JOHN MORSE, WORLD RENOWNED ARTIST, PRESENTS MESMERIZING PROGRAM

by Maren Mitchell

The artist and writer John Morse was featured July 13^th at “Writers’ Night Out” in Young Harris, GA.  Of Atlanta; New York City; and Barcelona, Spain, Morse offered the spell-bound audience a program to be savored in memory. The audience, comprised of writers and artists from surrounding counties in Georgia and North Carolina, responded overwhelmingly to Morse’s super-energetic and energizing presentation and talents. 

 

Using Power Point, Morse covered his decades’ long work to find new aspects of, and uses for art by new means. Beginning with stunning collage portraits made with “trash” or “found  paper” of Andy Warhol, Geronimo, and Lincoln, he transitioned into the sculptures he has created to explore the area between the second dimension and third dimensions.

Through several means Morse has tackled the problem of poetry being noticed and cared about. A roadmap to Los Angeles is a poem, and business cards that look like business cards, but are poems, are two routes that he has utilized.

Another innovative path Morse created, gaining attention for poetry, was decorating the streets of Atlanta with his “Roadside Haiku,” which mimicked urban advertising, yet was poetry in the form of traditional haiku.  With 10 designs in 500 locations, the project soon became known in Atlanta and world-wide. News of “Roadside Haiku” spread through magazines such as The New Yorker to The Guardian of the UK.  Controversial at one point, the “signs” grew into items to be desired. All were stolen!

In 2011 the New York City Department of Transportation hired Morse to complete 12 “Curbside Haiku” to be placed in over 200 locations throughout the five boroughs of the city. Comprised of distinctive and informative graphics with equally effective haiku, providing safety reminders to pedestrians and cyclists, the project was featured in the New York Times, on National Public Radio, and with the BBC across the world.

For his “Curbside Haiku” John was the recipient of the 2012 Brendan Gill Prize from the New York Municipal Art Society.

We are fortunate to have received such generous and energetic creativity and thought in our small mountain town. Thank you, John Morse!

Website of John Morse:

www.stardogstudio.com

Writers’ Night Out takes place on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. After the featured reader, there is an open microphone for writers to share their own poetry or prose. The event is at Brother’s Willow Ranch Restaurant, 6223 Hwy 76 West across from Brasstown Valley Resort.

For information on Writers’ Night Out:

Karen Holmes (404) 316-8466

Photos from Coffee with the Poets in July

Carolyn Johnson and Estelle Rice, members of NCWN West, were featured poets this month. Compliments followed by those attending.

Barb Haynes, Mike Keller, Estelle Rice, Linda smith

Carolyn Johnson, poet and writer

Open Mic readers were Bob Grove who read a humorous essay, Linda Smith who read a poem. Barb Haynes, reading her work aloud for the first time, entertained us with a short essay. Mike Keller and Joan Howard also read poetry. Anyone who attends is invited to read a short prose piece or a poem.

Coffee with the Poets is held the second Wednesday of each month at Cafe Touche, Main Street, Hayesville, NC. The community is invited.
Contact Glenda Beall at 828-389-4441 or nightwriter0302@yahoo.com for more information.

Book Signing for Netwest Member

Netwest member Jack Prather recently had a feature by Rob Neufeld in the Sunday Asheville Citizen
about his new book, Twelve Notables in Western Carolina, and the upcoming fun book-signing at Grateful Steps Foundation Bookstore, 159 S. Lexington Avenue in Asheville, Saturday, Aug. 4th at 7 p.m.
At the book signing, notables David Holt and Doug (and Darcy) Orr will play some music, Glenis Redmond may read poetry from her bio in the book, and children's author Dr. Olson Huff and novelist Joe Epley will sign their books alongside Jack.  All are welcome to attend!

Computer Literacy for Writers

Robert S. King will teach a computer course at the Moss Memorial Library Saturday, July 28, at 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.- Hayesville, NC.

How many times have you suddenly had something go wrong or thought of a way you wanted to change something on the screen, but your computer just doesn't seem to cooperate with your wishes?
Learn some simple skills that will make your computer work for you and not against you. Robert King is a poet, writer, editor and publisher who can teach us these time-saving devices we have at our fingertips but don't know where or how to use them.


