12-15-12  A Reccomendation

I don't want this exercise in self-congradulations be just about me. I would not be doing this but for the encouragement I have gotten from some very fine people. First of wall, Debbie, my wife, has been very supportive of my effort (even if she didn't like what I did to the characters), her good friend (and mine),Sarah, my (our) good friends David and Lori Yoder, and the many wonderful supporters of the Kansas Writers Association. Of that group I want to single out a fine lady, B. J. Myrick who has been corresponding (I know, I'm sounding old-school here) with me. She has offered me much advice and motivation over the last 6 months. Thanks Bonnie.

Bonnie has recently published a historical novel set in the Oklahoma Panhandle of 1890. I'm a sucker for historical fiction, especially in a time and place I'm never read about before. It is called: Nelly of No Man's Land, It is about a dying mother who goes to this desolate country to get cured by a "medicine man." She is cured, but the country is lonely and has many dangers. Her husband is an alcoholic and a man from her past shows up as well. This story is rich in period detail and pioneer family life. If you liked "Little House on the Prairie" as a kid, you should like this book. It's about 80.000 words and 52 chapters long.

The Ks Writers Assn also has a writing contest going on. Go to the KWA website for details. The time limit is about up this year. But the contest opens up again in August so get thinking about that blockbuster story. I've been thinking about a version of the story "Brave Little Toaster" that keeps nipping at the corners of my mind.

First things first -- finish the first draft. Get to the mid-point (oh yeah), make life hard on good characters. I hate drama in real life but I love it in a story.