Poetry Out Loud!

On Friday, February 17^th, the regional competition of Poetry Out Loud was held in Lake Charles at Central School. The top three winners will advance to the state finals in Baton Rouge with a chance to compete in Washington D.C.  Bayou Writers’ Group student member Keaghan Kane, right, came away with a first place victory. Thanks to her mom, Kimberly Kane, for submitting the photo. BWG president, Sherry Perkins (left) was one of five judges.

Author Interview: Stanley Klemetson

by Sylvia Ney

Stanley Klemetson is an Associate Dean of the College of Technology and Computing at Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah. He was formerly head of the Department of Engineering at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana. As a civil engineer his primary publishing has been technical books and professional publications. He has prepared several non-fiction family histories and a manuscript for a technical writing textbook. While living in Lake Charles, he took classes in poetry and creative fiction and became an active member of the Bayou Writers Group. He has submitted several poems and short stories for publication and for contests, but does not have any in print yet, except for a single copy of a book of poems he wrote for his wife’s birthday.


1) How did you develop an interest in writing? When I was a teenager my father and I would watch people walking by and discuss their possible life stories. In a class I took from Orson Scott Card two years ago we were asked to get a back story by interviewing someone and then write about their possible future story. When I wrote my family histories I knew I wanted to know more about their lives. I use to be the editor of a college magazine. While I wrote for the magazine I realized that I needed to know how to make my writing more interesting. Then I joined the Bayou Writers Group and took poetry and creative writing classes at McNeese State University and wanted to do more creative writing.

2) What styles do you write? I like stories about people living normal lives with the conflicts and resolutions that we all face. Most of my short stories are fictionalized accounts of real people and situations, in a creative fiction or creative non-fiction genre. Often my stories have composite characters and “what if” situations. I also like to write poetry, but most of that comes from situations that bring emotions to the surface, such as living away from my wife for periods of time or special people I have met.

3) What authors do you admire? I have read several of Debbie McComber’s books and like the conflicts and resolutions in her books. She publishes a variety of short series. I think that I have read all of the Hamish Macbeth Mystery series by M.C. Beaton, but this is a long series with many of the same people. While I have yet to write any science fiction or fantasy stories I really enjoy reading works by Issac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, and J.K. Rowling. There are many genres for me to try.

4) What music, places, people inspire you? I think that prompts are the start of my writing. Those may be the assigned prompt, such as contest, or they may situational prompts. I am amazed how many different stories can start with the same assigned prompt. Likewise, each of us may be involved in the same situation and draw completely different plot and characters from the experience. When I look at a situation I try to think what a standup comic could do with it to guide my initial evaluation of the situation and the opportunities for a story.

5) Have you submitted anything yet? I have submitted several poems and stories for publication, but this has not been done in an organized manner. I believe that I need to setup my submittal log and select a number of publication opportunities that I want to pursue. Then I need to review those publications to determine what has been published so that I can fit into their formats. While I have a record in technical publications, I need to learn the craft of creative writing to improve my chances for publication. I will just keep writing and submitting.

6) Are you part of a critique group or writers’ guild? I have enjoyed being involved in the Bayou Writers Group and wished that I could still attend all of the meetings and conferences. I have joined the League of Utah Writers and attend their conferences, but it will take much longer to get to know the members than it did at the BWG. I have enjoyed the networking and learning opportunities in the writers groups.

7) What is your writing process like? I mix free writing with creative non-fiction and poetry writing whenever I have a free moment. I found that using a small portable computer has been convenient for writing when traveling or waiting for a meeting. Sometimes it’s only random thoughts, or a list of writing prompts for later writing, but I try to have a purpose for my writing. I am thinking of entering more contests because of their tight requirements and short deadline. I see the need to select potential publications to give a greater focus to my writing.

8) If you could subscribe to only one literary journal or magazine? I am not sure if this is practical or possible, but I have really enjoyed the articles in The Writer Magazine for a starting writer. I assume that that choice may change as my writing gets better, but for now I have so much learn.

A Silent Cry in the Night

by James R. Tate

It’s three thirty in the morning. The house is silent except for the hum of the refrigerator and a distant train horn blowing in the night. I find a piece of paper and a pen in a kitchen drawer, eager to get the words written before the memory fades. The hair on the nape of my neck is moist, as are my eyes, reddened by the reality of what I experienced in the dream. I can only hope this letter will help. My laptop sitting on the coffee table beckons to me, but I pull out a stool at the bar instead and take a seat. Something tells me a handwritten letter is better. I ignore the tremor in my hand and begin.


