2024: Another Story, Another Time–Contests

Posted on January 28, 2024 by peggylchambers

The weather has been extreme this winter with pipe-bursting temperatures and then warmer weather and fog. One thing about weather on the plains is it will never be boring. For a while the back door was frozen and we had to take the dog out through the garage. She was confused. But with warmer temperatures we got the door back and it is working as it should.

It’s contest time and I have a couple I’ll always enter; the annual contest with my local Enid Writers Club and also the annual contest with the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. Do you enter writing contests and if so why? I think they push me to improve my writing by having a judge look at it and give me reasons why they judged it as they did. And sometimes (not often) I win! That is good for the ego.

I always attend the OWFI conference that takes place the first weekend of May in Oklahoma City. I’ve met all my publishers there and made some great friends. And then there are the contests. If you’re interested in it, you can find out about the conference at www.owfi.org.

If you haven’t joined a writers group, I encourage you to do that. My club and the critique group have taught me more than I ever learned in school. We are all there for the same reason, to improve our writing, and to join with like minds.

I’ve been writing in this cold weather. I have things to finish. And more projects waiting on my time. My mind is always churning with new ideas. Now if I can get them on paper. But I’ll always have my club supporting me and guiding me in the direction I need to go. So I can write another story, another time.

What are you reading/writing this week?

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2024: Another Story, Another Time – TBR Pile

Posted on January 21, 2024 by peggylchambers

I’ve been doing a lot of reading this winter. That’s not too unusual, but I have varied tastes in literature. It’s been proven that I will read anything, even a cereal box. But the fact that I read lots of genres is probably part of why I write several genres.

I received a copy of Fairy Tale by Stephen King for Christmas, and I consumed every word of that 600-page tome, and I loved it. I loved the way he took fairytales that we read as children and added them to the story—along with some monsters of his own. As a kid, I thought some of those stories were scary. But a lot of fairytales were meant to scare children into staying home and not wandering off. There were monsters in the woods!

I just finished The Sentence by Louise Erdrich which starts off as a comedy and then tells the story of Minneapolis during 2019-2020 with the pandemic, police brutality, and a resident ghost in the bookstore where Tookie worked. Prior to that I read her Pulitzer Prize winner, The Night Watchman. Erdrich a Native American writes in the style that shows the trials and tribulations of her people in today’s world.

I am currently into Lightening Strike by William Kent Krueger. I borrowed The Sentence and Lightning Strike from my daughter-in-law and when I started reading Lightening Strike, I realized I had started this book in the past but never finished it. I don’t know why because Krueger is always gut wrenchingly beautiful. I’ll finish it this time. It is another novel set in the Minneapolis area involving Native Americans today and their culture. I have learned a lot about the culture from these novels. I’ve never been to the area, but I have a friend who lives there and maybe I should go visit!

I’ve also been writing in this cold weather. I have things to finish. And more projects waiting on my time. My mind is always churning with new ideas. Now if I can get them on paper.

Another story, another time. What are you reading/writing this week?

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2024: Another Story, Another Time – Story Writing

Posted on January 14, 2024 by peggylchambers

I don’t need to tell you that the weather is miserable here on the plains and in most of the country. I long to be on a nice warm beach. I’ve been lucky so far and stayed in where it is warm. I get a little stir crazy but there are outlets. I do yoga on Saturday morning with my daughter and some ladies online. Yesterday afternoon I attended an online writing workshop presented by OWFI. There’s food in the kitchen and the power is still on. I am blessed.

Thursday night my local writing club had their monthly meeting. The speaker for the evening came down with Covid and they began to scramble to have a program. I remembered I had one on story structure that I had presented online for OWFI in the fall and I agreed to take the place of the presenter who was sick.

I showed up in my jeans and sweatshirt having spent the day with my old/sick dog at the vets. We are learning to give insulin shots. It had not been a good day, but my presentation was needed. So, gathering my strength, I stood before 15 of my favorite people and presented a program I had written for OWFI on story structure. In the end we had a handout and drafted a story together.

