How To Give A Good Introduction

Members of Netwest are often asked to introduce other writers at the John C. Campbell Folk School, at Coffee with the Poets, other readings and meetings. Today while listening to a podcast on how to introduce a speaker, I learned some new things. I also learned what I’ve been doing correctly, but plan to be more vigilant when making an introduction.

First the speaker should write his own introduction. It should not contain a resume of the person’s life, all of his publications, his successes and all his awards. The introductory speech of about one or two minutes at the most, should only contain information about the speaker that relates to his subject and to this particular audience. If the person is going to talk about Self-Publishing, the introduction should center on his experience with Self-publishing, not his Senior Games Gold Medal for photography, unless he has published a photography book.

When we introduce someone we should be sure to give the speaker’s full name, his position and the name of his topic or at least indicate the subject of the topic.
Secondly, the person introducing should explain why this person was chosen to speak to this audience on this topic. We want to convince the audience that our guest speaker is qualified. For example, when I introduced Scott Owens, the poet, I talked about the number of books he had published. I mentioned how I first read his poems in an online journal and how impressed I was with his book, Paternity.

When we are asked to introduce a speaker, it is our responsibility to build his credibility with those who will be listening. We want to excite the crowd; make them anxious to hear this man speak. If we can, it is good to give our personal impression of him. Most important of all, we should not appear to read every word right off the page. We might ask the speaker to make a bulleted list of the topics he wants covered in the intro, and then we can put it into our words. Sometimes the speaker wants his intro given word for word as he wrote it. If that is so, we should follow his wishes.

The very last part of the introduction is as important as the beginning. Welcome the speaker to the stage by giving the title of his presentation and then his name, spoken more slowly, so that all will hear it and hopefully remember it. An example is, “Now to speak to us on the New World of Publishing, welcome James T. Gardner.”
Give his name last, unless the topic is more important than the person giving the talk. Then we might say, “Welcome James T. Gardner, who will speak on “The New World of Publishing.”

One last tip. Stay on stage until the speaker comes and begins, then quietly walk off so there is no break in the attention of the audience. We don’t want the audience looking at us walk off stage while the speaker is coming to the lectern. We want the audience to stay focused on the spot where the speaker will be standing.

Do you have any other tips on this subject? Let us know what you think.

Glenda C. Beall is a writer, poet and teacher living in Hayesville, NC. Her poetry book, Now Might as Well be Then, was published by Finishing Line Press, 2009
She is director of Writers Circle, classes on writing held at her studio in Hayesville. She serves as the NCWN West Clay County Representative.

LUNCH AT SPRING STREET CAFE IN SYLVA

From left to right: Nan Watkins, Bill Everett, Wayne Drumheller, K. Byer

I recently had lunch with some Netwest members, as well as one non-member we are trying to talk into joining! Wayne Drumheller of Brevard met with me beforehand to discuss Netwest and the role he would like to play in its future. Fiction writer and poet William Everett of Waynesville drove over to join us for lunch. The non-member? Musician and translator Nan Watkins who lives in Tuckasegee, and who has been a friend of mine and Bill's for many years. We discussed ways that Netwest can grow as a source of news, dialogue, and enrichment for our far western counties. We hope Nan will join us soon! And we invite all Netwest members to share their vision for Netwest's future. You may leave a comment or email me.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL READING

Carole Thompson will read at the John C. Campbell Folk School on Thursday, June 17th in the Keith House at 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

A resident of Blairsville, Georgia, Carole and her husband, Norm, chose this area
as their retirement home in 1990. He was a Lt. Colonel and a pilot in the Air Force and served both in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

After they moved to Blairsville, a friend invited Carole to a Misty Mountain Quilting Guild meeting. When they had show and tell, Carole decided to learn quilting.

“When you belong to a quilting guild, you have opportunities to try all sorts of techniques and patterns,” says Carole. “Some members are real artists at their craft, and love what they do so much they quilt constantly.

