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10
Nov 2009

Sporkette Gazette – November 10, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 12

By sporkette

SPORKETTE GAZETTE
http://www.sporkettegazette.com/
November 10, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 12

Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette), Publisher
Contact Sporkette!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Ramblings
Sporkette Hachette
Carter Bentley Interview
Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest Winner
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
End Ramblings
Notice
Copyright Information
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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Ramblings
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Hey, Folksy-Wolksees!

How ya’ll doing? Hope great!

Congratulations to Alina Oswald for her new photography book The Best of MJ – a photo book of her favorite male model. And if you didn’t get a chance to see the USS New York on television news or anywhere else, you might want to check out the famous ship’s historic arrival to New York by visiting Alina Oswald’s online photography portfolio.

I added The Three Goblins e-book and some deer images as free downloads at Patricia Spork, and an old personal essay (“Deer Hunter Heart Throbs“)  that has Reprint Rights. Other items have been added for members only. To see them, click on each blog post title at “Just So Ya Know“.

Since Halloween is past now, I’m offering a Halloween Special Deal at Digital Frolic, which contains 9 Halloween digital products.  It’s a limited offer, for 31 sales only. At $7.00, you can hardly beat the deal, especially since it includes my Halloween Wallpaper and Ecards graphics package. :0)

Check out my “Turkey Head Obama” wallpaper image at Sporkette. It’s a free download, so get it if ya like it. I’m using the image as my profile background at my favorite social media site.

Sorrel Sunflower has a couple of new products added, while eBookMouse and Resell Ebooks Buzz await input to them. Yes, seems I’m slow maintaining sites, but ya know, I do have a life to spend offline, too. LOL!

I’ll soon be relaunching SporkBinge, which, for now, is redirected to PS site. When the domain name is on its own again, it will be my interview site for Texas musicians only. The first interview, with Carter Bentley (rhythm guitarist for the band LIVESTOCK), is being first published in this issue of Sporkette Gazette. You can read the interview with Carter further below.

Before long, I’ll be reading a couple of new books, so expect more writer interviews and book reviews within the next few months.

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Sporkette

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Sporkette Hachette
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“Do you play any instruments?“  ~Texas Musician

Sporkette: Yes, I do. Years ago, I played drums in bands for extra income. I
I also did vocals, as a lead singer or back-up harmony. I no longer own a set of drums, for literally got tired of hauling them around and dealing with flaky male musician egos. LOL! No offense, fella. :0)

I’m fairly decent playing rhythm on acoustic guitar, mandolin and autoharp. And….I play some “mean” spoons. LOL! Also have a little experience with other instruments, like tambourine, keyboard, harmonica and bongos, to name a few.

I haven’t played much of anything since my 19-year-old son died 12/26/00 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. When he died, the music died within me. But recently, been feeling vibes heavy, so am again picking and strumming on my guitar and mandolin. Seems love for music never fades, nor does the love for my son, who always joked about my singing. Hahahah.

***

“I hate your political art! You can’t even draw! Why don’t you give it up?” ~Obama Supporter

Sporkette: Because I like to draw (whether anyone thinks I can or not) and hate Obama’s policies. Why don’t you give him up?

****
Click here to Hatchette out with Sporkette. By sending an e-mail, you automatically grant Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) the right to publish and archive the content from your e-mail in any online Sporkette Gazette issue at any time. Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) has sole right to decline or publish any e-mail content submitted to her without notification to anyone.
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Carter Bentley Interview
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A few months ago, I sent interview questions to a songwriter/musician I’d met on a social media site. Previously, this person had offered a free copy of his CD, which I requested and received. After listening to the CD, I decided to request an interview with him. He agreed, but never returned the completed interview. Maybe I disgruntled him somehow, which is easy for me to do to folks, since I’m so opinionated at times. LOL!

Anyhoo, I ran an online ad seeking local Texas musicians to interview. Carter Bentley was the first musician to respond to the ad. Thank you, Carter!

CarterBentlyDPT Carter Bentley resides in Tyler, Texas, and is the rhythm guitarist for the East Texas band LIVESTOCK. He is also the band’s vocalist and songwriter…and driver of the Winnebago. Carter believe’s his band is “100% different, and not defined by any one “genre” of music” and feels their sound is “similar to Green Day meets ZZ Top“. He states, referring to Livestock, that the band is “not a country band,” but is “Hard Corn“.

Livestock mainly practices and records in Dallas, Texas. As for the band’s music, Carter states: “…some of the music may be unsuitable for small children and certain family functions. It is 100% politically incorrect, yet quite relevant in many ways.” (Carter is referring to songs, like Livestock’s “Chlamydia,” which placed 26th in a www.OurStage.com competition. He feels “Chlamydia is one of the fastest spreading STDs in America and this song brings awareness in an entertaining way.“)

Carter Bentley’s biggest influence is Frank Zappa. His other interests include instrumental jazz, classical, reggae and old school punk. As for his songwriting, Carter states: “When I write music or lyrics, I don’t subscribe to any one genre, but ‘protest song’ is a good place to start. There’s plenty of inspiration and material to work with!” His major goal as a songwriter and musician is “…to have a message and not rely on mainstream commercial potential.”

So, with great appreciation and admiration, I present my interview with Carter Bentley:

SPORKETTE: How did the band and band name “Livestock” originate?

CARTER BENTLEY: The name is ‘tongue in cheek’ description of the way that our mass of humanity is basically lumped together as one group. ‘Sheeple’ is so cliché…but I have this mental image of ‘cattle cars’ full of people…’livestock’…would live their very controlled lives being herded from here to there, always doing what they are told, eating what they are given, or allowed to graze on, and never really looking up to see what is happening.  It’s my overall perception of humanity.

SPORKETTE: Why do you consider Livestock to be “100% different and not defined by any ‘genre’ of music”?

CARTER BENTLEY: I write songs that are rock, reggae, country, metal, punk, ballads, and the occasional polka. If ‘protest songs’ is a genre, then that would probably best describe what my objective is. I would like to reach out to as many listeners as possible, and playing in only one style limits potential audience. It is different because not many main stream artists have the intestinal fortitude to touch these subjects, as it may contribute to a decline in sales or support from a label. I, on the other hand, have nothing to lose, so my stance is ‘even bad publicity is still publicity’.

SPORKETTE: Why did you choose “Bent Songs” as your label?

CARTER BENTLEY: In this ‘music’ business, it is prudent to keep control of as much of the artistic process as possible. I started this label myself and intend to be the executive producer, and keep as many fingers in this pie as I can. I have an ‘audio’ vision, and making someone else ’see’ or hear it isn’t always easy. Also, ‘Bent Songs’ is a fairly accurate description of the product.

SPORKETTE: Being a rhythm guitarist, which do you prefer…acoustic or electric instrument…and why?

CARTER BENTLEY: I am comfortable with either, but my preference is the electric because of the varied sounds and styles available to punctuate a song and give it more impact. There is nothing like an ‘E’ chord played through a distortion pedal into a 100 watt 4 x 12 cabinet.

SPORKETTE: As a songwriter, why do you lean toward writing radical, anti-government songs – protest songs, such as “Form One Line” and “Calling Wall Street“?

CARTER BENTLEY: I don’t consider myself ‘radical’ or ‘anti-government,’ but I am 100% opposed to government having too much of a role in the average citizen’s life. Government is good, as long as it is kept in check ‘by the people, for the people, and of the people‘. Our constitution allows for free speech, and that is what I am exercising. If that is ‘radical,’ then we are in way more trouble than I thought. I am only a messenger who wants to open eyes and ears to what is really happening in the USA. We are being driven into economic ruin, becoming a military police state and our constitution is being trampled on everyday.

The constitution does NOT give the federal government authority to dictate healthcare for me or my family. Yet, now they are trying to pass a massive healthcare ‘reform’ bill that NOT ONE person has read. The amount of apathy in our country is appalling…from voting to even basic understanding of how our government works, the lack of interest, and most importantly, the complete lack of any action is astonishing, and frightening. As Jefferson said, “it is not the evil that men do that is the most danger, it is the lack of good men willing to do anything about it”. When you watch Leno “Jay Walking” it truly is an accurate reflection of the state of America, and instead of anyone reacting, it is simply viewed as ‘entertainment’.

No, I am not radical or anti-government, but perhaps perceived as such by people who don’t know any better. I would prefer to be known as ‘pro-citizen’.

SPORKETTE: What prompted you to write the more humorous, yet serious subject songs “Chlamydia” and “Going Bald“?

CARTER BENTLEY: ‘Going Bald‘ was written for my friend, Phil, who was the first of my contemporaries to experience ‘male pattern’ hair loss. While he never went completely bald, he is getting pretty thin on top.

‘Chlamydia’ was meant to bring attention to the fastest growing STD in the 14-21 age group. I hope that one day it will be the anthem of a generation who is trying to prevent this trend from growing. The first version had a heavy steel drum influence and lead that sounded something like Jimmy Buffet’s ‘Margaritaville‘.

SPORKETTE: What are your strongest and weakest points as a vocalist?

CARTER BENTLEY: Well, the fact that I can’t really sing doesn’t help, but the wonders of the studio allow me to at least sound palatable, in most cases. The strongest point is the raw emotion that is behind the words, which stands for something, and the weakest point would be trying to be known as a vocalist, which I have never claimed to be…I’m just the only person in the band who knows all the words.

SPORKETTE: What, to you, is hypnotizing about the mellow, yet rocking instrumental song “Metro Gnome”?

CARTER BENTLEY: This is my homage to old school rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, and BOC. It’s loads of fun to play, and free range to do anything within the songs is fun for the musicians. It was really written from a drummer’s perspective…and there are some complicated drum licks. Beyond that, it’s simply driving repetition, with searing guitar licks. The original version has keyboard as a solo, but we wanted to beef it up, so it was redone with all guitar leads.

One of my biggest guitar influences is Al DiMeola, and this was an attempt to create something that would pay respect to him. The concept is a very small ‘gnome‘ type guy who runs amuck in a big metropolitan area creating havoc. It also is a play on the word metronome, which keeps tempo in a song.

SPORKETTE: What albums do you have available and is a new one being recorded at this time?

CARTER BENTLEY: There is an EP titled ‘Specimen‘ that was recorded in 2003 in South Carolina. It features the older songs like ‘Chlamydia,’ ‘Citizen,’ ‘Going Bald,’ an older version of ‘Metro Gnome‘…and the ‘B’ side, ‘Tender Moments‘. The band members were Todd Toho (Lead Guitar), Mark Smith (Drums), Scott Morlock (Keyboards), and I played rhythm guitar and bass.

The album being recorded now will be titled ‘Fashion Show‘. It does have some new music, and it’s equally as ‘politically incorrect‘. On this CD, it’s a new line up of Texas musicians: Gary on drums and I’ll play bass and rhythm, while Erik and Myke will share lead guitar responsibilities. We hope to have it finished by January or February of 2010.

SPORKETTE: As a vocalist, songwriter and rhythm guitarist, which Livestock role is most satisfying to you…and why?

CARTER BENTLEY: Songwriter, because the canvas is wide open. The process of creating something from thin air is unbelievably fulfilling. Weaving words and music together is so much fun, and when inspiration hits it’s like turning on a faucet. I am not in this to become a ‘Top 40‘ artist, but if even a few people are inspired to turn off the TV and actually get off a couch to do something, then that to me is the greatest satisfaction of all. I would expect to reach a core audience of males 14-40, who are realizing the fact that the American dream is just that, a dream. If I play loud enough, maybe some people will wake up from this dream that is turning into a nightmare.

***
LivestockPromoShotT Carter Bentley is the rhythm guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the East Texas band LIVESTOCK.

Watch LIVESTOCK music videos!

Listen to LIVESTOCK soundtracks!

Listen to more LIVESTOCK soundtracks!

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Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest Winner
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Congratulations, Alina Oswald, for winning the “Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest”!

