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Author Archives: Carolyn Dennis-Willingham, Author
Daily Prompt
I started my new book, The Moonshine Thicket, this summer. It’s done, well except for, … you know, that Irksome editing thing.
Daily
Ha! Looks like Gary likes women. I like Gary.
Truth be told, I Knew a Man …
… and the man grew up in poverty during the depression. He protected his mother and little sister from his father’s outbursts.
I knew a man.
In the late 1930’s and early 40’s, he had two role models, two men he looked up to.
One was William H. Govan, the “water boy” for a small town football team. The “Negro” man, who served in WWI, showed compassion for the young kids, gave them doses of support and kindness, showed them how to stand up for themselves, and when they grew old enough to fight in WWII, he wrote to each and every one of them.
I knew a man. And he told me, “H. Govan was one of the best men I ever met.”
The second person he looked up to was his grandfather, a true Texas cowboy who could roll and light a cigarette with one hand while leading a string of 18 horses into town. Because of his grandfather’s teaching, this man learned to be a cowboy. So I painted his grandfather’s picture from a photo and gave it to him.
When the man joined the Army in 1942, he became a boxer. I painted this from a photograph.
Then, he met a woman, the love of his life. They had two children.
The four of them lived, loved and grew. Then, many years and anniversaries later, his wife died.
On this man’s death bed, I painted him another picture. I hung it on the wall next to where he lay, eagerly waiting to join his wife in the hereafter.
The man I knew said, smiling, “That’s me riding off in the sunset, ain’t it?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I told him.
“You gonna publish that book about me, No Hill For a Stepper,?” he said.
He’d read the draft and kept it next to his recliner in the family room for visitor viewing.
“Who do you think will play me in the movie?” He’d said it so seriously it made me smile and ponder at the same time.
Two years after he died, No Hill For a Stepper was officially published in 2011.
I knew a man. That man was my father. He wasn’t flawless. None of us are. But he told me stories, taught me how to throw a football, and when I was faced with a challenge, he said, “Hell, Carolyn. That ain’t no hill for a stepper.”
This man, Cono Dennis, is still one of the best men I’ve ever met.
Do I Look Different? It’s still me!
Up to now, I’ve ignored those who’ve said, “You need an author brand.”
An author brand? Like a tattoo?
But I’m still a WIP (work in progress), and will continue to be.
I honestly don’t know how to promote a product. Never have. At sixteen, I was hired as a telephone solicitor for a small local newspaper. When the voice through the receiver said, “not interested,” I hung up. I was supposed to continue with the written script of “what do say if they say no.” I interpreted this as, keep dogging them, pound them into the ground until their meatloaf starts to burn and they have to say yes.
Three days later, relief hit my young, growing bones like a hot bath.
So, I suck at self promotion.
I also have a nephew who is a social media savvy. And guess what? Now my page looks different and might continue with tweaks until I breathe out a “yes, much better!”
Be patient with me.
(By the way, that newspaper company went out of business soon after I was fired.)
Hyperbole
Death loves no one
Uplifting words.
Be Real
In your kindness, be sincere. We can tell the difference between a real squeeze and a formal hug. We can tell when you offer us a gentle word but walk away with rolling eyes.
We know. We can tell.
You say, “have a good day.” Do you mean it?
You say, “hope you feel better.” Do you care?
Are you are earnest? Genuine? Heartfelt? Or artificial, phony and hollow?
We feel the difference.
We know. We can tell.
Blog Envy
Feeling blog envy now. Going back to bed.
Daily Prompt: Bludgeon
This is what first comes to mind:
If we concentrate on the verb — “to force into something; coerce; bully,” then I think of politics and the media. Sad.
Carolyn Dennis-Willingham 