SCBWI & OWAIC SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
The information below is provided by Naomi Shaw, President OWAIC. (Naomi has worked hard to provide this group for writers who love to write & illustrate for children. I love this group. Thanks to you Naomi & your members for providing us monthly meetings and the best annual summer workshops.Mary Nida Smith)

It has been a great privilege to get to know all of you and be a part of your writing and illustrating career. I look forward to staying in contact with you in the future and continuing to be a part of OWAIC. However, I've come to a point where I have to make the decision to step out of the leadership role. OWAIC will continue to meet at the Library Station on the first Saturday of the month. But, I will no longer be able to make arrangements for programs, reminders, or the workshops. In the last five years our group has grown in numbers and in the craft. OWAIC meets a need in the region that currently has not been met by any other organization. Still, with the appointment of our very own Joyce Ragland as the Regional Assistant for Missouri SCBWI, we have a unique opportunity. We could "merge" our local group. Many are members of SCBWI now. Membership in SCBWI would not be a criterion for attendance. Joyce is willing to become involved with our OWAIC group in a leadership role as a facilitator until if/when someone else wants to lead the local group.

OWAIC would retain its identity for now as long as the GROUP wants to continue.

WHERE--The Library Station is reserved through the end of this year and we have our name in for next year.

JANIE--Will be stepping down from her role as planner and organizer for now, but will post announcements and updates on the website. Author J.B. Cheaney

DIRECTION--The group will retain its unique identity. Your creativity will continue to be encouraged and developed into marketable work. We have asked Joyce Ragland and Janet Weber (the Assistant RA) to bring their vision and resources, which are significant, to the group. Individual members of the group would need to take responsibility for some logistics.

OWAIC has assets. You are the biggest asset. Your desire to produce great literature, your willingness to share your time and experience, and your respect for each other cannot be quantified. Plus, we have established a great relationship with the Library Station and the Library Center.

SCBWI is the largest international organization promoting children's authors and illustrators on the planet. I feel our group will be in good company to share when we can at a local level.

Saturday,October 1, I hope all of you that can attend will attend and make the most of this new arrangement. I look forward to seeing all of you again as often as I can.

I will not be giving your contact information to Joyce automatically. If you would like to stay involved at the local level, please share your contact information with Joyce at JCRagland@gmail.com. Mention OWAIC in your subject line please. She looks forward to hearing from you. Or, if you prefer to attend the October meeting to see/hear more about the revised OWAIC, that is fine.

Thank you and God Bless,
Naomi Shaw

Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, AR Children's Library has acquired two of Carole Tormey Jones, Artist/Illustrator's art work of the "Cotter Otter" now hanging on their wall for all to enjoy. Carole's prints and other paintings can be found at Toll House Antiques and Gifts in Cotter Arkansas.

Carole's paintings can be found in the homes of numerous collectors all over the world. She grew up in the horse country of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.

I am pleased to say, Carole is a dear friend of mine. She is very active creating greeting cards, books, wood burning art and other artistic works.

Is life what we make it? When we get rejection letters as a writer do we say the heck with it and quit, or do we head out to our creative area and say, "I am not a quitter." Remember do not measure yourself with the accomplishments of others or you will fail. Be true to who you are, do not pretend to be someone you are not. Life is more fun and less stressful being who you are - a fun loving person filled with many things to share.

Check out Jan Fields website http://www.janfields.com Read articles, computer help, read all links, list of kids magazines accepting submissions, and a list of magazines that have folded(Dead Zone).

Blogging is important to make connects and to collect helpful information, but traffic slows down during the summer and facebook becomes more popular.
First a website, a blog, facebook, and now twitter. Are we spending more time connecting while our writing/illustrating takes a backseat? How do we keep focused on our projects first? Our writings and other projects is what brought people to connect with us and will keep them coming back. My readers, what are your thoughts on this?

One foggy Fall morning

(c) Photo by Mary Nida Smith
I ventured to peacock land
to discover a peacock
dressed in greens and blues
sitting waiting for the sun
to rise.

Welcome to the Missouri Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators! Whether you are new to publishing or you are a seasoned professional, you can find help and support in the Missouri SCBWI. Our goal is to help writers and illustrators interested in traditional publishing.

• We offer conferences, workshops, critique groups, and retreats all designed to help you in your publishing career. We are a regional chapter of the international organization of SCBWI. To join go to www.scbwi.orgTake a tour of our website!


• Check out the events page to learn about upcoming workshops, retreats and conferences. There is always something new going on so check back often! If you are interested in having your manuscript reviewed, you may want to read the information on critique groups.


• Enter the Missouri Mentorship competition to win the opportunity to have a published author or illustrator mentor you for an entire year!


• Discover the latest industry and state information in our newsletter; MO Scribbles, and learn about Missouri Authors and Illustrators on the featured member page.If you have questions, we'd like to help!
  


• Contacts:Missouri Regional Advisor - Joyce Ragland jcragland2011@gmail.comAssistant Regional Advisor - Janet Lloyd Weber jlloydweber@yahoo.com
  Regional Advisor Emeritus - Sue Bradford Edwards suebradfordedwards@yahoo.comMentorship Coordinator - Donna Bateman dbateman.scbwi@gmail.com

WRITERS INFORMATION:
http://creativecommons.org/ Place Creative Commons' logo on your website and blog for copyright notice.

Buy a flashdrive or a flash card to store files on. It can be used to move files from the desktop to the laptop. The first Thursday of each month from 1-4 pm the Twin Lakes Computer group meet in the Knox Community Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, AR.

WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:
http://www.writersandeditors.com/
http://www.newpages.com/blogs/writers-blogs
http://www.ehow.com/print/how_4481350_cover-graphics-ms-word-internet.html HOW TO CREATE COOL BOOK REPORT COVER GRAPHICS WITH MS WORD AND THE INTERNET.

PHOTO CONTEST: THE YEAR OF THE BAT! http://www.yearofthebat.org/
http://www.batcon.org/ I enjoy watching bats during the evening and early morning catching the little creatures that kiss me with the itching death.

WRITERS MEETINGS:
TWIN LAKES WRITERS AUGUST 13TH http://www.twinlakeswriters.org
OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE AUGUST 19-20th http://www.ozarkswritersleague.org

Saturday, July 30th I attended the all day OWAIC 3rd annual workshop at The Library Center in Springfield, Mo. I rode with my friend Laurel (Lonnie) Sheridan who has written for children’s magazines and has finished two teen novels. A large group came to learn, fellowship, and have a one-on-one, 10-minute manuscript critiqued with Editor Paula Morrow. I took one and she was very helpful and I enjoyed my ten minutes with her. There was also about ten one pages handed in for a critique read by the speakers, Vicki Grove, Cheryl Harness and Janie (J.B.) Cheaney. All the one pages submitted were good. We all learned from all the helpful comments.

