Writer Spectacle
Featured Writers

Sylvia Schwartz
Patty Wiseman
Tina Hogan Grant
Daniel Bishop
JoAnna Poster
Frank Chase Jr.
Christina Hamlett
Sharon Pape

Table of Contents

Sylvia Schwartz

What kind of content do you mostly write?
Short stories and flash fiction. And if that’s not short enough, I’ve also had two one-minute plays produced for New Jersey’s 8th Annual One-Minute Play Festival that was held at the Mile Square Theatre in the mile-square town of Hoboken, NJ, where I live.

How long have you been writing?
Since 2012. Professional copywriter before that.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
Approx. 20 hours.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
The Writers Studio and One Story in New York.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Finding a suitable home for my emotions.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
My desk is filled with turtles. Not the live kind, but turtles made of metal, stone, rocks, or beads. They are my reminder to slow down. I’m not in a race with anyone. There is no finish line. There is only one step in front of the other.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
“Zero chance to make it as a writer.” Well, there’s a lot packed into that sentence. First, what does it mean to “make it” as a writer? Fame? Money? That’s elusive to even great writers. Now, “Zero chance…as a writer,” means something entirely different and this where they would be 100% wrong. Writing is a craft that can be taught. And anyone with the desire to write should pursue their dream. There are all levels of writing, and there will always be people better and worse. Blogging is the easiest form of expression and sometimes just being able to write how one feels is enough.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
I love what Ira Glass says about taste. When you start out you have great taste, but you’re not able to write to the level of your taste and that is frustrating and because of that people often give up. But the only solution is to keep writing, knowing every writer has faced this same frustrating delimna. The more you write, the better you’ll become.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Not asking the right questions when seeking a critique. There are 3 key questions a writer needs to ask. 1) Where were you confused? (This tells the writer that something isn’t clear, which usually stems from the writer understanding more than is on the page.) 2) Where were you bored? (This indicates that maybe there is too much backstory or not enough conflict or not enough internal character vulnerabilities being revealed.) 3) What was the most visual or interesting moment? (This tells the writer what is working well and gives the writer a firm foundation to build upon.)

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
I had a teacher critique me personally and instead of standing up to her, I shut down. For the next three months, I dropped out of all my writing groups and stopped writing. Then I came across the book “Word Work—Surviving and Thriving as a Writer.” It seemed he had every self-doubt and anxiety that I had about writing. Suddenly, I didn’t feel alone and I started to write again.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
https://boldplusitalic.wordpress.com/issues/issue-01/f01/

I started this short story years ago but didn’t have the writing acumen at the time to figure out how to tell this complex story. Then I picked up the story again, finished it, and published it by a magazine that wants to take literature to a new level in the Indian subcontinent by sharing work from around the world.

Your website or blog
www.sylviaschwartz.com

My website not only features my stories, but also a Community section filled with resources for writers. Whenever I find something useful that I think other writers might find helpful, I put it up on my website.

Thank you for this opportunity. Best, Sylvia

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
Becoming a good writer is the first step. Study and learn the craft and study the writers you most admire. Study the classic 6-point story structure, which can be used either to help you outline your novel or as a way to review/revise your first draft. Hire good editors who understand your genre. Write with a series in mind. And never stop learning and writing. Also, luck plays a role, so wishing you some good luck, too!

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
I no longer sketch, for art cannot provide redemption, even in these so-called modern Edwardian times. Last I tried, the force of my fountain pen punctured my drawing sending tears of black ink streaming down the page. I must tell this story without the forgiveness of an artist’s eye for the story I paint must reflect the harsh light of truth. I, Amelia Elizabeth Davis, betrayed Colleen McDougall leaving her no choice but to leave East Mestingham, England, in the middle of the night. The fact that I loved her almost like my own child changes nothing.

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
The key to doing anything right is doing it well, so the first step is to find individuals with a reason to care about the people who are moving in. While money can be a motivator for individuals, doing something for the greater good is a better motivator when you need a greater number of people. Therefore, what I would do is contact the local church and engage their minister and his or her congregation. After the job, the $3K would be a donation to the church and the owners of the mansion (wealthy, perhaps) would become members and donors to the church, thus making this a win-win for all involved. With a large congregation, people would work in shifts with specific duties: 1) label “toss,” “resale,” (resale being those items not “mansion-worthy” but items the church might be able to sell), or “keep,” 2) execute those actions, 3) clean/organize each room, 4) provide food and drink for the workers, etc. A big party could be planned afterward at the church for everyone who participated as well as honoring the mansion owners, hoping they would feel forever in the church’s debt!

Anything else you’d like to say?
Participate in and join lots of writing groups. Editing other people’s work provides insight into your writing and helps you overcome those slumps when you’re not as productive as you’d like to be. Always be supportive. Never stop learning. Learn to enjoy the process. Accept that writing is work. Read like a writer.

Patty Wiseman

What kind of content do you mostly write?
My writing journey started with historical fiction. I have a series of 4 books. These stories are based on things I heard my grandmother talk about while growing up in the Roaring Twenties. They’ve all won awards.
From there, I decided I wanted to try my hand at a contemporary romantic mystery. To my delight, it won 1st place in Best Romance with Texas Association of Authors.

That same year, I published a children’s book based on a true story about our dog who rescued 2 baby foxes from drowning in our pond. That too, won 1st place in Children’s books.

My newest book is called Somewhere Between, is a ghost story set in the 1850’s in Texas. I love trying new things.

How long have you been writing?
8 years

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
25

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I am the President of the East Texas Writers Association in Longview, Tx which gives me opportunity to mentor other writers. I’ve helped many on their road to being published. I love to speak to women’s groups about learning the writing craft after retirement.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Life experiences, lessons learned, and the need to encourage women to take life by the horns, even after retirement.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I’m not a coffee drinker, so I tend to have a Dr. Pepper and a bowl of chips at the ready. Needless to say, napkins are handy. Ideas seem to come easier when I’m munching.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Explore the self-publishing or small press publishing route. Many have made it going rogue. But, first be sure you are writing for the love of it, rather than to make money. Writing needs to come from the deepest core of your soul. If you write that way, it will fulfill you. There is so much help out there now for the ones who choose self-publishing. And, so many indie author groups who help and support you. Don’t ever give up!

