The Next Chapter

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 10

T H E E A S T W R I T E R S G U I L D

etwgmembers@hotmail.com - etwg@hotmail.com - www.etwritersguild.org

DECEMBER 2012

Feature Articles

Regular Contributors

Presidential Perspective

Inside This IssueInside This Issue

Regular Meetings:

First Monday : B O D

Braums, South Broadway

Starts at 6:00

Second Monday: Regular

Chamber of Commerce

Starts at 6:45

Third Monday: Nutz & Boltz

Braums, South Broadway

Starts at 6:00

Merry Christmas

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Friday, October 26. Today at the elementary school

where I teach, the children came to school dressed in cos-

tumes representing a storybook character. As they paraded

through the halls led by their teachers (also in character cos-

tumes), each child carried their character’s storybook. Eve-

ryone from Snow White to Captain Marvel was represented.

I thought this was such a unique way to reinforce a child’s

favorite story.

Prior to the Character Parade, the teacher has a number of opportunities to

practice the skills our students need to learn for effective and enjoyable reading. Each

child can read, or tell about, his/her favorite part of the story. The class can play

guessing games involving characterization, plot, setting, sequencing, descriptions, cli-

max, and problem solutions depending on the age of the student and the difficulty lev-

el of the story. Role-playing a favorite scene, or doing an art project are other possibil-

ities.

Certainly these activities will also assist in developing their writing skills—so

important for Texas students.

Who knows that a budding author may be encouraged to pursue writing inter-

ests because a teacher effectively used a Character Parade for motivation to enhance a

student’s ability to create/inform through the written word?

That’s my Presidential Perspective.

Presidential Perspective Pat La Vigne

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Contributed Articles

4 ETWG extends a big “Thank You” for the

use of their meeting room at the South

Broadway location.

ETWG extends a big

“Thank You” to

Braums for the use

of their meeting

room at the South

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The holidays used to be my favorite time of the year, but not anymore.

It’s not just the naked commercialism or the phony portrayal you see on tele-vision of Thanksgiving and Christmas that dampens my spirit. It’s the hordes of well-meaning people who come out of the woodwork every year with tips on “how to get through the holidays without gaining ten pounds.” Magazines and newspapers are full of such well thought out advice as this: Eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with but-ter, and fill up on vegetable sticks.” And don’t stick your finger in an empty light socket either. Gee, thanks! Let me ask you something. Is your favorite memory of holidays past a carrot or celery stick? Not mine, friend. That kind of stuff is for rabbits. I have my own list of holiday tips I’d like to share with you. Follow them and you, too, will be fat and happy. 1. About carrot sticks: Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrot sticks on a holi-day buffet table knows nothing of the Thanksgiving spirit. If you see carrots on the table, leave. Go next door where they’re serving rum balls. 2. Drink as much egg nog as you can. You won’t find it any other time of the year, so drink up. Never mind that it has 10,000 calories in every sip. It won’t turn you into an egg-o-holic it’s a treat – enjoy! 3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. It doesn’t stand alone. Pour it on. Make a mountain out of your mashed potatoes. Drown it in gravy. Eat the mountain. Do it again. Be sure to ask, also, if the gravy is made with skim or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? 4. Do not snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The point of going to a holiday party in the first place is to eat other people’s food for free; Lots of it. Play like you’re still in college. 5. Do not – I repeat, do not exercise between now and the end of the year. There will be plenty of time to do that in January. 6. If you come upon something really good at a buffet table, position yourself within arm’s reach and don’t move—at least until people start to stare. 7. Devote special attention to pie: apple, pumpkin, pecan. Have a slice of each. If you don’t like one, double up on another. Just be sure to have three. You won’t get a chance to have three deserts often. 8. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the table, you haven’t taken those tips seriously. Reread them. Go back to the starting line, but hurry! Desertless January is just around the corner. -0- A question to ponder: If they put a tax on being overweight, could we truly live off the fat of the land? putterhn@suddenlink.com

Hugh Neeld pens humor, and over the years his articles have been published in several area newspapers, and in his book, The Curmudgeon Report.

Something To make You Grin JUST SAY YES TO THE HOLIDAYS BY Hugh Neeld

The Next Chapter

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East Texas Historical Events

CLUCKING HEARD ‘ROUND THE CITY!

Part 1 – The Gauntlet is Thrown Down

Nineteen-fourteen was known as the Progressive Era, a time of social activism and political reform.

