I survuived English 352: Modern World Literature

I am so excited to say that I survived taking English 352: Modern World Literature. It was a super tough class, but I earned an A, and I am one class closer to graduating. I'm excited.

This summer's class consisted of us reading from three different anthology: one from Latin America, one from the Caribbean, and one from India. The first two books were translated into English. The book from India, some were translated stories, and others were written in English originally.

The least interesting book was the one from India, and that is the one I was most interested in reading before the class started. But I made it through the class, and I earned my A. Yippee skippee dippee...

Three weeks before fall starts and I can't wait. Class is with my favorite teacher - Dr. Richard Louth.

2018 Berries, Bridges and Books Writers Conference

Hello! I attended the 2018 Berries, Bridges and Books Writers Conference put on by the Creative Minds Writer's Group of Ponchatoula. Ponchatoula is in Louisiana and southeast of Hammond, LA - the home of Southeastern Louisiana University. This was the 9th annual writer's conference they have put on and the first one I've attended.

CMWG had two categories: one in poetry and the other was a page-turner. I don't do poetry, so I entered the page-turner. I won 2nd place. You can read my entry below, and I hope you enjoy it. 

                     Dahlia’s Challenge

  

Dahlia used her key to call the elevator in D. Vickers Hall. The young English professor’s summer vacation had been ruined by Professor Jones when he broke both legs skiing. Her time should be spent in Aruba with her cousin Geoffrey or in the deserts of Colorado digging for dinosaur bones. Instead, her summer was on hold. Nothing exciting is going to happen this summer, and if it does, it will be somewhere far away from me.

The elevator ride was short but long. Her ride jerked to a stop, the door opened as quickly as frozen molasses running uphill, and Dahlia stepped out into the glare of florescent lighting. It was the week before summer classes started and the hallway was empty. There was an uneasy quietness about the place, it felt like a long forgotten tomb.

As she made her way to the tiny office she had occupied for the last four years, it took her less than ten steps. A rush of cold air escaped the small space when she opened the creaky door, (why is it cold) along with a foul odor. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, she noticed someone had placed a piece of thick, black fabric over her window. She shielded her eyes before she flipped on the light. When she stepped further into her office, she released a loud, ear piercing scream.

Richard Paul Evans and The Calliope Writers' conference

Angie Fenimore's (she can be reached on Facebook), The Calliope Writers' Conference is today, tomorrow, and Sunday. I am participating by internet, because I couldn't make it to Utah.

Today's special guest was Richard Paul Evans (RPE). He talked about his writing process, writing in general, and about several of his books. Then he took questions. And even though I was watching the conference via internet, I was still able to ask him a question about my Historical Romance. His response was he loved the genre of Historical Romance. yeah...

During his talk he said something that I found very interesting. He said, "Imagination is more important than circumstances." I find this to be very true. If you don't have an imagination, how do you expect to write fiction?

There was a 13 year old in attendance of the conference, and RPE told him it was good to get started early. He was very good at encouraging the young budding writer.

#CalliopeWritersConference

Creative Minds Writer's Group of Ponchatoula

Greetings on this fine Sunday morning.

June third will be the 9th annual writing conference, 2018 Berries, Bridges and Books Writers Conference, presented by the Creative Minds Writer's Group of Ponchatoula. It will be held Saturday, June 23rd. This is an all day conference, with a writing contest (if you sign up for the conference before June 1st), a nice catered lunch, and a chance to learn more about writing.

If you are interested in the conference, please click on the link above, explore their website, and then join into the fun. I will be in attendance this year. I hope to see you there.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Southeastern Louisiana University just finished its spring semester. I took English 395: American Literature I. One day in class our teacher gave us the title of an Emily Dickinson poem, it was Because I Could Not Stop for Death. None of us had heard/read the poem before, so she decided we would each use the title/first line of the poem and write our own. We were to write what came to mind.

Dr. Christine Mitchell was our teacher, and I thought hers was very funny, so I am posting it here today. She has given me permission to post the poem. I have written it exactly how she had done it in class. So read below and enjoy.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death

By Dr. Christine Mitchell

Because I could not stop for death

I went along my way,

Picking daisies, wearing hats,

And loving every day.

I strove to spend at least a year

With loved ones near & far,

When Death peeked out his ugly head

I hit him w/my car.

I spent my time in foreign lands

I ate chocolate till I burst

I paid no heed to Death’s commands –

I’ll have my living 1^st.

The League of Utah Writers' Annual Writing Contest

Hello Everyone,

I just submitted my creative non-fiction short story for the League of Utah Writers' Annual Writing Contest. I'm so excited.

Last year I entered in the New Writer division, and I won second place. This year I hope I do as well, if not better. It would be so exciting to win two years in a row.

For any information on the League of  Utah Writers, go here: LEAGUE of UTAH WRITERS. The league has been around since 1935. Stop by and take a gander.

The annual convention is in August this year, with the awards banquet afterwards. I hope to be in attendance this year.

the Manchac Review 2017

Here is the link to the online version of the Manchac Review

I hope you enjoy.

bbg