AlligatorPSpork00TAlina’s short story entry “Home for the Holidays” was inspired by my alligator image for the contest. (Click on the thumbnail to access and view the larger alligator image.)

Have to tell you, Alina was quite grateful for the creative writing inspiration, since usually, she’s writing non-fiction articles. Good for you, Alina, for going all gusto with this fiction writing contest! Glad you had fun. :0)

For the winning entry, Alina gets to choose two digital products from the “Just So Ya Know” blog posts about member only products at Patricia Spork.

I think you’ll agree that Alina’s short story is not lacking in quality or imagination. Enjoy the read!

Home for the Holidays

By Alina Oswald

There’s nothing like going home for the holidays. The experience reconnects us with timeless memories – the kitchen, alive yet again with familiar scents and useless helpers; my parents’ living-room, rich with a mixture of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie flavors; the present generation of kids – not me, not my siblings anymore – running around, their steps sending tiny shivers throughout the entire house; my parents with their faces carved by time, yet opened into broad smiles as they savor the masterpiece of their lives, their (our) family. Yet, the masterpiece is slightly chipped. One tiny piece is missing, carved out by a tragedy everybody has been trying to put behind for years now, yet the devastation of that instant, so long ago, has been coming back to haunt my family, like a nightmare that doesn’t wanna go away. The chipped surface is almost unnoticeable by now, smoothened away by Time, yet Time is not the perfect healer, as some may think. It will never be able to make the masterpiece perfect ever again.

I am the missing chip, the reason for the sole imperfection in my family’s otherwise perfect existence. I can only show myself in the sanctuary of shadows and darkness. I would scare my loved ones if I ever dared show myself in bright light. And I’d never put them or myself in that kind of danger. Not human anymore, I have become a monster. Now, in my second incarnation, I wouldn’t let them know I even exist.

Wobbling my way through the swamp, I hit the murky frontier separating humans from beasts, their territory from ours. I wait there and hold my breath until familiar voices and childhood scents trickle through. I let the rays of sunshine play hide-and-sick on my back through the dying leaves of the forest. The warmth is strong enough to comfort even a cold-blooded creature like myself. I miss the oily texture of the swamp shielding my body like a shadowy veil. I’ve called it Home, ever since the accident. I’ll go back soon, resume my second life in the body of my attacker, the beast that engulfed me whole in one bite that Memorial Day, in the Bayou.

Today though, I won’t think of it. Today humans give thanks. I have to be with my family, even if only from a distance, to give my thanks.

I’ve learned to ignore my hideous body zigzagging heavily against the dry land. Maybe it would be better to show myself to them. Let myself be killed, once again… I wonder if, once again lifeless, my body would turn into its human shape, like the werewolves’ do. I wonder what my family would think of me then?

***
Alina Oswald Alina Oswald is a freelance writer and photographer, and the author of “Journeys Through Darkness“  – a biography, and “The Awakening” – a collection of poetry and pictures.

You can contact Alina at her site.

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Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
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You will need a ZIP utility program and PDF reader to extract files and read the e-books. Click on the titles below to download the zipped e-book folders to your computer.

Big Profits from Small Priced Items

Designing & Building Profitable Photography Websites

How to Use Simple Surveys to Create Best-Selling eBooks & Info-Products

Understanding Scholarships

Any inquiries or download problems, contact me.
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End Ramblings
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Fort Hood, Texas
(November 2009)

pistols repeat fire
people fall wounded or dead
grief hoods Hood again

~Sporkette
(Patricia Spork)

*********************************************
NOTICE:
Sporkette Gazette is published by Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette) at www.sporkettegazette.com.

READ: Terms, Policy and Disclaimer on this site (www.sporkettegazette.com).

I hope to heck all content in this Online Newsletter is legal and not too defamatory or libelous and that I’m not infringing on anyone’s rights. I’m willing to be held accountable for any wrongdoing, but please know, everything published in this newsletter is done so in good faith and with as much integrity as is possible for a southern hick that doesn’t have much knowledge about law.

January 2009 – Patricia Spork
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Copyright Information
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Sporkette Gazette is copyright of Patricia Spork. Some content may be copyright of other respective authors. Copying any portion and publishing any of the content elsewhere is not permitted without express written permission from Patricia Spork or any respective authors.

If you would like to share any portion of Sporkette Gazette with a friend or family member, please do so by sending someone the URL for this issue. Thank you.

Sporkette Gazette Copyright 2003-2009 Patricia Spork,
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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06
Oct 2009

Sporkette Gazette – October 6, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 11

By sporkette

Sporkette Gazette
http://www.sporkettegazette.com/
October 6, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 11

Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette), Publisher
http://www.patriciaspork.us/
Contact Sporkette!
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IN THIS ISSUE
———————————————–
Ramblings
Sporkette Hachette
Tweed Scott Interview – Except III
Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
End Ramblings
Notice
Copyright Information
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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Ramblings
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Howdy-doody, Tootie-Frooties!

Boy, time has a way of rocketing by, doesn’t it? Oh well, I’m finally here with another issue. Ain’t ya happy? I am, for another issue published means another project marked off my current To-Do list. And I just know you’re dying to know about this past month’s completed projects. Heheheheh. Yah, right! Like you really give a hoot. Haha! Well, I don’t really care if you care or not, but I’m going to share about them anyway. Oh, poor you….

Finally finished that freaking clover e-book started months ago. Much research went into Clover Miscellany, a compilation of information about clover plants. Some pretty cool stuff in there, if ya like clover trivia. Yet to publish at my membership site, for “paid” subscription members only, but will do after I get all the older e-books up there.

Created some Halloween-themed desktop wallpaper and e-cards and packaged them as a graphics package for resale. Halloween Wallpaper and E-cards has 6 wallpaper and 7 e-cards, set up as 6 sets: “BatRat,” “PumpkinCat,” “PumpkinHead,” “Scarecrow,” Spooky,” and “WitchBroom“. I mainly hand-drew the characters, then scanned and fiddled with them in photo-editing software. What fun! Get free download of “Spooky” at Sporkette. The full package (see set samples here, with Master Resale Rights, is available at Patricia Spork for “paid” subscription members only.

DigitalFrolic.com domain name is no longer for sale, and I’ve turned it into an online shop containing holiday e-books and graphic packages, most with reseller rights. Only Halloween category. I included my Halloween graphics package there, too (cheaper to get it at PS site, if you get the Trial subscription membership, only $4.95, which allows 3-day access to all content onsite).

I’ll be doing a similar online shop with Resell Ebooks Buzz, although it will have health and self-improvement digital products. Also, similar shop to be done at eBookMouse, with plant and animal related e-books and graphics.

Seems I added more tangible products to Sorrel Sunflower since last SG issue, but not certain and too lazy to go check right now, so you check it out.

Got a new printer (poor for photo printing, even though a photo printer), but it will get me by for printing black text. I’ll get another printer by Christmas, for photo printing purposes only. Now, my darn CD/DVD drive has gone out. Can’t back up a darn thing on disks! Grrrr.  At least I have back-up hard drive.

Well, that’s enough about me. Got anything you want to share about you with SG and me? If so, contact me.

Until next issue, ya’ll have fun!

Sporkette

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Sporkette Hachette
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“Are you going to take the H1N1 vaccine?” ~Pig Fan in Missouri

Sporkette: Hell, no! Not even if made ‘mandatory’. Not enough research done, in my opinion. Heck, I’ve never even had a regular flu shot. I got turned off to them by seeing some friends and family members wind up with the flu soon after being vaccinated.

To be honest, I think the recent Swine Flu strain was man-made and released to the public on purpose, to see how fast it would spread and what effects it would have on populations world-wide.

No doubt, pharmaceutical companies will profit from this new vaccine. Surprised not a million commercials running advertising its benefits, much less potential hazards to health…of which, I’m sure there are many that wouldn’t be announced, because not known…at least, at this time.

Let “sheeple” be the guinea pigs. Not me!

***

“Can I really earn income from writing?” ~Newbie Writer in Connecticut

Sporkette: Sorry, but there’s no guarantee. If you want to make money writing, work at it! Hone your writing skills, study the markets, and submit your work…then, hope and pray for the best to happen. Good luck!

***

“Do you know how to braid rugs?” ~Anonymous Rug Crafter

Sporkette: No, but I know how to braid my hair. Oh, and horse tails and manes. Does that count? LOL!

****
Click here to Hatchette out with Sporkette. Send a comment, question or opinion. By sending an e-mail, you automatically grant Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) the right to publish and archive the content from your e-mail in any online Sporkette Gazette issue at any time.  Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) has sole right to decline or publish any e-mail content submitted to her. Submitters will not be notified of either decision.

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Tweed Scott Interview – Excerpt III
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Texas In Her Own Words by Tweed Scott

Texas In Her Own Words by Tweed Scott

This excerpt is 3 of 3 of my interview with Tweed Scott, author of Texas In Her Own Words. (Read the first except. Read the second excerpt. Read the book review.)

Since the last interview excerpt, Tweed has closed down Tejas Communications.com and rolled everything necessary from that site to TweedScott.com, since people locate him online by his name and not the company name.

Anyhoo, I thank Tweed for taking the time to do the interview and wish him continued success with his writing career. Thanks, Tweed!

TWEED SCOTT INTERVIEW – Excerpt III:

SPORKETTE: How did you get from radio broadcaster to award winning nonfiction book author?

TWEED SCOTT: To answer that could be another book. Simply put, I have been writing most of my life. What I consider my first good piece of writing was done back in high school. I was assigned a term paper my junior year. As I dug into the research, I realized the project was bigger than a term paper due in about 4 weeks. I knew I was going to have to write another term paper for my senior year, so I banged out another quickly researched term paper for the junior session. I continued to research the original project throughout my junior year and senior year. When it was completed, I received an exceptional grade on the project. The subject matter dealt with the personal price that each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence paid for signing that document. I left for the U.S. Navy the morning after high school graduation and never gave another thought to writing.

After the service, I started college and ‘fell’ into radio. I used radio to work my way through college. Upon graduation, I already had a radio career started and I stayed with it for the next 28 years. The interesting thing about radio stations is that they are the consummate marketing machines. That’s all they do 24/7/365…they market themselves and their clients. Commercial broadcast stations by definition are fueled by commercials and promotions. Before anyone hears or sees commercials, they must be written and produced. Over the course of those 30 years, I wrote thousands of commercials and promotional spots. I cannot put a number on how many I wrote and produced…I do know it was easily in the thousands. You have to have some copy before you go into the studio to produce the commercial.

What is interesting now, looking back, I never once thought about the writing process over all those years. I never thought, ‘Gee, I’m writing.’ Writing was just a necessary function of my job. I won’t puff it up and tell you I developed my talent for writing while writing marketing copy. It simply was part of my job. I never thought of myself as a writing talent, even after winning a couple of awards for my commercials.

When I left the radio business, one of my many jobs was that of a producer of a Saturday morning hunting and fishing outdoor show. The host of that show also published a country lifestyle monthly magazine. I had written a funny little piece and showed it to him. He liked it and asked to put it in the magazine. The next thing I knew, I was a staff writer and wrote a piece every month. This went on for at least a couple of years. I developed a talent for interviewing people and writing profiles of them.

After radio, I asked myself, what now? What can you do at this stage of your life? I thought about it for a couple of days and realized that I could convey a thought on paper, coupled with all that experience writing radio and marketing copy, I decided to hang out my shingle as a professional copywriter. That’s when I started Tejas Communications. I never thought about writing books…just never crossed my mind.

Then that fateful night came when my wife made the silly statement to my son that he had something I would never ever have…he was born in Texas. That was the spark that got me to thinking about why Texans are so different than most people. I then pursued my search for the T-Chromosome.

