June’s Writer Feature

KWA’s June Writer Feature: Carol Englehaupt

Carol writes middle grade, adult cozy mystery, fantasy, and YA paranormal as C.L. Roth.

Her current work in progress is the sequel to her middle grade fantasy, Cosmic Shift, titled Cosmic Chaos.

Writing has given her a separate life from her son, an artist with cerebral palsy. “I am a full-time caregiver. Writing allows me to be ‘me’ and not an extension of somebody else.”

When asked what she would like to pass along to fellow writers, she replied, “Learn the craft to the best of your ability and get your social networking in place way before you need it.”

Carol’s latest release, Bone Weary is available now at Amazon, Createspace, and Barnes and Noble.

When her husband quits his job to take an extended vacation to Australia, a woman and her disabled son head for Weary, KS. She didn’t count on a town-wide feud, a stalker, or bones in the fruit cellar.

Want more from Carol? Keep up with her at her site.

Arlene Rains Graber, Featured KWA Writer

Arlene Rains Graber shows style and a great deal of writing flexibility in her two chosen genres. She says, “I write Women’s Fiction, both secular and Christian.” This diversity has led to success, as she is writing the third book in her series, A Plane Tree in Provence.

Asked about her authorial beginnings, she remembers: “On the advice of a book doctor, I pitched an idea to a publisher about writing a non-fiction devotional book on my travels.” The pitch apparently worked because Devoted to Traveling: Inspirational Experiences of a Traveler became available in 2010.

Arlene admits that writing isn’t always a joy. She is “not sure what or where I would be without my writing. I admit some days it brings joy, but other days it is quite frustrating. I dwell on the good days and take off for a very long walk on the bad ones.”

She has found inspiration by attending conferences and lectures. “Joining a critique group,” she writes, “has proved invaluable for me.” She goes on to advise that new writers always have at least three people look over writing and edit, edit, edit.

Arlene’s Christian novel, Angel on My Shoulder, is a novel of Pringle Taylor. “A Teacher in Brooklyn, New York, Pringle must decide what to do next, after she loses her job and says “Yes” to a marriage proposal.”

The second book in the Plane Tree Series, The Cape Elizabeth ocean Avenue Society, has just been released. “Will these five women return from France and change their lives at home?” Both are available from Amazon.

To read more from Arlene and to see upcoming announcements of her work, visit her website.

Wes Brummer, Featured KWA Writer

Wes Brummer still laments the end of the Bar None candy bar. He probably wishes he had one to crunch through while working on his novel, Dust and Roses, a historical of Depression-era Kansas. History is what Wes loves. He writes, I feel a story makes the history more alive and compelling. It doesn’t matter if it is far-fetched, as long as the setting is accurate and the characters are well driven.”

Wes is the recipient of several awards from the 2012 KWA Poetry and Prose Contest. The first chapter of his novel won 2^nd place, and his story Ghost of a Chance won both 1st place in Short Fiction AND 3^rd place in Humor! You can read both by downloading our contest anthology, Words out of the Flatlands. You can also read more from Wes by visiting his blog, Journey of a Novelist.

When asked about what this writer is reading, Wes acknowledges his latest resolution: “Read Local. Forget those NYT bestselling authors.” He does his best to support his fellow KWA members.

As for advice for writers, Wes admits, “Hey, I’m just starting out!” but goes on to say, “be sure to follow through with the promises you make in a story. Deliver on everything… If you talk about the possibility of something, either deliver it or take it out.”

Wise words from a great writer!

Jennifer Stinger, Featured KWA Writer

It is with distinct pleasure that we profile our intrepid KWA Newsletter editor, Jennifer Stinger. While you may not recognize her face, you have definitely seen her work if you have read a recent newsletter. Like many of our KWA membership, Jennifer struggles to find time to write between her full-time job, and raising a two-year-old and a teenager. When she does find time, she is working on a modern romance set in northwest Texas. Elements include childhood friends that are reunited years later, family and loss, and helping the one you love come back from their darkest place in the midst of life-threatening danger.

Jennifer does admit, however, that she feels “other settings are just waiting for me to find the time. I like writing romance because it’s something that almost everyone can relate to. I also like writing fantasy because it challenges the reader to reach into something that’s unknown and new.”

Jennifer isn’t just a writer. Her digital art combines vibrant color and animated graphic elements to create pieces that are visually stunning. You can see more here: http://mrsno6.deviantart.com/ .

Jennifer’s favorite author is Diana Gaboldon. She says, “My aunt introduced me to her books and for the longest time, I was waiting on pins and needles until the next book would come out.”

As for advice for writers, Jennifer pushes for the passionate approach! “Be fearless! Don’t worry about what it looks like, grammar, or spelling. This is coming from someone that had to overcome the hurdle of editing as I was writing, which would burn me out and lead to nothing but frustration.” So let’s write on!

Katherine Pritchett, Featured KWA Writer

Katherine Pritchett is a gal that says she has “rarely met a book I didn’t like.” A prolific writer and collaborator, Katherine considers herself primarily a novelist, although she has written articles, papers and policy at work. She says that she loves “the luxury afforded by the word count to dig deep into the characters and the complex events that shape them.”

Several projects are in the works:

For short pieces, Katherine writes two blogs. Through My Window expresses living with an attitude of gratitude, of being thankful for things often taken for granted. Diary of a Wimpy Dog chronicles her life with a manipulative Labrador retriever, and their other animal friends.

Katherine’s current project, Dr. Wonderful, is a romance between a surgeon and a paramedic.