Ms. Morrow shared a lot of good information on writing and marketing.
I purchased Cheryl’s coloring book. She writers and illustrates historical books for children.

Check out these websites:
http://www.paulamorrow.com
http://www.boxingdaybooks.com
http://www.cherylharness.com
Vicki Grove http://www.vickigrove.com
http://mowrites4kidsdrury.edu/authors
J.B. Cheaney http://www.jbcheaney.com
Ink Think Tank – Nonfiction Authors in Your Classroom
I.N.K. Blog – http://Inkrethink.blogspot.com

I only wished I could have taken my camera, but with one arm for now, it would have been difficult. I was so happy to be out enjoying myself. Tomorrow back to therapy.

No, Sassafras does not live in any of these. He lives in the background birdhouses
that have rough weathered boards that remind him of tree bark.




(c) photo by Mary Nida Smith

Information on agents:

http://www.writers.net/agents
http://www.sfwa.org-authors/writer-beware/agents
AAR- Association of Authors' Representatives at http://aarline.org
place literary agents in Google search for more information

OZARK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN

2011 ANNUAL SUMMER WORKSHOP
"Good Versus Great"

July 29-30 are the dates, The Library Center in Springfield is the place. Get ready for a full day (and a fun-filled evening) of information and inspiration!

FULL SCHEDULE, FEES, DOWNLOADABLE REGISTRATION FORM, and CRITIQUE GUIDELINES AVAILABLE AT THE OWAIC WEBSITE: OWAIC.ORG

THE STORYBOOK PROJECT AT NORTH CENTRAL UNIT PRISON/CALICO ROCK

A man is reading Pinocchio to his son. The boy is miles away, and the man is reading into a digital recorder. He is an inmate in a state prison. The Storybook Project will mail the book and the recording to the child. The goal is “to keep families connected through reading.”

Warden David White has invited The Storybook Project to the North Central Unit in Calico Rock. He predicts about 200 inmates will want to participate each year.

The Storybook Project/North Central Unit will hold its first meeting
Thursday, July 21, 6:00 p.m.
Calico Rock Cumberland Presbyterian Church
692 Highway 56E

Pat Oplinger of Cherokee Village will discuss the program her group has run at the Newport Correctional Facility for the past thirteen years. Warden White and Accreditation Specialist Gary Teague will discuss how the program will be implemented at the North Central Unit.

Susan Varno has volunteered to start this new program. “The Storybook Project is a way for people in Izard, Baxter and Stone Counties to thank the prisoners for the work they have done in our communities: cleaning up after the ice storm and floods, repairing city streets, helping rebuild the Wolf House and more.”

If The Storybook Project completes 100 recordings twice a year, the Project must raise about $2000 annually. Initially they will have to raise an extra $1500 to buy digital recorders and at least 300 books.

At the meeting, committees will be set up for fundraising, book buying, making the recordings at the prison and mailing the books and recordings. Anyone from Baxter, Izard or Stone County interested in this project should attend the meeting or contact Susan Varno at svarno@hughes.net or 870-297-4223.

CHILDREN'S WRITER(R) POETRY OR VERSE STORY WRITING CONTEST -GRAND PRIZE $500 AND REWARDS TO BE PUBLISHED IN CHILDREN'S WRITER, CASH PRIZES, WINNERS' CERTIFICATES, AND VALUABLE TRAINING IN DISCIPLINED WRITING. FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.thechildrenswriter.com

Janice Votsmier is the new president of Twin Lakes Writers in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The writers meet at the Donald W Reynolds Library each month. they are designing a website at http://sites.google.com/sites/twinlakeswriters

ARKANSAS'S MOST CREATIVE FINE ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR - CAROLE T. JONES http://Sun-e-daleKoll.com You will find her art for sale at Toll House Antiques & Gifts 102 Combs Avenue, Cotter, AR

TOO MANY OBLIGATIONS CAN STOP YOUR GOALS FROM MOVING FORWARD.

Needed Recipes for Kids Cookbook:

Submit a recipe a kid can create on its own including a photo of your pet
to:
Sun-e-dale Knoll
Box 735
Yellville, AR 72687-8562

This is a non-paying market
Thank you!

HAPPY 4TH 2011

(C) by Mary Nida Smith

DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY, MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS

Arkansas Libraries License Plate - Winning Design by Library Staffer Baxter County Library’s very own, Kathe Altazan, created the winning design in a contest sponsored by the Arkansas Library Association for an Arkansas Libraries front license plate. The Arkansas Libraries plates are now available for purchase. They are made from a pliable, heavy-duty plastic and are intended for use on the front of your vehicle only. They are NOT state license plates. Show your support for Arkansas Libraries by purchasing a plate for $20.00 at the Library today!

WHITE COUNTY CREATIVE WRITERS 16th ANNUAL WRITER'S CONFERENCE http://www.whitecountycreativewriters.org

WRITERS GROUPS ARE ON BLOGGER OR FACEBOOK - OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE AND
OZARK WRITERS INC.

FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS GERALDINE BUTTS 425-9467 http://www.bbscomp.com

3rd Annual PAL Art Expo Show
July 11-15, 2011

The P.A.L.’s Fine Art Gallery
Palette Art League
300 Hwy 62 West
Yellville, Ar 72687
870-405-6316

www.paletteartleague.org
Info@paletteartleague.org

Business Hours:
Tuesday thru Saturday
10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

The Oxford American magazine and Winthrop Rockefeller Institute are collaborating to host the inaugural Oxford American Summit for Ambitious Writers on June 21–26, 2011, on top of breathtaking Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas. With distinguished faculty and guest lecturers, this 5-day event will inspire participants, through innovative programming led by top-flight publishing experts, to sharpen and deepen their literary skills. http://summit.oxfordamerican.org/registration

PROMISE

© by Mary Nida Smith

The word of love
Friends forever
A guarantee
Easily broken
Cross your heart
Hope to die
Sworn to love
Death do us part
Shouldn’t be said
If easily broken
For part of the heart
Dies and promises
Blow in the wind.

TWIN LAKES WRITERS MEET SATURDAY, JUNE 11 FROM 1-3 P.M., AT THE DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY IN KNOX COMMUNITY ROOM A. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL VICE-PRESIDENT JANICE VOTSMIER 870-424-4202 OR EMAIL VOTS@SUDDENLINK.NET

JUNE 4, SATURDAY OZARKS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN

Louise Jackson will SHOW US THE DOOR...to Editors and Publishers. The door to most editors/publishers is through the medium of a successful query letter. Louise will help OWAIC members learn how to be more effective at getting through that initial door. She'll be talking about constructing an effective query letter at the June meeting. Come prepared to look at some query letters that worked, some that didn't, and try your hand at writing one yourself.

