Linda Kozar's Book Launch Lunch--click to enlarge

Please RSVP your attendance as there is limited seating. zarcom1@aol.com

Thanks--Linda

WOTS October Meeting

The atmosphere at our October 1st meeting was similar to a family reunion. Everyone was so glad to see each other after the long weeks after hurricane Ike. All of us were amazed that our families survived without television and the internet, passing the hours by playing games and (gasp!) talking to each other.
We welcomed our guest, Debbie Browne. Debbie had been looking for a group in the area and contacted one person, who lead her to another, who lead her to another…until she found WOTS.
Our silly hat contest was held right before lunch, and it was so much fun! The brave entrants were: Linda Kozar, in her red shriner’s hat, Cathy Messecar, with her white-wired hat, and Martha Rogers, who was decked out in a stars and stripes straw election hat. Cathy won first place and was awarded the prize we all coveted, earrings designed and fashioned by Dannelle Woody.
Janice Thompson, multi-talented editor, freelance writer AND ACFW’s 2008 mentor of the year (way to go, Janice!) shared on the subject of ghostwriting…the phantom pen. The candles on the table flickered as Janice, standing under a spider webbed chandelier, talked about the ups and downs of ghostwriting. For those who don’t know, a ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, stories or other things which are credited to another person. It’s a behind the scenes work. Ghost writing can be a viable way for a writer to make a living, i.e. pay those Texas size light bills. Janice stated that while some writer’s may not like doing this kind of work, as a professional writer she finds the work fulfilling. Janice went on to explain that she is a huge believer in making other people’s dreams come true and that ghost writing is a way she can help someone achieve that dream.

New Speaker for November! Gayle Wigglesworth

There's been a change in speakers for Wednesday, November 5th at Pappadeaux, I-45 The Woodlands. . .We're pleased to announce that Gayle Wigglesworth will teach a workshop on Mystery Writing, "How I Became a Mystery Writer." She's a multi-published author who lives in Kingwood.

I was scheduled to speak, but have decided to have a book launch lunch at a Chinese Restaurant instead. (Details Soon!)

Gayle's set of travel mysteries, titled Claire Gulliver Mysteries (Koenisha Publications) are:

Tea is for Terror
Washington Weirdos
Intrigue in Italics
Cruisin' for a Bruisin'
Malice in Mexico

A booksigning will follow.

Here's a recent review of Tea is for Terror: http://charsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-tea-is-for-terror.html

Gayle Wigglesworth
Much of life is a mystery...
Author of the Claire Gulliver Mysteries
www.gaylewigglesworth.com

Whodunit and How

Mysteries abound in everyday life! There are missing socks that will never be found. Abominable snowmen and Sasquatches waiting to be discovered. A Chuppacabra, a Nessie.
And what ever happened to Amelia Earhart? Why was there only one bathroom in the Brady Bunch house? I mean, there were 8 people--with Alice--9 and only one bathroom? C'mon.
I'm not sure, but I think there's someone coming into my house and just randomly creating messes all over the place--leaving things on the counter, pulling the covers off the beds so they look unmade, dropping crumbs all over the floor, leaving wrappers and half-full glasses everywhere. It's insidious. Someday, I'm gonna nab this person. At first I thought it might possible be my husband and children making these messes, but they emphatically deny it. So I can only jump to the plausible conclusion that an intruder is responsible.
Well anyway--my point is I hope you'll come and see me speak and SIGN my very first cozy mystery novel: Misfortune Cookies on Wednesday, November 5th at Pappadeaux. We're going to solve a mystery together. Are you a natural born sleuth? Do you have what it takes? Find out next month.
AND YES, THERE ARE FUN DOORPRIZES--TWO THIS TIME--AND IF YOU BRING A GUEST YOUR NAME GOES INTO THE HAT FOR A PRIZE AS WELL!

On September 11, 2008, two days before Hurricane Ike barreled across Texas, WOTS members held a flash fiction contest. For those of you who don’t know anything about flash fiction, it is a complete story including character, conflict and climax, consisting of 99 to 1,000 words. Our flash fiction contest had a limit of 99 words with two topics which were titled "dreams" or "duds." We were told to read our stories with emotion, using dramatization. There was much laughter as we took our turns standing in front of our fellow authors, trying to be dramatic. Each story read was wonderful and when it came time to vote it was hard to choose. The three winners of the flash fiction fricassee were Alta Goodnight, Cathy Messecar and Annette O’Hare. "Dud," Alta Goodnight’s story about some friends whispering together in a movie theater came in third place. Alta’s surprise ending made us all laugh. Cathy Messecar's story "Flopsie," about a woman who 'accidently' leaves a ring in her suitor’s car, won second place. Our first place winner was Annette O’Hare with her story titled, "Spellbound." Annette had us rolling in our seats with her dramatization of the evil women in the strange voodoo princess dream. (You had to be there). Annette has my vote for this year’s best actress academy award; her story and acting were superb.