My (Un)Eventful Life

by Marsha Ward

Sometimes I think I lead a rather boring life. While friends of mine travel to exotic locales to do research for their next novel, I sit home in the midst of a forest of pines and oaks, dinking around on my computer and paying for home repairs.

Then I reflect, and find that my life isn't so boring after all. My forest is very lovely, and I am the envy of many people because I can live here the year around.

I've been to several writers' gatherings this year:

• ANWA's Writers Conference in March
• LDStorymakers' Writers Conference in March
• Western Writers of America's Convention in June
• ANWA's Arizona Retreat in July

I attended my grandson's baptism and a family party last month.

Sadly, I've traveled to several funerals this year.

I get to meet wonderful writers to interview on my blog, Writer in the Pines.

I can write novels that touch readers' hearts.

I have friends in many places, including close to home and far away.

I have a family that loves me.

I get to give service to many of them, and to several worthy organizations.

I have books to read, music to listen to, and movies to watch.

Okay, not a boring life after all.

How I Spent My Weekend

by Marsha Ward

Some of you know that I've been intimately connected with American Night Writers Association (ANWA) for many years. Maybe you know that I'm the founder. Anyway, it's always a thrill to meet other members at our annual Writers Conference.

We held this year's event last saturday at a school in Gilbert, Arizona. That's in what is called the East Valley portion of the Phoenix metro area. Our keynote speaker was Kathryn Jenkins, managing editor of Covenant Communications.

I first met Kathy on Friday at a lunch attended by some of the presenters and members of the ANWA Board. I found her to be a very interesting woman of vast experience. Her keynote address and class the next day increased my respect for her.

Also at the lunch were my dear friends Kerry Blair and Tristi Pinkston. I enjoyed their classes so much. Heather Madder and Jon Lewis were not at the lunch, but I've known Heather for a couple of years, and found her class to be insightful. I didn't get to attend Jon's class, but from all accounts, those who attended appreciated his presentation.

Saturday was exhausting but exhilarating, and I sold a few books. I hope my trip to Southern Arizona in a couple of weeks is as rewarding.

Busy Month--Weather Nerves

by Marsha Ward

March is going to be awesomely busy. I'm a bit nervous, though.

I'm going to attend two Writers Conferences (one in Gilbert, Arizona, and one in Sandy, Utah) and a Book Fair where I'm going to sign and sell books in Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona. That means lots of traveling this month.

The first conference is this weekend. The weather forecast looks good, so I'm not agonizing about driving down to the valley.

But then, on the 14th, I'm driving from the middle of Arizona to the bottom, and I have no idea what the weather will be. Since I'll be going through the more temperate (some say hot) parts of the state, I shouldn't have to worry about snow storms. Rain may be another story. At least there shouldn't be dust storms to concern me. They are a summer event. Besides, Southern Arizona has been getting a lot of rain in the past weeks, so that should keep down any dust.

Here's the thing. In the fourth week, I'm heading for Utah. They've been getting a lot of snow. Will it all be gone and done with before I try to get over the mountain passes? Maybe I'll have to go through Las Vegas instead of trying Utah State Highway 20 from the US 89 to I-15. I know that the 20 is sometimes closed due to snow.

There's no short way to get to Las Vegas from here. It involves miles and miles of driving through the desert. I can go down to Phoenix and head out through Wickenburg on US 93. That's the long, fair-weather route. Or I can chance taking mountainous US 87 toward wintry Flagstaff, where I'd take I-40 west to Kingman and thence up the 93 to Las Vegas, where I'd hook onto I-15. Sigh.

Where can I get a long-range weather forecast? Anyone? Anyone?

How about some advice from you Utahns out there?

Happy New Writers Conference Year

by Marsha Ward

I'm starting out the year with slightly scratched corneas, but I expect the situation to get better, eventually. I just need to rest my eyes, which means, of course, not working on the computer. I'll go take a nap when I'm finished here.

American Night Writers Association (aka ANWA) is holding a writers conference on March 1. I'm the web mistress, and I overdid it yesterday working on the event's webpage. Because our web host changed their platform recently (I know this makes no sense to a lot of you, but bear with me!), there were a lot of little differences to contend with, and installing the page and making sure it worked right took far longer than it should have. Now I'm paying the consequences of drying out my eyes with too many computer hours. Boo hoo, right?

At any rate, this is a wonderful conference with terrific speakers, charging barely enough to cover costs so that the average person can attend. If you're an author, you can take part in the book signing at a minimal cost, too. Please consider attending. I'd be so grateful, and will feel that the sacrifice of my vision meant something. Really! I mean it! Come see us in lovely Gilbert, Arizona, on March 1.

Contract Writing

I love to do contract writing. I've been getting more and more requests lately and it's been a ball. I've done a few keyword articles for people and recently had the opportunity to write a feature article on one of my best friends! You've got to check her site. She's a very talented artist!

Jennifer does what we'd all love to do. She hides out in her basement being creative all day while her husband takes care of the children. Okay, so she only paints a few hours a day, but her husband is able to stay home with her and handle the entire financial end of her business.

Her artwork is fabulous and she's recently got her website online. Check it out at www.jenniferrassmusson.com. She's got an online gallery and just started her own blog, mostly to show what she's working on next.

Anyway, I met with another friend and will be writing some company information for his website as soon as I get back from a writing conference this weekend. I'll post the link when we get the info online ... he's got a great product!

I also get to do a book/DVD review soon. Anyone heard of Rindin the Puffer? It's a brand new children's book/DVD/stuffed animal combo that's supposed to be wonderful for children! My sister raved about it, saying her two year old (who cannot sit still for more than 30 seconds) wanted to sit and watch it over and over. I've invited the entire neighborhood of children over to watch it with us and give me their feedback. I figured I really ought to consult the experts after all.

Well, onto pressing matters that I've postponed long enough today. I've got an author bio to finish and a CD to make with the finished portion of my upcoming novel on it for the writers conference. Anyone else going to the conference in St. George? Maybe we can meet up!

Also - so sorry to be a day late on this one. I went on a research trip for my novel only to realize as the water was cascading from the sky that the steep dirt road I didn't know I'd need wasn't passable in wet conditions. Perhaps another day.