Maybe it was because I was tired, or maybe it was because we all needed a laugh, but I completely lost control of my audience as they came up with story ideas. One of the members is a middle school English teacher and before we were done, she was a superhero with duct tape as her weapon of choice. We authored a story and it was fun! We lost control and we burned off some stress. We followed the story structure of the three Ps (Person, Place, Problem) and a story was born. We learned and we developed camaraderie with our fellow members. Another story, another time.

Developing stories can not only be stress relieving but friendship building before being read by complete strangers. I don’t know if the story will ever really be developed, but we talked about the good and bad ways to develop a story. And we learned.

Another story, another time. What are you reading/writing this week?

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2024: Another Story, Another Time

Posted on January 7, 2024 by peggylchambers

Another story, another time is the tag line I decided to use for my blogs in 2024. I heard it in a movie recently and decided it would be a good way to start the new year. I looked that line up and it came from a song by Ernest Tubb Another Story, Another Time, Another Place. I’m not a country music fan normally, but it is a great line and I wanted to see if it could be used in a literary fashion.

I saw a lot of possibilities with this idea. If you are an author (or a reader) I know you get frustrated sometimes and want to quit. You are out of ideas, or the authors you read are out of ideas. I even decided to go another way and quit writing all together. But it is possible, maybe even probable, that I am addicted. I go through life with unfinished stories and think, “Oh, that’s a good idea!” when I haven’t finished the last three. I don’t really see me quitting. But another story, another time could lead to lots of ideas.

I recently finished reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King and he took several fairytales we read as kids and used those stories in interesting ways. He revised them and made them his own. From the King of Horror, of course they were graphic but there was a lesson, and a story of a young boy growing up and pushing forward in his life. He needed to succeed, and he did (spoiler alert). But old tried and true stories could use a new angle and you could be the person who sees them from that new angle.

So, this year I need to push forward and make new and better stories. I need another story, another time. There are lots of stories out there waiting for us. Let’s go find them.

What are you reading/writing this week?

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2023: Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2023 by peggylchambers

Happy New Year!

It is New Year’s Eve, and my plans are to take down the Christmas decorations and drink a little bubbly with my husband. That’s all. Maybe find a movie on TV. No partying, just enjoying the fact that I’m still here and able to make that decision. Like my dog, I’m getting older, but like the slight smile on her face, I’m happy to be here.

I tried to think of something wise and thought provoking for my New Year’s blog but the best I’ve come up with is I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m still here and trying. I remember some parties when I was young and the festivities that went with them. One thing I remember was being so tired afterwards! I was never much of a party animal.

My big plans are to finish my novel (it’s almost there!) and to move on to the next one. I’ll continue this blog which I have been writing for over 10 years. I want to get to the gym more often if I can’t take the dog for a walk, but she too is getting older. I wore myself out with some shopping yesterday. That never used to happen.

So, with all that said, I plan to enjoy my life. I have a good one with a home, food (sometimes too much), family, and friends. I have the ability to have some fun now and then, and I plan to take advantage of it. I believe we were put on this earth for various reasons, one of which was to enjoy the life we were given. And maybe help others do the same along the way.

My plans for next year are another story, another time. I’ve written a few stories and there are more to come. I am thankful for the ability to write them and sometimes to come up with new ideas for them. I have a good life and I plan to enjoy it.

What are you reading/writing this week?

Another story another time.

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2023: Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2023 by peggylchambers

Merry Christmas!

It is Christmas Eve, and it feels a little strange at this house. We had thunderstorms last night and it’s been warm, but this is Oklahoma so that could change quickly. My few presents are wrapped and under the tree, and I have very little cooking to do. All very strange.

When I was young with children at home there wasn’t a moment to spare. I had tons to do for the kids, my office, and the numerous parties. Now it seems the days go by more slowly. I didn’t bake dozens of cookies to take to work and most of my gifts are in the shape of a gift card.

The cousins from Texas visited early and we showed them the Christmas lights and exchanged gifts. It was over too quickly. But as always, it was fun.

