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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

Welcome to Recognitions, a column dedicated to proclaim the writing successes of Writers' Village University members!

Dorice Nelson's The Gunn of Killearnan, a historical and romantic adventure, set in 1650 Scotland during the time of the War of the Covenant, involves Gerek Gunn, a man who must marry a woman not of his choosing before the end of his thirtieth year. Young Catriona MacFarr, the recalcitrant bride, vows not to marry the man her father chose for her. Unlawful relates the story of an Irish Viking, a minor queen and a clan to be conquered. 1863 Saratoga Summer follows a family caught up in the gang riots of New York. Dorice is currently working on the sequel to this novel. NovelBooks, Incorporated of Douglas, MA publishes all three books in both trade paperback and e-formats. "I was thrilled to have the first novel published but then worried and wondered if I were a one-book author. The fact that I have continued to get published has been the best part of it all. I love to write." An editor is considering her contemporary suspense novel.

"I've won or placed in eleven Romance Writers of America contests with the first two. By the time I got to my third book, [1863 Saratoga Summer], I was no longer eligible to compete. The Gunn of Killearnan was a finalist in the Notable New Authors of 2001 and the Holt Medallion and won the Love Romances Golden Rose Award as the best Historical and best E-Book of 2001. Unlawful won the Word Weaving Award of Excellence, and 1863 Saratoga Summer is nominated and a finalist for the Bloody Dagger Award. All three books were nominated for the Indy Awards."

Dorice, a lifetime member of WVU, started her journey with F2K (Writers' Village University's free creative writing course). She entered a week or so late and had to struggle to catch up. "It was well worth the effort." After joining WVU, she then joined the Word Slingers study group. She recently opened up the inactive Hole in the Wall Gang, a group doing some wonderful sessions in conjunction with activities to support them.

"I have most often found WVU to be very supportive, especially those in the administration. The idea of different study groups, with different study preferences, is wonderful. I have enjoyed many of the WVU courses as they have always helped to get my creative juices to flowing. I recommend the U at every chance I get."

Dorice never gives up, regardless of negative feedback, which sometimes occurs. "I have always kept my sights on getting published—and now, my sights are on writing every day. I have found this is the only way for me to continue with any success." Dorice advises, "Write, write, write." Visit Dorice's website  to find out more about her and her books.


D.K. Mayers, better known to her fellow Writers' Village University writers as Diana Kipka, received the honor of having her short story Blank Canvas published in the April edition of Writer's Hood.com. You will find Diana's story in the archives section at http://www.writershood.com/03mar/nonfiction.htm.

Diana joined WVU in November 2000 after taking F2K in September of the same year. "For so many years, I wrote on and off with bright spots of encouragement along the way from individual instructors and published writers. Nothing sustained over a long period of time what I have experienced with all the great and generous folks I have met at the University plus all the fabulous courses and study groups. I am so inspired and supported by the camaraderie I have found here. It has given me the impetus to submit my work to various venues. I have received a lot of great feedback on the story including one from Judy, another wonderful WVU-er who has encouraged and inspired me."

Another member of WVU, Donna Bedrick, (an editor at the Writer's Hood), encouraged Diana to submit her short story for publication "Donna Bedrick is one of those great and generous people I spoke of earlier. She sent out a call for short stories so I passed one onto her. Donna asked for a few revisions which I considered and that led to an expanded version."

Diana is currently working on a mainstream novel. With its beginnings in the Romance Writing course at WVU, The Stone Heart is a collection of inter-related short stories based on the children of the residents of Gorbals, an infamous and legendary tenement area of Glasgow, Scotland. In addition to her book and short story, Diana has some non-fiction articles and greeting card verses under consideration. "I am also learning the art of writing book reviews. I need 36-hour days."


Donna Sundblad's short story, Time to Love, appeared in the April issue of the Writer's Hood. It will be in the archives section for several months. "Everyone in the office knew my good news about having my story published immediately as I checked my e-mails. I got on the phone and called my husband and daughter to let them know I had been published, and when I arrived at home, I forwarded the link to all my friends and family."

Donna joined WVU last July and says it has been a great experience all around. "The classes along with feedback from peers continue to help me grow in my ability and discipline as a writer. I set goals that challenge and have more ideas than time to write."

