Say Aloha to all our new members since the last Member News
Dale Baker
Meet Dale Baker! Dale joined Hawaii Writers Guild in October 2023. She lives in Wailuku, on Maui.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I join writers’ groups where ever I live. I didn’t find any state writers’ organization when I moved to Maui ten years ago. I did find and join the Maui Live Poets Society but it is small and limited in focus. Recently I came across an invitation to a Meet Up group of Maui writers along with a posted comment that mentioned the Hawaii Writers Guild and a writers’ conference on Kauai. I was thrilled when I found the HWG website. At last! a real state writers’ organization with access to critique groups and educational events. I haven’t been to a writers’ conference since I lived in Portland, OR, decades ago.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I had a wonderful sixth grade teacher who taught analytical thinking and creative written expression. I learned the joy of writing and I have never stopped.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
My website, here, lists the publications where my work has appeared and has links to Amazon where my two books are available for sale. They are a memoir for caregivers and a book of poetry. My poetry also appears in anthologies published by the Maui Live Poet Society.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
1. I have several short stories that have not found a published home. I would enjoy the feedback and support of fellow writers to polish these deeply personal pieces to either place them or publish them as a collection.
2. I write poetry on an on-going basis. Any opportunity to share with other poets is a good time for me.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
1. I worked in Social Services at the end of my working career. It changed me. I have a short story (published years ago) that I feel is some of my best work. It deals with the horrors of child abuse. I am looking for appropriate places to share it as a “raise awareness” effort to fund programs that prevent child abuse and support the victims of it. I tentatively plan to read it at a literary open mic in January in Wailuku.
2. I am taking acting lessons and I have performed on stage at the Iao Theater in Wailuku and in community theater in Arizona. No big dreams here. I just like hanging out with other creative people and it has greatly improved my poetry readings.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I join writers’ groups where ever I live. I didn’t find any state writers’ organization when I moved to Maui ten years ago. I did find and join the Maui Live Poets Society but it is small and limited in focus. Recently I came across an invitation to a Meet Up group of Maui writers along with a posted comment that mentioned the Hawaii Writers Guild and a writers’ conference on Kauai. I was thrilled when I found the HWG website. At last! a real state writers’ organization with access to critique groups and educational events. I haven’t been to a writers’ conference since I lived in Portland, OR, decades ago.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I had a wonderful sixth grade teacher who taught analytical thinking and creative written expression. I learned the joy of writing and I have never stopped.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
My website, here, lists the publications where my work has appeared and has links to Amazon where my two books are available for sale. They are a memoir for caregivers and a book of poetry. My poetry also appears in anthologies published by the Maui Live Poet Society.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
1. I have several short stories that have not found a published home. I would enjoy the feedback and support of fellow writers to polish these deeply personal pieces to either place them or publish them as a collection.
2. I write poetry on an on-going basis. Any opportunity to share with other poets is a good time for me.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
1. I worked in Social Services at the end of my working career. It changed me. I have a short story (published years ago) that I feel is some of my best work. It deals with the horrors of child abuse. I am looking for appropriate places to share it as a “raise awareness” effort to fund programs that prevent child abuse and support the victims of it. I tentatively plan to read it at a literary open mic in January in Wailuku.
2. I am taking acting lessons and I have performed on stage at the Iao Theater in Wailuku and in community theater in Arizona. No big dreams here. I just like hanging out with other creative people and it has greatly improved my poetry readings.
Pam Elders
Meet Pam Elders! Pam joined Hawaii Writers Guild in January 2024. She lives in Laupahoehoe on Hawaii Island.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found out about the Hawaii Writers Guild from a current member who I met through a Zoom reader’s group we participate in. I learned more about HWG at the Kauai Writers Conference in November and decided to join.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
Before I could write, I drew—a preschooler’s way to tell stories. I have always thought of myself as a writer. Diaries in elementary school and later creative writing. Writing was a means to tap into different parts of myself. As an adult, I was a successful grant writer which taught me the discipline of writing. Writing for pleasure was sporadic during my working years. In retirement, I have found my way back.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
For six years I wrote a column called Seasider News! for the Hamakua Times.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I recently finished a work of historical fiction and I’m busy editing it. I submitted the first two chapters to an agent at the Kauai Writers Conference. Other projects include writing poetry. I am considering shorter pieces for magazine publication.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found out about the Hawaii Writers Guild from a current member who I met through a Zoom reader’s group we participate in. I learned more about HWG at the Kauai Writers Conference in November and decided to join.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
Before I could write, I drew—a preschooler’s way to tell stories. I have always thought of myself as a writer. Diaries in elementary school and later creative writing. Writing was a means to tap into different parts of myself. As an adult, I was a successful grant writer which taught me the discipline of writing. Writing for pleasure was sporadic during my working years. In retirement, I have found my way back.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
For six years I wrote a column called Seasider News! for the Hamakua Times.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I recently finished a work of historical fiction and I’m busy editing it. I submitted the first two chapters to an agent at the Kauai Writers Conference. Other projects include writing poetry. I am considering shorter pieces for magazine publication.
