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
I was raised on farms where country living and nature has been instill in me. The title of my blog is to remind me to stay positive.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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)
and yearly auction is today, April 27 from 1:30 - 3 p. m.
Refreshments will be served. (Mountain Home, Arkansas)
Friday, April 22, 2011
(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.
Thursday, April 21, 2011

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.
Monday, April 18, 2011
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.
Friday, April 15, 2011
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
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Time Capsule Placement Ceremony
at the Donald W. Reynolds Library Sunday,April 10,2011
It was wonderful and exciting. Took anout 24 photos.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
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.

Friday, April 08, 2011
TWIN LAKES WRITERS MEET SATURDAY, APRIL 9, FROM 1-3:30 KNOX COMMUNITY ROOM A IN THE DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
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.
Friday, April 01, 2011
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.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
STORYTELLER MAGAZINE Cover photo (C) by Mary Nida Smith http://thestorytellermagazine.com/ Thank you, Regina!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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
(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
Sunday, March 20, 2011
WRITERS ASSOCIATIONS DIRECTORY
http://www.ebookscrossroads.com
http://www.ebookscrossroads.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
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
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.
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