A message from Travis Denton and Katie Chaple

From: Denton, Travis W 

Dear Friends—

Katie and I hope all’s well where you are, and that you and yours are all safe and healthy. (Katie continues to tell me to stop touching my face.) Right now, we’re all physically distancing ourselves, but I have an opportunity for you where we can be “virtually” together this summer and do the good work of poetry.

Katie and I are co-leading Manhattanville College’s Summer Writer’s Week Poetry Workshop in Purchase, NY coming up from June 22 to June 26. This is a wonderful and exciting program that we’re thrilled to be a part of. Now, the program is going to happen via Zoom (not in person, because of, well, you know) and that’ll work just fine. We’ll have a lot of fun, and do the good work of poetry. We invite each and every one of you to be a part of the workshop. Please do hurry to sign up—space is limited.

Our poetry workshop will be in the morning each day for about three hours, and in the afternoon there will be craft talks, and poetry readings in the evening. And if you sign up to join our poetry workshop, we will also offer each of you an hour’s worth of free one-on-one poetry/manuscript consultation. How’s that?

Here’s the link to the Manhattanville Summer Writer’s Week Webpage with all the info on how to join. http://mvillemfa.com/summer-writers-week/summer-writers-week-2020/ Feel free to share this link with anyone you think might be interested. If you have any questions at all or just want to be in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Stay safe, everyone!

Only Good Things Always,

Travis & Katie

Book Release during a pandemic? What can you do?

https://authorsroundthesouth.com/lady-banks/12413-what-is-it-like-to-release-a-book-in-a-pandemic

In the above newsletter from Authors Round the South, Lady Banks tells us what smart authors have been successfully doing.

Renea Winchester, is author of Outbound Train, set in her hometown of Bryson City, North Carolina. It is the story of the iron-willed women of a local textile plant. I like the story already. 

Dealing with the frustrations and anger COVID-19 has brought into our lives

Even when we know what to do, it often takes someone to remind us why we should.

We know it is best to let the anger and feelings of helplessness out. We should rant or write but we should get it out of our system, right?

I spent about a week ranting and being irritable with everyone. Even my closest friends and family still don't want to talk to me. For several nights I could not sleep at all. I would find myself still awake at 6:30 a.m. Then I felt awful all day long. I began to worry that something was wrong with me, that I was ill. I was ill. I had become sick from all the negative feelings in my body.

Part of my stress was due to my brother who has been in the hospital twice in the past couple of months, very, very ill. We think now he had COVID-19. He was on a ventilator for several days, but the tests were not given back in February when he was sick. Whatever he had has left him with heart problems which gives me more reason to be concerned.

My brother a few years ago telling stories at the family reunion

I went on a tirade on Facebook, something I don't normally do. Now I am avoiding FB and writing more, reading more blogs, listening to Audible, and watching videos that I enjoy. I try to avoid TV news. I realize that it stresses me out more than anything.

This writer Sharon A. Bray, EdD has explained how holding in our negative feelings is harmful for our health, and she offers some ways to deal with our anger and frustrations. She says: The nice thing about writing about difficult emotions or frustrations is that it helps you release them from you body to the page. You can be honest. No one needs to see what you’ve written.

Check her out and see if you agree with what she has written. She is a cancer survivor and helps others by teaching them to write about their difficulties.

https://writingthroughcancer.ca/2020/05/11/may-11-2020-letting-it-out-releasing-negative-emotions/


Have you found writing to be a way of dealing with your emotions?

A Road Map for Writers

A book is out that we all want to read.

The Author's Journey: A Road Map for Writers - From Draft to Published Book 

Pat Zick,novelist and part time resident of Murphy, NC has published the book we need to read if we want to publish a successful book. She writes as P.C. Zick and is a member of NCWN-West.

Find this book here now.

About P.C. Zick

Bestselling author P.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and creative nonfiction. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and novels.
Pat says she hopes to be back in the mountains before too long, but for now she is self-quarantined in her home in Tallahassee, Florida. She was scheduled to teach a publishing class at the Moss Library in Hayesville in June, but she is now thinking about teaching the class on Zoom. We hope she will teach  even if from her home.