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Learn your craft!! In this day and time, many people just pick up writing a book, not understanding you have to learn the craft first. A seasoned reader or writer can tell by your writing if you have taken the time to learn how to put together a novel or short story. Take online courses, join a local writer’s group. Absorb the wisdom of others!!

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Spending huge amounts of money on advertising before their work has been properly vetted. Use Beta Readers and critique groups to give you an idea if your work is polished enough. Don’t just put a book out there and then buy ads to shop it around. Do a thorough job of getting feedback before you spend a lot of money.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
I think the challenge for me is the air of competition that surrounds us. I’ve helped many people to achieve their writing goals only to have those people turn their back on me when they get published. I support everyone. But not all support me when they view me as the competition. I’ve worked hard as the President of our writer’s group to break that trend. Together we can do so much more!

A direct link to your most proud of written work
http://amzn.to/2pXNO5B

Your website or blog
www.pattywiseman.com

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
The road to success is paved with, dare I say it, hard work! Before you can think in terms of international and successful, you must know your craft. Build a name for yourself by entering contests, researching those things that other successful authors have done, and put in the time it takes to hone your writing skills. Put on a thick skin and listen to those who critique you, listen to your Beta Readers, listen to your writing coaches. If you don’t have any of those, get them! Keep writing, keep perfecting!

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
For all its beauty and vainglorious efforts, the blue skies of Texas didn’t compare with the unpretentious arrival of what is, for lack of a better word, the universe. In the most glorious sunset, the most beautiful blue skies, and the fluffy drifting of a white cloud, you only see as far as the blueness. But, when the night sky makes its graceful entrance, another dimension reveals itself.

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
Scavenger Hunt! A text message is sent out to five of my closest friends. ‘Meet me at 8 a.m. at Grayson’s Mansion for a chance to find the hidden treasure. Instructions when you arrive.’
A small golden box is placed somewhere in the mansion with a $1000 bill inside. On the front porch brooms, cleaning products, and other essentials are displayed in orderly fashion. When friends arrive, they are greeted with instructions to find the golden box, but cannot move to the next room until the one they searched is thoroughly cleaned. The one with the most rooms cleaned will add $500 to their personal finances, even if they didn’t find the golden box. They are instructed of the time constraints. While the frenzy is going on inside the house, I will sit on the front porch sipping lemonade and dreaming of what I will purchase with the rest of the money, which should come out to around $1000 without lifting a finger.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I’d like to leave you with my favorite quote by Dolly Parton. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” If you’ve dreamed of being a writer, then follow your dream, but before you do that, make a plan. Map out your goals. Narrow down your talent. Is it poetry, short stories, fiction, non-fiction? Choose your genre. Study, watch, join others, but most of all be persistent. If you are not willing, then you are resistant and that attitude will not propel your dream forward. Most of all begin! Start with finding a writing group in your area, then listen and learn! Happy writing!

Tina Hogan Grant

What kind of content do you mostly write?
My debut novel “Reckless Beginnings” due to be launched October 4th, 2018 is Women’s Fiction based on true events, involving drug dependency family and relationships. I also write romantic comedy.

How long have you been writing?
As far back as I can remember, writing has been a passion. Writing my debut novel, which was fourteen years in the making, took my writing to another level.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
I work full time so I am satisfied f I am able to dedicate two hours a day to my writing. It averages out to about 10 – 15 hours a week. I wish it could be more.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
My father is the late science fiction author James P. Hogan he was and always will be my mentor. Growing up, I watched him work a full time job to support his family and follow his dreams until the wee hours of the morning, writing his novel. He had the passion, the drive and persevered until he became successful.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
I write stories without knowing the ending, in order to find out how it will end, I must continue to write.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure why, but I have to be barefoot when writing. Not sure if that is an odd habit, but my feet need to breathe while I’m creating.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Rejection for any writer is hard to swallow. It jabs at our confidence, it makes us questions our dreams. It is a time to rise above it and realize that not every publisher is going to like your work. Many famous authors were rejected many times before being discovered and published. J. k. Rowling, for example, was rejected twelve times for her Harry Potter Series. If a publisher states you have zero chance of becoming a writer, I wouldn’t agree and forget about my dreams of doing something I truly love. Instead I would prove them wrong by improving my skills and never giving up.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
If you want to be a writer you must not only write every day but also read. Study the genre you like to write. Read like a writer. Take note of the writing style, the sentences, the plot, characterization. Does the story flow? Why do you like it?

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
I think one of the biggest traps an aspiring author should avoid, is trying to be like their favorite author. I know, I can relate. I wanted to be the next Nora Roberts, I read every Nora Roberts book. I tried to mimic her style. I finally realized I needed to find my own voice, my own style of writing and represent myself as a writer.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
My biggest challenge today is finding quality time to write. It’s my dream to someday be able to write full-time, but it’s a work in progress with a long road ahead. Working fifty hours a week doesn’t leave much time to do what I really love to do which is to create stories.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
I’m currently waiting for my debut novel to be released, October 4th, so I don’t have anything on Amazon right now. I do write a weekly blog. Recently I wrote an article that was extremely hard to write. It came from the heart and it’s something in my life that I have to deal with every day. It got a lot of emotional feedback and comments that took me by surprise. Here is the link : https://tinahogangrant.com/mourning-my-mother-who-is-still-here-is-that-possible/

Your website or blog
https://www.tinahogangrant.com

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
First of all, you have to have the passion and the drive to write. You have to love what you do and let it show in your writing. It’s okay to dream big. That’s what gives us goals and motivation, but for the most of us, success doesn’t come overnight. It will involve; dedicating many hours as possible to writing, reading and creating a plan to promote yourself and your work. It’s going to take a lot of sacrifices to reach your goals. Make sure your family is on board and willing to sacrifice spending time with you while you work toward making your dreams become a reality. Stick with it and give it one-hundred percent effort.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
I decided to post an excerpt from the prologue of my debut novel, “Reckless Beginnings,” due to be released October 4th. It took me fourteen years to achieve this goal and It’s currently my proudest moment.

