In this section, we're pleased to shine the spotlight on six new members who have signed up in 2022!
MK Chelius
Meet MK Chelius
MK Chelius joined Hawaii Writers Guild in May 2022. She lives on Kauai.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
An internet search for a local critique group led me to HWG.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I joined HWG to connect with other writers.
When did you start to write?
I began to dabble with writing during a career transition around 2010.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
Winning second place in a science fiction, short-story competition gave me needed energy to further develop my writing skills.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I’m not published in fiction writing, though I have numerous publications in scientific journals.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently working on a fictional autobiography of an archaeologist with central themes of belonging, aspirations, feminism, and the reciprocal relationship of science and society.
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MK Chelius joined Hawaii Writers Guild in May 2022. She lives on Kauai.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
An internet search for a local critique group led me to HWG.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I joined HWG to connect with other writers.
When did you start to write?
I began to dabble with writing during a career transition around 2010.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
Winning second place in a science fiction, short-story competition gave me needed energy to further develop my writing skills.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I’m not published in fiction writing, though I have numerous publications in scientific journals.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently working on a fictional autobiography of an archaeologist with central themes of belonging, aspirations, feminism, and the reciprocal relationship of science and society.
##
Gwen Gorg
Meet Gwyndolin Gorg
Gwyn Gorg joined Hawaii Writers Guild in June 2022. She lives in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
From Carol McMillan, the president of Hawaii Writers Guild.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to share my writings, continue to expand my craft and experience other writers’ submissions.
When did you start to write?
I have difficulty answering this question. In my files there are fiction, non-fiction stories, and magazine articles written decades ago for children, others for adults. For seven years at the International House of Blues, Hollywood I performed a historical piece I had written on the origin of the blues and its impact on American and other musical genres around the world. At the end of a seven-year run, several thousand audience members had attended our show.
Also, Biddy Mason, the female slave who walked behind the wagon-train from Mississippi to Utah was written and performed by me for many years at celebrations that focused on African American historical events.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
When my first book, I Am the Blues, was sold in 2002 and published in over 24 languages.
Before that, I had written several articles that had been published in magazines, but I had not considered myself as an author.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
YES. I Am the Blues (children); Nice Lady (a Lighter Approach to Alzheimer’s);
I Am Bigger Than Nigger; and Darlene’s Awakening (most recent).
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
Presently, I am completing two books; a poetry/prose book for adults that will be finished this year and a Silly Book of Compound Words for elementary age youngsters. The incredibly beautiful illustrations for the children’s book are by a talented artist who lives in the Czech Republic.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
[A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, and Gwyn answered this question by sharing a poster to let us know about a recent reading she did in Los Angeles. Congratulations, Gwyn! See our story about that elsewhere in this issue.]
Please go to: www.gwyngorg.com for additional information.
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Gwyn Gorg joined Hawaii Writers Guild in June 2022. She lives in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
From Carol McMillan, the president of Hawaii Writers Guild.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to share my writings, continue to expand my craft and experience other writers’ submissions.
When did you start to write?
I have difficulty answering this question. In my files there are fiction, non-fiction stories, and magazine articles written decades ago for children, others for adults. For seven years at the International House of Blues, Hollywood I performed a historical piece I had written on the origin of the blues and its impact on American and other musical genres around the world. At the end of a seven-year run, several thousand audience members had attended our show.
Also, Biddy Mason, the female slave who walked behind the wagon-train from Mississippi to Utah was written and performed by me for many years at celebrations that focused on African American historical events.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
When my first book, I Am the Blues, was sold in 2002 and published in over 24 languages.
Before that, I had written several articles that had been published in magazines, but I had not considered myself as an author.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
YES. I Am the Blues (children); Nice Lady (a Lighter Approach to Alzheimer’s);
I Am Bigger Than Nigger; and Darlene’s Awakening (most recent).
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
Presently, I am completing two books; a poetry/prose book for adults that will be finished this year and a Silly Book of Compound Words for elementary age youngsters. The incredibly beautiful illustrations for the children’s book are by a talented artist who lives in the Czech Republic.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
[A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, and Gwyn answered this question by sharing a poster to let us know about a recent reading she did in Los Angeles. Congratulations, Gwyn! See our story about that elsewhere in this issue.]
Please go to: www.gwyngorg.com for additional information.
##
Lucy L. Jones, Ph.D.
