Category Archives: Guest Interview

Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Lauren, Sarah, WOWI Session

Retreating to Write with Barbara Wolf Terao

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Hello WOWI fans! This is my first blog post for the show! Thank you for allowing Sarah and me to step in as new co-hosts in the wake of Tom’s departure. We are both very excited to be a part of the show and to be given the opportunity to meet so many incredible writers on the island.

Barbara Wolf Terao

With that said, we recently had an amazing guest come and share her extraordinary experiences writing here on Whidbey. For many, the island can be considered a getaway or an oasis retreat for their art, craft, or even a simple family vacation. But for those of us who live here and seek the solitude of island life, this place can offer so much more.

Reconfigured memoire book Barbara Wolf TeraoBarbara Wolf Terao dives deep into her time here on the island. The personal battles that she has fought and the journey that she has overcome to be the person she is today. Her book, “Reconfigured: A Memoir“, is a personal milestone in which she captures the depth of human tragedy and the heights of humor. She shares the wisdom that only comes through trial and adversity while freely giving love and compassion back to the world around her.

In this session, Barbara shares her love and passion for writing and her lifelong goal of writing a book as well as the beautiful truths that she has learned in her time on Whidbey. Under the shades of South Whidbey Park, she truly came to light as passion, hope, and life flowed from her words. I hope that you enjoy our conversation as much as we did!

~ Lauren

Writing On Whidbey Island (WOWI) Episode 47
Retreating to Write

Links

Reconfigured is now available at bookstores and online

OfTheBluePla.net

BarbaraWolfTerao.com

Don, Lauren, Online, Sarah, WOWI Session

AI Okay? V Oh No!

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Podcast GodsShiva podcast godAs you have surely heard by now, there are a few changes coming up with Writing On Whidbey Island. One chapter has come to a close, and a new chapter is beginning … with a little time off in between. Tom Trimbath has moved on from WOWI, giving the show (the joy and all of the responsibility that comes with it) to me, and the “show must go on!” While re-debut of WOWI is planned for Fall 2023 … an interim podcast session was recorded in June where the question was asked, “Is AI-OK?”

Tom and I recorded our last WOWI session together on 15April2023. Following the show, we discussed some ideas for the show going forward. We had discussed several ideas over the past 3+ years while producing and hosting the show together. These ideas are in the works – and Tom gave me a few new ones. Soon after I recruited three former guests – some of my favourites – Sarah, Lauren, and Daniel. Really to say, I prayed to The Podcasting Gods and got lucky! Sarah, Lauren, and I got to talking about things to come … and it became clear that we should get together for an in-between podcast session.

We wanted to discuss a current and rather hot topic – the use of Artificial Intelligence software in the creative arts. What is it and what can it do? Where is the technology at and were is it going? What are its strengths and weaknesses? How are artists using it? Most importantly … what are the moral aspects within the industry?

Coupeville WA Washington Library
The Coupeville Library

We met at the Coupeville Library. This was Sarah and Lauren’s first time on the host side of the mic – this AI topic proved to be spirited and incredibly fun. What was planned to be a 40 minute session turned out to be 73. Meeting with these two not only made for a magnificent session, it helped affirm that I was right in seeking them as new WOWI hosts and that the show’s future looks bright!

I even learned a new-to-me AI-related term with this recording session – Uncanny Valley!

So where is this recording?

Podcasting GodsSpring and summer is a doubly busy time for me. It’s the busy time in the bagpiping world, and I do seasonal work as a SCUBA diver. Taking on the whole of WOWI came at an awkward time. Historically, Tom did the heavy lifting during this season – so this constituted the show taking a break. The plan has been – and still is – for the show to re-launch this Fall. And this “Is AI-OK?” session launches … NOW!

~ Don

Writing On Whidbey Island (WOWI) Episode 46
AI Okay? V Oh No!

Podcasting Gods

The new movie “The Creator” is intended to open on 29September2023 — an AI system has taken over the earth … oh yeah, it’s on people’s minds!

Elle Cordova – The Day The Robots Rise — a fun little parody song … or a warning

“AI Has Reached A Tipping Point, The World Is About To Change Forever, And My Head Hurts”

When AI writes an obituary, it gets the job done!  Well …. sort of.

