2017 Meetings/Speakers
December 9th, Club Party
The December 9th High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club (HDCWC) meeting featured a holiday-themed group writing project, interactive games, a voluntary gift exchange, and lots of time to chat and network with fellow club members. One of games gave attendees fifteen minutes to write a Letter to Santa or a short holiday story. Here are the results. Enjoy!
Dear Santa,
I didn’t believe in you for a very long time. Years in fact, since I was about seven. Before that, Christmas was magical, filled with candy canes, sparkling ribbon-topped gift boxes, and goodies galore. But when I learned that Santa was really my Grandpa in his overalls and wearing a fake Santa Claus beard, I stopped believing in you.
As I’ve aged, however, I have begun to believe in you again. Christmas is really PEACE in the hearts and sharing with others. We enjoy sharing what we have with all creatures great and small, such as the ravens we feed our scrapes to. They look for their daily treats and salute us as they fly away, calling out, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
-- Diane Neil
Dear Santa,
I’m worried about my friend, Noel. She’s an elf at Farmer Santa’s Reindeer Farm. You see, she got in trouble last week. She forgot to order candy canes to feed your special flying reindeer. Now she’s afraid she’ll be fired or worse – not get any Christmas presents. Please, Santa, don’t put her on the naughty list. She’s a good elf and should get a bright, shiny present.
Sincerely,
Snow the Christmas Bunny
-- Tess De Groot
Dear Santa,
My favorite candy is a candy cane. My farmer friend used to give me one every year until the fox came along and ate all his chickens. I gave him a present to try and help him but it wasn’t enough. Please help him. I really want him to have peace in his heart.
Thank you, Santa.
Sincerely,
-- Linda Cooper
Holiday Short Story
The night before Christmas progressed as most others have. The carolers at our doorstep sang of the First Noel. The lights on the neighbor’s houses blinked, and one by one each blinked out as the world said good night to a cold winter’s evening. The owl began his journeys into the darkness proclaiming “Who, who, who is still awake?” Well that’s what I told the grandchildren, who should have been dreaming of candy canes and sugar plums.
“Santa will try and come with your presents soon,” I exclaimed, “you should think about going to sleep now. You still have to be good.”
The five-year-old snapped his eyes shut tight and pulled the blankets up to his chin. The two-year-old climbed to my lap, put her hand on my chest, and said, ”I don’t have to be good. My Grandpa will bring me presents.”
-- Name not clear Samantha or Swana Hannah
Dear Santa,
Joyce and I have had a very good year and I really don’t need much. But our eight-month-old great-granddaughter could use a stuffed penguin, a tree ornament of yourself (preferably drool proof), a candy cane (naturally), and a peace ornament as a symbol of good will toward all men.
On second thought, I could use a 2018 Lexus 350 E with a big, flashing, gift package on top. Thank you so much, Santa. Make sure Rudolph doesn’t drink too much eggnog.
-- Michael Raff
Dear Santa,
I have a problem. I’m a penguin living at the South Pole – as far away from you as I can get! But you may be able to relate. I’ve always wanted to grow things – I gt so tired of frozen food. But as you know, farming conditions in these polar regions are very difficult.
If you could bring me a small hothouse-style planter to help me start my garden I would grin from ear-to-ear (although I know that with my beak, it will be hard to tell). I can’t give much in return, but I will leave a candy cane by the fireplace for you. I hear you really like them.
But if I can’t have a vegetable garden, maybe you could just leave me a little piece of peace on Earth. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Percival the Penguin
-- Holly LaPat
Dear Santa,
My name is Leah and I’m eight years old. My Daddy is in the Army and he’s in “Afgan-stan.” I asked my Mommy if there are penguins there, but she says Daddy is in the desert. Maybe there are camels. I like camels!
Mommy says tonight we’re going to pack a big box full of presents for Daddy and send it to him. She says you’ll be too busy delivering gifts to all the children to deliver gifts to my Daddy and his men, so we’re going to help you and do that for you. I’m going to send a big candy cane for every man and woman in my Daddy’s company – just in case they don’t have people who love them and who will send them presents.