“I made miniature quilts for a couple of years, which can be tedious. I’ve only made one queen-sized, ‘Jacob’s Elevator,’ and it is on our bed. I have enjoyed making quilts for my children and crib quilts for the babies.”

She and her husband have four adult children, two sons and two daughters, with families of their own. They have been blessed with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Carole recalls her grandmother did a lot of embroidery. She has one recollection of her mother quilting.

“We lived out in the country for a few years when I was a child,” says Carole. “I remember Mother taking me with her to a quilting bee. The ladies sat around a frame suspended from hooks in the ceiling and each worked on an area of quilt, while they enjoyed visiting with each other. After we moved back to my hometown, I don’t remember Mother quilting at all. She worked as a bookkeeper all day, so I guess she relaxed by reading and playing canasta.”

But long before quilting, there was painting in Carole’s life. She inherited some artistic talent from her father, but didn’t take art lessons until she was grown and married.

“When my husband was in the Air Force,” recalls Carole, “we were stationed in Japan for three years. Just before it was time to return to the states, I began oil painting classes. The instructor felt I should work in portraiture. I just plunged in. After that, I took classes when I could while raising my family. I’ve done over 60 portraits for people, but lost interest. I haven’t painted in five years, but expect to start again some day.”

Writing is one of the reasons Carole stopped painting. A friend asked her to attend a creative writing class at Tri-County Community College. Nancy Simpson was the instructor. Carole studied under Simpson, and was published after completing her second class.

A member of North Carolina Writers’ Network West, Carole’s first love is poetry. She’s collecting work to submit for possible publication as a chapbook. She also writes prose and published her short story in a Catholic Magazine with a large circulation.

Her poem, “The House of Cards,” appeared in an anthology, A SENSE OF PLACE, published by the Southeast Writer’s Association. Two of her poems were used in an Old Unicoi Trail Chapter DAR fund raising calendar.

Carole has been a member of the NSDAR 25 years because she believes in their goals of promoting education, historic preservation, and patriotism. “Our Old Unicoi Trail Chapter raises funds for college scholarships for seniors in the tri-county area,” she explains, “and all NSDAR chapters support several schools around the country that educate and provide a loving, safe home for children coming from underprivileged and sometimes unsafe home situations.”

Her essay entitled, “A Common Thread,” won first place and best of show in a Daughter’s of the American Revolution National Literature and Drama Contest. It was placed on display in DAR Continental Hall in Washington, DC during the 1999 Continental Congress.

Additionally, Carole’s heart-warming story, “A Bag of Sugar for Paula,” was first published by THE LIGUORIAN MAGAZINE in the 2000 Christmas issue and illustrated in color. It also appeared in the anthology, CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, by Catawba Press.

Besides writing, Carole and her husband have sung in church choirs all their married life. They attend the First United Methodist Church of Union County in Blairsville.

Finally, Carole Thompson enjoys meeting people and uses her talents to bless others.

Here’s a poem by Carole Thompson:

THE HOUSE OF CARDS
There is a tiny house that sits askew
In silent patience, holding out, holding on.
Winter paints ugliness on its bleak, leaning timbers,
No smoke curl charms the view or adds warmth—
I wonder how it can stand.

Inside, a very old woman waits, rocking
To a song with no words or music, remembering.
Neither joyful or sad, she numbly endures
The repetition of years and seasons.

If she lives til spring, she will emerge
One day, much like her tulips, urged by the warmth.
Her gnarled hands will bring out rusty coffee cans,
Watering every living thing, tearing away dry vines,
Exposing new shoots to sun and rain.

She will be about her garden til autumn frosts
Shrivel the blossoms, and chill her ancient bones.
Then, she will shut the door of her tiny fortress,
Remaining unseen, like the tubers now sleeping
In her garden, caring little for passing strangers
Who gape and wonder—how the little house still stands.
By: Carole Thompson

Brenda Kay Ledford will also read at the John C. Campbell Folk School on June 17th. You may visit her website and blog at: http://www.brendakayledford.com/ and http://blueridgepoet.blogspot.com/.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend the John C. Campbell Folk School and hear Carole Thompson and Brenda Kay Ledford read their work on June 17th.

