Writing Assignment: In 500 words or less (prose or poetry), here are three topics to consider for your opportunity to write for the May 22 potluck meeting:

• “What If” & “What Is” (a comparison of attitudes)
• Make Mine a Double
• Summer Expectations

Refreshments: It’s a Pot Luck!

TMTW “End of Year Party“

As you read this, I should be in South America somewhere.

I’m writing in the after glow of the conference and the hectic present rush of packing for the trip and cleaning the house. What a wonderful time we had! The speakers were fantastic as were all of you. I hope everyone learned something. I know I did.

Reminder to locals and anyone else who wants to come to Alpine for our End of Year Party party. It will be May 22, 6:30 pm at Jackie’s (my) house. If you don’t know how to get to my house – email me after May 17 and I will tell you. Please bring something for the potluck and don’t forget your writing opportunity. It will also be time to elect new officers – be ready to put your name in the hat.

Thanks to all of you for your help at the retreat. We could not put on such a successful event without each and everyone of us. A special hats off, of course, to Ms. PR herself, Reba – who gets out the word.

Don’t forget we plan to try summer meetings. More on that at the party on the 22nd.

Hasta la vista,

Jackie

Retreat in Photos Review

After weather and technology gremlins delays, photos coming next week of the 2012 Retreat!

Other Retreats

JustWrite Retreats                                  July 24-29               August 26-Sept. 2
Spirit of Women Writing Retreats         August 5-12            September 9-16               October 7-14

Download JustWrite Retreats brochure

Minutes from April Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

(Coming later this week!)

Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader! To download, go here: www.adobe.com
If you are unable to open the minutes, please email us and we will send you a copy via email.

Braggin’ Rights

Reba Cross Seals has an article in the online newsletter, the May/June issue of Working Writer. It’s entitled, “A Hissy Fit Over Webinars: I’m a Reader, Not a Listener,” in which she spoofs the profusion of webinars for writers all over the internet.

Demystifying Writers’ Demons One at a Time

One by One -  by Joan Upton Hall

CONFUSING WORDS—Whose / who’s  &  who / whom

• whose (possessive pronoun for “something belonging to whom”)

   “Whose book is this?” “The man whose novel won the award lives nearby.”

• who’s (contraction of “who is”)

   “Who’s coming to the show?” “Who’s there?” “Jane is the person who’s absent.”

• who (nominative [naming] case pronoun – means it is the subject of a verb)

   “Who, shall I say, is calling?” (often mistaken when subject is separated from verb by an interrupting clause or phrase; think “Who is calling?”)

“Tell me who in the world did this.” (often mistaken when it is the subject of a clause in which the entire clause is an object; think “who did this?”)

“Who can win? Clyde is who.” (often mistaken when used as a predicate nominative renaming the subject after a linking verb. Therefore, it’s not an object.)

• whom (objective case pronoun – means it is the object receiving action)

   “To whom shall I give this?” “Give it to whomever you wish.” (object of preposition)

“She’s a candidate whom we can trust.” (direct object, inverted adjective clause; think “we can trust whom.”)

Memory tip: If substituting the word “he” for it sounds right, you need “who.”

If substituting the word “him” for it sounds right, you need “whom.”

Do demons bedevil your writing? Similar, confusing words? Grammar, punctuation, or capitalization rules? “The Demystifier” will clear up the mystery (primary reference unless otherwise noted: Garner, Bryan A. Dictionary of Modern American Usage. N.Y.: Oxford University Press). Address questions and comments to freelance editor, Joan Upton Hall at: moc.loa@llaHumj. More problems like the above are demystified in the booklet, 50 Writers’ Tips. Find more at http://www.JoanUptonHall.com/books.htm.

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

Program: “The Art of Weaving Your Story”

Writing “Opportunity”: 

• Spring Equinox
• March Magic
• Search The Wind

Please avail yourself of the opportunity to pick one of the above topics and write our regular limit of 500 words (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or whatever).  Or challenge yourself to an exact word limit of 100 for any one of the topics (this idea is compliments of Anne VanLoon–thanks, Anne).