Tyler, a city of nearly 15,000, had two things going for it; a well established, educated, professional class of world

travelers, and a strong women’s club involvement. Progressivism produced a City Beautiful movement which, among

other things, called for urban planning, including parks, in the hope a more attractive community would help alleviate

some aspects of poverty. Supporters of the movement also believed aesthetic and pleasing horticulture might enhance

and further promote the community.

With growth comes change; new life styles, new laws and ordinances. As Tyler continued to grow,

houses consumed more of what a couple of decades earlier had been open pasture land. Additionally, more and more

“open” land was fenced, primarily to keep livestock from being killed by trains. The city, however, remained relatively

fence-free. A few early ordinances passed by the city protected “urban” dwellers from damage resulting from hogs

and cows freely roaming city streets, rooting in the garbage, munching on shrubs, and leaving behind unsanitary piles

of “processed” flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. But those ordinances didn’t apply to chickens.

According to an article in the February 26, 1914 edition of the Tyler Courier-Times, Tyler’s citizenry

wanted someone to take on the chicken issue, to “grab the chicken by its comb, so to speak. Someone did. “Those

Chickens” was the title of the February 26th newspaper column known as The Stroller. Claiming to have been be-

seeched by ‘several people’ raising questions about why chickens were allowed to run around and bother neighbors’

flowers and gardens, the columnist, sounding much like a current day politician, presented his personal point of view.

“From the standpoint of justice, chickens should be kept penned up,” he wrote. He added, “This is a free country and

every citizen should have the perfect right of raising anything he wants to but when it bothers someone else, the right

should stop.”

Fanning the flames, in the next day’s column he offered a plan to continue the fight. He suggested the

city’s women take up the matter and try to stop the practice [of allowing chickens to roam freely.] “There is nothing

that aids in making a city beautiful like pretty lawns and flowers. But how in the world is Tyler to have pretty lawns

and flowers if the chickens are going to scratch everything up?”

Fancying itself a progressive city, Tyler boasted street after street of beautiful homes, nearly all tucked

behind front yard fences. But styles were changing, and the new neighborhood style favored lawns without fences.

Besides, while fences originally helped keep out wandering livestock, they did little to restrict chickens. The battle

raged on.

A few days later, The Stroller reported a tidal wave of feedback on the topic of unrestrained chickens.

The columnist wrote, “It seems that this evil has reached a critical situation in this city. It is time that something

should be done about it. It is a matter that is up to the citizens. Why not get busy and see if the council will not pass

an ordinance in regard to it.” He invited correspondence, pro and con, be

sent to “Chicken Editor,” Courier-Times. Letters poured in.

Eight days after the last article began generating a landslide of

responses, the columnist’s next post summarized all of the legislation-

supporting responses thusly. “The mind of man can not conceive of any one

thing that is more exasperating or of any one thing that has caused more hard

feelings, more spiteful talk, more real disgust and discouragement than the

allowing of chickens to torment [your] neighbors. Flowers and gardens help

a town morally. They keep people contented. The influence is felt in every

day life. They keep people in a pleasant frame of mind that is felt in every

circle, even in business. They help. But what is Tyler going to do about it?”

To be continued …

By Marvin Mayer

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Under the Soybeans

“Dr. Michaels! Over here!” Martin waved and pointed.

Dr. Michaels walked over and looked down at the blackened wood fragment. He smiled.

“I think we’ve found it.”

“Found what? Why are we 30 feet down in this hole in the middle of a soybean field?

You never said what we were looking for.”

Dr. Michael was grinning. “That piece of burned wood is a remnant of the Sultana, an old

riverboat.”

“Does this mean I get extra points?”

“Being the first to find something, sure, you’ll get extra points. Keep digging.” Dr.

Michaels walked away to check on the other students.

“Dr. Michaels, I found a piece, too,” said Terra. She held up a piece of burned wood and

waved it. “What’s so important about a piece of wood?”

Dr. Michaels squatted and said, “Back in April, 1865, the Sultana was packed with about

2400 soldiers just released from Union prison camps. They were on their way home. The legal

capacity for this paddle-wheeler was 376. You can imagine how crowded it was, standing room

only. Three of the four coal-fired boilers blew up. On that cold night, about 1500 men lost their

lives. The reason why the boilers blew up is not clear. Some reports say it was sabotage, some

say shoddy repairs to the boilers, who knows. Whatever the cause, a lot of people died that night

in the moonlight. Some were burned alive, some died from exposure, others were already

suffering from war wounds and couldn’t save themselves by jumping overboard. Some reports

said the fire could be seen as far away as Memphis. The mighty Mississippi River witnessed a great tragedy that

night.”

