San Joaquin Sisters in Crime May 5th Meeting

What I Learned at the May meeting of Sisters in Crime

By Mary Benton

C. Jedediah Cridland-Hughes, Reference Librarian of the Fresno County Public Law Library, replaced our scheduled speaker, Sharon Borbon, who wasn’t able to attend.

Jedediah, a gifted and charismatic speaker, quickly covered the wealth of information available to us through the use of our local Public Law Library. His presentation was slanted specifically to us, as writers, and covered the many aspects that a writer of fiction, or nonfiction, is faced with when trying to get, “the facts, ma’am, just the facts.” His suggestion of using real crime scenarios to spark ideas for plot lines in our stories hit a home run with me. These cases, plus information concerning legal procedures of a personal nature, can be researched through the Public Law Library and are as easy as a click away on our computers. Jedediah generously handed out resource sheets listing those sites. Extra sheets may still be available at our next meeting.

Nancy L. Crossfield, Librarian from the William O. Owen Medical Library at St. Agnes Medical Center was our second speaker. She delivered her presentation with large doses of humor and pointed out that the Library has an abundant amount of information concerning the various poisons available to would-be killers, their effect, and what symptoms they might cause. She also handed out resource sheets for writers that listed websites that encompassed such subjects as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disaster Information Management, and National Capital Poison Center. This information is a valuable tool not only for writers of mystery and suspense, but for personal research when you, or someone you care about, has been diagnosed with an unfamiliar illness.

Both speakers did a terrific job and deserve a “two thumbs up!”    

Valley Public Radio Deserves our support

On Wednesday, February 22, I was honored to have my short story, The Grape Fields, read on Valley Writer's Read, Valley Public Radio, KVPR, Fresno. What a blast to hear someone else read my words.
I called Don Weaver at KVPR and thanked him, and also Ms. Lawson, the talented reader who brought my story to life. I was sad to learn that next year they will be cutting down on the stories chosen to be aired and would re-run some of the past contributions. Valley Writers' Read is a great place to get your foot in the door and earn credits for future references. Valley Public Radio deserves our support and I encourage all of you to tune in every chance you get.
Now, back to the garden. I have my tomatoes in and have just purchased my strawberry plants. I waited so I could get the variety I wanted. When we grew strawberries commercially, we grew the Chandler and Pajaro varieties. I've never been able to get the Pajaro in six-paks, only the Chandler. After all these years, I'm looking forward to walking out my door and pick fresh vegetables and fruits. My peach, and nectarines are fully in bloom, as is one of my apricots. One of my apricots has not fully recovered from a bumper crop that I didn't thin properly. The blooms on it are still sparse. I'm not too worried yet. I still have dried apricots in the freezer.  

Tulare County Historical Maps

Several weeks ago I traveled to the Mendota area of California's Central Valley to do research for an upcoming book I'm working on. While there, I had the good fortune to meet two gentlemen who worked at the Mendota Wild Life Hunter Check Station. Both had lived in the area for some time. My main purpose of the visit was to gather information on the terrain; basically, trees, marshes the names of the native plants in the area and where everything was in relation to nearby landmarks that a reader could identify with. They were gracious in offering their home-spun take on the surrounding area and "how is was."
One of the men said that his father collected old maps and he would be happy to share them with me. I gave him my address and thanked him profusely.
A few days ago those maps arrived in the mail. To say that I thought Santa Claus had popped in, would be an understatement. I was thrilled. The maps depicted everything I wondered about. The huge tule forests that I had read about. The names of the ferry crossing during the time period I was researching, which is the 1870's, the extent of Tulare Lake and how far north it went, stage routes and cattle ranches. On some of them I will have to get out my magnifying glass, but I think I'll be able to glean a wealth of information. I shall cherish them and keep them safe for future reference.
I offered to pay the man for the copying and postage, but he said no, just send him a copy of the book. I did one better, I sent him a copy of my Western, "Winds of Time," and will send him a copy of Cantua Crossing when I get it finished. Goes to show you never know what you'll find when you "go a-lookin'."

