Shirley Phillips' Obituary

I found Shirley's obituary online today, and decided to copy and paste it here, along with the picture they also had posted.

Shirley Styles Phillips

Shirley Styles Phillips, 75, of 389 Orchard Road, Bakersville, North Carolina passed away October 23, 2011 at home after a long illness. She was a native of Yancey County and the daughter of the late Theodore and Zona Harris Styles. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Scott Phillips.

Survivors include her husband Bobby E. Phillips of the home, and her beloved daughter Janet Kenniasty of Columbia, Maryland as well as three sisters, Teddie Styles Hall of Statesville, North Carolina, Erma Styles of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Doris Styles Laughrun of Midlothian, Virginia.

She was valedictorian of her Burnsville High School class, a graduate of Mars Hill College, Meredith College and received a graduate degree from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida. She spent 21 years as a teacher in the post secondary schools of Osceola County, Florida.

She and her husband, Bobby, were married in Burnsville June 9, 1956.

She enjoyed active membership in First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, the Blue Ridge Red Hats, the Mitchell County Extension Homemakers, and the Mayland Writers Club. She loved painting, writing short stories, and singing.

To remember Shirley, a gift to Hospice Of Mitchell County in Spruce Pine is suggested.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine, North Carolina on Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall until 4:30 pm.

Henline-Hughes Funeral Home of Bakersville is assisting the family with arrangements.

We'll Miss You, Shirley

We are so very sad to announce the passing last night (10/23) of group member Shirley Phillips.

Shirley was a wonderful woman. She always had a smile on her face (may be a cliche, but so true for her), and her stories always made us laugh. We always looked forward to hearing her read her latest work, all of which drew on her life experiences.

Shirley was also a painter and exhibited her work at local galleries alongside her husband Bobby's woodworking pieces.

There are no words to describe the sorrow we feel at Shirley's passing and our thoughts are with her husband and her entire family.

Carolina Mountains Literary Festival

The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is fast approaching; September 9 - 10, 2011. (I am posting their press release about the workshops offered below.) It's always a fun weekend so if you've never been, you really should go. And if you've been before, you know you really should go again. Hope to see you there.

Workshops for Visual Artists, Poets & Playwrights at the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival

July 20, 2011 - Burnsville, NC -- The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is offering three writing workshops in addition to their dozens of author readings. This year, they appeal to playwrights, poets learning about prose poetry and, most important to this area, artists wanting become better writers about their art. Each workshop is three hours long, and requires a $25 pre-registration, though participation in other festival events is free and does not require pre-registration. Participants may register through the website or by picking up a form at their local library.

Brenda Lunsford Lilly will lead Can my play be set on Mars? Creating Memorable Characters and Character Arcs

Just like a house furnished with cardboard tables and chairs, a plot filled with one dimensional characters will seem hollow and uninteresting. So, how do you create interesting characters that make your story ring true and make your play entertaining? In this workshop we will

explore exercises and techniques to enhance your creation of characters and bring them vividly to life. This workshop will help the playwright develop accurate character arcs within the story, streamline the number of characters needed to tell the story and allow the characters to naturally inform the story. The importance of dialogue will be discussed, as well, and exercises to enhance this important element of playwriting be discussed. (1:30-4:30 Friday, September 9 in the Yancey Library Meeting Room)

Lynn Ennis will lead What Words May Come: Visual Artists Writing About Art

Have you ever been completely stuck when asked to write an artist statement, a description for websites, information on exhibitions, philosophy of art/creation and/or articles for art publications? Does the thought of blogging leave you frozen? This workshop is designed to use creativity models that will help you connect your ideas and art to words. Come with issues in hand and we’ll explore various creativity models to help you in your writing. You will produce takeaways that you can continue to build on as you move forward. This will be a spirited interactive workshop that draws on a variety of techniques to get words flowing. (9 - 11:45 Saturday, September 10 in Mountain Heritage Center )

Holly Iglesias will lead What is Prose Poetry?

Just what is a prose poem? And isn’t it a contradiction in terms? We will explore the way prose poems overturn expectations of poetry simply by virtue of their appearance. Lacking the lovely curvature of lined verse, they seem like boxy, ordinary, blunt, pedestrian objects. But in fact, prose poems fulfill poetic expectations through the use of techniques common to all poetry—compression, fragmentation, figurative language, repetition, rhyme. In this workshop, participants will create prose poems that are textual equivalents of snapshots and postcards, those tiny, square-ish items that are dense packages of memory. (1:30 - 4:15 Saturday, September 10 in the Mountain Heritage Center )

For a complete schedule of events and to register online, visit cmlitfest.org.