Writers' Night Out in May

We held our second Zoom online Writers' Night Out on Friday with guests,    Travis Denton and Katie Chaple,husband and wife poets from Atlanta, Georgia.           


The evening was enjoyable with the two talking and asking questions to each other about writing poetry. They were humorous, relaxed and likable.

We had a glitch at the beginning of the hour because we had sent out two different links for the Zoom meeting, but hopefully, everyone found us eventually.This type of venue is not as familiar to us as we would like, but hope we can master it before long. Our open mic readers were in Florida, Watkinsville, Georgia, Hiawassee, Georgia, and local.

I thought it interesting that Katie and Travis have already scheduled a week of workshops in the fall and all will be online. We will probably find that many of the gatherings we have been used to will end up being online. NCWN has ongoing workshops online. 

At the present time, we have no plans to hold Coffee with the Poets and Writers this summer even if the Moss Library opens soon. Neither will we hold the Literary Hour at the John C. Campbell Folk School if it opens soon. We hope to plan for the fall, but will see what the country looks like then. 

Because these meetings are open to the public, we would have to police seating and wearing of masks and our leaders aren't ready to take that on now. Also, many of our members and audience are over 65 which puts them in the high risk group for COVID-19. We prefer to stay home and wait than to take risks with our lives.

I hope you are learning how to take online classes to improve your writing and to motivate you to write while you are home. With more time on our hands, we can polish up those manuscripts in our folders and submit them.

We would love to have our members contribute posts for this blog. Give us ten tips for writing poetry, fiction, short stories or creative nonfiction. You are accomplished writers, and I know you have things you can share with others.

If you have a list of prompts you could share, send them in and we will publish them. We don't get many comments but we have a large readership from all over the world. When you post here, we will also list your books, your website, etc. This site belongs to our members. Let us hear from you.
To make it easy, send to glendabeall@msn.com 

Comments on April Writers' Night Out on Zoom

Carroll S. Taylor comments on April Zoom meeting for Writers' Night Out

I’m so glad I attended last night.  I need the connection with fellow poets and writers, and I think our gathering felt surprisingly intimate despite our distances apart. Poetry has the power to bring us all together. Thank you, Glenda and Karen, for organizing everything. Thank you, Rupert, for sharing your poetry.

WNO brought light to a dark night.

Carroll

On Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 11:11 AM Bob Grove wrote:

I'm sure all the participants share the same delight in meeting and hearing from each other.

Warmest regards for the weekend,

Bob

News from Netwest PC

On our latest membership list for NCWN-West, we have 116 members. Our members come from Henderson County down to Cherokee County, and we have twelve members from bordering counties in Georgia.

Most of our counties have one or two Netwest representatives, but we still need people in Transylvania County, Graham County and Cherokee County. We are able to reach more writers when we have a representative who makes himself or herself available to members, and who cares about those she represents. The best writers are generous writers, and I hope you will think about being generous in your county.

What can we do for others during a pandemic?
In this time of having to give up so much in our lives, I see our fellow writers  lending a helping hand to others. I see people searching for ways to make their lives meaningful during this crisis. 

I don't have money to give away, but I want to help our local food pantry which is feeding many, many people who can't work because their places of business are closed, who don't have a paycheck coming in and need to feed their children.

Estelle Rice, member and co-author of Paws, Claws, Hooves, Feathers and Fins, joined with me in offering all profit for the next month from sales of our book to the Clay County Food Pantry. This is done through City Lights Books in Sylva, NC where you can order online, and they will ship the books at a deep discount. I sent out a few emails and posted it on Facebook and my blogs, but hope you will help us spread the word. This helps our favorite bookstore as well as helping the food pantry.

I have been surprised at the response. One person thanked me for reminding her that she should send a check to the food pantry in her county. Another person who was once a member of NCWN-WEST simply sent a check for the Clay County Food Pantry. We all want to help when we can. Be creative. How can you use your talents to help others?

For four weeks in March, I taught a creative writing class for Tri-County Community College. We met once at the college, but three of the classes I taught online using Google Classroom. The students enjoyed it so much, I decided to teach another six weeks, but at no charge. 

