Sassar to Speak at TNW October 16 meeting

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October 2007
Sassar to Speak at TNW
October 16 meeting
By Art Youmans
Chuck Sasser is one of the
Southwest’s most accomplished
writers. Publishing more than 50
major books and over 3,000 magazine
articles and short stories puts him in a
special category of storyteller… like
western novelist Louis L’Amour was in
the twentieth
century.
Whereas
L’Amour lived
throughout the
west, Chuck
traveled around
the world. Both
based their stories
on places they
visited. In addition
to being writers,
each was a
successful
professional fighter; L’Amour, a boxer,
Chuck, a kickboxer.
As an adventure writer, Chuck
canoed Yukon Territory, sailed the
Caribbean solo, floated the Amazon,
motorcycled Europe, raced camels in
Egypt, dived for pirate treasure, ran
with the bulls in Spain and was a
professional rodeo bronc rider and
rodeo clown.
Chuck was also a U.S. Army
Special Forces soldier with the Green
Berets for 13 of his 29 years in the
military (active and reserve), and
spent 4 years as a Miami, Florida,
policeman and 10 years as a Tulsa
homicide detective. He’s been a Tulsa
NightWriter for over 20 years.
His articles and short stories have
appeared in many publications,
including Guideposts, Parents, Soldier of
Fortune, True West and
Writer’s Digest.
Chuck’s published books
range from “Magic Steps
to Writing Success” (a
guide for writers) to
“Encyclopedia of The
Navy Seals,” and my
favorite, ”Shoot To
Kill…Cops Who Have
Used Deadly Force.”
Chuck teaches writing
courses at Tulsa
Community College,
raises and trains registered quarter
horses on his Choteau horse ranch,
and hopes to match Louis L’Amour
with his 90th major book sometime in
the near future.
If you want to know how life
experiences can affect your writing,
come to the Tulsa NightWriter’s
October 16th meeting at Tulsa’s
Martin Regional Library, 2601 S.
Garnett, to hear Charles W. “Chuck”
Sasser.
Bring a couple of friends along,
too!
The Prez Sez
by Pat Wade
The editors have finished
their job—
the galleys
are
proofed,
and the
anthology
is on the
way to the
printer.
Now
the success
of the book
is up to You. As I’ve
commented before, this
book is an excellent way
for unpublished writers to
learn the ropes, and the
hardest part of writing a
book is selling it.
Our publisher and
fellow NightWriter, Dan
Case, also edits a
newsletter, Writing for
DOLLARS! The
September 17 issue
contains good advice for
any published writer. The
lead article is titled “10
Ways To Promote Your
Book On a Low Budget.”
See “Anthology” Page 4
Slate of Officers to be Presented at October TNW Meeting
The Nominating Committee appointed by TNW president Pat Wade will offer a
slate of officers to the club at the meeting on October 16.
Send your news and brags to [email protected]
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October 2007
NightShelf
Shades of Tulsa
If you have NOT reserved your
copies of the Shades of Tulsa
NightWriters Anthology, please do it
soon. You can e-mail Pat Wade at
[email protected] with your name
and the number you want reserved. We
need an accurate count so we’ll know
how many books to order.
Also, send your check to the
treasurer, Dale Whisman 3436 South 96
East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74145.
Thank you for helping make the
anthology a success.
---------------A Murder of Hens
Reviewed by Radine Trees Nehring
The Spinster, the Orphan
and the Pig
Jackie King
A conundrum that begins It was
madness. One didn’t buy a husband the same
way one bought a lumberyard... not even in the
modern year of 1889.
A Little Shameless Self Promotion!
Got a book on the shelf and want
other TNWers to know about it?
Send your NightShelf Shameless
Self Promotion to
[email protected].
The Raucous Bird
and a Felony Tryst
Paula Watkins
Alfred introduces us to orphan
Donnie Summersdale, who turns sixteen
in Oklahoma’s statehood year. Donnie
hides more than one secret as he works to
learn who attempted to kill his
protectress, Miz Myrtle... and why. This
boy’s quick wit and pithy comments
entertain while suspense increases with
each turned page.
