Next NETWO Meeting is

Thursday, July 10, 6:30 p.m.

Western Sizzlin, Mt. Pleasant

LET YOUR

STAR SPANGLED

BANNER

WAVE!

Volume 22, Issue 7

July 2008

BOOK SIGNING AT DAINGERFIELD

Reported by Bryan Freeman

Thanks to the efforts of Sherry Ray and the Friends of the Daingerfield Library, NETWO had a good turn out for a book signing of The Treasure Box on June 26.

Photo by Wally Freeman

The authors in attendance were: Bill Carl, Jackie Brown, Janice Glass, Bryan Freeman, Skip Hughes, Donna Kouba, Sherry Ray, and Allan Smith. Floy Smith also attended.

We sold six books in two hours, for the total sum of $74.80, and gave two autographed copies away: One to the Daingerfield Library and one to the local paper that was there to report on the event.

Kudos go to the Daingerfield Library and Sherry Ray, and especially to the Friends of the Library for their warm hospitality.&

Minutes of June 2008 Meeting

Twenty-two members met at the monthly meeting of the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization held at the Western Sizzlin in Mt. Pleasant, Texas on June 13, 2008. Prospective members also attending were Jerrie Earle/Larry Beard and Lasce/Buddy Beck.

There was no Treasurer’s report.

Old Business:

• The surveys from the April Conference have been reviewed to see what improvements could be made for the 2009 conference. Two negatives discussed during the meeting were the sound system and the difficulty of seeing the speakers.
• NETWO has tentatively made arrangements with Camp Shiloh to have the 2009 Conference.
• Skip Hughes posed the question, “Do we want the conference to keep growing?” Jackie Brown and Jean Pamplin commented that NETWO shouldn’t limit itself and has the capability of becoming a literary center for this part of Texas compared to any major areas, such as Austin.
• From the above discussion, a steering committee was set up to look for ways to involve more members with the different types of genres, not just readings from novels or short stories. The committee members are Jackie Brown, Jean Pamplin, Janice Glass, Michele Chitsey, and Bryan Freeman.
• Skip asked if anyone had any ideas for bookmarks to advertise the club’s anthology, The Treasure Box.
• Bryan stated that 20 copies of the anthology were missing from the conference sales table.
• Jory Sherman is excited about starting a cultural movement in Winnsboro, Texas area at the Oaklea Bed and Breakfast. Skip Hughes will be conducting a poetry workshop entitled, “Poetry---Why? How? During the next four Saturdays, beginning June 14^th.

(Ed. Note: Noted elsewhere in this newsletter further information that the workshop will take place in Pittsburg.)

• Galand Nuchols reported that the Mt. Pleasant Tribune was negative on publishing short stories from NETWO; but, she was glad to report that the East Texas Journal would be interested in viewing short stories approximately 800 to 1200 words. Payment would be to see personal short stories in print. If anyone is interested in submitting, have stories ready to hand in at the monthly meetings.
• Galand thought NETWO could benefit from taking a fifty-dollar ad in the East Texas Journal. Georgia Henson made the motion and Bryan Freeman seconded. The members voted yes.

New Business:

• It was moved and carried by the members present that the officers of 2007-2008 continue for the next year: President – Ted Rankin;

Vice President—Skip Hughes; Treasurer—Pat Hamilton, and Secretary—Michele Chitsey.

• Business meeting adjourned.

Critique Session:

• Jackie Brown continued reading from her Sci-Fi fantasy, Rusty but Unbowed, about an elderly scientist abducted by aliens is promised a new cloned body.
• Bill Carl continued reading from his published novel, The Shadow of God.
• Prospective member, Jerrie Earle-Beard read the beginning of a children’s book about a cat entitled A Day in the Life of Cleo.

• Scott Fitzwater concluded the final chapter of his novel, Saving Moose, about an old man given the chance of redemption by chaperoning teenage boys.
• Georgia Henson shared her short story of a lady named Maud being accused of being involved with the death of two teenagers. She keeps declaring her innocence even as she awakens from her dream.
• New member, DeAnna Hambley read a devotional entitled I Had to Repent. A Christian realizes that she is guilty of judging others by thinking herself too self righteous. <

BITS AND PIECES

The June 2008 issue of East Texas Journal features a story by Sherry Ray, Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization, entitled “Confessions of a Quiltaholic.” It’s a really fun story. Good job, Sherry.

