Our Felonius Field Trip Pictures! Check these out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80864865@N00/sets/72157622748727584/show/with/4081370668/

Vist Annette O'Hare's  Link to Flickr to view more photos.

Our group was treated to a VIP visit to the museum by retired prison warden Jim Willet, who was an overseer over many executions. Many items of interest captured our interest (excuse the pun) and some of us did time behind bars (see Janetta, Annette and Linda). For an extra $3 we could have donned prison stripes to have our picture taken, but we passed on that since we were anxious to get to the restaurant before the rest of Huntsville got there. Good thing we did, Buses full of politicians, squad cars packed with police and beamers full of businesswomen showed up and stood in line.

We'll let you know about upcoming field trips in 2010. They're fun!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Spooky, Scary Flash Fiction Winners--October 28th, 2009 are. . .

From left: Scott Hall (3rd plaee), Alta Goodnight (1st place) Karen Hood (2nd place)

Linda Kozar, WOTS Prez & Ostrich Wrangler

HERE ARE TWO OF THE WINNING ENTRIES:


DINNER I                 FIRST PLACE

(Secular fiction: 98 words, including prompt)

by Alta Goodnight

Looking for the black top hat in the pitch black room wasn’t easy, but it was the key to solving…everything.

My eyes adjusted to darkness, and I saw it. Up side down like a vase—bracing two small, plump, bare legs.

Was this the boy I’d searched for since morning?

Did his legs connect to a body with blood still flowing through its veins?

            I stepped forward and sniffed the air.

The smell of terror.

I’d found him!

            I took another step and whispered. “Here I come.”

I sucked drool from my fangs when dinner begged for mercy.
The Hollow Truth                SECOND PLACE
by Karen E Hood


Looking for the black top hat in the pitch black room wasn’t easy, but it was the key to solving the truth. Thaddeus, determined to find the hat worn by his great grandfather Ichabod Crane, slipped into the parlor. He felt along the wall looking for any sign of a hidden compartment when someone grabbed his arm. Thaddeus yelped.
Out of the dark came a low growl, “What are you doing in here?” Nathaniel Van Brunt, master of the family estate in the Hollow, tightened his grip.
Thaddeus jerked free, “Where is it?”
“Where is what?”
“The hat.”
Nathaniel gave a menacing sneer, “Let me show you.” The bookcase shifted.
Thaddeus Crane was never seen again.

Our October 8th Meeting With Kim Woodhouse

Writers On The Storm teamed up with a local Christian Writers Group, Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild to host author/speaker Kimberley Woodhouse, Extreme Family Welcome Home. 

Kim began by encouraging people to buy Pearl Girls, a compilation of encouraging true stories for women she has a story in. Proceeds from all sales go to charity. She then passed around the latest issue of Clubhouse Magazine with a feature about her children.

She then went on to challenge writers to search deep inside and answer honestly why they write.

1. Christian authors should be pointing the way to God, but without bashing people over the head or including a salvation scene in every book.
2. Christian authors should challenge believers.
3. Christian authors should ask themselves why they are writing.

The first thing a Christian writer should do each day is PRAY. Keep that relationship with God strong. Every thing you do in your life from the most important to the most mundane should be an act of worship.

The featured exercise of the meeting was to have everyone bring the first paragraph of their WIP to read aloud for evaluation and it was popular and engaging.  

What do you do when you're at the end of your rope? Tie a knot on the end and swing!

Helpful scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Peter 4:11

Three things you should ask about your WIP:

1. Does it engage the reader?

2. Does it make you ask questions?

3. Does it make you want to turn the page?

Upcoming Writers Conferences--Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Conferernce

The Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild (www.christianwritersguild.com) exists to train writers through our correspondence writing courses, the Writing for the Soul conference, critique service, and novel contest. I am wondering if your Chapter would be interested in receiving information about these?

Our courses are Apprentice (two-year introduction to fiction and non-fiction writing), Journeyman (one-year course with a fiction or non-fiction concentrate), and Craftsman (one-year fiction and non-fiction, with 5-day residency with Jerry B. Jenkins and others). Our next Fiction Craftsman course will be starting in January, 2010.

We also have two Concentrated Courses: “Fiction that Sells” is our four-month long course, “Articles that Sell” is our six-month long course. These concentrated courses costs significantly less than our other courses.

Our Writing for the Soul conference is February 18 – 21 in Denver, Colorado. Keynote speakers include Max Lucado, Philip Yancey, and Phil Vischer. Other speakers and class instructors include Jerry B. Jenkins, Bob Hostetler, Kendra Smiley, James Watkins, James Scott Bell, Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Michelle Medlock Adams, and others. For more information about the Writing for the Soul conference, please visit this link on our website: http://www.christianwritersguild.com/conferences/default.asp

Those who register for any course, the conference, or membership during the month of October will receive an initiation to participate in a free Thick-Skinned Critique Webinar with Jerry B. Jenkins.

BREAK-OUT of your Routine:) Join us for a felonious field trip!

to the 

Texas Prison Museum!

