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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

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

Brandy Foster submitted two articles to the Austin Student Newspaper, a publication targeted to college students. Both were published in March editions of that newspaper. Her first article, “Having Trouble Staying Focused?,” concerns college students with ADD or ADHD. The second one, “There’s Something in the Aire,” [a feature article on a local apartment complex named English Aire Apts., hence the title], was published in the Housing Guide section.

“When I first found out the articles had been chosen for publication I was in shock. I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to God. Then I called every person I have ever known (I think) and told them to pick up the issue. I went and grabbed 10 issues for those people who could not get one.”

Although Brandy loves to read, she feels she has too many favorite writers to name. "There are so many! I love any writer who is honest, vulnerable, descriptive, and creative.

“At very fragile moments in my life, I have found comfort, encouragement, and unadulterated truth in non-fiction books. There are a few books I have read that have been LIFE-CHANGING (and that is not an exaggeration). When my life changed for the better as a result of reading, I told myself that I wanted to be an inspiration to someone else’s life—and I wanted to write inspiration in a way that would change someone else’s life for the better. From my pure desire to inspire people to become better people, I developed a love for all writing, not just non-fiction. I love learning new languages and new vocabulary. I love playing with words. Writing is something I am talented at and something I love to do, so now I am pursuing it as a career. Who wouldn’t want to get a paycheck for writing their opinions, coming up with interesting ideas, proofreading other people’s ideas, and making up stories?”

Brandy joined Writers’ Village University in July of 2004. “WVU has helped me tremendously because it allows me to network with other writers. The classes are wonderful because they demand you to discipline yourself to complete assignments each week—and I have created some pretty good pieces from WVU classes. I also like looking at the Writing Opportunities log. WVU has also helped me to pick a more specific career than just 'writing'.”

Brandy’s advice to new writers and editors: “In less than a year, I have managed to gain plenty of experience as an editor and writer. I did this by choosing experience over money. If you are a novice with absolutely no experience, like I was last year, you have to realize the importance of volunteer work and taking projects for a little less money until you can establish yourself. After that, ditch the unpaid work—unless you just want to do it. I am not to that point yet. I am still having fun volunteering and learning all I can about the writing and editorial field!” Through WVU Brandy realized how much she loves editing—and how good she is at it. Brandy feels she has a good eye for detail, organization, and grammar. “I am now pursuing a career in editing.” Brandy is an editor at ePress-online.com. She has just finished editing Pumping Your Muse and is in the process of editing a fantasy novel, Dragonthroat.

Sonja Herbert received Honorable Mention for her short story, “Lies,” in the N.E.B. Publishing One Page Short Story Contest. “I have wanted to be a writer ever since I found out that my mother hid in a circus from the Nazis when I was little.”

She loves to read and states that it enhances her writing skills. Her favorite authors are Frank McCourt and Maya Angelou. “I love them because of their terrific creative non-fiction.”

Sonja joined Writers’ Village University in 1998 and is presently a member of the Hemingway Hall writers group. “I’ve learned almost all my writing skills at WVU. It helped me stick with my first novel and finish it. I’m looking for an agent for it now.”

Congratulations, Brandy and Sonja. We wish you continued success in all of 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
Joan McNulty Pulver, mother of five and grandmother of five, works as an Administrative Secretary for the State of Florida but considers her writing and editing to be her vocation. She is a columnist for T-Zero: The Writer’s E-Zine, a course developer and facilitator at Writers’ Village University and the Acquisitions Coordinator/Editor for ePress-online. Joan has had two short stories published and is currently working on a non-fiction book and a fantasy novel.