 Basic Computer Literacy for Writers

Many writers are hindered from accomplishing their work because they don't have sufficient computer skills to speed up their writing tasks. This course is designed to help writers learn elementary techniques related to writing.
 For example, learn how to turn off/on your word processing program's autocorrection features (such as forcing initial caps on each line of a poem); how to record a macro to play back (insert) repetitive text in your document; how to quickly look up a word's definition online and to have its pronunciation spoken to you;  how to use the Google search engine to find the information you need; and many other tips and tricks to make you a faster writer. As time permits, we will also address other issues that you personally wish to discuss.

Contact Robert: rsking@futurecycle.org

Writers' Workshop at Wildacres Retreat

Some of the best instructors will be on faculty for this workshop. Google Darnell Arnoult and Abigal DeWitt and Georgann Eubanks. You will see why I am delighted to be going to this weeklong workshop at my favorite place in the mountains, Wildacres Retreat. 

POPULAR FALL WRITERS’ RETREATS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 

Writers of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and music can now register for an annual workshop known for helping seasoned and beginning writers in one of North Carolina’s most glorious mountain settings.

Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for this year’s Table Rock Writers Workshop, to be held Sept. 17 -21 at Wildacres Retreat, near Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

From the large patio between lodges, looking at the ever-changing scenery. Cool and quiet here at Wildacres

SOLATIDO, a southern singer/songwriters’ workshop that runs concurrently is also open for registration.

Table Rock, originally known as the Duke University Writers’ Workshop, was reorganized in 2010 and continues with the same leadership and philosophy of support for writers of all genres and levels of experience.

Georgann Eubanks, who has directed the popular literary workshops for more than 20 years, also developed Solatido for songwriters. She is the author of the guidebook series, Literary Trails of North Carolina, a project of the NC Arts Council. The third volume, Literary Trails of Eastern North Carolina, comes out next spring from UNC Press. The books are all about the state’s many accomplished writers.

“Writing is a solitary occupation,” says Eubanks. “It helps once in a while to gather in the company of other writers and receive feedback and encouragement. The Table Rock and Solatido workshops avoid competition and focus on creativity and craft.” 

Eubanks says some registrants are returnees, but newcomers always infuse the weeklong sessions with fresh energy and ideas.

The instructors at Table Rock this year are North Carolina writers Abigail DeWitt, Darnell Arnoult, Anna Jean Mayhew and Scott Huler.  Participants can also choose to take advantage of a first-time Reader-in Residence, Dawn Shamp. Writers can submit parts of a manuscript in progress and Shamp will provide a detailed critique including structural and technical advice. 

Music producer and composer Richard Putnam leads this year’s Solatido workshop. The keyboardist and arranger is comfortable with all musical styles and has been a session player in the Southeast for 30 years.

For more information: http://tablerockwriters.com 

 http://solatido-workshop.net

Contact Cindy Campbell, 919.923.8857, cincam02@gmail.com

WRITING CLASS IN HAYESVILLE

Estelle Rice

Writers in this area know Estelle Rice, a long time member of the North Carolina Writers Network West. She will teach Writing from the Spirit Within at Writers Circle in Hayesville, NC Wednesday, July 18, 10:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Rice says, "All of us have treasures stored within our memories that can jumpstart the writing process. Some of these memories are so deeply hidden we are surprised when they come to the surface. In this class we will investigate nature, people, places and things to discover their essence. This technique will bring depth to our writing whether poetry or prose."


Estelle Rice is a native Tar Heel, born in Rocky Mount, raised in Charlotte, and now lives in the mountains in Cherokee County. She received a BA degree in psychology from Queens University and an MA in counseling from the University of South Alabama. She studied writing at Faulkner Community College in Fairhope, Alabama and the University of South Alabama, Mobile.

She enjoys writing poetry, fiction and personal essays. She published a book of spiritual poetry, QUIET TIMES.  Her short stories have been published in Appalachian Heritage Journal, the Kentucky Journal, and anthologies, LIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS, and ECHOS ACROSS THE BLUERIDGE as well as other publications.
Contact Glenda Beall, 828-389-4441 or nightwriter0302@yahoo.com for registration information.

