Tom Williams's Blog, page 2
July 5, 2023
Letters Listed
My book “Letters to a G.I.” is listed in the “Creative Juices” section of the Kentucky Alumni magazine, Summer 2023 edition, on page 55.
Tom Williams … has written “Letters to a G.I.: An Intimate Journey from Friendship to Love” which tells the true story of a three-year courtship and love story by mail between a switchboard operator and a soldier in 1971.
The listing also mentions my two other books, “President You” and “My Life in Lists.”
An additional listing is contained in the “Member Books” portion of Military Officer magazine, July 2023, page 68.
You can purchase a paperback or e-book copy on Amazon or visit my website https://allwetpublishing.com for book details and place your order with Amazon.
Tom Williams … has written “Letters to a G.I.: An Intimate Journey from Friendship to Love” which tells the true story of a three-year courtship and love story by mail between a switchboard operator and a soldier in 1971.
The listing also mentions my two other books, “President You” and “My Life in Lists.”
An additional listing is contained in the “Member Books” portion of Military Officer magazine, July 2023, page 68.
You can purchase a paperback or e-book copy on Amazon or visit my website https://allwetpublishing.com for book details and place your order with Amazon.
May 23, 2023
Lists
What is a list? In short, it is a cue card, a reminder, a memory jogger.
How many lists do you make or use without even thinking – it is second nature. Grocery lists are probably the most common. This time of year, activities related to school graduation might form the basis for lists. Traditionally, the wedding month of June fosters visions of lists. Vacations require lists of where to go, how to get there, what to do, what to pack. There are lists of meetings to attend, telephone calls to make, e-mails to sort through, messages to answer, social media to respond, programs to watch, places to be, games to play, and a host of other activities.
One must ask, “Throughout life’s journey, will today’s grocery list be remembered ten, thirty, fifty years from now?” Shouldn’t lists have greater meaning?
That is the idea behind “My Life in Lists.” The booklet is designed as your single source of personal lists filled with memorable people, places, things, and events — occurrences in your life you want to preserve, remember, and recall years from now. Each page is a cue card, every word and phrase reminders and memory joggers, catalysts for tales to share with family or friends.
Start your lists today. Buy one at
https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Lists-...
How many lists do you make or use without even thinking – it is second nature. Grocery lists are probably the most common. This time of year, activities related to school graduation might form the basis for lists. Traditionally, the wedding month of June fosters visions of lists. Vacations require lists of where to go, how to get there, what to do, what to pack. There are lists of meetings to attend, telephone calls to make, e-mails to sort through, messages to answer, social media to respond, programs to watch, places to be, games to play, and a host of other activities.
One must ask, “Throughout life’s journey, will today’s grocery list be remembered ten, thirty, fifty years from now?” Shouldn’t lists have greater meaning?
That is the idea behind “My Life in Lists.” The booklet is designed as your single source of personal lists filled with memorable people, places, things, and events — occurrences in your life you want to preserve, remember, and recall years from now. Each page is a cue card, every word and phrase reminders and memory joggers, catalysts for tales to share with family or friends.
Start your lists today. Buy one at
https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Lists-...
April 19, 2023
Spring Cleaning and Paint
What do you think of when you hear the words “Spring Cleaning?”
For many it is put away winter clothes and bring out the summer digs. To others it means put into storage snow shovels, throwers and breakout lawn mowers, yard tools. Still more may replace skis and sleds with bicycles and ATVs. Some may decide to clean out closets and host a garage sale. This year, for me, it was paint.
It had been 15 years since I last painted my finished garage. I was going to use a combination of old garage color (2008) combined with one inside house wall color (2009) and a different inside color (2017) and finally a third bathroom color (2019). I figured I had enough to either paint each garage wall a different color, or just mix everything into one unique blend. Well, I eventually settled on 3 gallons of new paint – same color. Nothing like a freshly painted wall to give the place a new look.
Have a great Spring – whatever your project.
For many it is put away winter clothes and bring out the summer digs. To others it means put into storage snow shovels, throwers and breakout lawn mowers, yard tools. Still more may replace skis and sleds with bicycles and ATVs. Some may decide to clean out closets and host a garage sale. This year, for me, it was paint.
It had been 15 years since I last painted my finished garage. I was going to use a combination of old garage color (2008) combined with one inside house wall color (2009) and a different inside color (2017) and finally a third bathroom color (2019). I figured I had enough to either paint each garage wall a different color, or just mix everything into one unique blend. Well, I eventually settled on 3 gallons of new paint – same color. Nothing like a freshly painted wall to give the place a new look.
Have a great Spring – whatever your project.
April 4, 2023
When and Where to Write
Since I became a published author, I have met, listened, spoken, and “zoomed” with several other professionals who write books. Those information exchanges lead me to conclude we authors have one thing in common, as well as a key difference.
