David-Michael Harding's Blog, page 11
January 9, 2013
Author Interviewed by Paul Cody, Co-Founder of 1Billion Student Stories
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[image error]Paul: David when was the FIRST time you realized you had such a remarkable talent for writing?
David: There is a gray area that exists between THINKING you have talent and REALIZING you have talent. I don’t really know where the edge is, unless you start objectively counting numbers. Perhaps begin to cross that line when that first person says, “This is really good.” Personally, I don’t recall a specific time. For most writers, the writing is much more figurative. Writing represents different things to different people. For some it can be cathartic or serve as a venue for unexpressed thoughts, feelings and emotions. For others, writing is linear – I want to tell a story – this story – and this is how I will tell it. For me, I write to give life to characters and to share their stories so readers can be educated, entertained, and feel their own emotions released alongside the person’s on the page. For me, TALENT is being able to surprise myself, make myself laugh or cry, in “helping” one of my characters tell their story.
Paul: Who was the teacher that had the most impact on your life?
David: John Steinbeck. Unfortunately, I was born too late to attend any classes so I learned from reading his work and his letters to family, friends, and business associates.
Paul: As Author of Cherokee Talisman, Happy Historian and former Writing Instructor how would you inspire aspiring writers and children to pursue their dreams through higher education?
David: If you want to learn to write, you must learn to read. Writing is ‘wordsmithing’. You must have the tools. Read all you can. Within that reading you will stumble upon your niche – a genre that excites you. Now you have a focus for your passion. Through practice writing – ANY style of writing, you will come to your own ‘voice’ – how you will express something with words. It’s not easy. Like all things worthwhile, there are dues to be paid and practice practice practice. I teach writing, but I can’t teach you how to write, “good story” – not “a good story” (we can muddle through that together), but “good story”. A television network runs an ad saying, “Story Matters Here.” With all writing it is always the story. Of course there are layers to good story, most often conflict of some type – internal vs external, man vs beast or the elements, good vs bad – and with conflict comes decisions and with decisions come consequences and new conflict. “Good story” comes to life within this cycle. As the writer you decide, with your characters, where you help your readers get in or out of this cycle, and how they move from one phase of “good story” to the next. Lastly, read the dictionary. Yes, all of it! And when a character begs you for a word or a phrase, it will come out of that deep well of tools and practice you have stored.
Do this one thing for me, mice. (Steinbeck called young writers “mice”.) Put a dictionary next to your keyboard. Put one hand on the dictionary and the other on the keyboard. Every Pulitzer Prize winning story; every Oscar for Best Screenplay; every Nobel Prize for Literature; is right there in your hands. Every word from every “Good Story” for the next 100 years is right there in that book. Now… arrange them.
Reported by Paul Cody, who would Love to Interview your Talents and Passion to inspire students to pursue their Dreams through Higher Education , Co-Founder 1 Billion Student Stories, 1 Billion Love Stories, 1 Billion Pet Stories
To be Interviewed to inspire students DM Paul https://twitter.com/iamhappystudent
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http://www.1billionstudents.com/node/338
http://www.1billionstudents.com/node/349
January 7, 2013
Cherokee Morning Song by Walela…Another Great One!
Walela is a Native American trio of singers. The group was founded in 1996 by sisters Rita Coolidge and Priscilla Coolidge, with Priscilla’s daughter Laura Satterfield as the third member.
Featured as part of Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble’s album Music for The Native Americans, their distinctive vocal blend brings to life “The Cherokee Morning Song” and has allowed them to tour to an international audience. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Walela had the opportunity to represent their nations—both Cherokee and the United States—as they performed extensively in the Olympic Park. Their 1997 debut release on Capitol Records earned them the recognition of the Nammy Awards (Native American Music Awards) where they took home the award for Debut Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “The Warrior”.
Related articles
Native American – Amazing Grace (in Cherokee)…Beautiful! (davidmichaelharding.com)
http://www.oocities.org/redearthrecords/walela.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walela (Wkiipedia)
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 (David-Michael Harding’s Amazon page)
January 4, 2013
Listen to Artist First Radio Network w/ Ashley Fontainne Interviewing David-Michael Harding
Click to Listen LIVE
ArtistFirst Partners with 
ALL TIMES EASTERN
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Click here for tips on listening to MP3 Archived shows
David Michael Harding
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http://www.ashleyfontainne.com/
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
PBS American Experience Trail of Tears – Watch Trailer!
