Posted in Creekside Cafe, event, interview, News, poetry

Welcome Natalie Singletary to Creekside Cafe

Natalie Singletary is a local author from eastern North Carolina. Aside from writing, she also
enjoys multiple other art forms, including stitch work, mixed media, and making handmade and
printed journals. She has a love for dance and theatre, always looking for a reason to perform
with the silent jukebox in her head. She is published in Down in the Dirt magazine and Scarlet
Leaf Review
as well as several self-published books in both print and eBook. Natalie has a
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Full Sail University.


Sherri: Welcome Natalie to my virtual café. If I ever win the lottery, I’ll open a coffee shop on the river
where we can sip drinks and talk about books and writing, but until then, I can only dream. As a kid my
friend and I played a game while walking down country roads, she’d say something that made me think
of a song and I’d start singing and then I’d say something, and she’d start singing. We sang everywhere
we went. We even put on shows for our neighbors. You mentioned in your bio the jukebox in your head,
do you have a soundtrack for your life? How about for your books?


Natalie: Thank you for having me, and I hope that I can help you in some way move closer to your
dream of owning your coffee shop. Its funny that you mention a soundtrack of my life. I actually used to
write down my soundtrack every couple of months. Now I have access to streaming services to make
playlists. I prefer independent artists and music and have recently been caught up in a band called
Nightshift.

https://youtu.be/ssO90posgdI

I do have a playlist for the Diamond Trilogy posted on my Spotify. I believe there’s a link to it on my
website. The book itself started out as a jukebox musical and I replaced the songs with poetry and small
blurbs. The chapter titles in the book are actually the titles of the original jukebox songs.


Sherri: Do you make a living with your art? I am always envious of anyone who can do something they
love and support themselves. I’m still hopeful that my writing will be part of my retirement plan.


Natalie: I currently do not make a living on my art, but it is a goal within the next 6 months to be a full
time author and business owner.

Sherri: I was looking at your website and I saw your essay on vulnerability. Sharing your truth has to be
one of the most difficult things you will have to do other than survive. When I see someone like you
stand up and take charge of their lives after dealing with trauma, I am inspired. Your daily courage to
face each day gives hope to others who are struggling with similar stories. Is the theme of your work
about your survival and hope?


Natalie: It is. Even The Diamond Trilogy was a coping mechanism, as well as Dirty Laundry. I wanted to
get rid of The Diamond Trilogy, burn the physical copies and delete the typed version, but I couldn’t
bring myself to do it, and I didn’t know why. Then, within two weeks, five people in my circle(s) passed
away. The Trilogy hits on a good number of hard subjects, including suicide and overdoses, and I knew
that it could be a segway to help others to find help.


Sherri: As chairperson of the Pamlico Writers’ Group, one of the things I tell new members is that
sharing our work is like standing in the Walmart parking lot naked, yelling “Look at me!” It’s not easy to
share our work with others. Especially as a self-published author we have to promote ourselves. What is
the most difficult thing for you about self-promotion?

Natalie: Talking about myself, lol. Thankfully, my sister loves talking about me and that helps. She’s my
biggest cheerleader, for sure. I’ve been working on getting better with letting people and socials know
that I do have art out there and that it is available to be purchased.


Sherri: Your covers are interesting and unique; do you create your own covers? I do my own covers and
often have to rethink my ideas to match my genres. Do you have any suggestions for creating eye-
catching covers?


Natalie: I appreciate you. I did create them, though Remnants is the first one I drew by hand and put on
a cover. The others I actually used Canva.com for most of my covers, outside of The Diamond Trilogy. A
good friend of mine took a photo for the Trilogy in my old apartment.

Canva.com is a free service that has plenty of resources to create great backgrounds, invites, and covers.
I came across it during my time at Full Sail and I absolutely love it! I would definitely recommend it! they
have templates or you can start from scratch, and while they do have elements that you can pay for,
there is plenty to use that is free.


Sherri: What was the hardest thing you faced when you first published your books? What would you tell
a new writer preparing to publish for the first time?


