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Payback is a Bitch November 28, 2008

Posted by Trina in All posts, Creative writing, Fiction, My work, Novels, On writing, Short stories.
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Seems an unlikely post for the day after Thanksgiving, but this is the title of a story I just finished–maybe it is appropriate for Black Friday. As the title indicates, Red, A.K.A Red Riding Hood, is a hard-ass female vigilante with a coke habit. She partners with the seedy but savvy Nick the Nick in a high risk, high payoff career of vengeance for hire. I had fun writing it because Red acts on her own morals and beliefs, ignoring the law. I have a lot of freedom with her character and what she can and will do. I wrote the first draft of “Payback is a Bitch” last Friday and revised it during the week, which is why I haven’t posted–I’ve been working on the story instead. It was intended for DARK JESTERS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HUMOROUS HORROR . It won’t work for the anthology because it’s not humorous–it’s more wry–and it exceeds the anthology’s 2000 word limit. I’ll have to find another market for it.

The story gave me idea for my next novel–a female Rambo. Rambo is a perfect example of a vigilante, which is probably why I like his character so much. So, I’m contemplating again. I’m going to keep my notes on the other novel idea I had, which was a Stephen King type detective thriller about a man who dreamed crimes into reality. I’m going to start working on the “Payback is a Bitch” novel first. I’m deciding who the POV characters will be: I already have Red, Nick the Nick, and a detective who will pursue them. I think Nick the Nick may be the main character, because he’s actually much more colorful and skilled than Red. More posts to come as I write the synopsis and get started.

BTW, Harry got me the complete collector’s set of all four Rambo movies for my birthday, which was Wednesday. We watched FIRST BLOOD and then the 2008 RAMBO Wednesday night–stayed up until midnight, which is late for us. Harry said not too many women would want to watch Rambo movies on their birthday, but I loved it.

Agent search update
I have an exclusive out for my young adult novel, so cross your fingers for me.

As I wait, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what I have to be thankful for.

• I have a job I like, when so many people are out of work. What a difficult holiday season it must be for them, and how fortunate I am to have an employer who is willing to let me work on a flexible schedule to give me time to write.
• I have an awesome daughter, who has overcome much–I’m proud of her–and an intelligent grandson who entertains me with his curiosity.
• I have a wonderful family, Mom and sisters, who are always there for me, even when I’m lazy about keeping in touch.
• I have friends, old and new, who enrich my life.
• I have a house I love. . . and there’s no threat of foreclosure hanging over my head.
• Most importantly, I have a husband who is a great companion, loves me and supports me in everything I do.

As a side about Harry, when I volunteered to start a Web site for him, I didn’t know updating it would become a full time job–not that I’m complaining. I am both happy and excited for Harry because he has numerous publications out and forthcoming. In December alone, he has 22 poems and three essays in eight magazines, as well as a chapbook upcoming on December 23.

Remission August 27, 2008

Posted by Trina in All posts, Creative writing, Fiction, My work, On writing, Short stories.
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Remission is now Online in the September issue of Word Catalyst Magazine. It is my first attempt at a medical story. In another first, I am debuting in Word Catalyst with my husband Harry Calhoun, who has five poems and a column in the magazine.

In “Remission,” pediatric hematologist Dr. Angel Carter treats children with rare blood disorders while grieving for her own lost child and marriage. The story grew from my own experiences with spherocytosis, a rare hereditary blood disease. In my case, about 1.5 percent of my red blood cells are sphere shaped instead of the normal Frisbee shape. The amount of abnormal cells varies with families. I am lucky my number is fairly small.

Still, I would have died at age thirteen if I had not had my spleen removed then. I was sick with flu-like symptoms for about a year. My doctors had no idea what was wrong with me during that time. That tiny percent of sphere-shaped red blood cells would have ultimately caused liver disease, resulting in death if left untreated. The abnormal cells were being destroyed in my spleen, leading to increased hemoglobin in the bloodstream. The liver then had to remove the hemoglobin. After the surgery, I have led a normal life with apparently no further symptoms.