But tomorrow being Christmas we will have a family dinner at my grandson’s and I’ll bake a cake and bring a festive dip. It will be a pleasure to see all the adult grandchildren and eat too much—again. My life has changed since retirement. I was always so busy, I had trouble calming down when it was over.

But even though my Christmas has changed, the reason for the season remains the same. In the Christian world we celebrate the birth of Christ. We celebrate with love for each other and time spent together. Though war ravages the part of the world where Jesus was born and they have cancelled the commercial Christmas, I am sure the true believers still celebrate. It is a time for togetherness. A time to celebrate the love of families and friends. Presents, parties, and food aren’t the celebration, they are just the icing on the cake of togetherness.

May your Christmas be filled with love and togetherness. Merry Christmas.

What are you reading/writing this week?

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2024: Sandhill Island

Posted on December 17, 2023 by peggylchambers

If you follow this blog, you might have realized I didn’t post anything yesterday. I normally post on Sunday morning and it’s Monday evening. I’ve been on vacation. But I wanted you to know I’ve been working diligently to write the final Sandhill Island novel. Yes, it will be the last time I visit the island—in my mind. I’ve sent the manuscript to my editor and hope that within the year it will be in print. In the meantime, you can get caught up with all the characters on Sandhill Island if you are so inclined.

Sandhill Island is an imaginary island off the coast of Corpus Christi that is connected to the mainland by a ferry that runs four times a day. But it has become my second home over the years. There are three stories published so far, two novels and a novella, and the third novel is almost finalized. I’m spending time with all the characters one more time and wrapping up their stories. And it is exciting! After all, there are smugglers.

Smugglers of Sandhill Island involves a couple of new characters and most of the old characters make an appearance or two. Dani and her brother Cody have lived on and near the island all their lives. Dani has worked hard to make a living for herself on the ocean she loves, Cody lives on the edge and has become involved with some guys who only see Dani’s boat as a great way to smuggle drugs. Dani will have none of that, until they kidnap her brother.

At first my main character was named Mel (Melanie). I liked that it fit her. Until she had a conversation with an original character, Meg, from the first book. Meg is in all the books and a mainstay on the island. So, Mel became Dani (Danielle). It was difficult for me to let go of Mel, but it had to happen. She agreed and I renamed her. I will get used to it. But Dani is a force to be reconned with and she will make certain the world knows she was here. I think you will like her.

I hope you have read the first three Sandhill Island stories, but if not, I think you will still like this one. I do, and I can’t wait to show it to you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

What are you reading/writing this week?

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2023: Year of the Kitchen re-do

Posted on December 10, 2023 by peggylchambers

My husband and I have always been do-it-yourselfers. Until the last few years. All those years of climbing ladders and such have taken a toll.

Somewhere between 15 to 20 years ago (has it really been that long?) I decided to redo the kitchen, breakfast nook, hallway, and utility room. The cabinets were baby blue and I could no longer deal them. In the 1980s when the house was built the wallpaper, painted cabinets, and heavy drapes were a thing. (I see them coming back again, everything does). But it was time for a change. So, meticulously, I removed every cabinet door and painted them with two coats front and back on the kitchen table at night after I cooked dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, and worked all day. It was tiring, but I could do it. Then I ripped off the wallpaper and painted the walls an aqua color. The woodwork was already white. I was very happy with my work, though I didn’t quite get all the wallpaper backing off in a few places. (I didn’t know it would cack and peel later. Now I do.)

In the last few months I decided it was once again time for a change. This time I hired it done. They are to repair the ceiling and cracks in one corner, texture and paint the kitchen and breakfast nook walls. We hired the florescent lights to be taken down and replaced them with recessed lights that hug the ceiling and are much brighter. But that created a spot to be repaired and painted. So, bring in the painters.

This time the walls will be tan with white woodwork and my precious Navajo rug will be moved from the office to the breakfast nook. The kitchen will be very light so it will need some color and I am going with a southwest look in rust and turquoise for accent colors. I will eventually recover the seats at the table to go with the new look. I’ve done that dozens of times as my colors in the room change. I also have some off-white linen curtains to hang. It will be a new look and maybe the last one. These old bones are tired. Even though I’m not painting, we moved furniture, took down pictures and are dealing with the mess and cleanup. That is enough for me these days.

