Kicking Off 2016: Strange Things Brewing at Coffee and Critique

 

Nick's last visit to C&C

The new year kicked off on a strange note yesterday at Coffee and Critique. As those present took turns going around the table at the beginning of our first session for 2016 --during which we shared our writing, publishing and other news--first up was Pat, who showed us a photo of her new puppy and mentioned she got an e-mail informing her she made it through the first hurdle for Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less.

That prompted a comment from Jack, who was sitting at the far other end of the table, to say, "Did you say 'the joy of lust?'"

After we all stopped laughing out loud, we discussed how CS wouldn't publish an anthology focused on the joy of lust, although it would be an interesting read. Jack's comment was one for the books!


The readings by Doyle and Jack, "the boys," went well, as did critiques from the rest of us. With only six writers present, we wrapped up our critiques and discussions early and three of "the girls" stayed for lunch.



Bea in one of her many chapeaus

While Marcia, Jane, and I were eating, I began to discuss how much I missed Bea Siros and Nick Nixon, two of our members who had passed away a few years ago within one year (almost to the day) of each other.


Just then about a dozen glasses and cups fell off the drink counter near the cash register. No one was anywhere near the counter. One server was waiting on a table on the other side of the restaurant, and the other server was in the kitchen. The closest customer was at a table over six feet away.



Bea at her birthday party

Our awesome servers, Chrissie and Kim, quickly swept up the shattered glass, and the owners came in from their office to make sure everyone was okay.  C&K explained they didn't know how the glasses fell because no one was anywhere near the counter at the time. It was indeed a strange happening.

When Chrissie stopped by our table to top off our drinks, she said. "I swear there's a ghost in here."
Her comment gave me chills because right before the glasses shattered, we were talking about the deceased members of our group. Could their spirits be lingering at the restaurant?

It could've been a coincidence, but if you ask my opinion, it looks like our critique group will be in for a strange and an interesting year.

Coffee and Critique Writers Are Busy Elves on the Book Shelves

Santa's elves aren't the only ones who've been busy this Christmas season.

The writers in Coffee and Critique also have spread their holiday cheer with author events, book signings, radio interviews, contest wins, novel reviews, and publications.

Jack Zerr's latest novel, The Junior Officer Bunkroom, received a brilliant review in Kirkus. In The Junior Office Bunkroom, Zerr, a naval combat pilot himself, chronicles the day-to-day activities of naval pilots coping with life on an aircraft carrier in 1970 in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam Conflict.



Sarah Angleton's moving flash fiction piece "The Greatest of Ease" won big in the WOW! Women on Writing Spring 2015 contest, judged by Literary Agent Eve Porinchak.

With Sarah's graceful writing and impressive win, she has reason to smile.

Pat Wahler, Marcia Gaye, and Donna Volkenannt, (shown at left) and Doyle Suit (below) participated in the local author event at the Spencer Road Branch of the St. Charles City-County Library.

More than 100 authors chatted with readers and sold books during the successful event.

Last week Pat Wahler was one of the featured authors on HuffPost Live's Deep Dive: Four-Legged Miracles.

During Pat's interview, she talked about a story of hers that was in included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope and Miracles. Pat's remarkable story tells about how a stray dog helped her avoid a car accident. Click on the link above to watch Pat's interview.

The December issue of SASEE magazine (cover below) includes Donna Volkenannt's essay "Sweet Memories," about how the power of the sense of smell to restore joy to life.

Finally, during our last meeting for the year (attended by Les Thompson, Alice Muschany, Sarah Steffen, Jack Zerr, Pat Wahler, Jane Hamilton, Sarah Angleton, and Donna Volkenannt), writers showed their creativity by sharing their wonderful Christmas-themed stories.

Whew! How's that for staying busy during the holiday season?

Look out 2016 because the writers of Coffee and Critique are on the move!

Gotcha Covered: The Inside Scoop from High Hill Press on Creating Book Covers

Over on the High Hill Press blog, there's a post, "Peeking Under the Covers of High Hill Press."

In the informative August 31 post, publisher Louella Turner explains the importance of creating eye-catching book covers to entice readers and enhance book sales.

Lou discusses how High Hill Press creates these covers, taking into account  factors such as: the genre of the book, setting, time period, title, and other details.

The blog post features several book covers, three of which have a connection to members of  Coffee and Critique.

One of the highlighted covers is Baker Mountain, a YA novel written by Doyle Suit. Lou literally moved a mountain to create the image for Doyle's novel.

Two other books, Cactus Country III and Echoes of the Ozarks IX, have stories from several Coffee and Critique writers, including Marcia Gaye, Pat Wahler, Donna Volkenannt, Bill Mueller, Lou Turner, and others.

