OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER of the

Scenes from the 2009

Holiday Lunchon
BERKELEY BRANCH of the

& Jack London

Award

Spiraling
clockwise from top left:
Angles
Dave Sawle and Francine Howard,
Anne Fox, David Baker and AL Levenson,
Write Angles

Karin Ireland, Gary McIntyre and Momma

McIntyre, Lucille Bellucci, Alex Campbell,
Sasha Futran, Ken Frazer, Barbara
Ruffner.
Write

January, 2010
 Beginning below
the panorama, clockwise
from left: Lucille Bellucci and Anne
Fox, Clfford Hui, Jack Russ, Art Carey,
Davie Simmons.

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 2

 Clockwise from
top left: Kathleen Orosco and
Gail Travers, Jane Glendinning and
Thomas Burchfield. Tatjana Greiner and Bob
Haus, Tanya Grove and Debbie Frisch, two
panoramas and Irv Hamilton, David
Baker, and Davie Simmons.

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 3


TABLE OF CONTENTS
The View From the Helm...........4
Upcoming Meetings...................5
Upcoming Workshop:
Feeling to Form..........................6
Upcoming Speaker:
Hut Landon................................6
Upcoming Workshops................6
Members Write:
Achievements, Goals, Intentions,
and Resolutions........................7
Member News ........................11
AL interviews Colleen Rae,
Member #100.........................12
100 Years, 100 Members.........12
Member Marketplace..............13
How Can I Help?.....................14
Tidbits....................................16
ON THE COVER
& INSIDE SPREAD:
Photos from our December
meeting at C’era Una Volta in
Alameda.
“I was just doing my job.”
—Anne Fox, on receiving the Jack London Award
JANUARY 2010
The View From
the Helm
This issue of Write Angles is the
most colorful ever, with three pages
of photos from the holiday luncheon.
There, Thomas Burchfield and I played
Candid Camera and, in the words of
Alan Funt, “caught people in the act
of being themselves.” For several people this was their first club
event; yet everyone mingled as a get-together of old friends. The
program consisted of the winning stories the WestSide Story
Contest read by their authors. Then Anne Fox was presented
with the Jack London Award for meritorious service, after which
she was sautéed and roasted by Lucille Bellucci and her kitchen
of sous chefs, Ken Frazer, David Baker, Charlotte Cook, and
Carolyn Ahlswede.
In other news, Thomas Burchfield signed on as a
contributing editor of Write Angles. His first assignment, a
Member Profiles page, will appear in the February issue. I gave
Thomas a list of over fifty members who joined the club since I
did two years ago. He will be requesting light-hearted bio info
from new members—please respond to him. I asked Tom, himself
a new member, to include his own profile.
Also in this issue find an announcement of a writing contest
sponsored by the Central Coast Branch of the CWC. Our
own writing contest was well supported by members of other
Branches. Let’s return the compliment.
I reviewed my resolutions on behalf of the club from 2009.
I appointed a delegate to the Central Board, Linda Brown, who
has done a great job. We presented the Jack London Award to
Anne Fox. I helped with the story contest and its chapbook. I am
happy with the achievements of those goals.
I devoted more time to the Berkeley Branch than I intended
to. It was a guilty pleasure.
I failed to identify a managing editor for Write Angles, in part
because the job was too much fun. No one can work with Anne
Fox without growing in unexpected ways. The word “jousting”
got exercised in my conversation more than in any year since I
read Ivanhoe. I don’t know when in my young life I first heard the
word “apoplexy,” but I do remember the last.
Learning to manage a monthly newsletter has been a good
stretch for me. Producing useful content and a regular column
has added its increment to my writing life. Only a couple of
months into working with Kristen made me even more proud to
be part of Write Angles.
continued next page...
Write Angles • 4
 UPCOMING
Write Angles will get better as more of its content is
produced by members. I envision six to nine contributing
editors, each producing a single article or feature every four to SPEAKERS
six months. In the next month I will ask a number of people to
join the contributors list. If this appeals to you, you don’t have January 2010 Hut Landon,
to wait to be called upon. Executive Director of the
I failed to find a membership chairman and needed to Northern California Independent
manage this task in addition to other presidential duties. More Booksellers Association (NCIBA)
than half the current members joined since I became president,
February 2010 Seth Harwood,
attesting to the yearning for the writers’ club. Getting
on creating free serialized audio
acquainted with all the new members, their writing, their goals
books.
as writers; guiding them toward rewarding club activities;
inviting them to find a slot where they can help enhance the March 2010 Becky Levine, on
club; and the sampling of the smorgasbord of personalities has critique groups and revision
been a gustatory feast. techniques.
As I write this, I have in hand Colleen Rae’s application for
membership, the 100th current member of the Berkeley Branch. April 2010 Robert Pimm,
An interview with Colleen Rae appears elsewhere in this month’s intellectual property attorney,
newsletter. The 100-member milestone is a good moment for on copyright protection and “fair
me to step aside as membership chair. I hope to put together a use” of the work of others.
small committee to manage membership inquiries and services. Exact dates to be announced
If this is an area where you can help with the operation of the
club, let me know.
In January I expect to convene the Board of Directors
for a half-day planning session. The intention is to look at the way the club operates, its goals,
and needs for the next twelve months. The focus will be on consolidating gains and programs to
implement enhancements. If you have any thoughts about the future of the club you’d like aired at
that meeting, drop me a note at calwritersclub@gmail.com.
Many of you expressed your most welcome desire to help the club in the coming year—thank
you! Please see page 14 for ways you can make a difference. The club needs fresh leadership in
many ways, including, perhaps, a new president. The day I accepted my position, I made a one-
year commitment to myself. Although my own time became somewhat squeezed, I decided a
second year would consolidate a lot of gains. But the club deserves the vitality that springs from
originality. A fresh helmsman steers a course according to the breezes and currents he senses..
Everyone in the club is hereby appointed to the executive search committee. Onward to 2010.
— AL Levenson, President

