Sandy Deutscher Green's Blog, page 4
January 6, 2015
Twofer Tuesday – New Beginnings 2015
“Making the beginning is one-third of the work.” — Irish Proverb
and
“Don’t be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That’s only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself.”– Olga Korbut
Filed under: Photos Tagged: gymnastics, inspirational quotes, Irish proverbs, new beginnings, Olga Korbut, quotes
December 7, 2014
It’s Cold Outside! So Keep Dancing! (Or, At Least Read About It!)
Recently, a dance magazine and an Irish culture magazine featured No One’s Watching in their current issues!
Dance Informa called and interviewed me about how my dance experience in both the ballet and Irish dance worlds inspired me to write about what happens to the main character when these forms of dance collide (or even better, when they mesh)!
In Celtic Guide magazine (page 24), I wrote that while waiting for my daughter to compete at an Irish dance competition (feis), I broadened the story idea from being ballet focused to include Irish dance. Then I turned the tables and interviewed editor Jim McQuiston about his experience in the publishing industry.
Thanks to daughter Olivia! And thanks to all the wonderful magazines who featured my story in their pages… Dance Informa, Celtic Guide, Irish Dancing and Culture Magazine, Celtic Life International, and Dance Spirit magazine!
Filed under: Dance, Family, Photos Tagged: ballet, Celtic Guide, Celtic Life International, dance, dance books, dance experience, Dance Informa, dance magazine, Dance Spirit, feis, Irish dance, Irish dance books, Irish dance competition, Irish dance dress, Irish Dancing and Culture, Irish heritage, Oireachtas, teen lit
November 27, 2014
Make Ahead Apple Pie – The Rest of the Story
Originally posted on The Sandy Side of Life:
The Make Now Bake Later apple pie fillings worked great! I baked one for Thanksgiving, and it disappeared in two days. I used one-half package of Trader Joe’s frozen pie crust to line a pan, slipped in the still frozen pie filling, and topped it with a crumb mixture. I even had enough dough from trimming the crust to roll and cut a decorative leaf.
I popped the maple leaf into the toaster oven at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes and laid it on top of the pie when the pie was done. The crumb topping was a simple mixture of 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup suger, 4 tablespoons butter, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Filed under: Photos
November 26, 2014
Celtic Guide Magazine: An Interview with Editor James McQuiston
Celtic Guide December 2014
James McQuiston, Editor of Celtic Guide magazine, was not only kind enough to take time to answer a few questions about his long and intensive publishing career, he included an article of mine in the December issue. Thanks, Jim, for sharing your fascinating journey from all aspects of newspaper production to publishing and authorship!
1. How does being a writer/artist help you choose a theme and corresponding articles for your issue?
Just as with many artists or songwriters, the inspiration for our themes come from many sources. Some ideas are sent in from contributors who have a great story to tell; some appear as questions in emails from our readers; some we determine based on current events or documentaries we have recently watched; and finally, some are driven by the month and what is traditionally celebrated or commemorated during that month. For instance, March leans towards St. Patrick, towards holy men and women in general, towards Ireland and other related events or stories. The same is true, to some degree for April, during which National Tartan Day is celebrated, and July, during which the Battle of Red Harlaw (the bloodiest battle on Scottish soil) took place. Of course, you have the Halloween/Samhain issue and the year-end issue, which is usually a free-for-all of “gifts” from our contributors to our readers – non-fiction and fiction, poetry, music and the like.
2. How did you get into the publishing business?
At age 20 I was working outdoor construction and was offered an indoor job for the winter at my local newspaper “running a camera.” I had visions of Jimmy Olsen, from the Superman series, with his Speed Graphic box camera out there getting those last minute important shots. Instead, the job was operating a 14-foot long production camera that made negatives for the newspaper pages. This was near the beginning of the more modern offset printing process, and I was totally amazed by it all. I fell in love with print that first day. I was sent to school at Kodak headquarters in Rochester, NY, and learned along the way.
