Writers conference & workshop: Ozarks Writers League meets February 17 at the College of the Ozarks. For more information go to www.ozarkswritersleague.org and click on calendar to learn more about the speakers. Saturday March 10 a free writers conference at Springdale, Ar. You will find more information on the Ozarks Writers League (OWL) website.

Exciting happenings are beginning to surface as the new year slowly
awakes from the old year's holiday celebrations.

Carla Killough McClafferty AR/SCSWI Regional Adviser's book, Something out of Nothing:Marie Currie and Radium (Farrar,Straus and Giroux 2006)has been selected as a 2007 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
for Young people, a cooperatie project of the national Council for Social Studies (NCSS)and the Children's Book Council (cbc).

Katy Duffield, author of Farmer McPeeper and His Missing Cows (Rising
Moon Children's Books)will have a new book released May 07, Mysterious Encounters:Poltergeists (Kidshaven Press). Katy has been published in
several children's magazines.

Darcy Pattison (http://darcypattison.livejournal.com) received her Chinese translation of her children's book 19 Girls and Me, including a CD. Darcy's blog has been sharing information on revisions of writing a picture book.

Arkansas Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators(SCBWI) annual Spring Conference is April 13-14. Speakers are Alexandra Cooper Associated editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Liz Waniewski, editor at Dail and Lin Oliver, SCBWI Executive Director,author and producer. The Conference will be held at UCA, Conway.

I have volunteered my service for the second year as "bag lady." Publishers send me requested catalogs that I place in bags to give to each attendee. Audrey B. Baird, Editor of Once Upon a Time magazine sent over 100 back issues. I sent her a thank you note and a short article for possible publication. It was published in the January 07 issue.

The excitement of what this new year will bring inspires us to continue working toward our goals.

Life is not perfect, therefore I am not perfect. If I don't
give up - take the easy way out I must swallow my pride and
continue to chip away. Like the sculptor chipping away
and smoothing the rough edges until she perfects
the best piece of art she can provide for public view.

Writing- is difficult. I love it, but there isn't a day I don't think of giving it up to spent more time gardening. No matter how hard I try, I make way too many mistakes. I will have a special day for every day is precious.

Life is a continuous struggle. If I didn't continue to struggle to do what I love to do, I wouldn't be rewarded the small and sometimes large rewards hidden in the struggles of life. I received an e-mail from a friend yesterday who has published two children's stories in Spider magazine. Now for the first time an article for a regional magazine: The Ozarks Mountaineer. To me it was one of my rewards. She was so excited and so was I. When friends share I feel happy - life is good. We both will have our articles in May issues. My garden article, MARIGOLDS: A diversified annual with many facets will be published in Ozarks Magazine. This is my fourth or fifth garden piece not all this magazine. I am known as a wild gardener. Allowing the moss and native plants to grow while wildlife visits for a day or more - to drink,eat,chew,dug and most of all have fun. My stress release is watching them out the window of my studio office. The hardest part of writing is not to write as I speak.

Remember to exchange the negative thoughts to positive thoughts. If you think you are not contributing to the world or any person - try sharing a smile, it takes little time, cost nothing and it will turn your life, a friend or a stranger into wearing an everlasting smile filled with good feeling.

Diverted plans, are they created by a higher calling or is it a cop-out to do something else-something easier? Many of my daily plans change as I head out to my studio office before the rooster crows. I am requested to practice the role of one of my many characters - labeled the housewife or better known as house slave. I do remember signing some kind of contract when I got married to love and honor. I have done so with a soft spot in my heart, but I don't remember or was informed I was signing a commitment to be anyone's house slave.

It could be my fault for some of the roles I place myself because I enjoy doing everything. But, I need a break to get to play my favorite role of a writer. No matter what I do, I still write and rewrite in my thoughts and I talk way too much to myself and our little 18 year old dachshund. Oh, by the way she is writing her life stories. The first story is how she came to live with us just a day before the people she was staying with was to sent her to "that place." She finished that one and it has been with a publisher for about four months.

By the time I sit at the computer I am rearing up like an unbridled horse. Yet, I can take a detour with all my plans to work on my children's manuscripts when my mind deverts me to my adult writing. No, no, not that kind of adult writing. Maybe, it is because I started writing for newspapers and regional magazines. So far it has been easier to be published there. Sometimes I think I write too tight in my children's story books and poems. It is so totally different style of writing.

