 | At a gathering of writers and readers on October 20, 2019, author M.J. Simms-Maddox, Ph.D. describes the work that went into the development of her published Priscilla Trilogy and soon to be published addition to the series. Dr. Simms-Maddox is a member of the North Carolina Writers' Network. Her presentation was delivered at the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society at an event titled "When History Matters" hosted by the Society and the Friends of the Library. | |
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 William Cottrell is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and an occasional hiker. His story, Perfect Attendance recalls a childhood memory that finds a measure of closure in a recent visit. About William Cottrell- William is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, and an anesthesiologist who practiced over 39 years in the area of Concord, North Carolina before retirement in 2018. He has served in various capacities including president of Cabarrus County Medical Society, Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and as a medical examiner for Cabarrus County. His medical practice has been complimented by a love of writing, acoustic guitar, golf, community and family including six grandchildren. In 2016 he completed his memoirs; Confessions of an Anesthesiologist, available on amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also featured in the Bookstore Tab on this website. This book gives a chronological review of how his medical practice evolved over forty years from both a personal and professional perspective. You can reach Dr. Cottrell by email at wcottrell1@windstream.net.  Mel Pitts is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and a hiking enthusiast. Her story, Trail Lesson reminds readers that some of the best trails are those shared with someone you love. About Mel Pitts- Mel Pitts is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network. She grew up in a rural setting, where she developed her passion for writing, nature, and animals. In 1973, she earned a BS degree in English education from Ohio University and then a Master of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Mel stayed in that town to teach high school English and creative writing. Mel writes, gardens, kayaks, hikes, is active in her church, and enjoys being a mom and grandmother. You can reach Mel by email at melpitts@yahoo.com  Change Happens! Hidden Treasure Novels, HTN reinforces that message in several social media outlets. If you follow us at Twitter or Facebook you will recognize this photo of a creek in Piedmont of North Carolina. In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing this Dutch Buffalo Creek. On page 41 of that book, readers discover that, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans. Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41. This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to our environment. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website. What was an environmental high water marker that you observed during the seasons of your lifetime?  Debra Madaris Efird is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and a hiking enthusiast. Her story, My Own Green Cathedral reminds readers that some of the best trails can be enjoyed right in their own back yard. About Debra Madaris Efird- Debra is a member of the NC Writers' Network and author of Groups in Practice: A School Counselor's Collection (2012, Routledge). She has had numerous articles published in professional counseling magazines as well as in saturdayeveningpost.com, livinglutheran.org, Savannah Anthology, Wake Living magazine, UNCG magazine, and others. She has been a Finalist in numerous writing contests, including the Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize, Doris Betts Fiction Prize, Press 53 Open Awards, NCSU Prize for Short Fiction, and others. You can reach Debra at email debramadarisefird@gmail.com , website: https://sites.google.com/site/debramadarisefird/home  Change Happens! Hidden Treasure Novels, HTN reinforces that message in several social media outlets. If you follow us at Twitter or Facebook you will recognize this photo. Friends in New Jersey might remember a time when they had to deposit these tokens every few miles or so on their way to the shore.
In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing the Dutch Buffalo Creek. On page 41 of that book, readers discover that, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans. Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41. This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to society. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website. What was a high water marker that you observed during the seasons of your lifetime?  I am honored to be included in the blog tour of Laura L. Zimmerman’s new book, Keen. I first met Laura at a North Carolina Writers’ Network, NCWN regional event, and then at a state level meeting of the Association of Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW. I have followed her writing and been delighted to feature some of her work in Trail Tales, a newspaper column that is referenced on this blog site. Last week I received a Keen ARC and devoured this page turner story. Although targeted to the Young Adult audience, I believe this work will appeal to other age groups. Anyone who deals with change will appreciate the way change is handled in this story-line. Without being didactic or tied to any particular religious belief structure, the story also highlights the struggle between right and wrong, Yin and Yang. The press release describes the book premise that is brilliantly summed up in a one sentence tag line. You must walk the darkness to find the light. As an author who tackles issues of change, loves a blend of science and historical fiction, I was not sure what to expect and was intrigued by the plot. “Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand-new high school, she expects the same response she’s received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends. But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world. She can’t let that happen. Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever. Her curse is not supposed to work like that. In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince’s identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers. Senior year just got real.” There is so much more to this book than plot. Laura reveals the insecurities, conflict and conflict resolution that visit everyone born to flesh. Only the never born escape those challenges. I reveal some of them in my writing. I plan to attend the book launch this evening at the French Express Café in Kannapolis. If you aren’t able to be there, consider joining Laura on Thursday evening, tomorrow July 11 on Facebook for a virtual party! There are going to be 22 prizes given away. Twenty. Two. *jaw drops* The party starts at 8pm, so grab a snack & settle in for an evening of fun and convo. Oh, and prizes! Sign up for the party here. You can reach out to Laura through her social media outlets or through the contact form on this blog. Bio: Laura L. Zimmerman lives in a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, three daughters, and three furbaby felines. Besides writing, she’s passionate about loving Jesus, anything Star Wars, and singing loudly. She takes her coffee black and spends her days pretending to do yoga. Find out more about her at www.lauralzimmerman.wordpress.com. Social Media Links: Website: https://lauralzimmerman.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorLLZimmerman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauralzimm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralzimmauthor/ Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8199582.Laura_L_Zimmerman Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lacrow1040/  It is a privilege to serve as a regional representative for the North Carolina Writers' Network, NCWN. It provides an opportunity to meet with so many talented authors. Our chapter meets once a month at a local coffee shop for what we call a Writers Night Out. Last month we learned that fellow author Laura L. Zimmerman will host a book launch for her debut novel, "Keen" on this Wednesday, July 10.
I will post a a review of her book on this blog that same day. Spoiler alert, "Keen" is a great read. Here are some other opportunities to learn more about the book this week.
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