. If you fail to comply, the rest of the evening will require you to stand at the podium on one foot while we eat your French fries.

Do not interrupt those reading. This includes acknowledging the arrival of another member or whispering to the person next to you. Miming is permissible. A giant wave of the hand and/or blowing a kiss is acceptable. The only time this rule may be ignored is when the individual entering the room is armed and appears to be hostile. (It only happened once, we swear.)

Don’t read something you’ve already read unless it has changed drastically and at least a year has gone by. (YAWN) Also please do not explain past critiques, we are critiquing what you just read, not what was written three years ago. If this is rewrite number forty-two, make it forty three!

If your piece has already been edited or published, leave it at home. It’s too late for us to be of any benefit and you’re wasting the time of those who want to get where you are. Don’t rub it in their faces. It’s not nice.(SOB, as in crying, not son of -B*****)

CRITIQUING

Critiquing begins with the person to the left of the reader and goes clockwise around the room. Critiques are usually written in brief form on notes which are given to the writer to mull or cry over later. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, that fall into a month with an “R”, we go to the person on the right, spin and then we all shout. “THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!”

Be truthful. (Or lie, like the rest of us.) Saying its National Book Award material when it wouldn’t even make it as casual bathroom reading won’t help the writer. Always include something positive. There’s always a plus in everyone’s effort. No, saying you’re glad they have finally finished reading doesn’t count.

If you are really at a loss for something nice to say, hide out in the bathroom with the rest of us.

Do not interrupt the individual critiquing. Wait your turn. You should have learned this in kindergarten. Once you become a member, your kindergarten teachers name must be forwarded to the facilitator, if you fail to comply, we will contact him/her.

Do not repeat a criticism already presented. Most members get it the first time. If they don’t get it, stand on your chair, shout and wring your hands.

If another member opposes your critique, don’t argue the point. The writer will decide what’s best, or probably ignore you anyway.

As the reader/author, do not debate the criticism. You can take it or leave it. Some of it is only opinion anyway. We prefer you take it and run with it. We like it when no talents take our ideas and steal them.

If you don’t understand, do not ask for a lesson until after the session. (Brown Noser) The facilitator or one of the other learned members can help you after the meeting.

The facilitator may schedule instruction in the problem area at a later date. Your kindergarten teacher will also be available. Many counseling sessions have taken place at Skyline Rest home. (They love us there.) In the meantime, research it yourself. It will be good for you.

Do not talk amongst yourselves while the critiquing is going on. Any note passing will result in the facilitator reading your note aloud to the entire class. You could learn something. Hard to believe, we know, but you really could. Also, if there is any gum chewing, please be sure you brought enough for everybody.

LOGISTICS

When a reader/author points to their head and says, “Internal,” they are indicating characters internal thoughts, not what they really think of you.” IE… “Internal, Point to the head, I hate it when John shows up for class.”

When a reader/author says, “Drop down, everyone will drop to the floor and put their hands behind their heads. (It stems from that one armed incident.) P.S. We love pulling this on the new-be’/ wanna’be’s.

If you refuse to follow any of the suggestions (improve), then stop coming. If you’re already perfect, you don’t need us and we don’t want to listen to you. Happy Writing!


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Li

Saturday, September 07, 2013

I Will Soon Return.

Hopefully, I'll no longer  drop out of sight when trying to  post or send emails. I have been getting the run-around the past 3-4 years with problems with my internet server. They came last night fixed what they thought was the problem. My phone is receiving and sending calls. I have had a wonderful week with the art clubs. I have five photographs and a painting on display with the Area Art Club ORAC Exhibit at ASU-Veda Shied Community Canter. What a fun reception on Thursday. The exhibit will be up all of September and PAL will exhibit during October.

Donald W. Reynolds Library today from 1-3 p.m. you will discover the Creative Writers and Illustrators waiting for you to join them.