Santa, I know you’re really busy and so are your elves and I don’t want to bother you with a big, long list of things I want this year. And since I’m eight, I guess I’m getting too old for dolls and things.
So, I just want one thing this year. And it’s not just for me. I’m not supposed to be selfish. So, Santa, please bring peace so everyone can be happy – and so that my Daddy can come home.
Love, Leah
-- Jenny Margotta
Dear Santa,
All you have to bring me this year is a bunch of cheap stuff to hang on my dead tree. It’s dead cuz we got it too early to save money so I could get better decorations instead of those tacky ones we get stuck with.
So, yes! I want a flashing gift box where the battery will die a day before Christmas. My name isn’t Noel on this decoration here, so thanks for giving me a name that doesn’t work for us.
A lame partridge in burlap I suppose I can give my Mom who doesn’t care either. Or you can take that ornament of Santa with the overalls who happens to look a lot like me. I don’t care.
So, to end this memo to you … thanks for the candy cane. You can never go wrong with candy.
Grouchy little kid
-- Rusty LaGrange
Dear Santa,
Since I live on a dairy farm on a dead-end road, I really never thought you would find me! I love your bib overalls. You sure fit in every place you visit!
The lights on the gift are an eye catcher and I cannot wait to see what is inside! The peppermint candy cane in my stocking is one of my favorite treats, and it is amazing that you know how much I love peppermint! The little penguin is adorable and I read a book about them and shared the book with my friend!
Even though I love everything you bring me each year, my very favorite gift and wish is for love and peace on Earth. The most important gifts of all!
Merry Christmas, Santa.
-- Rita Wells
Holiday Short Story
The farmer went out one peaceful, bright, Christmas Eve looking for his dog. He was mad at his naughty dog. The dog had stolen the present that contained all of the candy canes for his children. Now his children would not have Christmas dessert.
The angry farmer went out into the woods and, in his anger, he chopped down a tree. The tree fell on the man and caused bodily harm. As a result, the farmer succumbed to his injuries as the light of Christmas Day began.
-- Pauline Vergara
Dear Santa,
Grandpa says you won’t come to our house this year because I’ve been so bad. He says anyone who throws away the dog’s bone doesn’t deserve gifts. But Long John found his bone and he brought it and showed me. Really, Santa, I love Long John. And, really, Santa, I should be allowed to put other decorations on the tree besides the candy canes. Mom said she’d trust me with them because they don’t break. So, was it really my fault the tree tipped over and squashed Grandpa’s presents? Besides, I was the one who swept up the broken ornaments without being told.
So, I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’ve decided to reform. I’ve already started. I made my own bed this morning and tomorrow I’ll go make Mom’s. I’ll do my homework without being nagged – well, most the time. I’ll take out the garbage without complaining when it rains.
What else can I do? I’ll do anything to get back on your good side cause I really, really want that video game. All of my friends have it.
Please, Santa.
Your friend, Jeremy.
PS: I know there’s lots of good guys who send you letters. I sure hope you read this.
Peace. Jeremy.
-- Amy Burnett
Holiday Short Story
It’s miserably cold and stormy out. The fog has clouded the heavens. Farmer Claus has hung out the Noel sign and put up the peppermint cane hitching post for the reindeer. The lantern is hanging on the chimney to guide the steeds, and the partridge is flying near so that they don’t collide with the chimney.
Mrs. Farmer Claus is running about the house making peppermint tea and filling hot water bottles. If they stop here she’ll make sure they’re warm before they venture out again.
Our chimney is small. I hope he doesn’t get stuck. The wind is very strong. Poor Santa must be very unhappy. And all I can do is sit and wait.
