Writers Conferences & Workshops: April 4-6 Arkansas Literary Festival in Little Rock http://www.arkansasliteraryfestival.org. April 11-12 The Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Brewer-Hegemon Center University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR. Speakers Jennifer Emmett an executive editor of children's books at the National Geographic Society, Lisa Graff an assistant editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers and she is an author, check her blog http://lisagraff.blogspot.com and www.lisagraff.com, MelanieHope Greenberg is an illustrator of 16 books, 6 of which she wrote, and Darcy Pattison is the author of picture books and novels. April 11-13 Missouri Writers' Guild Writers Conference in Columbia, Mo www.missouriwritersguild.org. August 30, White County Creative Writers Conference www.whitecountycreativewriters.org. Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc Conference www.owfi.org. Springfield Writers Guild Conference http://www.swgsite.org, Ozarks Creative Writers Conference www.ozarkscreativewriters.org, and May 4, Books in Bloom, Eureka Springs www.booksinbloom.org. For more information on conferences go to http://writersconferences.showguides.com

Websites and blogs: On Being a Writer http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com and my new website under construction at http://marynidasmith.homestead.com

Thanks for dropping in, continue to write your dreams into realities.

Storytelling is fun and a rejection letter can be helpful. I love to listen to a storyteller it reminds me of a one person play. Valerie Goetz, a Native American started with a question which pulled us into the story, then she continues to built the plot, making us listen close to hear and see what is going to happen next. She brings it to a close with the main character solving its problem. It is like someone reading their picture book. I read somewhere it takes twenty minutes to read 1,000 words. While she was telling stories we were making a "Dreamcatcher" A bag of material was given to each person attending her program at the Baxter County Library. We had two flute players presenting Native music. It was a fun two hours.

Don't forget to read Darcy Pattison's blog "Revision Notes" www.darcypattison.com, she is reporting from the 08 winter SCBWI Conference in New York City.

Today, I received a rejection on a children's picture book manuscript(325 words) that had been out since May 9th, 2007. It was with editor Liz Waniewski at Dial Books For Young Readers, whom I had met at the Arkansas SCBWI conference last Spring. I love this type of rejection letters. It soften the pain of rejection. It is one that is thoughtful and helpful. I will continue to send it once again. But, in the meanwhile I will take her suggestions to heart and rewrite it. I will read both the rejection and manuscript at our next children's writers meeting. I know they will give me some helpful suggestions. Write on and stay warm.

Information for writers: In future blogs I will try to provide websites to search and books to read that will help the beginner writer. Today I will start with the few listed below.
www.childrenswriter.com (For all ages)
http://www.stonesoup.com
http://www.kidsmagwriters.com
http://janfields.com
http://www.CBCbooks.org

Check out your favorite authors websites they provide a lot of helpful information.
Don't ever forget your library for they provide sources for writers in the adult, teens and children's area. If you can't find the books ask someone.

Tuesday evening the tornado had us in hiding at the library. Thanks to author Darcy Pattison she continued reading her wonderful books and shared how she got her ideas for writing each one. Plus, we had a workshop on how to write a scene and to revise. The writer writes, then the writer revises until it is a story that jumps off the pages and readers wants to read it over and over.

Baxter County Library is buzzing with excitement for they were awarded a $9.8 million grant from the Donald W. Reynonds Foundation to build the beautiful new library. Our wonderful library was small but was busting at the seams with exciting programs. Libraries, newspapers and culture art centers are very important for they create excitement and build hope. Hopefully, tonight the weather will not put a damper on the special programs provided by author Darcy Pattison. Darcy will share with the children from 5-6 pm, and the adults and teens at 7 pm. I have been looking forward to seeing Darcy for several months. Come and join us by calling the library today. Bring pen and notepad.

Darcy will awake the sleeping writer in you or if you are a working writer she will excite the spirit to continue. The library has a large selection of books for writers in all genres-check them out.

Stilllife by Mary Nida Smith (c)

Home grown tomatoes

I love creating stillife. Most of my stilllife photographs was created when it wasn't popular.

The Red-headed Woodpecker's living quarters are being destroyed for cosmetic reasons. To beautify an area in the Natural State for the tourist. I thought tourist came for the beauty of wildflowers, wildlife, dogwoods, redbuds, and the forest greenery. The woodpecker begins nest-building early if snags and acorns are available. This area in our Natural State is perfect for them. I was informed there was several hundred acreage the Red-headed Woodpecker could move to. Pray tell who is directing and paying for this move. Has the woodpecker received it's eviction noticed? No, they haven't heard the sad news of their eviction for they appear happy and very busy.