AI Obituary

Karl Sharro - AI Jobs Creativity

Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Tom, WOWI Session

Anna Cosper – Illustrator, Book Designer, Frolicker

Have you been frolicking enough? We started this interview with a question from her website. Anna Cosper helped produce and publish the most recent edition of a familiar Whidbey favorite, Hometown Heroes*. That’s enough of an accomplishment, as well as a great introduction to dozens of the island’s heroes. But she also is a book illustrator, who sells commissioned illustrations and paintings; a book formatter, a frequently requested skill; and a fan of artistic expression in the literary arts, but also in dance, and puppetry. A very Whidbey resume.

She took a long route to get to Whidbey Island, including the Netherlands, Myanmar, Thailand, and Botswana. Those stories alone could probably be enough for hours of presentations and talks. She even did a puppetry tour down the West Coast of the US –  by bicycle. Add that to the list of topics she can talk about from personal experience.

We didn’t talk about all of that; but much of it. Most of the hour-ish conversation was about balancing personal art projects with helping others with theirs (for a fee, as appropriate). She understands that every artist, every author, has choices to make because she has had to make those choices, too.

We also talked about Whidbey’s art community and how uncommon it is, and how that can be appealing enough to draw some people here to live, or work, or simply to visit.

Set aside a bit more than an hour to hear laughter, know that blushing was involved, and listen in as we touch of the rise of AI and its influence on the arts.

Oh yeah, and frolicking – that was the first thing she answered. (To be alerted about the release of her series of cards and other frolicking products sign up at annacosper.com/artforall.) And, remember, at its core, everything is memoir. Sounds like a good bumper sticker.

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 42 – Anna Cosper – Illustrator, Book Designer, Frolicker

Contact

  • Book websites: HometownHeroes2.org * and OnWingsOfWonder.com
  • Professional Website – AnnaCosper.com
  • Instagram – @annamakesbooks

* 100% of all proceeds go to either the South Whidbey Schools Foundation, WAIF animal shelter, or Island Senior Resources.

Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Tom, WOWI Session

Luke Kruger-Howard – Graphic Novelist and Ambassador for Cartooning

white board art Coupeville Library
Random white board art not by Luke Kruger_Howard — although similarly fun to discover!

Graphic novelist. There’s a term that can be mis-understood. Is that a novelist who is graphic? No. Luke Kruger-Howard is a graphic novelist from the cartoonist side of things. He considers himself an ambassador for cartooning. Cartooning stretches from doodles to Dilbert to the other end of the spectrum like anime and Maus. There’s a lot out there.

Luke talked about realities of being printed in the New Yorker, and what to do when their response is a rejection letter. Some of his work is single-panel, but much of it is longer form, hence, graphic novelist. He’s also modern enough that he doesn’t limit himself to the boundaries of a page. Hello, infinite scrolling online. Regardless he continues to have “a romantic relationship with the printed page.”

Creating the art is one thing, actually many things; but he also taught cartooning and book-making at the Center for Cartoon Studies. His move to Whidbey now means he gets to teach things like potty-training to two small humans, a temporary gig. While he is here he is interested in getting involved in art-making classes for kids. Hello, Whidbey’s schools and art organizations.

Throw in some philosophical work regarding the impact of money on creativity – and this description will fall short of the breadth and depth of Luke in this one hour conversation. Imagine if we talked for two.

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 43 – Luke Kruger-Howard, graphic novelist and ambassador for cartooning

Contact

flying ace author writer jeep QR Code book cover art
There are flying aces, and then there are author aces…
Don, In-Person, Tom, WOWI Session

Just Tom And Don And A Bit Of Randomness

author
See Tom

Well, that didn’t go as planned; but it may have come out better. Don and I decided to book ourselves for the last interview of the year. Gaps in our schedules coincided, Coupeville Library was nice enough to let us use their meeting room, and the two of us sat down to talk about Don’s books and projects, and my books and projects. We did that, but the conversation drifted over to what life is like for authors in the shopping and selling season. 