Tammy had gotten good at eavesdropping on her parents’ weekly conversations without being detected. She remembered on this particular Tuesday night how she quietly peeled back her sheets and tiptoed barefoot across her bedroom. Pinning her ear to the door, she heard her mother’s voice echoing in the foyer below. Holding her breath, Tammy slowly pulled down on the door handle, praying the door wouldn’t squeak when she eased it open. Thankfully, it had not, and Tammy released a sigh of relief. The light from the foyer lit up the landing outside her room, allowing her to find her way to the top of the stairs. Without making a sound, she had taken her usual spot on the last stair, pulled her white nightgown over her knees to keep out the chill, and peered down between the railings.
Her mother was dressed in her usual night-time attire: a pink bathrobe, matching slippers, and her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her back faced Tammy. Grateful for her mother and father had remained friends after the divorce, their calls were usually pleasant, filled with jokes and laughter, but this phone call was different. Her mother sounded scared. Tammy sensed the fear in her voice. Only hearing one side of the conversation, Tammy had a hard time understanding what they were talking about. She only heard the strange questions her mother was asking.
“What do you mean she’s gone, John?”
Who was gone? Tammy wondered.
Her mother became angry. “She can’t just disappear, John! Someone must know where she is!”
Glued to the railings, Tammy was dying to know who and what they were talking about.
Then her mother began to cry hysterically while she held the phone tight and screamed into it, “She’s still a child, John. She’s just seventeen. You should never have put her in that home! She isn’t an object you can just discard because she’s in your way. She’s your daughter!”

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
At first glance, this may seem like an overwhelming, impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be if approached from a different angle. One where you make the task fun, maybe involve a game or a challenge with rewards. I myself would call every friend in my local area and invite them to an all day/all night bbq with music. An all-day contest will be held with cash prizes. (Who doesn’t like free food and a chance to win some free cash. I know all my friends would jump at the chance.) I’d spend part of the funds on cleaning supplies and food. The rest would be used for the prizes. What’s the contest? You may ask. It’s simple really. The cleanness room wins one thousand dollars and two runner-ups will win $500 each. Using the almighty dollar as a form of persuasion, I’m sure I could get quite a few friends to participate. The house would be split up into sections. Each person would be designated to a room by pulling a folded piece of paper out of a bowl. Written on the paper is the room they will be cleaning. It would be a fun, social event and the job would get done.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Thank you for this opportunity. You offer a wonderful service to many authors.

Daniel Bishop

What kind of content do you mostly write?
Comic Books.
Short Stories.
Audio Books.
World-Building / Lore.
Currently attempting my first novel.

How long have you been writing?
Since I would spell. But published my first comic book two years ago.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
5

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
Studied Philosophy with Creative Writing at University.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Telling stories.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Not exactly, but I work a lot with artists to create character concepts and other elements to bring my writing to life in different ways.

I read my work aloud a lot, to better determine tone, rhythm, and flow.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Do one more edit, self-publish as an ebook, or audio book, or print, get it in libraries and cafes, build and audience and thereby prove to a publisher there is a market for your work, (or just continue to self-publish if that turns out to be fulfilling enough).

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Read your work aloud, or ask someone else to read it aloud. I find that is the best way to notice problems and edit.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Don’t be afraid to share your writing early and often, no one is going to steal your idea or think less of you.

Be clear why you are writing (is it for yourself, for an audience, for a publisher?) and let that guide your choices.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
I have run two successful Kickstarter campaigns to publish comic books (totaling over $4,000 raised) which was an interesting challenge and a steep learning curve, but ultimately fulfilling.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
Store page is still being set up but here is the link- https://www.tigercrabstudios.com/store

Your website or blog
Still being set up-
https://www.tigercrabstudios.com/

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
My understanding is that it is all about contacts, networking, talking to people and having something of value to offer them.

Also an ability to sell yourself and have people excited for your work. To be able to build an audience and connect with that community.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
We walked together along the cliffs and shore until we came to a cave by the sea. Round and inviting, like the one I used to play in back home. It evoked a wave of nostalgia. Wave after wave, like those smashing against the rocks, lapping against the shore and receding.

For a moment I imagined that it might be a magic threshold that would take me back to those times, back to when the horrors were at arm’s length. I wanted to cry at how far away it felt, how impossible the hope was. Elisa showed no acknowledgement of my turmoil.

She led me inside the mouth of the cave. It quickly narrowed, and we moved through different tunnels and formations. As we traversed through the passages I imagined it was as if we were being digested by some enormous beast, and I tried to remember the last time I had felt hunger. I tried to remember the last time I had felt full. Both sensations were like impossible dreams, like a moth trying to remember what it was like to be a caterpillar.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I can’t recall if I mentioned this but I have run two successful Kickstarter campaigns to publish comic books I have written, and I have a lot of experience working with artists, so that might be a good source of discussion.

JoAnna Poster

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I have one poetry book published. I have one poetry book going to be published very soon, and one poetry book still in the editing phase. With my poetry, I add prayers and prose to each book. Also, I have started to write children’s books.