The meeting will be at the LIBRARY STATION, in the Children's Story Room, from 9:00-11:00am with a critique session to follow. (Please contact me at providencepark@wildblue.net if you have a critique and don't know our guidelines.)

Two important dates to remember this summer ***July 29th & 30th Dinner and Workshop with Paula Morrow, Judy Young, and Vicki Grove. I have sent brochures to some of you through the mail. Please share with a friend or post it to the local newspaper. We need your help in getting the word out. This may be our strongest workshop so far! The brochure should be posted on our website now, or soon. www.owaic.org for details.

If you are able to attend and want to take advantage of a one-on-one critique with Paula Morrow, please check the brochure for guidelines and deadlines. Your critique must be submitted by June 30th, 2011.

Help!
You have helped us each year have a successful workshop. This year, as in the past, we need you again. First, we need promotion. Please let me know if you could get the news out. I can get extra brochures to you. Tell a friend, tell a teacher, a librarian, a writer or illustrator.

We will also need help with refreshments and organization when the time gets closer. Please let me know if you are available. providencepark@wildblue.net I really appreciate it.

Blessings to all,
Naomi Shaw

FAMILY CONNECTION-- I know over the years members of the Nida/Niday family since Lewis Nida who wrote history books for schools have been writers/authors and after my accident I received a message from one asking for my uncle's book - The Niday Family House. Check out Ellie's website http://www.louellabryant.com She is the author of adult, teen and picture books.

Hi friends. I miss you all. I hope to start posting again soon. I had all my shoulder stitches remove last Wednesday. It feels better. Take care and stay well. Mary Nida

n c children's writers and illustrators has been canceled until further notice - no blogging workshop may 28

Janice will hold twin lakes writers meeting.

I have a spiral humerus fracture from falling on my left arm may 10th. I had surgery may 11 to place a rod in my arm.

sorry everyone
mary nida

my husband had surgery may 16 -replaced his heart pacer for another 5 years.

A new week, a new start to enjoy the moment and create. Mother's Day the sun was high in the sky bringing warmth to the earth. This morning the ever changing sky provided me with several changing scenes - from sunrise to storm clouds/beautiful! Check my facebook for a new photo I took on a foggy morning last week. Another fun morning walk.

David's new word "Promise" for the month of May. I have my poem "No Promise" up on ADULT "W.O.M." at http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/adult-word-of-the-month-poem

SHORT SHORT STORY - up to 2,000words
SHORT STORY - 2,000-8,000 words
NOVELLA - 8,000-40,000 words
NOVELS - 50,000 and up
CHECK PUBLISHERS GUIDELINES.

Check out http://www.kidsreads.com Read kid's book in the genre you want to write.
Learn by reading. Write down the parts used in the books you read.
Title: Is it interesting and why did they chose this title?
Strong opening:
Setting:
Main Character profile:
Protagonist profile:
Secondary character profile:
Characters - think of them as actors in different setting on a stage or movie.
Point of view: Who is telling the story ?

• Third person is the narrator not a character in the story


• First person is a character in the story

What part does each character play in the story?
Voices -how each character has his own in dialogue.
What conflict is created to make this story interesting?
The writer creates mood through setting, characters, and descriptive details.
What did you like or dislike about the book/story?
How many words?
What grade or age group?
Who is the publisher?
If you like the way the book was written check out this author's website
for more helpful insight.
A very good book on this for beginners is "Extraordinary Short Story Writing" by
Steven Otfinoski

Information on self-publishing http://self-publishingresources.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to the best mother
who loved
her nine kids
with all her heart.
She taught us love,
patience,
to dream,
to enjoy life,
and to smile.
Most of all
she introduced us
to God
who has been our strength
in troublesome times.
Heaven has been blessed
to add Mom as one of the
angels in heaven.

OZARKS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN meet May 7th in Springfield, Missouri. For more information go to http:///www.owaic.org I am a member of this group and I support it even if I am unable to be their because of our meeting " NC Children's Writers & Illustrators" in Mountain Home, AR., on that date. They have a great summer workshop coming up the last of July. If all goes well I'll be there with bells on.

A Pet for Miss Wright just released! Miss Wright is an author and it's a lonely job, so she seeks a pet to keep her company. She tries out several, but the pet she ends up with not only keeps her company, but also helps her through the writing process. I've attached information about it. Please forward this to all the teachers at your school as this would make a great addition to their classroom and individual libraries.

If you or your teachers are going to the IRA Conference in Orlando, stop my the Sleeping Bear Press exhibits. I'll be there signing A Pet for Miss Wright, as well as my other spring release A Book for Black-Eyed Susan.Enjoy A Pet for Miss Wright! Judy Young-- Judy Young Award-Winning Author of Children's Books For information about Books, School Visits and Teacher Workshops, go to:www.judyyoungpoetry.com6155 E. Farm Road 132Springfield, MO 65802(417) 866-1800
LOTS OF NEWS!!! TWO NEW SPRING TITLES!A Pet for Miss Wright released April 1st (no fooling!) A Book for Black-Eyed Susan released in February!
* The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures 2012 LA Young Readers Choice Award Nominee * The Lucky Star
2011 MO Show Me Award Nominee * Minnow and Rose
2012 NY Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List
2012 MO Show Me Readers Award Nominee
2011 PA Keystone to Reading Book Award Nominee
2011 AL Camillia Book Award Nominee
2011 DE Diamonds Book Award Nominee
2010 Storytelling World Award For Author Updates Become a Facebook Fan Judy Young Books

UPCOMING WRITERS TO MEET

NC Children’s Writers & Illustrators will meet
Saturday May 7, 1-3 p.m. We will not be meeting in
our usual room, it will be in the largest Study Room
at the back of the library. Bring only manuscripts
and illustrations pertaining to children’s material.
Twin Lakes Writers’ meeting has been re-scheduled
from Saturday, May 14th to May 28th 1-3:30 in Knox
Community Room A. The Computer Lab with 12 computers
is reserved for members who want to learn more on how to
Blog to promote yourself as a writer and let the public
know about your books, where to purchase, and your speaking
engagements. Information marynida@suddenlink.net or 431-5369

Storms: My thoughts and prayers go out to the people who are going through all the destruction the storms and flooding has and is causing.

Photozarks has Glory Hole and many other waterfalls available as artistic prints, greeting cards or for your very own custom designs to suit personal or business needs. Cover & stock photos are also available for publication. Please don't forget the ever popular "Historic Ozarks Mills" book. Internationally acclaimed photographer and writer Mike McArthy brings the Ozarks beauty in print to every continent in the world (except maybe Antarctica...?) and has been featured on NBC and PBS television with his award winning photography. Check out the website at http://www.photozarks.com/ and pick out your favorite Ozarks photos.

DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY: Friends of the Library meeting
and yearly auction is today, April 27 from 1:30 - 3 p. m.
Refreshments will be served. (Mountain Home, Arkansas)

(c) by Mary Nida Smith

EASTER SPRING
© By Mary Nida Smith

Easter is the beginning
of a bright new season;
a season of hope.
Christ died to live
in us through all seasons.
The rainbow stripes of
pastel colors turning
dark shadows into
bright cheerful paths –
renewing our faith
that life offers
a faith filled future
to all who believe.

Photo taken by Kevin Frank Pieper. Permission to print here
given by Kevin. Taken on April 16, at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony
at the Donald W. Reynolds Library. I took lots of photos and had a great time.
April 27, is the Friends of the Library auction. Join us to bid on lots of special items.

(C) Photo by Mary Nida Smith
Kevin is explaining to Bill and Vince
how to hold the lights as he prepares to take
our picture above.

Last years poster for poetry month. I love poetry. Poetry written for children can be serious, but I love the ones that make me giggle and feel silly.

I have tried to format this with white space and I am doing something wrong... HELP!

2010 was a busy year. My big job is the maintenance of house inside and out and the usual women's chores. I use the free time I have to create. I will be creating another website for my finish book manuscripts, keep track of submitting, where published and work-in progress. I am hoping this will keep me accountable to work harder this year. ACCOMPLISHED 2010 (1.) BLOGGING IS AN IMPORTANT WRITERS TOOL: Published Feb issue of online magazine – Kid Magazine writers (2.) GOOD OLD DAYS magazine May/June issue: Buck, the Comeback Horse (3.) THE OZARKS MOUNTAINEER magazine July/August issue: Dept: Two photos with information also won a year’s subscription. (4.) OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE: Speaker (5.) DAVID L. HARRISON BLOG: Guest Reader for the Day (6.) DAVID L. HARRISON BLOG: Guest as Word of Month Hall of Flame. (7.) DAVID L. HARRISON: Second runner up for poet of the year. (8.) DAVID L. HARRISON: Wrote a poem a month or more. TWIN LAKES WRITERS: Founded (1998) was president and newsletter editor and had the first writers’ conference in this area. Took five & half year to spent more time on my writing; continued to be involved with Authors Day (Founded by the TLW) at the library. I also organized writers’ workshops at a local resort. I became president again the spring of 2010. NORTH CENTRAL CHILDREN’S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS I started in May 2010. I am the president. I am a member of the FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, hospitality lady and board member, help set-up for the book sales and other things if needed. The new DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY opened October 2010. Our church MIDWAY BAPTIST CHURCH: Historian and photographer. Member of the OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE, OZARKS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN and MISSOURI WRITER GUILD

HEAR THIS! HEAR THIS! IMPORTANT NEWS: If you enjoy writing about nature - WILD ABOUT NATURE blog is a must read. Good books, reviews, and a list of publishers that publish non-fiction books. I just won their last book give away: At the Sea Floor Cafe. To learn more check out the author Leslie Bulion website : http://www.lesliebulion.com On today's WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING blog a writing contest is mentioned for The Cherrios Spoonfuls of Stories -deadline July. The winner for 2010 was Laurie Isop. Both blogs are part of my blog roll on this blog.

Time Capsule Placement Ceremony

at the Donald W. Reynolds Library Sunday,April 10,2011

It was wonderful and exciting. Took anout 24 photos.

Twin Lakes Writers and North Central Children's Writers & Illustrator have enjoyed these speakers this year. Judy Transue, Karen Montgomery, Kerri Fivecoat Campbell, Marsha Diane Arnold Thank you all for being our guest speakers we have enjoyed each of you.

TWIN LAKES WRITERS MEET SATURDAY, APRIL 9, FROM 1-3:30 KNOX COMMUNITY ROOM A IN THE DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY

A Month of Celebrations; It is Stress Awareness Month, I have already put that in motion hopefully by the end of the month I will celebrate National Humor Month or maybe I'll invent by own a Celebration of Tears. Then I could drag out the guitar after all it is, International Guitar Month to create a song, "Tears of Stress and Laughter," while I help Keep America Beautiful Month celebration raking the lawn and tending the garden month. Or maybe I could list the titles of over 20 poems I have written on author David L. Harrison's blog the past 17 months; after all it is Poetry Month. There is always some kind of holiday and celebration each month that will make your day or week or month. There is 12 month to be serous, happy, cry, or think to yourself who cares for it is more fun to invent my own celebrations; such as Trimming Your Toes Month, or Cracking Knuckles Month. Have some fun invent your own and celebrate the moment.

April Fool's Day 1st and it isn't a joke that North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators (NCCWI) are meeting Saturday April 2 from 1-3 at the Donald W. Reynold's Library, Mountain Home, AR. --------------------OWAIC is meeting Saturday, April 2nd. It will not be at the Library Station. The meetingwill be upstairs at the Mid-town Carnegie Library, 397 S. Central, Springfield, from 8:30 - 11:00. Parking is not allowed on Central; parking is behind the library on S. Jefferson. Jefferson is a One-Way street southbound. Take Benton North, past Central High School and then turn east until Jefferson. Turn left on Jefferson and drive south to the parking lot north of Central. (There is an elevator to the second floor.) Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. -----------------PROGRAM SPECIAL! MAKE A SCENE! Some say that fiction is the art of scene creation, and these days that's certainly true. As much as any playwright or novelist, an author has to tell the story in a series of vignettes that focus the action, corral the reader's attention, shape the characters, and move the plot. J. B. (Janie) Cheaney will share some ideas about scene creation that will help you get the reader into your story. Janie is the author of four published novels with two more in the hopper.

STORYTELLER MAGAZINE Cover photo (C) by Mary Nida Smith http://thestorytellermagazine.com/ Thank you, Regina!

INFORMATION FROM MY BLOGROLL LIST: More listed on my profile page. I am placing a taste of helpful information you will find; click on to their blogs to discover more. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MARCH POEM ON DAVID L. HARRISON’S BLOG. WRITING A DOCDRAMA (TRUE STORY BOOKS) by Sandra Markle WRITE ON – http://sandramarkle.blogspot.com/ FOUR W’s What happen? Who was involved? Where did it happen? Why did the event happen? And why was the outcome possible? BRAN SNEED ILLUSTRATOR guest on Kathy Temean Blog – WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING –Illustrator Saturday 1.Illustrations reflect the mood of the story. 2.Characters in a picture book are consistent throughout. Brad lives in Prairie Village and he illustrated Marsha Diane Arnold’s children’s picture book, THE PUMPKIN RUNNER. Marsha shared Saturday with the North Central Children’s Writers & Illustrators and the Twin Lakes Writers. She was a joy to meet and learn from. Marsha was born and raised in Kansas, but now lives in California. WRITER BEWARE BLOG (Victoria Strauss) “A MUST READ” Beware Midwest Literary Magazine. Berryville, Arkansas bookstore website: http://www.itsmystery.biz/ To learn more about MYSTERY BOOKSTORES: http://www.mysteryreaders.org/bookstores.html

AUTHOR MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD

Children’s book author Marsha Diane Arnold will be at
the Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, AR
Saturday, March 26. Donald W. Reynolds Library is
co-sponsoring with North Central Children’s Writers
& Illustrators and Twin Lakes Writers. She will share
with the children at Story Time from 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
and from 1-3 p.m., with both writers groups down stairs
in the Children’s-Teen’s Multipurpose Room. Books will
be available for purchase and signing.