Bake cookies author food recipe
See Don

We also talked about the value of talking to other members of our writing community. Writing does not have to be a solo venture. Fellow writers can provide insights into how readers perceive a book. The author may have one intent, but readers may find something else that is not obvious to someone who wrote, edited, and repeatedly read the book before it was published. Bicycling books may appeal to RV owners. Travel books may appeal to people from countries that weren’t visited or even mentioned. 

Tom Don bagpipe presentation Scotland speaking
See Tom and Don in the library

This podcast has become an unplanned, informal, yet possibly useful resource built from the contributions and interviews of dozens of members of Whidbey Island’s writing community. Book store owners can bring some reality to expectations. Librarians can point to overlooked resources for research or even funding. Writers from your genre undoubtedly have encountered surprises, the good ones the bad ones and the weird ones. Successful and failed campaigns are useful as long as we learn from them. And, of course, writers can support writers simply by listening to frustrations or understanding otherwise obscure celebrations. (You finally found the right font!)

Thanks to everyone who participates by listening, being interviewed, and sharing.

I hope you enjoy the podcast, and I hope your sales treat you well.

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 42 – Don And Tom And Marketing

 

Some self-promotion which should have no shame involved (because each completed work is a celebration):

Don Scoby

Patriotic bagpipe sheet music food recipe cook bookWebsites
Whidbey Island Baking Company
BagpiperDon.com

Books

Tom Trimbath

Website – TrimbathCreative.net
Email – tetrimbath@gmail.com
Narratives – Amazon Author page

Books

  • Just Keep Pedaling, a bicycle ride across America (one man’s failed attempt to lose weight, really)
  • Twelve Months at Barclay Lake – from the wet side of Washington’s Cascades (party party)
  • Twelve Months at Lake Valhalla – from the cold crest of the Cascades (frozen more than thawed)
  • Twelve Months at Merritt Lake – from the dry side of the Cascades (with more than a whiff of smoke)
  • Dream. Invest. Live. – personal finance for frugal folks (by request)
    Walking Thinking Drinking Across Scotland – but could’ve used more drinking
  • Kettle Pot Cup – a light-hearted look at the way we really drink tea
  • Firewatcher – book one of the Exodus/Genesis sci-fi series

Photo essays – Blurb https://www.blurb.com/user/tetrimbath

  • Twelve Months at Cultus Bay
  • Twelve Months at Deception Pass
  • Twelve Months at Admiralty Head
  • Twelve Months at Penn Cove
  • Twelve Months at Double Bluff
  • Twelve Months at Maxwelton Beach
  • Twelve Months at Possession Beach
  • Twelve Months at Possession Preserve
  • Twelve Months at Dugualla Bay
Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Lauren, Tom, WOWI Session

Lauren Flake – Laughing Into Her Lapel –  Fantasy novelist and writers group founder

Laugh into your lapel. Laugh into your lapel as if you were covering a cough or a sneeze, but laugh into your lapel because you don’t want to be embarrassed by laughing so hard, or at least she did. Our interview with Lauren Flake was fun; but maybe we were laughing as we tried to keep warm as the room heated up. Lauren was nice enough to meet us at South Whidbey Commons on a chilly Saturday morning to talk about her work developing a fantasy novel, as well as her efforts to start a writers group. Digressions and detours occurred.

Lauren may be at the resurgence of writers groups on the island. This blog/podcast has somehow been seen as a possible source of news about writers groups. Thanks, but that’s probably more from a lack of options rather than from any obvious expertise. Coincidentally, the previous two days also included renewed interest in writers groups, so naturally we took the hint and talked about what could happen, what might already be happening, and some of what has already happened. Without a writers association writers groups lost a repository or at least a directory of various groups. Maybe something could be coordinated with Sno-Isle (or maybe leveraging the Foundation Grants to Individuals (GTI) database) or Whidbey Island Arts Council (and joining WIAC does Not require an invitation.) Maybe all it takes is someone like Lauren. Listen in to hear about her approach using Facebook.

Naturally her main goal is to develop, finish, and publish her fantasy novel; which could also become a series. She talked about world building, inspirations, and progress. Books don’t have to be developed as a solid block of work with no preliminaries. She’s using short stories to explore her world and the characters within it. There are advantages to taking small bites.