This issue of East Texas Journal also includes the NETWO ad for A Treasure Box on Page 16.

Jean Lauzier (her winning short story appears in this issue of “With Pen in Hand”) has signed a contract with Cyberwizard Productions, an up and coming small press, for her dragon fantasy novel, Dragons of Jade. They are planning a late spring or early summer release. Congratulations, Jean!

* * * * * * * *

If you would not be forgotten,

As soon as you are dead and rotten,

Either write things worth reading,

Or do things worth the writing.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

BRYAN FREEMAN

A Profile

By Jackie Brown

Bryan Freeman was born on

March 30, 1935, in a small town called Port Washington on Long Island, New York, on the north shore. His parents moved often in Bryan’s early years. He attended seven different grade schools till he got to high school, where he stayed the full four years.

Bryan has taken many courses and attended several colleges since then; when he saw a course that made him curious, he wanted to find out about it. He went to Paris Junior College for two years studying small business administration, has taken several online courses from East Texas State College for photography, computers, and the internet, and has received many certificates for other achievements, i.e., for computer programming in the late fifties, a private pilot’s license, a railroad conductor certificate, a recruiter certificate for the National Guard, a concealed handgun instructor certificate from the State of Texas, and a Certificate of Achievement for a short story workshop conducted by Jory Sherman.

As if all this wasn’t enough, he says he has a lifetime Marriage License! He and his wife, Wally, operated a small business for thirty years. He says Wally has been one of the biggest influences in his life, as she always tells him, “You can do it!” Another good friend has also told him that he can do anything. When a friend of 63 years tells you that, you have to believe it.

Bryan likes all genres of literature, except romance. And he is tired of war stories, although he used to like them once, a long time ago. For the past thirty years he says he’s been collecting cartoons, and cutting out anything from the paper or a magazine that would make him laugh to add to the cartoons.

He has written some essays, fiction, and nonfiction. He likes to take some fact and write a story around it. He’s written some nonfiction essays on a blog. He hopes to write at least one novel, maybe two, true stories, of course, and hopes to finish his autobiography. He says he’s only thirty or forty years behind on that! He likes to listen to classical music when he writes, as it relaxes him and he thinks better.

He’s entered writing contests at the club level, and plans to try others one of these days. And thinks he would enjoy a writing retreat. He wonders if it would be quiet, like a monastery.

He says the members of his writers’ club inspire him to write, no matter how silly his story might be. I can attest to the fact that the stories aren’t silly, but the humor is great! It’s hard not to laugh in all the right places. He’s handy with a camera, too.

Bryan has no favorite historical period, but thinks maybe it hasn’t come yet. He has enjoyed novels by James Michener, Ian Fleming, and Boroughs. He likes best to read historical novels, spy stories, and science fiction.

All that moving about in his early years must have stayed with Bryan. He subscribes to the Texas Highways magazine, and would like to travel to all the places they write about.

He thinks the old stories and plots in the movies of the Forties and Fifties were better than the modern ones, and watches them on the movie channels on television.

Back in high school, Bryan says he liked Physics and girls, and History and girls, and music and accounting and girls, and lunch. That shows fidelity or something, maybe.

He’s not sure how all this sums him up, and says he’ll let other people do that. But about writing, when he meets someone who says they’d like to write, he tells them, “Just try it, and don’t give up.”

I think our members would say that Bryan is best summed up by being a strong club member, one who’s always helpful and willing to do what the club needs, and with a smile, too. That makes him a man of accomplishments. !

EVENTS

“POETRY: WHY & HOW!” Rescheduled

Vice President Skip Hughes has rescheduled his short summer course in reading and writing poetry. Sessions will be held on two Saturdays in July, the 19^th and the 26^th, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., at the Pizza Inn on U.S. Hwy. 271 just north of Pittsburg. Those attending will be encouraged to join the writers’ weekly pizza klatch from 11:30 to 1:00.

“Poetry: Why & How!” is a mini-course in how to listen to great poetry written in English. Participants will take part in readings, and will write and recite poetry of their own. Total tuition for the ten-hour course will be $50, which does not include lunches. For reservations or information, call Skip (903-572-2793), or e-mail difdrumr@countrynet.net.

* * * * * * * *

CALL FOR PAPERS/POETRY/FICTION

New Texas: A Journal of Literature and Culture is a print journal that publishes poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction as well as critical and cultural essays on the subject of Texas.

