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NATIONAL LEAGUE OF AMERICAN PEN WOMEN
HONOLULU BRANCH
www.nlapwhonolulu.org
May 2008 Newsletter
Contents:
A.
B. PEN WOMEN IN THE NEWS
C. DELECTABLE DETOURS
D. ANNOUNCEMENTS
E. APRIL MINUTES - MAY MINUTES
F. NEXT MEETING
G. CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.
We have had a wonderful two years together, and during that time your
hard working Board, committees and chairs came through with a
spectacular Art Show, the best Writers Conference yet, continued
success with our Girls Court Community Program, and added twelve new
Pen Women (plus two more in process) to our fabulous Branch. Our
list of Pen Friends continues to grow. Our Newsletter continues to
keep our off- Island members in touch. And… we are working on a Big
Island Branch!
I look forward to seeing you at our two Delectable Detours this
month. It’s a wonderful way to get to know each other better – our
luncheon meetings never provide enough time to chat so I encourage
all to take part in these events and join fellow members and friends
for a short meal (cheap) afterwards.
My deepest thanks to each and every one of you for the honor of being
your President. May you continue to thrive in your art – and of
course, have a grand and glorious summer.
To our new Board and Chairs I give my sincere good wishes for a
successful and rewarding term.
Mahalo nui loa,
joan
For all of you who have paid your dues, we thank you. For those who
need a gentle reminder, please make pay your dues as soon as
possible to avoid penalties at National of $15. per each late payment.
Please mail to Joan Gencarelli, 1250 Mokapu Blvd., Kailua, Hi 96734
B. PEN WOMEN IN THE NEWS
Claire Rivero has done the musical score for a TV commercial for KHON TV.
The commercial is for Fujitsu Air Conditioning and takes place
in a classroom where children are passing notes back and forth.
Sandra Wagner-Wright recently had an academic paper entitled "Birth,
Marriage, Honor & Poverty: Ramifications of Traditional Hindu
Culture & Custom on Modern Indian Women" published in the on-line
journal "Forum on Public Policy." If anyone
would like to read the paper, the link is
http://www.forumonpublicpolicy.com/archivesum07/wagner.wright.pdf
She presented the paper at the Oxford Roundtable on Women's
Leadership in
August 2007.
* * *
Barbara Betts had her art exhibited in ArtExpo 2008 in Javits
Convention Center in New York City from February 28-March 3, 2008.
The Gallery on the Pali will have an exhibit Women Artists Recognized
from August 17-September 19, 2008. NLAPW members Barbara Betts and
Betty Pearson will be in it plus others. Reception date unknown.
* * *
Carol Egan attended the Centennial Celebration of her beloved ballet
teacher, Antony Tudor, held at the Juilliard School in New York in
March. It served also as a reunion for many dancers, some of whom who
hadn't seen each other in a half century.
At the end of April, Carol gave two lectures to Judy Van Zile's
"Dance in World Cultures" class at UH Manoa. The subjects were The
History of Ballet and The History of Modern Dance.
Carol continues to preview and review dance events for the Honolulu
Advertiser and was thrilled recently to be asked to preview a theatre
event.
Writers’ Conference
April 18-19th, 2008
The 2008 Biennial Writers’ Conference, “Writing Beyond Boundaries,”
was a wonderful success! It was held at Punahou School. Keynote
Speaker Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, who spoke on “Crossing Cultural
Borders: The Making of Farewell to Manzanar.” Master workshop
presenter Eddie Kamae gave a special workshop called “Talk Story to
Get the Story.” Approximately 115 people attended.
Our sponsors included The Honolulu Advertiser, who provided a $1,000
donation for high school scholarships, Pen Women Honolulu, which
donated scholarships for community college students, Starbucks
Hawai?i, which donated coffee, and Honolulu Weekly, who donated
advertising consideration. Financially, we came in under the amount
that the board had allotted us!
Friday evening’s readings were a delight as presenters read from
their works. Professional photographer Hawkins Biggins was there the
record it: see her photos at
http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?
userid=hawkeye&gallery_id=1044453. There are more photos on our Web
site, www.nlapwhonolulu.org.
