Members
OLYVE HALLMARK ABBOTT graduated from S.M.U. and attended the Juilliard School of Music. She comes from a background of musical comedy, opera, and television, having been a regular member of the cast on “Caesar’s Hour.” Her literary credits include western stories and articles, the former editor of Hawkins Heritage, and stories in seven anthologies. She has published four Texana paranormal books and her first novel, TV-Live—or Dead. Her Come Sundown: The life and letters of a frontier woman, is based on correspondence of her great-grandmother. Olyve is a frequent speaker and singer for various organizations in the state, delegate to the Oklahoma Writers Federation and was runner-up for the Ms. Texas Senior America in 2011. She is a member of Colonial Dames XVIIth Century and serves as an Exhibit Judge for the Texas Numismatic Association. She has two daughters, Taryn Wilson and author, Devon Mihesuah. Chloe, a three-pound Maltipoo, sleeps in Olyve’s desk drawer while she reaches over her to write her next novel—a good way to avoid carpel tunnel.
DARRELL D. BARTELL, an actor, playwright, short story writer, U.S. Army veteran, former private investigator, and cancer survivor, started acting classes at Tarrant County College, Northwest where he earned an Associate's Degree. While at TCC, his first play, No Secrets, won an award from Texas Educational Theatre Association. He went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Texas Wesleyan University. While there, his ten minute one man play titled Bragging Rights was performed by the theatre department. This play earned him an invitation to the 8th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference, in Valdez, Alaska. He completed his M.A. Degree in Drama at Texas Woman’s University. While attending TWU he had several of his play adaptations read by the drama department. His publishing credits include short stories printed in 121 North and another anthology being published fall, 2011. In addition to his many writing credits, Darrell is the creator of a radio show based on the television series American's Most Wanted. He is also a member of Porchlight for The Missing and Unidentified, which assist law enforcement and medical examiners in finding leads for John and Jane Doe cases.
MARJORIE BIXLER enjoyed showing and selling her enamels in arts and crafts galleries before she retired and contracted the writing bug. She was active in Green River Writers in Louisville, Kentucky, until her move to Fort Worth in 2005. Her short fiction has appeared in such literary publications as The Chaffin Journal, The Heartland Review, and Groundwater, a collection of stories by Kentucky writers. Her story, "Turkey for One," ran as the Hot Opener in Potomac Review online. She is also the proud winner of the Rotten Romance Contest. Her novels--five at last count-- still languish in a drawer.
ROBYN CONLEY, the book doctor, speaks and writes about writing, editing, and marketing what you write. Her books include: Be Your Own Book Doctor, which gives a checklist of editing tips for writers, and What Really Matters to Me, a journal that helps people discover their goals, then offers practical tips to make those dreams come true. Her other published titles include a diversity of topics, such as Beyond the Branches, Writing and Scrapping Your Complete Family Tree and Pray the Bible with Paper and Pen. Her biographies include: John Grisham, Cartoonists, and Alexander G. Bell. Her juvenile reference books: Meerkats; Depression; Motion Pictures; and The Automobile. Robyn has sold to major magazines, such as The Writer, Writer’s Digest, ABA: Student Lawyer, and a score of others.
CHRISTINE ENDY is an artist at heart, a painter by profession, and a writer, as she puts it, "for some insane reason." When she was eight years old, she discovered for the first time the magic of the written word. Books could weave stories so enchanting they took her to places only dreams could match. Now years later, she is key stroking her way into fulfilling a childhood fantasy, the journey of weaving her own tales. Christine's literary credits include several wins in national writer's competitions. She earned a B.A. in Theatre from Texas A&M-Commerce and a M.F.A in Theatre from Texas Tech University. She is currently working on her second book, a supernatural thriller titled The Secret Clover. She enjoys drawing, but has little time to indulge. She does, however, indulge in napping—"one of life's greatest pleasures." And considers herself a very accomplished day dreamer.
ELEANOR FORFANG-BROCKMAN, a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, teaches English language. She has devoted years to theological study and spiritual practice. Eleanor has lived in a south Indian ashram and a Benedictine Monastery. She is currently serving as catechist (an educator of hearers into the fullness of Christian life) at her parish church, and sitting at the local zendo. Eleanor’s poetry often addresses life and death, faith and doubt, and spiritual transformation. Her favorite things include gardening, environmental activism, reading, and long discussions with her husband about theology, art, and language. In her foolish youth, she worked on archaeological excavations in England and Norway.
MARY KEILLY, New York City born and bred, left college to become a fashion model. This led to a stint as one of eight models appearing on stage at the Radio City Music Hall and, as fairy tales go, to dancing in the chorus of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Returning to New York, Mary studied acting with Stella Adler. Over the next decade she performed in television productions and daytime radio dramas. Moving to Texas, she began writing. Mary's first book, Living On The Cheap In Style, was full of fashion advice for young women of today. Mary has now turned her creative attention to short stories. The six certificates on her wall for contests she has won convince her this is her niche. She is currently working on a book of short stories featuring a New York detective.