I didn’t write a book to win awards. Don’t get me wrong, awards are cool but it wasn’t something I doggedly sought. In fact, my publisher is the person who submitted the book for the award. I was as surprised as anyone was when we found out that ultimately we were the first runner up of a national book award. The book that beat us, The Tree House, had already won about half dozen national awards. I figured we must have been running in some tall cotton. The book has really turned out to be a little gem. As I mentioned before, my publisher and I look at Texas In Her Own Words as ‘the little book that could.’

SPORKETTE: What made you decide to invest in billboard advertising, and was this type of promotion worth the costly expense?

TWEED SCOTT: Second part first: No, it wasn’t a profit center for us. Having said that, I do know it brought in some buyers…probably just not enough. The reasoning behind doing this began with one of the people in the book. He was from the Amarillo area and had many friends there. He found the billboard company that would sell us two billboards for about 250 a piece for two weeks. It seemed like a good price to me. He bought one and my publisher bought one. We put his picture on the board with the caption ‘Come meet the most interesting man in Texas…‘

What was cool was the number of people who actually saw and mentioned the billboards at the book signing. At the end of the day, we sold 41 books in 90 minutes. I know it was not a strategy most authors or publishers would normally use, but in this case, it did make some sense for us.

SPORKETTE: After your book’s publication, a snowball effect occurred, with TV, radio and newspaper interviews…how are you adapting to still being in the media spotlight?

TWEED SCOTT: It has been a help having a publicist for the first 11 months of the life of this book. He has lined up several of the interviews and speaking engagements for me. I welcome the publicity. I was in broadcasting for 31 years and have no fear of dealing with the media. Publicity is media time and space that is essentially free and you take it when you can get it. With my background, I have an insight as to what the media is seeking from me. It is an asset having sat on the other side of the interview table asking the questions for so many years. I simply try to deliver good pithy answers to the questions that get tossed my way. I have a real passion for this book and my subject matter. I believe that comes across in my interviews, whether it be the electronic media or print. I want the audience to feel some of the excitement I feel.”

SPORKETTE: How proud are you of Texas In Her Own Words and why?

TWEED SCOTT: Immensely proud. I wrote this book to be an evergreen. The material is not dated. The concepts that come out of the backside of the book were 170 years in the making. The tone of the book is almost reverent. I was able to capture the personality not only of the contributors but of Texas itself. I am extremely proud of my wife’s cover shot. Frankly, that cover has sold a bunch of books for us. I’m glad that she is so involved with the book. In many ways, it’s become her book. I am so proud for my publisher. She worked hard to make it happen. It takes amazing people to literally buy into your dream and help you achieve it. For that I will be forever grateful….

SPORKETTE: What advice would you give a writer contemplating writing a first nonfiction book?

TWEED SCOTT: Again, have passion for your subject matter. If you’re not passionate about what you’re writing about, you have no right to expect your audience to feel any passion or interest in what you’re doing. The next thing is do the research. Simply, do the work. Writing a book is a multifaceted process. It requires several skill sets or processes. Researching, traveling, interviewing, of course writing, and editing. I would also hasten to add that every book is different and not only that but each writer’s work habits and processes are different. So it’s tough to make a blanket statement. In my case, when I started the project, I didn’t know where the work would take me or what the outcome would be. I’m a big believer in just do the work. I trusted the work to lead me to a place where I would begin to understand what I was learning. Therefore, in my case, it was more of an open-ended conclusion. I just did the work and eventually the book told me what I needed to know and provided enough information for me to draw logical conclusions.

Other nonfiction works may rely more on understanding historical facts where we already know the outcome but seek better clarity. Perhaps another work might be akin to proving scientific theory.

Another point should be addressed here. I was always told that if you didn’t know who was going to buy your book before you wrote it, then don’t bother (unless you just have to write it for yourself). I’m not saying do it the way I did it, but I didn’t have a clear image of who was going to buy my book. My book boiled down to a simple act of curiosity that other people found interesting. Looking back, it wasn’t even a calculated gamble. So in that respect, I have probably beaten the odds. It gets back to my original thought on this question. Believe in what you are doing and never give up. I learned a long time ago, reputations are not built on ‘gonnas’. I’m going to is not a result. It’s not even a plan. If there is one quality a writer must possess when writing a book, regardless of genre, is perseverance. You must keep the end in sight and never give up until you get there.

Prepare to be successful. Nothing compares with that sense of accomplishment you will feel when you hold your book in your hands for the first time. It is truly one of life’s most magnificent highs. Be proud. You will have earned it.

SPORKETTE: If Texas in Her Own Words is so popular that you sold 2,300 books in 7 months and won an award, why is it there was no suitable place for your book in the 2006 Texas Book Festival?

TWEED SCOTT: I would love to know that myself. I have my suspicions. Like any big function, there is politics involved. I intend to get to the bottom of it. I found it ironic that I know my book sold more copies in…7 months, than some of the panelists have sold…. Not only that, but two of the people in my book spoke at the Texas Book Festival.

If you read the small print in the submission process, they essentially tell you that the self or independent small press need not apply. How a book about Texas can not get into the Texas Book Festival, especially with measurable commercial acceptance, just escapes me. The final hypocritical aspect is that the small and independent publishers were invited to buy a table booth for $600 to show their books. My wife put it all into perspective when she asked, “Where would you rather have your book; the Texas Book Festival or The Alamo?“  The book is on sale at the Alamo. My wife is a wise lady.

SPORKETTE: What faults do you have as a writer and how do you compensate for them?

TWEED SCOTT: Ummm. This not a question I’ve ever been asked before. Faults? The first thing that comes to mind is that I don’t do enough of it. I have been asked dozens of times, how do you become a writer? I tell them, it’s easy. It involves only four steps. Get a pen or pencil, get a piece of paper, sit down and write. I also tell them to write for at least ten minutes everyday and get into that habit. Now having given that advice, I don’t always do that. Writing is a discipline and you have to keep doing it to get better. It’s true, practice makes…well, better.

Another fault as a writer I can think of is not reading enough good books. I admit for having a soft spot for both Twain and Poe, but the world is full of great examples of literature. Reading is another way of expanding your skill as a writer.

SPORKETTE: What are your 5 most favorite factoids in Texas In Her Own Words?

TWEED SCOTT: Gosh, that’s a fun question. Without a doubt, my favorite question is: Outside of being at opposite ends of I-10, what attributes do the cities of Orange, TX and El Paso/Anthony, TX share? I devoted two pages to that…that includes a special map.

Other favorites include: Amarillo is closer to four other state capitols than it is to its own; If Texas were to secede from the union, it would own the 8th largest economy in the world. A couple of more would include, Rhode Island would fit into Texas 220 times; and finally, Texas is 11 miles taller than it is wide.

SPORKETTE: For those who don’t know, what is Tejas?

TWEED SCOTT: The first written reference to Tejas was found on an old Spanish map going back to the 16th century that referred to an area along the Texas coast as Tejas. Here’s how I explain it in the book: Texas derives its name from the word ‘Tejas’…pronounced “Tay-haas.” It is thought to refer to the remnants of various Indian tribes…the Nasoni, Nabedache, Hainai, and the Nacogdoche. The handbook of Texas says the French and Spanish knew the Tejas as the Hasinai. The word itself is thought to be a Spanish pronunciation of the Hasinai word for friend. It is said these were the first words with which the natives greeted the first Europeans. The word has also been interpreted as meaning ‘ally.’

SPORKETTE: Is a second volume of Texas In Her Own Words planned for the future, and if so, how might someone locate the submission guidelines?

TWEED SCOTT: Early on, while still interviewing people, I did think about the sequel. What was funny was that it was difficult in the beginning to get people to sit down and talk with me. It might have been because they didn’t really believe I was writing a book. Once the word got out that I was serious about this project, I never ran out of people to talk with.  As I finished the book, I came to the realization that I couldn’t do this book again. Oh, I could go and interview another 60 people for a second volume, but I submit to you, the conclusions would all be the same. I’ve already written what those are. If I did this again, it would merely be with different people. Now if the reading public told me that’s what they want, surely I’d do it, but I haven’t sensed that.

Now I have been asked many times about my next book. My plan at this point is two books – one with my wife. I would like to drive around the state and let my wife take pictures of the various ways Texans show or display their pride. Flags on barns, mailboxes, rooftops, windmills, cowboy hats, etc…the list goes on. There is not another state in the union that displays its pride as prominently as Texas. So, that’s one book. The other would be along the same format as Texas In Her Own Words, but this one would be interviewing the owners and operators of many of the old line businesses in Texas. There are some great stories there. I know of one business that literally was won in a card game.  Now, is that Texan or what?

SPORKETTE: Please close with your best written Texan’s philosophy, attitude—at least 300 words.

TWEED SCOTT: “Never let anybody piss down you neck and tell you it’s raining.” That is one of the guiding Texas philosophies of my life. All that means is if that if you have a dream, you owe it to yourself and your dream to pursue it. It’s your dream. There will always be 200 people lined up to tell you, you can’t do it because you are not old enough, not big enough, not rich enough, not smart enough, not (you fill in the blank) enough to succeed. You can never, ever, ever, ever, buy into that. It’s your dream. The people quick to tell you that you will fail are the ones who are already failures themselves. Just nod and smile and get on with your dream.

One of the reasons I love Texans so much is because they are possibility thinkers. This place oozes in that can-do attitude. Want to get something done. Tell a Texan it can’t happen and then get the hell out of the way. Some action is about to take place. Granted it may not be well thought out but something is about to happen. Texans are “How” thinkers and not “If” thinkers. Go back to the pioneers. For them, no was not an option. This was such a brutally tough place to live. You had essentially two choices when faced with a challenge. You could quit, lie down and die or get up and dust yourself off and say, “Well, that didn’t work, now what? How do we make this happen?“  Texas was built by that kind of character.

***

Tweed Scott

Tweed Scott

Besides being an award-winning author, Tweed Scott writes marketing collateral and website content for a few selected clients. He is working on his next book, Texas 50 Over 50, about 50 Texas home-grown businesses over 50 years old. As a motivational speaker, Tweed speaks to an ever-growing variety of businesses and organizations, motivating people by using Texas as a vehicle to deliver his points.

To know more about Tweed Scott, request interviews, inquire about speaker presentations or purchase Texas In Her Own Words, visit Tweed’s site. Read Tweed’s blog. Follow Tweed Scott.

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Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest
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Alligator Thanksgiving?

Well, sure. Why not? Must be the Cajun in me to think such things! Heheheh.

So, how creative can you be to implement an alligator…some how…in a Thanksgiving short story for this weird writing contest? For a little inspiration, have a look at my alligator image.

Give you any ideas? Hope so. And if so, and you want to enter this contest, then keep the short story to 500 words maximum and get it to me by midnight, October 31, 2009.

If your story is selected as the winning entry (or is the ONLY entry), you get your choice of any two digital products listed in the “Just So Ya Know” category blog posts at Patricia Spork. Some items are e-books, while others are graphics packages. Some products are by me, while some are by other creators, with most having some type of reseller rights. And just so ya know, by the time this contest ends, more products will be added to that site, so you’ll have quite a variety to choose from…of course, that’s if ya win. :0)

Oh, be sure to send a short bio with your submission – include any relevant URLs.

Also, follow submission guidelines further below. Thanks.

F.Y.I.: By submitting any work to enter this contest you assure that you are the original creator of the work and grant Patricia Spork the right to publish the work (unedited) and your name in the next online issue of Sporkette Gazette (www.sporkettegazette.com). You will be notified if you are the contest winner, prior to publication. You also grant Patricia Spork One-Time Electronic Serial Publication Rights – Internet Only and Online Archive Rights.

Okay, if still interested in the writing contest, here are the guidelines:

Word Count: 500 (max.)

Format: Black, Times New Roman 12 pt., Plain Text Only, Single Space, No Indents.

Deadline:  October 31, 2009.

Enter this contest by embedding your work in the body of an email with Subject Heading “Alligator Thanksgiving Writing Contest” and send to sporkettegazette-AT-sporkettegazette.com.

