Literary

Greetings ladies! We are now well into the month of May and already the year is passing us by once again. It didn’t seem all that long ago we were unwrapping gifts beneath the Christmas tree! Where has the year gone? And with Mothers Day this weekend for those of us in Australia and the US, it is this occasion that inspired most of our Nooks in Literary this month.

Well I hope you all enjoy the selection we have in store for you this month. We invite you to stop by and have a read of the wonderful stories, poetry and challenges, all of which continue to showcase the fantastic display of our ladies’ talent!

Over the last couple of months Linda and I have introduced some Fun Challenges to keep the creative juices of our ladies’ flowing. After some thought, this month we decided to make these challenges a part of our mandatory submissions, to try and encourage a little more participation through the list. We changed the name of them to Mini Challenges, and each week Linda and I alternate in sending in a new challenge for the ladies to take part in. And so far the response has been exciting! These Mini Challenges are a lot of fun, and you can read them on the Literary website at http://www.wosib.org/literary/ under Fun Challenges (April).

And if you enjoy writing, why don’t you come and join us?! There’s plenty for you to do here, even if you don’t think you are a writer. Please feel free to stop by the Literary pages and take a look. We’d love to have you!

Please don’t forget to stop by and read about our Spotlight Author of the Month…..just who could she be this month….*s*

Fiction Nook
Reported by Christina

The Fiction theme for April was to write a story inspired by the following picture:



Congratulation to all our April winners! We had a two-way tie for First Place! A special thank you to all who took the time to read the stories and send in your votes.

FIRST PLACE
Our Hope by Kerrin Brittain aka Moonrae
and
Circle of Life Christina Smith aka Stina

SECOND PLACE
The Woman in the Mirror by Lindamay

THIRD PLACE
Happily Ever After by Valerie Lawson aka Angel of Music

Poetry Nook
Reported by Christina

This month our members were to write a poem around the theme “Why God Made Mothers”. Lots of wonderful entries this month!

Congratulations to all our winners. We had such a response to these poems that we ended up with a two-way for First, for Second, and for Third! A special thank you to all who took the time to read the poems and cast your votes.

FIRST PLACE
Why God Made Mothers by Lindamay
and
Why God Made Mothers by Jeri aka Windstorm

SECOND PLACE
Why God Created Mothers by Linda Vaughan
and
Why God Made Mothers by Kara aka Klyn

THIRD PLACE
Why God Made Mothers by Christina aka Stina
and
Why God Made Mothers by Loretta Jacobs aka SilverEssence

HONOURABLE MENTION
Why God Made Mothers by Molly Pearson

Challenge Nook

Reported by Linda

Ladies of the Literary Garden,

Heed the Challenge Nook,

You have been very busy

Please go take a look.

The Literary Garden and the whole of WOSIB appreciate your efforts with challenge and read them with great interest.

Keep up the good work and those of you who don't usually take part in challenge - why not give it a try?

I am proud to head up the Challenge Nook and look forward to your contributions.

Love and hugs,
Linda


Continuing Story
Reported by MaidenFair

There was no Continuing Story for April.

Non Fiction Nook
Reported by Kesia aka Ms Nasty

Welcome to May 2007 and The Non-Fiction Nook!
Spring showers lead to May flowers and, May has finally sprung! The month of April found the Ladies of the Literary Garden, reflecting upon the emotions found within, as the spring winds wash over our souls. I do hope you will stop by and read what our Ladies had to share, through the gift of the written word.

With April behind us and, summer well on it's way to making her debut, the Non-Fiction Nook will be reflecting upon the joys of summer, as we share our most precious memories of this glorious time of year. If you would like to join us as we go on summer vacation and, take a look back in time, please flutter on by the Literary Garden and sign up! We would love to get to know you better, as we share of our lives and tell the stories, we cherish the most.

I want to take a moment today, to reflect upon the seventh anniversary of our WOSIB home. Though I have only been a member of the WOSIB Sister-Hood for a little over a year, I have already discovered the beauty of her gift. I want to thank the founders of our home on the web, for sharing their dream with each of us. Becca and Pam knew the importance of sharing the love and, they gave so much of themselves so we would each have a place to call home. When they turned their dream over to Idgie and Jeri, they did so with love, trust and admiration. It is with this same love, trust and admiration, I now thank these two fine Women of Strength and Inner Beauty, for keeping the dream alive. To each of our WOSIB Sisters, thank you so much for sharing your Walk of Life with me and, for tagging along side me, as I share of mine. I am honored and humbled, to be a part of such a loving, supportive group of women.

Remember, should your Muse start knocking on the heart of your soul, the Ladies of the Liteary Garden will be leaving a light on for you!

In His Word-With His Love,
Kesia aka Nasty Angel
Non-Fiction Nook Host

Comfort & Celebrations Nook
Reported by Joanne

Hello, I'm Joanne, and I'm in charge of the Celebrations and Comfort Nook (called the C & C for short). Members of the Literary Garden contribute to this Nook by submitting poems celebrating happy events, such as birthdays, weddings, engagements, births and so on. Poems and/or short stories are also submitted for special comfort and support in the case of deaths of loved ones, favorite pets, and also depression, family difficulties, sudden changes and the like. These submissions are then sent to the Celebrators who include them in their specific pages according to theme needed. Now that we in the Northern Hemisphere are (finally) entering into the warm moth of May, we will be looking forwards to happier and positve celebrations with our loved ones, such as that of Mother's Day and and in the U.S. Memorial Day, which traditionally honors and remembers all those who have passed on during all world wars. It doesn't necessarily have to be a sad day, for through the sacrifice of our soldiers we today can freely love and worship in liberty wherever we live. For those in the Southern Hemisphere thoughts are turned to full autumnal days and the enjoyment of the last warming rays of the sun.

Reviews & Expressions Nooks
Reported by Silveressence

Happy May Ladies!! Happy Mothers day to those of you who are moms, and A happy month to those who aren't. Last month was a good month - we had more submissions in the review and expressions nook than we've had so far this year. I am glad you all are taking part!! I've been having some computer problems the last couple of months, but my service provider has assured me that the problems are now in the past. I look foward to receiving your submissions for May. Have a blessed month, all of you!

Whimsical Nook
Reported by Sarah aka SeededSpirit

The Whimsical Nook is such the perfect spot

to share the light-hearted, upbeat side of you

Something you'd read to youngster is right on the dot

a little poem, ditty or tale will do

I would like to thank everyone who submitted this month. I know all of our Sisters here appreciate your thoughts on their pages.

And may I take this time to wish all mums out there a very Happy Mother’s Day, and for those who aren’t blessed with the little rugrats (like me), wishing you a wonderful day also!

Until next month, Happy Reading,
Christina
Garden Head

Linda
Assistant Head

MaidenFair, Kesia, Joanne, Sarah and Silveressence
Literary Assistants