The commonality we all share is the establishment of “our” place in which to write. For some, a detached, single-car garage has been converted into a studio. Others built in the backyard a mini-cottage or closed-in gazebo for refuge. Most took over a college-bound student’s bedroom. Many, like me, occupy space in a finished basement. Regardless the site, when “in residence” Do Not Disturb is often understood.
What distinguishes us from each other is when we put pen to parchment, type to paper, or keystrokes to computer screen. Some authors are much disciplined. They set aside the same hours, on the same days, for the same amount of time. Others focus on writing a certain number of words each time they enter their sanctuary. As for me, I fall into two categories. One, when the idea strikes and words flow I type until the notion ebbs – no matter how long it takes. On the other hand, I’ll generate a concept and talk it through, either out loud during the day or quietly over and over in my head at night until I go to sleep. Once the thought becomes cogent, it gets written down — or discarded.
Regardless the place or time of creation, readers enjoy the product authors’ produce.
The commonality we all share is the establishment of “our” place in which to write. For some, a detached, single-car garage has been converted into a studio. Others built in the backyard a mini-cottage or closed-in gazebo for refuge. Most took over a college-bound student’s bedroom. Many, like me, occupy space in a finished basement. Regardless the site, when “in residence” Do Not Disturb is often understood.
What distinguishes us from each other is when we put pen to parchment, type to paper, or keystrokes to computer screen. Some authors are much disciplined. They set aside the same hours, on the same days, for the same amount of time. Others focus on writing a certain number of words each time they enter their sanctuary. As for me, I fall into two categories. One, when the idea strikes and words flow I type until the notion ebbs – no matter how long it takes. On the other hand, I’ll generate a concept and talk it through, either out loud during the day or quietly over and over in my head at night until I go to sleep. Once the thought becomes cogent, it gets written down — or discarded.
Regardless the place or time of creation, readers enjoy the product authors’ produce.
March 21, 2023
Cats and Cancer
From the time I was a child up to my first few years of marriage, my family possessed cats and dogs. Back then, the only time one of our animals saw a veterinarian was to get its annual rabies shot. Our animals passed away for three reasons; old age, hit by a car, or ran away and never came back. Such things as spaying, neutering, teeth cleaning, or periodic wellness exams were never considered. Nowadays, those activities are routine.
At a teeth cleaning for our feline Nora, the Vet found a cyst-like growth on the bottom of the tongue. It was squamous cell carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer. All too often it is not found until the disease has metastasized in the animal’s jawbone, lymph nodes, lungs, and other bones. At that point, life expectancy is reduced to three to six months. Luckily, for Nora, the tumor was very small - it was found early. The animal hospital was able to remove the tumor, in total. The margins were clear. No radiation or chemotherapy was necessary, neither was a feeding tube. Now, a year later, Nora is still cancer free.
Our recommendation – take your animals in for exams, especially where the cat, or dog, is anesthetized so your Vet can get a good look in its mouth. In our case, that is where the cancer began.
At a teeth cleaning for our feline Nora, the Vet found a cyst-like growth on the bottom of the tongue. It was squamous cell carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer. All too often it is not found until the disease has metastasized in the animal’s jawbone, lymph nodes, lungs, and other bones. At that point, life expectancy is reduced to three to six months. Luckily, for Nora, the tumor was very small - it was found early. The animal hospital was able to remove the tumor, in total. The margins were clear. No radiation or chemotherapy was necessary, neither was a feeding tube. Now, a year later, Nora is still cancer free.
Our recommendation – take your animals in for exams, especially where the cat, or dog, is anesthetized so your Vet can get a good look in its mouth. In our case, that is where the cancer began.
January 28, 2023
Busy as a Bee – January Book Sale and Signing
My writer’s imagination creates the idea that many of you, like me, have been very busy the past few weeks. One with the air travels fiasco. Another is the more pleasant celebration of holidays with family and friends. A third may be closing out 2022 and getting ready for 2023, especially, if you own and operate a business. As they say, the tax man cometh. Fourth, perhaps, helping youngsters return to school or college. For me, in addition to those, I was getting ready for my first of this year’s book signing and sales events. Thanks to a local businesswoman who offered a space in her coffee shop. Turnout was lacking, as were sales. We blamed the weather forecast of 2 – 4 inches of snow and the idea people headed to the grocery stores instead.
January 18, 2023
Valentine's Day Gifts
Romance. Flowers. Engagement Rings. Published local author Tom Williams offers his latest work “Letters to a G.I.” It is a young woman’s Journey from Friendship to Love, her Courtship by Mail.
Meet Tom and purchase a copy at his upcoming book signing and sales event on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop, 2063 E Santa Fe, Olathe, KS 66062.
Visit https://allwetpublishing.com for book details on this and other available works. Sale prices at this event are 20% below Amazon.
