Today is Sunday, and I am looking at the most beautiful
mountain scene, golden and orange leaves on big trees guide my eyes out to
Grandfather Mountain miles away. Fog has wrapped us all morning in its haunting
stillness, but now the distant sky pales with wisps of clouds skimming the
ridge.
We three are not here to hike or tour the region. We have come to write,
to share writing ideas, to submerge ourselves in all things “writing.” We
stopped for church, for me to go to the grocery store and to the pet shop. I purchased
a sweater for my puppy, Lexie. She is not a cold weather dog. The pink sweater
in extra, extra small fits her and she is like a kid at Christmas. Nothing
could have made this little dog happier than to put on her a warm sweater.
My good friends, authors, Deanna Klingel and Miriam
Jones Bradley, joined me this weekend for time away from home and a
mini-writing retreat. I always learn so much from these two women of widely
varied ages and I hope they learn something from me.
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| Deanna Klingel |
Deanna astounds me with her in-depth research for each of
her novels. The next book will be a fictional history of Chief McIntosh of the
Creek Indian tribe. She was asked to write this book by a historical society so
that children could learn about this fascinating man of the 19th Century.
Deanna has a way of writing about youngsters that made me
ask, “How do you get into a fourteen year old boy’s head like that?”
She responded, “I raised four sons.” I then learned she also raised two more boys
who were not her biological sons, along with three girls.
Deanna’s award winning Avery series, Avery’s Battlefield and Avery’s
Crossroad, about a boy who lived during the Civil War have been quite
popular with middle grade kids.
I read her novel, Cracks
in the Ice, a wonderfully told tale of a young girl who hopes to become a
professional skater. Once again, Deanna
Klingel delved into all things related to the life of this character,
including uncovering what life as the niece of a mobster would be like. Yes,
the heroine grows up with body guards driving her to school.
Some more of Deanna’s books are: Bread Upon the Water, Rock
and a Hard Place; a Lithuanian Love Story, The Mysterious Life of Jim Limber, the Little Beth Series: Beth’s Birds, Beth’s Backyard friends, Amanda and the Lazy Garden Fairy. Coming
soon are Walker Hound of Park Avenue and Blue-Eyed Doll. Visit her website to order these books.
Miriam Jones Bradley
Miriam Jones Bradley, is author of children’s books as well as a collection of her columns published in the Newberry Observer titled, You Ain’t From Here, Are You?. This book is a gentle but humorous observation of what a new person in the community sees and hears from the good people who greet her. Miriam writes for young adults as well as for older adults who want to leave a legacy. Check out her website to order her books.
Miriam Jones Bradley
Miriam Jones Bradley, is author of children’s books as well as a collection of her columns published in the Newberry Observer titled, You Ain’t From Here, Are You?. This book is a gentle but humorous observation of what a new person in the community sees and hears from the good people who greet her. Miriam writes for young adults as well as for older adults who want to leave a legacy. Check out her website to order her books.
She is also author of a mystery series, The Double Cousins Mysteries, for 7 – 13 year old readers. I picked
her mind as to how she comes up with a mystery. She takes tidbits of fact and
weaves that into a plot that moves along taking the reader with it.
Miriam and Deanna don’t stand still. Miriam wonders how she
is going to continue to manage her school presentations, book signings,
blogging and writing another book this year as well as working as a nurse two
days a week. Both women travel all over the country speaking and signing their
books.
Miriam is originally from the western plains and Deanna
lived longest in Atlanta where she and her husband raised their children. Now
she lives in Sapphire, NC. Miriam lives in Hendersonville.
Both busy writers are
dedicated to their craft and both have active writing businesses. Both have
husbands who are supportive and helpful behind the scenes. I heard high praise for both David and Bruce this weekend.
We look forward to doing this again and hope others will join us either in the mountains or at the beach. Having time to share ideas, ask questions, and discuss publishing and online media is not a luxury but a necessity for those of us who are serious about publishing our work.
My readers, have you ever attended a writers' retreat? How many people were present? Did you enjoy it?