JANUARY MEETING:
Our New Home: Oakland’s Main Library!
The next regular meeting of the Berkeley Branch, which will feature Hut
Landon, Executive Director of the Northern California Independent Booksellers
Association, will be in the West Auditorium of the Oakland Main Library
at 125-14th Street near the Lake Merritt BART station. (94612)
1:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 17, 2010. 
You can enter the room directly from Madison Street
between 13th and 14th Streets.

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 5

 JANUARY
WORKSHOP:
MARILYN
ABILDSKOV
Feeling to
Form
JANUARY 10, 2010
A Memoir Workshop introducing
elements of form, with writer/
professor Marilyn Abildskov.
This workshop is designed to
introduce students to basic
elements of form.  We will start
by reading short pieces, then
try our hand at a few writing
exercises, and conclude by
sharing newly generated work
out loud. Our goal will not be
originality but a freshness found
in locating the right form. 
Sunday January 10, 2010,
10am-1pm, followed by
bring-your-own lunch. Pre-
registration only. $9 for CWC
Members. $29 for nonmembers.
Mail your check to CWC-BB, Box
6447, Alameda, Ca. 94501
Limited seating.
Questions? cwcworkshops@
gmail.com  
Marilyn Abildskov at her
November workshop
JANUARY 2010
JANUARY’S SPEAKER:
HUT LANDON
Book Selling and
Book Buying—
for Today and the Future
Hut Landon, Executive Director of the Northern California
Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA), will be the
speaker at our Sunday, January 17, 2010 meeting. NCIBA is
a trade organization dedicated to supporting, nurturing, and
promoting independent retail bookselling.
Landon will share with us his thoughts on the future of
books, ebooks, book selling—by indies, big box stores, and
Internet sales. In addition, he’ll tell us how to approach a
bookstore about producing an author event. Landon will give
us his perspective about the future of the publishing industry,
which now seems to be in disarray.
Those of you writers facing today’s dilemmas and demands
in the world of publishing will get information about making
your way through the maze of challenges awaiting you. Bring
your questions to initiate our new venue in the Main Branch of
the Oakland Public Library.
—Editors
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
January 10, 2010 FEELING TO FORM:
A Memoir Workshop introducing elements of
form with Writer/Professor Marilyn Abildskov
March 14, 2010 TBA
April 11, 2010 Marianne Rogoff on Travel
Writing
May 9, 2010 Wesley Gibson, Writing Effective
Dialogue
To recommend or request a speaker, contact Risa Nye .
at cwcworkshops@gmail.com.
Write Angles • 6