THOSE WHO HAVE RSVP'D SO FAR: ALTA GOODNIGHT, LINDA KOZAR, JANETTA MESSMER, ANNETTE O'HARE,

Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th, we will meet at Sam Moon on 1-45 at 9:00 AM. It takes about an hour to get to Huntsville (but its worth it). Besides rare collectible items on display, like a pistol from the final shootout with the famed Bonnie and Clyde duo, there are an array of fascinating exhibits featuring the lives of some of the prisoners in audio format, art and weapons made by prisoners from interesting items (like toilet paper or soap) etc. Of course, what visit to the Huntsville Prison would be complete without seeing Old Sparky, the infamous electric chair utilized in 361 executions from 1924-1964:

Unique Audio Exhibit

Capital Punishment Exhibit

Prison Contraband Exhibit

Inmate Art

Prison Hardware

Texas Prison Museum 

http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/index.html 

491 Highway SH 75 North Huntsville, TX 77320-1119

Exit #118 from I-45. Museum is located off the east side feeder road.

(936) 295-2155

Hours

• Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm
• Sunday, noon to 5:00pm
• Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, December 31, and New Year's Day. Also closed December 27, 2009

Admission Fees

• Adults: $4.00
• Children 6 to 17: $2.00
• Children under 6: Free
• Seniors (60+), TDCJ employees, and TDCJ Retirees: $3.00
• SHSU students: $3.00 (student i.d. card required)

The museum accepts Mastercard and Visa. Special weekday group tours and rates available by appointment. AAA Discounts available.


AND OF COURSE WE PLAN TO HAVE A DEE-LISH-US LUNCH AT THE FARMHOUSE CAFE AFTERWARD! THE FOOD IS SO GOOD, I THINK IT COMES "DEREKLY" FROM GOD'S KITCHEN!

News From Janice Thompson

Fools Rush In is a contender for the ACFW Book of the Month (for the month of December). Are you a member of that group? If so, I'd be tickled if you would consider voting for the book. Right now it's in second place. :)

I've been waiting on pins and needles to make this announcement, and now I can! With the help of the fantabulous blog designer, Heather Tipton, I now have a "Weddings by Bella" blog. If you enjoyed FOOLS RUSH IN (or one day HOPE to enjoy it), would you consider following me at:  http://bit.ly/RDg5l.

Fools Rush In is about a large, quirky (VERY quirky) Italian family, so we'll be talking a lot about Italian food. In fact, I'll be hosting contests to see whose recipes will appear in Aunt Rosa's cookbook. Because the story is set in Texas (and has a hunky Texas cowboy hero), we'll be talking about yummy cowboys, as well. (Can I get an Amen?) My heroine is a wedding planner who does themed weddings, so we'll have plenty of opportunity to chat about weddings (and wedding fiascos). What fun! The book also has a strong Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra theme, so expect to hear a lot of chatter on the Rat Pack, as well. 

Thanks for letting me share. I'm tickled pink to finally have this site up and running. The folks at Revell were so gracious to allow Heather (heatherdianetipton@gmail.com) to use the artwork from the book to design the blog. It really sets the tone for the blog and makes my heart very happy!

That's Amore, Y'all!

Janice Hanna Thompson

"Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters!"

www.janiceathompson.com

JUST RELEASED: 

Fools Rush In (Revell)

Love Finds You in Poetry Texas (Summerside)

Email for an autographed copy today! 

Field Trip to Sam Houston Today--October 23, 2009

A light gray cloud cover and cooler temps offered up a perfect, blessed atmosphere for our trip to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Texas.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Huntsville is named for the very same Huntsville in Alabama? The reason--settlers from Huntsville, Alabama migrated to Texas, found the area pleasant and reminiscent of their home and named it accordingly.

Our field trip today was almost a no-go! Everyone cancelled with the exception of Annette O'Hare and myself! But the good news is, it turned into a VIP tour for just the two of us. A docent led us through the entire grounds, filling our heads with fascinating tidbits of history, the Houston family, customs, clothing, politics etc. She even showed us the herb garden and gave us samples of Sweet Annie, Cinnamon Basil, Lemongrass and Sweet Geranium. The scent of each was captivating but I have to say my favorite was sweet geranium. It was often used to line a cake pan before baking to add a fragrant scent and delicate flavor to the batter. Annette's favorite (tell me if I'm wrong my friend) was Sweet Annie, a light green multi-stemed flower with tiny yellow blossoms. Annette sniffed deeply and declared, "It smells like Christmas!"

We could share soooooo much more. The problem is--there's sooooo much more! I took notes on certain items of special interest and plan to incorporate them into future writing projects.

Afterwards, we went to lunch at The Farmhouse Cafe--a quaint little place tucked lovingly in an off-the-beaten-path spot. The location certainly had no adverse effects on customers. The place was chock full of people with satisfied smiles on their faces.

The yumfest began when our waiter delivered fresh-baked yeast rolls, butter and berry jam. The lunch special on Wednesday was homemade chicken and dumplings, purple hull peas and hand-battered fried okra. We washed it all down with sweet tea and a slice of chocolate pie like mama used to make!

Annette and I decided our next field trip will be to the Huntsville Prison--Old Sparky awaits. We'll let you know when that one is in the works AND of course we'll have to eat at The Farmhouse Cafe. . .