Spring in the air

With the days becoming warmer, I suddenly remembered the bulbs I purchased at Lowe's a few months ago. I'm hoping it's not too late to get them in the ground. Why is it that in the cold, winter months we dream of the wonderful gardens we will plant come the warmer months, and then we think of every excuse why we can't drag ourselves out to get the ground worked, the seeds, plants, bulbs, etc., planted.
I'm hoping it's a temporary mental block, and that my energy will surge with the warming weather. But maybe it's a battle of wills, my desire to be out digging and planting, versus my winter stiffened bones screaming, "noooooo."
Also arriving with the spring weather, are the birds. Birds intent on destroying my house to convert my attic into condos. I have two yellowhammers who are telepathic. They can sense when I pick up my pellet gun and ease the door open. Before I can even get out the door, I hear their large wings flapping, and their distinct skreeking, as they sail safely out of range. My large Lab encourages me to trek after them, assuring me we might be able to sneak up on one. I've got news for him. If they can hear me pick up my gun inside my house, and the stealthy turn of the door handle, we wouldn't stand a chance on catching one sitting in a tree and looking the other way.
So I resolve, today is the day I venture into the yard, shovel in hand, and start my yearly ritual of spading the good earth to prepare it for the plants that will  bring summer treats to my table and sharing with dear friends.

Gloria Getman, a driving force.

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Today I’m interviewing Gloria Getman, the driving force behind the recently published Visalia/Exeter Writers’ 2011 anthology, “LEAVES from the VALLEY OAK.” Without a doubt, Gloria spent many frustrating hours wading through the complicated process of editing and uploading the individual manuscripts into a format that was acceptable to CreateSpace. Her persistence and determination paid off when this delightful book was made available this fall to readers everywhere.

Please tell us a little about yourself.


I grew up in Ojai, CA, the youngest of four children in the family. I married my high school sweetheart and we had six children. When my husband started a plumbing business, I became the business manager. Later when my children were all in school, I decided I wanted to be a registered nurse, so I went back to school, graduating in 1971. I returned to college again for my BSN from CSU Bakersfield after we moved to the valley in 1973.
When my husband died, I realized that I couldn’t hold down a job and take care of our orange grove too, so I retired after 25 years as a nurse and became a farmer. Seven years later, I sold the orchard and moved into town. Then I had more time for writing.

How long have you been writing?
My yen to be a writer started in sixth grade when I wrote a short story about a talking Christmas tree and got some positive feedback. But I didn’t get serious about it until 1991. I wrote a few poems and then a reminiscent piece that I sold to Yesterday’s Magazette. I joined a critique group and also took a creative writing course at the local college. Soon after that I started working on a novel. Because I always enjoyed historical fiction, I thought I wanted to write a historical, but then Lottie popped into my head and I turned to a mystery. I’ve written a number of short stories, three of which are in the anthology Leaves from the Valley Oak, which can be found on Amazon and at The Book Garden in Exeter.

How many books have you written?
Good question. I have one book completed and waiting for a publisher and another book started.
How do you develop your characters?
Some pop up out of a dream. Some come from a “what if” situation, and how would a character react to it. Then it’s a matter of fleshing about that character. I like unusual characters.

What books and authors influenced you?
As a child I read many of the classics: Call of the Wild, Bambi and Black Beauty. Later, I read all of Alcott’s books. Also Mark Twain. I liked books about historical figures. Today, my favorite authors are Sue Grafton, Connie Shelton, and Margaret Maron. But since I belong to the Mystery Readers at the library, I read many different authors.

How did your upbringing color your writing?
Since I grew up in the days before TV, books were part of our everyday life. Weekly trips to the library, and the fact that my mother read to me, was really important. All of it stimulated my imagination.

Do you belong to any writers’ organizations?
Sure do. I belong to both Exeter and Visalia Writers, San Joaquin Sisters in Crime, Central Coast Sisters in Crime and SLO Nightwriters.

What is your latest project?
I’m working on an historical that takes place in Jerome, AZ. And I also started a blog: gloriagetman.blogspot.com

Last word on Kindle

Okay, last post about Kindle and its uploading and downloading. Since I'm on an internet service provided by satellite, I couldn't download directly onto my Kindle. My dear "tekkie" grand daughter came to my rescue. She brought over and installed a Wireless/Broadband Router for me. This simply involved plugging in my satellite receiver cable into the router box, and whambo, I've got wireless internet in my home. This allows me to download ebooks directly into my Kindle. I've no idea of the cost of the router, as she said it was an "extra" one that her mother had. (I don't look gift horses in the mouth)
I said this was to be a learning experience for me, and it truly has.

Kindle fire has promise

Good news. Received a Kindle fire for Christmas. I had already downloaded the book, Mis-Ant-Ventures of Billy Ray Scout, onto my pc. The book automatically popped up on my Kindle as soon as the device was registered. There has been a few sales, but not like I had hoped. I'm wondering what a series would generate. I'm also wondering how hard it would be to add illustrations into the text of a book.
This will be my next effort. Perhaps only a few illustrations to test the waters. Everything is a learning experience for me and I hope my posts help someone else who's considering going this route.