MARILYN GILBERT KOMECHAK loves to dance. This love led first to a stint with the USO, then a jazz tap ensemble “Rhythm and Shoes,” then on to liturgical dance, and finally to a flamenco company in Dallas. Love of writing didn’t come as swift, but has kept pace with dance. Her writing was encouraged by a freshman English professor who told her, “Someday you’ll write a book.” Marilyn forgot about his prophecy until, as a psychologist in private practice, she wrote a self-help book, Getting Yourself Together. Her second book, Morals and Manners for the Millennium was presented at the Austin Book Fair. A finalist in the A.C. and Judy Green Living Room Theatre of Salado, Marilyn is also a prize-winning poet and short story writer. She authored a children’s book, Paisano Pete: Snake-killer Bird published by Eakin Press. It won 'Best Juvenile Book for Oklahoma Writers' Federation. She and her husband’s future plan is to reconvene their Argentine tango lessons.
ROGER DALE LATHAM was born under a Pisces moon in the favored position of first-son. The year was 1947. Having been reared on the dusty bloody school yards of Fort Worth, Texas, Lad Latham’s natural poetic proclivities were restrained in self-defense until 1985. Once the gates opened the verse did flow—now he can’t shut it off. A course of Creative Writing at the local junior college was followed by a critique group of supportive writers. Roger writes short stories, poetry and is currently working on his memoir. Luckily he can remember 50 years back; last week’s a problem.
JOYCE MILLER has a life-time love of literature and history. As a child she was an avid reader and loved mysteries. In fourth grade she was sent to the principal’s office for hiding her Nancy Drew book behind her social studies book during class. Years later, as colleagues, her elementary principal enjoyed introducing her as the student who got in trouble for reading a book. Joyce retired in 2000 after 34 years as an educator. A Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, she presently works as an educational consultant for school districts in the area. Joyce has a mystery in the works but has put that aside to attend to the historical fiction novel that she has left unfinished for far too long. Much of the story takes place in occupied Paris during World War II with the actual events of that time period presented from the point of view of her fictional characters.
NELL NOONAN has written newsletters, columns, children’s scripts and resources related to her work as a church educator and librarian. But it was not until her soul friend Emily Williams challenged her to write devotions, that she fell into a genre that has brought her publishing success. Her first book, Meditations for Church Teachers (Faithful Servant Series), was published in 2000 by Morehouse. Emily further influenced Nell’s writing career by inviting her to attend Fort Worth Writers where she found encouragement and support for a more ambitious book, Not Alone: Encouragement for Caregivers, published in 2009 by Upper Room. This book went into second printing seven months after its release and has opened up an ongoing ministry and active network to other caregivers. A third book of devotions, Struggles of Caregiving (28 Days of Prayer Series, Upper Room), was released February, 2012. It includes a workbook/journal component for use by individuals or small groups. Nell and her husband Bob are members of St. Barnabas United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas. They are the parents of five wonderful children who have given them fifteen super grandkids!
JULIE STEPHENS, A New Orleans native, has always savored nature, reading, writing and photography. At the age of four or five, she found herself outside with her Brownie camera, taking pictures of other children playing and sunlight coming through the trees. Julie cannot remember a time when she couldn't read. She devoured writings of authors who also delighted in nature. An award winning photographer, Julie gains satisfaction from creating and selling greeting cards comprised of her poems and photos. The positive messages in her books and cards inspire others to live life to the fullest. Julie earned a BFA in Theater, and a Masters in Education. She was a reporter on the UTA Shorthorn. She has authored Reflections in the San Juan Mountains, and co-authored Tea & Talk. Julie is currently working on her next book, This Worked For Us, a memoir Raising Exceptional Children.
EMILY TIPTON WILLIAMS is a lay minister and spiritual director in the Episcopal Church. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Texas in Austin and her teacher certification from Texas Christian University. In addition, she holds a degree from The Anglican School of Theology in spiritual theology and spiritual direction. Emily’s Celtic novel, Restless Soul, takes place in the United Kingdom , one of her frequent travel destinations. Writing credits include stories published in The Fort Worth Star Telegram and Sharing Magazine. Emily won first place in the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation Contest for her children’s picture book, Maisy the Daisy. Her short stories have won numerous awards and are published in collections. Emily is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. She and her aviator husband, Mike, enjoy spending time in the summer at their cabin in Cuchara, Colorado. They share five children and four grandchildren.
JAMES WOODS, in fiction, James frequently draws on what he learned traveling. His short story "Shanghai" is driven by the contrast between a rural class on the edge of poverty and an urban middle class. James states, "A common theme in both fiction and non-fiction is the impact of science and technology on our minds and social organization. I suppose I've never really outgrown Marshall McLuhan: the tools we use shape what we are. We give up some of our core being in order to secure the "blessings" of computer technology and control over our genes." James' first novel examines the effort of one man to keep secret the existence of Bigfoot as a non-technological alternative to a humankind which seems hell-bent on destroying any vestige of a close relationship with nature.
Member Websites
Various of the members have created their own websites. Enjoy!