An e-zine for writers and those who love great writing.
SUE TURNER: AN INTERVIEW
by Mitchel Whitington
DIALOG
by Ronald Wayne Jones
FRONT PORCH RUMINATIONS or
I WANNA BE IN PRINT - A SHORT STORY
by Robert Nailor
Sue Long Turner: Journalist, Author, and the Coolest Person on the Planet By Mitchel Whitington Occasionally, I run across an author who is so full of energy and enthusiasm that all I can do is
stop and marvel. Sue Long Turner, co-author of the new book 'Wings Born Out of Dust', is just
such a person: delightful, unstoppable, and a veritable dynamo. I was fortunate enough to meet Sue in person at an Oklahoma writer's conference this year. She
was eager to discuss the craft of writing and anything else that struck a person's fancy. To first meet Sue, you might - for a fleeting moment - assess her as a delicate little lady, possibly
retired, who has decided to dabble in the world of writing. Only the greatest of fools would dare
to describe this energetic woman in such terms, however. Sue Long Turner is a powerhouse. Through the Emporium Gazette, I was fortunate enough to get a chance to talk with her about
life in general, and her thoughts on the new book. When asked about such matters, Sue responded
with the following anecdote: Several nights ago I was watching Larry King interview Merv Griffin, former talk show host,
owner of several hotels, and creator of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. The two were playing a
sort of 'Gotcha' game, each trying to come up with a celebrity the other hadn't interviewed. After
a number of hits and misses, Larry shouted "Eleanor Roosevelt!" "You didn't." Merv's eyes widened and he held up his hands in a defeated gesture. Big deal! I smiled as I was yanked back to my college days when I was a journalism major
and Feature Editor of the Hardin-Simmons Brand (my college newspaper). I actually got about a
ten-minute interview with Eleanor Roosevelt when she came to Abilene to speak at
Hardin-Simmons. I don't remember a word of the article, but I do remember one thing she said: "The best of your life is ahead of you. How fortunate your are to live in the United States, a place
where you can pursue your dreams." I still feel that way today: Lucky! One of the classic poets (was it Browning?) said, "the last
of life is for which the first was made." Strange, but despite my 79-year-old chronological age, I
don't feel that I am in 'the last of life.' I have so many things to do, so many places to go, so
much to write about. A little mouse on my computer desk is holding a purple balloon that says, "I
Refuse to Grow Up." Sue's companions in the Abilene Writers Guild delight in spinning the seemingly endless stories of
the fun and hijinx that she brings to the group. They are as quick to tell you, though, that the
writing force within her is formidable. While gathering information for this article, I asked Sue
how she got started in the world of writing. This was her response: "Writing stories and dreaming up plots began for me in a tree house built in a huge pecan tree,
where I would sit, dream, and write for hours with a pencil and Big Chief lined tablet recording
conversations with fairies and other wondrous things. I had entered the eighth grade when I
climbed down from my tree house for the last time and entered the world of journalism." From there Sue went to Hardin-Simmons University, and continued on. "After Hardin-Simmons, I turned down a job at the Abilene Reporter News because it didn't
pay enough and went to work as a legal secretary. I didn't write again until after I married and
had three children-son, daughter, and the third son who co-authored 'Wings Born Out of Dust'.
Then after writing short stories and an article here and there, I had many rejection forms and
letters." "Discouraged, I decided to give writing one final try. I would find the lowest-paying market I
could locate, a half-cent-a-word teenage religious market. I sent a story titled 'Just to Be Betsy'
and one day came a check for eleven dollars. Following that I sold a number of short stories
and articles to minor, mostly religious markets." "Legal work was becoming irksome and I wanted a job that paid me to write. Newspaper
writing no longer appealed to me so following my usual path with problems, I had a talk with my
father. There was a new thing around - less than a year old in Abilene: television! "A lot of
words spoken here in Abilene come out of that machine," Dad said pointing to his television.