For an in-depth look at how these and other covers were created, visit the High Hill Press blog.

 
 
 

Take Ten Interview with Pat Wahler

Next up is Pat Wahler, one of Coffee and Critique's original members. Pat attended C&C sessions when the group met in the evenings at Barnes and Noble. Because of the change to daytime meetings only and Pat's work schedule, she is unable to attend C&C regularly, but she still attends when her schedule permits, and she supports the group with her writing. 

Her humorous essay, "High Maintenance Woman," appears in the first Coffee and Critique Anthology.

Pat is a grant writer by day and writer of fiction and essays by night. Her work appears in many publications including the series anthologies Cup of Comfort, Not Your Mother's Book, and Chicken Soup. Pat, a life-long animal lover, ponders critters, writing, and life's little mysteries at http://www.critteralley.blogspot.com/

Here are Pat's answers to the "Take Ten" interview questions: 

1. What or who inspired you to become a writer?

I think anyone who is an avid reader dreams about the possibility of writing. My early efforts consisted of composing 10 page letters to friends and family. Then one day I sent an anecdote to the Reader's Digest "All in a Day's Work" feature. I couldn't have been more shocked when they mailed me a check for $300 along with a bumper sticker that read: I found money, fame, and glory. Reader's Digest bought my story!

H'mmm. Maybe I really can write. 

2. What is your writing specialty?

Fiction is fabulous. I love the freedom of creating a character and taking him/her on a journey of my own choosing. However, I write more personal essays than anything else. Essays are tougher because you must work with a specific situation, peel back the layers to examine them, and then figure out what it all meant. It's kind of like being your own analyst.

3. How would you describe your writing process?

I need structure. I start with a general outline and jot ideas as they come to me. The outline helps keep me on track, although I've been known to stray if the story leads me in another direction.

4. What is the best part of being a writer? The worst part?

There's an old Peanuts cartoon of Snoopy typing away on a story while thinking: It's exciting when you've written something that you know is good! That about sums up the best part. Of course, having a piece accepted for publication isn't too shabby, either.

The worst part is the amount of self-discipline it takes to be a writer. Self-discipline is not one of my strongest qualities.

5. What is the best writing advice you’ve received?  The worst?

The whole NaNoWriMo experience taught me there's no such thing as writer's block. Just sit down and start typing. Once you do that, the words will come like crazy, and they don't need to be perfect. You can edit that lousy first draft later. 

I can't say anyone has ever given me bad advice about writing. I may not always agree with everything I hear, but that doesn't mean there isn't value to be found in the opinion of others.

6. Which books on writing you can recommend for other writers?

I love reading books about writing. A few of the many I've found helpful are:

Bird by Bird -Anne Lamott

Getting the Words Right - Theodore A. Rees Cheney

Between the Lines - Jessica Page Morrell

Naked, Drunk, and Writing - Adair Lara

7. How has belonging to Coffee and Critique benefited you?

I started with C&C at the beginning, when we met in the evening. It was my first experience with a critique group and I worried my manuscript would be torn to shreds by people with much more experience than me. But I soon learned that C&C members were talented, generous, and helpful. Fresh eyes saw things I hadn't noticed and the suggestions definitely strengthened my writing.

When C&C started meeting in the mornings, a few of us tried to keep the evening sessions going. Unfortunately we didn't have enough people to make that happen. But when retirement comes my way, I plan to be back!

8. If you’ve been published or have won awards, which are the most special to you?

Writing is a lonely pursuit, so anything that validates what I do is special to me.

For example, the first time one of my essays was selected for a national publication, Cup of Comfort for Cat Lovers, I couldn't have been more excited. I got to sign my first contract and received a nice check for the story. Sheer bliss!

9. What three words best describe you?

Determined

Resilient

Empathetic

10. What are you working on now, and/or what is your writing dream? 

I have three very rough manuscripts produced from prior NaNoWriMo years. I'd like to begin doing something with them. One manuscript particularly calls me. It's an historical fiction piece told from the POV of a famous outlaw's wife.

Bonus question: If you could interview one or two famous writers or historic figures living or deceased, who would they be and what would you ask them?

My hands down favorite novelist is Harper Lee. Her writing is vivid, poignant, and true. If a writer only produces one novel in a lifetime,  let it be one like To Kill a Mockingbird.  I want to learn how to do that.

My favorite essayist is Anne Lamott. It would be a wonderful experience to find out how she can turn an everyday experience into a lyrical one.  

Finally, is there anything you’d like to add?

I really had to think hard about some of these questions. Thanks for the opportunity, Donna!