Sounds of Aloha (Barbershop Chorus) at Holiday Show Photo by Frank Lowe |
Holiday parties are in full swing in Hawaii! I recently attended the holiday party for the RWA Aloha Chapter Holiday Party. I met two other military spouses who recently arrived on the island, moved onto Hickam AFB, and write books - we've made a pact to get together once a week to talk books, set goals, and see Hawaii! I'll introduce you to them in the new year!
Patricia Wood from Amazon page |
The guest speaker was Patricia Wood, author of LOTTERY. Patricia lives on a boat in Hawaii, is pursuing her PhD at the University of Hawaii, and brought so much warmth to our luncheon. I recall the points of her speech (paraphrase), "I am going to share the secrets of writing.
1. There are no secrets.
2. Some tell you to write what you know; I tell you to write what you want to know.
3. The manuscripts hidden under your bed (that will never be published) are "tuition" in pursuing your dream of writing."
The last tidbit resonated with me as I have many "hidden manuscripts" under my bed - not actual manuscripts but projects I've tried. Some successful, some not. Indeed, our path to success for the future is building upon our experiences of the past.
I am giving away an autographed copy of LOTTERY to one randomly selected commenter:
Perry’s IQ is only 76, but he’s not stupid. His grandmother taught him everything he needs to know to survive: She taught him to write things down so he won’t forget them. She taught him to play the lottery every week. And, most important, she taught him whom to trust. When Gram dies, Perry is left orphaned and bereft at the age of thirty-one. Then his weekly Washington State Lottery ticket wins him 12 million dollars, and he finds he has more family than he knows what to do with. Peopled with characters both wicked and heroic who leap off the pages, Lottery is a deeply satisfying, gorgeously rendered novel about trust, loyalty, and what distinguishes us as capable.
To enter the giveaway (no purchase necessary),
1. Leave a comment about the lottery - do you play? Does Lady Luck favor you? Lady Luck gives us great weather in Hawaii (as we don't have the lottery).
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, December 3,10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 4.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Patricia and her books, check out her website at www.patriciawoodauthor.com.
Funny Bones Barbershop Quartet (hubby is second from right) Photo by Frank Lowe |