President Ramblings

I’m sitting in Fairbanks, AK looking out the window at a foot of fresh snow.  The temperature is close to zero and it is so delightful.  I’m happy to be back to my home of eighteen years and glad to see good friends.  I thought I would write – brought my journal and my laptop, but so far haven’t squeezed in time for much but a few ideas percolating in the back of my brain.  At least I will try to write those down – otherwise in my aged state, they will enter an unknown universe never to be thought of again.

I hope you are working on the writing opportunities for March.  Eleanor has really kept us inspired this year.  I’m hoping to write the one with only 100 words – exactly 100 words.

The other important thing to mention is our conference.  We have three great speakers coming and we need you to encourage yourself and others to participate.  Things are a bit different this year – a new place and a later date, but it will be a wonderful time with opportunities to learn so much.

I’ll be back in the warm by March 18, although while I was away, apparently ice encased my peach blossoms.  Ah – such is the weather in far west Texas.

See you at the March meeting and most definitely at the April 27-29 conference.

Jackie

2012 TMTW Spring Retrea

 !! Come One – Come All !!
!! Limited Spaces Left !!

Texas Mountain Trail Writers’
21st Spring Retreat
April 27, 28, 29, 2012

The Texas Mountain Trail Writers welcome you to their
21st annual retreat in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

New Location! Mountain Trail Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center-between Fort Davis and Alpine
www.dmectexas.org — Check out the beauty!

More information here:
http://texasmountaintrailwriters.org/writers-retreat/

Weekend Overview:

http://www.texasmountaintrailwriters.org/pdfs/2012_TMTW_Conference_Overview.pdf

Registration Form:

http://www.texasmountaintrailwriters.org/pdfs/2012_TMTW_Registration_Form.pdf

 !! Come One – Come All !!
!! Limited Spaces Left !!

Minutes from February Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

Download minutes here

Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader! To download, go here: www.adobe.com
If you are unable to open the minutes, please email us and we will send you a copy via email.

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

Program: Diane Brown will talk about her book, “Life Instead,” and how it came to be.  I can guarantee it will be a fascinating presentation.  Diane survived a plane crash and bravely wrote about her experience then went on an unexpected adventure to publication and beyond.

Writing “Opportunity”: 

• A Snowy Night
• Valentines
• A Matter of the Heart

Choose one or incorporate one or more of the topics into one story (or poem)–use your vast and endless imagination.  Limit is 500 words.  Go wild!  At the meeting, you may read your work or not, as you prefer.  Just enjoy doing it.

President Ramblings

How do you write?  Do you set measurable goals or decide to wing it?  Do you slave over each word or let it flow as it comes?  Do you have a different writing style for different types of writing?

I recently read and enjoyed, The Sea, by John Banville.  It is a literary work, full of gorgeous words, which won the Mann Booker prize in 2005.  Mr. Banville, under the pseudonym of Benjamin Black, is also the writer of mystery novels.  Here is what he says about his writing:

“With Benjamin Black, it comes from the top of the head. With John Banville, from     somewhere between the chest and the groin. The way of thinking is different too. John Banville might spend a few days coming up with a couple of sentences. Benjamin Black  may manage 2000 words in a morning. Writing as Black, I let the thing happen.  Spontaneity is the key. With John Banville, concentration is the key.”

I thought this was very interesting.  I’m trying to plan the novel I’m writing right now, rather than fly by the seat of an idea, but I’m still writing in the same way.  Perhaps I ought to get a pseudonym?   For sure, I’m going to order and read a Benjamin Black mystery and see what I think.

Don’t forget to check out all the information on our upcoming Writer’s Retreat, April 27-29.    You do not want to miss this conference.  Our presenters are going to be dynamite, and the price of the conference has not changed since last year, still $115 for those early bird members who register by April 6, 2012.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  May the words come sweetly to you.

