Sunday, November 27, 2011

Aloha to new friends, hidden manuscripts, and Patricia Wood's LOTTERY

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










13 comments:

  1. We don't have a lottery here in Las Vegas but with all the slot machines...we don't really need one. lol

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  2. What an interesting story line. Seldom play the lottery. So many variations available, and no clue as to any except that the chances of winning are slim to none.

    Kim, hope you enjoyed your time at the beach. My sister, when she lived in Hawaii, invariably called while on the way to the beach, while I stared out my window at work at snow or, worse, sleet.

    Just noticed Goodreads has a Hawaii group, to which you may belong already.

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  3. I don't play the lottery, I kind of figure I may as well just burn my money if I did. I work too hard for it to just throw it away.

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  4. I play the Lottery on occasion. I have read too many stories of people taking chances and not winning but losing everything. Playing responsibly is the key.

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  5. Just to live in Hawaii is winning the lottery, you are blessed.
    I do play the lottery and have been since 1977.
    I won over $2,000 once in 1999. Since then nothing, maybe $10.
    I think it is a really bad addiction, but you always think maybe I might win this time.
    Gotta go, time to check those tickets.

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  6. We played a few times in the past but we don't anymore. I feel the chances of winning are very, very small and I'm just throwing my money away.

    This sounds like a great story! I'd love to read it!

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  7. My brother was telling me all his numbers came up winnings were 7 million pounds & he DID NOT play I would have done my nut, He was quite calm about it.
    It is amazing how many family & friends come out of the woodwork when money is Involved. Patricia's book sounds wonderful.
    Have a good one.

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  8. I do play the lottery and always have high hopes although I've not been much of a winner. Buyt it's the hope of a nice win that keeps me going back. And you know the saying, you can't win if you don't play lol.

    catslady

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  9. I play occasionally; haven't won enough to cover what I've spent, though. I usually buy the $1 game tickets as stocking stuffers at Christmas.

    Would love to win so I can really enjoy retirement!

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  10. I play weekly. Do not win enough to cover the cost of tickets.

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  11. I do play the lottery ($1.00) and have been playing the same numbers for 17 yrs and still have not won. lol One day the numbers will come up so I just keep playing. I have so many ideas to help family,friends and the community.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  12. We don't have a lottery here in Las Vegas but with all the critical literature review help...we don't really need one. lol

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  13. In Las Vegas, there is no provision for a lottery. However, given the assistance we receive through critical literature reviews, the absence of a lottery is inconsequential. It's quite amusing, isn't it?

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