P.A. O'Neil's Blog, page 2

Look, Ma, I'm a poet!

One of the reasons I contemplated becoming a writer fifty years ago was a free verse poem I wrote that caught the attention of my teacher. She arranged for me to attend a youth writing conference where I got to meet Frank Herbert*

It took half a century more, but I have written another poem and submitted it for publication. I'm pleased to announce that, "A War Story", has been accepted for Poetica #20. This is a Clarendon House Publication and will be released at a later date.

*good times

Sherlock Holmes is alive and well.

The other day, I purchased Nicholas Meyer's new Sherlock Holmes book. His first book, The Seven Percent Solution, demonstrated that there was life Holmes and Watson beyond the Friday Late Night Movies.

It has been said, my book would've pleased Doyle. I wonder what Mr. Meyer would think? How about you? Find out for yourself by reading Two Sides of the Same Coin.

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Sides-Same...?

P.A. O'Neil: Rule Breaker

One of the classes I attended recently was led by an editor where she discussed "Dialogue". What the do's and don't's are in today's society. At the end of the class, I told her I had broken at least three of her rules when writing successful stories. One was using improper language and grammar throughout the story. The other was having some characters noticeably speaking different from the others. And finally, not only using dialogue/action tags judiciously, but I had a story that used none at all.

The reason I bring this up is because all three stories have become fan favorites and have lived well beyond my book, Witness Testimony and Other Tales. I ended my private conversation with the instructor with, "don't be afraid to challenge the editor." She actually agreed because sometimes the author knows best.

Witness Testimony and Other Tales is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Testim...?

P.A. O'Neil: Rule Breaker

One of the classes I attended recently was led by an editor where she discussed "Dialogue". What the do's and don't's are in today's society. At the end of the class, I told her I had broken at least three of her rules when writing successful stories. One was using improper language and grammar throughout the story. The other was having some characters noticeably speaking different from the others. And finally, not only using dialogue/action tags judiciously, but I had a story that used none at all.

The reason I bring this up is because all three stories have become fan favorites and have lived well beyond my book, Witness Testimony and Other Tales. I ended my private conversation with the instructor with, "don't be afraid to challenge the editor." She actually agreed because sometimes the author knows best.

Witness Testimony and Other Tales is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Testim...?

Another acceptance!

September is turning out to be a great month. today I received another acceptance for a story, "View from the Top," by Author Lifestyle and Book Talk Magazine.

All Charged Up!

I attended a writers' Conference yesterday and came home with renewed enthusiasm. Thank you again to the people of the Southwest Washington Writers Conference for their hard work and support.

Journeys IV

Please join me in celebrating the acceptance of my story, "The Faerie Ring", in the latest Journey anthology. This would make a story in all four volumes.

Journeys IV

Please join me in celebrating the acceptance of my story, "The Faerie Ring", in the latest Journey anthology. This would make a story in all four volumes.

Gratitude!

Thank you, whomever, who gave a 5-Star rating to Two Sides of the Same Coin: In-between stories of Sherlock Holmes and John H. Watson.

I wish you had written a review so I could be a little more personal in my statement, but heck, a win is a win! Blessings y'all!

Have you ever been to the Ellensburg Rodeo?

Yesterday, when I was antiquing in Packwood, I was reminded about how most of the folks there followed on over the mountains to visit the Enumclaw Rodeo, held every Labor Day weekend.

In honor of that event, I wanted to share my award-winning essay about the history of this grand event. "Northwest Passage" tells how it began over a hundred years ago from a humble community gathering to the international competition it is today.

You can find the essay in the Summer 2022 edition of the Saddlebag dispatches Magazine.

https://www.amazon.com/Saddlebag-Disp...?