Tragedy and Triumph, Elmira, New York, 1835—1865, Author: Kathrin Rudland

I do a lot of reading, usually what I consider to be worthwhile literature, the real thing — works of lasting merit; stories that inspire one to think, to feel, participate; stories that bring vivid images of another time and place; something that will endure through time. I believe Kathrin Rudland’s story falls into such a category. It is a meaningful piece of literature, on several levels.

The structure of the story is masterful. I was impressed with the manner in which the story was woven together. The author meticulously blended the characters and events, artfully maintained the linkages throughout the story — all done with clarity and natural, unaffected writing. I especially loved the quality of the prose assigned to the interactions between the main protagonists, Truman and Elizabeth. I also enjoyed the vernacular and carefully researched idiomatic expressions exchanged among the soldiers and their captors. I came to know each of the characters. I could feel and visualize their activities and conversations, and the physical surroundings. I was in the Baldwin library when Elizabeth and Truman first met, I was trying to get out of the well with Simon Denby, I was attuned to Naamah’s reasoning when the young slave girl took a stunning life-changing action, I was in the battle with Truman and Rooster, in the prison at Elmira, with the pain, suffering, and setbacks the prisoners endured.

Kathrin Rudland’s story is not encumbered by fluffy filler and needless affectation: but is a story told with raw simplicity and spare, flawless writing uniquely her own, writing that compels the reader to see the things she is describing. I found myself living this story, it was real to me; Kathrin Rudland has truly created something of lasting value. When an author brings the reader into their story they have accomplished something special.

Lou Jones

Author’s PLC Presentation

I thought everyone would enjoy reading Maxine’s favorable critique of our recent PLC Ladies’ Club presentation.
- Lou Jones

President’s Corner
By : Maxine Pepin
Have you ever been at church when your head suddenly drops or bobs and you quickly sit up pretending you really were not falling asleep? When a pastor uses storytelling throughout the sermon parishioners immediately sit up and take notice. Storytelling always demands attention and interest. We all thrive on good stories, they activate our imagination, they teach us lessons, and they allow us to escape to another dimension often taking on the role of one of the characters within the pages. As we savor good books, we sometimes wish they would never come to an end!
On April 18th the PLC members were honored and entertained with the presence of our own “Lake Country Authors.” Don Adams, George Heiring, Lou Jones, Joan Ungerleider and Gail Vail shared their love for writing as well as what drives them, what inspires them, and what they find most frustrating about the creative adventure. As with most fictional writers, these authors are inspired by their own real-life experiences. For instance, Don Adams relates storytelling to his growing up years in Southwest Georgia. George Heiring has incorporated his travel adventures into stories, poems and humorous essays. Lou Jones recreates his introspective nature which reflects his keen interest in the human condition and behaviors. Joan Ungerleider has combined short family reflections along with recipes passed on from family and friends. These recipes stimulate wonderful memories of times past. Gail Vail, artist and writer enjoys pairing stories and poems with interpretive paintings. Davis Temple (unable to attend) has been a guest author at PLC book clubs. His recent thriller is based on his experiences in the pharmaceutical industry.

For those who chose not to attend this luncheon, you missed out on a most entertaining, inspirational and informative program. You also missed the camaraderie and fellowship that permeates the atmosphere of these special occasions. All in attendance hailed and applauded this enlightening program. Thank you to Gail Vail who most professionally moderated this program. For more information, Google Lake Country Authors.
Within each of us there is a story, these do not have to be expressed in a novel, they can be written in small vignettes, in essays, in letters, in diaries to be passed on to future generations. Don’t let your story go untold!

"The Seasonal Heart" Released in Nov 2011

Posted By Gail Vail

The newest book, The Seasonal Heart released in November, 2011, is a collection of stories, poems and paintings about the holidays. It is an evocative book that the whole family will enjoy. The holidays are warmly set in the clear, cold months of winter and presented with eloquence and honesty. Here is a book to help you rediscover the heart of the season, one that offers ample pause for reflection, an abundance of laughter with space left for a tear or two. It is a collection of Christmas memories and perspectives that can help you revive yours. Written by George Heiring and edited and published by Gail Vail, the book includes full color paintings by Chris Ball, Shannon Candler, Cathy McIntire, Ked Murray, David Siffert, Sherry Turner, Sandra Witty and Gail Vail.

The book is available by contacting Gail Vail at gvail@plantationcable.net or at local retailers - Art of Oconee, Genuine Georgia (Greensboro) and Aurum Jewelry and Art.  The Seasonal Heart retails for $29.95 (plus $7 shipping/handling/tax).