Hats, Healing and Homicide
in Tulsey Town
Peggy Moss Fielding
The sprightly story of spinster Eula
Mae Kent. Eula Mae is dumped off a
wagon in the wilderness outside Tulsey
Town in September 1897 when she won’t
give in to the wagon driver’s advances. A
kind stranger takes her to town where she
sets up business as a milliner and finds a
home in a vacant Indian tipi. After a
ferryman and his wife disappear, Eula Mae
learns she has a talent for crime solving as
well as hat making. This well-woven story
offers a painless history lesson as well as
an exciting plot involving people you’ll
wish you could have known.
Purchase from AWOCBooks.com.
Send your news and brags to [email protected]
Corrie Lynne Player
Named 2007 Utah
Writer of the Year
Sometimes staying for the whole
shebang pays off, as Tulsa NightWriter Corrie Lynne Player learned
recently at the annual League of Utah
Writers Roundup
As the awards dinner and
ceremony dragged into its second
hour, Carrie Lynn decided to join
Gary back at their hotel room and
attempted to duck out early. She
scribbled a note requesting that the
evaluations for your material be left
with the conference chairman, and
then tried to make a graceful exit,
albeit stealthily.
Her escape plans were thwarted
by a board member who shooed her
back to her table.
The very last award of the long
evening was the “Writer of the Year”,
and Corrie Lynne’s name was
announced.
Corrie Lynne said, “I was VERY
surprised, I guess Color Country
Nightwriters nominated me.”
Corrie Lynne founded the
CCNW in 1990.
The Roundup also featured such
outstanding speakers such as Hyrum
Smith, author of First Things First and
whose partner wrote The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People, and science
fiction writer Orson Scot Card, who
was also the featured speaker at the
awards ceremony.
Hens Book Signing
The TNW HENS, Paula Alfred,
Jackie King and Peggy Fielding, will speak
and sign at the Bookplace in Broken
Arrow on Oct. 20, 2 - 4 p.m. and at
Hastings Bookstore in Muskogee, on Oct.
26, 5:30 - 8 p.m., feathers flying, smiles in
place.
NightScripts
November Deadline
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007
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October 2007
NightBrags
Khadija Ejaz
Monday nights (October
Along with her many
8, 15, and 22). The class is
other talents, Khadija is
entitled “Conquer the
part of an awarding film
Challenges of the Creative
team!
Life.” Call 595 7766 to
Sponsored by the
enroll.
Deloitte US and India
firms, the award-winning
Nancy Beverage
film submitted by Khadija
(writing as Annie Withers)
and her cohorts is entitled
Nancy has been quite busy
“The Green Dot”. Their
and lists the following
three-minute video took
successes:
second place and each
1) The Best Times
Khadija
team member won either
(Johnson County, Kansas
$3,000 or a trip for two to Los Angeles
monthly newspaper) August issue for a Hollywood VIP Studio Tour.
Showmanship with Heart - Rob
Khadija worked behind the camera
Robinson, retired insurance salesman
as well as contributed to much of the
starts “Rob Robinson Shows” to perform
beind-the-scenes work. She can also be
to senior centers. Started five years ago
briefly seen at the end of the awardwith 10 shows and is now booked in
winning video in a quick scene.
advance to do 160 shows this year.
The Deloitte Film festival was
2) The Best Times (Johnson County,
mentioned in Businessweek magazine.
Kansas monthly newspaper) October
Khadija’s team’s video can be viewed
issue - Chess Anyone? Overland Park
at YouTube.com
Chess Club meets 2 times per week and
becomes a vital social
Laura Jane Popp
group for chess
The University of
enthusiasts.
Tulsa is proud of the
3) Ozarks Mountaineer
accomplishments of its
(bi-monthly mag) Nov/
students, and TNW’s own
Dec Issue - Ozark
Laura Jane is one of them.
Riverman Brings Lewis
Laura was recently
and Clark to Life interviewed about her
Rolland Love reenacts as
latest novel project as well
Silas Goodrich, expert
as her other previous
fisherman on Lewis and
writing projects.