San Francisco
Writers
Conference
Feb. 12-14, 2010
Mark Hopkins Hotel
“Simply the best conference for
getting published.”
Featuring nearly 100 presenters—
Literary agents, bestselling authors
and editors
Major publishing houses including:
Random House, St. Martin’s
Press, Pocket Books (Simon &
Schuster), Jossey-Bass/Wiley &
Sons, Mira Books, Walker Books,
Seal Press, Writer’s Digest
Books
No wonder SFWC sells out   writing but find I’ve set the bar even higher.
EVERY year!
Keynoters and bestselling authors
include:
Jacquelyn Mitchard, Steve Berry,
Sheldon Siegel, Dan Poynter, Tamim
Ansary and Susan Wiggs.
Access to 50+ sessions.
Pitch your work at Ask-a-Pro
and Speed Dating for Agents.
Event & writing contest details:
See You There!
www.SFWriters.org
JANUARY 2010
MEMBERS WRITE:
Achievements, Goals,
Intentions, and Resolutions
The editor asked our members four questions in light of the new year.
Thank you to all who answered, from Berkeley and other branches!
“As a writer, what are you most PROUD of from 2009?”
I’m proud I can now cold call on bookstores.
—JoAnn Smith Ainsworth. BB member
My three-part series for Write Angles on the history of women
in the writers club was fun to do and helped to get me back to
some of my own writing. 
—Therese Pipe, BB member
Persisting. Never giving up.
—Arue Szura, BB member
The San Francisco Chronicle published a short personal
Christmas reflection piece at the end of 2008.
—Madelen Lontiong, BB member
I did write, polish, and submit a couple of stories. No bites
from publishers. I wrote three magazine articles but have not
submitted them, no personal narratives. I like better what I am
—AL Levenson, BB member & president
In March, my friends and relatives got to see a reading of The
Souls of Her Feet, the musical I’ve had in my head for so long. “I
knew I had to like it,” my brother said, “but I didn’t expect to love
it!!” I’m also proud I finally got to my cartoon memoir, which has
been on my “to-do list” for ten years or more.
—Kristen Caven, BB member
“As a writer, what are your GOALS for 2010?”
My writer’s new year’s resolution is to learn to do effective
indirect dialog.
—JoAnn Smith Ainsworth, BB member
To write at least eight articles and get most of them
published; consider what the next book will be, if any; learn
how to use digital storytelling for  short narratives;  to form
relationships with community groups whose voices I want to
continued on next page
Write Angles • 7
Achievements, Goals, Intentions
document: low-income women
with cancer, etc. Be kinder
to myself and believe more
in synchronicity and magic
instead of will power.  executive. This will be a most
—Micky Duxbury, BB member
Getting Salt and Paper:
Reflections on the 65th
Year to be published in the
Experimental Prose Series by
RAW ArT PRESS in 2010.
—Janell Moon , BB member
“What are your
INTENTIONS for 2010?
1) Promotion and readings
for Salt and Paper. 2) Finish
memoir of early years, Ransom
Notes. Final edit, find new
agent or publisher by 2011.
3) Continue working on
prose-poem manuscript to be
ready for Poets and Writers
contests by 2012-2013.
This all feels possible
because all are in the works!
—Janell Moon, BB member
Jump on the opportunities
 
and experiences that the
journey of life offers.  Ride it
hard and fast, don’t slow on the
curves.  Savor the aromas of
exotic places, even if only in my
dreams.  Listen to the music
of each moment in time.  Taste
the stewpots of the human
condition.  Press myself on
life, like a favorite lover.  Then,
sit down and write, write, write,
and rewrite with passion and
love.
—Colleen Rae, dual member,
Marin and Berkeley Branches
As I look forward to my
JANUARY 2010
continued...
writing in 2010, I will be without leaving my home
writing for other people: I office.  I want to construct my
am ghostwriting a book on own blog or Web site in 2010.
Leadership for a corporation
—Kathy Highcove, Editor of In
Focus, the newsletter of the
interesting project, because West Valley Branch
he is a provocative person
in a creative business where Need to sort through the
leadership is more crucial and many demands on my time and
it’s difficult to lead effectively. carve out space to work on a
In addition, I will be novel I started twenty years ago
working on the third book of when I discovered a treasure
a nationally known woman trove of family letters. Without
in a socially dynamic area. I creative intervention and
will be doing “structural and disciplined pruning, the letters
conceptual” work for her—and
would not be compelling.  
probably some deep editing. So I have three major
As for my own work, I goals. First, figure out the
have come upon a title that
fascinates me, Wife Insurance. continued on next page
I wish all in the club the
best in your own endeavors.
—George Spelvin, BB member
alias. (In theatrical/stage lore,
George Spelvin is a name used
“We will open the
by an actor playing two parts in
the play, using his own name
for the best part and Spelvin for
book. Its pages are
the secondary part.)
My resolution is to market
blank. We are go-
my writing more—to devote
one day each week to sending ing to put words
out queries, submissions,
and follow-ups. I make this
resolution every year. Hasn’t
on them ourselves.
happened yet. Writing’s more
fun. The book is called
—Ray Malus, Editor, newsletter,
San Fernando Valley Branch
Opportunity and
Try to find different ways
to publish my work by using
the Internet.  I currently submit
its first chapter is
to ezines and publications that
publish both in hard copy and
have a Web site that displays
New Year’s Day.”
their articles online.  My
goal is to aggressively look —Edith Lovejoy Pierce
for opportunities on the ’Net
Write Angles • 8
Achievements, Goals, Intentions
format that works best.
Then decide how much of
the historical record I can
gracefully include. Last, create
five pages regularly for the
critique sessions.  Complete first draft of my
—Barbara Gilvar, BB member
Promote Page From A
Tennesse Journal on the Oprah
Show.
—Francine Howard, BB member
Finish writing rough draft
of novel and send it out to at
least three agents.
—Tanya Grove, BB member
“Every man
regards his
own life
as the
New Year’s Eve
of time.”
— Jean Paul Richter
JANUARY 2010
Sell a book!
—Dave Sawle. BB member
Finish A Mango for the
Teacher: Stories from Cancun’s
Early Days and publish it.
—Debby Frisch, BB member
Complete at least two of
my five children’s stories and
publish at least one. Complete
at least five chapters of my
memoir.
—Kerstin Feist
Find a publisher for my
novel.
—David Baker, BB member
Finish my second novel.
Find paying publishing
opportunities
—Thomas Burchfield, BB
member
Get book published. Get
documentary/television series
proposal accepted. Write or
query two hours/day, five
days/week
—Linda Brown, BB member
Send out query letters,
approach markets, network
—Madelen Lontiong. BB member
Editing current work.
Develop editing and writing
skills, get pieces in shape to
submit.
—Jane Glendinning. BB member
Join my friend and
mentor, Francine Howard, as a
published author on the Oprah
Winfrey Book Club! We must
continued...
accomplish this goal before
Oprah leaves in 2010.
—Gary McIntyre, BB member
novel
—Kathleen Orosco, BB member
To have the book I am
working on be accepted by a
wonderful publisher who will
promote it enthusiastically so
that between their work and
mine, it will be a best seller.
—Karin Ireland, BB member
Writing. Finally getting
going the column I keep talking
about.
—Sasha Futran, dual member,
Marin and Berkeley Branches
My writing goal for 2010 is
to give myself permission to be
a beginning writer—to submit a
less than perfect piece to a less
than perfect market for less
than sufficient payment, and
to do so consistently. Getting
published is like a horse race.
You can’t win if you don’t start.
This year I will not stay stuck
reading want ads, passing
them over, researching markets
for just the right one, reading
other writers’ posts and blogs,
and otherwise delay submitting
my own work. This year I will
submit.
My hope is to get more
information about viable
markets for essays, articles
and short stories. My hope for
the Branch this year is that
each of the separate subgroups
will stay true to this purpose:
continued on next page
Write Angles • 9
Achievements, Goals, Intentions continued...

