Book Club Photos

Signing books

Some photos from the Wonderland Book Club ...

Oh, a good time was most certainly had by all!



Chatting with club members

I had a great trip to Raleigh last Thursday-Friday, and a really lovely event with the Wonderland Book Club at the Center for Excellence. We talked Keowee Valley, history, the publishing industry, the writing life, and more. Thanks to all the wonderful folks who came out, and to the doyenne of book clubs, Alice Osborn, for setting it all up.

Almost forgot: Afterwards, my husband and I got to eat lunch with club members at Mia Francesca in Raleigh. I had a panini that made my very pregnant heart sing.



With poet & club facilitator Alice Osborn

Show & Tell Friday

Hello from the Courtyard Marriott in Raleigh, North Carolina! In a couple of hours I’ll get to meet the readers and writers of the Wonderland Book Club, and I can’t wait! There was the threat of a little icy weather last night, but from my hotel window it looks like business as usual.

And though I wouldn’t trade it for the world, boy is it nice to wake up–just this once–and not have rush off to preschool and other assorted activities. There is a king bed here. Ahh.

* * *

Back to Show & Tell: everyone’s favorite day at school as a kindergartner. This week, a few items have caught my eye, and I thought I’d share.

Here we go:

1) This clip is from the news in my hometown of Greenville, S.C. (You may have seen it pop up today if you’re a Yahoo News user.) The first bit was taken at Easley High School, a place my mother once taught Spanish. Here, two sons are surprised by their soldier father’s return. It’s a lovely way to start the day.

(And I love that at the end, the dad tells his son, “You know you have to go back to class, right?”) Good dad!

Check it out here.

2) Writers and readers: The North Carolina Writers Network 2013 Spring Conference will be held this year on April 13th in Greensboro, N.C. For those of you in the area–and those of you not–the Network itself is one of the largest in the country, supporting writers in any stages of their writing lives and careers. The conference includes workshops, readings, and a publishing panel.

Check it out here.




3.) My Sunday school class, which I love but am not able to get to as often as I’d like these days, is currently working on a study conducted by Inheritance of Hope. IOH is an organization that supports families where one parent has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Our study will end with a Team IOH race, and the proceeds will benefit those families in need, helping them not only financially, but with books, family retreats, and ongoing individual and group support.

The founders, Deric and Kristen Milligan, and their three children, are members at the church I attend, and also of my Sunday school class. Kristen passed away in the Fall of 2012 after a 10-year battle with liver cancer.

One of the cooloest things TIOH is doing now is supporting different events, and people taking part in different events. Check out a short video here:



Enjoy, have a fabulous weekend, and if you’ve got something you want to “Show & Tell,” let me know!

Heading to Raleigh

Getting excited about Friday’s event with the Wonderland Book Club in Raleigh, N.C.! Registration is still open–and FREE–to anyone who wants to come talk books, writing, history, Keowee Valley, and anything else under the sun.

Triangle area folks, especially, I hope you’ll take a Friday morning break and come on out. Register for FREE here.

The club is city-wide, and facilitated by Alice Osborn, writer and fellow member of the North Carolina Writer’s Network. I’ve been a member of the Network since moving permanently to North Carolina in 2005; it’s a fabulous resource and wonderful writing community for creative types in any stage of their writing careers–from “I think I may want to write a novel,” to being widely published.

* On a side note, I’m deep into reading what’s considered to be the very first historical novel: Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly; or, ‘Tis Sixty Years Since. Set in Scotland during the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, it’s the story of an Englishman named Edward Waverly, and his adventures and foibles in the Scottish highlands.

And don’t worry–I’m still writing Novel 2!

Can I Get a Witness?

Okay, so the Marvin Gaye song "Can I Get a Witness" really doesn't have much to do with my post today, I just love Marvin Gaye. His music makes me want to jump up and dance.

And anything that makes a 28-week pregnant lady want to jump up and dance is a good thing.


(Check him out on YouTube. A little Marvin is always a good way to start the day.)

But the title of this post really should be, "Somebody Help Me!" For that, I guess I'd need to call on Steve Winwood and the Spencer Davis Group.

But help, I need. More like good juju. Good mojo. Send it my way, man. I am in need.

Why? Life is conspiring against me this month, and I need to write. I need to write the rough draft of my critical thesis for my MFA in Writing advisor, and I need to work on Novel 2. And my belly--oh, who am I kidding? My entire self--is growing bigger with Baby 2, and I'm tired, and my 3 year-old needs attention, my house needs readying for said Baby 2, and my dog and my husband are neglected.

Help! I need somebody. Help! (Okay, add the Beatles to the morning playlist.)

But what I'll take are good thoughts. If you've got them, please send them my way. You'll have my eternal thanks.

In other news ...

Just a few reminders:

1.) Today is the last day Keowee Valley is available at a promotional rate at the Barnes and Noble NOOK Store: only $1.99!

2.) Don't forget to vote for Keowee Valley for the SIBA Book Award. You'll be rewarded in the afterlife. Somehow, I'm sure.

3.) If you live in the Raleigh, NC area or will be there on Friday, Feb. 22, I hope you'll come hear me speak and have lunch with the Wonderland Book Club, starting at 10 a.m. Register here.

That's all, folks. Happy weekend!