There have been many ups and downs, but I spent 43 successful years in print and publishing before semi-retiring to the Celtic Guide and other web ventures. In that time I handled just about every type of job you can imagine in this field. I went backwards to the old handset types and hothead type machines. I delved into newspaper production, high-quality print production, silk-screen, gravure and flexo printing, becoming very well-rounded in the trade. I even did a four-year stint as a Journeyman in the Graphic Communicators International Union, the highest verification of skill level in the industry.
I spent many years in management, overseeing teams of one hundred or more craftspeople. I wrote a few books. I wrote for Highlander magazine and for the Scotch-Irish Society newsletter. I produced work for the likes of Disney and Trump and many other recognizable names. I owned my own newspapers and a printshop for awhile. Mostly, I stayed up on current technology through the computer and web eras. This along with my long love of Celtic music, and Scottish-Irish heritage brought it all together in the pages of Celtic Guide.
3. Where do you find writers for your publication?
I have been so lucky that my writers, for the most part, find me. In only a few cases have I approached someone based on something they had special knowledge about, or something they had just recently written that interested me.
4. How many unsolicited proposals do you get a month?
I probably average three to four per month from new contributors. Many are accepted but some are off-the-wall, or are too fiction-based. We tried to stick with non-fiction history or at least legend except for our free-for-all issues, published once a year.
5. If you could have dinner with any writer(s)/photographer(s), who would they be and why?
I am going to assume you mean living or dead. If so, the answer is Jack London. I grew up being shocked by his on the edge portrayal of life in the Yukon, on the South Seas, wherever humans took on the elements and survived. He plays a considerable role in my book “Captain Jack: Father of the Yukon.” I think he pushed the envelope of “writing what you know.”
6. Have you ever read a proposal and was so intrigued that you immediately contacted the writer?
Yes, this happens often. I have tried to stick to taking care of business right away, so the leads or project don’t pile up. I always want the proposer to know if I am not interested, or that I am very interested, as soon as possible.
7. What is the most unusual proposal you have ever had?
Well, there have been some that fell by the wayside, but one that I did my best to cooperate with was a request for help by a group in South Africa who are trying to keep the Afrikaans language alive.
Also, I helped a Pict re-enactment group in Chile, I did a feature on a Romanian Celtic music group who is trying to organize the first Celtic Festival in that country, and in just this past December issue, I worked with a Celtic singer-songwriter from Austria. We have had collaboration with folks from 15 countries to this point, something I never would have imagined three years ago, when I started this publication.
8. What is the best way for a writer to submit to your publication?
I would say to look at the final page of the most current issue for the announcement of the next two or three themes, then send me an email with your proposal to celticguide@gmail.com. All contributions are volunteer, though we do make trade arrangements for advertising where applicable. Most aren’t concerned with that part of it, but I always try to be fair in providing an appropriate amount of ad space in return for their long-term contribution to the Guide.
A little background on James McQuiston:
James McQuiston, Editor of Celtic Guide magazine
I grew up on Celtic music. My uncle began Scottish-Irish music sessions the year I was born and continued them until I was 21. During that time I also found Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, and other Irish songsters. Though most of my music career has been spent in commercial music, I have performed Celtic music hundreds of times over the years. I also have met many of the top Celtic performers.
Meanwhile, on a parallel track I was being exposed to all types of print and publishing, as explained above. In addition, I was enamored by my own family’s very long and detailed record of history and genealogy. Finally, I traveled extensively to Scotland, Ireland, England, Nova Scotia and other European countries with Celtic backgrounds. The Celtic Guide has given me the opportunity to combine all of this into one enjoyable monthly project.