'Somebody has to write the words.'" "The TV station manager held up a Zippo cigarette lighter and asked me to describe it. As I
recall I said something like, 'a small silver rectangular object that bursts into flame with a flick of
your thumb.' Whatever I said, I was hired. How little did I know that I wasn't embarking on a
job, not even a new career. I was beginning a way of life that I loved for many years, first writing
news and then switching to writing and producing television commercials and shows." "Before my television days ended, I had worked in almost all areas of the television field,
including selling time. Even then, I did much writing, particularly on new accounts." "For a time I switched to an ad agency where I wore several hats: writing both television and
print, account executive, public relations, media director. Included in my mixed bag of the written
word. I wrote and helped produce Bible Stories for Children with all the voices by Dallas
McKennon, the storekeeper on the old Daniel Boone television series." "After years in Abilene, Texas, my chosen work took me to Las Vegas, Wichita Falls and
Odessa/Midland, then to Houston, and finally circling back to Abilene. The black mark on all
those marvelous years: I wrote very little fiction. I did write one young adult novel, Forecast for
Love, for a friend who wrote a young adult series using the name of Kristin Michaels for New
American Library under the Signet label." "After almost forty years I decided to leave the pressure cooker and discover where the flow
might take me. Although I know it's true that a writer can write any place - riding down the
highway, the kitchen table, or under a bridge, I do think a writer has a 'right' place for a particular
period of time. Mine is an apartment on the eighth floor of The Windsor, an historic hotel restored
to its former splendor with its memories and ghosts from the past. Once again I have my 'tree
house,' filled with fairies and angels and voices in the night." Her latest book was co-authored with her son, Russ Turner. Russ spent many years on the streets
of Hollywood and Los Angeles, battling his demons and refusing any offers of help. He was once
a musician who played with the likes of Buddy Rich, Smokey Robinson, Frank Sinatra and Brenda
Lee. Sue indicated, however, that he soon fell victim to the peril of "too much success, too
soon." She was kind enough describe the book for the readers of the Emporium Gazette, and
how the whole project came about: "What started our writing the book was a conversation with Russ about his wish to write his
autobiography, and my suggestion that he send me episodes about his life on the streets. He
agreed and I soon began receiving material. I think the book was more a happening than a
planning." "Russ would send me letters and notes written in large scraggly handwriting. When sober, the
writing was straight on the page. When not so sober, the lines were slanted. And when he was in
a place where I could reach him by phone, I would call with any questions I had. On the
occasions when he was back on the streets, the notes and letters were frequently dirty and
crumpled. Once I received a batch that was found by someone who kindly put stamps on the
envelope and mailed it to me. I would take the info and re-write and on occasions only edit the
copy he sent. Also, we do have a contact - a Pastor at the Christian Church where Russ turns up
occasionally." "When the book was finished, I sent him a complete copy in a zippered bag, which as is usual
with his possessions, he lost. I then sent him a hardback and hope he still has it. We actually
came up with the title in a brain-storming session several years before when he was going to write
a book, which was never written. He has written a number of songs, some published which he
receives some royalties each September. The words to one song which has never been published
is in the book." 'Wings Born Out of Dust' is billed as 'a poignant story softened with bits of ironic humor.' What it
really is, however, is a book that simply can't be put down. As each chapter finishes, there is
always the temptation to read just one more to see what Russ and Sue have in store next. After
all, how can you not keep reading when the next chapter is entitled, 'Looking Ahead Toward the
Lesser of Many Evils,' or 'Being a Space Hobo Traveling Past the Speed of Light.' Sue Long Turner has produced a wonderful book that captures her wit, wisdom and love for her
son. If you'd like to experience her first-hand, simply attend the social hour at the next writer's
conference and look for the table that is having the most fun - she will certainly be in the center of
the festivities. In the mean time, 'Wings Born Out of Dust' is available with a quick Internet stop
by www.xlibris.com. Email orders can be placed through Orders@xlibris.com, or call toll-free
888.795.4274. The book can be direct-downloaded for $8, a paperback copy is $18 plus $4.95
shipping and handling, and you can order the book in hardback for $25 plus shipping and
handling. Everyone at the Emporium Gazette extends a special 'thank-you' to Sue for allowing us to take a
peek into her life. She is quite a lady. Those who are fortunate enough to know Sue Long
Turner would probably agree that a phrase once used to describe Sinatra fits her perfectly: This is
truly Sue's world, and the rest of us are simply moving through it!
1999 © Mitchel Whitington
Mitchel Whitington is the author of Uncle Bubba's Chicken Wing Fling, an amusing look at small-town life in Texas and Uncle Bubba's unstoppable quest to open a chicken wing restaurant.
Check out HARM'S WAY, a round robin story written by the Range Writers.
What interests you in the writing arena? Poetry, novel writing, short story secrets? What would you like to read about in The Emporium Gazette? Tell us and we will do our best to bring you helpful information and entertainment in the coming months.