Clark Bicentennial
Laura was also
Expedition. Does onerecently selected to work
hour monologues taken
Laura Jane
at the UT Special
from his journal.
Collections Department, which chooses
4) Ozarks Mountaineer (bimonthly
only the best students to handle rare
mag) Nov/Dec issue-book reviewbooks, art, author papers, and early
“Homegrown in the Ozarks - Mountain
drafts, some dating to the 11th Century.
Meals and Memories” by Rolland Love
and Mary-Lane Kamberg. A cookbook
Romney Nesbit
you can’t put down - 140 recipes and 21
Check out the October issue of
short stories full of Ozarks humor,
Vintage Magazine (published by Life
drama, and mouth-watering recipes.
Senior Services in Tulsa) to read
Romney’s article about Peggy Fielding,
Vicki McDonough
her OWFI Mentor of the Year Award,
Vickie McDonough had a book
and the continuing adventures of the
signing at Mardels, 9725 E. 71st St., on
“Hens.”
Saturday, Sept 29th.
Nesbit is teaching a class for TCC
Brag left out? Forgive me, and send me a
Special Programs in October on three
reminder for December’s NightScripts--LMG
Send your news and brags to [email protected]
Gloria Shirley
Gloria Shirley sold another story to
Dorchester Media, True Confessions.
Tentative publishing date is November
(which means it will be on the shelf the
end of October. Her title is “I Took Her
Husband and Her Life”, though the
editor may change that. This is the fifth
story she’s sold, so far, this year.
Gloria
Dan Case
Publisher and writer Dan Case sold
an article, “Radio and Book Signings: A
Marriage Made in Writer’s Heaven”, to
FundsForWriters.com.
Dan said, “I wrote the article on
Thursday, sent it in at 10:00 am on Friday
and had it
accepted
and money
put into my
PayPal
account by
10:30 am. I
love the
Internet!”
Dan
LAST CHANCE
The last free class of this season, “99
Ways To Improve Your Writing,”
Monday, October 22, will meet at
3332 E. 4th St., in Tulsa. Must be
TNW members to attend. We will
discuss writing and selling fiction
during the evening, starting at 7 p.m.
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October 2007
ANTHOLOGY: SUPPORT AND PROMOTE
by Pat Wade
continued %om Page 1
The first paragraph of the
article reads, “Whether your
book is produced by one of the
major publishing houses, or you
opt to self-publish, the ultimate
responsibility of getting it into
the hands of potential readers
will really rest with you.” To get
an idea of other marketing ploys
authors use, you can read the
entire article at
www.writingfordollars.com/
2007/vol11num15.html
I have asked some of our
members to use their contacts
to promote the book, but every
one of you knows someone or
some way to get the word out.
The editors started the job by
scheduling a book signing at
Steve’s Book Store on Sunday,
December 2, from 2 to 4 p.m.
That’s just the beginning. If you
are a member of a civic or
religious group, be sure to talk
it up.
I’m willing to be the
clearinghouse if you want to
know who has agreed to do
what. There’s no point in
duplicating our efforts. So far,
Jackie King has volunteered to
work with the newspaper. Do
any of you have contacts with
TV or radio?
Of course your reservations
at the pre-publication price will
certainly help us get things
started—especially if you buy
20 or 30 copies. Then you have
an incentive to get them into the
hands of the reading public.
The book is an excellent
way to let others see the talent
in our organization, so put on
your marketing face and tell the
world what you’ve done.
Snow’s Murder and the Outlaws
Steals Command Performance
Murder and the
Outlaws, written and
directed by
NightWriter
Carol Snow,
will be
presented
again at
the
Spotlight
Theatre
Oct. 26th,
Nov. 2nd,
and Nov.
9th. Set in
the 1890’s,
guests will play the
roles of various outlaws,
lawmen, etc. of the
period and gather at the
“Reeves Brothers
Gambling Hall” to have
dinner, view the body of
Bill Doolin, watch a
performance of
the Seibert
Traveling
Show, and-should a
murder
occur
(and for
some
reason it
always
does)--help
solve the crime.
The cost for dinner
and the show is $30.
