OZARK WRITERS LEAGUE

BRANSON AND COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

I wanted to let you know in advance of some upcoming events so you'd have plenty of time to make arrangements. Your OWL newsletter will be arriving in your inbox in  just a few weeks with complete information, but until then, mark your calendars for the next OWL weekend - May 16th & 17th.

If you're coming in for overnight, ask for the OWL member rate at Ye Olde English Inn or at the Homestead Motel.  BoxCar Willie Motel has closed for extensive renovations, and these two properties are offering similar rates just for us. You can get details on the OWL website under the "Accommodations" tab, or check the "Meetings" page.

May is our annual auction, and we need your support!  We'd love to have donations of items in good condition or gift certificates to sell, and hope you will come prepared to bid on a few items yourself!

May is also Bring A Friend For Free month, so round up that writer-friend or artist and bring them to the Saturday meeting at no charge!

The Manuscript Critique Sessions were such a hit that we've added them to the Friday Night activities as well as Saturday afternoon. You'll want to brush up your manuscript and make a date with leader Pam Foster!

We also have a visiting literary agent, Jeanie Loiacono, who will be taking pitches on Saturday, so reserve your time slot in advance.

All these details can be found at www.ozarkswritersleague.com - Save the Date, and I'll see you there!

Confidence to be Bold Without Being Overbearing

 

It may be late coming into my life, but I am going to continue to gain confidence to
go forward with my dreams. Low confidence allowed people to abuse me into believing I couldn’t accomplish my goals for I wasn’t privileged to be able to gain an education on their level.  Yes, I allowed it for years before I felt I had to walk away. I know now, people will love me as I am. Some will continue to try to destroy me and my dreams; this is not love and friendship.

 I know I was born a dreamer with many goals, but at this time in my life I need to work very hard to focus on one creative ability and do it exceptional pleasing for myself.   

 I must eliminate outside projects that don’t enhance my goal.  I must gather strength from God, not man. “The things which are impossible with man are possible with God.”

  

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL

                  46th Annual Children's Literature Festival

For Children in Grades 3 -10

2014 Festival

dates are: 

March  16, 17, & 18 

Registration Fees
Adults: $15.00 and Children: $8.00

Sunday Luncheon $25.00/Adults & $17.00/Children

Pre-Registration for all festival events required

For More Information:

Naomi Williamson

Telephone: 660-543-4306

Email: clfreg@ucmo.edu
2444 James C. Kirkpatrick Library
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg MO 64093

Darcy Pattison Author

Saturday, February 15, 2014.

Oh, how fast time goes by since that Saturday for I been wanting to share it with my friends. I arrived at the library at 9:55 before the doors open, so I had to wait five minutes before being able to go down stairs to the children’s library for Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Author Darcy Pattison from Little Rock  would be sharing her children books. She didn’t arrive until almost 11 p.m. She had an unrepairable flat.

Poor girl, the last time she visited the Baxter County Library, Gassville tornado roared through this area. I was there that afternoon for she was also speaking to writers.

It was wonderful to see her again. I have been to SCBWI week-end retreats and

conferences where Darcy was involved. The first thing she did was put me to work clicking on her power point as she changed the pages of her book, “The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman” as she read. I am like a little kid I get so busy listen and watching the kids’ reaction I almost forgot to change the pages with her. I and the kids loved it. Darcy also share  the upcoming release of her book, “Wisdom-The Midway Albatross,” illustrated by SCBW-AR member Kitty Harvill and published by Mims House. http://mimshouse.com. I purchased the two mentioned books above.

Children’s Librarian, Deborah Edmonds and Darcy invited me to have lunch with them at our wonderful Blackbird Café.   I enjoyed it very much.

Afterwards, I stopped in with The Free Verse Poetry Group to be counted and purchase 9 of our latest CD, “Driftwood.” The group (which, I am a member) was meeting at the library the same time I signed up for Darcy’s afternoon blog workshop. Darcy did a great job teaching this class of about 27 attendees. She uses WordPress and I use Blogger. I was able to learn a few things I can incorporate into my blogging and posting, and maybe make a few bucks.

I missed the Fleet Reserve dinner at 178 Club in Bull Shoals – everything always appears to happen all in one day. I can’t be everywhere, even if I would love to.

As you can see, I am writing this quickly before another two weeks go by.