Marsha was labeled a “Born Storyteller” by the media.
She has authored several picture books: HEART OF THE
TIGER, PUMPKIN RUNNER, ROAR OF THE SNORE,
PRANCING LILY, HUGS ON THE WIND, and more.
She is now working on a chapter book. She taught aspiring
authors for nine years with the Institute of Children’s Literature.

In the afternoon she will share “7 Magical Ways to bring out
the Storyteller in you.” The program will be loaded with
information to inspire writers starting with 100 slides on
the art of the story, the craft of writing, conflict, themes,
strong protagonists, and rejections and determination. She
will share information on digital books and interactive books
followed with questions and answers.

Marsha’s website http://www.marshadianearnold.com/ Both
programs are open to the public. For more information call
Mary Nida Smith, president of both writers groups
870-431-5369 or email marynida@suddenlink.net
or Children’s Librarian, Deborah Edmonds
or Judy Transue, Assistant Librarian 870-508-0987
or visit http://www.baxlib.org/

SEE YOU SATURDAY!

SPRING IS HERE!

(c) by Mary Nida Smith
Along my woodland garden's stone wall.
Music of Spring
Trumpets of daffodils
sound loudly until
music of spring
days are fulfilled.
They now standstill
slowly returning
to the soil to rest
while spring continues
to blossom.
Wild plants and trees
join in to announce
this is the season
to be awake after
winter’s deep sleep.
© by Mary Nida Smith

WRITERS ASSOCIATIONS DIRECTORY
http://www.ebookscrossroads.com

HAPPY ST.PATTY'S DAY! I will be wearing a little green as I play in my woodland garden today. Soon there will be little furry baby squirrels playing. My friend Mrs. M has little ones. When she sees me she comes running to my window, with her little hands reaching upward for me to toss down a peanut or two. We have been friends for about five years. I have taken photos of her and other family members playing,eating and working. I have written a picture book about two squirrels. If/when the manuscript is sold, I'll have lots of neat photos for kids to enjoy.

SURVIVAL

Stumps in the woods
Display above the ground
Long finger roots
Reaching, searching
For life everlasting
Wild boars’ root
To unearth a treat
Of truffles hidden
Near large oak roots
A murder of bright-eyed
Ravens root them on
Waiting for just
A small morsel
Of a dinning treat.
© Mary Nida Smith

The word "root" was the word for the month

on author David L. Harrison's blog.

This is the poem I placed on David' W.O.M.

Join us.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: I get so excited every time I receive my e-newsletter
from Elizabeth Kennedy at http://about.com/childrensbooks Elizabeth
writes everything about children's books. She writes about books for
each age group and daily events. Check it out!

TWIN LAKES WRITERS, MOUNTAIN HOME,ARKANSAS
Twin Lake Writers meet March 12, 1-3:30 in the Knox Community
Room A at the Donald W. Reynolds Library. Guest speaker is
Kerri Fivecoat Campbell, a local independent writer and social
media marketer/manager.

She will share“Blogging to Build your Brand.” As an independent
writer and author, she learned to build the brand for her company and
others though social media and blogging.

Her interest in social media was born on the old Prodigy network. Today,
she lives in a 480-square-foot home on Bull Shoals Lake with her five
rescue dogs and a very patient husband, where she writes and assists
with marketing campaigns. Campbell, also blogs about life in a small
home at http://www.livinglargeinourlittlehouse/. Since launching in
2008, the website receives an average of 100,000 hits per month.
For more information call Mary Nida Smith 870-431-5369
or marynida@suddenlink.net

CHILDREN'S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS workshops and conferences coming up.
If you write or illustrate for the children's market, check out these SCBWI events. Each one has editors/agents to pitch to and authors to learn from.

Arkansas (SCBWI) Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators April 29-30
http://www.arkansasscbwi.org/

Missouri SCBWI Conference and workshops at http://moscbwi.org/

Ozark Writers and Illustrators For Children July 30th-Summer Workshop http://www.owaic.org/

NC Children's Writers & Illustrators 1-3 p.m., March 26, children's author Marsha Diane Arnold will be at Storytime at 10:30-1130 a.am., (The public is welcome at both programs.)
http://www.marshadianearnold.com/

North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators meet tomorrow, Saturday March 5, down stairs in the Children's-Teen's Multipurpose Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, AR. Guest speaker is Judy Transue, Assistant Children's Librarian. Information marynida@suddenlink.net
Website: http://www.nccwi.org
The writing and publishing world is changing. Join a writers group in your area to keep up with what you want to accomplish for your writing goals.

(c) Photo by Mary Nida Smith
Calico Rock, Arkansas
A neat place.

INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES: NewPages.com http://www.newpapes.com/bookstores A guide to bookstores in the U.S. and Canada. Lots of important information on this web page.
Support your local bookstores.
THAT BOOKSTORE -Blytheville,AR http://www.tbib.com/
WORDS AFTERWORDS, Hardy, AR http://wordsafterwords.com/
IT'S A MYSTERY BOOKSTORE, Berryville, AR
TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS, Harrison 870-743-5624
BOOKS GALORE BOOKS A MILLION, Branson

Check out Ozark Regional Arts Council, http://www.ozarkregionalartscouncil.org/
Gaston Lecture March 8th at 7 p.m. http://wwwasu.mh.edu/
Books in Bloom at Eureka Springs in May has been cancelled.

Let the Voting Began! W.O.M. at http://davidlharrison.com/ check our my poem for February. See what can happen when you are in a hurry. I placed David website URL and not his blog where you vote. David's blog http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com I hate it when I make mistakes; but I probably make them often without realizing it. I have to remind myself not to hurry, hurry, hurry.

