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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

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

Nadene R. Carter’s mystery/suspense novel, A Cobweb on the Soul, published by ePress-online, became available at Lulu in July 2005. Nadene said she was thrilled to see this, her second novel, published. “I didn't think anything could top the thrill of that first book, but each one is like one of my children. I'm delighted to see each one grow up and go out into the world.” Nadene’s first novel, The Price of Silence, is available at her website at www.nadenecarter.com.

A Cobweb on the Soul is the story of Architect Abigal Carlson, who rescues an old mansion from being demolished. She unleashes a chain of events that ripples forward to jeopardize her life and the lives of those she loves, as well as backward, giving closure to the disappearance of her sister many years ago.

Nadene's love of reading started when she first discovered words in the two-room schoolhouse in the small town where she lived. Her mother always knew where to find her, holed up with a book. “I grew up reading the escapades of The Boxcar Children. I loved Girl of the Limberlost so much that a few years ago I started looking in used book shops and found an old copy. I added it to my collection. I read Little Women and Jo became my hero. I still have a 1929 copy of that book. It was while reading Little Women, I knew that someday I would write a novel. To Kill a Mockingbird is my all-time favorite novel.”

Nadene spins wool into yarn and weaves various things: coverlets, placemats, and wall hangings, etc. “Something about the repetitive motions and working with fibers stimulates my creativity. The fiber arts play an important role in A Cobweb on the Soul.”

She joined Writers' Village University in 1999, entering through the F2K class. In fact, Abby, her protagonist in A Cobweb on the Soul, was born in that class, and she used the short story she wrote in there as a springboard to writing this novel.

“After F2K, I joined the Colin R. Onstad group who helped me so much with my first novel. When Writing the Mystery Novel class was offered, I worked through that class and went on to the Completing the Mystery Novel class. Afterward a special room was set up for those of us who want to keep working and polishing our novels. Any success I have enjoyed wouldn't have happened without WVU and the great people who are so willing to help fellow writers."

Nadene has six children, 23 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She lost her mother in May of 2003. “Two months later I met the love of my life after being single for many years. We were married the following November. He has the patience of Job! It's not easy living with someone who has a writing obsession.”

Donna Sundblad’s, Pumping Your Muse, published by ePress-online, came out in trade paperback in July 2005. It will be out in various electronic formats later this fall. Donna is a freelance writer of short stories and articles, an editor, researcher, and columnist for The Writer's E-Zine.

I asked Donna about the day her first copy of the book arrived at her house. “The doorbell rang. By the time my husband got to the door, the delivery truck pulled away. He walked into the house with a small package. ‘Your book is here!’ I pushed away from the computer and hurried toward him. He grabbed the scissors and cautiously slit the padded envelope and handed it to me. I slipped the book into view. Wow! Pumping Your Muse by Donna Sundblad; I held my first published book in my hands.

“How’s it feel?” my husband asked.

“Like a dream.” In fact, it was a dream come true. I flipped through the pages. My words stared at me from each page. Not only did it give me a feeling of satisfaction but validation. It’s a good book. One I’d buy.”

Pumping Your Muse has already opened opportunities for Donna to grow beyond the scope of the book. She led an innovative workshop at the Peace River Center for Writers in Punta Gorda, Florida in August and will hold another one for the Florida Writers Association on October 8, 2005 at the Bloomingdale Library located in Brandon, FL. She recently appeared as the guest author in the Writers Chatroom moderated by Glenn Walker and hosted by Audrey Shaffer. Giving these workshops and appearing in guest chat helps Donna to stretch her creativity and urges her to reach beyond her usually introverted comfort zone.

“From my standpoint, Pumping Your Muse triggers memories of the creative process. During the writing of this book, I completed the rough draft of a novel and ideas for a second one that I plan to develop. Life inspires my writing, and you’ll find personal anecdotes from almost thirty years ago and as current as the cycle of hurricanes blowing through Florida the summer of 2004.”

Donna loves to write and enjoys passing on the passion to others reaching for their dreams as writers. “I’m considering putting together an online workshop to help guide others through the creative process outlined in Pumping Your Muse. It’s easy to use, and self-motivated writers will find it inspiring and productive. Following the exercises from start to finish generates the rough draft of a novel written uniquely in the author’s voice and style. I realize that some people desire feedback, guidance and encouragement through the creative process. A workshop would meet these needs.”

She lives in Florida with her husband, Rick, son-in-law, Kraig, daughter, Heather, and two wonderful grandchildren, Taylor and Jeramiah, and her birds. Donna also has a son, Chris, who lives nearby. She works on the tropical island of Bocca Grande, holding down a full-time job while she writes.

Rayne E. Golay was a runner-up in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Association, 2004, for her novel, Life Is A Foreign Language, published in June 2005 by Trafford Publishing. The novel tells the story of Nina, who after thirty-seven years of her husband's infidelities, has had enough. Wounded, she files for divorce, leaves family and native France. She meets Michael with whom she experiences fantastic joy that turns to agonizing sorrow when he is brutally torn from her. Alone and bereft, she must continue the legacy Michael has left; trust, the awareness that she is strong enough to survive on her own, against all odds. "Since the day I learned to read, I wanted to be an author. It wasn't enough just to write; I wanted to be published. I'm an avid reader. I love traveling. Swimming and gardening allow me to contemplate, 'go within', which helps to focus me when I write.

"Reading helps develop my own voice. While writing a novel I tend to read biographies, not to copy others' writing by mistake. Learning about people gives me insights and ideas to character development. Traveling broadens my horizon, a wider view on life in general; it's taught me tolerance and acceptance of others. I've discovered that there are more similarities among people than there are differences, no matter our walks in life, backgrounds and goals."

Rayne joined Writers' Village University in 2000. She posted in Fiction 200, Misfits and is now a member of the Colin R. Onstadt (CRO) study group. "WVU has been wonderful for me. I've taken courses in creative writing, which has helped make the switch from non-fiction to fiction. Most importantly, giving and receiving feedback in the different study groups and classes continues to be a great learning experience. Some members in CRO have taught me to show, not tell, which was very difficult after writing two non-fiction books."

Rayne is a psychologist, certified as an addictions counselor. She has a grown daughter and son, and one granddaughter. "My husband of 26 years passed away last year. The emptiness and silence after he left is heavy, but the publication of Life Is A Foreign Language has helped me fill the emptiness in a small measure." To learn more about Rayne, visit her website at www.raynegolay.com. There are some reader comments (Hilary Hemingway among them). You will also find the first chapter of her second novel, The Wooden Chair.

Congratulations, Nadene, Donna and Rayne. 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 Personnel 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.