Author: San Gabriel Writers' League

Genre:  Non-Fiction, Health Blog

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

The first rewarding moment was in 2020 when I launched my blog and friends and family started reading it and making comments on my posts. I finally had a following, albeit small! The second rewarding moment was winning Third Place in this fall’s 2022 writing contest at San Gabriel Writers League after entering one of my blog posts. It is very motivating.

What kind of research goes into writing your novels blogs and how much time does it take?

While reading books on nutrition and health and going about my daily life I sometimes come across a health concept that I think the general public does not understand very well. I try to relate the concept to my own experience. Then I do some research (online) so that I can link credible references to my writing. I only put a piece of information in my writing when I can back it up with solid data.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

My biggest help is my brother! Even though he is not a published writer (yet) he is objective and gives me great advice on my writing. One day I asked him where he learned this skill. He said, “English class in High School.” He must have been the only one paying attention in class! I send him a draft of my blog posts and he points out the grammatical issues and the weak parts. This has helped me immensely.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read? 

I read books on nutrition and health. I fold over the corners of the pages and write notes all over the margins so I can come back to the concepts later. The books become references for my future writing. Also, some time back, I started reading first person accounts of the Holocaust (a totally different topic). I can only read the Holocaust books for a short while and then I get too depressed. Then I switch back to books on health and nutrition! The bottom line is, if I am going to spend any time reading a book, it must teach me something about history, or teach me something about health.

What made you consider writing in the first place?

Believe it or not, it was a speaking club (Toastmasters) that made me consider writing. The Toastmasters program encourages its members to become well rounded in aspects other than speaking, such as leadership, communication, project management. One of my projects was to write a blog post. I thought, “how hard can that be?” Several months later, I launched a complete website and my blog was born.  (See the link below).

Does the idea of writing energize you or exhaust you? Or both?

The idea of sitting down to write something in my blog is energizing. I wish I had unlimited time and that my back would not get tired sitting at the computer. I have a long list of ideas and topics to write about but often get side-tracked with other commitments that seem to get in the way. I try to write one blog post a month as I think that is reasonable for my readers but even that goal slips!

AWARDS:
Third Place – San Gabriel Writers League Fall Contest 2022

BIOGRAPHY:
Jackie Hunt was born and grew up in Massachusetts, received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.  She worked at the Dow Chemical Company in Freeport Texas for 35 years and retired in 2019.  She and her husband have two grown children.  As a chemist, she has interest in anything “science” and that extends to health and nutrition.  She started a blog after completing a project in Toastmasters where the goal was to “write a blog post.”  She combines her knowledge of science and her interest in nutrition to write blog posts that are easy to understand and to help folks on their journey towards better health.

Website: https://myhunt4health.com/

Social media urls: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-hunt-2b56b376/

Genre: Nonfiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

Several years ago, I was invited to my grandson’s elementary school for a career day workshop. My group was 4th and 5th graders. I first talked briefly about my book (Round Eyes: An American Nurse in Vietnam). Next, we did a story creation activity and then questions and answers. One student came up to me afterwards and told me her granddad was in Vietnam and another told me his mother was in Afghanistan and wore combats boots also. And then several others talked about family members who were overseas and that they were worried. It was at that moment I realized how important sharing our stories can be to not just ourselves, but to others, as well.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

Treat your writing like you treat your job-seriously. Schedule time and stick to that schedule.

How often do you write, and do you have a strict routine and writing plan?

Unfortunately, I do not adhere to my plan as I should. Since I am retired, I find it harder to find time to write. At this point, I set aside weekends for me and work weekdays on my craft. I am doing better with creating a writing plan, and that helps to focus.

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

I was in the midst of my doctoral studies when one of my professors told me to be prepared for someone to kill my baby—meaning my writings and that critical reviews hurt-deeply. But also, to not get bogged down in criticism; simply learn how to use it to improve.

Do you have your books edited, critiqued, and/or beta-reviewed? If so, what is your usual procedure?