My mother has spherocytosis. There is a 50% chance for the disease to be passed on. Out of her five children, one of my sisters and I have spherocytosis. I have one child who was unlucky enough to inherit the disease. She had her spleen removed at age eight. Watching her suffer before the surgery was one of the worst experiences I have been through, but that experience gave me the idea for “Remission.”

I hope it touches some of my readers. For anyone who has ever had to watch a child suffer, you have my full sympathy. May God be with you.

A wonderful partnership June 29, 2008

Posted by Trina in All posts, Creative writing, Fiction, Life, My work, On writing, Short stories.
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Have you ever had a terrible day at work–one so bad that you wanted to walk away and never return? What makes that day different from any other? For a young math teacher who has difficulty dealing with unmanageable students, it is the pervasive influence of her own childhood in “The Mulberry Tree.”

I used my experiences in the classroom as the backdrop for “The Mulberry Tree,” which is in the summer 2008 issue of CHIRON REVIEW, a literary magazine published in Kansas. (For those of you who don’t live in Kansas, information to order a copy or subscription of CR is below).

And now I’ll finally get to the topic of this blog. The publication wouldn’t have happened without my husband, Harry Calhoun. When I first clicked on the CR Web site, I was less than impressed. But Harry assured me that CR is a well respected literary magazine, just not willing to spend $ on the site. Because I trust him, I submitted his favorite of my stories to CHIRON. Now that I’ve read the latest two issues I have to agree–the magazine and contributors are impressive.

Harry and I are both in the summer issue. He has two poems and two book reviews. One of his poems in CR, “My Wife as Wine,” is one of my favorites. And why not, it is about me. It is so fun to be published together. We also received our acceptance letter in the same envelope. See previous post. It has been exhilarating taking this ride together.

I got the idea for this blog when I sent out a note to a friend who wrote back and said, “Congratulations, Trina! That’s wonderful, and especially so because of the shared honor with Harry. What a wonderful partnership you two have.”

I realized that she is right. Harry and I have a wonderful partnership that goes beyond husband and wife or friendship. We have the common interest of writing and spend much of our time discussing the various projects we are working on and the intricacies of the written word. I value Harry’s opinion of my work–which occasionally leads to some heated discussions. But, Harry has never led me astray, so I listen to him. We use each other as a sounding board for ideas and for polishing our finished work. I read Harry’s monthly wine column before he posts it and he almost always incorporates my suggestions. I read the book reviews he sent to CR. I thought one of them was too harsh, so he revised it.

So the publication of “The Mulberry Tree” came about as a result of my partnership with Harry. We may never again get an acceptance in the same envelope or be published in the same issue of a literary magazine, but I will always remember this experience.

I would also like the thank the members of Raleigh Area Women Writers, who helped me improve the story from its original version.

You can subscribe to CHIRON REVIEW at:

522 E. South Ave.
St. John, KS 67576

$16/year for 4 issues.
Or you can purchase the summer issue for $7.00.
Ask for the “Triple S” discount for students, seniors and starving artists.

Lost in Translation April 20, 2008

Posted by Trina in All posts, Authors, Creative writing, My work, On writing.
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During a brief period when I was freelancing fulltime, I interviewed Harry Calhoun about his success as a poet and marketing writer. The interview titled ON WRITING AND POETRY: HARRY CALHOUN IN CONVERSATION ran in Thunder Sandwich in 2005. To increase my exposure as a freelancer, I also submitted the interview to ezinearticles.com. Since then, the interview has appeared on various sites about writing. I feel proud that my first, and probably last, attempt at an interview is so popular. Harry says he doesn’t mind that his words are all over the Internet. Instead he feels honored so many are taking his advice to heart. It has even been translated into Spanish.

One version on fuentebetsaida.com was obviously lost in translation. Harry and I both got such a laugh from this garbled mess that I decided to post part of it. My favorites are that Harry was a uranologist (a physicist who studies astronomy) since 1980 and I gave up an occupation as a flourishing region edifice pedagogue. Who knew?