helping writers to improve their   —Donnalee Huffman resolve to finish my novel in

craft and to bring their work to 2010.
paying markets. I plan to help Learn to use my new
 —Dana Martin, President,
achieve those goals by attendingMacBook Pro laptop; buy
Writers of Kern
meetings, improving my skills, Mac version of Movie Magic
and sharing information that I screenwriting formatting
My new year’s resolution
gather along the way.  program and finally learn how
is to submit my screen play
to use it; rewrite one feature
—Madelen Lontiong, BB member and start new one, submit my
film and get a good start on the
novel and start new one, finish
feature I’ve been fiddling with
my short story, and most of all
since 1993.
increase my productivity.
My resolution for 2010 is
—Joyce Kane
to write more, a lot more. To —Robert Anderson
get the stories from ideas to
I prefer to think of them
paper and begin the process of My new year’s resolution
as goals, but here are a couple
writing and rewriting. To take is to finish my new “hot”
off the top of my head: to write
the raw lumps of dough to my romance novel, Rebirth, and
every day; to read every day; to
crit groups for punching and find a publisher for it. Have a
have my novel “book ready” this
kneading and then home to fabulous holiday season!  -
year.
let them rise and put them as
—Mary Amelia
loaves into the oven. And enjoy —M. L. “Marty” Gorsching
the breads and sweet rolls that
If I wake up at 4 am, I will
come out. My new year’s resolution
get up and write.  I won’t lie
is to finish the Deputy Tempe
—AL Levenson, BB member there and wonder why I woke
Crabtree mystery I’m working
up so early. 
on and promote the next in the
No matter how many
The following ten Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series,
rejections I get or how often
RESOLUTIONS are from An Axe to Grind.
my brain goes dead, I will write
the Writers of Kern, the — Marilyn Meredith something every day. 
CWC branch that serves the I’ll keep plugging along on
Bakersfield area. Special I resolve to get over my my book.
thanks to them for sharing. fear of rejection letters and
  —Caroline Reid
actually submit my book that is
Expect synchronicity, sitting on the shelf.
embrace creativity, write daily, I resolve to finish the
I resolve to dedicate time
read always and treasure the outline of Part 2 of my novel,
to writing every day, instead of
time with loved ones.  Eat Footprints in the Snow.  Once
watching TV.
dessert early and pray often. It’s the outline is complete, I
I resolve to go back
an uncertain world out there. should be able to write the
through old journals and look
text within a week, with no
—Terry Redman, the Old for unfinished works and finish interruptions.  However, with
Captain them.
the kind of interruptions I
—Sandy Helm Moffett have these days, who knows?! 
Send the book I am working
The focus now is to finish the
on to the publisher by April
To see my unemployment outline. 
2010.  Restart the Legal Mystery
as the gift of “more time” I’m
that I have not worked on for —B.J. Mitchell
always seeking—time to finish
several months. Try to have this
my novel and to realize that
book ready for a publisher by
Someone has bigger plans for
October 2010. Hope my energy
me than I have for myself. I continued on next page...
holds out.

