Back to writing

After a year in our new home and area, I've begun to do writing projects of my own again. Part of the reason this took so long was the completion of a couple of book projects for clients--Jere and Kathy. Both of them had Alaskan settings! Coincidences always happen in my life and career, especially in having students or clients with similarities at any given time.

So, currently, I'm working on the next segment in the Sacrifice series: Sacrifice: Revenge. I've been thinking about and jotting notes for this project for the last year or so. It offers me some new opportunities. There will be some humor in this one as well as a rather shocking turn of events.

The other project is April Blossoms, a compilation of stories and poetry I've used from April Ryan. Longtime student and friend, she has given me many Sharing Stories poems and stories as well as contributing to several anthology books and Poetry Corner.

Not sure what my next anthology book will be. Suggestions are welcome!

I have been contemplating too what next to say in my Leaving Home book. I think we're to the "Coming Home" segment of that. At one year (June 8th), we felt we'd passed a significant milestone.

Other writing/teaching movement: I attended a group at Harbor House--free discussions on Saturday mornings. Now, I was the only one aside from the owners of that book store 😉 but it was nice to talk writing again with others.
I also had a table at the Hoquiam Library's Historic Memories day. Several people stopped by and made me feel that there is an audience for a Write about Your Life group in the area.

A fun connection was going to Pirates of Penzance at Grays Harbor Community College. The production was professional and so enjoyable. Made me feel like I'd enjoy working with the college in one way or another.

Beyond that, I'm so grateful for those who've stayed in contact--April Ryan, Gerrit Hansen, Jere Smith, Kathy Halgren, Joan Minnis, Mary Boley. Please do email or give a call sometime. I'm still here and still love talking about your writing and your lives. Also still doing online classes through Everett CC and Edmonds Parks as well as Sharing Stories and Poetry and Writing Corners at Northwest Prime Time.

Mother's Day flowers and decorative cat as well as heart balloon in background.

Love and hugs to all my writing friends!

Ariele 

Paul S

5.0 out of 5 starsOutstanding

December 4, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I know several of the contributors from the years I was in Ariele's writing class. 

These pieces brought back fond memories of these people and the laughter and tears

we shared together, and the friendships that ensued. What I appreciate about

this collection is the breadth and variety of experiences this seemingly simple question evoked. 

I also appreciate the honesty expressed in down to earth language.

It offers a challenge to readers to tell their own stories of what friendship means to them.

Review from Paul Stocklin about The Friendship Book.

Thank you, Paul!!!

I'm BACK!!!

After a couple of years, I suddenly figured out how to get back into all my blogs! Including this one! 

   Here's the info on the new book and some free eBook downloads for the holidays.

The Friendship Book can now be ordered as a paperback pre-Christmas. Takes about 10 days to arrive so do it soon. The paperback is $5.99. if you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping…and often get to read the eBooks for free.)

   The eBook is 99 cents and can be ordered for yourself, loaned to one friend at a time, or you can buy eBooks and give as gifts. (The plus to an ebook, aside from the price, is that photos are all in color and that you can give them up to a day or two before Christmas/Hannukah.)

   Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CZ4552

   Until Wednesday 11/29, the free eBook download is my husband’s children’s book Magical Christmas Pizza. I did the illustrations. This is the link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018561DV0

   Free eBook for 12/2 to 12/6 is Gratitude. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EWBMZZU

   Free eBook for 12/9 to 12/13 is The Holiday Sampler we did last year. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTK90AG 

   My eBook called  Merry Christmas  was on free download last week but is 99 cents https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019GIVS2U.  My mother wrote and painted this little book for my sister and me at my 3^rd Christmas (1952).

   As always, I LOVE ❤ ❤❤❤❤ reviews. Five star reviews with praise are a great way to help these books attain good search function and to protect them from trolls or haters. If you can’t give any eBook 5 stars, please tell me why in an email (NOT in a review online) and I’ll determine if I that’s a change I can make so that you can give it a good review! My email is ariele@comcast.net.

   Happy, happy Holidays and thanks for being a friend!  Ariele

A good question

A writing question from a long time student. I think the answer will help others too!
   You know Ariele I often wonder how much candor and self pity would cause my ALLEGED memoirs to be unreadable. I'm pretty sure that is the main reason I can't write... how can I overcome the disease and not the fear office writing block? (Rhetorical?) MW
Answer: We often have to write our way out of negative emotions…or talk our way out. Then you can share the parts that have interest. We often have to write our way out of negative emotions...or talk our way out. Then you can share the parts that have interest. You can't see anything but pit when you are in the pit. That's not interesting to other people. But when a personal story can be shared by someone who can stand outside the pit and look in--reporting what happened without being too biased or blaming--with interest and compassion for the self and for others involved, then it becomes readable and useful to others. Ariele
Thanks that is useful. I've been in the pit for such a long time that I forget where I am compared to those who interact with me from above. I'm definitely still in what was new normal 2 yrs ago. No longer new but a pit. Pity. I'm getting tired insisting on my way of climbing out. I had definitely lost perspective and your encouragement/ perspective was valuable. MW

Last Time for You're In Charge to be offered at $25 for this crucial four-hour workshop

Make beautiful and fun books for friends, family...The World!
Catch this useful and really inexpensive class the LAST time it will be offered for a cheap price.