Response Time: 24-72 hours, or longer depending on circumstances

Contest Winner announced in next issue of Sporkette Gazette, with expected publication date of 11/15/09, but could be sooner; then again, could be later. LOL!

Have fun!
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Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
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You will need a zip utility program and PDF reader to extract and view files. Click on the titles below to download the zipped e-book folders to your computer.

7 Basic Rules of Living Without Lies

Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

Halloween Safety Tips

Protect Your Computer System

Any inquiries or download problems, contact me.
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End Ramblings
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Halloween Warning

Take heed the bat and witch in flight,
The ghosts above the graves;
Tred soft around the werewolf lairs,
And hide from vampire fangs;

Smile wicked like the pumpkin heads
And guard sweet treasure bags,
Since strangers roam the night in search
Of treats lost from trembling hands!

~Sporkette
(Patricia Spork)

*********************************************
NOTICE:
Sporkette Gazette is published by Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette) at www.sporkettegazette.com.

READ: Terms, Policy and Disclaimer on this site (www.sporkettegazette.com).

I hope to heck all content in this Online Newsletter is legal and not too defamatory or libelous and that I’m not infringing on anyone’s rights. I’m willing to be held accountable for any wrongdoing, but please know, everything published in this newsletter is done so in good faith and with as much integrity as is possible for a southern hick that doesn’t have much knowledge about law.

January 2009 – Patricia Spork
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Copyright Information
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Sporkette Gazette is copyright of Patricia Spork. Some content may be copyright of other respective authors. Copying any portion and publishing any of the content elsewhere is not permitted without express written permission from Patricia Spork or any respective authors.

If you would like to share any portion of Sporkette Gazette with a friend or family member, please do so by sending someone the URL for this issue. Thank you.

Sporkette Gazette Copyright 2003-2009 Patricia Spork,
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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Subscribe using either the RSS feed or e-mail delivery options available on this site: http://www.sporkettegazette.com/
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These suggestions may not work for everyone:

If you’re using some type of RSS Feed Reader, click on the blog name and look for a Settings section where you should be able to click on Unsubscribe.

An “Unsubscribe” link should be available in delivered e-mails.

If using some type of “Live” bookmark, click on the blog name and right click for menu where you can click on Delete.

***

Category: Sporkette Gazette Volume 4  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
24
Aug 2009

Sporkette Gazette – August 24, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 10

By sporkette

Sporkette Gazette

http://www.sporkettegazette.com/

August 24, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 10

Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette), Publisher
Contact Sporkette!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Ramblings
Sporkette Hachette
Levada Pendry Interview
Tree Stump Writing Contest Winning Entry
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
End Ramblings
Notice
Copyright Information
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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Ramblings
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Hey, hey, I’m still here!

As you may have noticed, I changed the theme for this site. I like this lighter colored design.

Congratulations to friend, Alina Oswald, for two of her photographs (“Blue Reflections: Nature’s Element” and “Chasing Rainbows” ) being accepted and now on display in the “Cool Blue” art show at LITM (Love Is The Message) gallery in Jersey City, New Jersey, through the month of August. Way to go, girl!

Alina’s thoughts about the acceptance: “I’m kinda disappointed, especially when I thought that “Water Reflections” was a good one, but, hey… what can I do? (I know, find a gallery in NYC, :-) ) May try to. LOL!”

Now isn’t that funny after having an acceptance, one could also be disappointed? Well, it does happen, as you’ve just read. But as most creative folks know, a work rejected at one place, could be accepted at another place. I’m sure Alina, will see “Water Reflections” hanging in a gallery one day, even if it’s her own gallery. Want something bad enough, you can make it happen, that’s for sure, one way or another. Oh, yah!

Let’s see, what have I been up to…well, I recently created some graphics and entitled the series as “Healthcare Reform Opinion!” One of the images is used as a background on my Twitter account. If you like it, you can download the background image and a little different style desktop wallpaper image here . You may notice I changed the WordPress theme at that site. Like that gorilla!

More items were added to Sorrel Sunflower and Patricia Spork. Click on “Free Downloads” in “Categories” section at the PS site to see what you can download for free, and click on “Just So Know” to find out what’s available for members only.

Grandkids start school tomorrow, so won’t be visiting us as often. Bummer, but that means I’ll have more time for office work That’s kind of good, for I’d love to finish an e-book about clovers that was started months ago. When finished, the e-book will be made available for members to my PS site. Much planned for the site, and many things yet to be added. If interested in my work (images, e-books) and other neat things I’ll share, you ought to subscribe as a member, for as time passes, not all items will remain available, even for paid subscription members. To get access to all content onsite, you can subscribe to the 3-day Trial membership for only $4.95.

Got a new dog – an Old English Mastiff, named Dozer (think bull dozer – LOL!). He’s two years old and gives huge slobber kisses. If you like large breed dogs, you’d probably love him. So now, have six dogs. Love ‘em all!

Parts in my photo printer are “near the end of their service life”. That means it will die soon. My dryer died. Now I’m wondering what the third thing will be to bomb out on me, since things seem to come in three’s. Please, not my computer!

Hope things go well with you. :0)

Sporkette

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Sporkette Hachette
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“Do you make much money from writing?“

~Kurious Katrina in Wyoming

Sporkette: Hahahahah. I wish! Nope, hardly ever make any money, but that’s because I don’t cater to a specific audience other than myself. I got to a point where I hated targeting audiences and the submission and follow-up process, so opted to self-publish my works – most of them being offered as e-books from my sites only. I do this because I’m more attuned to self-satisfaction rather than the self-glory of being an author of books mainly gathering dust in bookstores. I do have a small base of people that appreciate my work, and their appreciation is much more meaningful to me than money could ever be. But don’t get me wrong, I do make a dollar or two, here and there, from my writing and other creative works. Sure couldn’t live on the meager income, though. Thank God, for a supportive husband!

***

“Why do you like to write ebooks?“

~Again, Kurious Katrina

Sporkette: For one, I consider myself a ‘brevity writer,’ so the shorter a work, the better, especially since I go off on many tangents and don’t make time to stick to one subject or one topic for too long. That doesn’t mean I don’t have some long e-books published, for I do. E-book length is not determined from the outset, but is determined during writing or compiling information for my e-books. When an e-book is done, it’s just done, no matter how many pages it takes for the content.

One person told me that one of my e-books was the best K.I.S.S. book he’d ever read. If you don’t know, that acronym means ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’. So, for number two reason, K.I.S.S. basically sums up how I feel when creating an e-book – the simpler the better, for me and the reader. That doesn’t mean I haven’t taken a gross amount of time for research, writing, compiling or formatting most of my e-books, for quality definitely counts to me.

Thirdly, e-books, I feel, meet the needs of some members of today’s rushing society, those folks that prefer being online more than not and don’t make time offline for long, pleasurable book reads. All writers should meet that type of societal need. Besides, the last ten years or so has been the dawning of the e-book age, and today’s writers should strive to be a part of that age, especially, since sadly, e-books will gain momentum and eventually conquer the book publishing industry in the future. To be honest, I think you should hold onto your favorite print books, for one day, your later generations won’t have access to them unless you have passed them down to your heirs…and them, to theirs; otherwise, they will have to pay high cost or visit museums to actually see, and maybe, read a ‘real’ book. My opinion, of course.

Fourthly, creating e-books is a favored creative outlet, and nowadays, I only outlet what I wanna outlet. :0)

***

Click here to Hachette out with Sporkette. Send a comment, question or opinion. By sending an e-mail, you automatically grant Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) the right to publish and archive the content from your e-mail in any online Sporkette Gazette issue at any time.  Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) has sole right to decline or publish any e-mail content submitted to her. Submitters will not be notified of either decision.

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Levada Pendry Interview
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Levada Pendry

Levada Pendry

I met Levada Pendry at a California woman’s shelter in fall of 1990. To make a long story short, we wound up becoming roommates for a short time and have been friends ever since. We often talk by phone or video chat, constantly brainstorming together and tutoring each other about various skills learned. That’s because we’re mega-thinkers, with jillions of ideas, and self-motivators when it comes to learning something new.

Levada is a bookkeeper, who, in her spare time,  earns extra income by writing and designing Web sites. She is an expert quilter. She has gifted me many of her completed quilting projects, from lap blankets to bed covers. Lucky me! Last year Christmas, I received a beautiful, quilted tree skirt for my Christmas tree. Cool, huh!

My advice: If you don’t know how to quilt and don’t have a quilter friend, get one. Heheheheh.

Anyhoo, I decided to interview Levada because of her talents. As you’ll see from some of her answers, she isn’t too forthcoming or as detailed as she might be if writing for a paying market. LOL! I imagine she was in a rush to do something other than answer freaking interview questions for my beloved SG. But hey, I got the interview. Yeehawzaphat! So, here it is:

Sporkette: What is your main writing interest and why?

Levada Pendry: Currently, I am writing ebooks on non-fiction subjects.

Sporkette: How have you implemented your sewing and quilting knowledge into written works?

Levada Pendry: Well, it is fun to combine interests. Plus, when I write an ebook on a quilting subject, I know that there is a HUGE base of quilters out there interested in this subject. They are what is referred to in marketing terms as a ‘hungry’ market.

Sporkette: How has writing skills helped you as a Web site designer for clients?

Levada Pendry: Frequently, I find myself recommending to them that they produce an ebook and offer it as an inducement to get folks to sign up for their newsletter, thus building a list that can be marketed to.

Sporkette: How have you used your creative skills to barter for things you wanted, such as for a tattoo and navel piercing?

Levada Pendry: LOL! That’s not fair to tell the world about my barter habits, not to mention my body decorating spree that I have been on lately. So I refuse to answer this question.

Sporkette: Why do you believe that writers do not always need to seek publication?

Levada Pendry: I recently started to write what I call my ‘God Notes’. I am a Christian, and I was experiencing that the Lord was really doing some things in my life, especially on Sundays during worship. I get sort of double the benefit because now I go home on Sunday afternoons and write about what has happened that day. Sometimes…well, actually, many times, it is an intensely personal experience that I don’t care to share with others. Sometimes our writing can just be for US!

Sporkette: What are your “God Notes” and would you ever consider publishing them?

Levada Pendry: Well, as I said above, probably not. But there are the times when they are not so personal or they are of a nature that lends itself to sharing/publishing. So perhaps sometime I will put them together in an ebook.

Sporkette: How does writing your Christian screenplay differ from writing a fiction story?

Levada Pendry: Now you are touching on the direction I have been called for my writing to go. In the next few years I plan to transition to mostly writing Christian screenplays. So many stories in the Bible (and some true personal experience stories people have told me), God purposely takes someone with everything stacked against them, and works a miracle. God cares not a whooof about the circumstances of this world! So even though it is impossible to get a script read in Hollywood, and impossible to get a script sold, and impossible for an unknown writer to succeed, if God WANTS it to happen, then it will. These last few years have seen a tiny but amazingly successful series of Christian movies being produced and released. I believe this is a mission field unlike any other, and I look forward to writing those scripts.

Sporkette: We discussed angels as having fragrance, so would you describe the scent you sensed from your guardian angel?

Levada Pendry: I really don’t know if it was from an angel, but it was from the spirit. Here is what happened: I was working on a Christian ministry website. The ministry is called YouthAlive and it is the Oregon chapter of this national ministry. The leader had sent me a website template that he had picked to use, and when I unzipped it onto my computer, I was suddenly surrounded by the sweetest smell! Now this is a sort of miracle in itself, because years ago I had a virus which robbed me of most of my sense of smell. So I jump up. I am sniffing all around my computer desk trying to find the source of this wonderful smell. It was strong, and sort of flowery, but not like any flower I had ever smelled. I couldn’t find where it was coming from. I ran across the room, smelling the air coming in from the air conditioner…nothing. I ran outside my room…nothing. I went back to my computer desk, and there it was again. I enjoyed it for a couple of minutes, and then it slowly faded away and was gone. I don’t want to seem to be all flaky and religious, but it touched my heart. It seemed to be a manifestation of the spirit saying that the website I would build from this template would be a sweet aroma to our Lord.