Major Ridge, played by actor Wes Studi, and his fellow Cherokee leaders exit the Cherokee Meeting House at
New Echota Historic Site. This historically accurate replica of the Cherokee Meeting House is located in New
Echota, the capital of the Cherokee Nation almost 200 years ago.
1 After the Mayflower
2 Tecumseh’s Vision
3 Trail of Tears
4 Geronimo
5 Wounded Knee
“The people were herded into wooden stockades, into staging areas around the Cherokee Nation,
in what were literally cattle pens.” — Gayle Ross (Cherokee)
Click here to watch the 3 minute trailer! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/the_films/episode_3_trailer
Related articles
Cherokee Removal Memorial Park @ Historic Blythe Ferry, Birchwood, TN (davidmichaelharding.com)
Native American – Amazing Grace (in Cherokee)…Beautiful! (davidmichaelharding.com)
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Author Posts “Happy Profile” to Inspire Native Kids to Write! (davidmichaelharding.com)
Cherokee Talisman is Out! (davidmichaelharding.com)
January 2, 2013
Cherokee Removal Memorial Park @ Historic Blythe Ferry, Birchwood, TN
Blythe Ferry is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Blythe Ferry* is located at the northwest corner of the 1835 Cherokee Nation at the confluence of the Hiawassee River with the Tennessee River. In the fall of 1838 nine of the thirteen detachments under Chief John Ross‘ supervision, totaling about 9,000 Cherokees, departed from their ancestral land at Blythe Ferry on a difficult thousand mile journey into an uncertain future. At that time the southeast was under the most severe drought in memory making river travel and ferry crossings difficult. They were under pressure to began their emigration after spend months in stockades under deplorable conditions and many were sick and destitute. Some were without shoes, blankets and other provisions. Between August 28 and September 24, nine detachments left from the vicinity of the Cherokee Agency at Charleston, TN about 30 miles from Blythe Ferry. Due to low water levels there were extended delays crossing the Tennessee River and Contractors were accused of deliberate delays to increase their profits. Even though up to six boats were in operation some had to wait up to six weeks to cross the river. Members of the detachment of Treaty supporters, not under Ross’ control, caused trouble by enticing
some to join them by p
romising more money and better land. Since several detachments were in the same area some left their detachment to join another detachment, but there was no significant reports of desertions. The delay did allow some of the sick and disabled to recuperate and join a later detachment. Only two deaths were reported at Blythe Ferry. Those that were unable to continue with their detachment traveled by water with the Ross family that departed from Charleston on November 7 in four barges that floated by Blythe Ferry.
* The ferry was established in 1809 by William Blythe which he sold in 1835. He went west with his Cherokee wife, Nannie Fields, before the forced removal. A ferry continued to operate at the site until 1994 when the Highway 60 Bridge was completed.
Related articles
http://cherokeeremoval.org/FERRY.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blythe_Ferry
http://www.southeasttennessee.com/www/docs/10023.3949
http://www.tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/content/cherokee-removal-memorial-park-at-historic-blythe-ferry/ten7DCDE1AE75A3CC4D4
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
December 31, 2012
Native American – Amazing Grace in Cherokee…Beautiful!
Walela is a Native American trio of singers. The group was founded in 1996 by sisters Rita Coolidge and Priscilla Coolidge, with Priscilla’s daughter Laura Satterfield as the third member.
Featured as part of Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble’s album Music for The Native Americans, their distinctive vocal blend brings to life “The Cherokee Morning Song” and has allowed them to tour to an international audience. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Walela had the opportunity to represent their nations—both Cherokee and the United States—as they performed extensively in the Olympic Park. Their 1997 debut release on Capitol Records earned them the recognition of the Nammy Awards (Native American Music Awards) where they took home the award for Debut Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “The Warrior”.
Related articles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walela (Wkiipedia)
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 (David-Michael Harding’s Amazon page)
December 30, 2012
December 28, 2012
Author Interviews John Longbow of Longbow Guitars!
This is a happy start to LIMITLESS HAPPY STORIES from young men and women, boys and girls, whose heritage is traced through the countless nations that lived on this land well before Europeans. Here’s John Longbow’s HAPPY STORY!
United States’ ONLY Native American Guitar Maker!
Finding self, peace, & belonging through craftsmanship – John Longbow, of Longbow Guitars and The Indigenous Research Center.
Talk to John Longbow for a few minutes and you’ll discover a man walking on two roads. One is ‘Tradition’, the other ‘Lifestyle’. He is a very proud descendant of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations who has taken talents entrusted with him by the Spirit to create instruments, music, and art that aches to be seen and heard. More importantly, John’s efforts are strongly geared toward young men and woman of indigenous descent who may be able to take the teachings of this universal elder and clarify their own journey.