I definitely have my books edited, critiqued, and beta-reviewed. My latest book I used several different editors (two of which were paid). My typical procedure is to free-style write, edit, write and edit more. After I complete a segment, I ask folks to read and give feedback. I continue that process. Once I finish, or what I considered finished, I give to an editor. That always results in lots of revisions. Even after I am completely on the final revision, I still find things I would like to make better.

What genres appeal most to you as a writer?

I love stories and the truer, the better so I guess non-fiction is my genre of choice. But I want to expand to fiction-so that will be my next venture.

BIOGRAPHY:

Diane Klutz is a proud Vietnam Veteran, wife, mother, grandmother, college professor, and author. After completing her commitment to the Army Nurse Corps, Diane worked and studied her way through undergraduate and graduate school, post-graduate certification, and finally at the young age of 59, attained a Ph.D. in Nursing. Although Dr. Klutz assumed many roles as a nurse, her favorites were practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and teaching nursing at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas Woman’s University in Denton, and Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Diane resides in Sun City, Texas with her husband, Stephen, their two Cocker Spaniels, and one cat. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, and being with her friends. Martini Alley and Other Swashbuckling Adventures of a Certified Klutz is Diane Klutz’s third book. Her first, Round Eyes: An American Nurse in Vietnam is now its second printing.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6854364.Diane_Klutz

https://www.facebook.com/dianeklutzauthor

https://www.dianeklutz.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-klutz-ra1966/

Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

I was walking down a street in Quito, Ecuador when an American family recognized me from my book photo and were thrilled at a chance encounter with the author. Their two teenage boys had read No Summit Out of Sight, The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits. Jordan was only 13 when he reached the top of Everest. He’d endured incredible hardships on eight mountains on seven continents but never given up. My book changed their lives. His story motivated the boys to never give up no matter what the odds. Jordan’s travels prompted the family to take a year off work and school to explore the world. They had carried the book with them and asked for my autograph.

Did your formal education or upbringing/background prepare you in any way to write?

My high school English teacher was featured in a major magazine as the best creative writing teacher in the US. He loved my stories and gave me valuable lessons I’ve never forgotten. I have a BA in English and Masters in Library Science. My mother was in mental institutions much of my life. I have a profound interest in what makes people tick and explore that in my writing. My Master’s thesis was on Psychological Abstracts.

What kind of research goes into writing your novels and how much time does it take?

I do extensive research on every detail down to the precise elevation of mountains, every aspect of a culture such as the Sherpas in Beyond the Summit: Everest Adventure and Romance, and a foot-by-foot description on the ascent of Everest. If a Scottish character is cleaning his bagpipe, I have to learn all about bagpipes. If a character is a sword swallower, I need to know the entire history and mechanics of sword swallowing. I spend many hundreds of hours researching information to ensure accuracy. I may take half an hour looking for the single best word to express what I want to say. I’m a slow writer and have been accused of spending way too much time researching, but I can’t break the habit.

Have you ever based characters on real people? Give us a couple of examples.

In Beyond the Summit, the male protagonist is based on my Sherpa guide. Scenes of the worst storm in Nepal’s history were based on real characters I interviewed. In A Fair Knight Slain, the lead detective, Sara, is based on Jordan’s mother, an adventure/endurance racer. The woman performing an exorcism on her sister is based on my aunt.

How do you find your ideas for a book?

I draw from my extensive travel and varied career. A deep interest in psychology, and I’m always studying people and asking intimate questions about their past and current experiences and how they cope with them. My writing delves into the psyche of characters.

Does the idea of writing energize you or exhaust you? Or both?

Writing energizes me. I feel lost and empty without characters and scenes milling about in my head. If I’m working on something, I eliminate distractions to open my mind and free it for new ideas. I take a long walk alone, soak in the bathtub, travel down a seldom used road. I’ve driven straight past necessary exits. The best thoughts surface while I’m dozing. Knowing they’ll disappear by morning, I reach for my phone and dictate for later transcription.  At times, hours of research does become exhausting.