Her work in progress is one motivation for finding or, if necessary, creating the right writers group because a writer develops their writing as they write; but that kind of development does not have to be done in isolation.

So where does the laughing into lapels happen? For that you’ll have to listen to the podcast.

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 41 – Lauren Flake – fantasy novelist and writers group founder

Contact:
Lauren Flake on Facebook
Lauren Flake on Instagram
or via laureneflake@yahoo.com

 

Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Tom, WOWI Session

Katrina Morse – Adult Services Librarian

Say the word ‘money’ and people either have their ears perk up or their eyes glaze over. How about if it is money for your projects? Sno-Isle Libraries’ Freeland Library has become one of the few homes for a database of grants, a source of people and organizations who want to fund people and organizations who have projects and ideas, but who don’t have the money they need. We were lucky enough to talk with Katrina Morse, an Adult Services Librarian who has the task of showing artists, creatives, and advocates how to use the Foundation Grants to Individuals (GTI) database. This is for individual people. Non-profits can benefit, too with the Foundation Directory Online. There are over 10,000 grantmakers on GTI, which is a good thing, but it is also why its best to have a guide like Katrina.

Believe it or not, if you have an idea there just might be someone out there who wants to fund people willing to work on that idea. Research a region? Organize a community? Develop a facility or resource? There’s no guarantee, but there is a possibility. Why say no to an idea until you’ve found out if someone has already said yes, at least to financing it?

Katrina did a great job of teaching Don and I about some aspect of the database tool then listening to us start playing with ideas. Could there be some way to travel to an area that’s going to be in your next book? Someone might care about that region, wherever it is. We’re hearing about writers seeking writers groups. That might be something to organize on more than a volunteer basis. Do we writers need a coworks or a sound studio or a meeting place? That might be handy, and maybe someone wants to encourage the arts in places that aren’t in ‘The Big City’. And maybe not. But maybe.

It is obvious that Katrina can get introduced to lots of passionate people, and funnel them to a source that is otherwise not readily available. This is something that has to be accessed onsite, a bit old-fashioned in that regard; but imagine what this service was like recently, when lots of it was bound and printed and only available by traveling to central locations like Seattle. To get access on Whidbey is a great improvement.

Listen in to what she has to say, and maybe contact her directly about how she can help. Imagine finding funding for organizing classes – or maybe even a writers conference. We won’t know until we ask.

Guidestar, the nonprofit directory: – https://guidestar.candid.org/profile-best-practices/

Candid (the nonprofit that oversees the Foundation Directory) – https://learning.candid.org/training/.

If you need to incorporate:

https://learning.candid.org/resources/knowledge-base/starting-a-nonprofit/
https://learning.candid.org/training/courses/is-starting-a-nonprofit-right-for-you/
https://learning.candid.org/resources/knowledge-base/pros-and-cons/

One example of a writers group: Third Thursdays Online Writer’s Group through Sno-Isle Libraries: – https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=third%20thursdays%20writers

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 40 – Katrina Morse – Adult Services Librarian, South Whidbey

Katrina Morse – Adult Services Librarian, South Whidbey

360.331.7323 x6205

kmorse@sno-isle.org

www.sno-isle.org

Blog Post, Don, In-Person, Tom, Workshop

Getting Ready For Our October 15 Self-Publishing Workshop

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Our workshop about self publishing is coming soon. October 15th we’ll be conducting an all-day (9AM-9PM) workshop: From Inspiration To Publication. In one day we’ll discuss topics from writing to editing to formatting to publishing to selling your book. 

The previous time we made the presentation was at the local library (thank you, Sno-Isle Libraries and the Friends of Langley Library); and we covered as much as we could in under a couple of hours. It was a bit of a rush. (#massiveunderstatement) This time we’ll give each topic more time. We’re also hosting it in downtown Coupeville, at the Rec Hall, so the setting is sweet, again. 

But what should you bring?

The good news is that you don’t need to bring much, but you can also bring a lot. Whatever way you prefer to take notes, laptop or paper, bring it. (Sorry, no recordings for privacy concerns.) You may just have an idea or you have a completed manuscript; either way there’s enough to get started with. Don’t be surprised if we ask you to describe your project in three sentences. Aside from that, Coupeville has the rest like plenty of restaurants. Park at the building. Pay that day. (check, cash, PayPal) Take breaks if you need to. 