For more information
call the theatre at
587-5030.
Send your news and brags to [email protected]
Whisman’s Hookers Walks the Boards
Dale Whisman’s short film
HOOKERS, will be screened
Saturday October 6th, at 9:00
PM at the TCC Metro
Campus, 9th & Cincinnati, in
the Phillips auditorium. The
film stars, among others, our
own Gloria Shirley, with a
cameo appearance by Dale
and his wife Sherry.
Immediately following, at
9:30 PM, the short film
BROTHER MINE will be
presented, which includes
Dale Whisman in the role of a
wealthy gangster who hires hit
Midnight. Tickets are $10.00
men to do his dirty work.
available at the door.
The four day event is the
For film buffs and future
2007 BareBones Script-2film makers, tickets to the
Screen Film Festival, which
entire four day festival,
provides a venue for short
starting Thursday night with a
films and feature length films
reception at the Circle
from independent film makers
Theatre, until the Awards
from around the country.
Ceremony Sunday afternoon,
Showing of films start at 7:00
are only $40.00..
PM and runs until about
For more information email [email protected].
Cimarron Dreamin’ Conference
Slated for October 12-14 in Tulsa
Jodi Thomas will be the keynote speaker at the Cimarron
Dreamin’ Conference October 12-14, 2007 at the Marriott
Tulsa Southern Hills.
The conference is sponsored by Romance Writers Ink.
Workshops will include the following:
• Jodi Thomas – Developing Strategies for Survival: Free
Falling
• Allison Brennan – Breaking Rules to Break In or Break Out
• Barbara Dawson Smith – 1) Emotions: Make Them Laugh,
Make Them Cry
• Barbara Dawson Smith – 2) Spinning Gold Into Straw: The
Secrets of Self-Editing
• Jenna Petersen – 1) Anatomy of a Love Scene
• Jenna Petersen – 2) I Wrote This Book…Now What?:
Building the House of Your Career, Brick By Brick
• Judy Randall of the Tulsa World – The Author and Local
Media
One to One appointments will include editor MaryTheresa Hussey, Silhouette Books, and agents Vivian Beck,
Vivian Beck Agency, and Elaine Spencer, Knight Agency.
Included in conference fee of $130 is Friday night mixer,
Lunch Saturday, Author Booksigning (open to the public),
Pizza Party Saturday night and Sunday Brunch along with an
Editor, Agent panel.
Attendance is limited and those wishing to attend are
encourage to sign up immediately.
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October 2007
NightWriters Pursue a Criminal Lifestyle
TWN Members Rock at Criminal Pursuits Workshop
by Jackie King
Four TNW members formed the writers’ panel at the
CRIMINAL PURSUITS WORKSHOP, sponsored by
SouthWest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. This
exciting conference was held at the DoubleTreeDowntown Hotel in Tulsa on September 14, and our club
members stood front-and-center in performance and
awards.
Jackie King moderated the panel and the members
were Peggy Fielding, Paula Watkins Alfred, and Bob Avey.
This savvy group of published mystery writers discussed,
“Writing: The Difference between a Career and a Hobby.”
The panel answered questions such as, “At what point
in your career did you realize that you had become a
professional writer with a career, instead of a would-be
writer with a pastime?” Their answers were both inspiring
and informative. I found myself wanting to take notes.
Art Youmans and each member of his super-sleuthing
team, including Rhoda Baker, won the Grand Award in
the Mock-Crime Solving Contest. Art (who missed his
calling as a homicide detective) carefully measured every
piece of furniture at the crime scene, documented the
location of each minute item on the coffee and end tables,
described the corpse, and even documented every
question, thought, and idea asked of the suspects. His
team solved 95 percent of the checkpoints for the graded
system as determined by our instructor, Mike Witzgall.
(Retired Dallas police officer.)
The faux bodies, blood, and crime scene looked so
real it creeped me out. The actors who portrayed the
suspects were well-rehearsed and their makeup was
superb. Part of the attendee’s job as detectives was to
notice the actors’ performance and recognize those who
were lying from their body language. We were given a list
of things to watch for on Friday night—but with all the
fun and excitement—who even thought about reading
instructions? Certainly not moi. So I flunked that part.