By: Jerry Clark

Continued on page 6

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THE NEXT CHAPTER

Continued from page 4 By: Jerry Clark

“The Mississippi River is about two miles that direction,” said Terra.

“It is now in 1982. Back in 1865, it flowed right through here. Old Man River has

changed course many times over the years. The boat sank and was buried by nature. Being an

archeologist isn’t just digging in the dirt hoping to find something interesting. You have to dig

into a lot of history. That’s what gives you clues where to dig. Not everything of value is buried

under a pyramid.”

Terra nodded. “How big was this boat? Are we going to be here a long time?”

“The Sultana was just over 300 feet long. We’ll be here a while. Don’t worry. You will

not get bored. There are loads of little wonders waiting to be discovered along with these old

boards.” Dr. Michaels stood up and walked away.

“Dr. Michaels. Dr. Michaels!” Terra stood and waved.

Dr. Michaels looked over his shoulder. “Yes, Terra.”

“What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever discovered?” Terra asked,

Dr. Michaels smiled. “My passion in life. Keep digging. Maybe you’ll find yours.”

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Nano Write-in and Book Signings

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FLASH FICTION ENTRIES

FIRST PLACE Catherine Sellers It’s Time It’s time to make the FRUITCAKE, said the ELVES as they wrote a reminder note with INDELIBLE INK, then hung it on the MISTLE-

TOE.

SECOND PLACE Charles Hayes Henry was cold. He was almost always cold. They all were cold except of course for the overseer, he was well wrapped in fur while the inmates worked in threadbare gray prison suits. He stole a look at the other inmates. All had their heads down. All were concentrating—or pretending to concentrate—on their work. Best not to let the overseer think you are slacking up. You always had to call him “Sir” or risk feeling the braided whip he twirled as he swaggered between the rows of toilers. But locked in their cells at night away from the overseer’s keen ears, they had other names for him: der Fuehrer being the favorite. Henry knew that Christmas would soon be here. The thought of his mother’s FRUITCAKE made the thin prison gruel even more repulsive. He fantasized about kissing his sweetheart under the MISTLETOE. Was she still waiting for him? These thoughts had led Henry to the desperate step he was about to take. Among the tools provided for his work he selected a small knife. He slipped it into his lap along with the paper that was to wrap his latest product. His tools did not include paint brushes. He would use a splinter from his carving instead. Blood would be his ink,

THIRD PLACE Linda Nelson Ellis “What are you doing to the mistletoe? It’s been around before

indelible ink was invented.”

“Indelible Ink?” My mind raced through the fog, or at least ran an

obstacle course, bumping into objects, trying to understand. The elf

was tall, staring directly into my eyes. Elves are not supposed to be

tall——elves are not supposed to be talking to me. What’s this

about indelible ink?

The fog was lifting; my eyes began to focus. Now, I knew why the elf

was tall...I was sprawled ungracefully on the ground. All I wanted to

do was check out the mistletoe laden tree. I had trudged up the hill

with the ladder and the nippers. I’m not that young and spry

anymore. It was clear now——I had fallen and been dazed.

My family would think I was a fruitcake if they knew I thought an elf

had talked to me. Forget the mistletoe. Gathering up the nippers and

the ladder, I started home, but stopped short. Wee, lilting laughter

came from behind the tree. I turned around quickly; it stopped.

“Better leave well enough alone. Going to take my fruitcake-self

home and google ‘indelible ink.’ Still don’t understand that.”

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FLASH FICTION ENTRIES

Bill Tyson Elves. She keeps talking about elves!

Sis said she would be talking about elves, always elves! Talking about

them. Talking to them!

I’m here with Momma, a head cold, and jetlag.

Been gone a long time. Good to be back. Always a refuge, solid

foundation. Nothing changes here. Pictures on the wall. Furniture.

Always the same. Even the spot on the carpet where I spilt the

indelible ink forty years ago. Still there.

Been looking forward to Momma’s fruitcake. Always eat too much. Not

this time. She must’ve mixed up the salt and sugar. This time it’s

terrible.

