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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

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

Shri Henkel, writing as Nikki Leigh, received a contract for her novel, Stormy View, from Wings ePress. It is a novel about love bridging the differences between a humble lighthouse keeper’s daughter and the son of a wealthy and powerful attorney. Can it survive his manipulative mother and her chauvinistic father?

Stormy View is the tale of romance and deception where things aren’t what they seem. On the tenth anniversary to his wife, Kennalyn, David is injured in a boat accident. He dies several days later, leaving her alone with a young daughter and an unborn child. Kennalyn struggles to establish a life for her family. Years later, a familiar face appears. Will this return guarantee Kennalyn’s happiness? Many lives will change forever.

When Nikki Leigh first received her contract, she felt total elation. “It was the first big step in realizing my dream of seeing my own novels in print. I signed the contract in June 2004, but I still contend that the news hasn't totally hit me. I feel sure that it will hit me when the final galleys hit my desk.

“At some point I want to convey the time, place and character to the degree Maeve Binchy does. Reading her stories makes me feel that I am walking down the street with her characters and absorbing the details of the setting without overwhelming me with too many details.

”I've always been creative, but I wanted to write when I was in elementary school. I'm still trying to locate my grade school teacher who had the confidence that I could accomplish any goal, including writing. I love lighthouses, the beach, history and photography. These interests all help me in the development of my stories. The historic trilogy that I'm working on has required a lot of research. One thing that is making it easier is that my two completed novels are set in the same area. The novel I'm working on now is set on the Cape Ann coast of Massachusetts but will also begin to focus on the history of coastal North Carolina, which will play a part in the next two books. I have also visited all the areas in my novels, which lends more authenticity to my stories.”

Nikki joined WVU in July of 2001. She has been in many study groups but is currently a member of the Misfits and pops into Timeless Tales from time to time. “WVU has given me the chance to dramatically improve my skills. The encouragements of other members along with their critiques and input have been invaluable. Buying myself a lifetime membership to WVU was the greatest gift I've given myself. “

Nikki is a partner in a construction firm in Albemarle County of Virginia. Some of the residents include: John Grisham, Cissy Spacek, Rita Mae Brown, Howie Long, the members of The Dave Matthews Band, and so on. She also owns a small business-consulting firm, which helps to reorganize and establish small businesses, and she is beginning to design web sites for a variety of businesses. To find out more about Nikki Leigh, visit her website at http://www.nikkileigh.com.

Maria Desrosiers submitted The Phoenix to Wings ePress. Due out in August of 2006, Maria wishes it were a little closer, “But, hey, I can't complain.”

In this novel, independent Aveline DeLarue needs the challenge of the seas and the freedom to carry on her secret life as a pirate. Her ship, The Phoenix, is the pride of the seas and the envy of many a pirate. Her identity is well hidden by the mask she wears at all times when at sea. Married to the dour Justin, she has the liberty to pursue her life without interference so long as she gives him an heir, but when the Dragon enters her life—a fever spreads through her heart. Her two lives collide and threaten to destroy one or the other.

Shattered by his wife’s death, Justin marries for duty and to advance the Montegry line. Ava fits the bill perfectly for a meek and retiring wife, and that should leave him free to pursue his life at sea as the dreaded Dragon. For him the need to command The Phoenix and its mysterious owner is a compulsion he can’t ignore. The lovely lady pirate commands his heart, but uncovering her identity could destroy his life with Ava.

“My first reaction when I saw the email in my mailbox was fear! My heart pounded hard against my ribs. I started shaking all over and I ran and got my husband. I couldn’t open the email. Even after weeks of telling myself a rejection wouldn’t matter, that it’s all a part of the process of being a writer, yadda, yadda, yadda... It mattered A LOT.

“I started crying even before I knew the answer. My husband, Andrew, looked at me and asked, 'What’s wrong?'

"I said, 'I got the email from Wings and I’m afraid to read it. I don’t want to be rejected.'

"I never realized how scary it would be. This was my first submission and if it wasn’t for my friend Cheryl pushing and shoving me, I doubt I would have submitted. She gave me the confidence to submit. She read the story and said it was good, and I’m regressing...