While we are home and looking for things to do, taking an online class is a way to keep motivated to write. It is good for me as well. I have learned a new skill and find that Zoom gives us a perfect way to stay connected. My students  enjoy sending in a writing piece each week that we all read and offer helpful comments. I critique each individual story and send back to the author.

So, although I am self-quarantined, I am using this time to help others as well as myself. 

On Friday evening, 7:00, May 8, we plan to hold another Writers' Night Out on Zoom. The April WNO was well-attended and enjoyed. I will host, and we will send out instructions on how to join us.

Rosemary Royston, our Netwest treasurer, wrote a post on her blog today that I want to share with you.  https://theluxuryoftrees.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/the-art-of-losing/

NCWN will hold an online course on May 20, 7:00 PM.
Topic: "Revealing Character Through Dialogue" with Xhenet Aliu

I have been teaching this subject, and I hope to learn some new tips to pass on to my students. I believe that dialogue is such an important part of writing and often the hardest part. It is a perfect way to reveal character. If you haven't received an email about this class, go to www.ncwriters.org and you can register.

What are you doing to help others while staying at home and being safe? 

Email me, pcncwnwest@gmail.com or leave a comment on this site.

Update on Writing Events and what to expect in the future

Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC is still closed and will be through May 2. 
Coffee with the Poets and Writers will not meet in May.

The Literary Hour usually held at the John C. Campbell Folk School will not meet in May.
Tri-County Community College is closed and the NCWN-West poetry and prose groups will not meet until the college is opened again.

No events are planned for NCWN-West until we all feel safe gathering in groups again. At this time, I can't imagine when that will be.

We might hold some Zoom events for writers including Writers' Night Out in May, but at this time we have no definite plans.

We would like to hear from you. Would you like to meet on Zoom or on Skype?

If enough of our members want to meet online, we will look at that possibility.
Leave a comment on this blog or email me your opinion.
gcbmountaingirl@gmail.com

If you participated in the Cabin Fever conference held by NCWN last Saturday, please let us know your thoughts about it. I signed on for four workshops and I did enjoy the entire day. Some of the groups had as many as 63 attending. Some of them muted their video and we could not see their faces. But that was fine. Some also muted their audio and they did not speak during the class time.

The instructors were excellent, especially Lynn York, editor for Blair Publishing and Robin, her co-instructor was exemplary in her presentation. I think this was the most detailed presentation I have seen or heard on what happens as your manuscript goes through the process of being published. Some of my thoughts on traditional publishers and marketing changed after hearing them speak.

I am teaching a free writing course for the next four weeks online using Zoom. If this experiment goes well, I will consider opening Writers Circle Around the Table and teaching online for pay in the coming months. 

We can make these months at home productive if we use our time to reflect on what we do, what we like to do and how we can better achieve our writing goals.

We can use this time to submit to contests and keep our work out, don't hoard your writing on your computer, submit it and give it a chance to mingle while you stay home. 

How Can You Help Others?

From now until June 1, Estelle Rice and I are offering our proceeds from the sale of Paws, Claws, Hooves, Feathers and Fins to the Clay County Food Pantry when you order from City Lights Books in Sylva, NC.  This volunteer organization feeds many people and the need is large right not.

City Lights is offering a reduced price for shipping as their way of donating.

Send a book to a friend who is staying home for protection from COVID-19.

Signing books last December - It is a great gift to have on hand for those random times you need one.

Remember a birthday coming up and send this delightful book of stories and poems about domestic pets, dogs, cats, horses and birds.

This is what author Lisa Turner said about our book:

 Evokes those special memories and relationships with our animal friends

"The emotional experiences with our beloved pets are captured in poetic detail and images in these wonderful stories in Paws, Claws, Hooves, Feathers and Fins. Our human lives are so enriched by the special relationships we have with all creatures large and small, and these stories capture this delicate and powerful drama so much that we will enjoy reading them again and again. Highly recommend."