How long have you been writing?
I started to really enjoy writing in third grade. It was during that age writing became an enjoyable hobby for me.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
At the minimum, I write seventy hours per week. Unless I am not home, then I adapt to whatever schedule I can. Every day I read, write, and/or research for a certain duration.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
When I was in seventh and eighth grade my English teacher was probably the biggest influence in making writing exceptionally fun.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Writing well is my biggest challenge, therefore learning to write well motivates me

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Unusual:
1. On most days I start writing, reading, or researching at midnight and I work until 5 p.m., sometimes later.
2. I need to have certain books near me when I start to write.
3. Every hour or two, I stand up and run in place, or do jumping jacks for sixty seconds.
4. Every day I walk, dance, or ride my elliptical bike for twenty to fort minute.
5. Regardless of what I am writing, I need to be in a positive mood before I start.
6. In the morning before I start to write, I need to take a shower and get dressed.
Funny: I am not sure if this would be considered funny, or an extension of unusual.
1. Coffee never tastes good when I make it. It is either too strong or not strong enough. Regardless, it is never tasty.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
It is good to get all of the rejections out of the way. Then you will have time to focus and spend time on the real opportunities.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Read and research everything. Challenge the “what ifs.” If you are a true writer, you will not be able to quit, even if you try. So, keep moving forward; positively is your only option.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
In the middle of a writing project, don’t try to use new software for writing or change too much of your writing environment.
Be careful of which book about writing you read.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Don’t let what other people think to detour you.
Make sure to surround yourself with positive people.
Reduce fear as much as possible.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little-black-book-of-poetry-prayer-john-joanna-poster/1128065107?ean=9781985850651
Amazon
http://a.co/6ZTnU7M

Your website or blog
Milk and Honey https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJohnJoAnnaPoster/
A Window’s Pain
https://www.facebook.com/A-Windows-Pain-279031719307266/?modal=admin_todo_tour
At Last
https://www.facebook.com/At-Last-Book-Blog-and-Updates-259131414833218/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Lady Lou-Lou’s Adventures
Facebook Blog isn’t up yet.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
The course we take to be a successful writer will be the same for every writer. Regardless, if they are effective domestically, internationally, or both.

First, we need to really want to become a writer. Each glimmering thought we have will go through a series of mini inspirational thoughts, many adjustments, and hundreds of updates before the idea will be fully developed in our minds.

Second, we must become a professional reader. Everything a writer needs to learn to become a successful writer happens while we read.

Third, we will need to practice and increase our vocabulary. This is an important step in becoming a true wordsmith.

Fourth, we must write every day. Everything a writer needs to learn to become successful happens while we practice writing.

Fifth, we must learn how to expand on our topics.

Sixth, we must challenge the “what ifs.”

Seventh, we need to submit our writings to publishers, editors, teachers, etc. to get opinions about our work, then make note of their suggestions for improvement.

Eight, we repeat this process many times to become successful in multiple areas. Each arena will have its own process.

Finally, it is highly recommended and advantageous for us to have a social platform to exemplify our work, highlight our interests, create awareness for others, and provides an online arena to advertise our finished products.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of Our Master’s Plan
*
I need to tell you how special you are.

Regardless, of how hectic your morning was.

.
Soon, you will meet many people
on your journey. It’s a new adventure
when we let God drive on our life’s hi-way.

Let’s talk to God and give thanks,
as we remind ourselves,
it is his grace that sent them our way.

Let’s soften their scars of abused wounds,
remember their longing is just to be near you.

It is his way of responding to our everlasting
need to master his plan – our enduring calling.
.
A shadowless moment we can remember
and embrace. As we remain on lengthy wings
now fearless and full of his grace.
**
I believe there is a correlation between the interaction of the world we share and improving our personal path. This poem blends spiritual concepts with real-life situations then emphasizes sharing with others what we have learned and/or benefited. I believe every day we need to aim to do one good deed for someone then set our mind to strategize on how to implement the powerful ways of combining the positive change.

In order to assure a good job is done, I will hire two of my friends, the three of us will clean 3333 square feet, we will be able to do it in eight hours and all three of us will receive $1000.00. Directly afterward we will schedule our flights for Las Vegas where we can increase our money and take a vacation together.

Note: I made up Stacy Steel’s book on How To Clean Mansions and Set Household Standards. I obtained the number five hundred square feet by dividing 10,000 square feet by 24 hours to get how many square feet can be done in an hour. The answer was 417, I round it up to the nearest hundredth (500).

Anything else you’d like to say?
If you have the passion to write – never quit! You are needed.

Frank Chase Jr.

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I write mostly religious content that deals with biblical theology and doctrinal topics that create conversation in the christian community.

How long have you been writing?
I started writing in my teen years. So if i start there, its been 25 years of writing to include my professional career.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
For my daily job, I write basically everyday. And my other writing outside of work is mostly don on the weekends. I would say 8 to 10 hours per weekend for writing.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I only have a communication’s BA degree. I also have Theology degree.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
My motivation to write comes from the position of wanting to answer questions about life and religion.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
No I really don’t have any funny or unusual writing habits. One Thing I do when I write is to never write using an outline.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
The best advice I would give any writer is to not believe the rejection and go the self-publishing route. I was rejected by many publishers for my first book, False Roads To Manhood: What Women Need to Know; What Men Need to Understand. But I took that rejection and moved forward. Once I got over the rejection I never looked back and continued to write and pursue the self-publishing route.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
The advice I’d give any author is to spend lots of time researching self-publishers and make sure you know what they can do. Everybody who hangs out a business shingle on the internet cannot always do what they say they can do. I would also say, don’t be afraid to do it yourself. Self publishing can be a challenge but the reward you gain in learning the business pays off later. For example, my first book was expensive, my current book not so much. As for editors, be very careful with anyone who say they can edit. There are many people out there who claim they can edit, but I would say get samples from everyone and editorial references to judge their work. But then if you know a good local editor with an excellent reputation, that should be your first choice.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
The best advice I can give about self-publishing is that you must do your homework when investigating what people claim they can do to publish your book. There many Internet self- publishing companies but just because they can hang out a shingle on the net, doesn’t mean they know what they are doing. Everybody who hangs out a business shingle on the Internet saying they are the best, you might want to check them out thoroughly. Investigate everybody with a fine-tooth comb. One of my big trap was in finding a good editor. They are good editors and there are bad editors. I can say I paid a lot of money for bad editors and so I would advise that every author request sample edits from all so-called editors and if they refuse, you might want to look elsewhere. And to be frankly honest, I have not found a good editor yet. In self-publishing, you can save a lot of money if you’re willing to do everything yourself but that will take away time from your writing career. So pick your battles carefully in the self-publishing world.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
The adversities and challenges I’ve had center around writing itself. In my writing, I tend to be longwinded or I write the same thing in different ways. This may be odd to say, but I have a love/hate relationship with writing. And I believe that comes from some of my weaknesses in writing that I’ve had for years.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/kleptomaniac