Sporkette: Which of your written works do you feel has most contributed to society and why so?

Levada Pendry: It is the one that I haven’t written yet. Look for it when I publish it…because it is going to be good! A lot of people get scammed out of a lot of money these days, especially by what they call ‘Dating Scams’, which is worse than anything, in a way, because they prey on lonely people…and not only steal their money, but break their hearts too! The research is all done. It is an actual play-by-play, real life story of my run in with a scammer and how I ‘played’ him by turning a lot of their scammer tricks against him. I guarantee you will be laughing when you read it. I plan on making it a free ebook. I hope it will open the eyes of anyone who frequents any of the online dating sites, which is where these predators hunt.

Sporkette: Give me three reasons why potential writers should consider another career?

Levada Pendry: Oh, sure! My best advice is that if you can live without it, then do so.

But if you can’t stand to live without writing, then with hard work you can overcome these bad aspects to the writing business:

(1) It is hard to make enough money, especially if you opt into the old school business model of trying to get your work published by the established publishing companies. I personally decided to self-publish and it has been a good decision.

(2) It is lonely work. I would suggest to you that you cultivate real life relationships with real life people, especially with other writers.

(3) Unless you plan on writing on a yellow pad with a dull pencil, you will have to become expert at technology…simple necessary things, such as computers, writing programs, graphics programs, PDF programs, CD burning software & hardware, digital delivery of electronic products, payment gateway usage, blogging, social media,, etc., etc, etc.

And, oh yes, creating your own website – another part of self-promotion, which is a necessity for any writer.

***

Levada Pendry is a freelance writer, web designer, and quilter, living on the Upper West Coast of the United States. To learn more about Levada Pendry, visit her site or ‘Follow’ her.
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Tree Stump Writing Contest
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Congratulations, Jorge Ochoa!

Jorge’s “Pride” was the only entry received for the contest, so is the automatic winner for this contest and gets Jorge the 30-day membership to my Patricia Spork site. Thank you, Jorge, for your participation in the contest. Hope you enjoy your membership that began today.

Read Jorge’s contest entry below, which is an unedited 10 minute writing exercise inspired by my tree stump image:

Pride

By Jorge Ochoa

I was once a big strong fella. My trunk was straight and reached for the sky. My branches were full and strong, and my leaves were a buzz of green. Maybe it was my pride that brought my downfall. I think so now.

I wouldn’t listen to the other trees. I knew better than those old dodgers! When you are rooted in one place, you gotta be smarter. The wind can scream through your branches and strip you bare. The water can tumble up against you and dig you outta of your dirt. The freezing air can crack you right open like a bird egg in a bad circumstance.

The birds are our messengers since they are free to fly from tree to tree. We feed them, and they fly for us.

Late in the afternoon a bird lands in my branches.

“Mr Oak yonder thinks a storm is acommin” sang Mr Bird.

I didn’t believe so. The day was bright and a light breeze tickled my leaves. That old oak was always hatching up something, and I never really liked him anyhow. I shook my branch lightly so Mr Bird would take a nice flight off.

“Mr Oak says curl your leaves in and droop down your branches” sang Mr Bird, hanging on tightly to the branch.

Oh, now that’s it! That old oak doodle was wanting me to make myself look silly!  I decided to stand more proud than ever. Mr Bird got tired of his tweeting and flew off finally.

Into evening I stretched as tall as I could. With all that concentrating on reaching, I didn’t notice that the clouds were gathering heavy and dark. I noticed as the wind  began whipping.

It was too late. A loud crack and sizzle dazzled me. I felt my very trunk split in an agony of rendering. That lightening severed almost down to the ground. My sap tears mingled with the rain now cascading down.

All through that stormy night I tried to imagine how my trunk would grow together again. I was fooling myself! My pride would not let me see that I would never again be what I had been.

In the morning, the bird came again. He found a branch not leaning too badly to the side.

“Mr Willow says that a man thing is coming.” Mr. Bird sang and then flew away.

I got very afraid. He had some kind of monster and it buzzed with a fearsome noise and bit me with the fastest teeth. My broken parts fell aside. The man thing gathered up my fallen parts and took them away.

I was left to be a stump of my former self. I had no more sap to cry. Everything including my pride is gone.

Over this long winter I have been thinking. Spring is coming soon. I bet I can put out some new branches from the top of this stump.

***
Jorge Ochoa is a Westerner who enjoys writing and wood carving. His first fiction novel is in draft mode. He hopes to self-publish his book in 2010.
———————————————-
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
———————————————-
You will need a zip utility program and PDF reader to extract files and view files.  Click on the titles below to download the zipped e-book folders to your computer.

Bird Posters (color printables)

Booksmarks (color printables)

Buying and Maintaining a Car Made Easy

How to Bookmark for Free Web Traffic

The Speedy Guide to Web Copywriting

Any inquiries or download problems, contact me.
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End Ramblings
———————————————

Autumn Hoarding

leaves flitter from trees
dropping acorns by dozens
as squirrels hoard food

~Sporkette
(Patricia Spork)

*********************************************
NOTICE:
Sporkette Gazette is published by Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette) at www.sporkettegazette.com.

READ: Terms, Policy and Disclaimer on this site (www.sporkettegazette.com).

I hope to heck all content in this Online Newsletter is legal and not too defamatory or libelous and that I’m not infringing on anyone’s rights. I’m willing to be held accountable for any wrongdoing, but please know, everything published in this newsletter is done so in good faith and with as much integrity as is possible for a southern hick that doesn’t have much knowledge about law.

January 2009 – Patricia Spork
———————————————–
Copyright Information
———————————————–
Sporkette Gazette is copyright of Patricia Spork. Some content may be copyright of other respective authors. Copying any portion and publishing any of the content elsewhere is not permitted without express written permission from Patricia Spork or any respective authors.

If you would like to share any portion of Sporkette Gazette with a friend or family member, please do so by sending someone the URL for this issue. Thank you.

Sporkette Gazette Copyright 2003-2009 Patricia Spork,
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
—————————————————
Subscribe to Sporkette Gazette
—————————————————
Subscribe using either the RSS feed or e-mail delivery options available on this site: http://www.sporkettegazette.com/
—————————————————
Unsubscribe from Sporkette Gazette:
—————————————————
These suggestions may not work for everyone:

If you’re using some type of RSS Feed Reader, click on the blog name and look for a Settings section where you should be able to click on Unsubscribe.

An “Unsubscribe” link should be available in delivered e-mails.

If using some type of “Live” bookmark, click on the blog name and right click for menu where you can click on Delete.

***

Category: Sporkette Gazette Volume 4  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
21
Jul 2009

Sporkette Gazette – July 21, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 9

By sporkette

Sporkette Gazette

http://www.sporkettegazette.com/

July 21, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 9

Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette), Publisher/Editor

http://www.patriciaspork.us/

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IN THIS ISSUE
———————————————–
Ramblings
Sporkette Hachette
Tweed Scott Interview – Excerpt 2
Tree Stump Writing Contest
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
End Ramblings
Notice
Copyright Information
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
————————————————
Ramblings
————————————————
Congratulations to Alina Oswald! She had an Internet radio interview about her book Journeys Through Darkness. Yah, I’m a little slow announcing it, but that’s what happens when forgetful. Oochee-woochee!

Whoo-hoo, Maison Mosley! Love your Spirited Lady Community, of which, I’m a member. Beautiful site with lots of potential! Way to go, Maison!

DigitalFrolic.COM domain name is up for sale now and you can make an offer.

Added a few items to Sorrel Sunflower and Patricia Spork. Be adding more this week. Oh yah!

My desktop wallpaper “Butterfly Flower” is a free download at Sporkette.

Grandkids were here about two weeks. I went crazy sharing my computer. Hardly any office work done. But, oh, how I loved those brats here and looking forward to their return this weekend. Wondering what I can do to aggravate them this time around. Heheheheh.

Helped daughter move on July 4th. What a way to spend the holiday. Then, her separated husband had ‘capades, so drama, drama. Grrrr.

Hubby’s helping start up a new trail riding group. Wish I could ride, but back injuries from a horse accident persistently nag me and could be worsened by riding, so can’t ride. Wah, wah, wah!

Two days ago, got a new dog – two-year-old male – an Old English Mastiff – free! That’s right, FREE! His name is Dozer. He’s a sweetie – loves to give slobber kisses. Yuck-a-wuck-a!

Between, dogs, horses, turtles, grandkids, daughter and a great husband taking up much of my time, I’m doing pretty darn good getting done what’s getting done around here. Dang, I’m good!

Ya’ll really care about my personal life, huh? LOL! Oh well, have a super-duper time on the Internet, and after reading this issue, be sure to come back and read the next issue…if ya dare. <snicker, snicker>

Patricia

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Sporkette Hachette
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“I have a bit of exciting news, one of my short stories is going to be published…the magazine states in their guidelines that this does not count as professional publication. Exactly what does that mean? Does it mean I can send the story to someone else right away, or do I need to wait awhile? And when I do send it, will it be considered a reprint?“
~Vanessa in Texas

Sporkette: Congratulations!

To me, the editor is just stating not professional publication because he isn’t paying writers. But to other editors, a publication online is a publication, pay or not, so you couldn’t offer First Rights to any market if story is “first” published at that site. But you could offer Reprint Rights or One-Time Rights elsewhere, at anytime.
***

“Dear Sporkette, I’m new at being published. I was wondering… what is the difference between publishing via POD and self-publishing? Thanks.“
~Anne Virtual World

Sporkette: I could give much info about my experience with Print-On-Demand [POD], but don’t have the time, so keeping this short for my benefit. Print-On-Demand companies provide fee-based services for publishing and printing books. POD service fees may include editing, cover design, book lay-out, salespage hosting, marketing and handling the payment process. A book is not actually printed and shipped until it’s purchased by you or a customer; hence, ‘print-on-demand’.

You should receive royalties for any book or e-book sold through a POD publisher. These royalties are generally higher than traditional publishers that pay an advance prior to publishing and printing an author’s book.

Some people in the writing industry believe there is a difference in POD and self-publishing, but to me, no matter how much control you have over the publishing process, if you have to pay to have your work in print book or e-book form, it’s self-publishing. And, if you print and bind your book at home or create your own e-book, it’s all at your cost, so I consider that, too, to be self-publishing.

***

“WTF is Sporkette Hachette?
~WTF

Sporkette: Something to confuse WTF’s like you.

***

Hatchette out with Sporkette by submitting your comment, question or opinion as plain, black text within body of an e-mail with Subject Heading “SH” and send to sporkette [at] sporkettegazette.com.

By submitting any e-mail, you automatically grant Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) the right to publish and archive any content from your e-mail to www.sporkettegazette.com, in any Sporkette Gazette issue at any time. If you do not want your comment, question or opinion credited online or anything linked to from SG, then do not provide your full name or your Web site URL.

Sporkette (aka Patricia Spork) has sole right to decline or publish any content submitted to her. Submitters will not be notified of either decision.

Thanks!
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Tweed Scott Interview – Excerpt 2
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If you don’t recall, Tweed Scott is the author of Texas In Her Own Words, and I published the first excerpt of his interview in Sporkette Gazette January 27, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 3. If you haven’t read the first excerpt yet, you might do so before reading this excerpt. You might also want to read the book review.  Since my interview with Tweed was so long, you’ll see a third excerpt in a future issue. For now, enjoy this one:

Sporkette: As a first time author, you sold 125 books at your first book signing, so what do you feel was the most effective promotion prior to the book’s release at the signing?