AWARDS
Colorado Authors League 2015 Winner Young Adult No Summit Out of Sight
Far West Ski Association Bill Berry Award No Summit out of Sight

BIOGRAPHY
Born in Denver, I spent my life in the Rocky Mountains. For 13 years, I led climbing, camping, skiing, canoeing, rafting, and spelunking trips. I’m a travel junkie and have been to 62 countries. Highlights were standing within inches of mountain gorillas in Uganda and caring for orphaned orangutans in Borneo. The Himalayas drew me to Nepal where I helped Sherpas create the country’s first lodge system. I then opened a travel agency and led treks to the Everest Base Camp, India, and Thailand. I’ve also been a reference and young adult librarian, caterer, flipped houses, and volunteered at the Denver Zoo.  I moved to Sun City two years ago to be closer to my son (a hand surgeon in Houston) and granddaughter who graduates in pre-med from UT in May. I’m addicted to pickleball, play 7 days a week, and try to hike in every country I visit.   

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nepalwriter/

GENRE: Nonfiction

What has been the most rewarding moment as an author?

I wrote several opinion articles for the Arkansas Democratic Gazette and Temple Daily Telegraph on politics and education in the USA. The majority were published quickly and others with some delay. I was thrilled to see my name in print and was much more delighted to receive compliments from the readers of newspapers on my views on things of importance to society. I thought nobody would care to read them and much less to share their opinion with the writer. I was hooked on writing from then on, and I’m here sort of, to express my thoughts in a story form and be gratified and recognized.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

Recognize that nobody is perfect in writing, and all have deficiencies of their own. Sit down and write, then polish. To write, one needs an idea. Ideas come from listening, seeing, and contemplating. Ideas written with a new perspective and in new settings will often appeal to readers. Next to ideas is the discipline to put down ideas in a string of words on a sheet of paper. Disregard the distractions that hinder or prevent you from writing. I’ve a lot of ideas but have no discipline and I’m often distracted. As someone said, ideas are only dreams, and they disappear as soon as you get up from your sleep. Resolve to write each day at the same time with determination! Hard, I know.  

How do you find your ideas for a book?

I’m not sure if I’ve an idea for a book. For a book, I would like to write about my life and let my protégée know of my origin, struggles, successes, and counsel them what works and what does not work. I’ve a story to tell because it’s unique. From nobody and nothing from India I came to become someone and something in my country of adoption, the USA. I’m blessed in a million ways and out of gratitude I need to record my life of simplicity, hard work, and loyalty to the God, people, and country. Sometimes, I wonder if my old ways and thoughts would be of any relevance to the modern generation. 

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I read many books while growing up in India. Fiction, non-fiction, and thrillers hold my interest. I love writings by Pearl Buck, Dickens, Faulkner, A.K. Narayan, Salmon Rushdie, Spielberg, Agatha Christie, Edgar Poe, and the Bible. I’m not reading much now a days, for a reason. But I read the Bible every day to stay calm and peaceful. Poetry in Psalms, wisdom in Proverbs, mystery of everything in Ecclesiastics, why bad things happen to good people in Job, and other books in the Bible tell me the human history and how God interacts with humanity to make a change. This book is indeed a mystery revealed to humans, and I like magical stories in such a book as the Bible.

What has helped you/hindered you in deciding to BEGIN the writing process?

Talks on writing in YouTube and books and booklets tell me writing is hard and calls for discipline. I confess I lack both. While in Arkansas, I attended a class on creative writing and the instructor was excellent in motivating students to write. Simple instructions, assignments and compulsory readings were a part of the instruction. To my surprise, I responded well, and my classmates and the instructor liked my storytelling on ‘Altar of America’ and ‘Green America’. Such a hands-on training on writing is effective and if practiced continuously will help new writers. I’m addicted to painting and it’s hard for me to choose between writing and painting. Other distractions include gardening and watching many sports.    

Did your formal education or upbringing/background prepare you in any way to write?  

