Bryan and Karen, late 70s.

I was recently named the Gulf Coast Writers Association’s Featured Writer and was asked to submit a poem or short story for their website.  I decided to share “A Southern Baptist Courtship,” a true account of how I met my future spouse.  I wish I could say that the story is filled with romance and evidence of my outstanding character traits.  Unfortunately, like most how-we-met stories, the beginning was a tad awkward, the initial attraction was rooted in superficial admiration, and one of us was not on our best behavior (I promise, I’m a much nicer person now!).

To view “A Southern Baptist Courtship,” click here, and while you’re there, check out some of the past contributions from Featured Writers from the South.

"The Privacy Curtain" wins first place in the non-fiction category of the Gulf Coast Writers Association's "Let's Write" contest. GCWA President, Philip Levin, presents Karen Blakeney with a plaque.

I had a wonderful time last night at the Gulf Coast Writers Association’s May meeting.  And not just because I was there to pick up a plaque for winning first place in the “Let’s Write” Literary Contest (although that was pretty special!).  The meeting was held at Barnhill’s on Highway 49 in Gulfport, Mississippi.  Typically, GCWA meets at the Orange Grove Library on the last Saturday of each month, but apparently, the annual contest results meeting is held at a restaurant.  I brought my “entourage,” Nathan and my mom, Joyce Parker…my two biggest fans!

After a delicious buffet, winners were announced and we all had an opportunity to talk about our winning entries.  I especially appreciated hearing Vicki Hensley of Ocean Springs talk about how meaningful it was to have her writing recognized.  Vicki wrote about the tragic loss of her son, Chase.  I can relate to the sense of catharsis that comes from writing about even the worst moments of our lives.  Getting positive feedback from others feels like a validation not only of your creative efforts, but of your very heart and soul.

Nathan is proud of Mom.

The highlight of the meeting was a reading by James A. McGee, former FBI special agent, and author of the newly released book, Phase Line Green, the true account of the FCI Talledega hostage rescue in 1991.  The brief excerpt that Jim read was so riveting I could not leave without an autographed copy of his book.  See www.phaselinegreen.com for more details.

Jim also saw action in the horrific Branch Davidian Siege that played out before our eyes in 1993 on national television.  He plans to write another book revealing behind-the-scene details of this historic tragedy.

On a personal note, I was approached at the end of the meeting by a couple who lost an adult son due to an undetected congenital heart defect.  The father, a native of Michigan, had noted my mention that Nathan’s surgery was performed in his home state.  Naturally, I have a special place in my heart for folks from Michigan.  Their kind words were a great blessing and encouragement to me.

[Winning entries in the "Let's Write" Literary Contest can be viewed at http://www.gcwriters.org/.]

Other winners include:  2nd place, Mimi Greenwood Knight of Folsom, LA; 3rd place, Vicki Hensley of Ocean Springs, MS; Honorable Mention, Judy Davies of Gautier, MS.  In the Fiction category:  1st place, Wayne Scheer, Atlanta, GA; 2nd place, Liz Hoyt Eberle, Fredericksburg, TX; 3rd place, Anne B. McKee, Meridian, MS; Honorable Mention, Bobby Jenkins, Reedville, VA.  In the Poetry category:  1st place, Angela Elder Quinn, New Albany, MS; 2nd place, Nai Rong Liu, Troy, MI; 3rd place and Honorable Mention, Brenda Brown Finnegan, Ocean Springs, MS.

*P.S.:  If you read my entry, please note that the “storm” was not over.  See Body Cast and The Principle of Finders Keepers.

A few months ago, I decided to submit an excerpt from my unpublished book, Nathan:  A Heart, A Storm, A Prayer, to the Gulf Coast Writers Association‘s annual writing contest, “Let’s Write!”  I’ve never entered a writing contest before, so I had it in my mind that I would be thrilled to place.

Well, guess what!  I placed …first place!

I was notified last Saturday by Philip L. Levin, president of GCWA and Contest Coordinator, that my entry, “The Privacy Curtain,” won in the non-fiction category.  An awards banquet will be held on May 30 (I suppose Nathan’s going to want his cut of the prize money).