Jackie

2012 TMTW Spring Retreat

 !!Save the Date!!
Mark Your New Calendar Now

Texas Mountain Trail Writers’
21st Spring Retreat
April 27, 28, 29, 2012

The Texas Mountain Trail Writers welcome you to their
21st annual retreat in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

New Location! Mountain Trail Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center-between Fort Davis and Alpine
www.dmectexas.org — Check out the beauty!

More information here:
http://texasmountaintrailwriters.org/writers-retreat/

Weekend Overview:

http://www.texasmountaintrailwriters.org/pdfs/2012_TMTW_Conference_Overview.pdf

Registration Form:

http://www.texasmountaintrailwriters.org/pdfs/2012_TMTW_Registration_Form.pdf

!!Save the Date!!

Minutes from January Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

Download minutes here

Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader! To download, go here: www.adobe.com
If you are unable to open the minutes, please email us and we will send you a copy via email.

Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering is proud to present

Doris Daley
Cowboy Poet Extraordinaire from Calgary Canada

Presenting a Cowboy Poetry Writing Workshop

Wednesday, February 22, 2012, from 2:00 ¡V 4:00 pm
West Texas National Bank Community Room
$5.00 per person, free to Sul Ross and area students

Participants will talk about:

• Likes/dislikes about poetry
• Traps to avoid
• Editing tips
• Metaphors and verbs, etc.

It’s always fun, non-threatening, good for any level of writer.

In 2004 Doris was named Best Female Cowboy Poet in North America by the Academy of Western Artists. In 2007, 2008 and 2009 she was named one of the Top 5 cowgirl poets in North America by the Western Music Association, with other Top 5 nominations for best collaboration and best cowboy poetry CD. At the November, 2009 WMA Awards Show, Doris won top honors for Best Female Cowboy Poet and best cowboy poetry CD.

For more information on Doris visit her website at www.dorisdaley.com. For questions regarding the workshop contact Ida Hoelscher at 432-386-6404.

Download copy of Event Flyer

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

For complete information, please see our “2012 ‘Chaos’ Call for Submissions” page.

Program: Critique – Polish Your Writing to a Shine presented by Jackie Siglin.

Writing “Opportunity”: 

• New Year Resolutions
• Something Remembered
• West Texas Intrigue

Choose one or incorporate one or more of the topics into one story (or poem)–use your vast and endless imagination.  Limit is 500 words.  Go wild!  At the meeting, you may read your work or not, as you prefer.  Just enjoy doing it.

President Ramblings

Happy New Year!

We can’t start off a new writing year without a few resolutions – right?  or should I say – WRITE!!!

That is the gist of every article I read and every speaker I hear.  If you want to be a writer, improve your writing, experience writing, you need to WRITE.

So what could we resolve:

1. To set aside writing time.  Some people start small – 5 minutes, 30 minutes, once or twice a week.  For me, a retired person, I try to write, or at least be present in my chair in front of the computer, five days a week for two to three hours.  Does that mean I always succeed?  No, but I have, like we say in my yoga class, an intention.
2. To let ideas flow:  The TMTW provides a writing opportunity every month, there are many websites with story starters, or you can pick a word, a saying, a view, etc.  One of my most favorite starters was an idea given to us by Darrell White, a TMTW member.  He said we were to write about Light.  The different stories we received that month at our meeting were incredible.  If finding ideas isn’t your problem, then just start writing, let it flow, and don’t be quick to judge it.
3. To edit afterwards:  One of the hardest for me, but one of the best if I push myself.  When things are moving, catch those thoughts and correct later. I like to start each time with some editing of what I did the day before (like priming the pump), but I don’t  make it the sole activity of the day.

That’s three basic writing resolutions you might choose to make.  For myself, I’m also going to try to learn something about publishing your book or chapters of it on the web this year.  I’ll let you know what I find out.