Of the books I have written, “Captain Jack: Father of the Yukon” is the most substantial. It is available at Amazon and other online booksellers. I was aided by nearly every living 
Yukon historian and even took a trip to Dawson City, Yukon, and Eagle, Alaska, which included a float down the Yukon with a First Nations member in a fishing boat with NO lifejackets. I was told that even though it was August, I’d never make it to shore, even with one. It was a wonderful trip and a wonderful experience writing the book.
I have other websites, which sorely need updated. Some perhaps to take a look at are:
http://www.fatheroftheyukon.com/
http://themountainecho.blogspot.com/
I also have more in the wings on Andrew Jackson and other subjects, as soon as time allows. Again, these all need work. Time is the enemy, I guess you could say. In the middle of all this I moved to a new house, built a fireplace, did a bunch of other remodeling and found a wee bit of time for my sailboat. As they say – There are no flies on me!
Filed under: Authors, Books, Family, Ireland Tagged: Captain Jack: Father of the Yukon, Celtic Guide, Celtic publications, Irish heritage, James McQuiston, Scottish heritage
October 12, 2014
Purple (Motorcycle Side) Car of the Weekend
Purple vehicles know no time limit as seen by this old fashioned motorcycle sidecare!
Photo credit: Elyse Vahjen
Filed under: Purple Car of the Weekend Tagged: motorcycle, old timey, purple, purple car, sidecar
October 1, 2014
A Weekly Drawing – No Art Talent Necessary!
My teen dance book, No One’s Watching, is Irish Dancing and Culture Magazine‘s Weekly Draw! Enter between October 1 – 7 for a chance to win an autographed copy and matching bookmark!
Follow directions here and enter every day to win!
This book perfectly relates to the crazy life of a dancer. – Irish Dancing and Culture magazine recommends No One’s Watching as a “great read.”
Read their review here! Or below:
Filed under: Books, Dance, Ireland Tagged: Astraea Press, ballet, free book, giveaway, Irish dance, NO ONE'S WATCHING, Sandy Green, summer camp, teenreads
September 12, 2014
No Oil Apple Cake Recipe
It’s about that time again for delicious apple recipes! Here’e one of my favorite fall recipes!
Originally posted on The Sandy Side of Life:
This sweet and moist apple cake recipe requires zero oil or butter.
APPLE HARVEST CAKE
4 cups apples
4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts
Dice apples and mix with sugar. Let stand one hour. Add remaining ingredients. Bake in a tube pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Cool in pan ten minutes and remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
Filed under: Photos
August 28, 2014
Someone’s Watching – Updates on Teen Dance Book “No One’s Watching”
Who doesn’t like a good review? Or interview? I’m happy to have had great feedback from major magazines and websites pertaining to the focus of my teen dance novel – No One’s Watching – and even happier to share them here!
Celtic Life International asked to interview me for their website about how a nice Jewish, ballet dancer like me integrated Irish dance in my teen novel. Read the interview here!
I was thrilled when Irish Dancing and Culture magazine accepted a 
copy of my book for review and even more excited to see it in their August 2014 issue. Reviewer Maeve Gillette wrote, “This book perfectly relates to the crazy life of a dancer.” But you don’t have to be a dancer to enjoy it! Or take my word for it. Read the review in its entirety below!
Compass Book Ratings website offers a service to target reading material by age, level, and content with No One’s Watching receiving a respectable four out of five stars as the reviewer called it “a cute, entertaining read for tweens and teens!”
The September issue of Dance Spirit magazine hailed No One’s Watching as their Pick-of-the-
Month. How cool is that? Love the glossy cover! I also appreciate the opportunity to participate in a giveaway as well!
So far, so good! Thanks for reading. I hope to have more updates soon!
Filed under: Authors, Books, Dance, Interviews, No One's Watching, Promotions, Writing Tagged: ballet, book promotion, Celtic, Celtic Life International, contemporary YA, dance, dance books, Dance Spirit, giveaways, Irish, Irish dance, Irish dance books, Irish Dancing and Culture, Pick of the Month, teen romance, YA novels
August 21, 2014
Interview with Civil War Historian, Larry Stephens – Part 2
Civil War historian Larry Stephens continues his interview from yesterday discussing his new historical fiction film, For Home and Country, available at larrystephens25@gmail.com.