Your website or blog
http://tithenomore.com or http://www.fcpublishing.com/about_kleptomaniac

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
That’s a tough question considering I am not an internationally famous writer yet. I guess the first thing I would suggest is to fine turn your writing craft and share your writing with the world through social media and any other methods that will expose your writing gift to the world. Build a following and attend writing conferences and pitch your work to those in the writing business. Never accept no for an answer when trying to become an internationally famous and successful writer. The power of someone else defining your writing, gives them the power to determine your destiny. Your writing is your D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. It is Determined Effort So Tenacious It Negates Yuck from naysayers.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Life is an opportunity for endless discovery of purpose. The continuity of life freezes peculiar moments in time and catches your heart wide open in unexpected ways.

Several years ago, I watched High School Musical 3, The Graduation with my children and father-in-law. While I leaned back to enjoy the flick, I didn’t realize I was a sitting duck waiting for the bullet of time to knock me into a pivotal moment. The Disney series deals with students, musical plays, proms, friendship, and burgeoning love; this latest one in the series of sequels focused on coming-of-age, purpose and life after graduation. The characters came face-to-face with destiny, purpose and choices as their high school days came to a close. But first, they decided to produce one grander musical play as outgoing high school graduates.

As the music played and the scenes raced across the screen, something unusual happened. Time transported my mind back to my high school days at Walbrook Senior High. Out of the blue, like a spring shower, I began tearing up. Trying to disguise my tears in an inconspicuous fashion, I shifted in my chair and adjusted my glasses while wiping tears from my eyes and forced my mind back to the screen. But as soon as the tears stopped, the movie presented another memory-thumping scene. Faced with a choice between pursuing basketball or theater, one of the students agonized over his decision. The director of the musical sat in the dark auditorium unnoticed, watching the student sing about his choice. When he sang the last note of the musical number, the director told him the stage was a good place to discover oneself, and ten years from now, opportunity and choice may not be there. She then admitted she had submitted his name to the Juliet School of Arts.

Again, uncontrollable tears flowed down my cheeks like a river. I recalled being a high school student with hopes of a career on the stage. As the movie flickered on the silver screen in front of me, another one played within my head. The movie had found the combination to the locks on the gates of my heart, opened them, and unleashed my buried memories of lost opportunity and choice long forgotten.

The acting bug bit me in elementary school when I performed my first play as a king presenting his royal crown as a gift to Jesus, the newborn King of Kings. Memories of my acting days and my opportunity to go to Hollywood for a screen test rushed to the forefront. Dreams of wanting to be like my Tennis hero, Arthur Ashe, flooded my thoughts. Dreams of football stardom, a singing career, conducting an orchestra, modeling, becoming an astronaut and acting were the music of my opportunity. The promise of greatness in these fields slipped through my fingers. Time and opportunity passed by and none of these dreams materialized. I had thought memories of them would never resurface from the depths of my gated past. Watching High School Musical 3 proved otherwise.

Opportunity and choice had presented me many roads to follow, but I did not seize the moment; time moved forward and took opportunity and choice with it. I examined the movie and my life and almost descended into the dungeon of sadness and regret. But just as suddenly as the movie had snatched me to the past, life snatched me forward and I realized opportunity had not died for me, but had only changed.

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
First, I would ask the owner, what stays and what goes. I’d ask for pictures of what the mansion looked liked before it got junky. If he says, everything goes, I would have a big dump trash bin delivered, phone my friends and offer them a cut of the money if they help me clean up the place and put everything back like it looked at first. Then I would tell them if we finish early, bring your friends over and we can have a big party in the mansion after the clean up as long as the place looks clean and organized when we are done. i would pay for the party, drinks, and food. If that didn’t work, I would hire a clean up company for a reasonable price and party with them if they finish early.

Another way to get this done is to bring in about 200 youth, pay them some money and through a pizza party and pool party if they get finished early before the 24 hours is up.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Writing for me is always words from the heart that become books forever. The history of truth can never be told without writers putting words on paper. In writing my latest book, it was extremely important that a record be left behind of what my research discovered. And to make sure future generations know of my work, I assigned my book a library of congress control number (LCCN). That way a copy of my book will always be housed in the Library of Congress to inform future readers of what took place in the 21st century. When the freedom of writing ceases, censorship rules and it is the responsibility of every writer to make sure the pen is more powerful than the sword.

Christina Hamlett

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I write women’s fiction, stage plays, screenplays and business books. To date, 39 books, 170 plays, 5 optioned feature films and squillions of articles and interviews that appear online and in trade publications worldwide. I am also a script consultant for stage and screen and a professional ghostwriter.

How long have you been writing?
40+ years.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
30+

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I hold a degree in Communications wtih an emphasis on Audience Analysis and Message Design. I have also worked in all aspects of media and teach online classes in playwriting and screenwriting.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
My passion for the written word.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Whenever I finish a new script, I recruit my husband to read lines aloud at the dining room table over adult beverages. Since we have both acted on stage, we’re adept at a wide range of voices and accents. If a window is open during our enthusiastic table reads, I’m pretty sure the neighbors think there are at least 17 other people living with us.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
I would remind him/her that the craft of writing is totally subjective. What doesn’t resonate with one publisher may be wildly accepted with glee by another publisher. If anything useful can be gleaned from a rejection letter, learn from it. Follow your heart rather than follow trends. If you decide to pursue the route of self-publishing, throw yourself into it with gusto rather than viewing it as a last resort. I am always reminded of a plain classmate from grade school whose mother told her, “Well, I guess if no one wants to marry you, you can always become a nun.” Sadly, way too many aspiring writers see the DIY route from a defeatist mindset rather than an opportunity to have more control over their own intellectual property. Besides which, you’ll have to do just as much marketing/promotional legwork even if you did get signed by a traditional press. Why not enjoy a higher royalty for those efforts?