-- June Langer
Dear Santa,
Until yesterday I thought you might not make it to Christmas in Southern California. As a firefighter at the Creekside fire, I witnessed the destruction of homes, people losing everything. The thought of you not showing up was on the faces of young and old. No gifts. No Christmas dinner. No partridge in a pear tree, candy cane, and certainly no spirit of noel. But the winds calmed down most of the fires and are the on the way to being contained. It will truly be a Merry Christmas for all.
-- Allen Reid (4 days on the Creekside fire)
Holiday Short Story “Ginger”
It was an unusually cool High Desert day. It was quiet, peaceful, and only a gentle breeze interrupted the calm as Mr. James, donned his signature overalls before doing his annual “candy cane run” through the neighborhood. With is partner Gray, a brown German Shepherd, having a larger than average nose, walked briskly from home to home delivering “Secret Santa” gifts on neighbors’ doorsteps.
For Mrs. Ina he left a lavishly decorated box with a color-changing bow, which he thought the best find of the holiday season – the ribbon, that is – as it instantly captured his attention when he went shopping in early November for gifts and wrapping.
Everyone received a homemade candy cane, either inside, on top of their gift box or stocking. His wife’s secret recipe assured the neighbors welcomed the gifts, as the secret ingredient -- ginger spiced rum -- made the canes the most delicious they all said.
-- Sheryl Lynne
Holiday Short Story
It was dark and stormy night. Mom and Dad had settled down for a long winter’s nap in an old t-shirt for Mom, and Dad might have a cap on, but not sure.
Brutus, the Pitbull, and Lancelot, the big, black Poodle and I, Frankie, the wiener dog, were waiting for our Santa Claus to show up. The snow on the ground was new when we heard the jingling of bells.
It’s St. Bernard,” Lancelot said and we all ran to the window to see – except me.
“Tell me what’s happening. I can’t reach that high,” I yelped.
Sir Prance-a-lot -- that’s what I called him – said they could see big cats and little cats pulling the sleigh. Siamese, Manx, long-haired domestic, and a couple of alley cats, too.
The three of us dogs lined up in front of our fireplace stockings and candy canes hanging, secure (sic) St. Bernard-Mr. Santa Claus dropped down the chimney.
“Ruff, ruff, ruff,” he laughed – dropping a nice bone in front of each of us. He told us not to touch them until he flew away. He dropped a toy owl that none of us wanted and a green present that lit up.
While Prance-a-lot and Brutus watched him go up the chimney, I quickly grabbed each bone and ran upstairs and under Mom and Dad’s bed. They couldn’t reach me as I peacefully ate.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
-- unsigned
Dear Santa,
I didn’t believe in you for a very long time. Years in fact, since I was about seven. Before that, Christmas was magical, filled with candy canes, sparkling ribbon-topped gift boxes, and goodies galore. But when I learned that Santa was really my Grandpa in his overalls and wearing a fake Santa Claus beard, I stopped believing in you.
As I’ve aged, however, I have begun to believe in you again. Christmas is really PEACE in the hearts and sharing with others. We enjoy sharing what we have with all creatures great and small, such as the ravens we feed our scrapes to. They look for their daily treats and salute us as they fly away, calling out, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
-- Diane Neil
Dear Santa,
I’m worried about my friend, Noel. She’s an elf at Farmer Santa’s Reindeer Farm. You see, she got in trouble last week. She forgot to order candy canes to feed your special flying reindeer. Now she’s afraid she’ll be fired or worse – not get any Christmas presents. Please, Santa, don’t put her on the naughty list. She’s a good elf and should get a bright, shiny present.
Sincerely,
Snow the Christmas Bunny
-- Tess De Groot
Dear Santa,
My favorite candy is a candy cane. My farmer friend used to give me one every year until the fox came along and ate all his chickens. I gave him a present to try and help him but it wasn’t enough. Please help him. I really want him to have peace in his heart.
Thank you, Santa.