Sherry Rogers Illustrations for Kids: My Website

Sherry Rogers Illustrations for Kids: My Website: "http://www.sherry-rogers.com"

WRITERS, ILLUSTRATORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS: Our friends Kathy & Jim Johnson at Enterprise Printing Company in Bull Shoals, Arkansas can print your books, booklets, brochures and more. For illustrators and photographers you can place your art work on note cards to sell at your next signing or speaking engagement. http://www.enterpriseprintingweb.com/

Feb 23, Friends of the Library Board Meeting followed by the Friends (FOL) regular meeting with speaker and refreshments.

March will be a busy month: All writers groups meet at the library on the dates stated from 1-3 p.m.

March 5, is North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators. I hope to reschedule assistant librarian Judy Transue (Donald W. Reynolds Library) to speak at this meeting. Feb 5th meeting was canceled due to a bad snow storm.

March 12, Twin Lakes Writers will have guest speaker Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell (Program-Blogging). http://livinglargeinourlittlehouse.com & http://www.writeforyou.biz

March 26,Donald W. Reynolds Library,Twin Lakes Writers & North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators are sponsoring children's author Marsha Diane Arnold. She will be sharing with the children during the morning storytelling time and in the afternoon with the children's writers group. http://www.marshadianearnold.com/

Check out http://www.palletartleague.org

Print out and save - tack it up to remind you not to miss these exciting programs for March. Any questions email me at - marynida@suddenlink.net

BOOKSALE - DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY, MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS
FEB 17-18-19TH

Twin Lakes Writers last Saturday enjoyed our guest
speaker, Karen Montgomery. She shared her traveling kit
and book “Dress Well and Travel Light” that is sold on Amazon.
Karen also shared with us the steps to creating her kit and how she
promotes herself and how to travel light. We all brain stormed
where to, and how to promote your work. It was very interesting.

Today was the White River Writers Guild meeting in Batesville.
For future meetings get in touch with Earl Belcher june.bell123@gmail.com
Earl’s website: http://lambelectronicpublishing.yolasite.com/

Go to
http://www.yola.com/ to inquire for a free website and http://www.webs.com/

Don’t forget the Cherokee Village Writers Guild meet the 4th Tuesday
at the Sharp County Library, Hardy, Arkansas 9-11 a.m.
Pat Oplinger poplinger@centurytel.net

Thank you members for your monthly donations to help support future plans
for our organization. I will share in February’s newsletter and will welcome
your input. Planning ahead will help continue Twin Lakes Writers to go
forward in the right direction.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

When did a card sent
on St. Valentine's Day change
from a greeting of love
to a greeting of gifts?

This small beautiful card came

so packed with love, my heart

was over joyed. Thanks granddaughter!

I love you too. #1Fan

GREETINGS

Today on Valentine’s day
our hearts openly
display what we hold
dearly within us.
The expression of love
without regrets everyday
not only on Valentine’s Day
but throughout the year.
Sharing love in
many small ways
knowing life
does not
go on forever.

(c)by Mary Nida Smith

TWIN LAKES WRITERS MEET AT

DONALD W. REYNOLD LIBRARY

SATURDAY FEB 12 1-3:30

Karen Montgomery will be our guest speaker.

Karen is the founder of "Chic Valise" a company

dedicated to helping others dress well and travel light.

Her program will help us be informed as authors andfreelance

writers to travel only with what is needed.

For information: marynida@suddenlink.net

Feb 19th Free Verse Poetry Group of Mountain Home

Feb 25th Baxter County Poet's Assocation

Check the library events calendar http://www.baxlib.net

http:www.deepsouthmag.com Poetry of the South - history

or other interesting things about the South.

http://theDigitalBookshop.com

PIN FEATHERED
© by Mary Nida Smith
Birds of a feather

Flock together

Protecting each other

From feather heads

Gathering cozy feathers

To feather their beds

And jackets for winter warmth.

Feather-weights will pull

Tail feathers to feather

Their nest while birds

Go naked by day

And freeze by night

As two legged creatures

Nestle down in cozy

Feather beds gathered

From birds that

Flock together.

Placed on Feb W.O.M. David L. Harrison's blog

New Blog: http://laurelsheridan.blogspot.com
or www.laurelsheridan.com

Me and my two friends enjoying time
in the children's library area. We have
supported each other as writers for several years
in trying to form a children's writers group.
We now have one. It is exciting. Today, it was canceled
because of bad weather.

Naomi Shaw
Sent: February Meeting Reminder Ozark Writers and
Illustrators for Children at the Library Station, Sept. 5
from 9:00 to 11:00. Janet Weber and Joyce Raglund
are presenting an encouraging program.Invest in Yourself:
Janet and Joyce bring you perks gained from MoSCBWI
and SCBWI events. Networking pays-big time!
There will be a short business meeting with
announcements regarding our summer workshop
that I think all will be excited about.
Also, as usual, a critique session will follow.

NORTH CENTRAL CHILDREN'S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS MEET SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5, 1-3 P.M. GUEST SPEAKER JUDY TRANSUE, CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN ASSISTANT, DONALD W. REYNOLDS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MOUNTAIN HOME , AR. ROOM "A" KNOX COMMUNITY ROOM.

SATURDAY MORNING 10:30-11:30 - LOCAL CHILDREN 'S AUTHOR ELAINE WILSON WILL BE SHARING AT STORYTIME IN THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY.

AFTERNOON: NC CHILDREN'S WRITER'S & ILLUSTRATOR'S MEETING
Bring: Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market Book
A sample of a query and a cover letter
A manuscript to read or have critiqued
Illustrators bring your illustrations/drawings

If you want to only listen and learn - this is okay.

Mary Nida Smith, Founder & President
marynida@suddenlink.net

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
By Darcy Patterson

(c) photo by Mary Nida Smith
http://writeapicturebook.com/

Children's Picture Book Information:
http://www.underdown.org/
Picture Book Artists Association
http://www.childrenspicturebooks.info/
32 pages
500 words/ half in illustrations
http://www.memfox.net/
http://childrensbooksabout.com/
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/book-themes.htm
READ * RESEARCH * WRITE

The Sun Will Return

(c) by Mary Nida Smith

WIND OF CHANGE
©By Mary Nida Smith

I live the life

of constant motion
like the wind
changing directions
never sustaining
one emotional direction.

I listen
to the directional
mood of the wind.

I stay calm
allowing God
who created me
to blow me calmly
in the right direction.

I listen
I watch
I stay happy
For I will move
when the wind
blows me

where
I have never been

Baxters Business: A Home

Baxters Business: A Home

FREE WEBSITES

(C)Digital art by Mary Nida Smith

Before starting a blog or website
check out your favorite authors, photographers,
illustrators or whatever your interest you have
to get an idea what would work for you.
Google: free website
free blog site builders
Check out:
http://www.webs.com/
http://www.homestead.com/
http://www.intuit.com/

Enjoy !