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Write a minimum of one page a day. Every. Single. Day. No time off for vacations or holidays or weekends. If you can keep to that code for 365 days, you’ll have enough for a full-length book. Yes, you may ask, but what if I have a writing spurt and knock out seven pages in one sitting? Does that mean you can then goof off for the next week? Nope. The very next day, you need to be back at it. Seriously. Is one page a day that big a strain? Furthermore, if you incorporate the page-a-day rule into your active vocabulary and maintain it for 21 days straight, you’ll find it impossible NOT to write on Day #22. It will have become as much a daily habit as brushing your teeth or taking a shower.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Thinking that they can design a snappy looking cover when they have absolutely no experience in photography or graphic design. Readers really DO judge books by their covers and if yours looks amateurish, what confidence will they have that the contents inside are worth their while? If you’re not comfortable with design, editing, proofreading, formatting, etc., hire someone to do these things for you.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
In my early years of writing, I took rejection personally and either cried a lot or got angry. Fortunately, I got over it.

A direct link to your most proud of written work
With so many different books and plays out there, I am going to direct readers to my own website (www.authorhamlett.com) where they can see a variety of titles I’m quite chuffed about.

Your website or blog
www.authorhamlett.com.

And, in the interests of putting my fellow wordsmiths in the media spotlight, I am also including fromtheauthors.wordpress.com. I started this site several years ago as a way to feature authors in all genres and levels of expertise. It now has a global following and is just as much fun as it was when it first began.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
Be an original! Too often aspiring writers make the mistake of trying to imitate whatever is currently popular (i.e., vampires, dystopian societies, zombie apocalypse, etc.). The reason these things are called trends is because they are transitory; by the time your imitative knock-off hits the bookstores or the silver screen, that train will already have left the station. Write stories that come from your own heart and your own unique frame of reference. If at its core it resonates with timeless themes of reward, revenge and escape, it will find the audience it deserves. I’d also recommend taking some classes in marketing so as to learn the rudiments of using media opportunities to maximum advantage.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
His hair, still thick and wavy, had turned a magnificent white with the passage of almost 50 years. His rail-thin body had filled out, too, now sharply attired in an expensive, double-breasted suit of slate gray. It was the eyes, though, which hadn’t changed since the last time she’d seen him. Eyes of such electric blue as to penetrate the depths of one’s very soul. Or was it just her own guilt that made her hover between wanting to set the article aside and wanting to memorize every detail of its content.
CELEBRATED PLAYWRIGHT DMITRI KUZNEKOV
COMES TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOR AMERICAN DEBUT OF NEW DRAMA
He’d never been without a notebook and a pocket of stubby, No. 2 pencils with which to jot down his ideas. Her father asserted he was recording state secrets to send back to Moscow. “No daughter of mine is going to date a damn Commie,” he had archly proclaimed. Though the Cold War had long since ended, the pain in Eleanor Lipton-Langdon’s heart was instantly rekindled the moment she’d seen the feature story about Dmitri in The Washington Post.
She was pleased to read he had done well for himself. Two of his novels were adapted to hit films. His latest play was opening at National Theatre a week from Friday. The reporter noted it was a coup the author had agreed to several short lectures at Georgetown University in February. There was no mention of Irina, his wife.
“Are you finished with the paper, ma’m?” she heard her housekeeper softly inquire.
Eleanor’s hand shot out to keep the Arts section from being scooped up with the rest. “Not just yet, Grace,” she replied. “In fact, I think I’ll just take this up to my room.”
Neither Grace nor Henry, the butler, who watched their silver-haired mistress ascend the stairs of the Alexandria mansion could have fathomed the flood of memories accompanying her.
Dmitri. Dear Dmitri. Had he ever forgiven her for what she’d done? Not until after she closed her bedroom door did Ellie finally give in to the tears that had been welling up inside.
* * *
“Your new play,” the interviewer continued, “are the rumors true it’s autobiographical?”
Dmitri Kuznekov slipped the horned-rimmed glasses off his nose and rubbed his temples. Off to the right, he heard his companion politely suggest the press had overstayed its welcome. “The lectures he has agreed to give,” Mikael continued, “should more than satisfy anyone’s curiosity.”
“All the same—“the interviewer insisted. The fact someone of Kuznekov’s notoriety had last set foot on American soil when he was still in his teens was newsworthy in and of itself. The storyline—a Russian student in love with the daughter of an American industrialist—was all the more hint he had come to the United States with an open heart and returned home with a broken one.
Mikael once more opened his mouth to intervene but Dmitri had already resumed speaking. “It would not be discreet,” he eloquently replied, “to allude to a past which was not meant to be.”
The interviewer scribbled a few more notes. “Will your wife be joining you on opening night?” With the exception of his publicist, the author had deplaned alone at Dulles.
Dmitri took a deep breath before responding. So young and unworldly, he thought, to not have done her homework more thoroughly before her arrival and, thus, spared him such insensitive inquiries. “Irina,” he said, “was taken from me two years ago.”

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
The ambiguity of the instructions suggests that the new tenants are “normal” people. Since this is my own creative spin, I’m going to suggest that the new family’s last name is Addams. With my 24 hours and $3,000, I’m going to cover all of the existing furniture in sheets and leave all of the atmospheric cobwebs and dust. I will add black candles and black vases with hideously dead blooms. For ambiance when the family comes for its first tour of the mansion, dry ice floating through the halls and the strains of creepy organ music. Upstairs, flickering candles and an audio tape of thunderstorms. Toss in a few rubber rodents on the staircase and spiders on the counter tops for good measure. The family will adore it and feel right at home.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Never accept a “no” from someone who’s not in a position to say “yes.” That includes naysaying friends and relatives that try to discourage your dream. If it’s in your heart to be a writer, be the best writer you can be by honing your craft, staying abreast of what has already been done and accept professional criticism graciously and gratefully.

Sharon Pape

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I write cozy mysteries with a twist of the paranormal and a splash of humor.