Parrissa Eyorokon
Meet Parrissa Eyorokon! Parrissa joined Hawaii Writers Guild in July 2023. She lives on Oahu.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I had just finished my Master’s in English and was immediately on the hunt for more workshop opportunities and other ways to connect with writers in the community. I did a quick search and was thankful to find the Hawaii Writers Guild site.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I’ve always been writing—my earliest writing memories go back to around six or seven years old when I first discovered the thrill of storytelling. But only recently, after being more intentional with my craft, have I felt comfortable calling myself a writer.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have a short story published in Litbreak Magazine.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently working on another piece of short fiction where I explore elements of absurdity through the eyes of a character searching for meaning after a family tragedy.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I am so looking forward to meeting more of my fellow writers. Here’s to building connections with you all in the coming months!
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I had just finished my Master’s in English and was immediately on the hunt for more workshop opportunities and other ways to connect with writers in the community. I did a quick search and was thankful to find the Hawaii Writers Guild site.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I’ve always been writing—my earliest writing memories go back to around six or seven years old when I first discovered the thrill of storytelling. But only recently, after being more intentional with my craft, have I felt comfortable calling myself a writer.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have a short story published in Litbreak Magazine.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently working on another piece of short fiction where I explore elements of absurdity through the eyes of a character searching for meaning after a family tragedy.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I am so looking forward to meeting more of my fellow writers. Here’s to building connections with you all in the coming months!
Gerald Montano
Meet Gerald Montano! Gerald joined Hawaii Writers Guild in June 2023. He lives in Kahului on the Island of Maui.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I did a Google search and found the group there. I want to join a community of writers and to find critique partners or beta readers.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write during high school and was president of the creative writer’s club, but I didn’t consider myself a writer until I completed a novel in my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) event in 2008.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Sadly, not yet.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m on the third draft of a novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo in 2019. It’s a fantasy novel taking place in a world with southeast Asian influences. It tells the story of a village outcast joining a group of bandits to kidnap a princess with a dangerous secret.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I’m hoping for advice and comradery with other writers who have full-time jobs and making the time to write. Writing is tough but writing while working another job is tougher!
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I did a Google search and found the group there. I want to join a community of writers and to find critique partners or beta readers.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write during high school and was president of the creative writer’s club, but I didn’t consider myself a writer until I completed a novel in my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) event in 2008.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Sadly, not yet.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m on the third draft of a novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo in 2019. It’s a fantasy novel taking place in a world with southeast Asian influences. It tells the story of a village outcast joining a group of bandits to kidnap a princess with a dangerous secret.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I’m hoping for advice and comradery with other writers who have full-time jobs and making the time to write. Writing is tough but writing while working another job is tougher!
Meet Moira Nicholson! Moira joined Hawaii Writers Guild in July 2023. She lives in Kihei on Maui.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I did an internet search after moving to Maui. I found this group and another group and this one looked like the one to join. I am looking for guidance in the publishing direction.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
At some point in middle school, I wrote a (in retrospect pretty lousy) poem that I got excited about. Throughout high school I kept trying to write stories but, having not yet learned about plotting, I kept writing myself into dead ends. I took a poetry class when I was sixteen and started doing a lot of verse and started thinking of myself as a poet. I still had all these prose story ideas, though, so now that I’ve learned more about plotting and how to get a story all the way to the end, I've come back to prose.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Two of my poems were published in 66: The Linn-Benton Community College's Journal of Art and Creative Writing.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I am currently working on my second sci-fi manuscript. I also occasionally write formal verse.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I like the technical aspects of writing, story structure, and formal poetry.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I did an internet search after moving to Maui. I found this group and another group and this one looked like the one to join. I am looking for guidance in the publishing direction.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
At some point in middle school, I wrote a (in retrospect pretty lousy) poem that I got excited about. Throughout high school I kept trying to write stories but, having not yet learned about plotting, I kept writing myself into dead ends. I took a poetry class when I was sixteen and started doing a lot of verse and started thinking of myself as a poet. I still had all these prose story ideas, though, so now that I’ve learned more about plotting and how to get a story all the way to the end, I've come back to prose.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Two of my poems were published in 66: The Linn-Benton Community College's Journal of Art and Creative Writing.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I am currently working on my second sci-fi manuscript. I also occasionally write formal verse.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I like the technical aspects of writing, story structure, and formal poetry.