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 10

Achievements, Goals, Intentions continued...

“What do you hope to Event planning. Continue and become

CONTRIBUTE to the
California Writers Club in
2010?”
This year I plan to bring
in outside writers and articles
from different sources that
explain and define today’s
publication marketplace.   In
Focus will be a combination
of information, recognition of
our members’ successes, and a
showcase of creative work.  The
West Valley newsletter will
continue to be my version
of a literary magazine or an
ezine. CWC/WV has many
talented writers who may not
have found publication in
recent years.  I will continue
to spotlight talent where I find
it among my acquaintances
and correspondents.  A virtual
newsletter can be shared with
anyone, anywhere, and that’s
another goal for our newsletter,
In Focus - 2010.
. —Sasha Futran, dual member,
—Kathy Highcove, Editor of In
Focus, the newsletter of the
West Valley branch.
Communications.
—Debby Frisch, BB member
Find out what is needed
and how I can help.
— Kerstin Feist
Write for the newsletter
and continue to facilitate the
3rd Saturday support/critique
group.
—David Baker, BB member
Assistant editor and writer
for Write Angles.
—Thomas Burchfield, BB
member
Inspire C-Span to cover
the CWC-BB and Norcal
speakers. Help increase
Branch membership to
125. Find grant money to
fund business/public affairs
workshops and support/
critique groups.
—Linda Brown, BB member
more familiar with my new
position as secretary of the
Branch.
—Jane Glendinning
Attend more sessions.
Ultimately become an officer of
the Branch.
—Gary McIntyre, BB member
Find a way to help out.
—Kathleen Orosco, BB member
To meet with AL soon to
discuss ways to help out.
—Madelin Lontiong, BB member
Contribute to the door
prizes.
—Willie Rose, BB member
Be a regular and helpful
participant in the nonfiction
support/critique group.
Hmmm, Whatcha need?
Marin and Berkeley Branches

Share my publishing Member News

adventures. Pay back.
—Francine Howard, BB member
I hope to be a more visible
member of CWC Berkeley.  inspire courage in others. writefox@aol.com
—Therese Pipe, BB member
Figure out where I can be
useful.
—Barbara Gilvar, BB member
Help get the kid-lit critique
group going.
—Tanya Grove, BB member
CWC BERKELEY BRANCH MEMBERS: Please
send Write Angles all the news about your life in
the world of art, letters, and literature, however it
expresses itself. Your efforts and accomplishments
Frances Spencer, a longtime member and past president
of the Berkeley Branch, is an invited member of the National
League of American Pen Women (NLAPW), designation AL (Art
and Literature) based on professional accomplishments, sales,
and awards in both fields. She won two poetry first prizes in
NLAPW competitions in 2007 and 2008. Her screenplay, The
Ant Colony, was a Finalist in the October 2009 Shriekfest film
festival in Hollywood, CA. She seeks a filmmaker to produce
a movie from her script. See Finalists and Testimonials,
continued on page 13

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 11

 WE DID IT! 101 YEARS,
Congratulations to our Branch for reaching the goal of 100 members 101 MEMBERS!
for our 100th year. Even better, we are entering our 101st year with
101 members! Welcome Naomi Rosenthal, Jake Keenan, Colleen Rae, 1. AL Levenson
Karen Ireland. We look forward to getting to know you and sharing 2. Alex Campbell
the writer’s adventure. 3. Alice Wilson-Fried