How long have you been writing?
Since first grade when I wrote my first story and the librarian put it on display.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
Twenty or so, depending on my chronic migraines.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I have a BA in French literature.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
The stories keep filling up my head.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Whenever I have a plot point to work through, I go to the gym and hop on the treadmill. My body is busy and my mind is free to problem solve.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Study writing and read like crazy. If you don’t love to read, writing isn’t the career for you.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Apply your butt to your desk chair and write every day whether you want to or not. Never give up.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Grammar is important. It’s only after you know the rules inside out that you can afford to take some license with them.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Suffering from migraines nearly every day, makes meeting deadlines a challenge.

A direct link to your most proud of written work (You may want to restructure that sentence.)

I’m proud of all my published works. You can read samples of all of them on Amazon. Here’s the link to the first book in my current series: https://www.amazon.com/Magick-Mayhem-Sharon-Pape/dp/1516100565/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8

Your website or blog
https://sharonpape.com/

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
Write for the love of writing, because there is no magic formula to becoming an international success.

If you’re still game, never give up. Apply the seat of your pants to the chair at your desk and write everyday, even if it’s just in a journal or diary. Learn to enjoy the process.

Good luck!

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Jaye’s first impression of Tuba City was of a dry and dusty stretch of blocks that more closely resembled a ghost town than any kind of city. They passed schools, a gas station, a church, a supermarket, a MacDonald’s and a Taco Bell. There were a few government buildings, a plumbing supply store and a couple of motels, along with a branch of Diné College, a trading post, a small Navajo museum and a medical center. But in spite of all these businesses, the town had a forlorn and neglected look. Jaye realized it wasn’t just the lack of greenery or charming architecture that made the area seem depressed, although those things certainly didn’t help, it was the houses on Main Street with all their windows boarded up. When she asked about them, Daniel explained that the residents had moved out years ago due to asbestos concerns. Unfortunately, the government didn’t have the money to fix the problem, and the houses couldn’t be torn down, because they’d been designated historical buildings.
“Seeing them like that used to bother me,” Daniel said, “but I hardly notice them anymore. That’s how it is. You live with something ugly or broken and at first it’s all you can see, but then your mind throws a cloak of sorts over it and you don’t even realize it’s there anymore.”
Jaye knew exactly what he meant. She’d felt like the ugly, broken thing in her first foster home. She’d been so sad, unable to eat, crying every day. For the first few months, her foster family had tried to make her feel welcome and happy, but when she’d gone right on stuck in her misery, they’d eventually given up and stopped seeing her unhappiness. “When the economy turns around, I’m sure the houses will be refurbished,” she said, determined not to wallow in bad memories.
“I’d like to think so,” Daniel said as he turned off Main Street, but his tone lacked any real conviction. They drove away from the center of town, passing narrow streets dotted with small houses and mobile homes long past being mobile. Most of the residents had satellite dishes on their roofs and old pickups parked outside. When Daniel passed the last block of houses, Jaye began to wonder exactly where his mother lived.
“Just up ahead,” he said, as if he were reading her mind. “My grandmother Doli Joe doesn’t like crowds, and my mother doesn’t want to leave her alone now that she’s getting on in years.”
Crowds? Jaye thought. If his grandmother thought Tuba City was crowded, how would she react to a place like New York or Chicago? But she refrained from saying anything, since Daniel must have known how strange that sounded.
About half a mile beyond the last block they’d passed, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, Daniel finally pulled to a stop in front of a small one-story house with an old green Explorer parked in front. The house had probably started life a hopeful, sparkling white, but over time had adopted the sandy hue of its surroundings as if trying to escape notice. Aside from the color, the house appeared to be in good repair, courtesy of Daniel’s attentions no doubt. Behind the house, and partially obscured by it, Jaye could see an eight-sided log cabin with what looked like a tar paper roof.
“Is that a hogan?” she asked when she and Daniel got out of the car.
“Yeah, it’s my grandmother’s. She insists on living there even though it doesn’t have electricity or running water. It took years just to convince her to replace the dirt roof.” He handed Jaye the box of fudge he’d retrieved from the Jeep’s backseat.
As they approached the front door of his mother’s house, Jaye could hear women’s voices inside raised in argument. One of them seemed to be speaking English, the other a language Jaye couldn’t identify. Given where they were, she assumed it was Navajo. But with the house as a buffer, even the English was hard to discern. She stole a glance at Daniel, expecting to see a worried or chagrined expression on his face, but he was actually smiling and shaking his head.
“It’s nothing,” he said wryly. “Just my mother and grandmother having one of their debates.”
Jaye wondered if they were deaf. The decibels coming through the walls were impressive. “So it’s just a normal mother/daughter squabble?”
“Well, ‘normal’ might be a bit of an understatement,” he said, reaching for the doorknob.
Jaye put her hand on his arm. “Wait. Maybe we shouldn’t walk in on them. I don’t want them to be embarrassed.”
“Maybe they should be,” he said turning the knob. The door opened without benefit of a key. So much for security. Jaye wondered if everyone on the reservation left their homes unlocked. But there was a far more pressing issue to deal with at the moment. She wasn’t convinced she should go traipsing into someone’s house for the first time when they were embroiled in what sounded like a highly-charged argument.
Apparently harboring no such concerns, Daniel had already stepped inside. With the door open, the English was easier to understand. “Of course I’m taking you seriously,” Jaye heard one of the women thunder. “But that doesn’t mean you’re right.”
When Jaye didn’t immediately follow Daniel inside, he turned back to her. “Aren’t you coming?”
“Why don’t you go tell them we’re here?” she suggested, feeling more uncomfortable than ever.