 

BAXTER COUNTY LIBRARY AUCTION MARCH 29

http://auctionfriendsofthelibrary.blogspot.com/2014/02/friends-of-library-auction-baxter-county.html?spref=fb

New Post Update Coming Soon.

I will soon be posting my February 15th visit with author Darcy Pattison  and updates on Women in Nature Anthology to be released in May.

ARCTIC FREEZE - POEM

ARCTIC FREEZE

© by Mary Nida Smith

It is the first I am told
in many, many years
the earliest force of nature
adds insult to animals
and the human race.
Late fall night peaceful sleep.
Early morning sunrise
shattered ice beads
against the window panes.
Throughout days ahead
high wind chases rain
out for ice to form,
snow quickly moves in
covering the danger below.
Home bound, bone chilling
in a winter that turned
Southern states upside down.

Edit, Proofread, Layout & Design your next book.

Alathea Daniels, who created the booklet insert for the Free Verse Poetry Group's new CD, "Driftwood," offers her work-for-hire. Information stated on her business card below.

I can help you with your next book!
Proofread, Edit, Layout & Design
       ALATHEA DANIELS
          (870) 656-9082
windsong@mtnhome.com
P.O. Box 1494, Mountain Home, AR 72654

PAT DURMON POET SPEAKING JANUARY 24TH

Pat Durmon will give a Poetry Reading at Good Samaritan’s Assisted Living this Friday, Jan 24 at 10:30. (200 Good Samaritan Drive---then, the first driveway on the right up the hill. ) The Adult Children/Families of Residents of Good Samaritan’s and community are invited.  Poetry Readings will come from Lights and Shadows in a Nursing Home, Pat’s latest book.  The Reading will last about 20 minutes;  a book signing will follow.  (Books sell for $15.)  Good Samaritans and Pat welcome you. 

Women in Nature

Let's get a "kickstart"!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/948518643/win-women-in-nature

 

 

 

 

 

Published Credits  December 2013

 

Poem: Journal Observation

Interview of Mary Nida Smith about

how she set out to save the Redhead

Woodpecker and the tree that has its

insects to survive. By Helen Maxwell.

ILLUSTRATONS

                                 I hope to do some painting this year. This is from our Monday
                      night drawing classes a few years ago. Last year was my first time in a
                      long time I have entered a painting and photographs in an exhibit and art
                      show. I am doing some illustrations with photos and watercolors for a
                      couple of picture books I have written.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Home - 2014 Children's Literature Festival, March 16-18, 2014 - UCM CampusGuides at James C. Kirkpatrick Library

Women in Nature: An Anthology

Coming in 2014!  

A story of mine will be published in this publication.

Women in Nature: An Anthology

How do women connect with
nature?  And how do they live their lives inspired and sustained by all life on this earth.

Women in Nature is an anthology of amazing true stories by women from all the varied places on this earth, including 5 featured noteworthy authors, who live their passion!


PUBLICATION SCHEDULED FOR APR 2014

Rich Davis, Illustrator

Pick and Draw Game awarded by richdavis1

Pick and Draw Game was awarded  by The National Parenting Center with the high honor of their "Seal of Approval".  This is highly sought after by those who make games of all kinds and it came after 8 weeks of rigorous testing criteria and different testing groups.  I give thanks to the Lord for this and wish you would pass the word onto others so that they can purchase and use the game with their children...whether parents or educators or occupational therapists or homeschoolers or mission workers.  If you click the Pick and Draw game icon above (right), you can easily purchase a game at our online store and your kids will be drawing some great cartoons in no time!

 

AUTHORS EVENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Rescheduled local authors book signing and sale Sunday, December 22, from 1-4. Please support your local creative people and purchase their books, fiction, non-fiction, photographs, greeting cards, cookbooks, illustrations and more. Come on in say "Hi" and ask question - learn from them.

 

Creative Writers & Illustrators

Free Verse Poetry Group 

Twin Lakes Writers

Bull Shoals Writers

Ozark Regional Arts Council

Nida Crafts and Recycling: Preview "Handcrafted Chrismas Tree Decorations"

Nida Crafts and Recycling: Preview "Handcrafted Chrismas Tree Decorations"

SUNDAY UPDATE - LOCAL AUTHORS BOOK SIGNING AND SALE

Thank you for registering to be a featured author at the Holiday Book Sale and Signing event at the Library this Sunday, December 8, 1:00pm – 4:00pm.  We are looking forward to it!