Meeting One Week Early

Our group usually meets on the last Monday of the month at the library in Spruce Pine. This month's meeting will actually take place one week early, on May 23rd. The last Monday falls on Memorial Day, and the library will be closed. We'll still be there at the usual time, 6pm - 8pm.

So, come on out and join us. Bring something to read to the group, or just bring your ears to listen. We look forward to seeing you.

A Small Writing Prompt

The month of February is more than half over. Hard to believe isn't it? Seems like it was just Christmas, and now Valentine's Day has come and gone. WOW!

How about a bit of a writing prompt?

This is a month when many people turn their thoughts to love and romance, whether they write about the wonders or the heartache. So, it would of course be very obvious to put love or romance or even hate out there for you to write about. We're not going to do that though.

Sit down, pick up that pen and write about a world without technology. And use the word "technology" is as broad a sense as you'd like. Maybe you just want to write about a world with no computers, a world with no television. Maybe you want to write about a world where those things were suddenly taken away, or one where they never existed in the first place. As with most writing prompts, the possibilities are practically endless.

So, there ya' go. Have fun.

Creative Ideas

Ever hear of the 365 Project? It's an idea where you document a year of your life by taking a photo every day. (More info can be found here: http://365project.org/)

Now, as writers, maybe y'all don't think this would be something you'd be interested in, but give the idea a chance. We're not talking super great well-composed pictures here. We're talking just photographing something that illustrates your day; a cloud, a frozen dinner, a bird...whatever. Looking back on these pictures may give you some great ideas for stories, essays, poems, songs...who knows.

I'm starting my 365 Project tomorrow. What about you?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

It is snowing here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. A white Christmas.

We would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday, whatever holiday you celebrate.

Just for Fun

What is Writing to You?

This isn't really a writing prompt as much as an emotional exercise. You don't have to write about this at all if you don't want to. Just sit and think about it.

"Think about what" you ask?

Think about what writing means to you. What has it brought to your life? What has it taken away? And is it worth it to you in the end.

I for one write because I have to. I've tried to stop writing, and succeeded for a time, but not for long. I always end up taking pen in hand and starting all over again. It's not just something I do, it's what I am. I am a writer. Whether I am ever again published or not, I AM A WRITER!

And I'm sure most writers feel that way.

Apologies...With A Request

Well, I must make apologies to our group members. I said I planned to post every other day, and here I've already missed that twice. Ah well....best laid plans and all that.

We've have talked off and on over the years about putting together a little chapbook of members' poetry and prose. We've also talked about opening it up to the community, in order to bring about even more goodies for the book. Many years ago, there was a regular writer's journal in our area that came out about 4 times a year. The couple who published it have since moved away, and my big dream has always been to start something like that up again. Ah, dreams....

For now, we are sending out the word to our members to see if the interest is there for a chapbook. Whether you write poetry, prose, essays...even if you take a picture or two...we're open to all kinds of stuff. We just want to gauge interest before we move ahead. We have many email members who follow our little group and check out our writing prompts, plus those who come to the meetings, so we're hoping there will be a lot of interest.

If you are a member, and are interested in our little endeavor, either leave a comment here or send an email. Don't send any submissions yet. If/when the time comes, we will let you know. Just send us a note letting us know you would be interested.

Thanks. I look forward to hearing from y'all.

Writing Prompt #7

The kiss. Has anything else in the universe been written about more than the kiss? A kiss can be celebratory.....

...sensual...

...or just plain loving.

With one simple kiss we can tell someone we love them...or mark them for death. (The Godfather anyone?)

Today's prompt: write about your first kiss. Were you in the third grade kissing little Billy in the coat closet, the smell of modeling clay and paste wafting around you? Or maybe you were 15, sharing a timid kiss with your first boyfriend, hoping your braces would not lock together. Dig out and dust off those memories.

And most of all....have fun. :-)

How About Some Inspiration

Gotta love NPR. They are sponsoring a three-minute writing contest. You draw inspiration from a photograph posted on their site, and write a short story that can be read in three minutes (which is about 600 words). Check it out and give it a try. I know I am.

Poetry Blog

Interested in writing and talking about poetry? Check out Robert Brewer's Poetic Asides blog. He puts up prompts every Wednesday, and even does daily prompts during National Poetry Month. It's a great place to go for inspiration.