COFFEE WITH THE POETS

Michelle (Mary Mike) Keller did an excellent job as MC at Coffee With the Poets held Wednesday, June 9, at Phillips and Lloyd Book Shop on the square in Hayesville, North Carolina. We had a good attendance and enjoyed hearing the poets share their work during open mic.

Maren Mitchell and Michelle (Mary Mike) Keller were the featured readers at Coffee With the Poets. Glenda Barrett was schedule as featured reader, but was not able to attend. She will be scheduled to share her work at another time.

A special visitor who attended Coffee With the Poets was Mary Fonda, head librarian at Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC. Mary supports our writers at the library. She sponsors an annual Christmas reading and party for the writers.

During Coffee With the Poets, we celebrated the publication of Mary Lou McKillip's book, HARMONY AND TRUE GRIT.

Nancy Simpson wrote a blurb for this book: "Mary Lou McKillip is an Appalachian born author who is also a natural born storyteller. Her historical fiction begins during the Revolutionary War when John Samuel Waddell falls in love with and marries Naomi, the author's ancestor, a full blood Cherokee...These stories (in the book) are filled with conflict, mystery, sadness, and humor."

Mary Lou lives in Marble, North Carolina with her husband, Truman. They have a place near Branson, Missouri and spend time there.

She writes poems and songs. Her work has been published in LIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS, MOONSHINE AND BLIND MULES, and upcoming in ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE. Mary Lou wrote a column, "Southern Corn Cob Humor," in the SENTINEL newspapers.

For information about her book, contact Mary Lou at: temck42@hotmail.com

JOHN LANG CELEBRATES THE POETRY OF KATHRYN BYER AND FIVE OTHERS FROM THE MOUNTAIN SOUTH

John Lang Celebrates the Poetry of Kay Byer and Five Others from the Mountain South
Submitted by more@citylights... on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 9:58am.

Start: Fri, 06/11/2010 - 7:00pm
End: Fri, 06/11/2010 - 8:30pm
Timezone: Etc/GMT-4

John Lang and Kay Byer will be at City Lights on Friday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. for a reading and discussion based on Lang's book, Six Poets from the Mountain South.

In the most extensive work to date on major poets from the mountain South, Lang explores the pervasive religious and spiritual concerns of many of the mountain South’s finest writers, including Fred Chappell, Robert Morgan, Jeff Daniel Marion, Kathryn Stripling Byer, and Charles Wright.

Lang wil touch briefly on all the poets covered in the book but will pay particular attention to his interpretation of Kay Byer's work. Kay will then read from some of her work, and both authors will take questions from the audience.

Location:
City Lights Bookstore
3 E Jackson S
Sylva, North Carolina 28779

NCWN West members attend Blue Ridge Book Fest

Lana Hendershott at Blue Ridge Book Fest with photo of cover of Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, anthology. Lana is a contributor to the book which will be released soon.

Although I didn’t get to go to the Blue Ridge Book Fest this year in Flat Rock, NC, our Netwest Representative for Henderson County, Lana Hendershott set up the Netwest and NCWN table and sent me a report about the two day event. Janet Benway from Brevard and Martha O. Adams from Hendersonville were already at Blue Ridge Community College, venue for the book fest, when Lana arrived at 8:30 a.m. She said Ed Southern, Executive Director of North Carolina Writers’ Network, had already been by and left NCWN literature. Ed, who is also an author, was a presenter at the book fest this year. Karen Holmes, who made it up from Hiawassee, GA on Saturday, had only positive remarks about the entire day.

Lana said the presentations were spread among three buildings at the college. She heard Terry Kay give the keynote address and then enjoyed presentations by Ann B. Ross, author of the Miss Julia series and Joslyn Jackson who wrote the popular novels Gods in Alabama and Between Georgia.