Macon County Library welcomes Gary Carden's Liars Bench show

Gary Carden, creator of the Liars Bench, a successful regional authentic, traditional southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama and folk arts presentation announced that the show will play the Macon County Library on Thursday July 12 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free. Liars Bench regulars Gary Carden, host and storyteller; Lloyd Arneach, master Cherokee storyteller; Paul Iarussi, claw-hammer guitar specialist and old-time music singer; and Karen Barnes, guitar singer-songwriter will play a 'Best of' Liars Bench show. There may be a mystery guest (or two) also. During the past year, Carden has designed and directed a series of shows that dealt with Cherokee history and culture; religious music, Jack Tales, and myths and legends. After a show from last October was recently featured on the regional television program Life in the Carolinas, both the performers and the staff of the Liars Bench became convinced that the show should move toward becoming a significant voice in defining and preserving the region's culture. This decision was confirmed by the cover story publication in a WNC newspaper recently of Carden and his creation, The Liars Bench show. The Liars Bench is a live, authentic traditional Southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, and folk arts presentation. Started in the summer of 2010 by Gary Carden, the show has been an audience pleaser from the very beginning. The Liars Bench promotes and showcases any and all aspects of Southern Appalachian culture.  The Liars Bench recognizes established artists and performers and encourages new talent also. Regular cast members include Gary Carden, Lloyd Arneach, Paul Iarussi, William Ritter, Kim Barnes, and our mascot Bodine. The Liars Bench continues the grand tradition of true mountain folkways through down-home entertainment. theliarsbenchgazette.blogspot.com/ hollernotes.blogspot.com/ facebook.com/TheLiarsBench twitter.com/#!/TheLiarsBench plus.google.com/LiarsBench tumblr.com/blog/theliarsbenchgazette

NETWEST MEMBER WILL READ AT POETRY HICKORY

Poet and Netwest member, Robert King and poet Robert Kimsey will be featured tomorrow night, July 10,  5:30 p.m. at Poetry Hickory. Scott Owens, Regional Representative for NCWN facilitates this event each month. 

Open Mic readers will be John Bigelow, Dennis Lovelace, and Kim Teague.  Writers' Night Out at 4:00.  Everything takes place at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in downtown Hickory, NC. 

WRITING MEMOIR, REVISING, REWRITING

This holiday week has been full of fun and work. Seeing old friends, talking with family, meeting new friends, and eating hot dogs and hamburgers.

The work came when a dear student of mine brought over dinner and her memoir manuscript she has been working on for three years.  She admitted she was shocked when she discovered the time and effort needed after all the words were on paper.
"I don't think I would have started this if I had known how much work it takes to get it published,” she said. But she has been bitten by the writing bug and is already planning future writing.

We spent hours Friday proofing and revising parts of just three chapters. She admits she did not really “hear” me when I said in class that revision is a big part of writing.
She had no idea that parts of her manuscript would have to be cut, rearranged or rewritten. She did hear me when I said she should hire a professional editor if she wanted to self-publish and her book to be the best it could be. She has an excellent editor, I think. The hardest part of working with an editor is accepting revisions that smooth out the writing, but leave out parts the writer feels were essential to her story. Maybe it would be helpful to remember that major authors of Best Selling Books are happy to have good editors who can improve on the way their words are written on the page.

I tell my students their memoir should inform, enlighten and entertain their readers. We want our readers to learn about us, about our situation or experience. We also want them to be enlightened – perhaps see something in a different light -- and I believe this author’s book will do that. Her editor likes the book and sees its worth and wants to keep the author’s voice intact. The book is entertaining. Humor, pathos, and outrage, flow throughout the pages, mixed in with the innocence lost as she meets with challenges she never expected to encounter.

A universal theme in this book is overcoming adversity and also the realization that no matter how things change they always seem to stay the same.

What started as a simple batch of stories about this writer’s life, has now become a full-blown 60,000-word manuscript. All this from someone who had never thought of writing a book until she began taking writing classes and devoting herself to writing.

If one wants to write, he/she should begin taking classes and keeping a journal. Write in that journal as often as possible. If not in a journal, start a morning practice of writing a few pages every day. Discipline is needed to begin a habit. Once the habit is begun it will be second nature to write whenever and wherever possible.

Click here to see a schedule of writing classes where you might want to begin.

July Folk School Readings

The Keith House was full last night for readings by Linda Smith and Brenda Kay Ledford!  The poems shared were wonderful, and a good time was had by all -- both Netwest members and visiting Folk School students.  Mark your calendars for the next readings:

 (no July readings)

August 16       Nancy Purcell, Karen Paul Holmes

Sept 20            Carole Thompson, Bob Grove

October           Jo Carolyn Bebee, Lucy Cole Gratton

Nov 15            Joan Howard, Rosemary Royston

 Linda Smith

Brenda Kay Ledford

Congratulations, Janet Sloane Benway

 Janet Sloane Benway, a member of Netwest, won a bronze medal (third prize) for her poem, "Little Boy Blues,"in the Silver Arts contest of the Senior Games of Transylvania County. This medal is special to Janet who, after a long illness, is now well and living
at College Walk, a retirement Community in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Congratulations, Janet.