AL interviews
4. Alon Shalev
5. Anjuelle Floyd

Colleen Rae,
6. Anne Fox
7. Anne Prowell

member #100 8.
9.
Aphra Pia
Arline Lawrence
10. Arue Szura
Colleen Rae and I have been friends 11. Barbara Burton
since before I joined the Berkeley 12. Barbara Ruffner
Branch. Colleen was already a
serious writer five years ago when we 13. Barbara Gilvar
first met. The pleasure she derived 14. Bill Roller
from writing helped to awaken my 15. Bruce Shigeura
own long-sleeping muses. Although 16. Carlene Cole
she moved away several years ago, 17. Carol Newman-Weaver
thanks to the email, we’ve stayed in
touch. And our dialogues became 18. Caroline Abasta
more frequent after I joined the 19. Caroline Ahlswede
Berkeley Branch 20. Caryl Hansen
Colleen has been a member of the Marin Branch of the CWC for years 21. Charlie Russell
but recently decided to become a dual member of the Berkeley Branch.   22. Charlotte Cook
23. Christopher Richards
Colleen’s reasons for writing, for joining a writer’s club, for joining the
Berkeley Branch, are echoed across the membership.  So, partly to honor
24. Clifford A. Hui
our hundredth member during our centennial year; partly to honor an 25. David George
enduring friendship with a writer; and partly to honor the publication of 26. David Gray
her debut novel, Mohave Mambo, I asked Colleen to introduce herself to 27. David Sawle
the members of the Berkeley Branch. 28. David Baker
AL: When did you start writing? 29. Davie Simmons
Colleen: I wrote my first one-act play when I was eight, for a school 30. Debby Frisch
play. I kept a diary/journal when I was growing up. 31. Dirk Wales
AL: What drew you to writing in the first place? 32. Dorothy V. Benson
Colleen: I always liked to read, and writing seemed the natural 33. Edward S. Dean
thing to do. My mother was a writer, and I wanted to be 34. Ele Quinn
like her. 35. Ellen C. Graebe
AL: I remember you told me you wrote every day. Is that still 36. Emery Garriott
literally true? 37. Evelyn Washington
Colleen: Yes, I usually write for the first couple of hours when I get
38. Faith Darling
up. I make coffee and go right to the computer. This way, 39. Frances B. Spencer
I am not tempted to put off the writing. Sometimes I write 40. Francine Howard
later on in the day also 41. Gail Travers
AL: Have you always been so dedicated? 42. Gary McIntyre
43. Gloria Reid
Colleen: I have always spent part of each day writing. When you
have a desire that invades even your dreams, you must
44. Gurnam S. Brard
carry it out. I have never had writer’s block. I hate to say 45. Irv Hamilton
that. Sure as I do, I’ll have it. 46. Jane Glendinning
AL: How many hours per day do you write?
47. Janell Moon
48. Janice Armigo-Brown
continued on page 14 49. Jeff Kingman

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 12

50. JoAnn Smith www.shriekfest.com. Frances is now revising her full-length
Ainsworth musical play. In May 2009 she sent the first act to the Berkeley
51. Joanna Graham Repertory Theater, from which she received a favorable response,
52. Joanne Sandstrom with encouragement to continue. She intends to complete the
musical in early 2010 and find a theater to produce it.
53. Jody Weiner
“Morocco,” a short story by Anne Fox, is published online
54. Joy Maliwawa
in Able Muse, a review of poetry, prose, and art. www.ablemuse.
55. Judith Field
com.
56. Julia Epstein
Liz Waegle will do a twice-a-month blog for Psychology
57. Karren Elsbernd
Today called “The Career Within You,” the name of her book.
58. Kasian Klute
It will appear in the Personality department sometime in
59. Kathleen L Orosco
January.
60. Ken Frazer
JoAnn S. Ainsworth anticipates exciting upcoming signing
61. Kristen Caven and speaking engagements: 1/8/10 - guest author on Nikki
62. Laura Shumaker Duncan’s blog www.nikkiduncan.com/blog. 1/17/10. at 1 p.m.
63. Linda Brown - local authors book signings at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista
64. Liz Wagele Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925; 1/21/10, at 1 p.m. - guest
65. Lloyd Lofthouse speaker and booksigning, Pacifica Senior Living readers group,
66. Lois Kadosh 348 West Juana Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577 (510) 978-4076.
67. Lucille Bellucci Francine Thomas Howard will see publication of her novel,
68. Madelen Lontiong Page From a Tennessee Journal, AmazonEncore Edition, in
69. Marc P. Kaplan 2010. Publication date is February 23. For the latest news, go to
70. Margaret Wesson Amazon.com and type in Francine’s name. Be on the lookout for
71. Marianne Lonsdale an announcement from Amazon in January.
72. Marianne Rogoff Risa Nye’s short story, “The Rabbi,” will be in the January
73. Marilyn Abildskov 2010 issue of Women’s Studies: An interdisciplinary journal. www.
74. Michael Larsen informaworld.com.
75. Mickey Weiss
—Anne Fox 
Member Marketplace
76. Micky Duxbury
77. Monica Conrady
78. Natasha Borovsky
79. Nicole Bazan In future issues we hope to
80. Nonnie Thompson expand this section to an
81. Phyllis S. Smith entire page as a benefit to
82. Ray Faraday Nelson members. Please send a
83. Richard Mutter scan of your business card
to calwritersclub@gmail.com
84. Risa Nye
85. Sarah Clark
86. Sasha Futran
If anyone needs a
87. Shelly Wagner hypnotherapist for
88. Tanya Grove clarity of intention or
89. Tatjana Greiner
motivation, contact
90. Therese M. Pipe
me. Best for the new Thomas Burchfield
91. Thomas Burchfield
92. Tina M. Stinnett year. Editing & Writing Services
93. Van Moore
Tel. (510) 547-1092 • Cell (510) 541-1991
94. Vernon Dolphin —Janell Moon 510-
95. W.E. Reinka 594-8222 Email: tbdeluxe@sbcglobal.net
96. Wendi Lelke-Wallway
97. Willie Rose SERVICES FOR WRITERS
98. Naomi Rosenthal Saturday Literary Salons * Weeklong Themed Writers Studio Retreats
Community Ed Classes: Memoir, Fiction, Travel Stories, Griefwriting
99. Jake Keenan Writer Coaching: Approaches to Starting, Overcoming Obstacles, Finishing
100. Colleen Rae Manuscript Editing: Developmental Feedback, Hands-On Line Editing, Proofreading
101. Karin Ireland Writer/Professor Marianne Rogoff * morogoff@gmail.com * 415.455.0781