Meet Lucy L. Jones, Ph.D.
Dr. Jones joined Hawaii Writers Guild in April 2022. She lives in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
I learned about it from a member of Hawaii Writers Guild who is also in a Read-Aloud Shakespeare group that I attend.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted the encouragement of other writers.
When did you start to write?
I started writing when I was old enough to hold a pencil.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
I retired as an associate professor of psychology for Hawaii Community College (my third career) on September 1, 2021 at the age of 87. Before that, I was a United Methodist pastor, and I spent many years working in the field of psychology. After my retirement from Hawaii Community College, I began my fourth career—as an author.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
As a counseling aid when working with my clients, I wrote Feral Fables. I recently published my first mystery, Shadowy Tales.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’ve recently finished a sequel to Shadowy Tales called Washboard Tales. I am also working on a memoir that includes interviews of more than 100 actively engaged women over 60 and in the Fourth Quadrant of their Heroine’s Journey. I also write poetry and lyrics for my brother’s music.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
All of my past private journal writing included the phrase, “All I really want to do is stay home and write.”
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Dr. Jones joined Hawaii Writers Guild in April 2022. She lives in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
I learned about it from a member of Hawaii Writers Guild who is also in a Read-Aloud Shakespeare group that I attend.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted the encouragement of other writers.
When did you start to write?
I started writing when I was old enough to hold a pencil.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
I retired as an associate professor of psychology for Hawaii Community College (my third career) on September 1, 2021 at the age of 87. Before that, I was a United Methodist pastor, and I spent many years working in the field of psychology. After my retirement from Hawaii Community College, I began my fourth career—as an author.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
As a counseling aid when working with my clients, I wrote Feral Fables. I recently published my first mystery, Shadowy Tales.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’ve recently finished a sequel to Shadowy Tales called Washboard Tales. I am also working on a memoir that includes interviews of more than 100 actively engaged women over 60 and in the Fourth Quadrant of their Heroine’s Journey. I also write poetry and lyrics for my brother’s music.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
All of my past private journal writing included the phrase, “All I really want to do is stay home and write.”
##
Angela Leslee
Meet Angela Leslee
Angela Leslie joined Hawaii Writers Guild in August 2022. She lives in Kealakekua, HI.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
From my friend and fellow member, Heather Friedman Rivera.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I’m getting ready to publish my second book. I’m semi-retired and would like to write more, so it feels appropriate to connect with fellow writers in my community.
When did you start to write?
Since my 20’s I’ve felt I had a book in me. For the past approximately 15 years, I have been sporadically writing down my stories of living here, feeling that one day I would put them all together. In 2016 I walked the Camino de Santiago, upon completion I declared; “I’m going to write a book about this.” And I did. The book fairly fell out of me, I was consumed with writing it. The first draft took 6 months, then another 2 ½ years to edit and polish it.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
Probably within the last year.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes – self-published: The Way of Love: On the Camino de Santiago.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
In the next couple of weeks, I plan to finally publish my memoir of moving here called: Lucky to Live Hawai’i: From Mundane to Magical – A Life Transformed.
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Angela Leslie joined Hawaii Writers Guild in August 2022. She lives in Kealakekua, HI.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
From my friend and fellow member, Heather Friedman Rivera.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I’m getting ready to publish my second book. I’m semi-retired and would like to write more, so it feels appropriate to connect with fellow writers in my community.
When did you start to write?
Since my 20’s I’ve felt I had a book in me. For the past approximately 15 years, I have been sporadically writing down my stories of living here, feeling that one day I would put them all together. In 2016 I walked the Camino de Santiago, upon completion I declared; “I’m going to write a book about this.” And I did. The book fairly fell out of me, I was consumed with writing it. The first draft took 6 months, then another 2 ½ years to edit and polish it.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
Probably within the last year.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes – self-published: The Way of Love: On the Camino de Santiago.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
In the next couple of weeks, I plan to finally publish my memoir of moving here called: Lucky to Live Hawai’i: From Mundane to Magical – A Life Transformed.
##
Sharon Ludan
Meet Sharon Ludan
Sharon Ludan joined Hawaii Writers Guild in March 2022. She lives on the island of Oahu in Kailua, Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
Through the website.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to join a professional writer’s association in my home state.
When did you start to write?