My dearest Michele,

I know it has been a while since I’ve written, or given you a pretty card, or had flowers delivered from the florist down the street. Apparently too long. You see, I had a dream tonight—a nightmare really—in which you confessed you were having an affair. Somehow I knew even before you told me because dreams are just that way; one minute you’re in the kitchen, the next you’re in some cornfield in Missouri looking for your pants. And others knew as well. Father was there, wherever ‘there’ was, and said some ugly things to you. I suppose he was just protecting his son. I remember telling him to shut the hell up. Which was very odd given the circumstances. You’re the one having the affair and I’m angry with my father. Of course, that’s another thing about dreams; you can hurt, and be angry, and feel real agony in your heart. I know. Last night I experienced it when I found out you were sleeping with . . . .

I pause for a moment to wipe a teardrop from the page, not wanting the words to smudge. As I wipe at the moisture, another one splashes lightly on my wrist, surprising me. It’s always been my position to be the strong one, to keep my emotions to myself, for the good of the whole. My wife does not need to concern herself with my problems, my fears, my . . . pain. I think back to the wetness on my cheeks when I awoke from the dream and the dampness on my pillow, but those were from the emotions of a dreaming man, when control is lost, like the trickle of warmth while dreaming about going to the bathroom. Those tears cannot be judged in the real world.

I try to push the tears away, but picturing you in the master bedroom, less than thirty feet from where I’m sitting now, lying on your side, lightly snoring like a puppy nuzzled against its mother’s warmth, I cannot control the emotions this dream has suddenly awakened. I push the paper out of range of the tears and continue writing.

I know the person you had the affair with. He’s a friend of mine. Typical of the world of dreams, he was there with us. There is no need to mention his name as this was only a dream. But my reaction to him seems noteworthy. I remember feeling a certain agitation towards him, but not anger, and certainly not hatred. Again, I found this very odd. Like maybe I was jealous. I’m not sure how long all of this took because time is a strange beast in the dream world, but I soon found myself sitting on the front porch of this imaginary house, face to face with you, my wife of twelve years, and I asked the one word any man in this situation would ask.Why?

The image of you staring at me through bloodshot eyes, tears streaming down your face, is an image I will never forget. As I watched your lips quiver with anguish, I felt so much pain inside—for YOU. What had I done to you? Had I become so self absorbed and oblivious to your dreams and desires that I had driven you away? I couldn’t remember the last time I had told you how beautiful you are, or how seeing your nakedness in the reflection of the moonlight from the bedroom window still makes me feel like a young man. Would I ever get the chance to tell you I love you again?


I woke up before you answered my question, feeling an emptiness and longing I had never experienced in my life. I was truly scared of living my life without you. I understand the tears now. They are not about the dream, but are for what might become. Like Scrooge seeing the future and then realizing he can still make things right, I want to describe my feelings for you, but that would be like describing God in the heavens; I don’t fully comprehend them, besides, there’s not enough paper in this house. So I’ll just leave you with this thought. When you walked down the aisle at our wedding, with your beautiful dress and even more beautiful smile, I felt a joy in my heart that can never be outdone, but it IS relived every day when I wake up next to you. It is an emotion I want to enjoy until the end of time, and I will LOVE YOU there and back. Sweet dreams, my love.

 Sam

I return to bed and silently slide under the covers, careful not to wake Michelle, but as I turn on my side, I hear a soft voice. “You okay?” she mumbles.

Sliding my arm over her waist, I say, “I just needed a drink of water.” My thoughts go back to the dream and the letter on the bar. I slide a little closer to her, and hold her a little tighter. The tears come again, sliding down my cheek. I hear myself whisper in her ear, “I love you.”


James R. Tate is an award winning author of fiction, magazine and short story. His debut adult novel, BLOOD BIAS, will be released in March, 2012. You can find him at jamesrtate.com, or his blog http://jamesrtate.blogspot.com/ , and also on Facebook and Twitter.

"1000 Words of Love" Winner!

Congratulations to James Tate for winning the "1000 Words of Love" contest. Watch for his story "A Silent Cry in the Night".

Author Interview: James R. Tate

by Sylvia Ney

James R. Tate is an award winning author of fiction, magazine and short story. His debut adult novel, BLOOD BIAS, will be released in March, 2012. You can find him at jamesrtate.com, or his blog, Tate’s Other Side at http://jamesrtate.blogspot.com/ and also on Facebook and Twitter.

1) How did you develop an interest in writing? My wife grew tired of me telling her I could write a better book than the one I was currently reading. She enrolled me in a continuing education writing course at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. I spent six weeks writing beginner garbage and loving every minute of it.

2) Please tell me a little about your blog. I’ve really wanted to write a blog for a while, if for nothing else but to have an avenue to express random thoughts about my passion for writing. I know it’s ‘recommended’ to have a social presence—if not required—in today’s publishing world. The only problem is there’s still only twenty-four hours in the day. My blog is called Tate’s Other Side. It’s a scary place.

3) I see you are working on a MS. Please tell us a little about it. I am working on a new project but also have a completed murder mystery I wrote while I was teaching carpentry at a local prison. I’ve pitched it to agents, publishers, even had it looked at by a professional editor. An excerpt of the book won first place at the novel competition in Houma, LA in 2008. I received a lot of positive feedback but a lot of rejections. I’ve recently decided to self publish it and see where it goes while I work on my latest book. The book is called BLOOD BIAS and should be available in mid march of this year.