TWIN LAKES COMPUTER USERS GROUP:
http://TLCUG.ark.org
Meet at the Donald W. Reynolds Public Library
Knox Community Room A
1St Thursday of each month 2 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m, until noon.
Check on library website (http://baxtercountylibrary.org
go to calendar events and click on computer group
for a list of their upcoming programs.
Feb 5th - Protection & backup
March 26th - Power Point Basics

WEBSITES/BLOGS HELPFUL INFORMATION - PROVIDED
BY Mary Nida Smith Founder & President of Twin Lakes Writers
& North Central Children’s Writers & Illustrators
January 15, 2011

MANUSCRIPT, COVER & QUERY FORMATS:
Websites… http://writing-world.com/basics/manuscript
http://www.underdown.org/covlettr.
http://www.ehow.com
QUERY LETTERS TO AGENTS: http://www.agentsquery.com/writer

BOOKS:
How to write – ATTENTION-GRABBING QUERY & COVER
LETTERS by John Wood
The Writer’s Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals by Moira Allen
Preparing E-mail Queries by Moira Allen http://www.writing.com/basics/email.shtml

WRITING & ILLUSTRATING BLOG:
http://kathytemean.wordpress.com click on January 5th for the BEST BOOKS WITH EDITORS & AGENTS FOR FICTION, NON-FICTION AND FICTION
HOW’S YOUR QUERY LETTER I.Q.? Dec 28, 2010 Kathy Temean’s blog
UUS PHOTOS ON YOUR BLOG AND ARTICLES Dec 23 Kathy Temean’s blog

AAR Association of Authors’ Representatives is a professional organization for literary and dramatic agents

WRITING PLAYS FOR KIDS: Sandra Fenichel Asher
http://usaplays4kids.drury.edu/playwrights/asher

Midwesterners Sweep Top Awards

Midwesterners Sweep Top Awards

Writers Groups and Information:
Saturday, January 15 from 1-3:30 Twin Lakes Writers
meet at the new Donald W. Reynolds Library.

January 8th Laura(Lonnie), Cherie Neal and I attended the
Ozarks Writers & Illustrators for Children http://owaic.org/ in Springfield, MO.
We enjoyed a Power Point program for writers on "Building a Platform," presented by writer/member,Tom Blubaugh.
President Naomi Shaw, continues to share programs and information
with NC Children's Writers & Illustrators in Mountain Home, AR.
We always have a special time.

I learned Joyce Ragland is the new SCBWI/Mo Regional Advistor.
We wish her the best and look forward 2011. http://moscbwi.org/

Agents and Editors Who Blog can be found at http://www.asuen.com/blog/blog/.central.agents.shtml

The Society of Bloggers in Children's and Young Adult Literature:
KIDLITOSPHERE CENTRAL http://www.kidlitosphere.org/

NATURE IN ACTION click on http://tobyspeed.blogspot.com/
http://phylliscahill.com/

Remember Spring is the time to start checking out upcoming conferences.
I will soon have a list on my blog.

North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators'
member Laurel T. Sheridan published
"WHAT ABOUT WREATHS?

in Vol. 4. Issue 4
on page 1o.
A very interesting piece.
THE KIDS' ART website
http://www.thekidsark.com

(C) Photo by Mary Nida Smith

OLD ROCK DAY

Today is the day

to celebrate old rocks.

No, I am not off my rocker

I am just putting in a few words

why rocks should be respected.

When digging around and underneath

one could break a toe, an arm

or smash your head or house.

My woodland garden has ones

that trip me, move about and

are in the way.

Why do people hate old rocks?

Is it because they are free?

They replace dirty old, odd shaped

rocks with man made smooth ones.

I am happy with the ones

God created and dumped

in my woodland garden.

There is a rock fence

between the upper

and lower level.

I love my old rocks

I wish I had many more.

NATIONAL BIRD DAY today January 5th, and five days ago at Beebe, Arkansas thousands of
beautiful male red-winged blackbirds rained from the sky. I believe the weather confused them - hot one-two days of Spring weather, then the weather changed quickly to a Winter freeze and the birds were caught in-between. Out West they go South for the winter and are the first Spring bird to return on the High Deserts of Idaho. Enjoy all birds, they are a blessing from God to keep the mean bugs from eating us up.

FESTIVAL OF SLEEP DAY was January 3, and I missed out on it. Oh, well so goes life!

Plans for 2011:
# 1. Finish editing photos, writing, and placing items in the church album. Start a new album for 2011. When the activities increase at church the more I get involved with taking photos.
# 2. List of scheduled programs, workshops, and speakers for the Twin Lakes Writers and North Central Children's Writers and Illustrators that I founded and I am the President. Lots of details to work out: Find sponsor, dates that works for most people, press releases, door prizes, and most of all what dates work best for our speakers. Our members are great and willing to help.
# 3. Two goals is all I can handle and keeping my nerves calm.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

© Photo by Mary Nida Smith 2010
Open the gates in 2011 to new writings,

photography, illustrating, and all the

creative arts that will fill your lives
with excitement and joy.

Sincerely,
Mary Nida

Mary Nida Smith
Founder & President
Twin Lakes Writers
North Central Children’s

Writers and Illustrators.

(C) photo by Mary Nida Smith

Today is the first day of winter.
Sunrise in the Ozarks January 2009.
I am looking forward to no snow, no wind;
a beautiful warm winter as we had in 1998.

Yes, I love photographing the beauty of winter.
I have taken neat shots of birdhouses during each season,
kids playing, tree limbs hanging, vultures hanging and flying,
and more.

Each season is a new adventure for photographers, poets, artist and writers.
Enjoy the day. Just think winter is now here where it is working its way toward spring.

WILD ABOUT NATURE: http://wildaboutnaturewriters.blogspot.com/ What a wonderful surprise this morning when I received an email from Kim Hutmacher that my name was drawn to win Roxie Munro's book, ECOMAZES: 12 EARTH ADVENTURES, published by Sterling. I can't wait to read it.

Living and Loving Life: Friday night was our church ladies Christmas party; had a good time and took photos.I enjoy what I do for fun, but it always creates work. Twin Lakes writers met last Saturday to a group of 20. Some of our members were missed. We read manuscripts for fun and critiquing. We are gentle. We shared a lot of helpful information about books in progress, publishing and promoting. We celebrated the upcoming holidays with refreshments. I shared my plans for programs & speakers for 2011 - this is where the work comes in.

Sunday morning I sneaked in to church long enough to sing in the choir and leave. The Fleet Reserve my husband belongs to had their Christmas dinner at noon. No church that night.

Monday morning made a dish to take to Bull Shoals Historical Society Christmas dinner. I believe I brought more food home than I took.

Today, Tuesday I am trying to catch up with work in the house and my studio. I need to catch up with church photos and album( I am the our church photographer and historian). It is difficult to catch-up when it's photo taking time again. It may slow down after all the holidays pass.

