One Year Ago

Today the country celebrates.

For you this day has a very different meaning--

for it is forever scarred by tragedy.

While others laugh and go on with their day like all is well--

you will remember the good times and try to forget the bad.

You may reflect on all you've done right and all you've done wrong, searching for the truth behind the unanswered questions.

In this quest, if you find doubt, don't let it overcome you,

for God has been there at every turn and today he holds you in His arms--

comforting you with His love.

Then, as you move on about your day--

keep in your heart the knowledge that you are loved and missed--

and we remember, too,

what happened one year ago.

by M.S. Ebbs
© 7/1997
for D

Professionalism

Well, Christmas is over and here comes New Year's. I had a relatively stress-free Christmas, this year and I highly recommend it. I was so busy thinking about the Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers and what needed to be done and then getting it done, that I didn't have time to worry about who's Christmas gift I needed to buy. Everyone kept asking me if my Christmas shopping was done, and I'm like yeah, mostly. Then a couple of days before, I realize, I need so and so's and so and so's. So I ran to Wal-Mart in the wee hours of the morning, as I'm usually up anyway. The busiest day was Christmas Eve when they had fifteen-twenty people checking out and one checker. Don't you love that moment? Finally, they opened another one, wow, now there's two! Anyway, I got out in a reasonable amount of time and I was on my way.

Speaking of the Salem Chapter, I'm so excited for our first meeting on January 10, 2008, at 6:30pm! Our first speakers are Bernadette Baker-Baughman and Gretchen Stelter of Baker's Mark Literary Agency. My co-rep, Heather Cuthbertson and I had the great opportunity to meet these remarkable agents and we were both impressed. They were so great and we all had such a wonderful time learning about the other side of the fence.

Some writers perhaps don't understand that writing and selling your work is a professional business and you need to conduct yourself professionally. In order to do that, we need to learn about the selling side. How agents work, what they want, what editors will do for you and what they're looking for. That's why writers need writing groups. Whether you have a large one like Willamette Writers or small ones with some friends, you can always conduct yourselves professionally and encourage your fellow writers to do the same.

Salem Chapter meets at the West Salem Roth's, with parking and entrance in rear of building. Also, there are Chapters in Eugene, Medford, Newport, and of course the meetings in Portland. Check us out at one of these places or via the web; http://www.willamettewriters.com/ or http://www.salemchapter.com/.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all. I have been busy lately, let me tell you. Working to get speakers for the Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers, working, Christmas shopping, putting out cards this year. But busy or not, I need to keep up my writing. It's easy to get bogged down and distracted, but I've gone that route too often in the past.

Driving down the road, listening to the radio, all it takes is a song, a commercial, a view in front of me to inspire a concept for a story, a character, a plot. The overwhelming feeling that I should be writing, that I haven't done it in a while, compels me to return. So I do. I return. Because I must. Life without writing, for me, is just getting by. Getting by, getting through is no way to live life.

So, I leave you with this encouragement! Priortize what needs to be done, right now, today, and make sure that you know, writing is a priority. If you try to fit it into your schedule, it won't often fit. Put it on your schedule and let the Christmas cards go out tomorrow. If they're late, it will be an after Christmas surprise for your friends and family. Write! Write, because you must!

All about me again~

Looking for info on the Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers? We've moved to our own space http://www.salemchapter.com/ Please visit this address to stay up-to-date on what's happening with your Salem Chapter!

1st Official Meeting

Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers will be the second Thursdays of the month, beginning January 10, 2008! Meeting facility will be West Salem Roth's, entrance and parking at rear of building. Doors will open at 6:30pm, meeting from 7-8pm. Mark your calendars! Upcoming speakers TBA.

Salem WW: Dec 7 Open Mic/Reading

I've added a copy of the e-mail recently sent. If you're not on the e-mailing list, please contact SalemChapter@aol.com or if you simply have questions.

Open Mic/Reading, as discussed at the Meet and Greet is set for
Friday, December 7
6:45pm-9pm
Blue Pepper Cafe
241 Commercial St. NE

We've reserved a conference room and there is a small fee. The only request is that you come order drinks, and please make a small donation toward the room. No more than $1 or $2. (A suggestive (not mandatory) donation box will be available.)

This will be a time to share anything that you have written and would like to share. I'm calling it a Reading, as there will be a required time limit (to be announced) Please respond as to whether you plan to attend or plan to read, so I can set the appropriate time requiremtents. If you have something you'd like read, but it is particularly hard for you to do so, for any reason, let me know, and I or Heather will read for you, or you can have a friend read for you.

IMPORTANT: I need a head count on attendees as well as "readers"
RESPOND: by November 25 (that's Sunday)

Reading Order will be set to Responding Order. Respond first, read first and so on...

For those who don't respond by Sunday, Nov 25, that's fine, come, bring your work and I'll try to alot for some "extra" time, to get to any who remain, or have something more they would like to read.

Salem Chapter Willamette Writers!

On October 30, 2007 the Willamette Writers Board of directors unanimously decided to approve the start of a chapter in Salem, Oregon! Thanks to all those who saw the flyers and contacted me and told their fellowing writing friends to do the same.

The next board meeting is November 27, 2007 and is free to all members. A budget will be approved and I will introduce my co-representative at that time.

Our first Salem Chapter meeting will be in January, date-to-be-determined. Meet and Greet opportunity will be Friday, November 16. Contact me for further details.

If you're interested in learning more about Willamette Writers or the new Salem Chapter, please contact SalemChapter@aol.com

Willamette Writers is considering a Salem Chapter! If you're interested in a chapter coming to Salem Oregon, please e-mail me by October 28, 2007. With chapters in Portland, Eugene, Medford and the Oregon Coast, Salem wants to get added to the list. The board of directors will be voting on this matter at the next meeting. If you're a writer, know a writer, or want to be writer, e-mail SalemChapter@aol.com

I write mainstream literary fiction novels. My writing is dialogue-driven with compelling characters who have depth. I love creating dynamic people and sharing their stories. People are interesting creatures and as it turns out, we learn through someone else's mistakes at times. My characters endure life at its worst and best, they fail, they succeed, and hopefully they teach us all, where we're going and where we don't want to go. Currently, my fan-base is friends and family, those who've read my work and some who haven't. I'm actively searching for an agent, who will fall in love with my characters and their lives, as much as I have, and who will help me polish and sell my books to the right publisher, so my work can touch the masses.

Writing is my passion. And is there any place better to write, than in the great state of Oregon? It's beautiful here and I love the rain!