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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

Welcome to Recognitions, a column designed to celebrate the writing successes of Writers' Village University members!

Donna Sundblad reaches for the stars, grabs hold of her goal and doesn’t stop until she accomplishes it. A multi-faceted author, Donna writes non-fiction, true-life stories and fiction. “The Fish House,” a true-life story based on an interview with Raymond Rodriguez, Sr., appears in the June issue of U. S. Legacies. A network of fish houses once graced the shores of southwest Florida.

"I queried the possibility of becoming one of the recommended freelance writers and they agreed to use ‘The Fish House’ as my sample story. I composed this story while in the process of gathering information for a book I am working on called Recollections, an Oral History of Boca Grand’ (working title).”

Another first for Donna is writing a children’s story, "Imagine That." This inspirational piece, teaching children how to use their imagination to alleviate boredom, can be read at the Children’s Hood.

Donna wrote several articles on the art of writing that have been published by The Writer's Ezine. Read her latest article, "The Climb From the Chaos of Clutter," in the June issue.

“Writing is something that is just in me. That's not something everyone can understand, but those bitten by the writing bug know they have the gift. A willingness to work at honing the craft makes the difference. Each acceptance is exciting for me. I don't think it is something I will ever take for granted.”

Donna joined Writers’ Village University in July of 2002. She belonged to the Flash Fiction study group until a couple of months ago but is still an active member of Word Slingers, Time Trading Nortonians Rule and The Finish Line study groups.

”I don't know if I can say enough about what WVU has done for my writing. The classes offer specific help while the study groups provide consistent feedback from peers who I count among friends.

“One hobby I enjoy is raising birds. Hand-feeding these new hatchlings is amazing. I'm planning to write a children's picture book I'm calling, My Grandma's Baby Birds.”

At this time Donna works on editing and rewriting her allegorical fantasy novel titled, The Inheritance. Learn more about Donna and her writing at her website, TheInkSlinger.

Betty Kreier-Lubinski wrote Other Peoples Lives, a compilation of short stories geared to bring laughter and tears, triumphs and defeats. Published by ePress-online, a division of Writopia, Inc., this e-book brings together a collection of short stories ranging from humorous to serious, touching upon the joys and hardships of real, down-to-earth people.

Surprised yet pleased to find out that ePress-online wanted to publish her book, Betty said, “I knew how difficult it is to get a book of short stories published these days so it surprised me that Writopia chose this collection to publish rather than seeking a novel.”

An avid reader, Betty loves books by Jessamyn West, Joanne Greenberg, and Ann Rule. Betty met Ann Rule a couple of times at seminars and says that she is as down-to-earth and delightful in person as she seems in her writing. “My early ambition to write just like her somehow didn't work out. I think I've emulated her in the sensitive way I write about people, though.”

Betty wrote her first poem at age six, and her parents couldn't believe she’d written it. They thought she had copied it from somewhere. At about 10 years of age, she read her first writer's magazine and learned that people actually paid writers to write. At that time she decided to make writing her career.

“In my early teens I wrote little stories that Washington Farmer printed and paid for at the grand rate of 50¢ each, and then later $1.00. I was proud to see my work in print but bashful about other people seeing it.”

Betty didn't start trying to write to sell until after she raised her four children. In her 40s, Betty sold a number of confession stories (like true-love and true-experience) and inspirational religious articles. When she retired at age 65, she began seriously working at learning how to write.

“I like people, and I'm a good listener. I like to watch strangers and imagine little vignettes about them. I read voraciously.”

She signed up for WVU in 1998 and became a lifetime member. Betty joined the Consistents study group soon after. “Our study group ebbs and flows, but we've had some wonderful writers pass through, and I've learned a lot from them. I hope they learned a little from me as well. WVU helped me to focus my writing skills and learn how to create the effect I want.

“A writing teacher once told me to write one complete story each week and promised if I did that, by the end of the year my writing would have improved tremendously. I tried it and didn't succeed—but I certainly proved that waiting around for the muse to whomp me on the head was not the way to build a writing career. At the end of a couple of years, I had completed 70 short stories, and no, I still haven't run out of ideas. I wish now that I had been more serious about my writing at any earlier age. I never really believed in my own talent and I took rejections very seriously. Big mistake! Every writer I know who sold a story has been rejected a dozen times.”

Janice Repka wrote The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco, a humorous middle-grade novel for children ages 8 and up, illustrated by Glin Dibley and published by Dutton Children's Books. The book, with a release date of October 2004, can be pre-ordered online at Amazon.com

The story concerns a boy named Phillip, who might be the only kid in the world wanting to run away from the circus. His dad is a clown and his mom is the Fat Lady, and they both want Phillip to find an act that will make him a star. All he wants is to be a normal kid. Phillip finally gets the chance to live with his aunt and uncle in a regular town. But Hardingtown is hardly “regular” —it’s the unofficial Dodgeball Capital of the World where, instead of dodging cream pies thrown by clowns, Phillip is ducking screamers thrown by the Junior Dodgeball Champion and school bully, B.B. Tyson. Thus Phillip’s adventure really begins.

“I joined WVU three years ago and became a member of the Colin R. Onstad study group. I would like to thank all of the wonderful writers at WVU who helped me get my book from idea to print. Together, we can make it happen.”

Congratulations, Donna, Betty and Janice. We wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors and thank you for sharing your information with us.

We look forward to reading about your writing accomplishments in this column. If you or someone you know received recognition for writing, please send the information to recognitions@wvu.org. Let us know!

About the Author
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Joan McNulty Pulver moved to Florida about 30 years ago and decided to stay. She has five children (two girls and three boys) and five grandchildren (four boys and one girl). An Administrative Secretary for the State of Florida, she plans to retire in about seven years and then start her real career, writing. Joan hopes to have at least one novel finished and published by that time. She does a little volunteer work here at WVU and enjoys this community of writers. "I have learned so much here and like helping others learn along with me."