I’ve more education than I need to make a living but it’s all in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.  However, I’m trained to write competitive grant proposals for funding, and I wrote reports on the progress accomplished in research projects. From childhood, I had a desire to pursue literature, but my family persuaded me to study science and engineering. Life, as my parents explained, is more than personal gratification but it’s existential. They are wise and correct, perhaps. My childhood desire came back haunting, and here I’m attempting to fulfill my desire to write about all things I hear, see, and do. There is much especially for my memoir to record/write before it’s time.

BIOGRAPHY

I’m a transplant from India. After completing my education in engineering, and after a couple of years of working in the aerospace industry in India, I became an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow in Germany. After three years, I and my wife came to the U.S.A. I taught engineering in several universities including Texas A&M until my retirement from the University of Arkansas a few years ago. I taught myself how to paint, mostly impressionism in watercolor and acrylics. We travel a lot, and I’m curious about ancient cultures, people, and their art. I’m keen to know how kingdoms came into existence and why some cultures flourish and others do not. We have three grown children and six grandchildren, and they live in three corners of this country. I’m glad I became a member of the SGWL.

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/sxmidturi

Genres: Children’s Books; Memoir; Family History

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

My most rewarding moment as an author was when I actually held my book in my hands because I wanted to leave this gift to my children, grandchildren and future generations in our family.  I wrote a book for children, designed to help adults start a conversation about what life is like when a soldier is in the military, away from home and loved ones.  My book, “A Soldier Comes Home,” was my way to honor the memory of my son CPL Yari Mokri.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

My advice is to “just write” what you feel or think about or when an idea pops into your head.  Be open to receiving negative feedback to improve your skills, as well as be gracious and humble when receiving positive feedback.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

The San Gabriel Writer’s League is an inspirational group of writers that share ideas and offer suggestions and provides enlightening speakers that encourage everyone to write.  I also attend workshops, when possible, subscribe to a couple of writer blogs, and I read every day.

How often do you write, and do you have a strict routine and writing plan?

I try to write every day.  However, it’s not always possible.  Sometimes it may be just an idea and I will write it down so I don’t forget.  For me, flexibility gives me the freedom to be creative, whereas a strict routine would cause me stress.

Have you ever based characters on real people? Give us a couple of examples.

My book, “A Soldier Comes Home” is based on conversations with my son, letters he wrote to me and the experiences he shared as a soldier in the Army.  It is a story of a brave and courageous young man, my son, Yari Mokri, who was deployed to Iraq in 2006.

What made you consider writing in the first place?

When my children were growing up, I would read to them or make up stories for them at bedtime.  This inspired me to think about writing a book for children “one day.” However, I never imagined I would write a book about a soldier, my son, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. I considered writing “A Soldier Comes Home” as a way to work through my grief and to honor my son.  It was created by two friends –a mother who lost a son in the Iraq war and had a story to tell, and an artist who brought the story to life through the beautiful illustrations.

BIOGRAPHY:

I was born in Munich, Germany, raised in California, and moved to Texas in the 80’s.  I’ve been married for forty-six years, am mom to three children, and Oma to five grandchildren.  I retired from Child Protective Services a number of years ago.  I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, knitting, crocheting, crafting, reading and photography.

Website: www.asoldiercomeshome.com

Name: Jo An Brown
Genres: Urban Fantasy / SciFi

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

Learn that writing happens in steps and then pace yourself. First –just write it! You don’t have anything to work with until your story is written. Then of course, there’s story editing, line editing, format editing, publishing in print, publishing eBooks, promotion, marketing, uploads, downloads, websites, social media, and oh, let’s not forget: the benefits of a WRITING COMMUNITY!

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills?

There is so much free information available out there that at the least, it will direct you to what you need. For myself, I have benefitted greatly from Fictionary Storyteller software to build the story and character elements and I use ProWritingAid for editing software.