For his movie, For Home and Country, Larry extensively researched the theme of Southerner pitted against Southerner in the context of the Civil War. He reveals how he became interested in this topic below:
For Home and Country written by and starring Larry Stephens
“Much of the South has always been overshadowed by the legacy of the Civil War. Whether we are talking about strained race relations, economic stagnation (due to local people blocking progress, or making newcomers feel unwelcome), or families simply wanting to honor their Confederate heritage by dressing up in hoop skirts and Rebel uniforms on certain holidays of the year, much of the South is still affected by the war… You don’t see this in progressive cities like Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte, but take a drive into the more rural sections of the Deep South and you will see another side.
I’m not maligning the Old South because there is something endearing about a slower pace of life and maintaining certain traditions. However, as an outsider who actually lived for five years in a particular town in Alabama, I can truthfully say that the people there were “stuck in the past.” As recently as last year, a prominent city official from this same town stated that he knew he had raised his kids right because he didn’t have to worry about them marrying outside their race. The minority groups in this same town still live in destitute poverty, and local officials want to do everything in their power to keep new businesses from moving in because it will “change our community forever.” All of this is a carryover from the Civil War, and more importantly, it reflects an “Old South” mentality. I’m not picking on this one town because this is actually a pervasive attitude that still governs much of the rural South.
More to the point, I became interested in the Civil War in the Southern Appalachians because you had large numbers of mountain folk who never wanted to fight for the Confederacy, or anybody else for that matter. They just wanted to be left alone. They did not own slaves and had no vested interest in the larger Southern economy which revolved around slavery and cotton.
It may surprise folks, but there were over 40,000 Southern men from East Tennessee and western North Carolina who actually put on the blue uniform and fought for the Union, and some historians have estimated that as many as 200,000 men from the Appalachian South hid out in the woods to escape the Confederate draft. This is an astonishing number when you consider that the total number of men who served in the Confederate Army approximated 800,000. My film, which is entitled For Home and Country, is about Southerners fighting and killing each other… This is a relatively new theme in Civil War scholarship, and only a handful of books and films have ever addressed this subject. So I became intrigued with this topic, and decided to develop it into a film. Incidentally, my Gatewood book (John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker) actually delves into this same area, though the focus is on East Tennessee
John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker
and North Georgia.
For Home and Country is about a middle-aged farmer living in Randolph County, Alabama, who just wants to sit out the war. He is drafted against his will, but decides to do his duty anyway and serve in the hope that the war will be over soon. However, a letter from his wife in late 1864 informs him that there are outlaws terrorizing their homestead and burning the homes of their neighbors. Our protagonist makes the fateful decision to desert the colors and go home to take care of his wife. In the course of making his way back, he encounters many difficulties, but the real problems begin when he arrives back in Randolph County and realizes that he is on a “hit list,” drawn up by the local authorities. The film is actually based on a true story, though most of the characters in the film are purely fictitious. However, the villain in the film was actually a real person who went around doing horrible things in the name of the Confederacy. I won’t tell you how the story ends, but I think folks will really get their money’s worth when they view the film, which is just under an hour in length.
It was very easy to assemble the cast because there are many native Southerners who are very good actors and who are interested in their own family history. People wanted to help me almost from the beginning because they were intrigued by the story… so most of the actors simply did it for free. When you stop and think about it, almost everyone born and reared in the South within the last 50 years or more, had a family member who was either in the war as a Confederate soldier, a Union sympathizer, or a slave. And there were a few thousand free blacks living in the South at the time of the war, but they were treated almost as inhumanely as the slaves, and many of them had to flee the region just for the sake of their own safety.”