Candice with her “beautiful and smart friend,” Tucker.
Meet Candice Phillips! Candi joined Hawaii Writers Guild in 2023. She lives in Kapolei, on Oahu.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
Discovered the Guild upon recommendation of my dear friend and English coach, Mickey Weems.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
Although I began writing a book in 2007, I hesitated to consider myself a “real” writer until 2023, after I completed my current book manuscript.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Not published, yet, but I am currently querying agents to represent my 50k-word book, Street Girls Tell No Secrets. Since 1990, I have written primarily guest articles for local and national newsletters as well as technical and educational pieces for various large industries. Wrote and produced several video training programs.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
Street Girls Tell No Secrets paints a searing portrait of survival and is a tribute to those who have lived through the nightmare of sexual assault by men in power.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
Throughout my life as an executive, I hid one embarrassing secret. I was thrown out of my home at thirteen, surviving alone and addicted on the toughest streets of California. I never finished the seventh-grade. Being completely self-taught, writing has been a lifelong fight and challenge. Only now, do I possess the self-confidence to step away from my fear and shame. I am deeply grateful to be a member of the Hawaii Writers Guild!
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
Discovered the Guild upon recommendation of my dear friend and English coach, Mickey Weems.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
Although I began writing a book in 2007, I hesitated to consider myself a “real” writer until 2023, after I completed my current book manuscript.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Not published, yet, but I am currently querying agents to represent my 50k-word book, Street Girls Tell No Secrets. Since 1990, I have written primarily guest articles for local and national newsletters as well as technical and educational pieces for various large industries. Wrote and produced several video training programs.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
Street Girls Tell No Secrets paints a searing portrait of survival and is a tribute to those who have lived through the nightmare of sexual assault by men in power.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
Throughout my life as an executive, I hid one embarrassing secret. I was thrown out of my home at thirteen, surviving alone and addicted on the toughest streets of California. I never finished the seventh-grade. Being completely self-taught, writing has been a lifelong fight and challenge. Only now, do I possess the self-confidence to step away from my fear and shame. I am deeply grateful to be a member of the Hawaii Writers Guild!
Kimberly Russell
Meet Kimberly Russell! Kimberly joined Hawaii Writers Guild in November 2023. She lives in Wainaku, just outside of Hilo on Hawaii Island.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I had known about Hawaii Writers Guild for years, as I had been searching for a group of published writers. I finally decided to join at the urging of a friend who was also planning to join.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write as a teen, publishing occasional newspaper articles and writing poetry for myself, but didn’t start to think of myself as a writer until many years later when I began writing for cultural newsletters, editing and writing for academic journals, and even won an award for a poetic letter that was published in a collection with others.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes, I have a number of English as a Second Language textbooks that I’ve written for Cambridge University Press and Pearson publishing.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently polishing a memoir of my time living in Guatemala during the mid-1980s when their civil war was still going on and they had just elected their first democratic government in forty years. I’ve also got a few fiction picture books that are complete that I’m submitting for publications, and I have a finished fantasy middle grade novel in the works.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I’m the Associate Regional Advisor for the Hawaii Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I look forward to getting to know more writers from the Big Island!
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I had known about Hawaii Writers Guild for years, as I had been searching for a group of published writers. I finally decided to join at the urging of a friend who was also planning to join.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write as a teen, publishing occasional newspaper articles and writing poetry for myself, but didn’t start to think of myself as a writer until many years later when I began writing for cultural newsletters, editing and writing for academic journals, and even won an award for a poetic letter that was published in a collection with others.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
Yes, I have a number of English as a Second Language textbooks that I’ve written for Cambridge University Press and Pearson publishing.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
I’m currently polishing a memoir of my time living in Guatemala during the mid-1980s when their civil war was still going on and they had just elected their first democratic government in forty years. I’ve also got a few fiction picture books that are complete that I’m submitting for publications, and I have a finished fantasy middle grade novel in the works.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I’m the Associate Regional Advisor for the Hawaii Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I look forward to getting to know more writers from the Big Island!