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2020

Something to Celebrate

Glenda Barrett

Glenda Barrett's poem, Ordinary Things was accepted for publication in July issue of Front Porch Review.  Also, she has had two poems, Coming Unglued, and Clarity, accepted in Willows Wept Review for Summer. 

Glenda lives in Hiawassee, Georgia, a member of NCWN-West for many years. She is well-published in many journals and reviews. She is author of two books, including When the Sap Rises, published by Finishing Line Press in 2008.
Besides writing poetry and prose, Glenda is an artist and photographer. Her artwork is online at Fine Art America. 

Writers' Night Out with Zoom

Tonight, April 10, at 7:00 PM, we held our monthly Writers' Night Out meeting on Zoom where we could see and hear each other. Karen Holmes hosted this event that featured Rupert Fike who did a terrific job of reading his poetry and talking to us about the craft of writing poetry. I believe twenty people participated, and some were audio only using their phones.

Several people read during the Open Mic session.

While learning to use Zoom can be a challenge for some of our writers, I believe most of us can master this and find it is a good method of visiting with family and friends as we all self-quarantine to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. We  must follow the guidelines about staying home and helping to stop the spread of this deadly illness.

Here in our mountain area, a number of people have been diagnosed with this virus and it only takes one person to expose us and endanger our lives and the lives of those we love.

As writers, we should find this time beneficial because it gives us time to write. The most precious thing is time and e we usually can't find enough with our busy lives. As we are forced to slow down, to stay home and entertain ourselves, what better activity than writing poetry, working on our manuscripts,  revising work we have put away.

We are looking forward to the day when we can meet again at Moss Library or the John C. Campbell Folk School for Coffee with the Poets and Writers and the Literary Hour. But until that time, we can stay in touch by phone and by email or with other online methods.

Thanks to all who joined us for WNO on Zoom. Let us know how you liked it.
Contact me, pcncwnwest@gmail.com 
Glenda Beall

Writers' Night Out, Friday April 10, Social Distancing Style on Zoom,

Writers' Night Out
Social Distancing Style

Join us online,
April 10, 7 pm
Featuring Poet, Rupert Fike
reading & craft talk
+ 
Open mic
See open mic sign-up instructions below
See Zoom meeting link below
 You do not need a Zoom account nor a Zoom app. 

In a new Writers' Night Format for 2020, Rupert will read and then present a craft talk. 

Rupert Fike, poet

 Rupert Fike, who has been a Writers' Night favorite in past years, won the 2017 Violet Reed Hass prize for his second book, Hello the House (Snake Nation Press), which was also named a "Book All Georgians Should Read."

His first collection was Lotus Buffet (Brick Road, 2011), and his stories and poems have appeared in The Southern Poetry Review, Scalawag, The Georgetown Review, A&U America's AIDS Magazine, The Buddhist Poetry Review, Natural Bridge, and others. He has a poem inscribed in a downtown Atlanta plaza, and his non-fiction, Voices from The Farm, chronicles life on a 1970s Tennessee commune. He lives in Atlanta and travels throughout the south to do readings. 


Zoom instructions: You can join the group by cell phone, notebook, laptop, or computer and use audio only or audio and video. 

It's easiest to join using this link. Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/680728955?pwd=T2duT2wzd1NjQTFjUHcveEtMSkpDdz09
When prompted, click on "Open zoom.us". 
Try to get on before 7 pm to make sure you can do it. 
It is important to use the meeting ID and the password.

Meeting ID: 680 728 955
Password: 095905
If you are interested in a practice session before Friday, contact Glenda Beall, glendabeall@msn.com

Open mic sign-up
Open mic follows the craft talk. 3 minutes for each reader of poetry or prose. To sign up, please contact Glenda Beall glendabeall@msm.com


May 8 and continuing the second Friday of every month:
We hope to continue in person at our new location--The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge-- but please check your email. 
 

