Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Meet Glenda Beall



--by Paula Canup

Glenda Beall cannot remember a time when she didn’t love to write. “As a child, I loved getting school supplies so I could write on my fresh new paper,” she says. She began her writing career with stories about horses.

Now she writes poems, essays, and fiction inspired by family and neighbors. Her writing often revolves around themes of deep pain, loss, and injustice. In 2009, Finishing Line Press published her first poetry chapbook, entitled Now Might as Well Be Then. She has had personal essays, memoirs, and a short story published in various magazines. In addition, she writes newspaper articles and especially enjoys writing about unique people.

Glenda also maintains three different blogs online. Her many projects keep her busy, writing several hours each day. “The most difficult thing about being a writer,” she says, “is having the self-discipline to complete a project – to go back day after day and work on the same thing. Writing is fun, but rewriting is often not so much fun.” Another difficult aspect of being a writer is having to market her work – the business end of writing. Many excellent writers are never published because they don’t want to go the trouble of submitting their work.

Glenda is an active member of North Carolina Writers Network – west (Netwest). She helps with publicity for the organization and sometimes does articles about other writers in the group. Her best advice for aspiring writers is to get involved in such groups and participate in as many conferences and workshops as possible. Writers can learn a great deal from networking with other writers.

One of Glenda’s greatest accomplishments as a writer is teaching others to write. She holds classes in her home studio. Glenda especially loves encouraging older people to discover their writing ability. She believes all of us are continually changing throughout life, and we should never be afraid of new challenges. It’s never too late to make dreams come true!

Glenda contributed to Netwest’s latest anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains, edited by Nancy Simpson and published by Winding Path Publishing The book is available at local bookstores and on-line at www.ncwriters.org and at www.amazon.com.

15 comments:

  1. Paula Canup did a very good job writing about Glenda Beall and some of the other Netwest writers. I especially like this article about Glenda Beall. It shows her many accomplishments in the field of writing. Thanks for posting it.

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  2. Glenda,
    I always enjoy reading about your accompishments. You are one of my favorite poets. I still enjoy reading your poetry book.
    Thanks for allowing Mama and me to view The Common Cup with you and your sister. It was a lot of fun.

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  3. Thank you, Paula, and thank you, Nancy. I hope we will have more articles about our members posted here.
    If anyone wants to interview a Netwest member and write an article, please send it to Rosemary Royston for posting.
    Thank you, Rosemary.

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  4. Thanks, Tipper. You are a favorite of mine, also.

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  5. A very nice article about a terrific writer, teacher, and person!

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  6. When it comes to helping newbies and wannabes, no one is better than Glenda. She has introduced me to the most important contacts I have--out of pure friendliness and generosity. Thank you, Glenda, always!
    P.S.: I have a story (my medal winner from the 2008 NC Senior Games) on www.bookstogonow.com and another due up soon; I'll have a poem on www.lowestoftchronicle.com in March. And thanks to you, almost every month since you told me about the website, my reviews and essays appear on www.seniorwomen.com. What an invaluable resource you are. Congratulations on your energy and interest in others. Best wishes for your continuing accomplishments!

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  7. darter66I am so very happy for you to have found the love of your life in writing. I am so proud of you "Cuz" and know Aunt Lois would be extremely proud of you also! Keep up your great work!

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  8. What an amazing writer. I aspire to take a class from her..soon. The more I get to know Glenda Beall through her words, the more I admire her.

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  9. This is a very informative article about Glenda. I'm glad to have met her and enjoy reading her poetry.

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  10. well-deserved showcase of an excellent poet (and a charming human bean!) Thanks to the blogger, and to Glenda for her work.

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  11. Judy, thank you so much for your kind words. I look forward to meeting you in person one day. I enjoy your blog, your poetry and from reading your words, I know I will like you.
    I hope you take a class with me. I think you will enjoy it.

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  12. Hi Jeannette, Joan and my cousin, Rob. Thank you all for your comments.I am fortunate to have found so many delightful friends through writing and teaching.
    As Maya Angelou said, When you get, give. When you learn, teach.

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  13. "Glenda’s greatest accomplishments as a writer is teaching others to write."

    I agree one hundred percent. Glenda has a gift not only for writing, but for teaching. And teaching absolute beginners in a way that welcomes them into the world of writing. I know of quite a few people whose lives has been changed thanks to a class with Glenda - myself included.

    Am looking forward to seeing her in April:)

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  14. Rebecca,Thank you for commenting here. I look forward to our reunion with the Best Class in April.
    I really enjoy reading your blog.

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