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 13

Colleen: About two to three hours a day, average.
AL: Where do you find your story ideas? Do you ever wonder...
“How can
Colleen: My head is always full of ideas, too many to turn into
novels. But most of my novels or short stories have some

I help
basis on an experience in my life.
AL: Why did you decide to join the Berkeley Branch?
Colleen: I saw the opportunity to reach other writers and to hear
what they had to say. I guess the desire for the universal the club?”
connection to man/womankind— Tatjana Greiner needs
AL: What courses, classes, workshops, etc., have helped you an intern or two to help with
the most? the WestSide Story Contest,
Colleen: I’ve studied under Guy Biederman, teacher extraordinaire, both to receive and dispatch
at Marin Junior College. Later, I spent five years in his the entries and help get the
novel workshop, where I workshopped Mohave Mambo. I’ve word out about the contest.
attended several writing workshops and seminars. All my The formative
exposure to writers and workshops has benefited me. You membership committee
can never have enough experience writing.
needs a few gregarious people
AL: Your debut novel, Mohave Mambo, was recently released, to do what they do well—
and your book launch party was unusual. make people feel welcome,
Colleen: MM was released on November 4. The book launch party and follow up with inquiries
was terrific. It was by invitation only at a local winery. Most and drop-ins. Additionally,
of the friends I have met since living in Michigan for four someone with simple track-
years attended. My daughter made delicious appetizers. We keeping skill would be
served some good wine and had a great time. I sold twenty
valuable, i.e., someone who
copies at that event.
can maintain a Rolodex.
AL: What is Mohave Mambo about? Kristen needs a partner
Colleen: It is the story of Lola, an exotic dancer, who secretly or intern to help with layout
witnessed her boyfriend’s murder. When she realizes the on Write Angles, either an
killers may be searching for her, she runs and hides out in experienced writer/designer
a rural Arizona town, starts a new life, unaware that a killer to trade off months or
is on her trail.
someone who wants to learn
AL: Someone once said that all debut novels are InDesign and can help on a
autobiographical. How much of Lola is you? monthly basis, A very fun
Colleen: A very small portion. She and I shared some of the same job!
experiences. That’s it. www.CWC-Berkeley.
AL: I think I recall reading some scraps of Mohave Mambo years com is our trusty Web
ago. How long did you work on this project? site and “storefront” to the
Colleen: I took a year writing and getting it in shape to turn it world. Help is needed to post
over to a professional editor. He line- and copyedited and monthly updates, and a new
suggested a second story line. I spent six to eight months webmaster would be free to
on additional writing, and then he edited it again. When exercise his or her creativity
I was satisfied with the final draft, I began to search for and organizational
an agent and publisher. Two years later, I decided to self- continued on next page...
publish.
AL: Did you focus on this project alone during that time? Did
you put it aside for long periods? Did you work on other
projects at the same time?
Colleen: I did put it aside for long periods while I wrote four other
novels. But I returned to MM often to polish and rewrite.
AL: When you made the decision to self-publish, you had to
deal with design and formatting of the book as well.
Colleen: I had Jo-Anne Rosen, of Wordrunner Press, in Petaluma,
continued on next page...

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 14

 CA, for editing, layout, help with the cover dimensions,
cover layout, and other details, like acquiring the ISBN HELP continued...

number and much advice. She was a great help.