Renea Winchester launches Outbound Train

Outbound Train releases today ! Being an author means you’ve signed up to be vulnerable. You’ve laid out your soul for all to read. Being an author means the public’s initial perception of your work can make or break something you’ve invested years of your life into. Being an author also means some readers will adore your work, others will use their platform to voice their displeasure. And perhaps that is why authors worry, because from inspiration to final edits we have been in control. But as the ink dries on publication day and a book baby is born, an author has mixed emotions: so much love and hope mingle with the feeling of complete helplessness. And so my friends, I give you Outbound Train, my book baby. I pray you will scatter her like petals in the wind. I pray you will experience life in my hometown from my eyes, and that you will gift me with the kindness of a book review. A book review will make or break Outbound Train. I hope you will tell your friends, your librarian and the neighbor across the street. For in these uncertain times I still believe that words matter and I need you more than you shall ever know. With sincere appreciation. Be well and safe during these uncertain times. Renea

My friends, Independent Booksellers are hurting. Please call your local Indie and order a copy today. Many are shipping copies as well. Find your Indie Bookseller here. Link to Amazon here.  PLEASE NOTE: AUTHORS DO NOT receive payments for USED COPIES sold through Amazon. These copies are most-likely damaged copies or copies sent to a reviewer who is now selling it. Please support all authors and buy new, or local books.

Find Out More

A Hope for a New Normal

This is a comment from a blogger friend who lives in Australia. She has MS, but normally volunteers at a Suicide Crisis Center in her city. She is a thoughtful and caring person, and I asked if I might publish this comment from her. 

Sue will find other ways to help people. She is that kind of person. Even if we are at home, we can reach out to others, especially those who live alone or have recently lost loved ones. 

I am hoping that our new normal is NOT the same. I hope that we  remember that getting by with less is not only possible, but better for  the environment (and our wallets). And I long for this pandemic  to be replaced with a pandemic of kindness. That said, today I am feeling  bereft. My age and my chronic illness means that I can no longer do shifts  on the crisis line - at a time when so many people are crying out  for assistance.

Writers' Night Out Delayed Until May

Due to the coronavirus situation in the State of Georgia, Writers' Night Out, April 10th in Hiawassee, has been cancelled. 

Our new home is The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge --  

We all hope to resume May 8 

and continue the second Friday of each month, meanwhile...

Stay healthy, read, and write! 

Randy Mazie's poem published

Congratulations to a new member of NCWN-West, Randy Mazie.One of his poems was published by Your Daily Poem.

"To E.E. and Billy: My Two Best Friends"

by

Randy Mazie

A Word from NCWN-West Program Coordinator

I am home, making sure I have no visitors, and I am not going out unless it is absolutely necessary.
Being in the High Risk group of Americans who are more apt to die from Covid -19 if I should be exposed and become ill, I am practicing all the guidelines from CDC. I urge all of you to do the same.

Recent news from Ed Southern regarding the NCWN Spring Conference

It's now official, if unsurprising:  https://ncwriters.org/index.php/our-members/network-news/11134-covid-19-and-spring-conference

I know some of you have seen and shared this online already. For those who haven't, please help us spread this sad news.

Please stay tuned, though, as we announce more and more online options. Later today we'll open registration for a free Online Open Mic that we'll host next week, and we will open registration for our Cabin Fever Conference - an online alternative to the Spring Conference - as soon as possible.

The Network isn't going anywhere. In fact, the Network will be even more active in the coming days, weeks, and months. We're almost uniquely well-positioned to keep writers connected and supported through this tumultuous time, and that's just what we intend to do.

More soon. Take care. 

Yours, 

Ed Southern

*****************************************************************

The Blue Ridge Writers' Conference in Blue Ridge, GA has been cancelled.  I was looking forward to this great small conference.

CANCELLED: 

The writing class on Dialogue at the Moss Memorial Library with Carol Crawford has been postponed until Thursday, August 20. We will refund fees to anyone who has registered and wants a refund.  Let me know by email and include your mailing address.  pcncwnwest@gmail.com 

Let's use this forum to let our members know what is happening in the NCWN-West region. 

What are restaurants in your area doing to reach their customers? How are you coping with staying home? What is the medical community doing to keep safe and meet the needs of the public in your county? Here in our rural area, it is not easy to keep up with local happenings. 

Angelos's Pizza in Hayesville, NC is open and offers take out. Food is good and service is excellent.

