On Blogs and Op-Eds

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This is a blog about blogs. I blog, I’m doing it now. I also write op-eds, short essays suitable for publication on the opinion pages of newspapers or news sites. The forms are similar but distinct.

IMG_lonnie barone
Lonnie Barone

Op-eds must conform to a set of standards established by the editors of the site or paper to which it is submitted. Typical standards may include a word limit, often 500-700 words, stylistic norms, and attribution requirements. An Op-ed usually has a thesis or central idea driving the piece. The thesis usually derives from current news or events (though not always). Continue reading “On Blogs and Op-Eds” →

Writers Guild Will Meet July 17th

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Writers of the Guild, get those poems and stories ready to share! Members and non-members are welcome at our July meeting on Sunday the 17th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm upstairs at the Cultural Center (the Red Barn) at Green Hills Farm, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA.

Bring 15 copies of any work you wish to hand out for critique. Remember to include your email address on at least one page, so others can contact you later with further comments.

Keep writing!

In the Beginning

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By Sandy Cody Sandy Cody

For me, the hardest part of writing a novel is the beginning. Let’s say the book I’ve been working on is finished – polished and tweaked until it shines and I can’t find one more thing to change. In reality, that never happens, but at some point I realize that I’m just tinkering: changing, but not improving this story.

It’s time to move on. So, I open a new file. I can’t think of a title. Not a problem. I’ll do that later. So … what do I type at the top of the page? Continue reading “In the Beginning” →

One Great Choice

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By Susan Wagner

Sue WagnerIf this were a map
It would be the map of the last age of her life,
Not a map of choices but a map of variations
On the one great choice.

From the poem, Dreamwood by Adrienne Rich

When you tell people you write poetry, they either are intensely interested or bored and indifferent. Sometimes, out of politeness, the latter will ask a question and I’ll try in that limited time to promote the reading and writing of poetry. I always hope to leave people with a willingness to be open to reading poems. Continue reading “One Great Choice” →

Creatively Intertwined

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By Linda Donaldson

One constant in our guild meetings is the connections we writers make with each other through our writing. A poem inspires a short story, a memoir fosters several more, or a villanous character’s doppelganger is conjured in another author’s imagination as a protagonist.

Sometimes sharing our personal experiences can create a sort of “network” effect. I have made many references at guild meetings to my recent Daughters of the American Revolution membership and my quest to visit the towns in which my ancestors lived. At our June meeting, Jane Bleam brought in a recent certificate she was given from the Bucks County Chapter of the DAR honoring her for 30 years of dedicated service.

A singular achievement, and one full of years of volunteer work on behalf of our veterans, historic preservation, and promoting patriotism. Jane has written of her childhood in a loving family, a career in nursing and her work with the Girl Scouts. We look forward to stories of her work with the DAR.

I know I speak for us all when I add: Jane, we thank you for your service!

On the Al Fun Bit (Alphabet)

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By Anne K. Kaler

One of the first bits of knowledge a child must learn is the alphabet. In English there are 26 letters to remember and often they are sung in an easy-to-remember rhyme.

Did you know that there were several more letters than the familiar 26 that you committed to memory? Yep, there are at least three retirees from the alphabet hall of fame that I would like to introduce you to today. Meet THORN, WYNN, and &. Continue reading “On the Al Fun Bit (Alphabet)” →

Irish Eyes Will Smile on July 12th

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The Pearl S. Buck Writing Center is proud to announce a book signing, on Tuesday, July 12th from noon to 2pm at the Lansdale Public Library, by author Paul Sullivan for his new novel The Irishman’s Song – A Story of Love & Rebellion.

Irish Front Cover OnlyA tale of the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish Civil War, The Irishman’s Song weaves adventure and survival into themes of loyalty, love and friendship –represented by the symbols on the Irish Claddagh ring – the crown, the heart and the hands.

The Irishman’s Song was published by the Pearl S. Buck Writing Center Press. Paul graciously contributed the first chapter to our Spring 2016 Literary Journal. Be sure to stop by and meet Paul and hear more about his new book.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Sullivan was raised in Tennessee and enjoyed a boyhood of camping, fishing and hunting in the South with his father who encouraged in him a love for books and education. After a move to Pennsylvania at fourteen, Sullivan became bored and restless in school. He dropped out and began working while continuing to read and learn.

Sullivan’s previous novels have themes of adventure and survival. The Legend of the North. Keewatin, The Unforgiving Land, Maata’s Journal and The Seal Hunters are all set in the Arctic; The Spirit Walker in Africa; A Burning of Prayers in Guatemala; Torn from the Sun in Peru and Spain; and Breaker at Dawn in the coal mines of Pennsylvania.

Sullivan traveled around the world, gathering a wealth of stories to tell. He now resides in Bristol, PA and is a member of the Pearl S. Buck Writers’ Guild.

June 2016 Guild Meeting shared 8 submissions

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By Ye Olde Editor,

A sunny day at Green Hills Farm greeted the dozen members of our prolific Writers Guild, who brought eight stories to share! We even received an emailed story from a member who couldn’t attend, but wanted our feedback.

Cindy Louden and I greeted the group and told them that Anne was under the weather, and she would not attend. We reminded everyone to follow our blog, and use the link to submission guidelines for the Fall Issue of the Literary Journal.

Happily for the author, Paul Sullivan is busy promoting his book, The Irishman’s Song. Paul will appear on the radio broadcast of WBCB 1490AM on Saturday, June 25th at noon, during Bristol’s Celtic Days celebration. Tune in to enjoy! Continue reading “June 2016 Guild Meeting shared 8 submissions” →

Submit now to PSB Fall Journal

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July 31 is deadline for Literary Journal

The deadline for submissions to our Fall Issue of the 2016 Literary Journal is July 31st. Click here to read our submission guidelines. The theme for this issue is The Good Earth – The Dying Earth.

Carefully read the word length requirements and quantity limitations for submissions. The editors look forward to reading your stories, essays and poems!

June 19th Writers Guild Meeting

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Please join us this coming Sunday, June 19th at 1:30pm for our monthly Writers Guild meeting upstairs in the Cultural Center (the big red barn). We welcome all authors and poets, published or not, to listen, collaborate with each other and learn by sharing.

Bring copies of any work you’d like us to comment on (up to 3 pages), and be sure to include your email address on it. Some of our members prefer to do a slow read and respond with a detailed critique later. Remember, if you don’t have printing capabilities, and need copies made, please be sure to send lindadonaldson@verizon.net a Word file before Saturday.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, but if you can’t make it, look for my recap blog post early next week. Summer has brought beauty to the grounds of Green Hills Farm which boasts many inspirational settings to get your creative juices flowing.

Visit the historic home of Pearl S. Buck, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, walk the gardens, check out the Gift Shop or just bring your notebook and find a quiet spot. Keep Writing!