When popular surgeon Rand McQuarrie challenges female paramedic Kris Evans, she dares him to observe a shift with her crew. Together they fight to save a patient and find the beginnings of mutual respect. The respect grows into attraction, despite misunderstandings and conflicts. The many demands of their jobs place on them is part of the conflict, and they struggle to find time to be together. And when they finally agree on a future, it is suddenly placed in jeopardy.

Her Richard Matthews novels, More Than a Point of Honor and The Judas Seat, are available at Barnes & Noble.

Katherine has also collaborated on a novel with her critique group: Baby Makes Three . Inspired by the life of a famous stripper who married a billionaire, had a baby and then died, leaving paternity of the baby in question, this book explores how it COULD have happened.

Katherine notes that new writers should “Never go with your first draft. Write, re-write, re-write again, edit some more, have others read it, then let it sit under the bed for six months to a year and edit again before you even consider it ready. And to quote Winny Churchill, “Never, never, never give up.”

For more news and information about Katherine Pritchett’s work, visit Ramblings about Life and Writing.

Michael Watson, Featured KWA Writer

Meet Michael Watson. He mostly writes historical action/adventure, 1950s, but has written short stories and a western. He finds that writing “is a constant learning experience” that has caused him to notice the world around him more.

Michael’s newest book, Treasure of the Anasazi, is part of his Jack Trader series, currently available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace. His readers will be happy to learn that he is currently working on the 3^rd book in the series.

His favorite writer is Clive Cussler, considered by many to be the greatest action/adventure writer. Michael’s advice to new writers is “don’t impede the creative process by obsessing over ‘rules’ of writing. First get the story out.” To read more of Mike’s adventures, visit his website at http://www.adventurewithmike.com.

Samantha LaFantasie, Featured KWA Writer

Yes, she’ll tell you, her last name really is LaFantasie. And that’s fitting because Samantha mainly writes fantasy. Her most recent novel, Heart Song, is an adult fantasy with lots of romance, available via Createspace and/or Amazon Kindle. She currently has been working on the first of a series of novellas, Made to Forget, that she hopes to make available this summer.

Samantha believes that writing fantasy suits her best. She writes, “I love that there are very little rules to follow when writing fantasy. It can be as varied as you would like it to be, as fantastical or mundane.” When asked how writing has impacted her life, Samantha notes, “Each day I remember something from my past that has come about from writing. From poetry and songwriting from my younger school years to the more serious undertaking of novels in recent years, writing has been my therapy.” Samantha admits that while she got her reading start on R.L. Stine, she became addicted to fantasy with Weis and Hickman’s Dragonlance series.

For advice for new writers, Samantha admonishes that “It doesn’t matter how much or what you write. Just write. And don’t pay too much attention to the specific mechanics either. You’ll find that they change with each person—which also says that there’s no right way to write!”

To read more from Samantha LaFantasie, visit www.samanthalafantasie.com.

Everett Robert, Featured KWA Writer

Our Debut KWA Member Profile showcases playwright Everett Robert.

Everett loves the theater and writes, “ When the opportunity to dip my finger into playwriting arose, I jumped at it and haven’t looked back.” He goes on to say that he loves “creating a world and characters and being able to physically see them brought to life by actors.”

Everett’s current work-in-progress is a play called “The Three Challenges of Puss in Boots” for Theater for Young Audiences (TYA). He believes that being a “writer has allowed me to see my works performed in venues that I never would have dreamed of, in front of people I never would have expected.” Through Everett’s plays, students have been exposed to pieces of classic literature, such as Alice in Wonderland and Tom Sawyer.

Everett is an avid reader, enjoying Neil Gaiman, Lisa Mantchev, William Shakespeare, Eugene O’Neill, Neil Simon, David Mamet, Elmore Leonard, and Stephen King.

Not just a reader and writer, Everett is also an actor. From April 25-27^th, he’ll be performing with his 3-man Troop, The Way-Out-West Players, an original play called “The Fastest Play in The West” at the Bake-off At High Noon in Meade, Kansas.

Everett’s most well-known play currently is “The Absolutely True Story of Tom Sawyer as Told by Becky Thatcher.” One reviewer writes, “So, you think you know what Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn were up to back when they were supposed to be painting Aunt Polly’s fence? Well, think again. Becky Thatcher clues us in on the real story. Everett Robert skillfully mixes the events as told by Mark Twain with scenes depicting what Becky Thatcher claims really happened— all in great fun and with charming humor. The playing of the traditional scenes provides a great opportunity to relive your favorite moments from “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” as retold by Mark Twain while experiencing something fresh from the imagination of one of our best new children’s authors, Everett Robert. And you’ll never guess how Becky Thatcher came to know so much!”

Royalties and scripts can be purchased a Heartland Plays. To read more about Everett and to see video of his work, visit Emergency Room Productions.

Member Profiles

As we continue to improve our website platform, the KWA would like to provide a new venue for our members to share profiles, information about upcoming releases, and their personal website information. Periodically, we want to showcase what our wonderful members are up to! That means we’ll need our members to provide us with great biographical and authorial information.

Be prepared to answer some questions, like: Writer’s Name (this may be different than your ‘real name,’ but since we are in the business of promoting you as a writer, give us the name you would like the public to know you by); and Email (this would be only for the Website Coordinator to contact you about the date when your profile would be featured).

The questions are to help us describe you to our website visitors. Anything you write will be recast in third person. Feel free to leave questions blank if they don’t apply to you at this time. Each feature will be approximately 200-500 words, depending on the amount of information you provide.

Are you a member of KWA interested in doing a writer’s profile? Click the link below and fill out the electronic form. April Pameticky will then be in contact with you about when your profile will be shared online. It is our goal to do several member profiles a month, promoting through Twitter and Facebook. Feel like your ready? Great! Let’s click and go!

http://KWA.form2go.com/83566.html