On to happier times. The past two weeks have been very busy and exciting. When one gathers with friends with the same interest it can only be a happy occasion. Friday January 11 we met in Oakland the four of us to chat about the latest happening in our personal lives and our latest goals in writing for the children's market. Valerie is a wonderful cook, so we enjoyed breakfast muffins, cookies and carrot cake with coffee. What a lovely home and area to live.
Since the meeting, one of Barb's llama's had a surprise birth. She sent us pictures of the darling baby.

I enjoyed the Baxter County Friends of the Library meeting Wednesday where speaker Bill Woodiel co-author of Stone Songs on the Trail of Tears shared his knowledge of this interesting part of United States history. Stories about the treatment of Indians upsets me for we gained so much knowledge from them and continue to from the stories they shared in books. Books are a wonderful invention.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful time with freelance writer, author and journalist over a pizza lunch in my Garden Studio. She had the exciting news of signing a book deal. Kerri shared a copy of her book No immediate Threat - The Story of an American Veterans that I have started to read. I will share more on my http://submarinestories.blogspot.com/ and you can go to her website http://www.writeforyou.biz/

I didn't realize when I organized my studio office that I would not be able to find things until I remember their new placement. Back to enjoying life and writing. I bet when I was born and the doctor hit me on the behind I yelled, I want to be a writer. I am still yelling it. I found out that all brains are not created equal. So be patience with me.

Organize & Schedule: I have been organizing my studio. It is difficult task for I must make choices on what to eliminate. If I didn't remove items that doesn't benefit my future plans once a year, I would have to tunnel in. Unimportant magazines go the library free bin and books for their next book sale.

Books I agonize over like dead heading flowers. Books are essential for a writer's survival. Dead blossoms on flowers are essential for bird feed, dried arrangements and just because I think they are pretty. I am a natural pack rat. There is a purpose for everything I gather to be used to create a craft, a model used in a drawing or work it into my writings. I love bugs for they hold so many secrets, nuts and shells, broken bird eggs and old nests, dried leaves, fungi, stones and feathers.

I have created a two month schedule to get my priorities in order with deadlines. Deadlines I put on myself are very helpful. My life as a writer changes everyday. This is the exciting part that keeps a writer writing. So... back to writing and organizing.

Watch for blog updates on how the red-headed woodpeckers as so many birds and animals are being pushed into an early death. Meeting with three other writers with writing goals for the children's market. We are working on novels, poetry, articles, and short stories. Plus, I am working on my adult non-fiction books. I will list some conferences and workshops. Post reminders of authors coming to town. Please keep in touch and check my other blog http://submarinestories.blogspot.com that promotes military books and information.

THE GARDEN STUDIO - Mary Nida Smith

My studio office was designed and built in the boat alcove of our garage.
The four walls are filled with wild adventures past, present and future. There are shelves on both sides of the Dutch door. I own about 400-500 books Several working projects have branched off to rooms in the house. I can't believe how my studio can look in a couple of months after finishing several writing projects. January and February are months I try to weed out debris and removed deadfall:books, ideas, old files and just plain clutter. Once it is organized I try to spend twenty minutes before I start work to keep it organized.

I had articles on organizing the studio office published in The Owl's Hoot (Ozarks Writers League), MO Scribbles (Missouri SCBWI) and Fine Lines (SCBWI Australian Chapter) newsletters. So... I try to practice what I teach/preach.
Ideas pop-up like forbidden vines engulfing me until I say, "Yes, you can squeeze in my over-cluttered studio and mind." Well, this year of 08 ideas will be pulled and destroyed before they can become rooted. Also, this year I hope to mail what I have finished, fertilize what needs polishing, stimulate more growth on half-grown projects and bury most treasured ideas for a year.

Darcy Pattison is coming to Baxter County Library at Mountain Home, Arkansas February 5. Register in January at the library or online at http://www.baxtercountylibrary.org/ or call 870-425-3598 ext. 26. Author Darcy Pattison is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators and she teaches creative writing. To learn more about her books and career go to http://www.darcypattison.com/.

Darcy will have a program Tuesday February 5, from 5-6 pm for children with her special guest Oliver K. Woodman. The children will create a craft to take home. It will be an exciting program.

At 7 pm, Darcy will present a program for adults and teens interested in creative writing. If you are thinking about writing as a career or writing family history Darcy's program "How to Write a Scene" will help you. The fee is $10 to be paid at the library.

