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December 2006 Guild Gram Newsletter: Guild Gram
PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD
Newsletter serving writers of the Coachella Valley
December 2006
We are now at a NEW LOCATION for all meetings!!

Palm Desert Community Center, 43900 San Pablo, Palm Desert, CA
Located just north of Fred Waring on San Pablo
(only two blocks east of the Palm Desert Library where we used to meet).

SPEAKERS REVIEW
by Joanne Hardy
One of the Guild's favorite traditions is the meeting in which we learn the winner of the Short Story contest. From Homer to Winnie the Pooh, listeners have followed, enchanted, the travail and triumph of characters that capture their imagination. Everyone loves to be carried along through a good story.

This year Marci and Jack Stillerman chaired the contest and as Marci called the winners forward, members settled back for story time. They were not disappointed.

First Prize went to Gordon Gumpertz for "The NBA." The audience silently cheered as a compulsive con artist, "missed the boat" on his latest con.

Tony O'Doherty, Second Prize winner, came next with his "Gifts Inter Vivos," a story about a life-changing secret at last revealed. Reeni Fischer took Third Prize with "Where'd You Go, Joe," a story of a nice Jewish girl who loves a nice Catholic boy but they do not live happily ever after.

First Honorable Mention went to Graham Smith for "The Drunk's House." Second Honorable Mention was Ralph Spencer's "Dead Cat Bounce." "Has Anyone seen My Car?" and "Hearts Lost and Found" gave Dawn Spitz the third and fourth Honorable Mention. Marge Dodge won fifth Honorable Mention with "Secrets."

Special kudos goes to Marci and Jack Stillerman for all the work that goes into coordinating this project. At first the entries don't come, finally they do come ... like an avalanche. Then it is time to prepare the entries for judging and dispatching groups of stories from one reader to another ... no easy feat in the summer with judges often gone from the desert. There were 66 entries with eight judges. The stories were rated from 1-10 by each judge based on plot, character, voice and format.

Marci said the judges felt that "the eight stories selected were worthy of publication and we hope the authors will submit them." She thanked Dodie Cross for the graphics on certificates and the judges for giving of their time and talent to make the appropriate decisions. Judges were Jack Stillerman, Harf Windsor, Mavis Clark, Jenny Gumpertz, Dee Windsor, Esther Segal, Dodie Cross and Marci Stillerman.

Not a dull moment crept in during the November meeting's "story time".

Congratulations to all the winners!

Short Story Contest Winners are:
Gordon Gumpertz "The NBA" 1st prize
Tony O'Dougherty "Gifts Inter Vivos" 2nd Prize
Reeni Fischer "Where'd You Go, Joe?" 3rd Prize
Grahame Smith "The Drunk's House" 1st Honorable Mention
Ralph Spencer "Dead Cat Bounce" 2nd Hon. Men.
Dawn Spitz "Has Anyone Seen My Car?" 3rd Honorable Mention
Dawn Spitz "Hearts Lost and Found" 4th Hon. Men.
Marge Dodge "Secret" 5th Honorable Mention

GUEST WRITER Kathryn Jordan
Writing Rainbows...
Or How To Make Friends With The Monkey
As you may know, my personal writing saga is about never giving up, not just holding onto the dream, but carving out hours every day to work toward it. It's about getting up at 4:00 a.m. and writing until 8:00 before going to my "day job" teaching high school English. Years and years. There's no self congratulations for this diligence. I write because I have to. To stay sane... sort of. I simply can't not write.

I hear murmurs of recognition. This monkey on our backs is no cute little guy curled up on a shoulder, occasionally reaching his tiny hand into your pocket for a gum drop. No, this is a ninety-pound, ugly-assed baboon with two-inch fangs and breath that reeks of the last small animal he ate. Or maybe one of those South American howler monkeys that sets you bolt upright in the middle of the night with his air-raid screeches.

Rainbows, yes, I'm getting to the rainbows.

My saga is also a "sex sells" story. My fourth novel, HOT WATER, sold in three weeks to Berkley/Penguin, a major New York publisher, and set me on a path beyond my wildest dreams. HOT WATER takes place in one weekend here in the desert at a lush spa resort with an uncanny resemblance to Two Bunch Palms.

Little did I know where those half-price summer weekends at Two Bunch Palms would lead. Well, wandering Europe was hardly an option, not with a ninety-pound baboon growling, "School's out, you ain't going nowhere! Now, sit yourself down and write eight hours a day instead four!"

I suppose I could've killed him somewhere along the line, but he was... sexy, in a primal, obsessive way. So I kissed him and followed his flashy rump into the jungle and made my bed in his furry arms. I stopped caring what anyone thought and wrote a sexy, fun page-turner that didn't compromise style or substance.

Next, I was reading terrific reviews of HOT WATER and touring resorts with "the ultimate spa novel," seven states, 60 book events and still counting, and meeting wonderful people and getting emails from women who read it in one sitting and my agent saying we just sold world Spanish language rights to a publisher in Spain. Oh, and that best seller list where HOT WATER was #2 and Da Vinci Code #4. Suitable for framing.

