And The Winner Is......

Just had to share. This is me reading at last weekend's NETWO conference. My short story, The Almond Mocha Fishing Tale, won first place in this year's competition. Based on remarks made by the contest co-ordinator, Galand Nuchols, (http://www.amazon.com/Now-Where-That-Come-From/dp/1482088738) I barely managed to squeak ahead of some other fabulous writers. In fact, the scoring was so close, four stories shared third place .

The whole weekend was high energy and information-packed. Although our attendance number was lower than in recent years, the quality of our speakers were top-notched.

With my newest novel, Not Bound By Blood, due to release on May 17th, I've been reading a book written by one of our speakers that I picked up at the conference.  Nick Thacker wrote Welcome Home http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Home-Authors-Building-marketing/dp/1478333340/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8  to guide other authors through the bewildering world of social media promoting.

So while I scramble to get the word out to as many as possible, I guess I should mention Not Bound By Blood is now available to pre-order. http://www.amazon.com/Not-Bound-Blood-Gay-Ingram-ebook/dp/B01EQIJ7CS/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462118527&sr=1-4&keywords=gay+ingram

You knew I'd have to add that link, didn't you?

Working To Be Noticed

I recently signed with a group of local authors to have our books available to the public in an unxpected site. Thanks to the efforts of Lisa Simmons, https://www.facebook.com/lira.brannon?fref=ts who writes under the name Lira Brannon, our books can now be found at The Market on 67 http://themarketon67.com/index.php/.

I had an opportunity to stop in and do some browsing some time back. It turned out to be one of those funky places where you are bound to find anything. I especially like how all the items are displayed in eye-catching displays.

If you're ever in the area, give yourself an hour or so to look over all the interesting items, both old and new, they have for sale. I can promise you won't leave empty-handed.

Oh yes, and check out the wide range of reading pleasure our authors have created for your entertainment.

Where Does The Time Go?

Life has a tendency to squeeze out the writing. Thus, long time no blog.

Just wish there were more hours in the day. In between caring for an incapacitated husband, keeping up with all of life's chores that he used to do, trying to get my yard caught up with looking like spring, there doesn't seem to be enough waking hours to fit in writing. I promise to find a way to remedy this.

Especially since I have a new release due out on May 17th. (That's a plug, folks, for Not Bound By Blood.) It's a story about a life-long friendship made in school days. Miriam Meyer loves to run and she's fast. In fact, she's good enough to compete in the Olympics and win gold. Blanche LaRue is determined to become a famous actress. Though their lives take diverse paths, that bond of friendship remains solid. Is that enough to tempt you?

At NETWO'S 30th annual writer's conference this past weekend, we were informed and entertained by three guys who do a podcast...in fact, they recorded for future broadcast the one they did at the conference. http://kevintumlinson.com/podcast  Check it out.

Now, I'm not anywhere near ready to tackle something like that, but it did nudge me to get back into the habit of connecting with my readers. So, restarting my blog is top-of-the-list and for the past week or so, I've been pondering. What could I write about that you readers would find interesting to read?

Anybody got any suggestions? I'd love to hear them in a comment.

Mixing The Arts

Lately my writing has taken a back seat. I've rediscovered (after 40+years) the joy of painting with oils. My first few attempts were exercises in becoming once again familiar with the media. This first was done when attending a group painting party just before Christmas.

After an inventory of brushes and paints, I stopped in this really neat shop I've discovered called How Great Thou Art. (http://www.artworldlongview.com/In-the-Works.html) It's located in the Brookwood Mall on McCann Road and Studio Director Susan L Tanner is just a terrific person. She spent gobs of time with me answering my questions and sharing what tools do what.

Armed with the proper tools, well a beginning of, I've spent pleasant hours these past weeks on the following:

  
I'm first to admit they are quite amateurish in technique, but am so rewarded by the satisfaction derived from the time spent.

Another blessing came as a result of a brother-in-law's fondness for estate sales. He picked up a well-loved painter's box for peanuts just because it was a bargain. When my sister offered to send it to me, I leaped at the offer. Despite the shipping cost, I've already gotten hours of pleasant occupation out of its contents. A little glue, some time spent cleaning leaked paint and I have a marvelous addition to my newest addiction.

So, now I'm getting serious. In my files was a short story for children written years ago that could become a charming book, I think. Just to prove to myself I can do it, I've started painting the needed illustrations to turn the story into a children's book. Already have two completed, but more on that later as the project develops.

