Literary

The Literary Garden has a brand new look, with easier navigation for both members and visitors. Everything you need to enjoy a relaxing afternoon reading, can be found at www.wosib.org/literary

Fiction Nook
Reported by Delana

During January, members were to write a story about confusion with an eight-year-old adopted boy as the main character and a rose as the key object, and set the story in a bus station. You'd be surprised at how different each story turned out.

Congratulations to our winners!

First Place - A ROSE FOR JAMIE by KayDee Ward aka Maiden Fair

Second Place - THE TIMELESS ROSE by Christina Smith aka Stina

Third Place - DANIEL'S ROSE by Brenda Barnhart aka Brennie

Honorable Mention - MARK AND ROSE by Christine Donahue aka Theresa

Honorable Mention - THE ROSE by Nicole

Whimsical Nook
Reported by Christina

Don't forget to stop by the Whimsical Nook for some lighthearted reading this month

Nonfiction Nook
Reported by Christina

This month the Non-Fiction theme had our members sharing about a New Years resolution and whether they kept it or not. It's interesting to see the simplicities and the different perspectives on such an age-old adage. Come and join the Literary girls to read about their resolutions made...or broken.

Poetry Nook
Reported by FoxY

During January, members were to write a non-rhyming poem. This proved to be a challenge for some members and a welcoming topic for others. The winners have been tabulated, so please help me congratulate the winners for January.

Congratulations to our winners!

First Place - SALVATION by Loretta Jacobs aka Silver Essence

Second Place - SELF REFLECTION by Brenda Barnhart aka Brennie

Third Place - WRITER'S BLOCK by KayDee Ward aka Maiden Fair

Third Place - IN MY MIND'S EYE by Rachelle

Honorable Mention - UNTITLED by Barb Riffey aka Seagull

Honorable Mention - MY EVENING WALK by Ethel GG Kent

Honorable Mention - UNTITLED by WinterWolf

Challenge Nook
Reported by Carol

This month's challenge was to write a limerick using words revolving around Valentine's Day. There was twist where the ladies had to make three additional words and include them as well. Stop by and see how creative minds can create such different limericks! One of them had me laughing so hard I cried!

Continuing Story Nook
Reported by Carol

It's always amazing to me to see these stories develop. From one idea, the story gets passed from person to person until it's completed. This month's story has a unique twist at the end. I hope you will stop by and read it "Faces from the Past." Here is the beginning:

For fifteen years, he'd been the Chief of Police in this village of seventy-six people. Big whoopee. He wrote tickets. He drove up and down the one short street of the village. He stopped and ate the sandwich his wife packed, downed a couple cans of soda pop, and wrote more tickets. Then he went home, slept and the next day he was back on patrol. Not what he'd dreamed of doing with his life. But a guy had to pay the bills. He turned the key and put the car into gear, gazed into the rearview mirror and pulled onto the street. The snowplow hadn't yet cleared the street and he made the first tracks through the two inches of snow.

A pair of headlights came racing toward him. Racing! A sleek red sports car zoomed past him. Rodney made an awkward U-turn and followed, knowing he had little chance of catching the guy. But to his surprise the guy had come to a stop in the middle of the street. What the heck? Suddenly, the sports car spun around as if in place and Rodney was staring through the windshield at a shadowed face. The car's motor revved. Rodney felt the impact--just a slight tap on the bumper. He drew his gun and pointed it.

A light flicked on inside the sports car revealing the driver's face. Rodney screamed, just seconds before he pulled the trigger.

Reviews & Expressions Nook
Reported by Orca

For January's expressions, we had three ladies submit very interesting submissions, and in the reviews we had two book reviews that spark the reader's interest in perhaps looking into reading the book they portray. Good January submissions ladies, I look forward to reading February's.

Celebrations & Comfort Nook
Reported by Broken Angel

We'd like to thank all the ladies who submitted to the Comfort and Celebrations Nook this month. It's nice to see that we are reaching out to our sisters. Keep them coming Ladies. Have a wonderful February!

Until next month, Happy Reading,
FoxY, Delana, Carol, Christina, Orca, and Broken Angel



SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

WinterWolf

WinterWolf is a devoted member of the Literary Garden. Despite various personal issues and struggles, WinterWolf always has her assignments completed on time each month. She is also such an encouragement to other members. A true example of a Woman of Strength and Inner Beauty!! We are honored to have her as a member of the Literary Garden. And are pleased to honor WinterWolf as our Spotlight Author of the Month for January 2006!! Please take a moment to read her interview below:

What is your favorite Literary Garden Nook and why?
I love the continuing story, where my sisters & I can create a new and interesting story together.

What do you like best about being a member of the Garden?
How the girls stick together, and help one another out, wether it be questions about writing or psp or life in general.

Do you believe "the pen is mightier than the sword?" Why?
Of course! Truthfully, I believe that words are the key to solving all of the problems of the world. Instead of fighting, sit down and talk it out or write out your problems and address them one at a time.

If you had the chance to speak on international television and your speech had to be about yourself, what would you tell the world?
That I am a normal everyday person, who has the same fears and concerns as everyone else. That I can understand you, and am willing to get to know you for who you are. We are all flawed, I am, and I accept that, so should you.

Do you have any pets?
YES, I have three little angels.
Fluffy is a Field Golden Retriever, which means she is a red gold.She is six years old and I spoil her rotten and we snuggle up in bed. She has arthris in her hips and has a hard time getting around, but loves snow and eats snowballs.

Poo- Poo, started out as Ginger, is a one year old golden hamster. She is a really cute little bundle of fuzz. She tunnels and comes when you call.

Hip-HOP- the rabbit, is a wild little bunny, literally. Her mother was killed in JULY of last year, and my son and I rescued her from her mothers fate. SHe was no bigger than the palm of my hand when I brought her inside. I bottle fed her until she was big enough to drink from a bowl. She is now strong and can hop about 6 feet into the air. She loves to wander in the house and hates Fluffies cold nose.

When life gets you down, who can make you laugh?
Usually YOU girls! Someone sends in a funny cartoon or picture or something that makes me laugh. At home, my son or the "Children" as I call them, furbabies do things that make me laugh.

Do you collect anything? If so, care to share?
Eyeore, and wolves and TY Babies. They are my favorites. It is hard to find WOLF colletibles, that I can afford, so I buy things that I can make.

Can you tell us one thing about yourself that we might find surprising?
I used to be what Doctors call a "Cutter," I was so used to it that it took me six years to stop. It was a way for me to control the rage that I felt at being abused.

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
I love to stand and dance in the rain, s long as there is no lightening.

Who or what inspires you to write?
Many different things help me to write, sometimes it is an object, or a sunny day. Other times it could be a post from one of our sisters here at WOSIB. I just never know.