You’re in Charge: PODs, Blogs, & eBooks: Learn about digital publishing (blogs, PODs, and eBooks). Digital tips help students spend little, earn well. 12/3  Saturday 10am-2pm                       $25

SHORELINE CC PLUS 50    16101 Greenwood Ave. North                Call  206-533-6706

OR show up at room 1401 on the day with a $25 check written to Shoreline Community College.

Fall classes

Note the really inexpensive classes at Shoreline CC!
All those who have wanted to do the Storywheel Writing Lab--It's happening at Cascadia this quarter!
Don't miss it!  Ariele

Fall  2016             WRITING CLASSES                           Ariele M. Huff

EDMONDS Senior Center       220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds                                      206-361-6733

Writer’s Round Table  9/30, 10/14 & 28, 11/18, 12/2 & 16 (6 Fri) 12:45-3pm    $12 per session   

GREENWOOD Senior Center                     525 North 85th in Seattle                      206-361-6733

Write About Your Life       9/29-12/8  (10 Th)     1:15-3:15 pm                    $70  (or $10 drop-in)

Shoreline/Lk Forest Park Senior Center   18560 1^st Ave. NE Suite #1                     206-365-1536

Write about Your Life   10/4-12/6  (10 Tues) 10am-noon                 $12 members, $14 nonmembers

Mountlake Terrace Senior Center     23000 Lakeview Drive                                    425-672-2407

Ongoing Writing Group           Wednesdays 10am-noon                                                         $10 per session

SHORELINE CC PLUS 50    16101 Greenwood Ave. North                                    206-533-6706

Get Rich, $tay Rich Make money your friend & servant. Learn simple ways to become the richest person you know. This easy class is a step-by-step guide to bettering your life & circumstances—a Money Makeover. Wealth is within your grasp 10/25-11/15  (4 Tuesdays) 6-8:30pm                       $25

A Gathering Place for the Widowed and Divorced  Share your stories & coping strategies in a safe & understanding environment with others who have suffered the same loss. We'll look at methods to work with grief & loss. The instructor has written Processing Loss Workbook, taught many Processing Loss Workshops, and has been widowed and divorced.  11/19    10am – 2pm Saturday        $15

You’re in Charge: PODs, Blogs, & eBooks: Learn about digital publishing (blogs, PODs, and eBooks). Digital tips help students spend little, earn well. 12/3  Saturday 10am-2pm                       $25

EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE  www.everettcc.edu/ccec (Seaway Blvd)       425-267-0150

Online classes: eBooks Start to Finish, Write About Your Life, Freelance Writing, Writing for Children, Character Development, Commas to Comments: Edit Your Own Writing, Creating a Selling Novel, Selling Your Nonfiction Book and Travel Writing,.    10-session classes                $99

Writing With Style: Contest judges, publishers, agents, & editors know the secrets of good writing go far beyond basic elements. Tone, mood, point of view, theme, word choices, & sentence variety are part of it. Learn to push the near winner across the finish line. Discover layers of meaning that draw readers like moths to a flame & how to polish your projects till they sparkle. 9/24  10am-2pm   $55

Anyone Can Write: If you can talk, you can write. Learn the elements of fiction and nonfiction, how to turn your life into text and poetry, and how your reading can improve your writing. Novice to experienced writers will enjoy the fun, nonjudgmental atmosphere and unique exercises in this class.   11/5   10am -2pm                      $55

CASCADIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE      www.cascadia.edu/cced                      425-267-0150

STORYWHEEL WRITING LAB: Writers of all skill levels/genres explore & expand talents through writing practice in an experiential workshop. Creative output is stimulated in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment while students use a storywheel to complete a piece of writing through character, plot, scene, dialogue, & theme development. A fun class to get you writing &/or increase your output. 9/28-11/2 ( 6 Weds) 6:30-8pm   $99

Anyone Can Write: If you can talk, you can write. Learn the elements of fiction and nonfiction, how to turn your life into text and poetry, and how your reading can improve your writing. Novice to experienced writers will enjoy the fun, nonjudgmental atmosphere and unique exercises in this class.   10/8   10am -2pm                      $55

*MORE ONLINE CLASSES (done directly with me): Fiction Series, Feature Writing, Write to Inspire, Humor Writing, The Art of Storytelling, Self Portrait Books, Basics for Writers II, Writing with Style, Good Things, Build a Book, Life Map, Portrait Books, Storywheel Writing, Exploring Poetry, Write from the Heart, Short Story Writing, Early Authors, Herstory, Neighborhoods, Guilty Pleasures, Literary Methods, Character Development, The Plot Thickens, Processing Loss with Writing, The Joy Diet, Joyous Ruminations, Writing Winning Letters & E-mails, Becoming an Editor, Technical Writing & Editing, The Writers Journey, Write to Grow. $100 for 10 sessions—Tech Writing & Early Authors (4), Writers Journey (12).  

Contact Ariele: ariele@comcast.net       Website http://arielewriter.myfreesites.net      Phone: 206-361-6733

Blogs:  http://writerswingsbyariele.blogspot.com and http://fiftyshadesofgraying.blogspot.com/ 

NW Prime Time’s website, I host Sharing Stories.  LOCAL section: http://northwestprimetime.com/