BITS & PIECES:

I have a very special friend Wes Bensching whose music blows me away. Here is what people are saying about it:
Wes Bensching is a true music Mosaicist who weaves his instrumental sounds into a creative law of writing and producing.
He takes small pieces of inlaid notes formulated from several instruments to create a mosaic sound of slowly tiered water moving allowing the mind to travel to imaginary Islands of peaceful joy.
Playing Bensching's style of music is background for a relaxing evening, a candlelight dinner or keep one calm while organizing the studio office before filling the mind with the clutter of the day.
You can find titles such as Glowing Windchimes, Dragon Fly, Castles are Blue, Sister I love and Out the Window at iTunes.

I am out to save my friends the red-headed woodpeckers whose homes are being destroyed. They are on the declining species list. I am upset. Hopefully I have the Arkansas Game & Fish and the Audubon Society (I am a member.) helping me save their tree homes.

May all writers take wing in the moments of stillness to gain strength to reach for the stars in 2008.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR.

Lurch at Rocky Ridge Refuge http: http://www.rockyridgerefuge.com/ 2004 Click on photos to enlarge

When my family comes to visit each year from Naperville we are always looking for unusual places to explore. August 10, 2004 we read an article in The Baxter Bulletin newspaper that Lurch was placed in the Guinness World Records book. I knew from that article this was the place to explore on October 23, 2004. We had a great time. The brave girl in the photos is my granddaughter Nicole Hoekstra. To remember this and other events I created Nicole a scrapbook with a story titled, Ozarks Vacation.

Later, I wrote an article on this visit with Lurch and the refuge for The Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine. It was published in the Jan/Feb 2006 issue. http://www.ozarksmountaineer.com/ From this visit and article my son-in-law purchased the Guinness World Record Book.

To learn more about the exciting and wonderful things happening with Janice Wolf, the caregiver and the refuge click on their website . Other websites to click on is: Ellen De Generes Show http://ellen.warnerbros.com/, http://www.zootoo.com/, and http://www.baxterbulletin.com/.

Each day is an new adventure-walk the trails around the Twin Lakes area this winter. I love the walking the trails. This is what I have on my winter list to do.

Book signing at "Authors' Day" 2 December Sunday 2-4 pm at the Baxter County Library at Mountain Home. To participate you have to registered your name and book at the library. To learn more go to www.baxtercountylibrary.org. It will be an exciting day for writers. My most exciting moments at my book release in Branson was my two sisters and their husbands who drove nine hours to surprise me. They tested my heart. Short of a heart attack I verily regained by breathe to say "hi." Our friends and neighbor Larry and Virginia surprised us. They purchased our book and books from other authors sitting near us. Plus, I would like to thank family members and friends who sent best wishes. All of this means lots of wonderful memories to add to my memory book.

The colors of Autumn and Spring in my Woodland Garden makes my heart sing for joy - God indeed is the blue ribbon artist of all.

This morning five large does entered my garden. At the frightening bark of the neighbor's fenced in dog they quickly turned, with running leaps headed east. They never had the chance to linger to prune my bushes. I allow native plants to come up where they please for the wildlife and me.

God is wonderful. He always reminds me there is a bright light that always shines above the dark clouds. It is up to me to allow that light to shine for me as I go forward or stay in the shadows of gloom. Well, I have always enjoyed the sunshine with a breathe of fresh air.

I wish I could have met MWSA children's book award winner Jenny Sokol. She wrote I'm a Hero Too.

It is time I get back to the business of writing. I am working on several exciting projects: books for children and adults. I still have four children's book manuscripts, three poems and a garden essay floating in never, never land or should I say in the land of hope. We mailed 16 of my books today; a sign people are enjoying the stories in my book.

Let the sun hit your back feeling the warm comfort knowing each day is a new beginning.

Submarine book updates, PR beware information for writers and interesting new books will be placed on this website. Right now I am snowed under after returning from my book signing in Branson November 5-7. In the meanwhile check updates on my other blog http://submarinestories.blogspot.com. Enjoy the warm weather and the artistic work of God.

The writing life never prepared me for behind the scenes of a first book release. I have tried to keep the public and friends updated since it was finished; which seems like years ago. It was suppose to be released last Spring, then Fall 06. Now, a limited addition has been released. The publisher is calling this the first printing and there will be a second printing. to meet the request. This is an exciting time and a stressful time. I am grateful for all the congratulations coming from friends and the excitement the book has produced among our submarines friends.