After Saturday’s keynote address, a series of fascinating and
informative workshops followed, with presenter Rita Ariyoshi, Deborah
Turrell Atkinson, David Choo, Craig Howes, Kealoha, Victoria Nalani
Kneubuhl, Stephen Little, James Rumford, Margaret South, Y York,
Marion Coste, Darrell Lum, Wendy Miyake, Patricia Wood. Nancy Mower
was moderator for the Getting Published panel.
A delicious lunch was provided by Kahai Street Kitchen.
THANKS to the committee of hard-working Pen Women that produced the
conference:
• Sarita Corn
• Carol Egan
• Sabra Feldstein
• Victoria Gail White
• Joan Gencarelli
• Nancy Moss
• Nancy Mower
• Sandra Wagner Wright
• Jane Yamashiro
Under the direction of conference chair, Barbara Clemens.
Thanks to all the Pen Women who generously volunteered their time at
the conference, including Tracy Bennett, Shan Correa, Elsha Bohnert,
Jan McGrath, Liz Train, Barbel Miller, Ria Kelz Remenar, Suzanne
Machbitz, Carson Becker, Kris Barry, and Leilani Madison.
C. DELECTABLE DETOURS
Nancy Moss’s:: Hostage Wife
, Kumu Kahua Theater,, 46 Merchant Street, SUNDAY, MAY 18th, 2 pm
Hostage Wife is an award-winning play. It tells the story of Dee
Fernandez, a woman whose husband works as a private-sector security
guard watching over a power station in Iraq. When her husband is
taken hostage, Dee is visited by Alan Baker, a government agent who
offers her comfort, companionship and, as they grow closer and when
it is revealed that Dee's husband is violent, racist and abusive, the
possibility of a new and brighter future. As the negotiations
proceed, Dee's daughter returns from the mainland to help field phone
calls from the media and visits from nosy neighbors and Dee herself,
wafted into a semi-dream world through sleeping and pain pills,
becomes ambivalent about herself, her marriage, and her desires for
the outcome of the hostage situation.
Nancy Moss has invited the Pen Women to join her for light
refreshments, outside the Theatre, following the play.
To order tickets contact Kumu Kahua Theatre, Box Office Phone: (808)
536-4441, or online http://www.kumukahua.org/
The play also runs: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm: May 15, 16, 17,
22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31; June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 2008, Sundays 2pm:
May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 2008
Agatha Christie’s: And Then there were None,
Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 E. Manoa Road
We have changed our date to Wednesday, May 21 at 8 pm and will cancel
dinner - SOLD OUT FOR SUNDAY.
Intrigue… Murder…Death!
Ten people are lured to a lonely mansion. One by one they share
their darkest secrets. One by one, they die. It is no mystery why
Christie remains the most popular novelist in history. Shrouded in
secrets and unexpected turns, this is a superlative thriller by the
undisputed “Queen of Crime!” Performing in the play is our very own
Victoria Gail-White.
Contact Victoria at LaVieGW@aol.com or call 637-6007, to purchase
cast discounted tickets for $18 per person.
Contact Sabra at cactusflower@hawaii.rr.com or call 373-3027, if you
would like to join us for dinner after the play at Paesano Italian
Restaurant, Manoa Marketplace at 7:30 pm.
If you are unable to attend the May 25th performance, you may still
call Victoria to order discounted tickets to other performances.
The play also runs May 14th- 25th. Wed. – Thur. 7:30 p.m., Fri. –
Sat. 8 pm. & Sun. 4pm
*Please note: Sunday, May 25th differs from the Friday, May 18th date
announced at the Pen Women meeting.
* * *
On Sunday, April 20, a group of eleven Pen Women and assorted spouses
and friends gathered at Mark's Garage for a matinee performance of Y
York's fabulous play, "Bleachers in the Sun." The work describes the
interactions of four pre-teen girls - their jealousies, fantasies,
fears and desires. Following the performance most of us walked the
short distance to Little Village, Chinatown's acclaimed restaurant,
for a sit-down feast of many delectable dishes.