Writing Prompt #6

OK, so this is kind of an obvious prompt. Write about snow. Well, not just snow in general. Write about a snowflake; one, single, solitary snowflake. Let's see what you can come up with for this one?

Writing Prompt #5

Well, I'm late with writing prompt #5. But, as they say, better late than never. (Ever wonder who "they" are?)

Anyway, here we are with the fifth writing prompt for 2010.

As tomorrow is Valentine's Day, many people will be turning their minds (and hearts) to love. Poems will be written. Songs will be sung. Great soliloquies will be spoken. So, you probably think I am going to tell you to go out and write something about love. Well, you're wrong.

Let's do just the opposite of what everyone else will be doing. Let's write about hate. You can write about someone/something you hate. You can write about how hate is ruining the world around us. You can write about how you can't have love without hate. Anything that comes to mind.

So, you have your assignment. Get to work.

Writing Prompt #4

Close your eyes and think back to your childhood. What were you afraid of? The dark? Monsters under the bed? Or was it something much more real, more tangible? Spiders maybe?

Grab a piece of paper and write about what you were afraid of as a child. You could write a poem, a short story, whatever you feel like writing. Take that fear and run with it, embrace it. Deal with it.

When you're done, feel free to either keep what you've written, or destroy it if you wish. Maybe writing the words down only to set them on fire so the ashes can float away is what will finally banish the fear forever.

Oklahoma!

Last July, I was privileged to see the musical Oklahoma! at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC. I haven't been to a play since high school, and this was my first musical. I had recently watched a DVD of a London performance starring Hugh Jackman, and let me tell you, that man can sing. But I digress...

Myra McCoury (l) and Stephanie Poling (r)

Group member Stephanie Poling and Myra McCoury (daughter of group member Suzan McCoury) were in this version of Oklahoma! so I felt a bit of an obligation to be there. I was worried though, as money was a bit tight. Parkway Playhouse to the rescue. They offered free tickets to the final performance taking place on July 4th. How cool was that. I piled into the truck with fellow group members Chrissy McVay and Judith Smith and off we went.

If you haven't seen a musical live, I highly recommend you do. And if you get a chance to see it on a smaller, local stage, all the better. What fun the actors seem to be having. It really makes you want to get up there with them.

Everyone in this production did a wonderful job, and I look forward to attending many more productions in the future. They're doing Annie this summer, so who knows. Maybe I'll take in a show.

2010 Writing Prompt #3

Well, I promised myself I would post at least every other day. Best laid plans and all that.

Today’s writing prompt comes from the Creative Writing Prompts website. “Use the following words in a story: college student, crumpled paper, train, laptop.”

Now, that should be fairly easy. The challenge is to take it in a totally different direction from the all to obvious one. And don’t forget, if you aren’t a story writer, you can write a poem, an essay…whatever you feel is appropriate.

So, that’s it for today. Have a good one.

Congratulations and Good Luck Alessa

Group member Alessa Leming recently completed a month-long poetry challenge on the Poetic Asides blog with the goal of completing a chap book to submit for publication. She not only completed the chapbook, but out of over 150 entries, her manuscript is among the 21 finalists. The winner will be announced on Groundhog Day....tomorrow.

Congratulations Alessa and we're still keeping our fingers crossed for you.

Photo Writing Prompt

(photo copyright 2009, cory shubert photography, used w/ permission)

Today's writing prompt is this cool photo taken by Cory Shubert of Minnesota. Awesome picture. Let's see what kind of "images" it brings to mind.

Writing Exercises

I've had this book in my "arsenal" for some time now, but have only recently pulled it out and started looking through it. The exercises in it will work not only for fiction writers, but for those who write in other genres as well. Here is our first one from it:

**"Write a composition on the subject 'My Pet.' The only requirement is that this must be a pet you have never owned. It can be anything from a kitten to a dinosaur, from a fly to a dragon. Describe what your pet looks like, how you acquired it, what it eats and where it sleeps, what tricks it can do, and how it gets on with your family, friends, neighbors, or the people at work."**

Yeah, this is mostly a fiction exercise of course, but imagine what kinds of poetry you can get out of it as well. :-)

Meeting Cancelled

Due to some work at the local library where we meet, tonight's group meeting has been cancelled. The date of the next meeting will be posted here once it is set.

In the meantime, if anyone would like a writing prompt to help them along for the next meeting, how about writing something with a Halloween theme. We would love to hear some ghost stories at our next meeting. You can also find some prompts at the Creative Writing Prompts website.