How Do You Spend The Day After Christmas?

'Tis the day after Christmas, and several of my neighbors are doing target practice, getting familiar with their new 'toys.' At times, it sounds like a couple of them are firing cannons. The sounds of gunshot are coming from at least four or five different directions.

With all this firearm paraphernalia nearby, I don't know whether to feel threatened or protected. I consider myself fortunate that distance and forest isolate me from all that activity. Hopefully, only sound can travel the distance from their targets to me.

I'm wondering, when someone sets up a target for practice, do they take into account the distance a stray bullet will travel? So far, I've not heard the sound of a bullet whizzing past. In the past however, I have had that experience.  Another neighbor two houses over decided to warn away a stray dog with gunshot. I just happened to be in the bullet's line of travel. My yell got his attention and he quickly did a disappearing act.

So far no bullets have come my way but we have discovered a number of golf balls in the past. A neighbor used to set up in his back yard to practice his drive. He had a powerful swing and managed to send  golf balls across a half-acre field, the road, and into my front yard.

Morning Musings

Unseasonable weather drew me to the front porch for my morning coffee time. Through a gap in the treeline, I watched brisk, southerly winds drag high clouds across the sky. A gray overcast sky foretold of rains predicted for later in the day.

The calm surrounding me as I sway to and fro on the porch swing holds a multitude of sounds. To the west, a distant train signalled its approach to a country road crossing. A few minutes later, my neighbor's rooster crowed out its morning call. And overhead, a squirrel chittered down at my two black cats, Sammi and Midnight, as they maintained the distance between them all the while vying for my attention.

'Shalom' reads the sign hung from the arbor designating entrance to our front yard. My talented husband built the structure some years back after I put in a request. With only a picture to guide him, he used natural materials from our land to construct it. The sign was a joint project and peace really is a constant companion here on my country acreage. Frequently, new visitors will comment on the peace they feel upon stepping into my world.

But, living in the country also has its disadvantages. Neighbors are far enough away that I have no clear view of their houses. Stormy weather often brings a disruption in our electric and phoning supply. We must travel distances for any shopping or recreational needs, which is sometimes annoying.  I'm thankful for the recent advent of internet service, making purchases online available. It does simplify shopping, epecially for larger, once-in-a-lifetime purchases.

Some would bemoan the inaccessibility of culture and entertainment venues such as movies and museums, but one soon learns to find pleasure in the simpler pleasures country living offers. There are fields and forests to explore, with something new to discover all the time. The fleeting glimpse of deer browsing in the distance, the buzz of various birds that congregate at our feeders, coming unexpectedly upon an unknown flower blooming in the wild—all these occurrences and more bring a rewarding feeling.

Well, that first cup of coffee is finished; time to move about and get the day started. So, the welcome doormat is out if you ever have need to pause in your busy city life. Stop by and we'll sit together on the front porch, enjoying life.

Exlploring New Creative Worlds

I've been exploring a different area of my creativity lately. I recently took up the pursuit of oil painting after an absence of over forty years. The last time I picked up a brush was previous to the birth of my second son who is now forty-eight. My, how time flies!

Above is a painting completed when I attended a painting party sponsored by a local community action group, LoveBig Sandy. It was a fun time and very helpful in building my confidence.

Earlier that day, I stopped at a shop called Art World www.artworldLongview.com and spent a half-hour asking questions and getting technique tips. Susan was really gracious and helpful. They also offer what they call an 'open class' where anyone is welcome to come spend a couple hours painting under a teacher's supervision and assistance. I'm considering attending a time or two if my schedule allows.

In the meantime, I've been dabbling on my own. My little cabin has had to 'stretch' a bit to accommodate this new pursuit. I'm also realizing the need to re-learn everything I ever knew about painting with oils.

And how is my writing doing, I hear you ask? The latest novel, Not Bound By Blood, is presently in the editor's hands and I'm anticipating a contract from my publisher with the goal of a spring 2016 publication. The second in my series of fictionalized biographies for Young Readers, temporarily titled Harriet Tubman, is still in critiquing mode. However, now distracted by this new venture, I have yet to begin writing the third in the series based on the life of Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy.

The energy and enthusiasm for my newest stress-reliever has fueled a new project - I've begun the task of doing the illustrations for a proposed children's book; a story about this ramshackle old man who lives in a ramshakle house and his adventures with uninvited guests. 

In the meantime, here are a couple oil paintings I've indulged myself with the past few weeks.

                           

 This last is still a work in progress.