A fantastic time was had by all!
D. ANNOUNCEMENTS
HAWAII BOOK AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 17-18
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Honolulu Hale
Free admission and parking – HELPERS NEEDED – SEE WEB SITE FOR SIGN UP
* * *
MAUI WRITERS CONFERENCE
The conference, which will be on Oahu this year, needs helpers. Of
course, when you volunteer, you get to attend for free. Folks need
to be available from 1 pm on Thursday, Aug. 28 until noon on Monday,
Sept. 1.
Here’s their email address: writers@mauiwriters.com
See their site at: http://www.mauiwriters.com/conference/index.html
* * *
The Art of Story: Master Classes with Margaret South begin in August.
This is a series of 9 master classes, to be held on Tuesdays from
9-11 a.m. and Saturdays 4-6 pm. August: The Purpose; Sept.: The Arc
of the Protagonist; October: Heroic Traits; November: Taking Action;
January: Things Can’t Get Any Worse; February: It’s All About Love;
March: The Resurrection Story; April: Boy Meets Girl; May: The Moral
of the Story. To register, contact South Productions, P.O. Box
240627, Honolulu 96824. Cost is $110 per workshop or special 9-month
program for $990. Classes held in Niu Valley.
Crime Writers, take note! Get ready for the Left Coast Crime
Conference, “Say Aloha to Murder!”. It will take place March 7-12,
2009 at the Marriott Wailoloa Beach Resort, on the island of Hawai?i.
Guests will include Rhys Bowen, Barry Eisler, Lee Goldberg. For more
information, go to www.leftcoast crime.org/2009. Spread the word!
E. APRIL MINUTES
In attendance: 28 members, 13 guests, 8 visitors, 4 friends, plus the
speaker and the musician, for a total of 55.
President Joan Gencarelli welcomed the group. She told us that April
is National Poetry Month. She wondered who started it and discovered
that The Academy of American Poets began this program in 1996. Along
the way, they enlisted government agencies, educational leaders,
publishers, poets, and arts organizations to help keep alive the art
of the poet.
Why April? Perhaps, as in the words of T. S. Eliot, because "April is
the cruelest month." She hopes that National Poetry Month lessens
that effect. She said that poetry is considered the Crown of
Literature. To reach deep inside, recall a memory, a feeling, a
scene and with a few perfectly chosen words, to communicate that
emotion to another is a true gift. We have many talented poets in
our membership, including letters member Carol Catanzariti. She read
her poem “The Deepest Line,” recently published in “The Breakup
Queen.”
Joan said that writing poetry is now recognized as a way to heal. She
introduced member Ilima Stern, who works with women prisoners at the
Oahu Community Correctional Center. She has produced three volumes of
poetry, called Hulihia: Writings from Prison. Ilima shared her
experience working with the women writers and the beautiful poetry
they create.
Joan asked all first-time guests to introduce themselves.
Joan acknowledged our Web Master, Michael Rivero and made him our
first ever Honorary Friend. She said that Michael responds
unflinchingly to our needs and keeps our site looking fabulous. She
encouraged all members to include give a short bio of their work on
the Web site, including a photograph, and send it to Michael to be
added in our members section on the Web site.
She reminded us that our dues are due in May.
Barbara Clemens gave a writers’ conference update. She said that the
conference would be on April 18-19th at Punahou School. She requested
that people volunteer for the many jobs at the conference, including
registration, food tables, door greeters, and the like.
Member Rea Fox then sang a song in honor of Joan and her years of
service to Pen Woman: a customized version of “The Lady is a Tramp.”
Nancy Moss announced the opening of her award-winning play, Hostage
Wife, at Kumu Kahua Theater.)
Guest Speaker
Nancy then introduced our guest speaker, writer Lee Cataluna, who
spoke to us on “The Writing Life.”
Lee has an expansive vision for her writing, and feels that she is
still in the process of getting there. Like all writers, she
struggles with the reality of time, and often writes late at night.