Then one day, delivering books to the Two Bunch Palms gift shop, I met John Walton whose mother was silent screen star, Gladys Walton and Al Capone's girlfriend. Mr. Walton asked me to write his mother's - and his father's - story. John Walton is Al Capone's son. (Made me an offer I couldn't refuse). We do presentations Saturdays at Two Bunch Palms, not far from where I made my peace with the baboon, who, by the way, lost a lot of weight while I was off touring.

Now I'm writing the sequel, STEAM, and a Roaring Twenties gangster novel called, GLADYS AND CAPONE.

Rainbows. Follow them! There may not be a pot of gold, but there is treasure, believe me.

HOLIDAY PARTY
Dec. 3rd, 2006 4 to 6 PM

Entertainment by the board
fun and a great buffet have been planned. An opportunity to meet others in the Guild, this event always proves to be a winner. Get your reservations in before November 22. Spouses and guests are welcome.

Holiday Party catered by Gourmet Chef Hector Salvatierra of the Camelot Café. For details on his theme dinners and catering, please call 760-325-6588.

No tickets will be sold at the door.
See you there!

PROGRAM SCHEDULE for 2006-7
by Phyllis Costello
Dec. 3 Annual Holiday Party: Board provides entertainment; food catered
Jan 7 Dr. Edward Gordon, author 15 books; Business Consultant; speaking on publishing non-fiction.
Feb 4 Ray Strait, author, biographer 27 books; his experiences; how to find your way in the maze of publishing, selling, and the entertainment business
Mar 4 Julie Gorges and John Hacker, father/daughter team; she writes for young people and he writes on humor about aging
April 1 Judy Weigle, "My Office is a 3-Ring Circus"; self-publishing promotion
May 6 Steve Peterson, author, poet, singer, performer; relates a new author's adventures into publishing a first novel. Election of officers.
June 3 Ice cream social; new officers installed; writers' open readings.

PRESIDENT'S LETTER
by Dawn Huntley Spitz
A CORNUCOPIA OF CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Guild writing contest. The stories were all well crafted and it was enjoyable to hear them read at the meeting. The first, second and third winners read their own work, and I was privileged to read the story which took first honorable mention. It was by Grahame Smith, a gifted and highly regarded former president of the Guild. We already have a group of readers primed to work on the next contest which begins in April. So put on your creativity hat for the next go-round!

Be sure to get in your reservations for the Guild holiday party by November 22. It promises to be a very special event with a catered dinner by one of the valley's top caterers, games, and a hilarious original show featuring some of our most talented performers. Bruce Singer will add to the festivities with musical entertainment. Don't forget the new time and place. The party will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 3 and will be at the Palm Desert Community Center.

We are proud to say that the Guild is growing in membership. But the work of keeping a high profile in the community is never ending. I urge each of you to continue to be an Guild ambassador and share the news about our workshops and programs with the community. Help BUILD THE GUILD!

I am happy to report that we have received some limericks which fit our qualifications -- perfect rhyme and meter, and on the subject of writing. Keep them coming, limerick writers! Dawn

A Limerick by Elm Battersby
It's a challenge to write or define
Perfect beats in a limerick's design
Writing triplets is tough
And I've labored enough
So have come to the end of my line.

There once was a writer too wordy,
Who worked to make sentences sturdy.
But when he got stuck,
And down on his luck,
His language really got dirty.
Bob Hurlbert

Phyllis Costello Profile
by Mary Burgess Barrer
Phyllis Costello's interesting career encompasses many occupations, enterprises and serious avocations. Because her newspaper writer Dad moved from job to job and city to city frequently throughout her childhood, she attended different schools and had many acquaintances throughout the midwest.

Phyllis' writing honors date back to her high school days when her essay won the national Parker Pen contest after her English teacher, impressed with the quality of her work, submitted it.

After high school she attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where she obtained a teaching degree. Instead of seeking a job in a school, she embarked on a diverse business career. She earned a living as a fashion model for a time. This left her unfulfilled and she opted for her own business as an antique shop owner. When she saw the abuses by antique dealers in scamming the public with fakes, she decided to fight the practice. She bought the replicas, produced a display for Antique Shows and traveled five states with it throughout the Midwest.

In personal life, she was evolving spiritually through her attendance at the Unity Church. Though she did not seek a church position, she was ordained a minister at St. John's University in New Orleans.

Phyllis' other creative interests are varied. She wroter, produced and conducted her own radio show in Omaha, Nebraska. When she took up art as a hobby, she became a professional mural painter and had many commissions in homes.

She enjoyed a stint as an actress in little theater productions and also wrote and produced plays for the Unity Church.

Phyllis married in Des Moines, Iowa and raised two sons and two daughters. Although the union ended in divorce, she is still on a friendly basis with her former husband.

After moving to the Valley three years ago, she joined the Guild and attends Cyndy Muscatel's writing classes. She finished her first novel recently. She classes her characters as outrageous people. Her novel caught the attention of a New York agent at the Palm Springs Writers Conference last month who took it to New York and is now submitting it to publishers.