TMTW 2011 Christmas Party

A huge thank you to Daileen for a fabulous Christmas party.  Her home was beautiful, the piano music delightful, and the food brought by all was delicious.  I  used my Christmas present, the tortilla warmer, in my roll basket twice over the holidays.  It works like a charm.

Eleanor Taylor has the writing opportunities posted on the website, and our next meeting will be January 17, 7 PM in Ft. Davis.  The car pools from Alpine will leave the Big Bend Telephone lot at 6:30.

Reba Cross Seals and committee have started on the April conference and we have great plans – be sure to read all the information she is starting to send.  Dates for the conference will be:  April 27, 28, 29.

Jackie

2012 TMTW Spring Retreat

 !!Save the Date!!
Mark Your New Calendar Now

Texas Mountain Trail Writers’
21st Spring Retreat
April 27, 28, 29, 2012

The Texas Mountain Trail Writers welcome you to their
21st annual retreat in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

New Location! Mountain Trail Lodge & Outdoor Learning Center-between Fort Davis and Alpine
www.dmectexas.org — Check out the beauty!

Professional Published Speakers, Fabulous Food with
Fellow Writers, Awesome Scenery

More exciting details will follow soon.
(The authors/speakers will knock your socks off!)

!!Save the Date!!

Demystifying Writers’ Demons One at a Time

One by One -  by Joan Upton Hall

Do demons bedevil your writing? Similar, confusing words? Grammar, punctuation, or capitalization rules? “The Demystifier” will clear up the mystery (primary reference unless otherwise noted: Garner, Bryan A. Dictionary of Modern American Usage. N.Y.: Oxford University Press). Address questions and comments to freelance editor, Joan Upton Hall at: moc.loa@llaHumj. More problems like the above are demystified in the booklet, 50 Writers’ Tips. Find more at http://www.JoanUptonHall.com/books.htm.

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

Writing “Opportunity”: The word limit is 500 words.  Choose from

• Christmases I’ve Loved (or not!)
• Winter Solstice
• This Has Been a Year Full of _______(fill in the blank)

Celebrate Christmas with the Trail Writers

Our Christmas party will be at my house (Daileen) in Limpia Crossing north of Fort Davis on Tuesday  evening, December 13^th  at 6:30 PM.

For those who wish to arrive in the daylight, you are welcome to come at 6 PM.

Rene Parsons has graciously consented to play Christmas carols for us and will be at the piano by 6:05, for those who wish to sing or listen.

She will stay and join us in our partying. Her fee is cookies. So if you have a few extra Christmas cookies you want to share, we can combine them on a plate for her. If no cookies are in your house don’t worry. I just thought it would be fun to share our cookies with her as she will be sharing her musical talents with us.

As per the usual format, we will have a pot luck supper. When you decide which specialty you wish to bring, please email me that you are coming, how many are coming with you, and what dish you will bring.

To RSVP and receive directions to my house, please email me at  mountainspirit@wildblue.net or TMTW at asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org

Also we exchange gifts in a different way. We steal from each other. So bring a gift of your choice and watch it make the rounds of those who covet.  $10 is the gift limit.

For you lowlanders, dress warmly. It is much colder up here on a winter night than at your lower elevations.

Hope you will join us!

DAILEEN

President Ramblings

I’ve been taking an online class in Mystery Writing.  Many of the students are new to writing and they don’t have a local group to support them.  That’s where I’m lucky.  The Texas Mountain Trail Writers gives me support, friendship, learning opportunities, and a chance for publication.  It challenges me to write and read a short piece of work every month on topics I would never think of for myself.   I am so grateful for this.  It’s wonderful to be around people who don’t think spending time with your imagination is crazy.