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

“The point of the story is the conflict.” Stephen King. I don’t read Stephen King, but I saw an interview and his advice just stuck with me. So now, I start with a conflict for my protagonist and use the story to find a solution. That piece of advice is good even when filtered down to each scene; conflict and resolution is why a reader sticks with it. The hardest part for me is distilling a story down to the conflict, but it’s the most rewarding.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I read constantly; a book a week on average. Reading inspires me. My typical day is writing/editing, reading, thinking about writing/editing. I love stories with magic, so Fantasy and SciFi fill my library –but truly, I’ll read anything that stretches my imagination and often that includes spiritualism and New Age. I enjoy any well-written story and most fiction genres, but I shy away from non-fiction and “real-life”.

What made you consider writing in the first place?

Remember the always reading confession above? One time I slammed a book shut and declared, “I would NEVER end a story like that!” My husband’s response was: “Would you just write your own and be happy?” So apparently, I had made that complaint before. I wrote my first book without editing, and when finally printed it was over 700 pages. Hence, having to learn about editing! I spent several years writing screenplays because it honed my discipline to not ramble for 500+ pages, but ultimately, I returned to novels because I had world-stories to tell. I’ve often heard writers say they like their characters flawed. I personally prefer my characters perfect –and then put them in flawed situations. 

What is your goal/dream as an author?

I’m a pretty disciplined self-editor, and I credit this to my constant reading. Still, I love it when someone will critique me and have found the smallest comments to be most helpful. But I haven’t solicited very much for a beta-review team. I consider it an important part of the process of writing and hope to find that in this community. I am woefully behind in social media because it takes so much T I M E!!!  So, having just completed my latest trilogy, social media -Here. I. Come!

BIOGRAPHY:

JB Penrose published her first trilogy: DayStar, HeartStar, then DreamStar, through Amazon between 2012 –2019. Her three current novels: Lady Babalon series, will publish as a set by end of 2022. Writing has always been her passion, and in the 90’s, Jo An was a member and then board member of the Austin Writer’s League, active in their annual writer’s conference as well as the first Texas Book Festivals beginning in 1996. She worked during COVID with a pair of young writers to publish their novel on Amazon and continues the mentoring with their second novel.

Jo An currently lives in Sun City, Georgetown with her husband of 47 years. And if she’s not writing, her additional interests include writing and playing music, or gardening flowers and food.

Name: Kenneth F. Stubert
Genres: Fiction – Action/ Suspense/ Travel

What has been your most rewarding moment as an author?

My most rewarding moment came when someone introduced me as, “His favorite writer.” Other highlights were having my books passed along to others, someone saying, “The book should be made into a movie,” and several people asking, “When is your next book coming out?”

What kind of research goes into writing your novels and how much time does it take?

I write contemporary fiction about present day countries, cities, and locales. I want my story to be real, so I’ll research train schedules, flights, current economic conditions, political positions, maps, and so forth. I research these as I come to that point in the book. An hour of research usually creates a paragraph or two. By the time I’m done, I have a two-inch folder of research papers. I believe accurate, up-to-date research is necessary to make the story real, but it takes a lot of time. Sometimes it can take an hour of research to get one sentence right.

What have been some of the biggest helps for developing your writing skills? Written resources, classes or conferences, fellow writers you’ve learned from or have mentored you, other?

My primary mentor is a retired English professor. He’s been a great help by making sure I continue in the right tense and utilize the correct adjective or adverb. He ensures I use correct grammar; he’s my “Comma Cop.” Others, including SGWL members, encourage me to continue writing. Thank you!

Have you ever based characters on real people? Give us a couple of examples.

I think of people I know that have large or unique personalities. I’ll take that person and expand his/ her quirks into the story. I try to visualize how the person would react to situations and circumstances, then convert and expand those reactions into the storyline.

In my first two books, I based a government agent on a friend. He’s gregarious, always smiling, very polite, and a born leader. I changed his background, education, and so forth, but expanded on his friendliness and willingness to help everyone.

In another story, a very large friend has an impressive appetite. In the story, he provides comic relief by always thinking about food. His standard reply is, “Big man, big appetite.”