Some of Us Came in 2nd Because We’re
“Psychological Sleuths”
(Translation: No One Wanted to Get Down on Their
Knees and Measure Stuff)
I was on a team with Gloria Shirley, Peggy Fielding
and Shirley B. from Oklahoma Mystery Writers; and I
have to confess that I was the poorest member of this
“hot” team. Gloria, with her medical background and
Peggy, with her school-teacher-eagle-eye were both
excellent. (Shirley and I excused ourselves by saying,
“We’re Cozy mystery writers, and don’t need to involve
ourselves in so much police procedure.”)
On Saturday we added a couple of new members to
our team (absent on Friday night), Valerie Gawthop and
Bob Avey. Both were good problem-solvers, but Valerie
was a sleuth extraordinaire. Our team figured out whodone-it, why, and how, but because no one wanted to drop
to measure stuff or bother to record all of the statistics,
we made only 60%, and the impressive-looking awards
went to Art’s team.
TNW Icon Provides Entertainment
TNW Peggy Fielding lost her trousers in the middle
of the room full of people at the Workshop.
“My pants just fell down!” Peggy shouted.
“That’s the hazard involved when you lose a bunch of
weight,” Shirley B., said with a chuckle.
“I tried to get you to my tailor’s shop so that suit
could be altered,” I said, in a disgustingly selfrighteousness tone of voice.
“Oh, Peggy, I’ll help you. Please don’t be
embarrassed,” said kind-hearted Gloria Shirley.
But our Peggy was laughing so hard she could barely
hitch up her britches, so there seemed little danger that
she might die of humiliation. Later, in front of the whole
audience, the feisty writer confessed her faux pas in loud
detail to entire audience.
Vive le NightWriters!
2007 NightSpeakers
November--Rilla Askew, author of
“Harpsong”, (Oklahoma Hall of Fame Writer),
will speak on “Centennial Celebration”
December--Don’t miss our wild holiday
festivities. Good food, good fun, good books.
NightQuips
Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in
private and wash your hands afterwards.
Robert A. Heinlein
Send your news and brags to [email protected]
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October 2007
NightThoughts: Invisible Nakedness
by Larry Mike Garmon, Editor
I hate talking about myself.
Those who know me find that previous statement
surprising, especially my students, because I drone on and
on and on about this thing, that thing, and the other thing. I
know enough tidbits and sundry facts and superfluous
information to be a winning contestant on Jeopardy! and
Who Wants to be a Mi&ionaire several times over.
My wife would be quite surprised also.
So, when the task of NightScripts editor fell into and
onto my laptop, I received many e-mails wishing
me good luck and praying for my state of mind.
Several e-mails requested that I introduce Me.
I don’t know what to say when asked to
introduce Me. Do I begin at the very beginning, a
very good place to start? Some people begin with
ABC and some with DO-RE-MI.
Me? I don’t have a clue. For while I’ll talk and
talk and talk about things that I have learned and
know and I’ll gab, gab, gab about my writing and
my books, I will say very little about Me.
Remember the childhood dream in which you
went to school in your underwear or nothing at all? That’s
the way I feel when asked to talk about Me.
Some fellow NightWriters have asked me to post a
picture of Me. So I have. This picture actually reveals more
about Me than any introduction I would scribble down.
Thus the paradox of being a writer: remaining invisible
while shouting from the roof top that I/We, the writer, have
some sort of truth and beauty and love and fear I/We wish
to convey to those poor Souls scurrying along so blithely and
blindly in the streets below.
We are the little boys and girls who want to be
noticed without drawing attention to Ourselves.
We want to run naked through the wilderness
shouting at the top of our lungs and pray that
everyone hears Us but no one sees Us.
Me?
I’m a writer. A writer with the same dreams
and ambitions and desires and fears of all
writers: to be heard without being seen.
See what I have done?
But, don’t look at Me!
Easter, 1959
Larry Mike Garmon, Editor
c/o 1813 Comet Street
Altus, OK 73521-7301