"Now I was crying because I got a contract and a nice letter telling me they are pleased to inform me they wanted my novel. I smacked hubby on the shoulder and told him to move. Andy gave me a big hug and kiss. I sat and read the contract and letter over and over a few times till it all sank in. I called my mom and told her the news.

"I’m still in awe that I got a contract and every occasionally I reread it to make sure that it really happened."

When Maria was in grammar school, she loved to read and write. She particularly loves to write and read romance. Deciding to get more serious, finding what is out there for writing courses, and seeing where this takes her, she joined WVU. Since then, she has written a number of stories and taken a lot of courses.

“I’ve been at WVU for about three years now. I’m in Word Slingers, and everyone is awesome in the group. They all are very supportive, give great feedback and are like a second family. I’ve met some very good friends and writers, who’ve helped me tremendously through the past years: Cheryl, Lori, Phax and Pee Wee; they’ve all helped me learn and hold a special place in helping me to become a better writer and person.

"Dorice Nelson helped me learn a lot when I first joined WVU, and I thank her for all the great learning activities she took the time to post for everyone. Without her, I doubt I would have been so determined to learn grammar, to show not tell, and many other valuable lessons."

Maria lives in a small town in New Hampshire where she raises her three children, Marcus, Delphine and Joseph. Andrew, her husband of over ten years, and their children are the loves of her heart. Their pets are an enduring and tolerant, yellow fuzz ball of a cat, Simba, a turtle, Francis, and a kissing fish. To find out more about Maria, visit her website at http://www.mariadesrosiers.com.

Helen V. Lundt hit a double with her story "Yesterday," a beautiful tale of a WWII Christmas, at U.S Legacies. It appeared on its website in December 2004 and will be on newsstands in its December 2005 issue.

A frequent contributor to T-Zero: The Writer's Ezine, Helen said, “My reaction when I saw that my story was accepted was WOW! I was and still am, so excited and thrilled that someone accepted my work.”

Helen has also been published several times over the last 15 years. In the fall of 1990, "The Guest Book" and an article about "The Coachmen Queen" were published in Coachmen Capers, and in the same periodical in 1991, "Reflections About Space Travel." "I write for the local associations, such as The Chenango Canal, doing poems and skits for special occasions. I'm also known locally as "The Red Hatter Poet," writing an occasional poem and prayer.

"My favorite writer is James Michener, because of his realistic writing, sometimes very poetic in his descriptions. Deep in meaning, accurate in detail.

"I've always known that I wanted to write, or rather, I just always did write, as far back as I can remember holding a pen. I know in the fourth grade, I wrote a poem that wasn't very good but I found it so easy to do, and the praise wasn't hard to take."

Helen’s hobbies include learning about computers but mostly relate to writing. She takes classes that help her a great deal with her writing skills at WVU, which she joined about three years ago. She belongs to Word Weavers, Flash Fiction and The Children’s Hour study groups.

“We travel—Florida in the winter for three or four months—and that is a different lifestyle, again guiding me in writing about subjects I wouldn't know about if I stayed at home in New York State all year. I do volunteer work at the local nursing home. There, again, I learn from my elders and sometimes a poem will be the result. We're very active socially, with my mind always reaching for a story within the group that we happen to be with. I used to sketch and paint but don't find time for that anymore.

“As for my personal life, I am a retired nurse—after twenty-eight years in the health field. I lost my first husband when we were very young, and finished bringing up my four daughters myself. They were teenagers at the time. Now, they're all married, I'm a grandmother of six, and I have remarried—a great guy, also retired. We traveled a lot in our motor-home and now drive by car to the sunny south in the winter months. I feel very fortunate in my aging years. I think I'm getting younger as I age.”

Congratulations, Nikki, Maria and Helen. We wish you continued success in all of your writing endeavors and thank you for sharing your information with us.

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!


About the Author
Joan McNulty Pulver, mother of five and grandmother of five, works as an Administrative Secretary for the State of Florida but considers her writing and editing to be her vocation. She is a columnist for T-Zero: The Writer’s E-Zine, a course developer and facilitator at Writers’ Village University and the Acquisitions Coordinator/Editor for ePress-online. Joan has had two short stories published and is currently working on a non-fiction book and a fantasy novel.