The holiday season is here and before you have yourself all tied up in knots, I’ve asked Santa to give you a gift.  This month, in the hurry scurry of December, he and I give you permission to take time to write.  We realize this is a do-it-yourself present.  It doesn’t come with instructions or help.  Neither the guy in the red suit or I will run your errands, bake your cookies, or sign your cards.  We won’t sit at the computer and make this a guilt trip.  We just say:  You can write – put  WRITING on your list and take the time to do it.  We know it will make you happy.

Our Christmas party is December 13th at Daileen’s house in Limpia Crossing.  Directions, times, etc. are elsewhere in the newsletter.  Don’t forget your potluck and a $10 gift for the exchange.  Daileen would love it if you would RSVP and tell her what you plan to bring to the pot luck.

Phyllis Musgrove is getting better.  Thanks to all of you who helped her at the last meeting, especially Elaine Davenport.   If you want to send her a card, and didn’t get my last email with her address, please contact me.

Happy writing,  Jackie

Minutes from November Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

Download minutes here

Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader! To download, go here: www.adobe.com
If you are unable to open the minutes, please email us and we will send you a copy via email.

Braggin’ Rights

From Richard Jespers:

Dear TMTW Members:

I enjoyed attending your workshop in April and took away much to chew on. At this time I am announcing my new Web site, which features my published short fiction along with a number of other pages including photographs, reading journals, and a blog. You may access it at http://www.richardjespers.com. Hope you all are doing well and that the drought has eased a bit.

All Best,

Richard Jespers

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

Program: “In Search of Your Right Brain” by Eleanor Taylor.

Writing “Opportunity”: The word limit is 500 words.  Choose from

• Taking a Chance
• Thanksgiving: Past, Present or Whenever
• Pick a cliche (your favorite or just any one will do) and build a story around it

Refreshments: Delicious treats from Phyllis Musgrove.

President Ramblings

The sunlight rolled into my bedroom about seven this morning. What a glorious thing – the end of daylight savings time.  I sip my coffee, watch the red tinge the horizon, enjoy the quiet before time to walk the dog.  Wait – am I supposed to be writing my president’s column for the Texas Mountain Trail Writer’s November newsletter?  Why, yes I am.

Pardon my slip into interior dialogue.  Elaine Davenport’s program for our October meeting has me trying my hand at it.  I’m starting a new mystery novel and already her tips are making my characters more lively.

We have two local participants in NaNoWriMo.  Anne VanLoon who accepted the official challenge and Marian Frueh, who made up her own short story challenge for November.  If you have their emails and want to send them an encouraging note, please do so.

Our next meeting, Nov. 15th, will be in Alpine at the Hallmark Apts. Fiesta Room.  We have had some new people join us since September, and I hope they will continue to come.  Last month we had 15, a full house for the table at the library.   We look forward to seeing that many and more in November.  Eleanor Taylor will have a great program planned and of course, we will share our writing opportunities.

Our Christmas party will be December 13.  Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details.

Happy writing,  Jackie

Minutes from October Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

Download minutes here

Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader! To download, go here: www.adobe.com

Demystifying Writers’ Demons One at a Time

One by One -  by Joan Upton Hall

Do demons bedevil your writing? Similar, confusing words? Grammar, punctuation, or capitalization rules? “The Demystifier” will clear up the mystery (primary reference unless otherwise noted: Garner, Bryan A. Dictionary of Modern American Usage. N.Y.: Oxford University Press). Address questions and comments to freelance editor, Joan Upton Hall at: jmuHall@aol.com. More problems like the above are demystified in the booklet, 50 Writers’ Tips. Find more at http://www.JoanUptonHall.com/books.htm.

Final Note from the Editor:

Have news? Toot your horn, clang your bell, raise your roof! Tell us your news and stories – or writing news in general, such as publications you would recommend, contests, book events, etc. Send your Braggin’ Rights and Trail Bits to asktmtw@texasmountaintrailwriters.org.

Minutes from September Meeting

Please read the minutes before attending the next meeting. Let us know at the next meeting if there are any corrections. Thanks!

Download minutes here