I attended the Northern Virginia Writers Club monthly meeting on Saturday, and the Guest Speaker turned out to be exceptional.  Adele Levine is one of those truly gifted people (down to earth and just a real delight to know), and her book - Run, Don't Walk - sounded like a book that all military, military family members, those who support our returning wounded service members, and those who ever wondered about what they might be going through should read. 

I'm very much looking forward to reading it, and as always, posting my thoughts in a review of the book in the coming days.  Meanwhile, here is one of the many reviews, just to whet your appetite...

"An amputee rehabilitation center is a crucible of emotion, and this book throbs with the pulse of a human heart.  The characters are hilarious, harsh, eccentric, brave, and real, portrayed with tenderness and unflinching honesty.  Yet Levine moved me more with what she didn't say.  A master of understatement, she paints a picture of what it's like to work at this strange job, patching up broken soldiers only to be sent back to war - and tells her own story, setting her own sorrows and struggles beside the pain of her amputee patients."

-Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine-

The Veterans Writing Project had extremely in-depth sessions on all aspects of writing.   The seminar was presented in an atmosphere conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an comfortable and safe environment for veterans to discuss their experience.  My eyes were opened to many aspects of the publishing and writing business that I had not yet considered.  I was also pleased to meet some very interesting veterans from the United States military as well and veterans from Australia.   Gathering with those who share your interests and experience is a great way to bring you closer to your writing goals and it really helps to unlock the ideas and stories that you have stored in your brain housing group.   This session emphasized telling your own story.

As a part of the curriculum for the seminar we were presented with Writing War - A Guide To Telling Your Own Story.  The seminar was presented by Ron Capps.   Ron founded and directs the Veterans Writing Project.  He wrote the curriculum and teaches for the National Endowment for the Arts' Operation Homecoming expressive and creative writing programs at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

I was impressed by the thoroughness of the presentation and the involvement of the participants.  I would recommend this seminar to those interested in learning how to get their story down in writing.  Everyone has a story - you just need to tools to get it into a tangible form.  Ron's seminar and materials help you acquire those capabilities.  

Had a terrific time with my friend Clint Goodwin at Prospero Books.
 
These events are illuminating and invigorating.   It was a pleasure being a part of this event.

Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory gives you the story as told through the horses eyes. What a novel way to tell a tale.  The inventive way that authors like Clint tell a story is quite enlightening. 

You can read my review of the book on my blog.

Prospero's Books has a broad inventory of used books numbering about 85,000 volumes. We have a well-organized selection of both non-fiction and fiction as well as a rapidly growing inventory of antique maps and prints. Our civil war collection is one of the best in the area.

Thanks to Clint for making me feel welcome and showing me how he does his thing.

I made a new friend, and really enjoyed the book reading and discussion with Ron Capps, about his book "Seriously Not All Right - 5 Wars in 10 Years" at Politics and Prose in DC on Saturday.

The goal of Politics and Prose as stated years ago is "The bookstore will offer superior service and unusual book choices;  it will serve as a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books.”"

Their staff loves books and enjoys helping customers find books they will enjoy reading. They see the store as a fun place to be, to shop, and to work in. We chat with customers.

Seriously Not All Right - 5 Wars in 10years"  Jul 12 2014 3:30 pm

-- "From military intelligence to the Foreign Service, Capps has gained a rounded view of war. Of many wars, that is. His memoir revisits Kosovo, Darfur, and Afghanistan and chronicles the war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and genocide that left him with PTSD but that also motivated him to found the Veterans Writing Project, a nonprofit offering writing seminars and workshops for veterans, active and reserve service members, and military family members."   (Schaffner)

Thanks Ron - I enjoyed myself.