I have written lots of children's material; poems, short stories, picture books and non-fiction. But, I have not been published in this market except in a couple of SCBWI newsletters. I have recieved words of encouragements and suggestions from editors when they have rejected what I had written. I guess my biggest problem is I am not consistent in submitting.

Keep on, keeping on with the mind open to new beginnings.

Time is flying. I relaxed Sunday and Monday in-between mopping up blowing rain below the garage door and the windows of the summer porch. We had about about 6 inches to add to the 2006 total of 58.15 inches.

Sunday night enjoyed the night with PBS-Live from Lincoln Center with the New york Philharmonic and Audra McDonald for two hours and three hours of Great Performances with Garrison Keiller and his guest Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, Emmylou Harris, Old Crow Medicine Show (A new bluegrass group)and several other guests. It was a break from Dick Clark and all that New York roaring sound effects. New Year's Day watched the Rose Parade on HGTV no commercials and both of my favorite college teams played each other, so when one lost, I still had a winner. In-between everything I read the Daddy Goose Treasury and Monster Goose books - the old nursery rhymes will never be the same. It is a great writing exercise to loosen up the silly bones.

Back to work writing cover letters.

Santa Snoopy. I can't believe it another Santa arrived last night his gifts were filled with laughter. This time Santa Snoopy and his Woodstock reindeers arrived delivering the largest Christmas card we had ever seen. Of course Santa Snoopy was in the inside and outside -what a jolly good fellow. Santa Snoopy and his beloved reindeers decided to stay. They know we need company and a reminder to laugh for it is still a wonderful world, no matter what the news reports. When we travel down the road we listen to our Snoopy CD music. I am telling you Snoopy is everywhere in our house. Happy, Happy New Year to all - Laugh and the world laughs with you.

I am re-organizing clutter as I prepare for the New Year.The house slave work will be caught up and the top layer in my creative space cleared, so when the ball drops at midnight on the old year, I will be dropping off to a peaceful sleep while
characters dance throughout the night. My built in alarm will go off between 5 and 6 am on the morning of 2007 and I want to be prepared to start work in my studio office. I don't believe November through January is a good time to submit, items get lost in the mail and editors do have some time for holidays (I would hope).

I was so excited when Santa surprised me with a visit and he was loaded down with gifts. What really surprised me, he forgot he had been here and made a return trip. It was a squealing surprise. I thought maybe he returned for the chocolate milk and roasted marshmallows I forgot to put out.

I squeezed in some interesting TV watching. On CMT I watched scenes from the movie Charlotte's Web, how it was created and met the actors. I have to see the movie. I have always enjoyed the story and I still have the book. I had a little pig that looked like Wilbur. Wiggles was also the runt of the litter. He was raised
in the house, moved to the woodshed and as he grew I sent him to the barn. Wiggles became huge and fat-too big for the barn so he was sent on a very, long trip. Tears of sadness caused pains deep in my chest. I know he is not forgotten for he supplies wonderful memories today.

I watched Secondhand Lions with Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. The story reminds me to look on the bright side each day, maybe the hurts in life can lead to an exciting adventure.

"When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of the pen." -Samuel Lover

Life's Beautiful Path
Have a Merry Happy CHRISTmas and a Healthy New Year. This morning I listen to the words of poet Mattie Stepanek who passed away in 2004. His poems and words of wisdom for hope and peace is so important for people to listen to over and over-then maybe the world would be happier and peaceful. Mattie believed we are on earth for a short time and heaven is forever. While on earth don't waste a day, use it, fill it with joy and peace. I have been blessed with many mircles, love ones and most of all parents that taught me about God's love. I am blessed.

Writing non-fiction books for 2007. My walk in the woods yesterday with my camera in hand I found more material/photos to insert in my fungi and oddities folder. When my granddaughter was visiting she wanted to know what that large thing was among the trees. I thought if she is curious, so would other children. I have gathered a lot of interesting oddities on my everyday walks. I was walking along the shores of the White River taking pictures of the ghost trees and I wanted one filled with vultures. But, they flew away before I got a picture. There is one where the eagles hang out when they arrive in January. Mr. Gaston was there looking for creatures to photography for his website. He said he gets his photos of vultures from the new vistors center. His camera was more powerful than mine. Gaston's White River Resort has nature trails that I hope to walk this spring when it is warm and streamy.

I am disappointed each year as the State and Federal Parks continue to up-grade by cutting down trees and bushes with it comes lots of burning of underbrush and leaves. We move or come to visit to see nature at its best. Every year there is less wild flowers, birds and small animals. If I wanted to see a manicured park, I would have visited the city parks.