Now she’s calling me “Michael.” That ticks me off. He’s been

dead twenty years, off in some African jungle.

She wants “Michael” to go get mistletoe from the tree out back.

Says Dad’ll be home soon. But, Dad died right after Michael.

“Get the mistletoe for Dad!” Now she’s crying.

I grab a flashlight, stomp out, slam the backdoor, grab the garden

rake on the back porch.

Six inches of snow, shoes ruined. Feet like ice cubes. Left my coat in

the house.

Lot’s of mistletoe. I knock some down, along with snow, dirt, moss,

bark.

My face, hair, eyes - full of it.

Throwing the rake down, I stomp back into the house.

She’s still sitting there. Not moving, not talking. Mouth open.

Vacant stare.

Somethin’s wrong.

Dropping everything, I rush over.

No pulse! Cheeks still wet with tears.

Dial 911.

Ambulance on the way.

Too late.

I hold her. “I’m sorry, Momma.”

Too late.

“I love you, Momma.”

Too late.

Now, she could call me Michael, George, Fred, anything – just let me

hear her voice one more time.

But, now it’s just too late!

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Lora Penland

Fruitcake, Mistletoe and Elves Three words, each one pulls memories from my mind where they are permanently embedded like indelible

ink on stone. Fruitcake sliced and individually wrapped and placed in our stockings along with a candy cane, walnuts, al-

monds, at least one brazil nut and a mandarin orange which I would find in the bottom of my toy box sev-

eral months later, brown, hard and shriveled. I wasn’t a fan of mandarin oranges. Mistletoe was picked from the trees along the Kings River where it passed by our grandmother’s ranch in

the San Joaquin Valley, gathered in small bunches, tied with red satin ribbon and sold for ten cents a bunch

to our neighbors. Recently I was reminded of the little toy elves we sold some fifty years ago as a music department fundrais-

er. One of my classmates still has hers and uses it to this day to decorate for Christmas. I bought one for

myself and kept it on my night stand when I was in my teens. It was eventually promoted to sitting on the

clock radio I got for graduation. I loved the radio; I just wish it had been the cedar chest I dreamed about,

made by Lane and with a cushioned bench top.

Memories, so many, good and bad.

FLASH FICTION ENTRIES

Ricky Starr

How Fruitcake Got it’s Color

The king asked the elves if they could make a fruitcake for the Queens upcoming birthday, fruitcake was

her favorite.

The fruitcake was put under the balcony to rest. Fruitcake has to rest for a while so all the flavors can get

acquainted.

The Queen’s daughter Willamina, wanted some colorful posters made to announce her mother’s birthday

party. She called the kingdom scribe, she really liked him a lot. He set his small work table on the balcony

above the fruitcake. He hung a large piece of mistletoe above his table, he also liked her a lot, but was

too embarrassed to tell. He set his colored ink on the balcony rail by his table. He finished the first poster

then called Willamina, to get her approval before he proceeded With the rest of the posters, when she

opened her door her two cats ran out chasing each other and jumped on the balcony rail knocking the

indelible ink off. You guessed it all over the fruitcake. The elves were scared to death and tried to clean all

those indelible ink dots off but to no avail.

The king was playing croquet with his son Floyd, when he heard about how the fruitcake was ruined. He

was furious, he was ready to put someone in the dungeon. As the king got closer to the kitchen he heard

laughter. Willamina, met him at the door she was so excited she had just kissed the love of her life under

the mistletoe and she knew her mother would love the red, green, and yellow ink dots on the fruitcake.

The king was happy too, he knew his wife wouldn’t put him in the dungeon. Now you know how fruitcake

got its color and why it’s so expensive, indelible ink was like gold.

Ricky Starr (300 words) E.T.W.G. October Flash Fiction 03/26/2012

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AGENDA OF THE EAST TEXAS WRITERS GUILD

DECEMBER 3, 2012

The meeting was opened at 6:10 PM at the Braums on South Broadway by Pat La Vigne, President Minutes were read by Janice Ernest, Secretary. Motion was made by Glenn Rawlinson and seconded by Marvin Mayer to approve the minutes

as written. The Treasurer’s report was shared by Marvin Mayer, Treasurer: Motion was made by Janice Ernest and seconded by Glenn Rawlinson to

accept the report as written.