Well, you can teach an old dog new tricks

I am teaching a class for Tri-County Community College, but the college is closed and my students voted to hold the class online.

With help from others, I set up through Google Classroom, and we held our first class Monday evening. I will work hard this week to gain all the knowledge I can to make this a great class for my students. I think it will be fun and interesting as we all learn how to use Google Classroom. 

Leave a comment here or send an email to pcncwnwest@gmail.com 

Writers' Night Out Has a New Home: The Ridges on Lake Chatuge

NCWN-West is happy to become associated with 

The Ridges Resort.  

3499 US-76, Young Harris, GA 30582

Writers' Night Out Begins April 10 at 7 pm with poet Rupert Fike

Joan Howard and I met with Andrea Allen of The Ridges Resort to confirm having our Writers' Night Out (WNO) there. Click here for their website. We'll continue with our normal schedule: the second Friday of each month, April through November, at 7 pm, featuring guest readers and an open mic. The resort is excited about helping make the event a success for our members, their guests, and the public. It's sure to be a win-win. 

The change of venue was necessary because our prior meeting place -- the Union County Community Center in Blairsville, GA -- could no longer offer us a free room. We're grateful that they donated space for WNO for several years. 

Karen Paul Holmes, who has hosted WNO for 10 years, was touring the various meeting spaces at The Ridges for another event and had the thought that it could work very well for NCWN-West and WNO. Her idea met with much enthusiasm from their meeting planner Andrea and the resort's General Manager. They give us the room at no charge and will promote the event to their guests. In return we will tell everyone about the restaurant and the resort. 

I hope to see us meet for dinner at The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen, their farm-to-table restaurant, before we gather for WNO. It is fine dining and is not cheap, but once a month, you might want to splurge or at least try their appetizers and a cocktail. They open at 5 PM, and reservations are recommended. Their guests also give great reviews for the breakfasts served each day. 

Our writers will like that we can go to the bar in the restaurant, purchase a drink, and take it to the meeting room. 

On the marina side of the property is another restaurant, Marina Station, where they serve lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday (summer hours will likely be extended).

Originally the Fieldstone Inn, The Ridges was purchased by Duke Hospitality in 2017 and underwent extensive remodeling of all meeting spaces, lodge rooms, and restaurants in 2018.  All venues and restaurants have the most beautiful views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains. Weddings, family reunions, and conferences often enjoy the ambiance and friendliness of the staff.

For 2020, WNO will begin Friday, April 10 with a popular guest: Rupert Fike of Atlanta, whose last book was named a "Book Every Georgian Should Read." He will share his insights on writing, and this new aspect of the program will continue with each of our featured writers throughout the year. Open mic will take place after the reading/discussion. Because Karen has decided to step back a little due to scheduling conflicts, various members of NCWN-West will rotate as hosts.

At 6:45 we can enter the Blue Ridge Room adjacent to The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen for our meeting at 7:00 PM. If there is a change of room, the reception area of the restaurant will have the information for you. 

I urge you to drop by The Ridges for dinner or breakfast and see this lovely place. Stop in at the Marina Station Restaurant for lunch and a beautiful relaxing view of Lake Chatuge. 

I see many possibilities for NCWN-West to use facilities at The Ridges in the future. Let's support the businesses that support us, the writers in the area.

The Looking Glass Rock Writers Conference in Brevard

Writers, you will like Brevard, NC and this annual conference held at Brevard College.

The Looking Glass Rock Writers Conference is held May 14 - 17, and the faculty looks very good this year.

Check it out and see what you think.

Exploring the theme “A Sense of Place," small select groups of conference attendees experience working under the guidance of notable writers. Founded in 2016 as a partnership between the Transylvania County Library and Brevard College, the annual conference consists of writing workshops for select participants and public readings by the workshop leaders free to the community.

The Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference is sponsored by the Transylvania County Library Foundation and Brevard College.

Brenda Kay Ledford Published in West End Poets Newsletter

Brenda Kay Ledford's poem, "Orchids," appeared in the "West End Poets Newsletter," March/April/May 2020.

For information:  www.westendpoetsweekend.com