Tomorrow is a busy day: Friends of the Library board meeting 12:30 - 1:30, then our regular public meeting from 1:30- 3:00 where I am in charge of refreshments and a table center piece. I enjoy this very much. At 6 p.m., is our Church Christmas dinner and more picture taking.

Next, I need to work on the yearly family Christmas letter, than back to planning programs for the North Central Children's Writers & illustrators and Twin Lakes Writers. I need to learn how to do a Power Point or have someone create one for me.

I am on the run...

Blogroll: Check out my blogroll list each one shares helpful information for writers and illustrators. Writers Beware shares information on bad publishers, contests, and more that will help protect writers. My friend Donna shares information on new markets for writers -Today she shares Choice Publishing's call for manuscripts.

My poem "Weather Mishap" for the month of December is up on Adult "W.O.M." The word for the month was "weather." To enter your poem go to http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com

See you at the Mountain Home library this afternoon from 1-3:30 p.m., at the Twin Lakes Writers meeting.

Authors Book sale and signing was sponsored
by Donald W. Reynolds Public Library in
Mountain Home. It was a success.
Twin Lakes Writers meet Saturday 11th 1-3:30,
at the library. Please join us.
Chuck Butkus

Deborah Lively

Cherie Neal and Patricia A. Oplinger

Sally Zielinski & George Dregor

Barbara Robinette in green. I am sorry,

I never got the other lady's name.

This is just a few of the authors who attended.

People came in to buy books from those mentioned

in the paper, but several were unable to attend.

DONALD W REYNOLDS PUBLIC LIBRARY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:
Saturday, December 4, from 1-3 is the North Central Children's Writers & Illustrators meeting.
Email: marynida@suddenlink.net Website: http://www.nccwi.org
Sunday, December 5, is Authors Day at the Donald W. Reynolds Public Library. Check events
calendar at http://www.baxlib.org

Please join us for one or both.
Come one, Come ALL to our annual Holiday Celebration. Ozark Writers & Illustrators for Children.
Think of the greatest story ever told, of the greatest gift, of the Greatest Event! God's love so great, He sent His son...
So this month, we'll pass the blessings to our author/illustrator friends.We'll gather in the Story Room of the Library Station this coming Saturday, Dec. 4th from 9:00 to 11:00am to celebrate the Season. We have a fun writing activity planned as well as a modest (and quirky) gift exchange.
We exchange a modest ($5.00 or less value, regift, homemade, or white-elephant) wrapped and anonymous. Janie Cheaney is hosting a fun writing activity, so sharpen your pencils. Forks and beverage will be provided for the holiday fare.
Please let me know if you are able to bring a treat.
Naomi providencepark@wildblue.net
http://owaic.org/
Also, IMPORTANT NOTICE: Tom Blubaugh is presenting a workshop on Website management January 8th. This is a valuable tool and a stepping stone to our success as an organization and as authors personally. We need to know who can come. Please let me know so I can have an accurate count. This is the second Saturday in January. The time and place is to be announced. We have benefited greatly from Blu's skill and willingness to maintain our website. And now he is willing to show us his trade. Thank you, Blu!

Speaking Schedule: I learned two important things when I shared how important blogging was to writers. I wrote my program for the 45 minutes I was to speak.
What do you do when preceding speakers run into your time slot and you are only allowed twenty minutes? This can easily happen.
1. Remember to always have a short version hitting only on the most important parts giving the audience who came to learn from you something to take home.
2. Never be the last speaker of the day.I am glad I was able to learn from this experience. If I can learn from my experiences I am one more step ahead of the game

Author David L. Harrison 's November voting list is up and you need to vote for your favorite poem of the month at http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com Thanks!

Ozark Writers Inc: http://owinc.webs.com An interesting and well crafted website & blog.
The days go by fast and I am too slow to catch-up. It was a busy housewife duty day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Photo (C) by Mary Nida Smith
The table displays
a feast for a family
We give thanks
this Thanksgiving
for an over filled plate.

BLOG PLAGIARISM: I am sorry last Saturday at OWL's our afternoon programs run behind schedule. I was unable to share helpful information that writers were interested in hearing. In the twenty minutes allowed I was able to touch on a few items of the many subjects I wanted to share. Hopefully, I was able to give you a hint where you can do more research.

Protect you blog copyright: I will name two. There are more - CopyGator and Creative Commons. Check with GOOGLE to see if they provide on for http://Blogger.com

Do you know where there is protection for your blog, website and photos?

BLOGGING, FAIR USE, BLOG STATS AND PIRACY OF BOOKS:
I hadn't did a Google search (Mary Nida Smith) for awhile to see where my copyrighted material might be used without my permission, or my name or my blogs are appearing.
FAIR USE: My copyrighted poem titled "Christmas Below the Sea" was found on http://filipinos-ww2usmilitaryservice.tripod.com/id1.html under the FAIR USE law Title 17 U.S.C. 107. To learn more go to U.S. Copyright Office: Fair Use http://www.copyrightgov/fls/fl102/html
BLOG STATS: I found a site that had all the stats on my blog -submarinestories.blogspot.com and it's possibility of a future ad making blog. I will not review any more. But now, I know why I received so much spam for that site. The only good good thing they did mentioned all my other blogs and where to purchase my book and more. I don't know if this all is really a good thing or not.
BOOK PIRACY: Below is a link to an article on piracy of books that tells how that piracy is draining income from novelists. This was passed along by courtesy of Lois Kleinsasser (Cait London).That link is http://caitlondon.blogspot.com/2010/11/free-downloads-or-piracy.html Delois McGrew, President OWL

Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, will have their book sale November 18-19-20. I will be helping set-up tomorrow.

Midway Baptist Church will have their Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. So, it is picture time again for me. I am still working on the photos I took Halloween. As their historian & photographer I am kept busy.

Friday, I leave for Branson: Dinner and awards program Friday night. Saturday, Ozarks Writers League at the College of the Ozarks. I will be speaking in the afternoon on how important blogging can be for a writer.
Sunday church and choir, and afterward we attend the Fleet Reserve dinner. Starting Monday, I will be back to work writing. I have been organizing programs & etc for both my writers groups and Author's Day at the library Dec 5th.

The life of a writer who marches to many drum rolls - hey, that's me. I know, it is every woman's life trying to find a balance in all that comes her way. We just need to learn to go with the flow, create when time allows or learn how to say "NO."

The Twin Lakes Writers had a wonderful meeting. We had a large group; three new writers and eight missing regulars.

This morning I had a FOL board meeting. Later, I was able to do some shopping for office supplies. I hate shopping. This afternoon and tomorrow catch-up time on Saturday's meeting notes and two projects for Wednesday.