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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, wrote a historic novel set in 1841 titled Widow's Walk, Book One of the Misty Cove Chronicles. Nikki loves to do research and enjoys the ocean and lighthouses, so it’s only natural that her stories should be set on the coast near a lighthouse. The story, set in the fictional town of Misty Cove, follows Lizbeth, who must learn to deal with her father’s untimely and needless death due to the failure of a lighthouse. Will the love and devotion of her fiancé, William, be enough to get her through? Widow’s Walk has already hit cyberspace and can be purchased at ebooksonthenet, a division of Write Words, Inc. The print edition will be available July 2006.

“When I received notice that my book would be published by them, I was absolutely thrilled. My other completed fiction novel has been under contract for 18 months and in the meantime, Widow's Walk has been released. I love my characters, the story and setting, and it’s great to be able to share Lizbeth's story with others.”

In July of 2005, Nikki quit her job and dove into freelance writing fulltime. That wasn't the best way to do it, but things have worked out. “The lean times seem to be behind me and I have four ghostwritten books in my portfolio, three marketing manuals and one how-to book.”

Nikki also has a wonderful working relationship with a non fiction publisher who is releasing three management and restaurant books under her given name in the spring and summer of 2006. “I also write and publish 5 marketing articles a week and that contract was just increased to 10 which will be distributed to a variety of online sites and magazines.” Find out more about Nikki at www.nikkileigh.com.

Jeffrey M. Keenan, known by his fellow writers at WVU as benning, penned a novel of the American Revolution and the following aftermath, Benning’s War, published by e-Press Online, which will be released in both ebook and paperback this month.

The story features Isaac Benning, a young man of the western Virginia frontier, fighting for the Rebel cause since 1775. By 1780 his prowess as a clever fighting-man has led to his promotion to Sergeant in the Third Virginia Regiment, and action in the disastrous Battle of The Waxhaws near the borders of North and South Carolina. Horrified, angered, and ashamed at the outcome of that battle, Isaac goes home. His enlistment is over and he believes he can no longer face the horrors of war.

But the war won’t let him remain at home. Indian incursions into white settler areas spurred by the British, and a call to arms from the Virginia Militia lead him to rethink his stance. In his heart he knows he must ‘do his duty.’

Along the way he will meet and befriend a small band of Indians trying to find their way free of the conflagration, pursue Indian raiders near his own home, and lead men into battle once more at a place called Kings Mountain. He will also meet a woman who steals his heart, make friends who will support him in battle, and learns certain facts about himself and his own life that will help him grow into a better man.

Benning said that when he was told of the acceptance by the publisher, he yelled, “Really? Me? You’re publishing me? Whoo-Hoo!”

Although I had some ideas for stories many years ago, nothing ever came of them. It was only in the last decade that I became interested in writing an article based on something I read in a history book. But the article was not very good, and I tried making it into a short story. That wasn’t much better, and I found it growing in size and scope until I realized I was working on a novel. That’s what became ‘Benning’s War’.”

Benning loves to read and reads everything that comes into his hands, even a few romances. "That should show you what an addictive hobby reading can become. The different styles and genres have only enhanced my skills and broadened my views of what writing is and can be. The more you read, I believe, the better your writing will become.” To learn more about benning, visit his website at Benning’s Writing Pad. 

He joined WVU in 2001, becoming a member of the Historicals study group which since has closed. He then joined Writers 911, a group that is now inactive. “Then I joined Fantasy & Science Fiction, and lately Passion for Prose, which is growing with new members and excitement. I also like to kibbitz in the study groups from time-to-time. Like the Children’s Hour, which I visit now and then.”

WVU gave me confidence, skill, and the ability to listen to feedback—critiques—with an open mind. You learn by making mistakes. I made plenty! I’ve learned much about how to make a submission to a publisher, how to query a publisher, and so on. I’ve learned form volunteering in the chats. There’s treasure all over the Village! WVU is also a solid place to network with successful writers. And I’ve seen, over and over again, published WVU authors giving very generously of their time and advice.”

Here is some writing advice from benning: Write! Quit putting it off to watch "Survivor" or "Desperate Housewives." Submit your works to publishers as often as you can. Post in the study groups at WVU so you can get feedback and grow as a writer. Pay attention to guidelines—if you don’t you will be ignored! I followed as well as I could and was fortunate enough to have some short stories published in T-zero, and my novel published.

Save everything you write. You never know when you might find a snippet of something useful. It might be a character, it might be a description you were searching for, it might even be an emotion. Discard nothing!

Ask for help. You’ll never be disappointed in the response, I assure you. Writers love to help other writers. One thing, though. Don’t ever ask another writer, "Where do you get your ideas?”

Use your own experiences and emotions to enhance your work. Make it real. Don’t be stingy with your feelings when you write. And always, always, persevere!

Congratulations, Nikki and benning. 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 Personnel 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.