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Who's Who
Short bios of the membership are optional and only for paid members.
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Alberto Arcia
E-mail damneato@aol.com
Alberto Arcia is the current President of the Guild. He is a Panamanian immigrant and holder of a Green Card. He is gentle by nature and his stories reflect his persuasion. Alberto sold a short story, "Rejali and the Camel" to J.D. Publishing, out of Spring, Texas. He sold a novel, Cut & Run - The Misadventures of Alex Perez to Arte Publico Press, out of Houston. He has been working the book-signing circuit, trying to promote the novel, and establish himself as "The Panamanian Humorist from Texas." He loves to play cards. Canasta is his game. He holds a season ticket to the Houston Dynamo soccer games and enjoys a good Saturday afternoon game of Croquet with the In-Laws. He indulges in the Spirits and admires Ernest Hemingway. He is an avid non-fiction reader, yet he writes fiction: a matter that puzzles his lovely young wife. Alberto has a High School education. His attempts at college consisted of being sent off on Scholastic Withdrawal several times (from two different schools)- a matter that galled his mother. He came to Texas with a diplomatic passport in 1964 - in 1970 his diplomatic status was revoked, and in 1971 he joined the National Guard to keep from getting drafted. He worked most of his life as a traveling salesman, is amorous by nature, and adventurous by design. Impressed by Indiana Jones, he opened an Adventure Tour business with a partner from Beaumont, and guided American tourists into the jungles of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala on Mayan Archeological tours. He has taken on three wives (one at a time), and has several children and grandchildren. He lives in Plantersville for thirty-two years, seventeen of them with Betsy- his inspiration and the love of his life.
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Jennifer Blanchard
Jennifer Blanchard is the founder of Procrastinating Writers, a blog that offers advice, motivation and
inspiration for writers who struggle to get started.
Some of her past writing jobs include: Creative Marketing Writer for HRTools.com, Associate Editor at
Pet Product News International and Pet Style News magazines and Assistant Web Content Producer
for uticaOD.com.
Jennifer has a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Public Relations from Utica College, and has been writing
since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She’s published hundreds of articles in national and local
magazines and newspapers, and has had her own column twice.
Currently, she’s penning the second draft of her first novel, Celebrity Soulmate—a story about a girl
who’s tired of dating losers so she drops everything and moves to California to try and date her
favorite musician, who she believes is her soulmate.
Her non-writing hobbies include: Hanging out with her puppy, Weiland, hand-making greeting cards,
indulging in everything fashion-related, cooking and educating people about nutrition and healthy
living.
Contact Jennifer by e-mailing: jennifer@procrastinatingwriters.com.
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Paul Bussard
Paul Bussard retired from a forty-year career in data processing (aerospace and communication) and is busier than ever with his writing, gardening and woodworking. He is an avid reader and writer of science fiction, but also dabbles in poetry and human interest stories. He and his wife, Patty, moved from North Georgia to Texas to be near their growing grandchildren. Paul has held several board positions of the Woodlands Writers Guild and he’s a member of Writers in the Hat. Paul is currently working on two novels: Beyond Hercules, about a hapless inventor who discovers anti-gravity, not knowing that the universe is patrolled by a sentinel robot that annihilates anyone with anti-gravity technology, and Stinger Stars, about a young biologist who discovers that the genetic research company she works for has accidentally created a sapient species.
Contact Paul PABwriter@consolidated.net
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Gail Collins
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Gail Collins works as a features writer for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, Arizona and also as a contributing writer for both Cy-Fair Magazine in Houston and Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living in Flagstaff. Her theory: To write more, create more deadlines.
After a few published clips, Gail began her professional career in Lagos, Nigeria as a co-author, co-editor and co-conspirator for the charity book project, Nigerian Gems: Expatriate Tales of Adventure. The volume’s many contributors offer a window into the lives of strangers in a strange place the authors called home through a collection of personal stories. In its fourth printing, the popular volume contributes 100% of book sales toward educating children in five schools in the Lagos area.
Gail chiefly writes about travel, art, business and many health-related topics. Still, she yields a soft spot for memoir. A Spanish Lullaby is such a piece that won selection in Julia Loren’s Divine Intervention: Travelers’ Tales. Her essay Best Case Scenario on the joys and heartbreak of mothering featured on NPR. All this proceeded as preparation for her book of historical fiction based on a true story that is now under construction. The novel parallels two lives during WWII whose home fronts become military fronts on opposite sides of the war. When bombs fall on these children’s hearts and homes, such experiences shape them and their ensuing choices for better or worse. Read more on the Web: gailgcollins.com
Web Page http://www.gailgcollins.com
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BOB DAILEY
ABOUT BOB CONTACT HIM AT ROBERTCDAILEY@HOTMAIL.COM
Web Sites Robert Dailey O R Water Wise Gardening
Literally “born on the bayou,” south of New Orleans, Robert spent his formative years
on a farm in southwest Louisiana.