John’s 1st HAPPY STORY recalls his upbringing. His family recognized the value of developing John’s cultural education. To fill this well within John with life’s water from which he would later draw knowledge for his subsequent work, John spent many days and weeks in the company of Native people in Philadelphia, MS – home to his native nation. There, a sometimes reluctant student learned the culture that would eventually guide his life.
John’s LAST HAPPY STORY is centered around the work he has done at ‘Planet Indigenous’, a festival held at the remarkable Harbourfront Centre in the heart of Toronto’s riverfront district on Lake Ontario. At ‘Planet Indigenous’ John has conducted numerous guitar building clinics to entice and encourage young men and women to pick up an instrument and find their own voice through construction. He has visited dozens of reservations in both the US and Canada to play and teach – again encouraging native children to pick up instruments and, utilizing their heritage as a foundation, pay homage to their people and express themselves in a positive fashion.
His NEXT HAPPY STORY is his current professional interest and it is something that must be seen to be fully appreciated. The old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words” doesn’t do John’s craft justice. Perhaps 10,000 words. The process is photo manipulation and involves mirroring and layering of photos and then deciphering what the photo says to the viewer. “My job as an Image Manipulator is to seduce, amuse, entertain and question what we were led to believe . Showing what is really in a picture.” It is absolutely fascinating and beautiful art. Please visit http://www.cyber-renegades.net/gallery_modern_index.htm to view examples of John’s work.
John continues down his two roads today – intersecting often. He is a man who embraces change as he continues putting his gifts from the Spirit to work and teach the next generations as his ancestors have always done. @LongbowGuitars
Interviewed 12/26/12 by David-Michael Harding @DMichaelHarding, author of Cherokee Talisman, available at http://www.amazon.com/Cherokee-Talisman-David-Michael-Harding/dp/0615652530/ref=la_B006OAAIZ2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356734177&sr=1-1
ABOUT 1 Billion Happy Native Stories
The word “Native” includes people, plants and animals and is synonymous with the following: Indigenous, Aboriginal, original and innate.
Partners of the Heart is a web based and interactive company where people pay a minimum of $1 to share a positive story that will be digitally archived forever. The reason people pay for these stories is because our clients who are non profits receive a minimum of 25% of the $1 story and those funds are filtered directly back into the charitable organization. Charities have had a hard time reaching their audience digitally and this gives them an outlet and an additional way to finance or capitalize their charity.
Go to http://billionnatives.com/ to create your own Happy Native Story!
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December 18, 2012
Author Spotlight & Giveaway!
David-Michael Harding is a life-long writer whose last novel, How Angels Die , received critical acclaim. A former semi-professional football player, his writing is hard hitting and passionate. He holds a master’s degree in education and is an adjunct professor of writing. His respect and admiration of Native American culture inspired this novel. Most of his days are spent writing from the cockpit of his sailboat, Pegasus, somewhere off the Nature Coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Cherokee Talisman brings to life characters from out history and through a flare for fiction and historical research, Harding tells their story. Cherokees that might be painted by racist misconceptions as blood thirsty savages are humanized by Harding, making them heroes of a very real time. History is written by the victorious, but when almost forgotten historical characters are brought to life they are preserved for the ages, and in this preservation David-Michael Harding has succeeded.” - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker
[image error]They were blood-thirsty savages – superstitious, dirty animals.
They were thieves and killers who burned houses to the ground and kidnapped women and children.
They were protectors of a Nation – guerrilla fighters serving their country.
They were husbands and fathers who built homes in lush valleys for their families.
They were – the same men.
In 1775 perspective came with the color of your skin.
An orphan boy, Totsuhwa, is taken under the wing of legendary Cherokee war chief Tsi’yugunsini, the Dragon. But even under a dragon’s wing isn’t safe when a covetous nation forms around them.
Amid the battles, Totsuhwa fights the reoccurring pain of loss until he meets Galegi, who becomes his wife. Trying to raise their son in a peace the new world won’t allow, they teach him the strictest Cherokee traditions while white assimilation, encroachment, and treachery grows. General Andrew Jackson wages war against tribes across the southeast and the toll is high. With his people gradually losing everything, Totsuhwa must find a way to save his family — and the Cherokee Nation — before all is lost.
Cherokee Talisman recreates the neglected history that existed when one nation was born and another almost died.
Two sisters take different roads in their work for the French Resistance during World War II. Claire is
an active guerrilla fighter while Monique seduces German officers to learn military secrets from bedroom pillows. Love enters in for both as battles rage in their family over the morality of killing vs. sex while, unknown to them all, D-Day rapidly approaches.