Sincerely,
-- Linda Cooper
Holiday Short Story
The night before Christmas progressed as most others have. The carolers at our doorstep sang of the First Noel. The lights on the neighbor’s houses blinked, and one by one each blinked out as the world said good night to a cold winter’s evening. The owl began his journeys into the darkness proclaiming “Who, who, who is still awake?” Well that’s what I told the grandchildren, who should have been dreaming of candy canes and sugar plums.
“Santa will try and come with your presents soon,” I exclaimed, “you should think about going to sleep now. You still have to be good.”
The five-year-old snapped his eyes shut tight and pulled the blankets up to his chin. The two-year-old climbed to my lap, put her hand on my chest, and said, ”I don’t have to be good. My Grandpa will bring me presents.”
-- Name not clear Samantha or Swana Hannah
Dear Santa,
Joyce and I have had a very good year and I really don’t need much. But our eight-month-old great-granddaughter could use a stuffed penguin, a tree ornament of yourself (preferably drool proof), a candy cane (naturally), and a peace ornament as a symbol of good will toward all men.
On second thought, I could use a 2018 Lexus 350 E with a big, flashing, gift package on top. Thank you so much, Santa. Make sure Rudolph doesn’t drink too much eggnog.
-- Michael Raff
Dear Santa,
I have a problem. I’m a penguin living at the South Pole – as far away from you as I can get! But you may be able to relate. I’ve always wanted to grow things – I gt so tired of frozen food. But as you know, farming conditions in these polar regions are very difficult.
If you could bring me a small hothouse-style planter to help me start my garden I would grin from ear-to-ear (although I know that with my beak, it will be hard to tell). I can’t give much in return, but I will leave a candy cane by the fireplace for you. I hear you really like them.
But if I can’t have a vegetable garden, maybe you could just leave me a little piece of peace on Earth. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Percival the Penguin
-- Holly LaPat
Dear Santa,
My name is Leah and I’m eight years old. My Daddy is in the Army and he’s in “Afgan-stan.” I asked my Mommy if there are penguins there, but she says Daddy is in the desert. Maybe there are camels. I like camels!
Mommy says tonight we’re going to pack a big box full of presents for Daddy and send it to him. She says you’ll be too busy delivering gifts to all the children to deliver gifts to my Daddy and his men, so we’re going to help you and do that for you. I’m going to send a big candy cane for every man and woman in my Daddy’s company – just in case they don’t have people who love them and who will send them presents.
Santa, I know you’re really busy and so are your elves and I don’t want to bother you with a big, long list of things I want this year. And since I’m eight, I guess I’m getting too old for dolls and things.
So, I just want one thing this year. And it’s not just for me. I’m not supposed to be selfish. So, Santa, please bring peace so everyone can be happy – and so that my Daddy can come home.
Love, Leah
-- Jenny Margotta
Dear Santa,
All you have to bring me this year is a bunch of cheap stuff to hang on my dead tree. It’s dead cuz we got it too early to save money so I could get better decorations instead of those tacky ones we get stuck with.
So, yes! I want a flashing gift box where the battery will die a day before Christmas. My name isn’t Noel on this decoration here, so thanks for giving me a name that doesn’t work for us.
A lame partridge in burlap I suppose I can give my Mom who doesn’t care either. Or you can take that ornament of Santa with the overalls who happens to look a lot like me. I don’t care.
So, to end this memo to you … thanks for the candy cane. You can never go wrong with candy.
Grouchy little kid
-- Rusty LaGrange
Dear Santa,
Since I live on a dairy farm on a dead-end road, I really never thought you would find me! I love your bib overalls. You sure fit in every place you visit!
The lights on the gift are an eye catcher and I cannot wait to see what is inside! The peppermint candy cane in my stocking is one of my favorite treats, and it is amazing that you know how much I love peppermint! The little penguin is adorable and I read a book about them and shared the book with my friend!
Even though I love everything you bring me each year, my very favorite gift and wish is for love and peace on Earth. The most important gifts of all!
Merry Christmas, Santa.
-- Rita Wells
Holiday Short Story
The farmer went out one peaceful, bright, Christmas Eve looking for his dog. He was mad at his naughty dog. The dog had stolen the present that contained all of the candy canes for his children. Now his children would not have Christmas dessert.