This is good because her self-censor sometimes goes to bed earlier
that she does! Sometimes she feels she gets lucky in her writing, but
it’s not always fun.
Two of her influential teachers were Victoria Kneubuhl and Y York.
She particularly admires Victoria because she has two children, and
knows well that writing is something you force to happen.
People experience writing differently. She admits to not always
feeling like writing. After all, one can’t call it writing if there’s
nothing on paper--that’s cheating!
She has completed the first draft of her first novel, built on her
experiences in theater, called Three Years on Doreen’s Sofa. She
read from this work, which has a male narrator.
She then took questions from the group. She said that writers don’t
always need to be highly trained. We only need to have a story to
tell.
She spoke about her award-winning Advertiser column. One question
involved how she handles controversy, especially in this age of angry
opinions on blogs and the like. She sees her job as being
provocative, which is not part of her nature, but that this can be
difficult under criticism.
She spoke about her plays and a commission from Diamond Head Theater.
Her work has been performed at Kumu Kahua Theater, among other
venues. She gets requests for plays, but mentioned that this is not
always economically feasible. Writers cannot write for free.
When asked about her technique, she said that, in her fiction, she
doesn’t always know where a story is going. She finds it exciting to
write “into a blind alley.” She will often write a book before a play
to delineate the characters and stores, but not always.
She has another (serious) book in the works, currently on hold.
She keeps the writing and rewriting processes separate. She spoke
about the necessity of taking away our inner critic for the “crazy”
first draft. Then she refines it later.
Joan thanked Lee, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Clemens
Recording Secretary
MAY MINUTES
President Joan Gencarelli, in honor of the meeting’s importance in
installing the new board, introduced Ilima Stern, who performed an
opening oli she had written expressing aloha for the mountains
(pali), nature, and for each other.
In attendance were 26 members, 7 Friends, 6 guests, 4 visitors, and 1
musician, for a total of 43, including 2 no shows.
Joan began her remarks by thanking the group for the opportunity to
lead the group for two years. She quoted Mark Twain, saying “To
succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” She
said that ignorance helped her because she had no idea what she was
getting into! And she gained confidence by working together with the
outstanding members of our organization.
She asked all first-time guests to introduce themselves.
Joan then announced that Elsha Bohnert, Arts Member, has now been
accepted as a Letters member as well. She presented her with a lei
and a certificate of membership.
Joan announced that a Big Island attendee at our Writers’ Conference
suggested that we set up a Pen Women branch on the Big Island. This
is now going to become a reality. Members Sandra Wagner-Wright and Jo
Judy will help get the word out there.
Joan announced that the Hawai?i Book and Music Festival is still
looking for volunteers. Any Pen Women members or friends who would
like to volunteer should contact Joan.
She asked all first-time guests to introduce themselves.
WRITERS' CONFERENCE:
PHOTO ALBUM
Barbara Clemens gave a final report on the Writers’ Conference. She
began by showing a video of an interview that Victoria Gail-White did
on the KGMB Morning Show on April 17th. She appeared with slam poet
Kealoha, one of our presenters. Howard Dicus interviewed them. This
was great publicity for Pen Women! Kealoha performed a moving piece
he had written about his parents.
Barbara then presented a slide show of pictures taken at the
conference. Friday evening consisted of readings and the presentation
of the Lorin Tarr Gill Writing Competition winners, as well as a
reception and book signing. Many of the photos she displayed were
taken by professional photographer Hawkins Biggins
(www.hawkinsbiggins.com). To see these pictures and order prints, go
to http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?
userid=hawkeye&gallery_id=104445
For photos taken by others, go www.nlapwhonolulu.org.
The conference, held at Punahou School Mamiya Science Center, was
attended by 115 people, including presenters, high school scholarship
students, community college scholarship students, and paid attendees.