Ed Sancious
Meet Ed Sancious! Ed Sancious joined Hawaii Writers Guild in October 2023. He lives in Kapaau on Kauai.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
Several dear friends and excellent writers are members and encouraged me to join for all the benefits of the organization and also to expand my exposure to all things writing-related.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started writing (and I take HUGE liberties calling it writing) around the fifth grade. I got better in high school and served as the creative writing magazine editor for three years. Continued into college with some poetry publications in random small-press booklets. I also started with photography in college and drifted from writing for quite a while. These past two years have been a re-emergence with writing (poetry, haiku) and in some cases combined with my fine art imaging.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
No. Working on a couple of ideas for publication.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
One project is a compilation of images with haiku which are very Zen-centric that focuses on our relationship with the world we inhabit and the spiritual, emotional, and perceptual covenants that we establish through awareness. The other project is inspired by a quote from Mary Oliver: “The world did not have to be beautiful to work, but it is.” And a quote from Alan Watts: “You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.”
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I'm pleased to be among such an inspiring group of creatives!
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
Several dear friends and excellent writers are members and encouraged me to join for all the benefits of the organization and also to expand my exposure to all things writing-related.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started writing (and I take HUGE liberties calling it writing) around the fifth grade. I got better in high school and served as the creative writing magazine editor for three years. Continued into college with some poetry publications in random small-press booklets. I also started with photography in college and drifted from writing for quite a while. These past two years have been a re-emergence with writing (poetry, haiku) and in some cases combined with my fine art imaging.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
No. Working on a couple of ideas for publication.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
One project is a compilation of images with haiku which are very Zen-centric that focuses on our relationship with the world we inhabit and the spiritual, emotional, and perceptual covenants that we establish through awareness. The other project is inspired by a quote from Mary Oliver: “The world did not have to be beautiful to work, but it is.” And a quote from Alan Watts: “You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.”
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I'm pleased to be among such an inspiring group of creatives!
Nancy Stricklen-Juneau and her friend Sandy.
Meet Nancy Stricklen-Juneau! Nancy joined Hawaii Writers Guild in September 2023. She lives on the Big Island in Hilo, Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found out through Carol McMillan. I read her memoir and wanted to meet her. She steered me to Hawaii Writer's Guild, Hawaii Writer's Alliance, and the Kauai Writers Conference. I had no idea there were so many writers on this island. I am thrilled to become part of this community.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started my memoir as a NaNoWriMo last year (wrote a first draft in the month of November). I started thinking of myself as a writer at the Kauai Writer's Conference.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
“A Taste of Dirt” was published in Hawaii Pacific Review in December 2022. Here’s a link to it: https://hawaiipacificreview.org/2022/12/08/the-taste-of-dirt/. I wrote this story about my mom while I was taking an Adult Ed class through Stanford. It breaks my heart so much that I cannot read it aloud.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
The Outreach Aunties: Bringing Care to the People of Hawaii One Mile at a Time
This is a braided memoir. The first storyline is about my experience coordinating Outreach Medicine for Hilo Medical Center here on the Big Island. The second storyline is about the time my husband broke his neck and suffered a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident nine years ago.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I love coffee (here's my newest concoction: a large scoop of Breyers mint chip iced cream in a glass with cold brew coffee poured all over it. Oh my....)
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found out through Carol McMillan. I read her memoir and wanted to meet her. She steered me to Hawaii Writer's Guild, Hawaii Writer's Alliance, and the Kauai Writers Conference. I had no idea there were so many writers on this island. I am thrilled to become part of this community.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started my memoir as a NaNoWriMo last year (wrote a first draft in the month of November). I started thinking of myself as a writer at the Kauai Writer's Conference.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
“A Taste of Dirt” was published in Hawaii Pacific Review in December 2022. Here’s a link to it: https://hawaiipacificreview.org/2022/12/08/the-taste-of-dirt/. I wrote this story about my mom while I was taking an Adult Ed class through Stanford. It breaks my heart so much that I cannot read it aloud.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on.