I am beginning to receive notices of upcoming conferences. Jerry Libstaff sent one for the 2008 Watermark Writer's Conference September 26,27 and 28, taking place at Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal, Washington. Our niece and her husband teach school in that area. I enjoy knowing what is happening with other writers groups. I discover publishers to submit to and learn what new and old friends are doing when I check their websites, blogs and newsletters. Also, check out their links to find research material and helpful information.
Read the different writers groups' newsletters. Also, check out their links to find research materials and other helpful information. I copied the Coeur d' Alene Chapter of the Idaho Writers league newsletter the Lakegazette. I found it filled with 10 pages of information. Nancy Owens Barnes, one of their members has a new book South to Alaska, an exciting non-fiction. Believe it or not, Nancy has an Arkansas connection.

National E-Book Conference will be held at Portland, Oregon, March 6-9, 2008. information is found on page 9 of the above newsletter. Spread your horizons read what other writers are doing. Oh... by the way of all the e-mails I received last week one was from a literary agent who rejected me a few years back. Good agency. I wouldn't mind being a client there.

A cousin, RJ Nida has updated me on his family and my uncle Melvin who lives at Salem, WV. I purchased Jack's new book, Images of Roane County, a history book of the early settlement of that area. My family history dates back to that area in 1740 when they came from Germany. Jean Carper's latest book is out EatSmart, go to usaweekend.com. Marlene Ford and Jim Yoder have books out on mountain climbing and Jodie Larsen has published several novels to enjoy reading during this winter by a cozy fire.

Time passes quickly-work piles up and it's all in a day. I laugh and cry as I enjoy the day God has honored me with as I try to balance my life of writing and doing what is required duties.

Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri is planning on nominating a state poet laureate. Nominate your favorite poet by December 1st at http://gov.missouri.gov/MPL.htm. Information provided by Sylvia Forbes, Freelance writer.

Cara Brookings,contemporary novel Gadget Greek, for middle grade is under contract with Goldminds Publishing, LLC. This is her second novel to be published. Her first novel Doris Free, a historical fiction was published by Mondo Publishing. She is a member of the Arkansas Chapter of SCBWI. Kathy Duffield another member was honored with a letter of merit in the SCBWI Work-in-Progress grant competition this year for her young adult novel. Arkansas SCBWI Spring Conference held at UCA on April 11-12, 2008 will have speakers Jennifer Emmett, editor at National Geographic, Lisa Graff, editor at FSG and author Melanie Hope Greenburg.

Author Jane Yolen will be holding workshops at Columbia, Missouri during November. Click on http://www.kindcrone.com/ under November events. Milbre Burch recommends this workshop to all published writers working in the fairytale and fantasy genre. Don't forget SCBWI/Missouri Conference Saturday November 10, 2007 at St. Charles Community College. http://www.geocites.com/scbwimo

This was a greet week for me. One morning I had coffee and molasses cookies with Valerie, one of my writing friends. She provided the cookies. She loves to cook. We both missed our other friend Lonny as she was under the weather. We always have a good time together. Valerie mentioned one can only talk about writing to another writer. If you say you are a writer to a non-writer, they look at you as if you had another eye in the middle of your forehead. Serious writers are professional writers who keep the green monster in check.

I attended the local Arts & Crafts Show. The fairground building was packed with lots of hard working craft people. I saw my friend Dorothy and her husband James Wheeler, of Mountain Home. They both are nature photographers that do outstanding work. I met Lonny Canady from Maumelle, Arkansas. He is a landscape artist whose work took me to imaginary places from my past and where I wish I was again. His paintings take your breath away. He'll be at Mountain View Bean Festival coming up next week. I am glad to see a gourd artist from Bull Shoals still crafting her wonderful imaginary fantasy items. All one needs is some fairy dust and shrinking powder to enter. I love the jewelery created with beautiful stones. You can check out the local craft gift shop on the square at Mountain Home. Plus, I attended the Bull Shoals Art Show where the it gets bigger each year. They are a dedicated art group of enjoyable people.

Check out my other blog: http://submarinestories.blogspot.com

Audubon Society, Arts Center and writing organizations. For every genre or writing interest there is a group to join; Dog Writers Association, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Garden Writers Association of America, America Society of Journalists & Authors, and many more can be found at the back of the Writer's Market. In each group will be members with one or more blogs where you will learn and can ask questions.

Check out http://www.christinetaylorbutler.com/ where you can learn more about the Juvenile Writers of Kansas City and check out Christine's Friends and Favorite sites where you will receive lots of good information.