skills. Some experience with
AL: What was Jo-Anne’s fee?
Wordpress would be helpful.
Colleen: Her fee was $350 and worth every penny. Our treasurer has
AL: Who was your printer and what were their charges? given six months notice
Colleen: Gorham Publishing in Washington State. They did a of retirement. Managing
wonderful job for $800 for one hundred copies. the treasury is no more
AL: You did the cover art. Are you also a graphic artist? complicated than balancing
Colleen: No, I’m not a graphic artist. I’m a watercolorist/fine artist. the checkbook of a busy
household. We’d like to phase
AL: Do you have a Web site for Mohave Mambo?
in someone over a couple of
Colleen: The Web site is www.colleenraesnovels.com. There is a months.
place to click to read excerpts and to order a copy. The club can expand
AL: Let’s talk more about the process. I recall you had a its services and value to
critique group that met regularly. Did they help you with members in many areas.
MM? Two that will be on the
Colleen: I belonged to The Fourth St. Writers, a writers’ group in agenda of the planning
Marin, for five years. They were a great aid to my writing, meeting will be the memoir
and I mention them in the acknowledgments in the front writing group and a novel
of MM. They critiqued MM and made many important writing contest. Study
suggestions and changes. could begin on longe-term
AL: Have you found a critique group or local support for your projects, such as producing a
writing in Michigan? writers’ conference and an
Colleen: I have not found another writers’ group, but I have a couple anthology.
of published writer-friends who give invaluable help. If there is something
AL: What are you working on now? you can do, please make this
Colleen: I am writing a sequel to Mohave Mambo. The working title the year that you volunteer.
is Chihuahua Enchilada. I’m also rewriting and polishing a The more members we have
mystery set in northern Michigan, entitled Murder at Forest working together (and the
Bay, which I wrote last year. fewer people we have doing
AL: What advice do you have for young writers? What advice more than they can handle),
do you have for midlife people who are working toward the stronger our club will be.
becoming published?
Colleen: Don’t let anything or anyone deter you from your focus on
writing. Set aside a time to write every day and keep to
that coMMitment. Even if you end up throwing away or
deleting what you wrote, it is important to get it on the page
or in the computer.
Regarding getting published, it is a very difficult road.
Midlife is a time when many of us come into our complete
potential. Break out of the mold, take some risks, write
about them, live life to the fullest that you are able, and
if you can’t attract a publisher, self-publish. It’s more
acceptable now than it used to be.
AL: Thanks for telling us your road to publication, and welcome
to the Berkeley Branch.
Colleen: Thanks for this chance to speak about my experiences and
writing life.
—AL Levenson

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 15

TIDBITS BERKELEY CWC
Nominations for the 2010 William Saroyan International Prize for
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Writing will be accepted through January 31, 2010. This award, given President: AL Levenson
by Stanford University Libraries in partnership with the William Saroyan Vice President: Dave Sawle
Foundation, recognizes newly published works of fiction and nonfiction
with a $5,000 award for the winner in each category. The prize is Secretary: Jane Glendinning
designed to encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan Treasurer: Carlene Cole
literary legacy of originality, vitality, and stylistic innovation. For official
Membership: AL Levenson
entry forms, contest rules, and other information on the prize, visit the
Saroyan Prize Web site: www.library.stanford.edu/saroyan. Please note Publicity Chair: Linda Brown
that the deadline for submissions is January 31, 2010. Program Chair: Laura Shumaker
Central Coast Writers (California) Spring 2010 Contest for poetry and Workshop Chair: Risa Nye
short stories. Awards for winners in each category: $500 and publication
(print and online) in the Homestead Review (Hartnell College, Salinas). Newsletter Editor: AL Levenson
All entries will be considered for publication. Entry Fees: $15 per short Copyeditor: Anne Fox
story and $5 per poem. Submission period: September 15, 2009 through
Newsletter Production: Kristen
January 15, 2010. For Contest Rules: www.centralcoastwriters.org. Caven
American Conservatory Theater (www.act-sf.org) has an immediate Webmaster: AL Levenson
opening for a Marketing Writer. Tell them you saw their request posted
Delegate to Central Board: Linda
in Write Angles, the newsletter of the Berkeley Branch of the California Brown
Writers Club.
Delegate to CWC-Norcal: Lloyd
The WestSide Story Contest has two needs: Lofthouse
1) a new name to reflect its home in the Bay Area and its association 5th Grade Story Contest: Lucille
with the CWC-BB. Submit your ideas to Tatjana Greiner at wordshop@ Bellucci
mac.com, with a copy to calwritersclub@gmail.com. WestSide Story Contest: Tatjana
Greiner
2) a new final judge to determine winning stories. Requirements include
willingness and literary credentials, with name recognition an added
bonus. Please let us know of your own interest or your knowledge of
an interested person. The new name and judge will be decided during
January.

Our WestSide story contest eChapbook is now online The CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB
is dedicated to educating members
at and the public-at-large in the craft
www.Scribd.com/CWC-Berkeley of writing and in the marketing of
their work. For more information,
where you can also read visit our Web site at cwc-berkeley.
com.
back issues of Write Angles!
Copyright © 2010 by the California
Writers Club, Berkeley Branch.

“Last year’s words belong to last All rights reserved. Write Angles
is published 10 times a year
(September-June) by the California

year’s language, and next year’s words Writers Club, Berkeley Branch
on behalf of its members. CWC
assumes no legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy,

await another voice.” completeness, or usefulness of

any information, process, product,
method or policy described in this

— T.S. Eliot newsletter.

JANUARY 2010 Write Angles • 16