Little Boy Blues
By Janet Sloane Benway

Mommy moved to Maryland last May.
Daddy says she doesn’t love us anymore.
But, gee, when I visited Mom this summer,
she took me and my sisters to a park
and a place where they have dinosaur bones
and airplanes, and I thought it was awesome.

Daddy says we’re moving to Savannah.
He bought a house there.
He travels a lot.
He’s a Marine.
He lets me try on his jacket—with medals.
He’s been to Iraq twice.
I’m going to be a Marine when I grow up.
I’m six and a half.

Daddy says a nice lady from South America
will come to Savannah to take care of us.

Mom just bought a BMW.
I can’t wait to ride in it.
Maybe Mom will have us come at Christmas.
But Mom says she’s pretty busy
with her new job right now.

Gee, I wish Dad would come home.
He’s in India.
I’m going there someday—
maybe when I’m seven.

The Habit of Mercy, Carol Crawford's Poetry Collection

Carol Crawford, Texas native living in Georgia now, has published a poetry book, The Habit of Mercy, about daughters and mothers. She knows this subject well. She raised three girls, all grown up now.

I met Carol in 1996. I attended my first NCWN West poetry critique group and, because there is a God, she was the facilitator. She liked my poetry, for the most part, and in a blind contest she judged the next year, she chose my poem, Tomato Man, for first place. I have always admired Carol's quiet demeanor and appreciated her gentle critique that never failed to improve my work.

She gave me advice on where to submit my poems. Carol went up to Berea, KY to accept an award and met the editor of Appalachian Heritage literary journal, Danny Miller.

“He is taking a job as poetry editor at the Journal of Kentucky Studies,” she told me. “He invited me to send him some poems. I think you should send some of your work.”

I trusted her judgement. I submitted three poems. The editor accepted one of them. Never was I so proud as when I saw my poem right next to Carol’s comic put poignant “You’re Not My Dog.” Some of our Netwest members will remember that poem from Carol's readings.

For years I’ve looked forward to when Carol would publish a poetry collection. The Habit of Mercy is a book for mothers and daughters. The pangs of watching them grow up, knowing one day the protected and beloved child will face the world as a woman on her own is almost too painful when I read these lines from The Shoes.

She whips the box lid off
and shows me her new shoes.
They are doorstops.
Clunky bricks.
Their four-inch heels
will make her taller than her father,
will put her ahead of us somehow.
I make expected mother-sounds,
predict sprained ankles,
groan about the weird
things kids wear.
But I am thinking
they will take her
out of reach, beyond protection,
closer to those dangers
she is falling in love with
even now.

Repetitive Use brings to mind the constant chorus heard from mothers of young children. That twinge in a joint that was not there last week is a malady recognized only by mothers who become cross-country parents taking kids to academic competition, soccer games, band performances, dental appointments and all the myriad places children must go and must be driven. There is a pathos in these poems, a mother relinquishing her umbrella of protection, letting go. Letting her children test their wings, knowing as they do that she, as did her mother, must accept a new role.

It set in at a time I can’t remember
on the trek from cradle to crayon to college
when something in the sinew softened,
something near the bone gave way.

Maybe the poem I most relate to is Grand. Remember a special event you longed to share with your mom? It begins with these words.

Where do I send
the prom portraits
of my girl
now that you are gone?

With so many poems in this book that I love to read over and over, I can’t give them full measure in this short space. Take my word for it. You just have to get the book.

Carol Crawford graduated from Baylor University. Originally from Texas, she now lives in the North Georgia mountains where she is director of FLAG Adult Education and volunteer coordinator for the annual Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference. She lives with her husband Len, tennis addict and rabid UGA fan. When not knitting, writing, or wrangling dogs Dash and Laddie, she is probably emailing her daughters.

To order The Habit of Mercy, contact Carol Crawford, carol.crawford@gmail.com

Poets and Writers turned out for Coffee with the Poets

 Ellen & Paul Schofield, Joan Howard, in back, and Brenda Kay Ledford

       Ralph, in the middle, recited some poetry for the group

From Right, Don Long, Carolyn Johnson, Brenda Kay Ledford

Carolyn Johnson will read at CWP in July with Estelle Rice

MOUNTAIN WOMAN: The Quilts Left Behind....and Re-discovered

MOUNTAIN WOMAN: The Quilts Left Behind....and Re-discovered: When I was home two weeks ago, I went poking around the attic in our old and now empty farmhouse.  Underneath the attic stairs was a cubby h...