Additional information found at Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop: Website: https://www.sweetteescoffeeshop.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/sweetteescoffeeshop Instagram: http://instagram.com/sweetteescoffee
Meet Tom and purchase a copy at his upcoming book signing and sales event on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop, 2063 E Santa Fe, Olathe, KS 66062.
Visit https://allwetpublishing.com for book details on this and other available works. Sale prices at this event are 20% below Amazon.
Additional information found at Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop: Website: https://www.sweetteescoffeeshop.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/sweetteescoffeeshop Instagram: http://instagram.com/sweetteescoffee
December 20, 2022
Book Signing and Sale
At last week’s Local Author Event hosted by The Green Door Book Store and Gift Shoppe. I met other authors and publishers and interacted with booklovers. The added benefit was the opportunity to discuss my books; and I sold a few.
December 13, 2022
Why and What to Write (Part V)
This is the last installment of my ‘Why and What to Write’ series.
Authors express themselves through the art of writing. Early stories were epistles in the form of cuneiform, Linear B impressed into clay tablets, and hieroglyphics on papyrus. Eventually, words were created and written using the inventions of paper, feather quills dipped into ink, lead pencils, and fountain or ballpoint pens. Various technological revolutions produced mechanical and electric typewriters as new means to capture ideas. Today, writing includes voice-activated, self-typing digitized computer software. Regardless the medium used, one constant remains — the desire by the author for his or her work to be read.
What is to be written and ultimately read? The topics are endless. “Information’s out there. You just have to let it in,” is often stated by one of Robert B. Parker’s characters in the film adaptation of his Jesse Stone books. Personally, as an author, I like to think the stories are out there, and as a writer I just have to let them in. Once a subject is adopted, why write about it?
I believe authors possess an inner creature, a voice if you will, striving to be set free. For some authors their inner being melds with his or her outer self at an early age. As one who began writing later in life, my inner beastie is breaking its mental bonds and escaping through the facade of outer flesh. At this point in my writing, the written word is the means by which my inner freedom is achieved.
As stated in the beginning of this commentary series, authors and writers bring the “Interesting” to life. I endeavor to bring to life, for the reader, those stories I let enter.
Authors express themselves through the art of writing. Early stories were epistles in the form of cuneiform, Linear B impressed into clay tablets, and hieroglyphics on papyrus. Eventually, words were created and written using the inventions of paper, feather quills dipped into ink, lead pencils, and fountain or ballpoint pens. Various technological revolutions produced mechanical and electric typewriters as new means to capture ideas. Today, writing includes voice-activated, self-typing digitized computer software. Regardless the medium used, one constant remains — the desire by the author for his or her work to be read.
What is to be written and ultimately read? The topics are endless. “Information’s out there. You just have to let it in,” is often stated by one of Robert B. Parker’s characters in the film adaptation of his Jesse Stone books. Personally, as an author, I like to think the stories are out there, and as a writer I just have to let them in. Once a subject is adopted, why write about it?
I believe authors possess an inner creature, a voice if you will, striving to be set free. For some authors their inner being melds with his or her outer self at an early age. As one who began writing later in life, my inner beastie is breaking its mental bonds and escaping through the facade of outer flesh. At this point in my writing, the written word is the means by which my inner freedom is achieved.
As stated in the beginning of this commentary series, authors and writers bring the “Interesting” to life. I endeavor to bring to life, for the reader, those stories I let enter.
November 30, 2022
Local Author Event
Join Tom, and other authors, at The Green Door Book Store and Gift Shoppe for their Annual Group Author Event! As an Inflation Buster, Tom will sign and sell his books at 20% below Amazon price.
This year's line-up will include best-selling authors Jen Mann, Denise Grover Swank, Jim Cosgrove, Becky Blades, Anne Kniggendorf, Kristy Nerstheimer, and Eric Reynolds. Also meet up and coming and debut authors Amber Logan, Natalie Cammaratta, Jane Perry, Kristen Heath, Olivia Hill, and Heather and Steve Ventura.
We'll have live music performed by Silhouette Music KC, and delicious treats by Sage Bites Bistro. So bring a friend and come meet your favorite author and discover a new one!
See you there, on Saturday, 10 December, 4 – 6 pm, in the Stanley Station Shopping Center, at 7713 W. 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223.
This year's line-up will include best-selling authors Jen Mann, Denise Grover Swank, Jim Cosgrove, Becky Blades, Anne Kniggendorf, Kristy Nerstheimer, and Eric Reynolds. Also meet up and coming and debut authors Amber Logan, Natalie Cammaratta, Jane Perry, Kristen Heath, Olivia Hill, and Heather and Steve Ventura.
We'll have live music performed by Silhouette Music KC, and delicious treats by Sage Bites Bistro. So bring a friend and come meet your favorite author and discover a new one!
See you there, on Saturday, 10 December, 4 – 6 pm, in the Stanley Station Shopping Center, at 7713 W. 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223.