As a young adult.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
I suppose I have always been a writer (but haven’t we all, whether knowingly or not?) I had a long and successful career as an American diplomat; it is only in retirement that I have begun to publish my poems.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes, a few of my poems have been published in anthologies as shown below:
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I am working on my first book of poetry.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I am entirely new to the “Lit Biz”, as Ursula Le Guin calls it, and proceeding with caution into unfamiliar territory. While I love to write poetry, I find the process of submitting for publication to be humbling, humiliating, frustrating, discouraging … sound familiar to any other writers out there? As a novice to this publishing effort, I find myself in the throes of self-doubt, wrestling with existential questions such as “Why bother?” “Who cares about poetry anyway?”, “What are you trying to accomplish?” etc., ad nauseam.
Every day I come up with different answers… and continue to write poetry.
##
Sharon Ludan joined Hawaii Writers Guild in March 2022. She lives on the island of Oahu in Kailua, Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
Through the website.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to join a professional writer’s association in my home state.
When did you start to write?
As a young adult.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
I suppose I have always been a writer (but haven’t we all, whether knowingly or not?) I had a long and successful career as an American diplomat; it is only in retirement that I have begun to publish my poems.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes, a few of my poems have been published in anthologies as shown below:
- “To the Universe” originally published in Mingled Voices 5, Proverse Hong Kong, 2021.
- “Lamentations” originally published in An Evening with Emily Dickinson, an anthology by Wingless Dreamer, 2021.
- “Seeking a Theory of Everything” and “How to Forge a Heart” published in Mingled Voices 6, Proverse Hong Kong, 2022.
- “Danish Spring”, “Dreaming in Virginia”, “Euphoria”, and “Putting Up Posts” originally published in Sapling, Quillkeepers Press, 2022.
- “Lamentations 2.0” and “The Sea Turtles Teach Me Their Version of Timeless Truths” originally published in Conversations, Unleash Press, 2022.
- “Midnight in the Garden in Sassandra” published in Botany of Gaia, Quillkeepers Press, 2022.
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I am working on my first book of poetry.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I am entirely new to the “Lit Biz”, as Ursula Le Guin calls it, and proceeding with caution into unfamiliar territory. While I love to write poetry, I find the process of submitting for publication to be humbling, humiliating, frustrating, discouraging … sound familiar to any other writers out there? As a novice to this publishing effort, I find myself in the throes of self-doubt, wrestling with existential questions such as “Why bother?” “Who cares about poetry anyway?”, “What are you trying to accomplish?” etc., ad nauseam.
Every day I come up with different answers… and continue to write poetry.
##
Meet Rebekah Moan
Rebekah Moan joined Hawaii Writers Guild in March 2022. She lives in Oakland, California.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
I Googled it.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to get feedback on the novel I’m writing and heard a writer’s group is excellent for that. I chose the Hawaii Writers Guild because I could use more “aloha” in my life!
When did you start to write?
In second grade, my handmade book won our class contest but I didn’t start to write in earnest until I was a sophomore in high school, and even then, my focus was journalism. I didn’t start writing fiction until 2017 and I still consider myself a novice.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
In high school when I started to receive praise for writing.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have a self-published memoir and numerous small articles I’ve written as a journalist. No
novel yet!
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently writing a novel that uses the heroine’s journey archetype. If the hero’s journey
archetype can be simplified as climbing a mountain alone, the heroine’s journey is about
descending into the underworld and transforming into someone new.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
I love meeting other writers! And I could use all the help I can get!
##
Rebekah Moan joined Hawaii Writers Guild in March 2022. She lives in Oakland, California.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild?
I Googled it.
What made you decide to join the Guild?
I wanted to get feedback on the novel I’m writing and heard a writer’s group is excellent for that. I chose the Hawaii Writers Guild because I could use more “aloha” in my life!
When did you start to write?
In second grade, my handmade book won our class contest but I didn’t start to write in earnest until I was a sophomore in high school, and even then, my focus was journalism. I didn’t start writing fiction until 2017 and I still consider myself a novice.
When did you start to think of yourself as “a writer”, an “author”?
In high school when I started to receive praise for writing.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have a self-published memoir and numerous small articles I’ve written as a journalist. No
novel yet!
Tell us about any writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently writing a novel that uses the heroine’s journey archetype. If the hero’s journey
archetype can be simplified as climbing a mountain alone, the heroine’s journey is about
descending into the underworld and transforming into someone new.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your
writing?
I love meeting other writers! And I could use all the help I can get!
##