What are you reading/writing/painting this week?

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2023: Christmas Books in Glome’s Valley

Posted on December 3, 2023 by peggylchambers

It’s Christmas time and what better gift can you give a child than a book?

I wrote a couple of books a few years ago because I was enchanted with the Heavener Runestone. The runestone that sits in the valley in southeast Oklahoma near Heavener is a mystery. The hills and valleys are a magical place, and it is possible that ancient Vikings settled there long before Christopher Columbus came to America. Or maybe not. But a mystery is a mystery, and I found a wonderful backdrop for a story or two. Glome’s Valley https://books2read.com/u/4ERZA0 and Return to Glome’s Valley https://books2read.com/u/bpzR0g were born in those valleys.

When Ethan and his dad to go Heavener, Oklahoma to read an ancient runestone, he is sure he’s going to be bored all summer. But Ethan quickly makes new friends, at least one of them a ghost. What began as a trip to Dullsville suddenly becomes a fantastic adventure. There are other creatures living in the valleys near the runestone – energetic fairies, beautiful wood nymphs, and smelly old trolls. Ethan stumbles into the midst of an ancient war, and the only person who can save him is his archaeologist dad and the phone app that summons Thor.

Then I decided the story wasn’t finished and Ethan had to return to the valley. Return to Glome’s Valley took place when Ethan was a young man, but he was not prepared for what he encountered.

Fourteen years ago, Ethan met Glome and the fairies while his father studied the Heavener Runestone. Now back, news traveled fast in the forest. Ethan learned that the Vinland Maps, drawn by Vikings traveling to North America before Columbus, lay hidden in a cave. Warned by Trondelag, the dragon, not to go up against Loki and the draugrs for a piece of paper to make him famous, Ethan decided to go anyway. And then there was Mac – his doppelganger. Would he be able to protect her?

Kids love books and they are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Pick up a stocking stuffer and watch your kids enjoy the magic. Then make a trip to the Heavener Runestone Park Heavener Runestone Park where the magic began.

What are you reading/writing this week?

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2023: Christmas Books–Ian’s Magic

Posted on November 26, 2023 by peggylchambers

It’s Christmas time and what better gift can you give a child than a book? Especially one that helps them learn as they are having fun. Ian’s Magic is a middle-grade reader about a young boy who loves math.  Most people don’t. But Ian has learned that he can perform feats of magic if his math problems are right.  If he doesn’t get them correct, his magic doesn’t work. 

Ian Conner learned at a young age that math was magic! At least for him. But when Ian uses his math magic, the results aren’t always what he expected. This year, the prize for the annual math contest is $500.00 and Ian really wants to win! But classmate Thomas Martin will be stiff competition. He wins every year. And this year he has a college tutor helping him prep for the contest! So, Ian studies accelerated math books hoping it will help him beat Thomas. But on the day of the competition, Ian must make a difficult choice— hope his extra studying helps him win fair and square…or cheat, using his “math magic” to win the contest

Ian’s Magic is a romp through grade school with a boy who can perform magic using his math problems if the answers to his calculations are correct. Grade school should be fun, but when you wish you could do nothing but math all day, every day, be careful.  You might get just what you wished for.

Ian has the normal fourth grade problems, not the least of which is a little brother who is a bother.  He wants to fit in with the other kids, and he wants to use his math skills to perform magic.  He can’t always do both. His math magic has saved his mother from being hit by a bus, cleaned his room while he did his homework, helped an old lady across a busy street, but can’t change his brother’s hair color or get himself out of a jam when he falls off a cliff only to land in a tree.  He has to rely on other things sometimes.

And then there’s Thomas and the math contest.

Pick up a copy of Ian’s Magic for the kid in your life and they might find that math is fun after all. https://tinyurl.com/yxnszumv

Ian’s Magic by Peggy Chambers, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

What are you reading/writing this week?

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