What’s the best piece of writing-related advice that you’ve received?

That’s an easy one. “Write for yourself. If you like it, others will too.”

How do you find your ideas for a book?

This is probably different than most people. I come up with an opening line and just a small genesis of an idea. The settings are usually places I’ve lived or visited. From there I just start writing, building the story as I go. I don’t know the ending until I get there! The opening line of my first book, which the entire story is built around, is, “The body began to cool rapidly.”

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I’m not a prolific reader. I don’t make the time to write and read, so it’s one or the other. When I do read, I like historical fiction, non-fiction history, and light mysteries.

BIOGRAPHY:

My wife of over 52 years, Mary Lou, and I were born in Pittsburgh, PA. I served in the Navy for four years active duty, one of which was in Gaeta, Italy. We then lived in New England for over 40 years.

My hobbies include antique and classic cars, softball, church, and writing. We have two children, a son in Virginia, a daughter in Bee Cave and a total of five granddaughters! I retired from the millwork industry where I did a great deal of professional writing, traveling, and public speaking.

We have visited forty-seven countries and lived in two others. We moved to Sun City in 2013 and continue to travel as much as possible. Since moving to Texas, I’ve published two novels, Triangulation and Layers of Lies which are centered on the places we’ve visited and lived. Both books are available on Amazon.

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Whatever comes into my head

What kind of research goes into writing your novels and how much time does it take?

Tons of research go into writing my children’s stories.  If it’s about butterflies, I study where they live, what they eat, their life cycle.  Even though I may alter the facts to fit the fantasy, I always like to know what’s real. Recently I purchased three different books on mountain climbing, the excitement and dangers, for a fictional story set on a snow-capped mountain. Does it make sense that knowing the reality helps make the fantasy more believable?  Does, for me.

If you could offer one piece of writing advice to a novice author, what would it be?

I am a novice myself, but I believe one should write what gives you joy.  Feel the characters, feel the place, imagine yourself within the story.  Sometimes I’m a talking rabbit with lots to say.

Have you ever based characters on real people? Give us a couple of examples.

Real people, especially my daughters and their families, give me a basis for my human characters. As for animals in my fiction, some are based on actual critters, but their personalities are totally what’s going on in my own head. As a kid I was very focused on academics.  Now I’m making up for that missed playtime. Some examples:

• In Hattie and Whisper, Hattie is a caterpillar and Whisper is fashioned after my granddaughter and her love of bugs. 
• In a work-in-progress, there is another young girl whose best friend is a talking rabbit with an attitude – definitely me.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading and how often do you read?

I love biographies, real people, real places and true adventures. Not much for fiction except what’s in my head.  Here are a few books scattered about our house:

• Denali’s Howl by Andy Hall
• Explore My World Rain Forests by Marfa Delano
• Pueblo Nations by Joe S. Sando
• The Girl Explorers by Jayne Zanglein

Does the idea of writing energize you or exhaust you? Or both?

This is a great question. Definitely both. Some days with my coffee cooling on the desk and my little dog on my lap, I can easily put fingers on the keyboard.   However, there are days when all I do is jot ideas on scratches of paper and hope they will gel into something worth writing.

Did your formal education or upbringing/background prepare you in any way to write?

Chemistry, mathematics, computers – that’s my background.  Hard science. All fact-driven by if-then-else thinking. Funny to me as I answer this question that the if-then-else of computer programming is the perfect thought stream for writing.  IF this happens, THEN what’s next?  Is there an ELSE that changes the story. Back to IF this happens…

BIOGRAPHY

I’ve been an educator, a researcher, a chemist, software engineer and a technical manager. After 25 years with IBM, I decided to retire from the computer world and go ‘smell the roses.’ I tried planting fragrant roses, but the neighborhood deer ate them.  So, I turned to golf, walking and writing.  I love wordplay and found that writing children’s stories satisfied the make-believe part of my brain that had been overshadowed by a life in hard science.  My husband and I live in Georgetown and share four children and seven grandchildren who are scattered across four states.