I am stepping out more and more. The writing business is a lonely one. When I was writing articles for magazines and newspapers I was out talking to people. Then, I decided I wanted to spend my writing time I squeezed out each day on my fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults. I hate unfinished projects. Unfinished writings and continuously writing for free is a dead end. I must stay focus. Deadlines keep me focused and this is what I must place on myself.

I was unable to go out for a few years to different organizations where I could learn more about the subjects I am writing about because of our little ill miniature dachshund who needed me. She went on a long journey April 13, 2005 -Black Friday! I wanted to place Baby Girl's picture down here, but she decided she wanted to be placed where everyone could see her. She loved to go for rides before she reached the age of nineteen.

Last Monday, I went to the Audubon Society where I learned about bears, spiders, birds and photography. I have wanted to check out the Olde main Street Arts Center in Yellville. I wasn't disappointed. The crafts were nicely displayed. The crafters I spoke to were filled with excitement to first of all have the owners believe in what they were creating and encouraging them to expand their talents. Every town needs a place for creative people to express themselves. This type of creativity and music expressions can only enhance a community.

Writers, Conferences & Books: Check out Kerri Fivecoat-Campell at http://www.writerforyou,biz/htm to learn more about her business as an award winning writer, columnist and photojournalist. Click on http//www.KCWrite4u.blogspot.com to read her interviews with authors, writers and other business people.

Ozarks Creative Writers Inc., 39th Annual Conference, October 11,12, & 13, 2007 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas http://www.ozarkcreativewriters.org/.
Saturday November 3, Velda Brotherton's Fall Workshop will be at Ozark Folkways south of Winslow, Arkansas http://www.veldabrotherton.com/.
Maumelle, Arkansas is having a Writers Conference November 3, 2007 http://www.maumellearts.com/.

Eccentric America by Jan Friedman is a wonderful book to use while traveling. The kids will love it. Kids just reading the book will produce a silly giggle and a smile from ear to ear. The book is loaded with interesting places to visit that will have you amazed - people with fascinating and extraordinary hobbies. This is a great source for travel writers and for writers of children's stories and books. Many small towns with outlandish sights were put on the map after being mentioned in one of Friedman's books. Such as Cottonwood, Idaho under 2,000 population with their Dog Bark Park. It has been written up in magazines and been shown on television shows.

Check out Bats at the Beach, a picture book by Brian Lies. I love sitting on the summer porch at dusk to watch the bats come to the Fly-In Yard Light Cafe for their evening meal. The past two weeks we have been enjoying and feeding a fox that has been visiting our woodland garden. Didn't see it today as this is a holiday week-end.

Nature and flowers bring peace and tranquility to my door.

Oh, the ups and downs of a writer. Many of the days I resigned myself to give up the whole writing thing. To become involved in hobbies that allow me to float through life. Just to enjoy gardening, sewing, painting, puttering around the house, on the deck and the summer porch. Last Friday, I spent the day with my husband in my woodland garden raking, trimming and watering. I get so involved with my mud turtles, woodpeckers and other birds, a tree-legged raccoon and insects. I could watch them from sunrise to dawn until the bats disappear into darkness blocking my view. Sometimes, I do have the opportunity to sit on the summer porch to count a few stars and see how the moon will shape-up. Everywhere inside the house and out are affiliated with wildlife and the out-of-doors. such as birdhouses, fishing, nests, feathers, bird cages and a large black cricket on the fireplace hearth for good luck. One of the neighbors gave my husband two bird houses for watering their plants while they were on a trip. Why visiting my family at Naperville in August, my daughter and granddaughters after touring through several neat little shops presented me with a large white box with a bright pink bow. It was so pretty I hated to open it, but I did. What a surprise, a pedestal dish. The base was the form of a tree trunk with two male cardinals. Beautiful.

You can read between the lines I know you can. You are saying to yourself and to whoever will listen, she just received a rejection. So, you are right. I checked the publisher at http://www.publisherslunch.com/ and they had changed the editor after receiving my manuscript. This editor has different request on the type of books she would like to see. Oh, well... I already feel better. Once I reorganize my studio office and the large folding table in the guest room, I'll be excited to get back to writing. The love of my life for it places me into many different corners of the world.

I have finished several projects that need to be floating out in never, never land where I hope editors will snag one or two as trophies to become books. Sometimes, I allow myself to think about finding a partner to work on some of my non-fiction books. But, I'm a little crazy I see things... the world different than most people. I am like a butterfly that loves to try the nectar from all types of flowers. Writing is a passion to die-hard writers. Write on! See you on the printed page.