Mary Ricketson on the Program to Read at CWP June 13

Coffee with the Poets will have two Netwest featured readers this month, June 13, 10:30 a.m. Mary Ricketson is also on the program Wednesday with Maren Mitchell.

Mary Ricketson’s poetry has been published in her chapbook, I Hear the River Call My Name, Lights in the Mountains, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Freeing Jonah IV, Freeing Johah V, and Wild Goose Poetry Review, Future Cycle Press, Your Daily Poem, various magazines and blogs, and in Disorgananza, a private collection distributed among family and friends. She won the gold medal for poetry in the 2011 Cherokee County Senior Games/Silver Arts and silver medal for 2012. She won first place in the 2011 Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest national poetry contest.

Mary writes a monthly column, Woman to Woman, for The Cherokee Scout. She is a long time member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network. Mary says she writes to satisfy a hunger, to taste life all the way down to the last drop. She gains perspective from family and friends, her Appalachian home, and her life’s work as a counselor. Writing poetry places her in kinship with her own life.

Mary Ricketson is a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Murphy, North Carolina. She brings more than thirty years experience to her work, with twenty-five years in private practice. She is a founding board member of REACH. She has a special interest in women’s issues, victims of abuse, and family and couple relationships. She offers innovative ways to effect change in difficult life patterns, including Journey to Intuition and Neurofeedback. She is listed in Who’s Who in America.

Come out to hear Mary and Maren share their delightful poetry at Coffee with the Poets on Wednesday, June 13.

Liar's Bench -- FREE Showings on June 9th

Hey Liars Bench fans. Just wanted you to know that we have a special treat for you this Saturday in downtown Waynesville. As a part of the second-annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration we're going to play
not one, but two free-admission performances for you inside Main Street Perks (next to the old Whitman's Bakery, now City Bakery). First performance starts at 1 pm. The better parking will probably be either in the town parking garage and/or in the city parking behind main street.

more complete info here: http://theliarsbenchgazette.blogspot.com/

Maren O. Mitchell reads this month at Coffee with the Poets

Maren O. Mitchell

A member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network West is featured each month at Coffee with the Poets. Maren Mitchell, outstanding poet and native of North Carolina, will read Wednesday, June 13, 10:30 a.m. at Café Touche, 82 Main Street in Hayesville, NC.
Anyone who enjoys writing and reading poetry is welcome to come and listen or read an original poem or short prose piece. The prose can be fiction or non-fiction of no more than 1000 words.

I’ve known Maren Mitchell for a number of years. We partnered in Nancy Simpson’s class on putting together a chapbook. Maren’s poetry makes us think about things we might have never thought about before. She has a unique way of seeing the world around her. While growing up, she lived in Bordeaux, France and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Presently she teaches origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, at the Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, North Carolina. She lives nearby in Young Harris, Georgia with her husband and two cats.

Coffee with the Poets at Cafe Touche

Kudos to Mary Ricketson

Mary Ricketson's poem, “Lost in the Roar of Big Santeetlah” was published in Your Daily Poem, June 2. “Building the House on Hanging Dog Creek, “ was published in Wild Goose Poetry Review in May.  “Ten O'Clock,”  won the silver medal in the Cherokee County Senior Games/Silver Arts, 2012, and  “To My Only Child,” and “Born to Walk,” were published in Future Cycle Press earlier this year.

Kudos to Deanna Klingel

Good news from Deanna Klingel: On Sunday at Canton Arts Festival in Canton, Georgia, Tracy Ruckman of Write Integrity Publishing, presented me with a contract for Cracks in the Ice.Today it is official. Cracks in the Ice, YA Fiction, is the story of the niece of a mafia boss whose dream of Olympic skating stardom is shattered by mafia war and by her own poor judgement. After spiraling into depression and alcoholism, God's love comes to her through those who still love her, and help her to find forgiveness, repentance, and a victory other than the gold she'd envisioned years earlier. The book will be out in the fall.

June Folk School Readings DATE CHANGE

Netwest is always pleased to be able to have member readings at the John C. Campbell Folk School.  Due to a schedule change at the Folk School, please mark your calendar accordingly: the date of the reading at the John C. Campbell Folk School in June is Thursday, June 28 (no longer the 21st), 7pm, Keith House.  Linda Smith and Brenda Kay Ledford will be the featured readers.