His Acadian mother and Irish father raised him Catholic, and he studied for the priesthood for several years.
He studied English journalism for two years then left college.
He entered the Navy in 1967 and served there until 1971. He was stationed in Spain for two years,
and on subsequent assignments in the Mediterranean for almost two more years.
In 1971, Robert was honorably discharged from the Navy and began a period of anti-war activities,
writing a weekly newsletter, setting up counseling and job services for GIs, and organizing students and others in war opposition activities.
Robert returned to college on the GI bill, and, at the same time, began working as a reporter for a local paper. He graduated in 1976.
For the next 15 years, he worked in a variety of newspaper and trade publication jobs, rising from reporter to editor to publisher.
Along the way, he learned all aspects of the publication business, including circulation and offset presses.
During this period, he won many journalism awards.
In 1979, he was invited by President Jimmy Carter to attend a press briefing and cocktail party at the White House.
In that same year, he was named Agricultural Reporter of the Year by the Louisiana County Agents Association.
In 1980, he was appointed to participate in forming a new state constitution by the Louisiana governor.
In 1985, Robert, along with the late columnist Jack Anderson and 300 other reporters, formed Investigative Reporters and Editors in Indianapolis.
Robert was recruited by Smith Barney in 1991. The firm was expanding its operations, and hired him to work in Louisiana.
In that same year, Robert was appointed to the Louisiana Mineral Board by the governor. He served pro bono for four years, first as chairman of the royalty committee, and then as chairman of the board.
In 1995, he was asked by Smith Barney to enter into management. In 1998, he was asked to manage the firm’s Santa Fe investment banking branch. Robert did this until 2005, when he retired from Smith Barney.
In the last two years, he has returned to his first love, writing. One short story, Black Blood, was published in Fish Publishing’s Short Story Anthology. The story is, he notes, a tribute to his favorite author, Flannery O’Connor. The anthology is available on Amazon.com under the title of “Grandmother, Girl, Wolf and other stories.”
Robert is also a feature writer for Suite 101.com, where he has published hundreds of articles, blogs and photographs on a variety of “green” topics, including rainwater harvesting, water conservation, xeric and water wise gardening, low-water use and native plants.He has also published an in-depth gardening glossary on that site. (http://desertwaterwisegardens.suite101.com)
Robert is currently working on several novels. One, tentatively titled On The Island, a second, with the tentative title of The Pack, and a third mystery/horror genre novel titled Lamashtu, and a number of short stories.
He is also working on a definitive waterwise gardening book for beginners, titled, imaginatively enough, WaterWise Gardening 101.
He is involved in a number of freelance writing projects.
Robert (a master gardener) is the publisher and editor of the Montgomery Master Gardeners Association’s newsletter. This newsletter was named top newsletter in the state for 2007-2008 at the recent Texas Master Gardeners Convention.
For the 2007-2008 high school year, Robert took over the reins of The Woodlands High School Latin courses after the Latin teacher left unexpectedly.
He lives with his wife, Denise, in The Woodlands. The couple has raised six children and two daughters, Gabrielle, 17 and Camille, 13, remain at home.
Robert likes to fly fish for freshwater trout and likes to deep sea fish as well. He is a master gardener and spends much time in his garden. He also donates time to do gardening work at community locations in The Woodlands and elsewhere in Montgomery County.
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Ray fitzgerald
E-mail Fitrl@comcast.net
WEB PAGE http://www.SHAMROCKANDBLARNEY.COM WRITING AREAS OF INTERESTS:PRIMARILY HUMOR BUT SHORT FICTION OF ANY GENRE, More adept at editing than critiquing Currently trying to syndicate a satirical, humor column Studied humor writing in a 3 day ,intense seminar conducted by Danny Simon, T.V. sit-com writer (Barney Miller,etal) and brother of playwright,Neil Simon. Taken creative writing courses at Rice University and Leisure Learning. Studied creative writing in a class taught by Joseph Wambaugh Have worked as an editor for 2 weekly papers and 3 corporate newsletters
PERSONAL INTERESTS: avid reader and equally avid sports fan, poker player par excellence,and ardent attendee and interest in musicals, movies and plays. History buff with emphasis on the 20's, 30's and 40's Served eight years in the military as a Russian-Czech linguist. I have traveled extensively--2 tours of duty im Europe, a 2-week photo safari in Kenya ,Africa, a tall ship sailing cruise in the Caribbean and a most informative and enjoyable three week tour of Ireland seeking information about relatives and ancestors,the majority of them ultimately proving to be highwaymen and scoundrels. I really enjoy a long,leisurely swim in my pool, a good cigar,philosophical debates/discussions with close comrades and the sharing of knowledge and ideas with other writers My wife,Sandy,is currently President and CEO of Girls Inc.of Houston, the local chapter of the national, non-profit organization. For 15 years she was Director of Community Affairs for Theatre Under the Stars. She has been and still is of invaluable assistance in my creative writing efforts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Rebecca Harkins
 Rebecca Harkins wants to be a Broadway singer when she grows up. Until then, she writes about anything that see ms remotely interesting. A deviant surgeon, she plays with words- slicing, dicing, and reconstructing them. Linguistics, short stories, poems, songs, and making technical writing less dry are only some of her interests. When the muse leaves, Sherlock Holmes and Poirot tend to agitate the little grey cells again. Good old British humor (Hyacinth, Rumpole, Mrs. Slocum) helps as well. She collects old coffee grinders, antique quilts, and books (pre-1945). Her many inspirations include her husband
(Ken), 7 children, 1 grandchild, 2 dogs (schnauzer/beagle mix), and 40 rosebushes of various colors, sizes, and thorns- including the ones that draw blood and the ones that don’t.