Tweed Scott: To start with, I have to tell you, I’d be lying to you if I told you I had a solid marketing plan. It was more of a marketing clue. For the book release party I had radio, TV, print and email working for me. My publisher had agreed to add the services of a publicist. He was helpful but I believe the biggest bang for my buck actually was the effort I put into my email campaign. I looked through my email contacts. I then compiled a mailing list from those contacts. I then composed an invitation and sent it out to about 200 people. After the event was over, I looked back at where the attendees came from and determined that most of the turn out was, in fact, from my email list. There were people I could directly attribute to the radio coverage, still others from the TV coverage but the preponderance of the turnout was directly from that email list.

Sporkette: How in the heck did you get a 2nd print run for Texas In Her Own Words 7 months to day of its release?

Tweed Scott: This to me is a remarkable story. My publisher and I think of this as ‘the little book that could.’ There are, I believe, several factors for our commercial success. The initial book release party was great. I have been told by several authors that your book release party will almost always be the biggest single day you’ll ever have. So far, they’ve been right; however, we have had consistent success on several fronts. For example, we did a book signing…in Amarillo that resulted in 41 copies sold in 90 minutes. We sold 26 copies at a book signing…in Corpus Christi. The book is available…throughout Texas.

I also do a great deal of public speaking to groups, clubs and civic organizations resulting in back-of-the-room sales. Thus far, I have been converting at least a third and, more likely, half the room with each speech. We have moved several hundred books this way. Another big factor that cannot be overlooked is the Alamo. About five weeks after the book was released on March 2, 2006, Texas Independence Day, the Alamo called and purchased 60 copies of Texas In Her Own Words. That was a stunner for me. That was instant validation of this book. Doors just blew open everywhere. Since then the book has been taken on by the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, in Austin. It is in the state capitol gift shops, several other museums in Texas, and several book stores and gift shops statewide.

Without blowing my horn too loudly, I have taken the marketing of this book quite seriously. It goes back to finding a publisher who believed in this work before they ever saw a word of the manuscript.

…It is important for new authors to understand, you will spend 6% of your time writing your book. You’ll spend 94% of your time selling it. Ultimately, it is up to the author to get out there and make it happen.

The initial print run was for 3,000 books. Seven months to the day of the release date, my publisher decided that we needed to go ahead with a second run…we didn’t want to run short over the holidays. It truly has proven to be a popular gift book…moved in the neighborhood of 2,300 books in 7 months; thus, the decision to move ahead.

Sporkette: You traveled extensively throughout Texas seeking interviews…what especially made the traveling time and expenses worthwhile, besides the endeavor to get content for your book?

Tweed Scott: Understanding. That’s the short answer. I saw Texas in a new way…up close and very personal. There is boundless beauty in every part of Texas, even the desert. I knew I couldn’t write a book about Texas sitting in a coffee shop in Austin. There are several states within the state. I knew I had to go to all these places if I was going to do this book justice. What really made the effort worth the time and expense was the absolute privilege of sitting down and looking across the table into the eyes of these wonderful Texans. Looking into their eyes, I peered through the window to their hearts and souls. Like the commercial says…the experience was priceless.

Sporkette: Being Texas In Her Own Words is an ‘as told to‘ you book, what were some unforeseen opportunities that helped you land interviews with well-known celebrities and a ‘Foreword’ by a potential governor?

Tweed Scott: There are a couple of points here. First, I was in radio for over 30 years. I was fortunate to have met and known many famous people. I’ve learned that famous people are just like the rest of us. They’re just people who do things we consider extraordinary. I’ve never really been in awe of stardom. So I just look at them as people. That makes the interview process much easier. Second, many serendipitous things did happen along the way that found me talking to some extraordinary Texans. For example, I went to interview entertainer, B. Boyd…in Spicewood, TX. That particular establishment is owned by P. Locke, W. Nelson’s stage manager. As I began to interview Booby, he asked if it was OK if Poodie sat in with us. That was fine by me. In course of the interview he asked me if I had interviewed Willie or Coach D. Royal yet. I said, ‘No.’ He then told me that I couldn’t do a book about Texas without W. Nelson or D. Royal or the Alamo.  He set the interviews up for me. I had already met them before, during my radio days, but this was far better. Poodie also took me to the Alamo movie set. It was a moving place, because for the first time, I got a real sense of what the Alamo defenders were facing. Those poor boogers never had a chance.

On the trip out there, I told him, I’d like to get K. Friedman to do the foreword. Again, I had met Kinky before but didn’t know him well enough to find him. Poodie said, just call him…yeah, like I had his home number.

The next day I did. I called Kinky and asked him and he said, “Yes, just send me the manuscript.”

Can you imagine it being that easy? That happened long before the race for governor was ever mentioned in the media.

There were several instances of running across people that I never could have dreamed of having a conversation. I actually stumbled across General G. Patton’s personal tank driver. Through another interview, I found a Pulitzer Prize winning author. It’s amazing how if you do the work, it will reward you with surprising results.

Sporkette: If you had a choice between fighting at the Alamo or fighting in the Civil War against the South, which would you choose and why?

Tweed Scott: The Alamo without question. As I mention the book, I believe Texans, to this very day, are somehow spiritually connected to those people at the Alamo…men and women. Texans admire courage, spirit and standing up for something you believe in even though the outcome may not be ideal. They got that from the Alamo. The story is well known. Those men and women could have left and saved their lives. They knew beyond a shadow of doubt their chances of survival were next to nil. Yet, they stayed anyway. How can you not admire that kind of courage? I certainly don’t have a death wish, but I’d like to think that I would have stood at that wall beside others who possessed the belief and fortitude needed to create a nation. The Alamo is the crucible of Texas liberty, bought and paid for by individuals who dared to dream, and purchased that dream with their own blood.

Sporkette: Do you think some of the people you interviewed were instrumental in getting Texas In Her Own Words available to mass audience? If so, how so?

Tweed Scott: From what I’ve seen first hand, yes, some of the people in the book have lent a certain appeal to it. The appearances of some others have certainly made it an easier sale. As I have told many people – because of my broadcasting background – I could have done this entire book with interviews with famous people. However, I thought, ultimately, that would have made for a mostly boring book. I wanted a really good cross section of Texans. What I call the people who walk the talk every day. Ironically, I have also seen people pull back because they viewed say, Kinky or even Willie as a polarizing factor. Not everyone in Texas loves Willie…same thing for Kinky. Perhaps because they live a different lifestyle. I knew that was a calculated risk to include them in the book. The bottom line for me was…I wanted them in the book. It’s a better book because of that. It is also a better book because there are people in there that most people couldn’t possibly know but who speak to the readers. Most Texans will find a piece of themselves somewhere between the covers of the book.

Sporkette: What was the most humorous incident that occurred during your interview quests throughout Texas?

Tweed Scott: The first thing that comes to mind was the initial conversation with B. Leftwich, Patton’s tank driver. As we were sitting down to do the interview, he started telling me about a ranch that was 2.1 RI’s. I know I looked at him quizzically. I was not familiar with the term. After thinking a moment under a furrowed brow, I knew I had been had. He was telling me the ranch was 2.1 Rhode Islands. We got a good laugh out of that one.

Sporkette: Texas In Her Own Words is an eye-appealing soft-cover book, inside and out…can you please describe its design and overall appearance, and where it’s available for purchase?

Tweed Scott: When I started writing and transcribing the interviews, I began by placing person’s name and vital data…birthplace, current residence and occupation at the top of the page. I did this just so I could easily keep track of them and recognize which interview I had in my hand. It was just an organizational device for me. I had thought of adding pictures of everyone I interviewed, but nixed the idea when my book designer, T. Dever, suggested that would give the book a ‘scrapbooky’ look. So we decided not to include a lot of people pictures.

I have no illusions…I am not a book designer…I’m a writer. I left the conceptual design with the book designer. After all, that’s what they do. I have to brag on Tami and her business partner, Erin. They have done some magnificent books and have won the prestigious Ben Franklin Award for book design at least a couple of times. Who am I to tell them? To her credit, Tami saw the vision of this book before she ever saw a word of copy. …A barbed wire motif runs throughout the book. That is something inspired by Tami or Erin. I find it appealing. Several book customers have mentioned it to me while thumbing through the pages.

Several times while in discussions with the publisher, we talked about soft cover versus hard cover or doing a split run. I didn’t feel like if we started with a soft cover, we could never go back to hard cover. I have never been one to want to spend a ton of my publisher’s money but I also wanted a good-looking book. The compromise was the soft cover with French flaps.

…I had no idea how the book would actually look. My first glimpse was the black & white PDF file. I was stunned even then. I knew this was going to be a gorgeous book.

Let me tell you a quick story. The printer overnighted me two copies of the actual book the day it came off the press. I can still remember my excitement trying to get into the mailer. What was so weird was when I held the book in my hands for the first time, the emotions ran the gamut. It was exhilaration; laugh out loud joy, excitement, and in a flash, abject depression. I’m not kidding. I went from this soaring high to this cold feeling of depression. At that precise moment, the three years of living with this book came crashing in on me. I realized at that moment that it was over. What I was holding in my hand was the culmination of three years of my life. This was it. I recognized that THIS was the book. Finally. I could not go back and change a word of it. It is what it is. That part is over. Almost immediately, I switched into the marketing mode and have been there ever since.

The book is available at all the Barnes & Noble Booksellers across the state of Texas; it is also available at The Alamo gift shop, the Bob Bullock State of Texas History Museum, and both of the State Capitol building gifts shops in Austin; as well as, Austin’s Book People and the Congress Avenue Card & Gift shop. You can find the book at the Admiral Nimitz Museum, in Fredericksburg; the Luckenbach General Store; The Panhandle Plains Museum, in Canyon, Texas; and at the Big Texan Restaurant’s gift shop on I-40 in Amarillo. That’s where, if you can eat the 72 oz. steak with all the trimmins’, you get it for free. We’re still opening up outlets, such as gift shops, around the state, whenever and wherever we can.

Sporkette: Would you mind crediting your wife here, for her photographic contribution to Texas In Her Own Words? Thanks!

Tweed Scott: There are, I believe, something like 78 photos in the book. My wife, Zee, took 59-60 of them. She just has a good eye. In fact, that stunning cover was her shot also. As I explain in the book, that particular shot was an accident of sorts. We passed a flag late in the afternoon and the sun went behind the flag and washed out the colors. I happened to see it and told her that she needed to see it too. I turned the car around. She got out and got down in the wet bar ditch and snapped two pictures. About a week later when we got the pictures developed, we were surprised at what we had. Later, my book designer chose it as the cover shot. That cover has sold us books. I have had more comments about that shot. Zee just has the eye. In the beginning, I was writing a book about Texas. After the book came out with her pictures adorning the inside and the cover, it was obvious this was as much her book as mine. I love sharing it with her.

Sporkette: How supportive were your family members while you worked on your book and what was their general opinion of Texas In Her Own Words after its publication?

Tweed Scott: That is somewhat amusing. I think, my wife especially, just understood and let me do my own thing. When it got really interesting was after she took the picture and it was chosen to be the cover…that’s when she really bought in to this project. After it came out, it became as much her book as mine. She has enjoyed the attention she has received for taking the cover and most of the interior pictures as well. My son, Tyler, thinks it’s cool that he helped cause a book to be written. My daughter was not happy with me because she was barely mentioned in the book. The truth be known, she was born in Oklahoma. Tyler is the Texas native.

The overall acceptance by family and friends has been heartwarming. So many of my friends are genuinely happy for me. I know they heard so much about this book…I’m sure some were wondering if there really was a book. Now that it’s out, they think it’s cool to have been around the process. I have one friend who became so inspired that one of her friends wrote a book that she has since written and published a book too. That’s cool. We can just look at one another and wink and we both ‘get it.’

Sporkette: Do you think the armadillo should be the Texas State mammal…why or why not?

