Creative Writers and Illustrators

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Women in Nature: An Anthology



A story of mine is  inside waiting to be read.

ORAC Annual Membership Meeting

Monday, April 21, 2014

5:00 pm

Vada Sheid ASUMH

 
Please join us for our annual membership meeting and learn who we are and what we do.

 

All our organizational members andall visual and performing art groups, our individual members and artists, our sponsors and any patron of the visual and performing arts are welcomed to attend.

 

We will have our 6 x 6 canvases available at this meeting for you to take and create your masterpiece.

Deborah Lively-  President
Ozark Regional Arts Council,
a  501(c)3 corporation

172 Robin Drive
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-425-8291

ozarkregionalartscouncil.org

 

Quiet Times

By Mary Nida Smith (c)

A quiet time in prayer

a time to listen to His voice.

Busy with daily routine

the sound of the world is heard.

In prayers we ask for guidance

in our daily walk through life.

Without the quiet times

His answers go unheard.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

APRIL: NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Young people's Poetry week
Cowboy Poetry Week

Free Verse Poetry Group ( Mountain Home, AR)
Baxter County Poets Association
Donald W. Reynolds Library "THE THING" April 26, 2014

Poetry is for all ages.
Read each day of the year.

ENJOY!

POET BLESSINGS
by Mary Nida Smith

I started as a poet
got lost along the way.
I am back.
I am here to stay.
I have found a circle
of free verse poets
who welcome me
as a lost poet
returning home.
A warm cozy place
to relax, to read and
encouraged to read,
wearing my heart
where everyone hears the beats
and they softly repeat,
read on,
       read on.

70th Annual Arkansas Writers Conference

Hello Fellow Writers,

 

It’s time to make plans to attend the 70^th Annual Arkansas Writers Conference. The 2014 AWC is Friday, June 6 to Saturday, June 7 at the Pulaski Technical College South Campus in the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Institute. I have attached a Brochure and Registration Forms so you can begin on your contest submissions and read about the fabulous opportunities and educational programs presented by truly inspirational speakers.

Also, please help spread the word about 2014 AWC by distributing the brochures and registration forms to anyone interested in writing or offering a service to writers. I hope to see you and your friends at the 2014 AWC.  For more information see the AWC Website:  www.arkansaswritersconference.org

 

Sara Gipson

 

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.