Now, I will get off my high horse or soap box to finish my books that kids and adults will be able to see pictures of what was. I love people who set out to create oddites for all of us to enjoy. The book, Eccentric America is filled with wonderful surprises.

I will return. I have been buried in responsibles of repairing storm damage and preparing for the holidays.

There is no downside to creating and enjoying writing - only the downside of allowing ourselves to listen to the "nay sayers."

Happy Holidays
Mary

Children's Books, dachshunds and awards. Each day I renew my creative energy by reviewing another writers' website or blog. I learn from the professionals in the different genres I enjoy writing.

Christine Taylor-Butler http://home.earthlink.net/~kansascitymom She had her first book published in 2003 and now she has 20 books. That is, breath taking fast.

Hotdog on Tv by Karen T. Taha (www.karentaha.com) a Dial Easy-to-Read Level 2 book. Hotdog as you have guessed is a dachshund. I have an eighteen year-old dachshund who is writing a series about her sad and happy life. She shares injuries, mishaps, and how she bounces back to good health to run her daily mile.

The Twin Lakes Submarine Veterans Base won the first prize in the civic category at the Mountain Home Christmas parade. We are very proud of the group.

I had a gardening article about Marigolds accepted for Ozarks magazine's May issue. I love gardening for it mades me feel peaceful and life's beautiful path is indeed worth traveling.

This is the season to buzz along with many projects to do before I turn in a substandard monster of the human race.

Helicopters and Submarines: I am searching for information on the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SEVEN, HSS-1 United States Atlantic Fleet Antisubmarine Defense Force-Hunter Killer Force with Commander Mac A. Graham and J.S. Thach, 16 May 1956-1961. In 1958 who were the sonarman aboard the U.S. Navy's atomic-powered submarine Nautilus when it dived under the polar ice cap at Point Barrow, Alaska. During the journey it passed directly under the North Pole?

I am doing researching on different fungi/mushrooms, caring for injured dachshunds,and Mute Swans to just name a few. I hope to finish a couple of these books for children and adults.

Happy hunting and stay warm.

authors blogs and websites:
Darcy Pattison http://darcypattison.livejournal.com Darcy writes children's books.
Candie Moonshower www.candiemoonshower.com
http://www.militarywriters.blog-city.com/ Military Writers Society of America
www.missouriwritersguild.com
www.ozarkswritersleague.org

Historical Short Story - Fiction or Non-fiction: Recently, I attended a program on how to write historical fiction short stories presented by Pat Carr. Believe it or not, she said to start from 1970 and back to the stone age. Most of the audience had written a short story by the time the program ended. When asked for a show of hands to read what was written down members of the audience provided the beginning, middle and the end. Pat made sure we moved in the right direction to produce a good short story. The last part was for the writer to fill in the gaps and polish it into a sellable short story. An adult short story is ten pages.

In the beginning write down the year the story will take place and the location. Start with a theme/symbol such as your story takes place during the Dust Bowl, when President Kennedy was shot, or a day or year when some other outstanding event took place. What should the reader know before the incident-first set up the story.

Write down an incident that happened or is about to happen. The beginning is the hook to entice the reader to continue.
Who is the characters - use five or less, less is better. Start with the main character showing his/her mood, age, goal or problem. One character causes friction.Characters should have qualities of a caring nature, fear. bitter and etc. Does the main character or one of the other characters have hang-ups, life hanging in a balance(danger), life or death sitiuatin or dying; one or more charactors may believe it is, but to others it is not.
Write the story in the first person or the third. Stay out of peoples heads. Girls write from a girl's point of view and a boy from his insight.

A story should be a life changing experience where a person's life will be changed afterwards from bad to good or sad to happy. The end of the story should end with action, dialogue, or an image of the time of the year, weather or a symbolic note. Don't end with the dawn or morning,or have the weather outside reflect what is happening inside.

Writing the Short-Short Story by Marg McAlister can be found at www.writing-world.com/fiction/shorts, George Edward Stanley has written a wonderful book, Writing Short Stories for Young People, and Why & How I teach with Historical Fiction by Tarry Lindquist at http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/instructor/social 1.htm

Writers ...I am grateful to all the published writers/authors in the many different genres who have crossed my path and taught me how to be a professional writer. Over the years I have stored how-to knowledge in my mind until some days I think I will burst. My burst of energies swell up causing all the characters from untold stories to run through my mind yelling, "I want out. I want out, NOW." Oh, how I look forward to allowing many of the characters to escape in the upcoming days as I squeeze in more writing time.