E Mail Techno_pen@yahoo.com
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Jim Jones
James W. Jones attended Tulane University School of Medicine on scholarships as an honor society student. He volunteered and proudly served as a naval medical officer with the 2nd Marine Division, after internship in Philadelphia. He then returned to graduate school at Tulane earning a PhD in cell biology. He took surgical training at Charity Hospital with surgical fellowships at Mayo Clinic and Ochsner Clinic becoming board certified in general surgery, thoracic surgery, and critical care. Dr Michael DeBakey appointed him to the faculty of the Baylor College of Medicine at Houston where he became a professor of surgery, cell biology, and medical ethics and vice chair of surgery. He went to the University of Missouri as Stephenson Chair and distinguished professor of Surgery. During a 35 year career, he performed thousands of heart and vascular operations, helped educate hundreds of surgeons and medical students, was a member of the most prestigious professional organizations in America, and authored or coauthored 3 books and 370 scientific papers. He remains a Assistant Editor of the Journal of Vascular Surgery. He enjoys cave and wreck diving. He is retired and finishing a book examining the existence of God, working on a memoir, and starting a book entitled “Health Secrets for a Better Life”.
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Ron McWhorter
For Ron McWhorter, writing is a way of life. Inspired by his high school English teacher, Ron continues to write in several arenas. During the day, oil and gas prospects receive the special touch of his writing flair. At night, his brain switches gears to write creative pieces. These have included Christmas stories for friends and family, a short-story thriller with a Chinese folk-tale inspiration (A Poor Piece of Rock which won 2nd place in a WWG contest), two thrillers (novels), and now a science fiction (in progress).
Ron's words of wisdom are these: "I think that our writing sometimes takes us places and shows us what we're supposed to do with it. Sometimes when we try too hard to make a story fit a category, it's a lot harder for the magic of writing to take over." Whether inspired by Magic or Muse, Ron can't rest until he gets the idea down on paper. From there, who knows where it will go.
Ron's father was a geophysicist in Liby and Indonesia. Ron has a world-view perspective of the needs of young professionals and helped create a mentoring program at Devon Energy. Always a leader, Ron has been a Boy Scout Scoutmaster, charman of a college advisory council, and in 2000, the chairman of WWG's writing conference. The care and effort that Ron puts into his family and work reflects his devotion to his writing- and vice versa.
Contact: Ron rcmcwhorter@msn.com
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Ali Nulla
Ali Nulla continues his elusive ways. His ephemeral presence has indeed been a rare event. He’s been such a phantom at WWG meetings that some of the newer members, who have yet to meet him, have even expressed doubt he actually exists. Old timers, however, still remember him as a war m and voluble member who, in the early days of the Guild, originated and lead many of the Guild’s most storied activities. In his latest letter he claims once again to be off in the far corners of the world seeking enlightenment, despite persistent rumors that he’s been spotted in Hollywood crassly hawking a screenplay and trying to market his once-formidable skills as a screenplay doctor—all of which he vehemently denies. What he’s really been up to none of us knows. We can only hope he’ll show up one day soon and tell us.
contact Mr Nulla either thru attending a seance or sky writing
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Jay Rohfritch
WEB PAGE HTTP://WWW.GOODBOOKSINTHEWOODS.COM
I am part owner (with my parents and sister) of Good Books in the Woods, a used and collectible book store located just outside The Woodlands. We have over 10,000 used books in all subjects and 12,000 collectible first editions, mostly in modern literature.
My previous job was CFO of a premium finance company in Southern California. Although I dearly miss the weather, I am quite happy to be a bookstore owner.
My writing areas of interest include science fiction, fantasy, and fictionalized memoir. I have attended writing workshops at the University of California – Irvine, and at University of Houston’s Inprint. I have just begun a novel and hope to have it completed by the end of 2010.
WE ARE YOUR COMMUNITY BOOK STORE
BUY SELL TRADE RENT
25915 OAKRIDGE DRIVE
THE WOODLANDS,TEXAS 77380 281-298-2497
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