Old Business: Christmas Party: Doorprizes: Pat La Vigne donated a copy of her book, “Wind-Free” and was joined by Marvin Mayer and Kay Sellers who will

each donate one of their books. Pat La Vigne stated that she will call Cathy Myers, Evelyne Byrne, and Bobbie Shafer to see if they would like to do-

nate one of their books. Glenn Rawlinson stated that he will donate a set of bookends.

Marvin Mayer will follow up on last meetings request for the Guild to buy three gift certificates from Braums in the amount of $10.00 each.

Pat La Vigne stated that the centerpieces will also be given away as door prizes.

Drinks: Mike Lance will purchase drinks and the guild will reimburse him.

Food: Everyone is to bring a pot luck dish to share Decorations: Pat La Vigne’s daughter, Andrea, has shopped and purchased with a 40% discount supplies necessary and made candle holder center-

pieces for the tables. Red table cloths and all utensils necessary are being supplied. Fundraiser: During the last couple of months Marvin Mayer has been busy checking on prices for t-shirts and mugs which may be sold to the mem-

bers of ETWG and others. Tonight he showed pictures of the t-shirt which sports the ETWG logo on the front. There are several colors and sizes

available. A conversation ensued in which the cost to purchase the shirts was discussed and the possibility of putting a written statement on them

which would attract more buyers. Marvin has worked very hard to provide information regarding mugs and the cost to procure them with the ETWG logo. He showed the board sev-

eral prototypes, the only drawback was in the number which must be order in order to receive a discount.

It was decided to table further discussion on fundraising until the next meeting. Flash Fiction Contest: Janice Ernest shared information from the internet on Flash Fiction in order to help establish criteria for juding flash fiction

contests in the future. It must have a beginning(hook, start that pulls you in), middle(conflict, what is the main character trying to achieve and what struggle do they

face?), and end(tying up all the loose ends, or asking the reader a question that will lead them to a specific conclusion)

Can range in length, varies from 200-1000 words as specified in the contest when assigned.

Must have a protagonist.

Must have conflict.

Must tie up all loose ends at the end.

Must make sense to the reader. The floor was opened to discussion: Linda Nelson Ellis stated that it should be made clear that the prompt words must be used exactly as given. Ie.

Elf should be elf, not elves. Indellible Ink if given as a prompt term should be used as (indellible ink) as given in the writing prompt. Pat La Vigne stated that we should continue to have a specific word count and expect the authors to come close to the count. Janice Ernest agreed

with this.

Nikki Brown stated that guidelines need to be clear for both the judges and the writers who contribute their work.

Janice Ernest stated that she will come up with a form and send it around for approval by the board. TNC followup: Kay Sellers and Glenn Rawlinson stated that we still need to start sending the TNC each month to each of our Sponsors. The spon-

sors in question are Exclusively Yours, Bacon Chevrolet, East Texas Brick and Fireplace, and Maryann Miller. Nomination of Vice President: The floor was opened for nomination of Officers. Glenn Rawlinson, incoming President stated that it needs to be

someone who was willing to attend and that is very interested in moving the Writers guild forward. Nikki Brown suggested Tina Stickles since she has attended often and shown a great deal of interest in the Writers Guild. Janice Ernest seconded

this. Also, suggested by Nikki Brown was Jerry Clark for his experience and knowledge as well as his connections within the book world and other writ-

er’s organizations.

Nikki Brown stated that she would contact both of these people and ask if they would be interested. January Speaker: Janice Ernest stated that she would confirm with Grant Gaston, Entertainment attorney to make sure he was still available for the

January meeting and then email Glenn Rawlinson to let him know of confirmation. Database versus Yahoo group: Nikki Brown explained the use of the database as a central file cabinet for all information regarding members of

ETWG. She also stated that only parts of this database will show up for general member use. The rest will remain hidden. The database mailing list is

not to be used for general mailings for the guild. Instead this should be done through the Yahoo group. The Yahoo group is an email list on Yahoo which will allow a member of the ETWG to communicate information with their piers in the group. For

instance, if an author has a special announcement, they could send it to all the members by utilizing the email group. It is imperative for this to work

that everyone should join the group in order to receive or send mass comunications. Final statement: Incoming President, Glenn Rawlinson, stated that one of his goals this year is to get the members interested in participating in

helping to run the ETWG.

Motion was made to close the meeting by Kay Sellers, and seconded by Glenn Rawlinson at 7:51PM

All respectfully submitted,

Janice Ernest, Secretary.

Minutes of the December Board of Directors Meeting