4) Is this a hobby or do you plan to make a career from writing? I would love to have a picture window overlooking the Rockies to spend my day writing my latest novel. It would be paradise.

5) What authors do you admire? My favorite author is by far Stephen King. A lot of people don’t like his material, but he’s a brilliant writer. He could write a story about a potato chip and have me engrossed from page one. I also like Robert Crais. He writes a great crime novel. I try to read a lot of different authors to expand my interests. Any great writing fascinates me.

6) Are you part of a critique group or writer's guild? I’ve been a member of the Bayou Writers Group for several years but have trouble attending the meetings on a regular basis because of the distance. I miss it dearly. One of the greatest places for a writer to hang out is around other writers.

7) Have you ever attended a writer's conference? I’ve been to Houma several times and won several awards, and have been to the BWG conference the past two years—both were very fun and informative—but the best one was a Pitch and Shop Conference I attended in New York City a few years back. It was an absolute blast to meet agents and editors in a small setting, and to be in one of the greatest artistic cities in the world. There’s nothing like sitting in Bryant Park, surrounded by great architecture, working on a book pitch.

8) When working on your current MS did you complete an outline first or did you just start writing? Ask my wife, I don’t plan anything. It drives her nuts. I like to let a general idea circulate in the back corners of the mind for a while and then just start writing. When the idea fades, I take a break to expand the story in my brain, then go at it again. It’s more fun for me to do it this way. No notes, no outline, just pure chaos. Oh! And I edit as I go. I know! Seems like a contradiction to my unbridled wildness, but I can’t help it.

9) Strangest dream involving a book, writer, or literary character? I absolutely fell in love with the movie Midnight in Paris with Owen Wilson. He gets to hang out in Paris with his literary heroes. I guess it must have stuck on the brain, because I had a dream that I was hanging out with Stephen King. And he didn’t do or say anything weird, just seemed like a regular guy. But I sure was trying to impress him. That’s when you know you’re passionate about something; when it consumes your subconscious.

10) Would you care to share your opening paragraph (hook) with us? One of the toughest things I had to do was whittle my book down to a paragraph, but here goes:

"Small town Chief of Police Reese Glockman tries to stay out of the way of the FBI when a serial killer leaves his mark on his sleepy town, but when Glockman’s daughter is kidnapped by the killer, it becomes personal, and nothing will stand in his way, not even the killer’s mysterious accomplices."

Last Chance for 1000 Words of Love!

Today is the last day to submit your stories to the "1000 Words of Love Contest". Please click the link to learn more.

Sidenote: Don't forget to turn in your interview and a photograph by March 1 to be entered to win a prize. More details to come soon!

Happy writing!

Keaghan Kane Takes Second in State Shakespeare Contest

by Keaghan Kane

Not everyone who claims the title of “writer” is well-read. I’ve always been horrified by the number who declare their disdain for all things classical—Dickens and Shakespeare being the foremost on this lengthy list.

I have harbored a deep love for Shakespeare’s works for the past several years, ever since I first truly met the Bard through school-assigned reading of Much Ado About Nothing.

This year, I had the chance to participate—as I did last year—in a Shakespeare recitation competition, put on by ESU-US. Each competitor must memorize and dramatize 20 lines or less of a Shakespearian monologue, along with one of his sonnets.

I chose to perform Katherina’s monologue from the final scene of The Taming of the Shrew, followed by Sonnet 90. At the local competition—which was judged by three judges, including Ms. Sherry Perkins—I did my best to convey Katherina’s fiery character. Apparently, I did suitably well, for I gained first place and a chance to advance to the state level.

The state level competition was held at Tulane University in New Orleans. This time, I found myself performing in a real theatre, complete with stage and lights. The trick to the ESU-US competition is that you are not allowed any props or costuming—it is just you, on the stage, trying to convince the audience that you are a character and that there are others around you.

With a storming presence and loud voice (affected slightly by my dry throat and nerves,) I put on my performance of Katherina. I was one of 15 competitors at the state level, but when I seated myself after my presentation, I knew I had done my utmost.

I gained second place in the state for my performance. Pleased and content, I left the university with my family amidst the congratulations and compliments of my fellow competitors and the judges.

To my fellow writers, I say this: don’t be afraid to stretch your reading tastes. There are so many classical authors who were masters in their craft. Yes, Dickens might be a little long-winded, Hugo a bit philosophical, Shakespeare a bit complex in his humor. Yet a little effort to understand and appreciate their work will enhance your own craft so very much.

After all, every learner—every apprentice—must have a master, or they will never truly learn their craft.

To learn more about this competition:  http://www.esuus.org/programs_shakespeare_competition.htm