Donna, the group coordinator, better known as Birdie in the Flash Fiction study group said, "It's a friendly, helpful group to work with while honing short stories (2,000 words or less) or chapters to a longer piece of work." She belongs to a second study group, Time Trading Nortonians Rule, where weekly writing exercises are posted along with prompts for the week. Donna credits this group for contributing to her growth as an author. "I use the exercises posted here to meet my goal of writing one short story per week."

Donna said that WVU helped her to focus on writing by providing the accountability she needs to stay on task. "Here I have learned the value of putting my story aside for a day or two and look at it from a fresh perspective. Within these halls I have met people who have been where I am and who are willing to help me along the way. The classes as well as study groups have assisted me in unveiling stories and themes I never knew existed within my imagination. My editing skills have moved from basic business writing skills to seeing things like ‘wordy words’ and repeated words within my story content, but the most important change has been to move from the passive voice to active in telling a tale."

One of the things that encouraged Donna in her writing here at WVU is the fact that she had six tips published in the WVU newsletter and a course she developed is being used to teach others. "The first writing tip I had published had to do with shopping for ideas. I told the story of seeing an unusual clock in a junk store that spurred a story. This story is the one that has been published. My first writer's tip and first published short story were based on the same visit to a junk store."


Mari Bushman's short story, Revenge, appeared in its Wanton Word on April 28, 2003 after earning second place in the Wanton Words Short Story Contest. "My first reaction to winning the contest was disbelief. It just so happened my parents were visiting from out of town, actually standing next to my computer when I read the email notification. I was a little shocked for a few hours (more like days) and my whole family went to the local steakhouse to celebrate. I have to keep reminding myself I took second place. Since this is my first piece to be published, it sure feels like I won the whole darn enchilada."

Before joining WVU, Mari took F2K and highly recommends it to anyone interested in writing. "When I signed up, I thought it might be a fluff course. You know, too easy. Wrong! They actually expected me to do something. I was impressed and that's what led me to join WVU in September of 2002. A member of the Crime and Punishment study group, Mari extols the way that WVU has aided her in her writing career. "It has helped me immeasurably and has been an invaluable experience. I've made some good friends and found a mentor, who is also one of my best friends. Through WVU, I'm honing my craft and for some reason, people put up with me—all the time. Go figure. What a great place this is!"

Mari has a four-year-old daughter, a late-in-life surprise, and a husband who supports her and her writing. "I like to joke that I have a BS degree from the School of Hard Knocks. (Really, it's hanging on the wall under my rejection slips...LOL). I live in the Panhandle of Texas and am currently at work on my fourth novel."

"Anyone who likes to write need not be afraid to write what's in your head," says Mari. After she glommed on to that little fact, she was hit by the buzz Stephen King mentions in his book, On Writing. "Now, I write two or three thousand words every day as a matter of course. I have to write. My day isn't complete if I can't get a few thousand words down. I usually write new stuff early in the day and then go to work on my revisions. I just wish I could share this buzz with everyone. Even if I never get another word published, I'll write for the rest of my life because I love the buzz."


When Kathy Kubik found out her poem, Songs In Red, would be published in the winter edition of Voices Online Magazine, she was elated since she had just started sending out her work. "I have been writing since I could pick up a pen. My definition of poetry is a song, a painting, a morsel of something tangible that calls out to me, sings to me. For me, reading poems is my fix, my 'trashy novel', pieces of me yet undiscovered, my hand in the cookie jar, soon to discover the milk chocolate morsels that have melted on my hands, and a reminder for later. Each poem I read becomes a part of me."

Kathy first joined WVU when she signed up for A Poet's Toolbox with Carol Malley. She has since completed P117, P119 and P121, the Advanced Poetry Free-form series, with Carol as the facilitator. "She has been a big part in my growth as a writer and is a main reason for me to join WVU. Ever since joining WVU my writing has improved, and I feel I have the tools and skills to advance my writing even further. The people I have met at WVU have been a big part in my development as well. The instructors and peers really take their time and give constructive feedback and great advice on making my writing even better. Being able to work with these mentors on a day-to-day basis has greatly helped me as a writer."

Congratulations, Dorice, Diana, Donna, Mari and Kathy. We wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors.

We look forward to reading about your writing accomplishments in this column. If you or someone you know received recognition for writing, please send the information to recognitions@wvu.org.  Let us know!