Happy Writing.

Happy Belated Birthday

Friday, June 5th was group member Margaret York's birthday. I cannot believe I forgot to post it here. (I apologize for that, Margaret.)

Anyhoo, Margaret is a wonderful poet and a great addition to our little group. And she's such a nice person, I know she'll forgive me for forgetting to post her birthday. :-}

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY, MARGARET!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in our group and those who read our blog.

Quotes

I love quotes. Many writers do. We collect them like knick-knacks, setting them up on "shelves" to be brought down and used later as a jumping off point for our writing. We get ideas just from looking at them, observing them, letting them roll off our tongues. These ideas sometimes take seed and grow into full-fledged stories, essays or poems. You just never know where a simple quote is going to take you, and you never know when you will hear such a quote. I've pulled my little notebook from my purse in dark theaters just so I can write down something I just heard in the movie, something I felt I may be able to use later.

Today, I am going to share a few of my favorite quotes and where I first heard them. Maybe they can inspire your own creativity.


"[R]emember, no matter where you go, there you are."
-Buckaroo Banzai (The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension)

"You see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push."
-The Joker (The Dark Knight)

"The shrinks diagnosed me as a sociopath with paranoid delusions. But they were just out to get me because I threatened to kill them."
-From the TV show Heroes: don't remember the character's name

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
-Oscar Lavant

"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin."
-H. L. Mencken


Take those and run with them.....

Happy Birthday Shirley Phillips

Today we say happy birthday to group member Shirley Phillips.

Shirley is not only a writer of great stories inspired by her childhood, she is also an artist. She hasn't been able to come to as many of the meetings lately as we'd like, but she is still a much loved and very valuable member of the group.

We look forward to her next visit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIRLEY!

Happy Birthday Susan Picciotto

Today we are wishing a happy birthday to an absent member, Susan Picciotto. Haven't seen her in a while, but she's still a part of the group.

Susan writes some great essays, and we hope to hear from her again soon.

Where ever you are....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!

Blue Moon Bookstore

Independent bookstores have a hard time staying open when the economy is good, but an even harder time when things are tough. The latest casualty is Blue Moon in Spruce Pine. We've held our monthly meetings here for years. The building used to be a pharmacy complete with soda fountain I'm told, and it has such great historic charm. Hopefully it won't stay empty for long. (There's even talk of someone else wanting to try their hand at the bookstore thing, with maybe art classes and such as well.)



This is my friend Sharon Huskey. She bought the bookstore (building is rented) a few years ago and has been a downtown fixture ever since. She held on as long as she could, but it just wasn't meant to be. But Sharon has come out the other side with a bushel of friends at her side and a strength only a woman, especially a red-headed woman, can have. ;-)


Judith Smith, a member of my writers' group, organized a pot luck at the store on Tuesday evening, the last day of business. Lots of people came to offer Sharon support and she really seemed to be enjoying the company. Great people hang out at bookstores.

Literary Magazines

Here are some literary magazines that are accepting submissions. We're highlighting those that take electronic submissions although some of them also accept snail mail manuscripts if you prefer. Check out their websites for more information.

Returning to print after a four year hiatus is XENITH. This magazine accepts many forms of writing, not just fiction. Pieces can be as short as you want, but should not be any longer than 8,000 words. Response time is usually one to two months, which isn't too bad actually. You can get more information on their submission page.

Epiphany only publishes two print and two online issues a year, but it could be worth checking out. Mind you, their response time is five months at least, so there is a bit of a wait. They are currently so flooded with submissions they are holding off accepting any more until May, but it wouldn't hurt to take the time to familiarize yourself with the magazine.

I think this description of Pank speaks for itself: "PANK comes from the end of the road, the edge of things, a north shore, up country, a place of amalgamation, and unplumbed depths, where things are made and unmade, and unimagined futures are born. PANK is a ghost town around the next bend. It is hidden in caves in the withered hills. It is buried under impassable drifts of snow. An Ultima Thule, PANK – no soft pink hands here. It bears old scars, fresh scabs, callous, blood, and dirt. It is serene melancholy, spiritual longing, quirk, and anomaly. PANK inhabits its contradictions." It only publishes one print issue a year, but it's online monthly. Take a look at their submission guidelines for more info.

12½ Writing Rules

I saw this poster online and thought it would be perfect to post on our blog.




Now go write something.