Myrna Tempe taught me how to stretch a short story into a novel, Ridley Pearson taught me if you want to be a writer I must step out, go for it and never give up, poet Vi Gale said, " You will never be a writer, but your enthusiasm for writing will probably get you there." Then, she turned around called the book review editor at the Oregon Journal, and I had my first writing assignment as a book reviewer, Karen Taha showed me how to persevere, and Dusty Richards pushed me, a stranger in his state out into the crowd (I was hugging a wall for comfort.) at a writers conference in Eureka Springs. The list goes on - Darcy Pattison, Lori Casey Caldwell, Veda Boyd Jones, Joan Banks, Ellen Gray Massey and Max McCoy; this could continue for pages. You will find more in my blog in days ahead about the ones noted and the ones not noted. So many wonderful hard working writers and I am so pleased to have met and known.

Writers and photographers beware the rules are changing incredibly fast. It appears we must keep up with the electronic world of the future. What I have read and heard made me disappointed. Some of the answers I need are difficult to find on the internet, in books or from friends.

For several years one of the writers groups I belong to had speakers who knew their craft as authors, editors, publishers and agents. It has slowly moved toward having speakers where I rush to Preditors and Editors website, click WARNINGS to check their credibility. A speaker may have a long list of credits and degrees attached to his or her bio, but I am learning you can't always rely on it.

POD Print on Demand, E-Publisher or self-published by a printer are some of the companies you pay or the company will publish your book free. I may be wrong it may be the world of the future. But, I question if they are well written books and will any endure for generations to enjoy. By going the instant route an author doesn't have to abide by rules or need to worry about changes to their manuscript. But, are they misleading the writer who comes to hear them speak or give workshops. Be careful not to become involved where it allows an editor from a trade publisher to question your credibility.

Editor is another title that can be misleading. When an author mentions editor we think of someone at a big reliable publisher not a book doctor or someone who edits books for a fee. There are good book doctors and freelance editors. If you are having one as a speaker it needs to be explained in the brochure before people are mislead. Do not pay an agent or a publisher. To learn more about the writing profession check out the different authors websites, read how-to books at the library, ask published authors and join the Writers Digest book club.

On Friday, Novemeber 24 on Book TV C-Span2 I listen to the program,"The Google Print Project and the Future of the Written Word." The panel members were Marvin Kalb, Allen Adler, Paul Aiken, Jonathan Band, Andrew Glass, David Robbins and Sidney Verba. The decussion is, will Google's print program protect the authors and the publishers from theft. Go to ww.booktv.org

I have to learn more about the updates in black and white negative and slides developing. Can they be saved or will I have to toss them.

Mary Nida Smith is blogging. I am a person who loves life. God has truly blessed me. Thanksgiving Day is everyday. I am full of ideas for writing, illustrating, gardening, crafting and inventing things.

When I mention to friends what I have accomplished or what projects I am working on, they say I am bragging. They don't realize this has been a lifetime struggle to do all the things I love to do in-between moving many times. Each place I have lived I have seen and learned many wonderful things. I have joined or started a writers group or artist guild. I always check out the newspapers and libraries for I got my first start writing book reviews for the Oregon Journal and I have written for papers in Washington, Idaho and Arkansas. Librarians have been a great help in answering questions, introducing me to published authors and illustrators. For two years I have taught creative writing for the children's summer programs. I love children; they are smart and creative. I believe we learn from each other;this is the fun part.

I am writing non-fiction and fiction picture books. I made one dummy with about 27 illustrations for a 32 page picture book. I continue to submit; who knows maybe today will be my lucky book day.

Writers are everywhere. Everyone appears to be a writer, but can they write? The answer is yes and some are very good. Most people write for themselves and wouldn't let an editor edit their material even if it meant getting published. I am not a writer without mistakes. Editors' suggestions and changes have improved my work where I was able to be published. I have a lot of respect for editors. They want you to look good in print for that makes them look good. We are all in the same field.

Writing is easy, rewriting and rewriting for publication and going by their rules/guidelines is work. Remember a doctor, lawyer and other professional people didn't get their degree overnight, it took commitment to study and practice. In any career we have a superior to direct us.

Today,I received a rejection from a magazine for an essay I submitted. It was a big time magazine I have always loved. I followed all the rules to submit so I know I have no regrets. My day will come. I don't easily give up. Today I know I have a couple of future deadlines to meet. I will concentrate on doing my best.