Poetry: New Texas seeks high quality poems by and/or about Texas. Work should be no longer than four poems for total submission. We prefer poems of fifty lines or less.

Fiction: New Texas seeks strong and innovative fiction either by Texan or, broadly defined, about Texas. Maximum length for fiction is 25 pages. Short-shorts will also be considered.

Non-fiction/criticism: New Texas seeks submissions that reflect the broad, eclectic entity that is modern Texas. Creative non-fiction pieces on any aspect of Texas are also welcome, as are critical and cultural essays that tackle any aspect of Lone Star culture. Papers of 16-25 pages might address (but are not limited to) literature, music, history, society.

Submission guidelines may be found at www.sulross.edu/newtexas. Or with a SASE to:

Laura Payne Butler

Asst. Professor of English

Sul Ross State University

Alpine, TX 79832

(432)837-8151

Submissions for the 2008 issue will be read and considered June through August 2008. !

SECOND PLACE WINNER – SHORT STORY CONTEST

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

By Jean Lauzier

Zara hurried between the two totem poles that marked the entrance of Little Bear's Totem and Wood Carving. Coming to a halt, she looked around. Rows of wooden statues spread out before her. She searched past the hawks, owls and pelicans. Made her way down the row of totems, beavers and life sized bears. Pausing at the end of the last row, Zara looked back the way she had come. "Where are you?" She brushed a damp strand of dark hair from her forehead. "I know you're here somewhere." A chain saw started up in the distance, she turned toward the sound. Felt the call. Saw it behind her.

Zara knelt down in front of the wolf. "Hello beautiful." She reached out a hand as if to let the statue smell and stared into eyes of mahogany. A warm breath tickled her fingers. Gently she placed both hands on the statue's muzzle, caressed it up across the top of the head and around each ear.

"I found you." She sighed, closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the head of the statue. Her fingers sank into soft fur as she stroked the warm wood, the smell of forest and damp earth filled her nostrils. The faint sound of war drums matched the rhythm of her beating heart.

"Can I help you miss?"

Zara started, lost her balance, grabbed a handful of fur and steadied herself. She turned to the voice.

"Sorry miss, didn't mean to startle you." He wiped his palm on sawdust-covered jeans, held it out to her. "I'm George Little Bear. I see Tayla likes you."

Zara took his hand. Rough and calloused by hard work, the grip was firm. "I'm Zara. Who's Tayla and what do you mean she likes me?" Her hand reached down to the statue at her side and stroked its head.

"Tayla, that's what I call her," he nodded toward the carved wolf, "and as far as her liking you...I'd say she does. Her ears are pricked, she has a happy smile and I think I saw her wag her tail a moment ago." He smiled, his eyes teasing her then motioned toward a log. "Have a seat and I'll tell you about her." He settled onto a nearby stump.

Zara moved a block of wood next to Tayla, sat and wrapped her arm around the statue's neck.

"Many, many years ago," his voice soft and caressing, "my people were being driven from their homes by the white men that invaded the land. They killed the buffalo. The bellies of the elders and children cried out for food. The tribal leaders knew they had only two choices, to fight or to leave. They chose to stay but the weapons of the tribe were no match for the guns of the white men. One day, as if in answer to their prayers, a trader came into their village. He had

many guns to sell. My people knew if they had guns they could defend their homes but they had nothing to trade for them."

"So what happened?" Zara leaned forward. Her hand caressed Tayla's flattened ears, ruffled the fur on her neck.

"My people were sad they could not purchase the weapons they needed," he continued. His gaze rested on the statue then met Zara's. "But they were honorable and would not steal. As the man was about to leave the village, he saw the chief's daughter Tayla coming in from the forest. His heart was touched by her beauty and he desired her greatly. He told the chief of his desire for her and that he would trade the guns for Tayla. The chief refused to trade his daughter. But after much talk she convinced her father it was the right thing. The man promised to treat her with respect and dignity but soon his heart turned bitter because she did not love him."