Tweed Scott: No. I’ve always thought the horse should be the state mammal, for the simple reason the horse was so instrumental in the advancement of Texas. Some of the greatest light cavalry the western hemisphere has ever seen were, in fact, the Comanche Indians. The cattle drives certainly would have never happened without the horse. For me, the horse is almost synonymous with Texas. When you think of the Texas image, isn’t there a horse in there somewhere? What the Armadillo means to me is that when I’m traveling and I see one with four legs up on the highway…I know I’m back home in Texas.

Sporkette: Out of curiosity, do you ride horses or ranch cattle, and do you look good in a cowboy hat and tight jeans?

Tweed Scott: Actually, I’ve never owned a horse…but I can ride some. I wouldn’t say I’m an accomplished equestrian, by any stretch, but I like being on horses. We have run some cattle on our place, but didn’t particularly enjoy the experience. There’s just something about cows; you can look in their eyes and tell ‘there ain’t anybody drivin’.'  Actually, I do wear a cowboy hat much of the time. I started several years ago, because I wanted to keep the sun off my neck, nose and ears. I can burn easily. The only time you won’t find me in jeans is when I have to dress up. I do know how to wear my hat and jeans.

Sporkette: What is your main regret about the publication of Texas In Her Own Words?

Tweed Scott: Actually, there are two regrets. First (and I mention this in the thank portion of the book), both of my parents didn’t live long enough to see the book. The second regret was that although I had each of the people in the book sign a release – so that I could use there image and words in the promotion and marketing of the book as well as be in the book – I failed to seek permission to use their voices. I have all these interviews on tape and I can’t really use them to do an audio portion of the book or e-book. Some will be impossible to get again because there are already three people I interviewed for the book that have passed on. Trust me…that will be in my next release.

***

To learn more about Tweed Scott, request interviews, inquire about speaker presentations, or purchase Texas In Her Own Words, visit Tweed’s site. Also, read Tweed Scott’s blog.
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Tree Stump Writing Contest
———————————————-
What can you write about a tree stump? Well, look at this image for inspiration, then get creative and write about that ugly stump for 10 minutes (no editing allowed), then send me the results. If I like what you wrote above all other works submitted, I’ll publish your work in the next issue – whenever that will be. If your work is the one published, I’ll give you a “Free” 30-day membership to Patricia Spork site. Not much there, yet, but will be adding more between now and the time of next SG publication. Oh, be sure to send a short bio with your submission – include any relevant URLs. Follow guidelines below. Thanks.

F.Y.I.: By submitting any work to enter this contest you assure that you are the original creator of the work and grant Patricia Spork the right to publish the work (unedited) and your name in the next online issue of Sporkette Gazette (www.sporkettegazette.com). You will be notified if you are the contest winner, prior to publication. You also grant Patricia Spork One-Time Electronic Serial Publication Rights – Internet Only and Online Archive Rights.

Okay, if still interested in the writing contest, here are more details:

Word Count: 10-minutes worth!

Format: Black, Times New Roman 12 pt., Plain Text Only, Single Space, No Indents.

Deadline:  Juts get it to me before next issue, which would more than likely be approximately two weeks from now.

Enter this contest by embedding your work in the body of an email with Subject Heading “Tree Stump Writing Contest” and send to sporkettegazette-AT-sporkettegazette.com.

Response Time: 24-72 hours, or longer depending on circumstances

Contest Winner Announced in next issue of Sporkette Gazette, with expected publication date of 8/04/09, but could be sooner; then again, could be later. LOL!

Have fun!
———————————————-
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
———————————————-
You will need a zip utility program and PDF reader to extract files and read the e-books. Click on the titles below to download the zipped e-book folders to your computer.

Top 5 Diet Disasters!

Article Marketing Strategies

Auto Sound Systems Made Easy

Use Bing for Quilting

Any inquiries or download problems, contact me.
———————————————
End Ramblings
———————————————
Rain lulls dullards to sleep and writers to write.

~Sporkette

*********************************************
NOTICE:
Sporkette Gazette is published by Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette) at www.sporkettegazette.com.

READ: Terms, Policy and Disclaimer on this site (www.sporkettegazette.com).

I hope to heck all content in this Online Newsletter is legal and not too defamatory or libelous and that I’m not infringing on anyone’s rights. I’m willing to be held accountable for any wrongdoing, but please know, everything published in this newsletter is done so in good faith and with as much integrity as is possible for a southern hick that doesn’t have much knowledge about law.

January 2009 – Patricia Spork
———————————————–
Copyright Information
———————————————–
Sporkette Gazette is copyright of Patricia Spork. Some content may be copyright of other respective authors. Copying any portion and publishing any of the content elsewhere is not permitted without express written permission from Patricia Spork or any respective authors.

If you would like to share any portion of Sporkette Gazette with a friend or family member, please do so by sending someone the URL for this issue. Thank you.

Sporkette Gazette Copyright 2003-2009 Patricia Spork,
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
—————————————————
Subscribe to Sporkette Gazette
—————————————————
Subscribe using either the RSS feed or e-mail delivery options available on this site:

http://www.sporkettegazette.com/

—————————————————
Unsubscribe from Sporkette Gazette:
—————————————————
These suggestions may not work for everyone:

If you’re using some type of RSS Feed Reader, click on the blog name and look for a Settings section where you should be able to click on Unsubscribe.

An “Unsubscribe” link should be available in delivered e-mails.

If using some type of “Live” bookmark, click on the blog name and right click for menu where you can click on Delete.

***

Category: Sporkette Gazette Volume 4  Tags: , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
24
Jun 2009

Sporkette Gazette – June 24, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 8

By sporkette

Sporkette Gazette

http://www.sporkettegazette.com/

June 24, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 8

Patricia Spork (aka Sporkette), Publisher/Editor

http://www.patriciaspork.us/

———————————————–
IN THIS ISSUE
———————————————–
Ramblings
Sporkette Hachette
Alina Oswald Interview
Share! Giveaway! Freely Distribute!
End Ramblings
Notice
Copyright Information
Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
————————————————
Ramblings
————————————————
Hey hey, wadda ya say!

Sorry so long between issues and about not being regular with blog posts at all sites. I can’t be regular with anything because my life is run by constant irregularities. Truly so! Anyway, going to trim down some personal Internet responsibilities and ‘hopefully’ become more regular.

“Site Updates” section now obsolete. Updates will be mentioned in this section. If curious as to what’s been added to my other sites, then click on  links in next paragraph or in “BlogRoll” on right sidebar. But you better check soon, for I’ll be doing some major changes in the next week or so.

“DomainFrolic.com, eBookMouse.com and ResellEbooksBuzz.com domain names will be up for sale. If interested in making an offer, contact me at sporkette [at] sporkettegazette.com. Mind you, I won’t let them go cheap; I’d rather hang onto them than sell at low cost.

Content at those three sites will eventually wind up at www.patriciaspork.us, which will be a paid membership (monthly subscription) site with my creations (ebooks, graphics, writings, etc., and with digital products (e-books, software, graphics, etc.) by other creators. Some items may be for personal use only, while others will include reseller rights or other rights. Don’t know exactly how everything will be operated on PS site yet, but if you want to stay updated about its progress, then subscribe to this site’s feed or e-mail or at www.sporkette.com, because when I start the changes at PS site, could lose everything already there, even its current subscribers. Boy, I’m good, huh? LOL!

July 4th is almost upon us. I hope you’re as patriotic as me and celebrate the day with pride.

May independence reign!

Patricia
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Sporkette Hachette
————————————————————

“What would you do about the situation in Iran if you were President of the United States?“ ~Carol – Northern U.S.

Sporkette: Me? I’d meddle. Big time!

***

“How would you approach a literary agent about a book manuscript?” ~Hopeful Bestseller

Sporkette: Kind of like I’d approach a rattle snake…from behind and with a sharp-edged shovel or a shotgun. No, seriously, I’d read contact information and guidelines on their Web site and go from there, doing as requested. If meeting an agent in person, I’d give a super quick book summary (3 minutes or less), then ask if he or she might be interested in a proposal and how best to submit it. Be sure to get the agent’s business card and give yours in return.

***

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Alina Oswald Interview
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Alina Oswald, Author of "Journeys Through Darkness"

Alina Oswald

Alina Oswald and I became friends after she submitted a personal essay to me for publication consideration. Her well-written essay struck a chord with me, especially since it was about depression and suicide ideation. Alina’s essay was promptly accepted and published in 2002 at www.ivyvine.org – a domain once registered in my name. Since that time, Alina and I regularly correspond via e-mail and chat via phone or Webcam sessions. Although we’ve never met in person, I consider Alina a very close friend (one of three gal friends most dear to me), even though she lives in New Jersey and I, in Texas. To be honest, I feel like she’s the little sister I never had. Probably good she’s not a sibling, otherwise, maybe we wouldn’t get along so well. LOL!

Our conversations always provide me encouragement, through good and bad times. Sometimes during our conversations, we share tears…sometimes, laughter. What we mostly share is our creative passions: writing and photography. Without those, we probably wouldn’t talk so much. (That’s a lie! LOL!)

Alina, a teacher when we met, expanded her skills, becoming a professional freelance writer and photographer. I feel Alina has surpassed me in many of the talents of which we’re both gifted. A few years ago, she took on the task of writing a biography, “Journeys Through Darkness ,” that is now published. This interview centers around that book, of which, you can read my book review about it here.

So with great pride for Lil’ Sis, I present my interview with her, to you. Hope it interests you enough to purchase a copy. Ulterior motives are good, right? Heheheheh.

Journeys Through Darkness by Alina Oswald, Photographs by Kurt Weston

Journeys Through Darkness by Alina Oswald, Photographs by Kurt Weston

SPORKETTE: ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘ is about a gay photographer living with HIV/AIDS and his growth as a visual artist. Being heterosexual, what attracted you to Fine Art Photographer, Kurt Weston, to cause you to request writing his biography?

ALINA OSWALD: Sometime in 2005, while searching writing contests online, I came across a site called Unfinished Works. There was a call for artists whose works were inspired by HIV/AIDS. A photograph caught my eye–it was Kurt Weston’s ‘Last Light‘. [Read excerpt about 'Last Light' photograph below this interview.]

A few months later, my editor at ‘A & U – America’s AIDS Magazine‘ asked me if I knew of any artist creating AIDS related artwork, to interview for the publication. Unfinished Works came to mind and I realized I knew just the artist, so I checked out Kurt Weston’s site,  emailed him and, to my surprise, he responded. I interviewed him and the article, ‘Warrior Within,’ was published in ‘A & U‘ in November, 2005.

In April 2006, I was invited to a party hosted by Joel Rothschild, who, like Kurt Weston, is a wonderful AIDS activist and long term survivor living in California. He’s also the best-selling author of ‘Hope – A Story of Triumph‘. I emailed Kurt and we decided to meet while I was in California. During the visit with Kurt and his partner, Terry, we came up with the idea of writing a ‘longer piece’ – a biography – and so began my work on ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘.

SPORKETTE: Since I’ve known you, you’ve almost always been active writing about HIV/AIDS or about alternative lifestyle events and functions. Why?

ALINA OSWALD: It’s really because of Mom…a medical doctor specialized in infectious diseases. She’s the one who started me on this path, without even being aware of it.

In 1986, while I was still living in Europe (where I’m from), my mother invited me to join her at an AIDS conference. I think she wanted to show me around the university building and give me a hint of what it was like to be a student there, to get me interested in medicine. (it didn’t work, I love math too much, LOL!). What Mom did not know, at the time, was that she actually opened a door toward a subject matter that I’ve become very passionate about: HIV/AIDS. After the conference, I remember my mother asking me how I liked it. All I could say was ‘interesting‘. Indeed, how fascinating (in a strange and scary way) it is for a virus, so retro, so simple, so unknown (especially at that time) to be capable of causing so much devastation, suffering, and death. And I thought, ‘What kind of virus could do such a thing?‘

So years later and on this side of the Atlantic, I became a contributing writer to ‘A & U‘ and a few other publications.