Karen and Lana attended the lunch with Robert Morgan. “The ten dollars was a bargain for lunch and the opportunity to hear Robert Morgan read and answer questions,” Lana said.
Karen agreed. “I enjoyed hearing Robert Morgan read his poetry and talk about writing. He’s an amazingly intelligent man who also comes across as kind and caring.”

Now Karen and Lana know why we are so excited that Robert Morgan wrote the introduction for the Netwest anthology, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living In and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains which will be released within the next three weeks.

Karen, being a poet herself, found Glenis Redmond’s presentation entertaining and inspiring. “I spoke with her afterwards; she seems to be a true friend of poets. I purchased her book of poetry and also bought a poetry collection by Netwest member Martha O. Adams, who was another delightful person to meet.”

Lana liked the way the author tables were set up in the Courtland Room this year and the way the bookstore, Malaprops, displayed all the books up on the stage. However, that meant the speakers were often in three other buildings where the presentations were held.

Karen Holmes, who does an excellent job editing and publishing our Netwest News, said she knew names of many writers she met at the book fest, but this gave her the chance the get to know their faces.
Lana commented, “There was also actual food set up in the hallways and around that main room, too; coffee, muffins, caramel apples, popcorn and Bar BQ for lunch, not just vending machines,” She said. Lana was comparing this year’s food availability with the selection last year. It seems the Blue Ridge Book Fest is indeed growing and getting better and better.

Writing conferences and book fairs are important to our writers here in the mountains, our Netwest members. The volunteers, who put together the Blue Ridge Book Fest, and the Blue Ridge Community College are to be commended for all the work and effort that went into making this another successful event. Mark your calendar, as I am doing, for May 20, 21, 2011 to attend the Blue Ridge Book Fest in Flat Rock, NC.

NCWN West Monthly Prose Workshop Will Meet

Are you writing a book?

NCWN West's monthly prose group will meet at Tri County Community College, located between Murphy and Hayesville, NC on June 10, 2010

at 7:00.

This is the same group that has been meeting under the sponsorship of NCWN West for more than 15 yrs. The first critique sessions were held by N.C.W.N. West's Cherokee County Representative Gene Hirsch for both poets and prose writrs. When the group grew too large and Gene Hirsch moved from the area, the prose writing group, as we now know it, met under the leadership of Mary E. Lynn Drew and for many years under the direction of Richard Argo. The new workshop leader is Peg Russell.

This monthly group has as it's main purpose to help prose writers finish their fiction and nonfiction writing. It is free to NCWN West members within driving distance and open to observers who consider joining. You only need be a member to NCWN to participate. There is no jury process to deside who can join. It is a group of Netwest writers who welcome other writers.

If you write essays, short stories or have novel in progress this could be the right group for you. They meet once a month, bring copies of a number of pages to share with others and get considerate and helpful feedback on their writing. I myself have participated in this monthly prose writing group, and I got genuine help on writing a novel that I am working on.

Peg Russell, the workshop leader sent this message today : "Hope to see everyone McSwain Building, room 127, 7PM."

Poet Maren O. Mitchell will Read at Coffee With the Poets

Coffee With the Poets, a monthly program of NC Writers Network West, will feature poet Maren O. Mitchell reading her original poems at Phillips and Lloyd Book Store on the town square in Hayesville June 9th, 2010 at 10:30.

After the featured poet reads, there will be an open mic reading, so come and bring one of your poems to read. Coffee, tea and morning sweets are offered by The Dessertery for $2.50.

Maren O. Mitchell's poems have been widley published in American literary magazines including Red Clay Reader, Appalachian Journal, The Journal of Kentucky Studies and a new poem is forthcoming in Southern Humanities Review. She also has a poem forthcoming in Echoes Across the Blue Ridge -

Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Maren taught poetry writing at Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC and she catalogued at the Carl Sandburg Home.

Want more information about poetry? www.nancysimpson.blogspot.com