He cleared his throat, gazed at the statue then stared at his boots. "No one knows for certain what happened," he looked up at Zara. "Soon, he came to hate her beauty as much as he had once loved it. In his bitterness, he decided if Tayla no longer were beautiful, she would have to love him. He had her beaten many days, fed her scraps from his table and cursed her when she would not love him. Tayla honored her promise to remain with the trader but prayed asking for help. The Great Spirit was angry at the way she was being treated. And, the Great Spirit was awed by her strength and courage. Because of the sacrifice she made for her people, the Great Spirit turned her into a beautiful wolf. The next morning, the white man was dead. His throat had been ripped out; bloody wolf prints left a trail out the door and into the forest. Tayla was never seen again."

Zara let out the breath she had been holding. "Wow." She looked at the statue, ran a hand down its back. "Is she for sale?"

*

Zara kicked the door closed, her arms full of wolf statue. "We're home Tayla." She dropped her keys and purse onto the couch, "Now, where will I put you?" She gazed around the room. "There, by the fireplace. That will be perfect." She slid the box of kindling across the hearth with her foot, then set the statue where it had been. "What do you think girl? You can see the whole room from here." Crossing the room, Zara opened the sliding glass door and walked out on the deck. In the next yard, a large shepherd mix barked furiously at her. "Relax Rex, it's just me." He barked one last time, whined and waved his bushy tail side to side. "Good dog, Rex". Back inside, she made her way to the fireplace and sat next to the statue. She wrapped her arms around its neck, buried her face in the warm fur. A light breeze caressed her skin, the faint smell of wood smoke and laughter surrounded her.

The clock on the mantle struck six as the key turned in the lock, bringing her back to the present. "Please God, don't let him be drinking, please let him be in a good mood."

"Hey babe, I'm home! What's for dinner?" Brian slammed the door, dropped his keys to the floor. "Damn." He kicked the keys to one side, "Bring me a beer, I'm thirsty!"

Zara rushed to the kitchen, took a can from the fridge, hurried back to the living room. Brian stood staring at the statue. She swallowed hard, went to him. "Here's your beer. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes."

He snatched the can from her. "You lazy bitch! Out spending my money when you should be home taking care of your duties. How much did you pay for this piece of crap?" He

gulped down the beer, crushed the empty can and tossed it toward the waste basket. "Get me another, bitch."

Zara returned with a second beer and handed it to him. "She didn't cost anything. He gave her to me on the condition I...."

The slap took her by surprise, made her eyes water. She reached up and touched the side of her face.

"You've been cheating on me haven't you!" He took a step toward her, opened the beer.

"I haven't...honest. He gave her to me...so I could tell people where I got her...so he could get more customers." She backed up a step, bumped into the coffee table. Magazines spilled to the floor. "He said she was special, that she would bring good luck."

"Don't lie to me bitch." He took a long drink. Beer dribbled down his chin; he used his sleeve to wipe it. "I always knew you were a slut." He slapped her again, knocking her to the floor.

"I didn't do anything." She scooted across the polished hardwood. Backed into the wall...watched him come toward her. "Honest, I didn't do anything." She wrapped her arms around her knees then hid her face, closed her eyes. Please God, don't let him hit me again.

Zara listened to his steps, heard him bump into the coffee table. "Son of a bitch, I'm going to get you for that." The can crushed in his hand, hit the wall beside her. She flinched. Angry barking and the rattle of a chain filled the silence. A low growl echoed around the room.

"You're not worth the effort, lazy slut, get out of my sight."

Zara scrambled to her feet, almost ran to the bedroom. She closed the door, wished she dared lock it then collapsed onto the bed. "Please let him pass out soon." Hugging a pillow to herself she curled up and rocked back and forth.

*

Sunshine streamed through the lace curtains waking Zara with a start. Oh geeze, nine o'clock. Please let him be gone. She tip toed to the door and opened it. Silence. "Brian, are you still here?" Please let him be gone. The ticking from the mantle clock echoed around the living room, bounced off the walls. Her gaze rested on the couch. Blood spray covered the plaid material. Brian lay there, partially covered with a pink throw, his eyes wide with fear. An arm covered his throat. Blood covered his arm, face and sleeves. Bloody paw prints circled the coffee table and smeared the throw rugs.

Zara stared at the scene then turned to the statue. "You did this. You growled. I heard you. I felt you. I didn't imagine it." Eyes focused on Tayla, she made her way to the phone. She lifted the handset, walked over to the fireplace and sat next to Tayla. She put her arm around the statue. "You really are special."

"I'd like to report a dead body," she said to the 911 operator. Tayla gently wagged her tail. t