The angry farmer went out into the woods and, in his anger, he chopped down a tree. The tree fell on the man and caused bodily harm. As a result, the farmer succumbed to his injuries as the light of Christmas Day began.
-- Pauline Vergara
Dear Santa,
Grandpa says you won’t come to our house this year because I’ve been so bad. He says anyone who throws away the dog’s bone doesn’t deserve gifts. But Long John found his bone and he brought it and showed me. Really, Santa, I love Long John. And, really, Santa, I should be allowed to put other decorations on the tree besides the candy canes. Mom said she’d trust me with them because they don’t break. So, was it really my fault the tree tipped over and squashed Grandpa’s presents? Besides, I was the one who swept up the broken ornaments without being told.
So, I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’ve decided to reform. I’ve already started. I made my own bed this morning and tomorrow I’ll go make Mom’s. I’ll do my homework without being nagged – well, most the time. I’ll take out the garbage without complaining when it rains.
What else can I do? I’ll do anything to get back on your good side cause I really, really want that video game. All of my friends have it.
Please, Santa.
Your friend, Jeremy.
PS: I know there’s lots of good guys who send you letters. I sure hope you read this.
Peace. Jeremy.
-- Amy Burnett
Holiday Short Story
It’s miserably cold and stormy out. The fog has clouded the heavens. Farmer Claus has hung out the Noel sign and put up the peppermint cane hitching post for the reindeer. The lantern is hanging on the chimney to guide the steeds, and the partridge is flying near so that they don’t collide with the chimney.
Mrs. Farmer Claus is running about the house making peppermint tea and filling hot water bottles. If they stop here she’ll make sure they’re warm before they venture out again.
Our chimney is small. I hope he doesn’t get stuck. The wind is very strong. Poor Santa must be very unhappy. And all I can do is sit and wait.
-- June Langer
Dear Santa,
Until yesterday I thought you might not make it to Christmas in Southern California. As a firefighter at the Creekside fire, I witnessed the destruction of homes, people losing everything. The thought of you not showing up was on the faces of young and old. No gifts. No Christmas dinner. No partridge in a pear tree, candy cane, and certainly no spirit of noel. But the winds calmed down most of the fires and are the on the way to being contained. It will truly be a Merry Christmas for all.
-- Allen Reid (4 days on the Creekside fire)
Holiday Short Story “Ginger”
It was an unusually cool High Desert day. It was quiet, peaceful, and only a gentle breeze interrupted the calm as Mr. James, donned his signature overalls before doing his annual “candy cane run” through the neighborhood. With is partner Gray, a brown German Shepherd, having a larger than average nose, walked briskly from home to home delivering “Secret Santa” gifts on neighbors’ doorsteps.
For Mrs. Ina he left a lavishly decorated box with a color-changing bow, which he thought the best find of the holiday season – the ribbon, that is – as it instantly captured his attention when he went shopping in early November for gifts and wrapping.
Everyone received a homemade candy cane, either inside, on top of their gift box or stocking. His wife’s secret recipe assured the neighbors welcomed the gifts, as the secret ingredient -- ginger spiced rum -- made the canes the most delicious they all said.
-- Sheryl Lynne
Holiday Short Story
It was dark and stormy night. Mom and Dad had settled down for a long winter’s nap in an old t-shirt for Mom, and Dad might have a cap on, but not sure.
Brutus, the Pitbull, and Lancelot, the big, black Poodle and I, Frankie, the wiener dog, were waiting for our Santa Claus to show up. The snow on the ground was new when we heard the jingling of bells.
It’s St. Bernard,” Lancelot said and we all ran to the window to see – except me.
“Tell me what’s happening. I can’t reach that high,” I yelped.
Sir Prance-a-lot -- that’s what I called him – said they could see big cats and little cats pulling the sleigh. Siamese, Manx, long-haired domestic, and a couple of alley cats, too.