 

Many of you have inquired about what will happen in the event of bad weather.  The event will go on as scheduled unless the Library is closed due to serious weather conditions, in which case, the event will be cancelled.  Most likely, we will not know until Sunday morning whether or not we will be closed.  Please check KTLO radio or the Library’s website at www.baxlib.org Sunday morning for closing information.  If the event is canceled, it will not be rescheduled.

 

Of course, we are keeping our fingers crossed that the bad weather will avoid us so……… I am looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.  Table space will be set up for you in the Knox Community Meeting Room and you can set up beginning at 12:15pm.  Look for the place card with your name on it to find you spot.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me.

 

Thanks!

 

Kim

 

Kim Crow Sheaner

Program Director and Community Outreach Coordinator

Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County

300 Library Hill

Mountain Home, AR  72653

870-580-0979

OZARKS WRITERS LEAGUE WITH MISSY ANN

Ozarks Writers League 30^th Anniversary with Missy Ann

    Thursday, November 14, 2013, it was dark when my granddaughter Missy arrived from Naperville, Illinois around 7:30 p.m. Said our hellos and headed out to the Village Wheel in Bull Shoals for dinner. This was the start of our yearly special week-end together (Ladies only).

      Friday morning November 15^th, we were up and ready to head to the Blackbird Café at the Donald W. Reynolds Library for breakfast muffins, drink and chit-chat. It was so warm and cozy we lingered enjoying the moment before we headed to Ozarks Writers League OWL) 30^th anniversary celebration week-end.

     We stopped in Yellville at the Palette Art League to see their 1^st Annual Quilt and Artisan Bazaar featuring handcrafted items created by 230 Ozark Artisans - Amazing items.

     As we arrived in Harrison, we debated how far it was to Eureka Springs and did we have time to go. We decide sure – why not.  We visited a couple of our favorite shops: Wilson and Wilson Folk Art (Family of artist) and the darling shop Enjoy Something Simple; they are such friendly people. Before traveling on North 23, we had a bite to eat at a Subway.

      Gosh, I didn’t know it was somewhat of a long route to return back to Highway 65 N. But, it was enjoyable visiting and singing over and over to Missy’s new cd filled with special hymns she picked up on the way down at Cracker Barrel.

      We arrived at Historical Downtown Hollister about 4:30 p.m. at the beautiful Ye Olde English Inn, own and recently renovated by novelist Janet Dailey.  I signed us in and we visited with OWL members filling the lounge.  It was fun seeing so many I hadn’t for about a year. Missy, carried our things up to our suite – (The Winslow) and a little later we sat in the hallway lounge where we had coffee and coco. I met author K.D. McCrite. Later, said hi to Chuck Butkus (President Twin Lakes Writers) and his wife, plus Jory and Charlotte Sherman.  

      We went downstairs to the main lounge after changing for the banquet: more visiting, photo taking while we listen to the talent Possum Holler Fiddlers. The dinner and contest awards started a 6:30. (Twin lakes Writers won some awards) We had a great time and I picked up a free poetry book, “French Quarter at Eight” by John W. Crawford.  

      Saturday morning we were up early to eat breakfast at the Inn, packed the car to head out to the Collage of the Ozarks to sign-in by 9:00 to listen to speakers and elect officers. We ate lunch at The Keefer Center and return for more OWL programs. Missy won the door prize – a journal and the OWL’s CD of the slide show of Ozark Writers League 30^th Anniversary (She was so kind to allow me to have it).  For a short time I promoted Pat Durman’s  (Free Verse Poetry Group) new book “Lights and Shadows in a Nursing Home” found on http://www.createspace.com/4509795 .

      We left a little early to drive around Branson, didn’t linger long lots of traffic.

      When we got close to home we stopped near Cotter at a shop we enjoy and home to go to Gaston’s Resort on the White River for our last dinner together. Enjoyed the food and the view as a large full Harvest Moon centered in the sky above the White River as it ran a bead of light down the river – it was beautiful!

       Missy left for home the next morning in the wake of high wind and tornados. She passed near the town of Washington after the damage was done. She said it looked like a war zone. With the phone close by and the weather station on, I stay glued until she called as she neared home. I am so thankful to God for her safe trip.

        We made wonderful memories and looking forward to her trip next year. Each year I would like to have each grandkid make the trip so I could make sweet memories with each one.