“This is meet brilliant. The flooded discourse is incredible? I m REALLY appreciative of whatever earnestly beatific advice from a man writer.” Mark Howell, Senior Writer, Solares Hill.

Harry Calhoun s represent could materialize beside the lexicon definition for “journeyman.” Living grounds that not every writers hit to be famous or follow to digit identify of composition to be successful, Calhoun has institute regular article souvenir as a uranologist since 1980 and was a widely publicised worker article and literate essay illustrator in the 80s and 90s. In addition, he has altered a genre entrepot and a modify entrepot for the structure playing and settled genre and falsity pieces in magazines much as Thunder Sandwich and The Islander. He has been an award-winning marketing illustrator for international companies much as GE and IBM for the instance note years.

Trina comedienne is a worker illustrator and application who has feature and enjoyed much of Calhoun s work. Read the entire garbled interview on fuentebetsaida.com .

The real interview reads:
“This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible! I’m REALLY appreciative of some seriously good advice from a fellow writer.” Mark Howell, Senior Writer, Solares Hill

Harry Calhoun’s picture could appear beside the dictionary definition for “journeyman.” Living proof that not all writers have to be famous or stick to one type of writing to be successful, Calhoun has found frequent editorial favor as a poet since 1980 and was a widely published freelance article and literary essay writer in the 80s and 90s. In addition, he has edited a poetry magazine and a trade magazine for the housing industry and placed fiction pieces and poetry in magazines such as Thunder Sandwich and The Islander. He has been an award-winning marketing writer for multinational companies such as GE and IBM for the past twenty years. Here he is interviewed by Trina Allen in his home in North Carolina.

Trina Allen is a freelance writer and educator who has read much of Calhoun’s work.

My bio is just as funny:
I am a worker illustrator and application who gave up a occupation as a flourishing region edifice pedagogue to indite flooded time. I started the Storm of Thought Writing Center for composition and redaction hold and advice. I am currently employed on a children s new and individual brief stories. My publications allow Dana Literary Society, and Thunder Sandwich. My articles most teaching, curricular materials and presentations hit appeared in educational magazines much as Science Scope.

The bio should read:
I am a freelance writer and editor who gave up a career as a successful middle school teacher to write full time. I started the Storm of Thought Writing Center for writing and editing help and advice. I am currently working on a children’s novel and several short stories. My publications include Dana Literary Society, and Thunder Sandwich. My articles about teaching, curricular materials and presentations have appeared in educational magazines such as Science Scope.

I am grateful that Harry was willing to struggle through my first attempt at an interview and that interview helped us to get to know each other. We got married soon after. I also decided that freelancing wasn’t for me. I like the security of a steady income over the starving artist thing. Developing educational tests is a much better day job for me.

Wine news from across the hall: Dec/Jan January 3, 2008

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The “from across the hall” category will feature posts from and about my husband Harry Calhoun, who writes a monthly wine column, Ten Dollar Tastings.

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Hello wine lovers!

The latest column (December/January) is now online — a special one, because this marks my first anniversary with Ten Dollar Tastings!

While 2007 was a hard year in many ways, I certainly have my share of blessings. They start with Trina and extend to good health, good friends and our “son” Alex the Labrador. As you’ll see in the column, Trina has snagged a little bit of celebrity and I’m revisiting my past career as a small-press poet and fiction writer.

This month features my top ten affordable wines for the year. Is a red wine or a white the top choice? Those of you who know my tastes may be surprised. There’s also the red wine I pick each month for Charlie Hart and my featured wines, from Redwood Creek.

As always, I hope you enjoy Ten Dollar Tastings.

Harry Calhoun

E-mail: HarryC13@aol.com
Web site: http://wine.newsonly.org/news.php

Wine News From Across the Hall November 17, 2007

Posted by Trina in All posts, Life.
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I am not yet writing effectively since my father’s passing. I aimlessly surf the Web and then try to concentrate on the novel, or even this blog, but the creativity just isn’t there. So, I thought this would be a good time to introduce a guest blogger. My husband Harry Calhoun writes a monthly wine column, Ten Dollar Tastings. I asked him to contribute to WORLDS THAT NEVER WERE with a note about his column. I hope that he will consider posting on a regular basis.