The three of us dogs lined up in front of our fireplace stockings and candy canes hanging, secure (sic) St. Bernard-Mr. Santa Claus dropped down the chimney.
“Ruff, ruff, ruff,” he laughed – dropping a nice bone in front of each of us. He told us not to touch them until he flew away. He dropped a toy owl that none of us wanted and a green present that lit up.
While Prance-a-lot and Brutus watched him go up the chimney, I quickly grabbed each bone and ran upstairs and under Mom and Dad’s bed. They couldn’t reach me as I peacefully ate.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
-- unsigned
Todd Anton
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November 11, 2017
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Todd Anton, a U.S. History instructor for over 27 years, along with his ability to work closely with his students and World War II veterans has earned him national recognition -‐ for an extensive oral history collection (nearly 5,000) involving combat veterans from WWI through the present. As a result of his nomination as VFW “Teacher of the Year”, legendary author/historian Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose took Todd under his wing and encouraged him to achieve even more. Anton serves on the board of Trustees for the late Dr. Ambrose's National World War II Museum, and the museum has featured Todd as a speaker at a gala function in Washington DC honoring the members of Congress who served in World War II and at the premiere of Steven Spielberg's documentary on his father, Arnold Spielberg's squadron in W.W. II, called the Burma Bridge Busters, at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Anton also serves as the Divisional Historian for his late father's World War II unit, the 70th Infantry Division-‐Trailblazers, and has written a history of the division's artillery units called Distant Thunder: The Field Artillery units of the 70th Infantry Division in World War II. All of these organizations understand the importance of preserving the memory and sacrifice of the “Citizen Soldier” in W.W II, and that this process begins in the classroom. They chose Anton as their ambassador. The famed National World War II Museum in New Orleans also selected Anton to be on their Board of Trustees and Anton advised on educational outreach and making museums come alive for 21st Century kids. Anton was the only educator to so honored.
As an educator for nearly 26 years Anton and his students host an annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner and the students raise the funds and serve the dinners to our worthy veterans. The first dinner hosted nearly 100 veterans. Now, 22 years and 22 dinners later this event has grown to serving nearly 2,000 veterans at each dinner. As a result we have served nearly 20,000 veterans and raised nearly $140,000 to do this. Somehow the spirit of service and honor are infectious and his students change lives on that special night. It is truly special. As a son of a decorated World War II/Korean War Army combat veteran, the late Wallace P. Anton, Todd has been inspired on a personal level to honor the “Greatest Generation.” Wally Anton raised a son dedicated to preserving the stories of the men who served America in the time of its greatest need. Many of these men walked away from baseball and football to serve a nation they loved more. Anton's books: No Greater Love, and When Baseball Went to War have inspired FOX News Channel's War Stories with Oliver North to produce a show dedicated to Baseball and World War II veterans called “From the Ballpark to the Battlefield: Baseball and World War II.” Anton joined Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling and noted baseball historian Bill Nowlin as the advisors for this show. When America goes to war, it requires its most able-‐bodied citizens to join the fight. Many soldiers were extraordinary athletes who walked away from a game they loved to serve a country they loved more. Professional football contributed its talent to the efforts of WWII more than any other sport. Among its ranks, the NFL counts three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, numerous Silver Stars, Distinguished Flying Crosses and Purple Hearts. War heroes from WWI through present day occupations in the Middle East, are profiled in When Football Went to War by Todd Anton and Bill Nowlin, with a foreword by Hall of Fame former Buffalo Bills coach and WWII veteran, Marv Levy. The stories in When Football Went to War honor those who returned to play another day as well as men who made the ultimate sacrifice, including biographies such as the tragic death of former NFL safety Patrick Tillman. Tillman turned down a $3.6 million three-‐year contract offer from the Cardinals in order to enlist in the Army after the September 11th attacks and died serving in Afghanistan. A heartfelt book of heroism, When Football Went to War is the perfect tribute to American athletes-‐turned-‐soldiers that will inspire football fans and history buffs alike. Recently Anton’s 5th book Big Leagues...Bigger Heart is dedicated to a local MLB pitcher, Don Ferrarese, in our High Desert area who could have retired in wealth, but instead used his success to inspire local students and charitable causes in the region. Todd Anton, 53, lives in Victorville, California with his wife Susan and their children Jamie and Jason, and continues to passionately teach American History at the Heritage School in the Snowline Unified School District of California. |
MEMOIR AND CYBER-SECURITY
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October 14, 2017
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The High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club (HDCWC) meeting featured a panel of member-authors who have written and published memoirs.