SPORKETTE: After reading ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘, I felt you had put your heart and soul into writing Kurt’s compelling story. Do you, too, feel that way, and why or why not?

ALINA OSWALD: Yes, indeed. During the almost three years I’ve worked on the book, I literally lived the story I was writing. I believe that kind of attachment is important in order to create the best possible work. It also makes it quite difficult to let go of the work once it’s finished, because you are so emotionally and passionately connected to the work.

SPORKETTE: Several of Kurt Weston’s B&W photographs appear in ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘ – which is your favorite and why?

ALINA OSWALD: ‘Dark Angel‘ – the one that Kurt later gave me, signed and with a wonderful dedication. I was drawn to ‘Dark Angel‘ from the very beginning and for several reasons. The image is dramatic, powerful while, in the same time, displaying a funny (so to speak) element through the white cat looking so innocently at the angel. The cat is not afraid of the dark angel, which is an angel of death, an angel of AIDS, which, at the time (mid-eighties), was an immediate death sentence. I connected even more with the image after listening to the story behind the image and that of the making of the image. [Read excerpt about 'Dark Angel' photograph below this interview.]

SPORKETTE: What is the title of the photograph used on the book cover and why did you choose it for the cover art?

ALINA OSWALD: The cover image is called ‘Journey Through Darkness‘ and by Kurt Weston, which is featured in the AIDS Museum’s permanent collection, in Newark, NJ. I titled my chapters after some of Kurt’s images. He came up with the idea of ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘ as the book’s title. I personally thought that using ‘Journeys‘ (plural) emphasizes his two journeys – through the darkness of AIDS (especially through the terrifying darkness that dominated the first years of the pandemic, 1981-1985) and also his journey through the darkness of blindness. In the process, he rediscovers the warrior fighting with his disease, and the fine art photographer within, which allows him to create award-winning visual art.

SPORKETTE: You have a couple of appendixes at the back of the book, and a couple of other sections there as well – what are they and why did you add them?

ALINA OSWALD: When I first started working on ‘Journeys‘ and trying to figure out the structure of the book, I talked to Kurt and we both agreed that it would be a good idea to add more info about medications and other HIV/AIDS-related medical terms. That’s how I started putting together the Glossary, including a list of terms and brief explanations for the lay audience. Then I thought that a short article about CMV and CMV retinitis would be helpful, especially for those who are not familiar with this kind of retinitis or the virus that causes it. I also thought that a candid Q&A session with Kurt would help readers better identify with the photographer. The Acknowledgments section includes a brief story of my own, of how I got involved in covering the AIDS pandemic.

Most of the time people think that one has to have AIDS or be infected with (or affected by) HIV to get involved. I think that’s not true. If we tried to fix only the issues that directly affected us, then where would we be and how much would we really achieve? But if we find a cause we truly care about and feel passionately about, we can really get much more done, accomplish more and, quite possibly, find our call in our professional life, in particular and in life, in general.

SPORKETTE: Why did you opt to self-publish ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘?

ALINA OSWALD: Originally, I decided to find an agent to represent my manuscript, and for a while, had high hopes. I contacted a few agents and also attended the 2007 Book Expo of America, where I talked to quite a few agents and editors. Several of them showed interest. Per their requests, I sent proposals and parts (or the whole) manuscript. In return, I received praises and referrals to other agents who’d be better fit for my manuscript. I also received personalized and full of praise rejection letters. (I can show them to the skeptical ones). Two agents (husband and wife) from San Francisco read the proposal and manuscript. They sent a letter telling me how great and ’sellable‘ (but for them) was my manuscript. I also received a very encouraging rejection email from a NYC agent, referring me to another NYC agent–whom I later contacted and never heard back….

Anyway, as time went by, I decided to self-publish.

Towards the end of 2008, I asked Guido Sanchez, former CEO of Hudson Pride Connections here in Jersey City (now with Center Link,  continuing his work as a dedicated activist) to write a Foreword. Guido agreed and impressed me with ‘Finding Visionaries‘. Afterwards, I self-published ‘Journeys‘ with a Print-On-Demand publisher, because the price wasn’t too bad and quality was good.

SPORKETTE: Compared to writing creative non-fiction articles, how difficult was it to write a biography?

ALINA OSWALD: Writing, in general, is like figuring out a puzzle. It starts with doing the necessary research, with looking for and choosing pieces of the puzzle that would/could fit together. Once you have all (or most of) the pieces that you think you need (once you have all the research done), you usually outline the project. Only then does the actual writing begin as you start trying to fit together pieces of the puzzle, that, in turn, make the story.

When it comes to writing a book-length manuscript, the puzzle is huge, enormous. You don’t only swap around paragraphs, but parts of or full chapters. You read (reading aloud helps) and reconsider each and every word you use, and think long and hard of the reasons why that word is the best one to express whatever you want to express. With lengthy manuscripts the writing and editing process may seem overwhelming, especially when ‘The End‘ is nowhere in sight. Therefore, it’s much easier to make mistakes, and it’s much easier to just give up. That’s why you need a few pairs of eyes – of well-meaning individuals who’re also interested in reading your work – to read the manuscript in order to catch errors.

Not to worry, mistakes are human, and more prone to happen when working on book-length manuscripts because, after a while all words start looking alike, black on white scribbling. When that happens, it’s time to stop and take a break from editing. Go do something else–maybe work on something with colors (like photography or painting) or just close your eyes and meditate to allow your mind to relax a bit, do something that’s not necessarily related to writing. You’ll get back to editing with fresh eyes and ideas.

My additional pairs of eyes came from those who’ve offered their help, for which I’m forever greatful: Patricia Spork, professional writer who read my final and intermediate drafts and shared her opinions that, in turn, helped me polish my manuscript; and Ira Weitz, my editor, who’s done a phenomenal job and who’s always been so very patient with me. He knew when to push me and how much to push me, especially when times were tough (in my writing process). An artist and former contributor to ‘MAD‘ magazine, Ira has read the manuscript so many times, I lost count, each time for various purposes. ‘Journeys‘ is finished because of Ira Weitz. I have no words to express my appreciation, so I just simply say “THANK YOU!”

Also, it’s always good to have people to talk to about the book, about issues related to the book but not necessarily writing/editing related. Especially other authors who’ve been through the experience themselves can be of tremendous help. I’m lucky enough to call some of them friends. Many thanks, to T. J. Banks (author of ‘Soleido‘ and ‘Houdini‘), for the long phone conversations, encouragements and being a real shoulder to cry on. Many thanks, to Patricia Spork, who opened the first door to my writing career and who’s been there for me, a wonderful friend ever since. I treasure every moment. Many thanks, to Ira Weitz, who, by now, knows of my experience with the book by heart. Many thanks, to my family, for their support, ideas, tips and advice.

SPORKETTE: To me, Kurt Weston’s story should be turned into a feature film because he’s made a positive impact on society in many ways and turned his disadvantages into advantages for himself and others. So, would you ever consider converting the biography into a screenplay or allowing someone else the right to do so? And why, or why not?

ALINA OSWALD: I thought about that, myself. I talked to a filmmaker (who’s also covering HIV/AIDS) about it. One never knows. I think Kurt’s story would make quite a movie. Who’d play Kurt Weston? Now, that’s the question [smile]

SPORKETTE: What tips can you provide for anyone interested in writing a biography?

ALINA OSWALD: One may decide to write a biography for two reasons: money and interest in the particular subject. To write a book-length manuscript the writer has to connect, at least at some level, with the subject and his/her story. The writer has to be dedicated to the research, the writing and editing, and also the marketing and promotion. In other words, the writer has to believe in his/her work when others may not, to consider all opinions and make his/her own decisions, because, down deep inside, he/her should know that the work is worth being published. It can be an overwhelming task, but it can be done, especially if the writer sets intermediate deadlines, show up every single day and work on something related to the book, and keep the goal always in sight.

Also, working as a team can be an advantage. In my case, I set up weekly phone calls with Kurt, during which I taped his story and took notes, and later transcribed the interviews and figured out where I could use parts of the interview material. I had to have something done from one week to another, to talk to Kurt about it, ask questions, go back to some interviews, and so on. Kurt was fantastic during this process and very patient with me. I could see my work’s progress, a bit at a time, from one week to another. And my phone chats with Kurt, well…those were the highlight of my week, and I’d talk about them with everybody willing to listen.

Money is one thing and we all need it (who says that money is not important doesn’t have to worry about paying bills). Anyway, I think that interest in the subject matter is much more important, when it comes to writing a biography. Money (compensation) alone surely increases the writer’s interest, but not necessarily to a genuine passionate level. If a writer is interested in (or passionate about) the subject of the project, then he/she also becomes passionate about the work involved, and ‘lives‘ (so to speak) the process of writing and finishing the manuscript. And the level of emotional involvement usually has the power to give life to the story…or not.

‘Journeys Through Darkness‘ – Excerpts:

‘The Last Light‘:
“The photograph featured an old man with drawn face and ghostly eyes. He was sitting in a chair with his back at a tall window. The weak daylight poured inside the room to mingle with the pale artificial light of a night lamp. The only other source of light in the photograph was the man’s eyes, glowing with serenity. He seemed unaware of the mist of shadow and light surrounding him. Rather, he gazed at something beyond the visual sphere of the photograph, as if he found himself at the crossroads between two realms, about to follow a path unfolding in front of him, into some mysterious unknown.”

‘Dark Angel‘:

“‘Dark Angel’caption: ‘Inspired by Broadway’s Angels in America, Kurt Weston’s Dark Angel is an angel of AIDS and of Death. While created in total darkness, the image symbolizes the darkness of the early epidemic. Only the angel’s face is illuminated because AIDS, as horrifying as it was, has transformed people’s concepts about living and dying, and has turned funerals into celebrations of life.’”

“Weston’s Dark Angel symbolizes an angelic figure composed of a play of the elements often used in the artist’s work—darkness and light—to manifest the subtle interaction between what’s real and what is not. This interaction further transposes between the dark angel and the white cat that doesn’t seem afraid of the angel, but rather interested in his stake. The cat was actually “a happy mistake,” the artist explains, talking about the technical part involved in creating the image.
The photographer used a view camera, which is a large camera that requires a piece of film, called sheet film, inserted in a film holder. He put this sheet film in the back of the camera and had the subject standing as he appears in the photograph, holding on to his stake.
The room was completely dark, as the artist started walking around the room with a handheld flash, popping the flash off in different angles to create different shadows as he walked around, thus creating the shadowy wings of the Dark Angel.

Unknowingly to Weston, while he was moving around and working on his photograph, his cat, Che (from Che Guevara), walked inside the room and was accidentally illuminated when the flash came off. It wasn’t until during the developing process that the photographer discovered the cat, which wasn’t supposed to be in the picture, staring straight at the angel’s stake.

Although Kurt Weston created Dark Angel in total darkness, he also interjected the only light into the image to illuminate the angel’s face. The light is a symbol of hope and of life’s triumph coming through the immense blackness of the (then) terrifying AIDS epidemic.”

***

Alina OswaldAlina Oswald is a freelance writer and photographer, and the author of ‘Journeys Through Darkness‘,” a biography. Her works have appeared online and in print, in local and national publications, like “A&U Magazine – America’s AIDS Magazine,” “Beyond Race Magazine,” “Extra-Extra,” “Go NYC,” “Next Door Magazine,” “NY Blade” and “Out IN Jersey“. Alina’s photographs have appeared in NYC art shows, such as Visual AIDS’ “Postcards from the Edge,” Leslie Lohman’s “Strike A Pose,” and solo exhibit, “Backbone,” at 32 Jones Gallery. Samples of her work are available here.

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End Ramblings
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I used to be a heavy drinker, years ago, and still a recovering alcoholic. Took me a long time to realize alcoholic beverages are bottled and canned ruination. Care for a drink of ruination? It’s always ‘on the house‘.
~Sporkette

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NOTICE:
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January 2009 – Patricia Spork
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