Do you have questions for our editors? Just drop us an email at: The Emporium Gazette
Dialogue by Ronald Wayne Jones Skillful dialogue will open a window into your character's soul. Successful authors often explain
that conflict fuels plot and emotion fans the fires. Where is that emotion more evident than in
dialogue between determined rivals? What the protagonist says and how he delivers his lines can reveal many things. His word choice
tells the reader his level of education, while dialect or accent may give us clues to his ethnic
background or national origin. How openly he addresses equals or people of social standing may
also give us clues to his standing in the community and his attitudes toward the social structure
that rules his life. In addition to these obvious clues, dialogue may reveal more obscure details. Much of a
character's attitude, things he might wish kept secret, can be delivered in dialogue by using
innuendo, slips of the tongue, suggestive comments, or word choice. Notice the difference when a character says, "My wife was killed in a freeway accident." The
same man might change the whole texture of the sentence when changing one word. "My wife
was murdered in a freeway accident." While the first may imply remorse, the second suggests a
character who might seek revenge. The choice of words a character uses can reveal details that
might otherwise go untold, and it took changing one word. One secret of successful screenwriters is to avoid answering a character's question with a yes or
no response. This can be done many ways. Rival characters might trade insults, lies, tease with
innuendo, or even bait each other with snide remarks or misleading statements. If they really
despise each other the sniping might deteriorate into hammering each other with sarcasm, threats
or pointed jokes. Maybe your characters aren't bitter enemies, but remember that you, the writer, should have given
each character a unique agenda for every scene. When those goals clash, you create conflict, that
essential quality which powerful scenes require. Your dialogue must emphasize and reflect these
adversarial roles. An easy method to create compelling dialogue between even two sympathetic characters would
be to do what screenwriters suggest, answer one question with another. Examine a well-crafted
story of your choosing that contain adversarial characters. Often in the story, a character will
respond with a question of his own. In all likelihood they parry and thrust at each other. Your
readers love characters that refuse to give up, so why make them cow to an opponent by
supplying him with a direct answer to his question. He might think the answer, but I doubt he'd
blurt it out. Think of your characters as warring gladiators. Each is engaged in a life-and-death struggle to
defeat his opponent and exit the arena alive. Remember: conflict is the key to good literature, and
what makes better conflict than two characters at war to win every scene of your book or story?
Having won several rounds in a row, your villain may back off and coast a few rounds, but a
champion tries to put away his opponent early and avoid a decision. Like battered prizefighters your characters must answer the bell for each scene to face the
opponent on the blood-splattered canvas. They circle, jab, and test the other's defenses, ducking
the blows they can avoid, and absorbing the punishment when unable to escape. In all likelihood, your protagonist will answer the bell for the final round with one eye swollen
shut, a broken nose, multiple cuts, and weak knees. The protagonist may have landed numerous
solid blows, but the key to a well-crafted novel is that things get progressively worse for your
hero. Don't ignore this detail when constructing your dialogue? Meanwhile, your hero's antagonist
enters the last chapter stronger than ever, on the verge of victory. However, I digress. Now, take the time to examine your story. Do your hero and villain volley a barrage of insults,
lies, threats, and questions? If not, maybe they should. When they answer, do they reply with
innuendo, noncommittal responses, or occasionally with sarcasm? If so, you're on the right track.
When crafted properly, dialogue maintains that thread of tension so essential to a good book. Give these spicy seasonings a try when brewing your conversations. See if these tiny peppers
produce a more palatable dialogue, something your readers or an editor will enjoy consuming.
1999 © Ronald Wayne Jones
Ronald Wayne Jones has
authored several novels in different genres along with numerous short
stories that he is currently marketing. If you have questions or comments,
on this article, Ron can be reached at The Rhino Den. He is also the
Gazette's West Coast Talent Editor and is seeking short story submissions
for the Gazette.
The front porch is a perfect place to sit, watch, and
think; to see life spread its off-Broadway production before you on a lazy
summer day. I thirst to be a writer, to see my name in print, to grab a
small claim to fame. This is where it will happen and writing is easy.
Anybody can do it.
I have everything necessary: pad, pencils, the fastest laptop computer
available, a super word processor, a snazzy printer with pristine white
paper, chilled lemonade, some how-to books and lots of fancy doo-dads
strewn about to inspire me.
The books are to guide me while my fingers tapdance across the keys and
create the 'Great American Novel' that will skyrocket my name to fame.
Well, maybe not a full novel, perhaps just a short story for starters. I
realize that even the best writers had to hone their skills and pay their dues.
At best an overnight success ---- takes about two years.
On the front porch, I have time and the summer's warmth is comforting.
What should I write? The street is busy with traffic flowing briskly in each
direction. Each passing vehicle is a story racing away from me. A burly
driver slows his large, blue rig before my porch on its way to Detroit.
Could he be a hero? What genre? Maybe just a travel article? Already I'm
pre-rejecting what I'm going to write.
