Making a poem for a stone for family dog

I've been working on a mosiac gravestone for a family pet. He was a goldern retriver and his name was Fetcher since he would fetch things.

Fetcher, old dog
You’ve been loyal and true
And we all are sad
Saying goodbye to you.
Does Heaven have dogs?
I hope that its so
I guess I’ll find out
When someday I go.
If Heaven has dogs
I know it is true
God saved a great spot
For a good dog like you.

We love you Fetcher!
The Akers Family

Exerpt from book I'm currently writing

From Sins of the Mothers:
Everyday on her walks she passed the house of an elderly Italian immigrant named Antonio. Albert called him a ‘Wop’ which Laura thought was mean. The man didn’t speak English very well but he would admire Cora and chat with Laura for a bit when she passed by.
“I’ve got an old rooster,” he said one day. “He’s getting sick and about to die.”
“That’s too bad,” Laura said.
“Oh, that-sa okay because I’m going to kill him and eat him first,” Antonio said.
This plan turned Laura’s stomach to think that Antonio would eat a sick bird but she held her tongue. That night she told Albert what the old man had said.
“People in these foreign places eat all kind of things. I hear they eat cats and dogs even horses,” Albert informed her.
“I’m going to ask him how that rooster tasted if he really cooks it,” Laura said.
A few days later she asked Antonio how his rooster was doing.
“Oh I killed him and ate him for supper the other night,” Antonio said, preening himself for not having taken a loss.
“How did he taste,” Laura asked. “I mean you said he was sick and all.” Antonio shook his head as he said, “Old bird…pretty much tough, same as eating a shoe"

What's Happening

I enjoyed the book fair at Ohioana this past weekend and hope to return to it next year. Ohioana does a big service to the state of Ohio and to writers who live in Ohio and who write about Ohio. Now that this is done I'm thinking of the next thing which is a mystery book festival in Owensburg, Kentucky. That event is in June I believe.

Meanwhile I'm about half through writing Sins of the Mothers. I stopped to do a little research and with everything going on did not start again.

Ice cream

Prompt from my writing group was to write a poem that sounds like Ice cream Tastes. That was a challenge and I came up with the following. I don't know if it sounds sweet and creamy like ice cream but it is today's best shot.

Ice Cream

A taste so creamy on my lips
It rides so sweetly on my hips.
It may have fruit or vanilla bean
The taste is always cold and clean.
Cooling on a summer day
A food that makes me want to play.
I close my eyes; it is a dream
That sweet,
and creamy,
icy cream.
Smoothly it slides down my throat
It’s heaven sent…that’s all she wrote.

Ohioana Book Festival

The book festival is on Saturday at 546 Jack Gibbs blvd in Columbus, Ohio and for the first time I am included. It's hard to get accepted and so I am thrilled about this but nervous. I still have to find the location and to find the Governor's residence for the reception afterward. Today I learned that I am on a mystery/suspense panel in the afternoon. No one told me this officially but I learned through a moderator.

Needless to say I'm quite nervous this week and wondering if I'll do the right thing. I suppose they'll tell me the rules eventually. So far I'm playing it by ear. Please drop by and say Hi if you get the chance.

Researching Settings for novels

A setting should be treated like a character as in you the writer need to know the setting intimately so you don't send your character running toward town rather than away or confuse the reader in some other manner. It is helpful to map the location so you maintain your orientation and it's not bad to have a plan of the house as you move your characters through it.

I research my settings but could do better with detailed maps. My most recent publisher has asked for a map to show the areas my character will move through.

My most recent research led me to route 62 below Hillsboro and to the area of Morrystown. I was there partly to do genealogy research as it is an area where my gramdfather William Ira Stultz's family lived. I met with two cousins while there.

Even though I am not ready to use a certain area yet I file it away for future reference as I also do my ideas for future novels. This goes in folders to be used later.

Preparing for book fair at Ohioana

The Ohioana Book Fair will be held at Fort Hayes, Construction Arts Building this year. I have been accepted for this and I am looking forward to the event. We are having a reception later at the Governors Residence. The book fair starts around 10:00 Am and ends at 4:30 Pm. There is a press release for the festival available on line at: http://www.ohioanabookfestival.org /media-contact

I hope to meet everyone there. It is a thrill to be included in this event.

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