Copies of the film are available from Larry for $8 ($4 shipping) at larrystephens25@gmail.com
Larry Stephens as John Taylor in “For Home and Country”
Filed under: Authors, Books, Movies, Photos, Writing Tagged: Civil War, For Home and Country, historical fiction, Larry Stephens
August 20, 2014
Interview with Civil War Historian, Larry Stephens – Part 1
Larry Stephens stars as John Taylor in For Home and Country
Larry D. Stephens is an author, screen writer, film maker, and actor. Currently, he’s a graduate student at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia seeking to further his education so that he can teach history at the collegiate level. Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, he grew up within a stone’s throw of Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield National Park and became interested in the American Civil War as a boy. He holds a BA in History and a MEd in Social Studies Education. He taught high school history before returning to college to earn an MS in Library and Information Studies. Stephens is a frequent speaker and has written several other books on the Civil War.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
I generally like to write in the privacy of a special room that I call “the Study.”
What do you love most about writing?
The thing I love most about writing is that you are “creating something new” that you hope will be good enough to share with others. It’s like painting a picture, or composing a song, or making a film… You are doing something creative, original, new, and exciting. It doesn’t get any better than that.
What is the hardest and easiest part of the writing process for you?
Since I write non-fiction “with a popular twist,” in terms of my prose style, the hardest part for me is doing all of the research. It’s very time-consuming and can be exhausting at the same time. But once the research is done, I’m ready to write and that process usually goes pretty quickly. Sometimes I may get bogged down in the writing because I am struggling with which word to use in a passage, but that’s usually a temporary obstacle that can be easily overcome after a few attempts.
What five words best sum up your personality?
The five words that best sum up my personality can actually be condensed into three… “introverted, passionate, and free-thinking.”
Other than writing, what else do you love to do?
Make films.
Describe your perfect day.
A perfect day for me would be getting up early to write, being really productive for about 2-3 hours, and then taking a nice long break in the form of a mid-day siesta or walk in the forest. Then I might try to do a bit more writing in the late afternoon, or I might decide to do something completely different like listening to good music with a glass of wine or watching an old classic movie.
Do you have a writing schedule?
Mornings are the best time for me to write, and preferably early. I feel that I’ve really accomplished a lot if I can get 2-3 hours of good writing in.
What are your past, current, and/or next projects and a link to them?
Actually, I’m returning to grad school in about a week to do something that I should have done 30 years ago… getting an M.A. in History so I can teach as a part-time adjunct instructor on the collegiate level. So until that degree is completed, I doubt that I will have any time to write or do anything else creative for quite some time. But once it’s done, I know I’ll be back in the saddle again with a new project.
John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker was published in 2012 by Pelican Publishing. From Amazon.com:
John Pemberton Gatewood of Fentress County, Tennessee, evolved into one of the
John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker
deadliest guerrilla leaders of the Confederacy. Exploits attributed to Gatewood have painted him as both a vicious, unprincipled killer and a soldier fiercely loyal to his family and to those who shared his commitment to the Confederacy. His descent into what many considered barbaric behavior began after family tragedy drove him to join Champ Ferguson as a bushwhacker. Personally murdering more than sixty people, he and his men cut a swath of destruction through east Tennessee, northwest Georgia, and northeast Alabama. Gatewood even garnered the attention of Gen. William T. Sherman, who put a bounty on his head. Now, for the first time, Gatewood’s riveting, full-length biography has been told by Civil War author Larry D. Stephens.
Where can we reach you?
larrystephens25@gmail.com
Amazon: John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker
Thank you, Larry, for this interesting glimpse into your writing and research strategy.
Watch for Part 2 in tomorrow’s post as Larry discusses his new film For Home and Country.
Filed under: Authors, Books, Movies, Photos, Writing Tagged: bushwhackers, Civil War, For Home and Country, historical fiction, history, John P. Gatewood: Confederate Bushwhacker, Larry Stephens, non-fiction, Pelican Publishing