Perhaps I should search beyond the street. On the other side of Jefferson
Street, in Riverview, are the remains of an old steel mill. Hills of rust
create the immediate terrain and I can see the old, dilapidated mill in the
distance to the south. My mind races with images of rolling smoke, sweaty
men in shiny hard-hats, whistles and the thunderous roar of machinery. Hmm,
could it be? There appears to be drama, heartbreak, sympathy, even anger.
Perhaps I could highlight the life of one worker and the emotional tides he
experiences when the mill shuts down.
A little girl riding a bicycle draws my attention to the sidewalk in front
of the porch. She wobbles her way down the cement path toward the playground
next door where other children play. It reminds me of my first bicycle and
the trauma of humiliation learning to ride it. That could be a children's
story. I can see the editor's reject letter saying, "Been there, done that."
I'm on the front porch and a million stories just waiting to be told, to
be put on paper, to be sold for profit.
Profit? Well, profit isn't my only motivation. I mean, I want to write
because of the personal pleasure I receive in the creative process. If I
happen to get paid to write, then that's a plus, but I don't plan to make
this my livelihood. Six digit writers are few and fewer.
The lemonade is refreshing. I sip it and savor a cool breeze scented
lightly with roses and other flowers in the beds that surround the house.
Flowers, the words bring me to my senses! I could write a story about the
do's and don'ts of gardening in a small yard, and the rewards that one
receives while communing with nature. Now I see the editor yawning.
I set my lemonade aside and start a game of solitaire. Did I mention
that the laptop came with a few neat games?
The screech of tires pulls my attention from the card game. I've won two
games and lost five to the computer.
The front porch, a gateway to the world and all its wonders.
When you can't write, just start writing something. Some great sage had
written those prophetic words in one of the books that now lay at my feet
between the small, green plastic soldier and the fluffy, purple lion.
That idea has merit and therefore I begin typing.
So, this is what they call writer's block; the inability to put on paper
any coherent thoughts that will congeal, or continue, a preconceived story
line.
This sucks.
Wait a minute. What's that? In the sky. It's gleaming, possibly shining
at me. It's a light, I think. Too small to be a plane and too close to be
anything very large. Could it be contact? Aliens? Obviously, nothing like
this ever happens except in the movies.
Be still my heart. It's just a silver heart-shaped balloon illegally
immigrating, probably lost by some child in Canada.
Eureka!
How about a toy soldier, no, a rebel during the French revolution, who
uses a balloon so he can escape from a place of hardship to anyplace, landing,
in fact, in a town called Anyplace where a trucker ...no, make him a Gypsy, with a blue rig,
no, a blue wagon, befriends him. Suddenly he finds himself in a secret plot
to overthrow a Purple Lion Dictator. Strike that and make it villains, the Dukes
of Burgandy and Leon. He saves the princess child, and they escape on a bicycle
to Flowerland Porch, no, La Floure, where, an aspiring writer, who once was a
hard-hatted steel mill worker ...that won't work. He'd have to be a blacksmith.
Where a French novelist, who was once the town smithy, protects them from
the ravages of reality.
It could happen.
Frustrated by the distractions of my perfect location, I now understand
exactly what another writing master had said.
Write what you know and lock yourself away in a room.
The front porch, a perfect place to sit, sip, sample life and put down
for all time your thoughts and views about whatever. You can use a very fast
computer if you have one.
'Dear Diary. Today I thought I'd become a writer, but I'll wait until
tomorrow and then, work in the backroom.'
1999 © Robert Nailor
Robert Nailor is editor for the Emporium Gazette's "Poetry World" and the author of
CELTIC FANTASY, a blend of today's reality with the fantasy folklore
of Ireland. Read Chapter One of his book in the Emporium's
Celtic Room.
The EMPORIUM GAZETTE is accepting submissions. Payment is a writing credit/byline and an opportunity to work with an editor. Articles should be 500 to 750 words in length; short fiction should be 1000 to 1300 words. Please email your submissions to the folks listed below.
Ron Jones--Talent Editor--Fiction/West Coast
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How about flexing some of your writing muscles for a good cause?
If this sounds exciting, then you are invited to enter
THE FIRST ANNUAL 23 House Writer's Competition
to benefit the children of UNICEF!
No entry fees, just a little frightful fun and some help for the kids.
Visit www.23house.com!
The quick red fox . . .
Need something to read? Try Denise Vitola's latest Putnam/ACE release, THE RED SKY FILE. On sale NOW in bookstores EVERYWHERE!
Bob Nailor--Poetry Editor
Elyse Salpeter--Talent Editor--Editor/East Coast
Mitchel Whitington--Non-Fiction Editor
James Rogers--Business Editor
&
Denise Vitola--Editor-in-Chief