As Program Chair of the Guild, Phyllis' talent, creativity and energy have produced a line-up of speakers and programs that promises to provide enjoyable, exciting meetings.

The National League of American Pen Women luncheon is the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 11:30 at Palm Valley CC. This month Michael Craft will speak on mystery writing. Contact Estelle Shanley for details 760-771-5849 or estelleshanley@aol.com.

The Crow's Nest by Dodie Cross
Another of our great writers, Francine Kaplan, has a novel coming out in ... The Prettier Sister and will be published by Infinity.

Kristin Johnson's short story "Quicksand" appeared in the MuseItUpClub Anthology ALEATORY'S JUNCTION, a spooky Twilight Zone-ish collection of stories about a small town where you take the right fork out of town...IF YOU DARE. (I've attached the cover.) She also presented a workshop "Picasso, Pistachio Ribbon bars, Pizzazz: Research in Nonfiction" at the October 9-13 MuseItUpClub Online Writers' Conference (where she won a year's subscription to Writers Digest!) Kristin will be featured in a future DESERT WOMAN Nods and Applause column by the mother-daughter writing team of our own DeAnn Lubell and Tanya Trefry. Kristin completed a piece on "The New Philanthropy" for the inaugural issue of "DUNE" Magazine, which hits desert newsstands mid-December with actress/poker champion Jennifer Tilly on the cover. She's working on the autobiography of a retired black military officer who has some interesting stories about World War II and North Korea.

Carol Mann really has something to crow about. She just received a letter and certificate telling her that she received an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 75th Writing Competition in the Non-rhyming Poem category. The poem is called "Waiting Women." This year's contest attracted 19,000 entries. Wow, Carol, I'd say you really have some crowing to do. Good Job!

Got something to Crow about? E-mail me at dodiecross@dc.rr.com
and inspire others.

Grahame Smith
Past President
and friend to the Guild
by Bill Clark
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization at this time", wrote Grahame Smith when he accepted the position of Guild President in 2001, and then served a second term as well. He took on the job - and it was a job - after a sad occurrence in the Guild's history. He turned the Guild around, laying a foundation for what members are experiencing today. At the end of that year he wrote, "As the year started, we were bloodied but unbowed. We picked ourselves up and, with the generosity of so many, we have emerged much stronger than ever. We have 200 paying members!! What's next?"

Grahame came to the US from his native Australia to attend graduate school at Cornell University, earning a PhD in insect ecology. He taught at Brown University, then at Boston University. Moving into the world of publishing, he acquired Medical books for G.K. Hall and Co, later headed the Life Sciences Division of the MIT Press. He worked in the consulting world for many years, commissioning and writing reports on the business implications of technology; clients included large companies in the food and agribusiness industries also the Office Of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress.... I always enjoyed talking bugs with him, since I minored in entomology - but that's another story.

His bibliography includes publication in scientific journals, trade magazines, Saturday Review and Harbrace Collage English Reader. He was primary author of a book "Our Ecology Crisis," Published by Macmillan and has written more than 40 major proprietary consulting reports. Two of his delightful short stories have won prizes in the PSWG contests.

Grahame wrote in his President's Report, "... each of you has a contribution to bring to the Guild. This is a collegial organization: share experiences, help design programs to advance the writing craft, discover outlets for our work, and, together, let's make the Guild an important part of the literary scene in the Coachella Valley."

"While writing is ultimately a solitary experience, many of us flourish under the encouragement of our peers. Networking with colleagues at monthly meetings offers a delightful way to connect. Friendships and intimacies take time to develop; I have found my critique group to be an invaluable support and source of camaraderie. We need to function as a community of involved members."

Thanks to Grahame's early leadership the Guild has moved forward and expanded through the Coachella Valley to its far ends.

He honored another past president, songwriter Buddy Kaye, by introducing the "Buddy Award", named for the late Buddy Kaye who was a driving force in the growth of the Guild in the past, and played a big role in getting it moving again following the troubles of recent years. The award is to acknowledge outstanding service to the Guild, and it is my hope that this will become as coveted as an Oscar for our members as years go by." I was privileged to be the first recipient of the "Buddy Award."

Grahame also realized the importance of venues for writers to share their works within the community. He writes: "I laughed, I cried ... The readings of the Borders Writers Theatre have begun and are well received. What a great way to showcase the capabilities of our members. The stories are as varied as our writers, and it is wonderful to see how diverse these talents really are. For the first several evenings, the cafe was almost full, with perhaps 35 or 40 people listening attentively."

Grahame's longtime partner, Richard, has kept many of us updated on Grahame's cancer struggle over the past months. Grahame Smith is now home and has been visited recently by Hospice representatives. Hospice is a wonderful organization, and the PSWG can proudly say that a member was once the National Hospice Director in Washington DC.

You are in good hands, Grahame. Be assured you will always be an important name in the Guild's record book.

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Renew Membership for 2007 or become a Member for 2007 - click here

Palm Springs Writers Guild
P.O. Box 947
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
PalmSpringsWritersGuild.org
^ posted by Webmaster @ 11/23/2006 08:00:00 AM Pacific Time

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