In addition, Victor Valley College adjunct-professor and computer guru, Steve Marin, lead a discussion on safeguarding your writing files and avoiding lost or stolen cyber properties. The meeting will be a time of celebration of the Dorothy C. Blakely Memoir Project. This is the third year the HDCWC has been involved in this project., and is partnering with the University Preparatory High School in Victorville. The program provides for many volunteer hours of teaching and mentoring high school students in the craft of writing with an emphasis on memoir writing. Students pair with a person over fifty years old, interview them, and write a 3,500 word story about that “Memoir Star's” journey in life. After polishing with the help of the HDCWC members, the goal is to submit and publish the story in an anthology edited by HDCWC editor Jenny Magotta, and published by our High Desert Branch. The Dorothy C. Blakely Memoir Project has two completed and published anthologies behind us, and is done in memory of Dorothy Blakely and others like her who unfailingly encourage others with ambitions to do good works. The previous anthologies, “Let It Be Recorded...A Collection of Memoirs” and “All Our Yesterdays” are available at Amazon.com. |
harry cauley
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Saturday August 12, 2017
Jess Ranch Community Church |
We so loved Harry Cauley from his time with us before, we had him speak once again. To learn about Harry please see May 13, 2017.
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open mic
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Saturday July 8, 2017
Jess Ranch Community Church |
Several members of the club shared their work. A fun time for all.
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Christina Hamlett
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Saturday June 10, 2017
Jess Ranch Community Church |
The High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club presented a program to help writers best decide whether to write a play, novel or screenplay to best express their work of story-telling.
Former actress and director Christina Hamlett is an award-winning author whose credits to date include 34 books, 161 plays, 5 optioned feature films, and squillions of articles and interviews that appear online and in trade publications worldwide. She is also a script consultant for the film business (which means she stops a lot of ready bad movies from coming to theaters near you) and a professional ghostwriter (which does not mean she talks to dead people). To learn more, visit her website at www.authorhamlett.com. HDCWC elections were held during a brief business meeting on that date. |
AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY PLAYWRIGHT
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Saturday May 13, 2017
Jess Ranch Community Church |
Harry Cauley is the recipient of the Writers Guild of America award for his film, There Were Times, Dear, about the caregiver of an Alzheimer’s victim, starring Shirley Jones and Len Cariou. Two of his plays, The Paisley Convertible and Let Me Hear You Smile, were produced on Broadway. He was a co-founder of the Apple Hill Playhouse and for thirteen years he was the producer and director there. He toured in a two-character musical he co-authored and directed, about a marriage falling apart, Separate Checks, Please, for a year. He originated the title role in Israel Horowitz’s Alfred the Great, also starring John Cazale.
For many years he was a TV writer/producer, starting with his first job, Maude, which landed him a job on the groundbreaking Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and he worked as a writer/actor for Norman Lear for the next three years. He was a writer/producer for Angie and Julie, starring Julie Andrews. He also wrote for Carol Burnett. His first novel, Bridie and Finn, was chosen for the W.H.Smith fresh talent award in England. His other novels are The Botticelli Angel, Millersburg and Another Season of Figs. He is published in several languages. |
Larry and Lorna Collins
Perfect Pitch
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Saturday April 8
10 to noon Jess Ranch Community Church |
Larry and Lorna Collins helped attendees develop their elevator pitch. This type of pitch is a twenty-five word description of one's story so engaging it will capture the attention of an editor, agent, or publisher.