The Outreach Aunties: Bringing Care to the People of Hawaii One Mile at a Time
This is a braided memoir. The first storyline is about my experience coordinating Outreach Medicine for Hilo Medical Center here on the Big Island. The second storyline is about the time my husband broke his neck and suffered a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident nine years ago.
Is there anything else you would like the Guild members to know about you or your writing?
I love coffee (here's my newest concoction: a large scoop of Breyers mint chip iced cream in a glass with cold brew coffee poured all over it. Oh my....)
Richard Shouse
Meet Richard Shouse! Richard joined Hawaii Writers Guild in September 2023. He lives in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found Hawaii Writer’s Guild while scanning the internet. There are writers in Hawaii. I hope to hook up with them and better learn the craft. I am always willing to learn. I need help editing my book on Hawaii.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write on a regular basis while stationed in Pearl Harbor, while aboard a naval ship frequently at sea. It was an antidote for boredom and sea sickness. I really focused on writing while working in a medical clinic, always on call and unable to sleep. Instead of intrusive thoughts, I made up stories in my head then wrote them down. Do that enough times, you can call yourself a writer.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have several self-published books for family. I like to take their history and create fictional stories about them, bringing the individual, period and place to life. On the internet, we published The Science of Haku in Aikido. This is a series of articles on human anatomy and physiology concerning the martial art of Aikido.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on?
I am editing a novel, Hawaii: We Came from Distant Shores. The title keeps changing. It is a fictional work based on Hawaiian history, real and fictional characters from the arrival of the Tahitians to the recent Covid epidemic. I would like to get this published and feel there are those interested in reading it. I need help with beta readers, editors and suggestions about how to get the story out for people, publishing tactics and others’ experiences.
I keep busy with Mr. Richards Medical Almanac, a series of articles on medical topics for patient education and familiarization. This keeps me connected with medical topics of interest and facilitates my continued learning about the art of medicine and writing.
Is there anything else you would like Guild members to know about you or your writing?
It is important for a writer to know grammar, how to spell, and keep the reader entertained. I have a dozen novels and short stories on flash drives in my desk drawer. Someday I will do something with them. What I have learned is that it is the process, the actual act of putting ideas into the written word that is important. This is how my imagination and spirit evolves, how my aging mind stays involved. If published, or if people even notice what I write, is not important. (Maybe it is important, but not crucial.) You should at least try, but not be fixated on the results.
How did you find out about Hawaii Writers Guild? What made you decide to join?
I found Hawaii Writer’s Guild while scanning the internet. There are writers in Hawaii. I hope to hook up with them and better learn the craft. I am always willing to learn. I need help editing my book on Hawaii.
When did you start to write? Start to think of yourself as “a writer”?
I started to write on a regular basis while stationed in Pearl Harbor, while aboard a naval ship frequently at sea. It was an antidote for boredom and sea sickness. I really focused on writing while working in a medical clinic, always on call and unable to sleep. Instead of intrusive thoughts, I made up stories in my head then wrote them down. Do that enough times, you can call yourself a writer.
Do you have any published work/s to date?
I have several self-published books for family. I like to take their history and create fictional stories about them, bringing the individual, period and place to life. On the internet, we published The Science of Haku in Aikido. This is a series of articles on human anatomy and physiology concerning the martial art of Aikido.
Tell us about the writing projects you are working on?
I am editing a novel, Hawaii: We Came from Distant Shores. The title keeps changing. It is a fictional work based on Hawaiian history, real and fictional characters from the arrival of the Tahitians to the recent Covid epidemic. I would like to get this published and feel there are those interested in reading it. I need help with beta readers, editors and suggestions about how to get the story out for people, publishing tactics and others’ experiences.
I keep busy with Mr. Richards Medical Almanac, a series of articles on medical topics for patient education and familiarization. This keeps me connected with medical topics of interest and facilitates my continued learning about the art of medicine and writing.
Is there anything else you would like Guild members to know about you or your writing?
It is important for a writer to know grammar, how to spell, and keep the reader entertained. I have a dozen novels and short stories on flash drives in my desk drawer. Someday I will do something with them. What I have learned is that it is the process, the actual act of putting ideas into the written word that is important. This is how my imagination and spirit evolves, how my aging mind stays involved. If published, or if people even notice what I write, is not important. (Maybe it is important, but not crucial.) You should at least try, but not be fixated on the results.
