Eileen Birin

Author of

Let's Get Published

Audio Book/CD

AND

Go Ahead.

Self-Publish

The Wall

An Enchanting  Story for Children of All Ages with Reading-Thinking-Writing Activities

by the

Phoenix Writers' Club

Edited by Eileen Birin

 A Woman for All Ages

by Eileen Birin

    While still living in Chicago, I attended a writing seminar conducted by Dr. Dennis Hensley, author of seven books and more than fifteen hundred articles. The meeting focused on how to be a successful freelancer, and Dr. Hensley made it a point to tell us that he always carried a notebook, camera and recorder with him wherever he went, even on vacations, sometimes to the dismay of his wife and family. He knew there were, and possible even looked for, stories everywhere.

     One story in particular, I have never forgotten can be summed up as follows.

    While on a mini-trip driving the scenic back roads of the mid-west, the Hensleys came across a small town, enhanced with charm and character. They stopped. With camera and notebook ready, Dr. Hensley set out to explore the town's historic treasures.

    He was fascinated by what was once a decorative opera house, art deco architectural style, now in various stages of deterioration, which stood in the town's center. Therein laid a story.

    While inquiring about the old building, Dr. Hensley was delighted to learn there was a senior resident who had recently taken it upon herself to record the history of this turn-of-the-century town, its notable buildings which included the opera house, as well as, some celebrated happenings. She was hoping her memoirs and research would provide younger generations, caught up in fast-paced progress, an American small town experience.

    Dr. Hensley was even more impressed with the woman herself and once back in his motel room made a quick long-distance call with a "hold the press" edict. This woman's article needed to be published in the next magazine issue.

    "Now Dennis, wait a minute," the editor responded. "Why such a rush? Let's wait and see what the lady comes up with and see if we can actually use the material."

    "But you don't understand," Dennis exclaimed, "the woman is 101 years old!"

    This 101 year old aspiring writer lived to be 104 and had seven magazine articles published in the second century of her life. She believed that you live the first 100 years and then write about your life the second century. Mark Twain held a similar belief, but his was a 50/50 split - maybe a bit more realistic

    I don't recall Dr. Hensley ever mentioning the woman's name or the name of the town, but that's not important. What matters is that a centenarian was able to invest her time and years of experience so wisely. Wouldn't it be great if we were all so privileged?

    With the start of each new year, this woman for all ages inspired me to start today fulfilling my own writing dreams and goals. There's no guarantee I'll be granted a second century of life, but one thing's for certain, I'm not waiting. TODAY I start the rest of my life, writing and otherwise.

Encouraging Children to Write

by Kas Winters

How do children learn to love writing and drawing? For me it began when I was very young. My father worked in an office where they tossed reams of papers that were printed on one-side only. Long before the advent of recycling, he used to bring them home for his kids to write and draw on the clean sides. There was always a huge stack of paper available for me to cover with good stuff. 

It has been said that you learn to write and draw by writing and drawing. Having materials at hand enabled me to do plenty of that! Now I can't guarantee that simply supplying paper will create a writer or an artist, but it will keep kids busy doing something fun and productive. Don't forget to hang their gems on the refrigerator door for all to enjoy!

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