Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

Can you believe that this year is winding down? I find it hard to fathom. So much has happened in my life and in yours. In ANWA, we've had a great Retreat and Workshop, and we're looking forward to an In-Service meeting for new and continuing chapter presidencies on January 26, 2002. When you (and we) know who you are, you'll receive more details. (Hint, hint: please send results of your elections to me at mwward@primenet.com. You ARE having an election, aren't you?)

Have you met your writing goals this year? Yes? Good for you! Make new goals for 2002 and get started. No? Don't beat yourself up. Take another look at those goals and see if you can break them down into increments that are reachable in 2002. Make goals such as "I will write for fifteen minutes a minimum of five days a week." That's not too much of a stretch, but if you're already stretched too thin, it may be your best path for getting out of your rut.

You all understand that these tips are aimed at ME. I've had a pretty unproductive year as far as creative writing goes. Oh sure, I've done lots of writing, but much of it has been ANWA business or something for my magazine, like an editorial. I DID have one sale this year, and placed second in an essay contest with a cash prize, so the year wasn't a total washout.

On the other hand, I only collected one rejection, so I'm not submitting near enough work. Hmmmmm, that calls for a new plan! My submission goal this year could be, "I will submit a minimum of one short work per month." Hey! Maybe I can do that! If that's too heavy for you, substitute "per quarter" for the time period. Just come up with a way to keep track of everything.

Did you catch the mention of my magazine above? I publish "WestWard Quarterly," a small, but paying, publication, and in the current issue I've included a poem by Edy Gurr, one of our Idaho ANWA members. Guidelines are available online at www.expage.com/westwardquarterly or by request with SASE to P. O. Box 8924, Mesa, AZ 85214. Sample copies are $3 for ANWA members, $4 for others.

Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year's, and come back on January 2, ready to WRITE!

Marsha Ward
ANWA General Secretary

P.S., the picture is of me; it's just a few years old!