Lorna and Larry Collins grew up together in Alhambra, California. Larry studied engineering at California Polytechnic College in Pomona, and Lorna was an English major at California State College at Los Angeles. They have been married for over fifty years and have one daughter, Kimberly. As an engineer, Larry worked on projects throughout the United States and around the world. Lorna was employed in Document Control, Data Management, IT Change Management, Editing, and Technical Writing. They both worked in Osaka on the Universal Studios Japan theme park. Larry was a Project Engineer, responsible for the Jurassic Park, JAWS, and WaterWorld attractions. Lorna was the Document Control Supervisor in the Osaka field office. Their memoir of that experience, 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park was a 2006 EPPIE finalist, named as one of Rebeccas Reads Best Nonfiction books of 2005. Their mysteries, set in Hawaii, are Murder…They Wrote and Murder in Paradise. The latter was a finalist for the 2012 EPIC eBook award. They plan several more in this series. Lorna co-wrote a series of sweet romance anthologies, set in the mythical town of Aspen Grove, Colorado, with friends Sherry Derr-Wille, Christie Shary, Luanna Rugh, and Cheryl Gardarian: Snowflake Secrets (a finalist for the Dream Realm and Eric Hoffner awards), Seasons of Love, Directions of Love (winner of the 2011 EPIC eBook Award for best romance anthology), An Aspen Grove Christmas, The Art of Love, and …And a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe. Lorna’s solo mystery/fantasy is a ‘beach read’ called Ghost Writer. Larry’s collection of short stories is entitled Lakeview Park. His latest project is his sci-fi series, The McGregor Chronicles. Book 1 – Saving Mike, Book 2 – Escape From Eden, and Book 3 – Alien Invasion. Book 4 - Kaùsan’s War will be published soon. |
tim sunderland
THE RULES OF PLOT: WHAT EVERY GOOD STORY HAS IN COMMON
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Saturday March 11
10 to noon Jess Ranch Community Church |
Our guest speaker talked about plot development: the three-act structure, the need for plot points, and how this formula helps a writer outline the story and know what needs to happen before the writer starts writing. He gave examples in well-known movies and novels to illustrate his points.
Timothy Sunderland (you can call him Tim) grew up in Southern California. In fact, he was born in Hollywood. You can't get any more California than that! Always an avid reader, Timothy flirted with a career as a writer as early as his sophomore year in high school, but his real epiphany came at 23 when, while reading an article in Playboy, he thought, "I can write better than that!" His initial writing was in publications ranging from the Los Angeles Times to Outside Magazine to Motor Trend, and many others. He put down his pen in 1992 and spent more than twenty years in marketing, only to return to writing in 2008, this time with a focus on fiction. in 2013 he placed in the top 5% of 1,000 writers in the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge, and in 2016 he self-published his first novel, Rules for Giving. |
DIANE HINDS
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Saturday February 11
10 to noon Jess Ranch Community Church |
Diane Hinds discussed "HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK". Diane has over 20 years experience as a freelance PR specialist. She has successfully secured media exposure domestically and in Europe, as well as across the US.
Hinds began her career with Arista Records and then went freelance, launching the career of opera singer Lesley Garrett, CBE. Hinds has also promoted the likes of Nigel Kennedy, Anne Perry, Jermaine Jackson, English National Opera, Pam Tillis, Stella Parton, Jack Jones, Expansion Records and many more. She is also behind the success of UK specialist classical chart-topping pianist Emmanuel Vass. |
Mary Vensel White Talks Self-editing
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Saturday January 14
10 to noon Jess Ranch Community Church |
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Mary Vensel White is the author of The Qualities of Wood, the first ebook published by Authonomy, a digital imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, and later released by Harper Collins 360 as a global print version. It is a novel about secrets. Family secrets. Community secrets. And secrets between lovers, past and present. And all of these secrets have their price.