And take a peak inside the pages of this captivating book:

Local poets win awards

Congratulations to George Heiring, Kathy Wright, Liz Howells, and Gay Williford. These members of the Greensboro Writers' Guild all won awards in the 2011 Georgia Poetry Society contests. What makes their accomplishments especially impressive is there were 331 entries, a record number of submissions. The poets will receive their awards at the January 21st quarterly meeting of the Poetry Society at Kennesaw State University. Congratulations to all.

Lou Jones
Georgia Poetry Society Contest Chairperson

Christmas Coffee Table Book Coming Soon!

by Gail Vail

Soon to be released - a full color Christmas coffee table book of humorous and poignant stories and poems by George Heiring. Appropriately titled, "The Seasonal Heart," it is a book the whole family will enjoy. The holidays are warmly set in the clear, cold months of winter and presented with both eloquence and honesty. Here is a book to help you rediscover the heart of this season, one that offers ample pause for reflection, an abundance of laughter with space left for a tear or two.

Here's a peak at the front cover:  

As an added bonus, the book is illustrated with colorful paintings by Gail Vail, Chris Ball, Shannon Candler, Cathy McIntire, Ked Murray, David Siffert, Sherry Turner and Sandra Witty. An example of the illustrations is this adorable painting by Chris Ball:

This beautiful book will be available for purchase at Art of Oconee, Genuine Georgia, Traditions Old and New, Morning Glory's and several other area shops.

In The Good 'Ol Summertime

With Georgia cooking in record heat, my wife Donna and I escaped (as usual) to our small condo in the suburbs of Chicago for the summer.  Grandkids trooped in from Minnesota to enliven our routine and    prompt us to rediscover attractions of the city, including its world-class museums, Navy Pier, and eye-popping Millennium Park. (See picture wall at left where image periodically opens her mouth and shoots a geyser of water at delighted kids) .  This time we added a laugh-a-minute performance by the zany Blue Man Group to the schedule.  Then it’s swim, eat, bike, eat, hike and--eat.  So it goes at Camp Heiring.

As for my warm-weather writing production, the award-winning regional publication Lake Oconee Living  saw fit to print two of my pieces.  “Contraband” is a tongue-in-cheek story about the need to be speakeasy sneaky in obtaining a copy of the Atlanta Journal outside of Atlanta.  LOL’s fall issue featured original ghost stories, and mine zeroed in on an outlandish Nuwaubian cult that fascinated Georgia with Egyptian trappings and weird doctrine a decade ago.  Titled “The Mask of Nuwabu” (see LOL mag illustration on right) it conjured up the “to-die-for” last ceremony of the cult and its insidious  leader.  (The real dude is now serving time in a federal prison.)

The Seasonal Heart, a collection of my Christmas stories and poems, is headed for publication this month. Pardon the boast, but it is a handsome, full-color, coffee-table book with holiday and winter inspired paintings by Gail Vail and esteemed artist friends.  Watch for details on our lakecountryauthors.com website.   

Let me hear from you.  George Heiring

So you've written a book.

Your book is actually published, you're holding it in your hands. A few friends and acquaintances buy copies. You give some away to others. Now you wait, hungry for response. Soon you get a few calls, they love your book. Some want you to come to their homes to discuss it. Some send you Emails praising your work. You receive letters and handwritten notes. Still others comment face to face, letting you know what they felt to be the more powerful aspects of your story, telling you the things that moved them, or how your story has captured the same feelings and perspectives that they have. You're contacted by the local book clubs. You're buoyed, the anxieties that you have been experiencing are somewhat alleviated. Your confidence is elevated. After all, you tell yourself, you lay yourself on the line when you write a book.

Then comes the second gradation of response: "I read your book, it was nice." Or "it was interesting," or, "I really liked this part." "I liked this character." "I liked the way you use short sentences," "Have you always enjoyed writing?" The comments are guarded, courteous, meant to spare your feelings. So now the anxieties once again begin to assert themselves. Confidence wanes.

The final gradation of response is silence, no response, other than maybe, "I read your book." This is probably the most psychologically disconcerting. You try to piece together what you think you know about the unresponsive person, their background, their expertise, their judgment, their biases. Were there parts of the story that offended them? Did they not like the story overall, or maybe the writing style, or both? Did something in the story conflict with their values or beliefs, or some subject upon which they feel they are experts? You search and search. Wonder why they won't at least say something, even if it is negative, surmising that they know you well enough to know that you can deal with it. So you ponder what is it that prevents them from giving you a response. Why no response? Why no response, you ask yourself? When...all the while, you know in your heart that no response is a response.

In sum, I believe all of us have a story or two to tell. We should not fear taking pen in hand and telling them, but with an understanding that the responses we receive will not always be even or measured.

Lou Jones