Before he had time to answer her, the shouting stopped, and a moment later Daniel was grabbed up in a fierce hug by a woman who barely reached his neck. She was wearing dark jeans, a long-sleeved chambray shirt and boots. Her black hair was pulled back in a single thick plait, her dark eyes underscored by the sharp flare of her cheekbones. Daniel was a considerably larger male version of his mother.
After releasing her son, she took his face between the palms of her hands and studied him. Apparently satisfied with her analysis, she smiled up at him. “You look well, my son.” She turned to Jaye. “Please, come in. I’m Kyah.” Her speech had the same exotic cadence as Daniel’s.
Jaye stepped inside, grateful that the situation had resolved itself, at least for the present. After telling Kyah how happy she was to meet her, Jaye presented her with the fudge.
“Thank you,” Kyah said with an embarrassed little laugh. “I see my son has told you about my terrible weakness for these sweets.”
“Well, I’m afraid it’s a weakness I share with you,” Jaye said.
“I’m so glad you were able to come. I don’t often get to meet my son’s friends,” Kyah said pointedly. Daniel winced at the remark, but didn’t try to defend himself. Jaye wondered if he would have kept his silence if he’d been alone.
She glanced around the living room where the decor was an easy blend of Anglo and Navajo cultures. A worn leather couch and chair were arranged opposite a large flat-screen TV while the walls were adorned with intricately woven Navajo rugs, each one as beautiful as a painting. At a right angle to the living room was a smaller area that was probably meant to be a dining room but that was presently occupied by an old sewing machine and a folding table where bolts of fabric lay beside other tailoring miscellany.
An elderly woman stood in the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen. Daniel’s grandmother, no doubt. She was dressed in a long, purple velveteen skirt, with a blouse of a similar hue and a wide conch belt at her waist. Her feet were clad in high-top moccasins, and her gray hair was drawn into a tidy knot at the nape of her neck. There was no joy in her expression. Her face was as clenched as a fist, either with leftover anger from the argument with her daughter or because she wasn’t pleased that her grandson had brought company. When Jaye’s eyes met hers, she felt the full weight of the older woman’s scrutiny.
“Come meet Doli Joe,” Daniel said brightly, as if he hadn’t noticed that Doli Joe didn’t appear to be in a meet and greet kind of mood. When Jaye hesitated, he took her hand and led her over to his grandmother like a parent leading a reluctant child to the first day of school. Doli Joe opened her arms as Daniel approached. Letting go of Jaye’s hand, he stepped into his grandmother’s embrace, at which point a smile softened the stern line of her mouth and rose to twinkle in her eyes.
Daniel spoke to her in Navajo, and when Jaye heard him say her name she figured it was the right time to step forward. “It’s so nice to meet you,” she said, not sure if she should offer to shake the older woman’s hand. Undecided, she dipped her head in a little bow. Where had that come from? Doli Joe was Navajo, not Japanese. And why hadn’t she asked Daniel about the proper etiquette for meeting the family matriarch? For that matter, she wasn’t even sure if his grandmother understood English. But since Jaye didn’t speak Navajo, there wasn’t much she could do about that.
“It’s good of you to make the trip here with my grandson,” Doli Joe replied. Okay—no problem with her English, but her tone made it clear that she was reserving final judgment on this stranger who’d come into their midst. It occurred to Jaye that if Daniel never brought friends home to meet his family, his mom and grandmother might be thinking she were more than just a friend. The odds were Daniel hadn’t even considered that possibility. From what Jaye knew of men, they could be woefully blind when it came to the emotional intricacies of a woman’s mind.
“Jaye, Daniel, come sit down in the kitchen,” Kyah said, walking around her mother, who seemed rooted to the spot. “I made some iced tea. Or would you like coffee?”
“The iced tea sounds great,” Jaye said, excusing herself to Doli Joe as Daniel took her hand and led her into the kitchen. The room was galley-like, barely wide enough for a single cook. It would have been claustrophobic if not for the window beyond the workspace and the open area beneath it that was large enough to accommodate a table and four mismatched folding chairs. But in spite of the scarred wooden cabinets, chipped green Formica countertops and out-of-date appliances, the kitchen managed to be warm and homey. White and green café curtains, smelling freshly of lemon and soap, fluttered at the partially open window, and a glass bowl of avocados, bananas and oranges made a colorful centerpiece for the table.
Daniel and Jaye took the seats closest to the window. After pouring two glasses of iced tea for them, Kyah sat down as well. When Doli Joe appeared in the doorway a minute later, Kyah asked her to please join them. Her tone was deferential, but not apologetic. Without a word, the older woman came to the table and lowered herself slowly onto the last chair, between her daughter and grandson. Whatever had ignited the fiery argument between mother and daughter seemed to have been set aside by mutual, if unspoken, agreement.
“The arthritis acting up?” Daniel asked his grandmother.
“What can you do?” she replied in English. “The first hundred years are always the hardest. Your mother said you had something you wanted to show me.”
“Jaye and I came across a strange animal neither of us ever saw before. We couldn’t even find anything like it on the Internet. We were hoping you might have heard talk of it among our people over the years.”
Jaye dug in her purse for her smartphone, brought up the photos of Raffles and gave the phone to Doli Joe. After the older woman looked at the first picture, Daniel showed her how to scroll through the rest. A frown lowered over her eyes as she studied them.
“You’ve seen this creature before?” Daniel asked.
Doli Joe shook her head and held the phone out for Kyah to see. Jaye thought she caught a look pass between the two women, a look that was hard to characterize. Opponents reunited by a mutual interest? Or was her imagination weaving intrigue out of nothing? If Daniel had noticed anything, he’d obviously chosen not to call them on it. And given the circumstances, Jaye felt she had no choice but to follow his lead. By the time they said their good-byes and climbed back into the Jeep, she was nearly bursting with the need to ask him about it.
“Did you see—?”
“Yeah, I know,” Daniel said before she could finish the question, “but believe me, there’s no point in trying to get Doli Joe to say any more than she wants to. We stand a better chance with my mother. I’ll give her a call tomorrow, and if my grandmother’s not around, I might be able to wangle something out of her.”

However I would want to go through the hundreds of books in the study myself to decide which of them to keep and which to donate to the public library and other venues where people could take pleasure in reading them.

I would donate the money to no-kill animal shelters where the staff is entirely volunteer.

Anything else you’d like to say?
It was hard to choose an excerpt, because I have twelve novels and several short stories from which to pick. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for the opportunity!

Writer Spectacle #2 Featured Writers