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Hello wine lovers!

The latest column (November) is now online. Fall has fallen on us, but at least here in temperate North Carolina, it hasn’t fallen too hard yet. And the terrible drought that has caused severe water restrictions has been slaked by at least a few good rainfalls, so we’re breathing a cautious sigh of relief.

Sadly, my wife Trina’s father passed away earlier this month, and we are still struggling with that loss. In an odd coincidence, in my department at work, all three marketing writers lost a parent this year, and now Trina has suffered the same fate. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that this month’s column starts out talking about ghosts and the ghostly.

In more positive news, Trina has cut back to a 91.5 percent schedule at her job, which gives her more time to write. Our black Labrador Alex is doing great, having been through obedience training and getting used to having two doting parents. I’m still plugging away at my day job and doing a little freelance work — writing wine labels for a well-known winery and doing brochures and other materials for a local dog trainer.

As far as this month’s column, you’ll find out all about ghost wineries and hear about some wines that are spookily good and (as always) affordable. So are the incredibly priced wines of Surazo winery and my pick for Charlie, a Shiraz that low in price but high in fruity satisfaction. And of course, there are plenty of links to The Wine Merchant so you can scope out and purchase from their incredible selection.

Remember that you can access back editions of the column from the archive on the right nav bar. And don’t forget to tell your friends about Ten Dollar Tastings.

As always, I hope you enjoy Ten Dollar Tastings. Comments are always welcome. If you have any suggestions, or especially if there are topics that you’d like me to explore, please drop a line. And thank you for reading!

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Harry Calhoun

E-mail: HarryC13@aol.com
Web site: http://wine.newsonly.org/news.php

Take a vacation from writing in paradise July 9, 2007

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If your first love is a tropical paradise, or if you need a vacation from the daily grind, I recommend Key West. Harry and I spent a week there drinking in the sights and sun, the majesty and the peacefulness of the Keys. We left our computers at home in order to better develop our love affair with sunshine.

One of our favorite activities was the WIND & WINE fireworks cruise with Danger Charters on July 4 at sunset. We started in the Gulf and cruised to the Atlantic where we saw the fireworks reflected on the ocean water. Beautiful.

Gulf waters of Key West
This picture shows the Gulf waters of Key West at the Sunset Celebration where every day hundreds of people gather on the docks of historic Mallory Square to watch jugglers, a sword swallower, tightrope walkers, and flying cats perform.

But alas, we are now home. Reality set in with lost luggage and a brown yard due to Raleigh’s heat and drought. Paradise lost.

I am reposting an entry Key-ping Paradise in your Honeymoon: Unexpected Gifts from Key West linking an essay that Harry and I wrote together about our love and nostalgia for Key West:Key-ping Paradise in your Honeymoon: Unexpected Gifts from Key West”

Announcing Ten Dollar Tastings wine column January 28, 2007

Posted by Trina in All posts, Life, My work, On writing, Science.
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To all of you fellow wine lovers,

This is to let you know about a new wine column, Ten Dollar Tastings, which debuted last month and is now online at http://wine.newsonly.org/news.php. Beyond the fact that this column is written by my husband, who brings a witty conversational style to the subject of wine tasting, the column explores good affordable wines … the arts and music … wine history and facts … and provides a good time for all.

On a separate note, I have not posted for some time because I went to Atlanta for a week on business. Mistakenly thinking I’d have time to write I took a laptop computer and a memory stick filled with current projects. As it turns out I had little time for anything but work and some sleep.

I am excited that the introduction to the book that I started for middle school science teachers, The eccentric middle school science teacher: methods for success has been accepted for publication by Science Scope Magazine. Look for the introduction to the book as an article in an upcoming edition of Science Scope Magazine entitled, “Methods for success as a middle school science teacher.”