Saturday featured the keynote address by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston,
followed by a day of workshops including:
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston: Master Workshop: Memoir Into Fiction
Eddie Kamae: Master Workshop: Talk Story to Get the Story
Rita Ariyoshi: Place Yourself in the Place
Deborah Turrell Atkinson, Deadly Details
David Choo: Magazine Writing
Craig Howes: Families: Yours and Theirs
Kealoha: Writing Slam Poetry
Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl: Using History in Fiction
Stephen Little: Writing About Art
James Rumford: Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books
Margaret South: The Art of Story
Y York: Dialog Demystified
Getting Published Panel
Open Mic session
Honoring Our Outgoing President
Pen Women then honored outgoing president, Joan Gencarelli, thanking
her for her years of service to the group. Testimonials were offered
by Shan Correa, Nancy Moss, Barbara Clemens, Sabra Feldstein, and
Elsha Bohnert. The theme was that Joan’s shoes would be hard to fill.
At the high point, all members came up and tossed shoes in a huge
pile in front of Joan. (Elsha must have quite a shoe collection, to
supply us with all those shoes!) Elsha then presented Joan with a
fabulous photo collage piece, as well as a sparkle-encrusted, mounted
shoe, in honor of her work. Joan then received a gift certificate
from the branch. Joan expressed her appreciation.
Installation of New NLAPW Honolulu Branch Officers
Joan thanked and presented lei to the outgoing board members who
served for the 2006-2008 term:
Nancy Moss, Vice President
Ria Keltz-Remenar, Treasurer
Barbara Clemens, Secretary and Letters Chair
Dorothy Winslow Wright, Recording Secretary
Nancy Mower, Reservations
Linda Hutchinson and Liz Train, Art Chairs
Joy Gold, Membership Chair
Glenda Hinchey, Newsletter Editor
Karen Mitura, Historian
She then presented lei and administered the oath of office to the new
board members for the 2008-2010 term. They are:
Nancy Moss, President
Susan Killeen, Vice President
Carol Egan, Treasurer
Barbara Clemens, Secretary
Member Readings
For the remainder of the meeting, Pen Women members read from their
works:
Dorothy Winslow Wright read an essay on her musings occasioned by her
house being painted.
Barbara Clemens read an essay called “Celebrating 60.”
Carrie Hayman read “Midlife Crisis in Ft. Lauderdale: An Ode to An
Ex-husband”
Nancy Mower read an essay called “This Woman,” a story about her
mother
Jan McGrath reads 2 poems: “2000 Days” and “The Smoothers”
Elsha Bohnert read a poem about her earliest memories of running to a
bomb shelter in an air raid.
Leilani Madison read an excerpt from her book The Francis Revelation,
about scholars studying St. Francis.
Y York: Read a monologue of a man at a graveyard in Amsterdam at the
grave of his murdered wife.
Carol Catanzariti read her poem about home, called “Foundation.”
Carol Egan read an excerpt from her memoir, A Dancer’s Life, “Hooray
for Hollywood.”
Mary Bell read excerpts from the 2nd chapter of her novel for young
adults.
Margot Goodwill read three works she created at Y York’s workshop
last fall: “Age,” “Money,” and “The Details.”
Christine Le: Read the poem for which she was just awarded 3rd place
in the Lorin Tarr Gill Writing Competition, called “One God.”
Joy Gold read three poems: “After Pearl Harbor,” “Indelible,” and
“Landscape Memories.”
Hilary Wright read an excerpt from her memoir about her relationship
with her then-future husband.
Rosanna Hsi’s poem, “Red Is…” was read by Joan Gencarelli.
Shan Correa read from her novel Gaff, soon to be published by
Peachtree Press, about a 13-year old boy on a Hawai?i farm,
witnessing a cock fight.
At the end of the meeting, Joan gave her aloha, and Ilima Stern gave
a closing mahalo chant.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Clemens
Recording Secretary
F. NEXT MEETING
DATE: Sept. 3
SPEAKER: Patricia Wood, author of the novel “Lottery”
PLACE: Ala Moana Hotel - more information in September Luncheon
Notice
G. CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR
If you have news to share, please email editor Glenda Hinchey:
glendahinchey@yahoo.com
A. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for having worked for and with you during my term as President, and the joy you gave me. Perhaps the fabulous collage Elsha made shows it all!
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