We’ll have wi-fi and presentations, of course, but we’ll also bring publishing and merchandising examples. The very nature of the presentation means we’ll also have the props and support ideas that we use when we present our books at readings and signings.

Don’t worry about signing up. We appreciate knowing how many people to expect, but this is an island thing. There’s no need to be formal. 

We’ll start at 9AM, but should have the doors open before then. We’ll close at 9PM, but there will be breaks throughout the day. We have a schedule but will be flexible because we’ll try to emphasize what you want to work on.

There’s always more to say, but it may be best to hear your questions directly from you. (Contact us)

Looking forward to it!

Don, Guest Interview, Online, Tom, WOWI Session

Amy Gulick In The Trees

Amy Gulick outdoor nature photographer author Alaska salmon treesNature photographer, author, and presenter Amy Gulick kindly took a recent afternoon for a WOWI interview with Tom and myself.  Having spent time in Alaska studying the ecology and wildlife, she has made sense of the heavy sciencey-stuff and presents it in her books, such-as “Salmon In The Trees”.

Amy was great to meet with, and clearly is one of the most animated guests I can remember in our nearly three years of podcasting.  The passion for her work drove this episode, and was a joy to personally experience. I have no doubt our listeners will be similar thrilled to listen to this WOWI session! ALASKA

Find out about Amy Gulick and her work everywhere online:

Also find her at AnnenbergPhotoSpace.org, SalmonInTheTrees.org, CrossCut.com, TheSalmonWay.org, BiArtMuseum.org, BraidedRiver.org, Nanpa.org, GirlsWhoClick.org, SafinaCenter.org, SalmonNation.net, and ExploreGreen.com.

Don, Guest Interview, In-Person, Sarah, Tom, WOWI Session

Sarah McCarthy-Allen Mixing Fantasy And Physics

Sarah McCarthy Allen McCarthy-Allen author writer Shadow Mage

Take one genre; there will be enough to talk about. Take a second genre and the same thing is true. Take two genres that are opposing, like fiction and non-fiction, then sometimes keep them separate and sometimes overlap them and the matrix of possibilities becomes multi-dimensional. So goes, or went, our conversation with Sarah McCarthy and Sarah Allen as we talked about her career steering through fiction titles and non-fiction titles, respectively. At least she kept the same first name for both.

Sarah has a degree in physics (impressive), has studied cognitive psychology (which would seem to help with characters), and now tutors physics students. And then on the fictional side of life; “Fantasy novels are basically goal-oriented extended camping trips and magic is just alternate-reality physics, so this worked out well”

Newtons Laws book Sarah McCarthy-Allen

Good luck guessing which is what with titles like, Newton’s Laws: A Fairy Tale (approachable non-fiction) and The Eidolons of Myrefall (fiction for sure.) And in both cases, check out her cover designs.

She not only is working in more than one genre, but also has a tendency to work in, or on, series as a soloist and in collaborations. 

Successful authors frequently are required to make the leap from introvert as a writer to extrovert as a business person. Sarah has managed to not so much leap as stretch from her introverted base to successfully conduct marketing and sales campaigns by using a few online tools very well. Her efficiency may also explain her productivity because a quick count of her titles suggests a publication rate of about one book per year, with hints that she may be able to do more.

book Sarah McCarthy-AllenAnd she’s not stopping. There are other series to write, and with each series it sounds like she is tutoring herself in how to become a career author.

Listen in. By the way, this podcast was recorded in a park with kids running around, parents on smartphones, and a gracious groundskeeper who saw our recording rig then steered away until we were done. Whidbey Island, a place where even landscapers support writers and authors.

Writing on Whidbey Island (WOWI) episode 37 – Sarah McCarthy/Allen – author of non-fiction and fiction, tutor of science

Links

  • Her fiction author page – Sarah McCarthy
  • Her non-fiction page – Sarah Allen
  • Her (ninja!) website – https://sarahmccarthy.ninja/

Facebook pages