How Angels Die is a highly dramatic novel with very strong female protagonists. The story is rife with action, conflict, and intrigue. Through it all, the characters struggle with devotion to family, country, cause, and oneself. The reader is effortlessly drawn along the storyline and feels the impact of the events surrounding the sisters. Compassion for the characters, German as well as French, runs deep and captures the imagination as coastal war-torn France comes alive on the pages.
Brimming with high drama that is punctuated by family humor, How Angels Die lifts the veil on a lesser-known side of the French Resistance. Through the prism of two intrepid women, the novel illuminates how these women employ their formidable assets and fierce love of country to face down a vicious enemy. With page-turning action, unstoppable passion, and historical accuracy, this heart-racing novel is a must-read for sisters, history buffs, and action enthusiasts alike.
More than a war story, How Angels Die compels its readers to face the decision-making processes that bring us to where we are and who we are. It also asks questions of the mind that expose prejudices and the eventual regret that follows.
“In How Angels Die Harding delivers an edge of the seat read as he skillfully summarizes the events and pain of years of conflict during the Nazi occupation of France into ninety-six gut wrenching, mesmerizing hours.” David Roth, Tampa Writing Examiner
Enter here to WIN: http://www.kinxsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Related articles
Cherokee Talisman is Out! (davidmichaelharding.com)
Enter to win a Print or Digital Copy of How Angels Die! (davidmichaelharding.com)
5 Stars for How Angels Die! “A New & Highly Successful Twist on the French Resistance of WWII!” (davidmichaelharding.com)
December 17, 2012
Enter to Win FREE Copies of How Angels Die & Cherokee Talisman
“Cherokee Talisman brings to life characters from our history and through a flare for fiction and historical research, Harding tells their story. Cherokees that might be painted by racist misconceptions as blood thirsty savages are humanized by Harding, making them heroes of a very real time. History is written by the victorious, but when almost forgotten historical characters are brought to life they are preserved for the ages, and in this preservation David-Michael Harding has succeeded.” -Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker
They were blood-thirsty savages – superstitious, dirty animals.
They were thieves and killers who burned houses to the ground and kidnapped women and children.
They were protectors of a Nation – guerrilla fighters serving their country.
They were husbands and fathers who built homes in lush valleys for their families.
They were – the same men.
In 1775 perspective came with the color of your skin.
An orphan boy, Totsuhwa, is taken under the wing of legendary Cherokee war chief Tsi’yugunsini, the Dragon. But even under a dragon’s wing isn’t safe when a covetous nation forms around them.
Amid the battles, Totsuhwa fights the reoccurring pain of loss until he meets Galegi, who becomes his wife. Trying to raise their son in a peace the new world won’t allow, they teach him the strictest Cherokee traditions while white assimilation, encroachment, and treachery grows. General Andrew Jackson wages war against tribes across the southeast and the toll is high. With his people gradually losing everything, Totsuhwa must find a way to save his family — and the Cherokee Nation — before all is lost.
Cherokee Talisman recreates the neglected history that existed when one nation was born and another almost died.
David-Michael Harding is a life-long writer whose last novel,
How Angels Die
, received critical acclaim. A former semi-professional football player, his writing is hard hitting and passionate. He holds a master’s degree in education and is an adjunct professor of writing. His respect and admiration of Native American culture inspired this novel. Most of his days are spent writing from the cockpit of his sailboat, Pegasus, somewhere off the Nature Coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.Contact:
http://www.DavidMichaelHarding
info@davidmichaelharding.com
http://www.facebook.com/DMichaelHarding
https://twitter.com/DMichaelHarding
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5417839.David_Michael_Harding
http://www.youtube.com/user/DMichaelHarding
http://www.amazon.com/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Michael-Harding/e/B006OAAIZ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1GIVEAWAY!
David has been kind enough to offer up one copy of How Angels Die and one copy of Cherokee Talisman . Please share a review of your prize book when you’ve read it! And Good Luck!!
Go to: http://gatheringleavesreviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/cherokee-talisman-by-david-michael.html to enter!
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http://gatheringleavesreviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/cherokee-talisman-by-david-michael.html
http://www.amazon.com/Cherokee-Talisman-David-Michael-Harding/dp/0615652530/ref=la_B006OAAIZ2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355776319&sr=1-1 (Amazon)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherokee-talisman-david-michael-harding/1113813653?ean=9780615652535 (Barnes & Noble)