Natalie: I initially started with a vanity press, and quickly discovered that I didn’t go about it the correct
way and ended up canceling my contract. Vanity presses aren’t evil by any means. Many of them are a
great investment, as they offer a good number of services that take a lot off of the authors’ plates,
including editing and advertising. For myself, I wasn’t the best with my finances at the time, and decided
to go about it solo. It was a lot more work, but I didn’t mind, as I did like having control over the editing
and the story.

Sherri: What are you working on now?


Natalie: I’m currently working on my first novel, Gemini, the first in a three book series. It is a fantasy
about two sisters who were cursed by their parents to be slaves to the sun and the moon. I also just
finished up a writing Inktober, a new dual poetry/journal that will be available at the beginning of 2023.


Sherri: If you enjoyed this interview, you can meet Natalie at the New Bern Farmers Market, Sunday,
November 20 th at our upcoming Book Festival.


Natalie: Thank you so much for having me, Ms. Sherri!

The Diamond Trilogy – https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Trilogy-Dramatic-
Mini/dp/B0B3JD37DT/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3STJGKOLGZXT2&keywords=Natalie+Singletar
y&qid=1667752443&sprefix=natalie+singletary%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-3


Dirty Laundry – https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Laundry-Compilation-Stories-
Closure/dp/B08B33T69T/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667752369
&sr=8-2

Remnants – https://www.amazon.com/Remnants-Natalie-
Singletary/dp/B0BB5HW4X6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3STJGKOLGZXT2&keywords=Natalie+Si
ngletary&qid=1667752369&sprefix=natalie+singletary%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1


Just for Starters (Free E-Book) – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/992503
Natalie Singletary
http://www.obconwriting.com
nsingletary.obcon@sherrilhollister

Posted in event, my books, News, poetry, promo, road trip

Over 30 Local Authors with Over 100 Titles

Join Us Sunday, November 20th from 1 to 4 pm at the New Bern Farmers Market

Thanks to the efforts of author Sarah Maury Swan, she has brought together an eclectic group of authors and poets for a one-day only sale at the New Bern Farmers Market, 421 South Front Street, New Bern, NC. Sarah was featured on my Creekside Cafe author interviews.

I met Sarah many years ago at a Pamlico Writers’ Conference and later we attended a Carteret Writers’ Meeting together. Sarah is a vibrant woman with so much passion for life and writing that just being around her is inspiring. While many people would make excuses not to do things, Sarah looks for ways to get them accomplished. If she doesn’t know how, she calls on her friends and she has a lot of them which is evident by the number of people who have signed up for this event.

Bill, or W. C. Furney is one of Sarah’s posse, he might even be the sheriff of this motley crew. It is thanks to his efforts that we have the poster with all of our covers. I have used his work to make a few of my own, thanks Bill for helping to promote this event. I am looking forward to a drink with Bill and a chance to pick his brain.

The list of authors attending the Sunday Author Event is astounding. We have authors who are award winning like Sarah and Eileen Lettick, Leslie Tall Manning and Michelle Garren Flye, we have professors, researchers, therapists, poets, leaders in the local arts, and more. Whether you are looking for non-fiction, poetry or genre fiction, something for yourself, your spouse, grandma or your children, we have something for everyone. Come check out our books and get a signed copy for the holidays. I will even have gift wrapping available.

If you are unable to attend the New Bern Farmers Market Authors’ Event, you can still connect with these authors and buy their books through these links.

1*Hope Andersen https://www.amazon.com/How-Remodel-Life-Hope-Andersen/dp/1734707577

2*Mike Barton xflier@yahoo.com Fantasy

3* Nathan Black Poetry https://www.facebook.com/wherethebreezechapbook

4*Phil Bowie Mystery www.philbowie.com

5* Rosemary Klim Bricker Non-fiction https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Rosemary+Ann+Bricker&i=specialty-aps&srs=17143709011&crid=2AQVZ3NJX7LU5&sprefix=rosemary+ann+bricker%2Cspecialty-aps%2C78&ref=nb_sb_noss

6*Chris Brown  Self Help

7 *Paloma Capanna Eclectic http://www.DowntonBeaufort.com  

8*Heather Cobham www.heathercobham.com

9*Karen Dodd Eclectic kedodd2@gmail.com

10 *Bill Furney https://www.billfurney.com/

11 *Michelle Garren Flye Poetry https://michellegflye.com/ & https://shelleygee.com/

12*Beth Garver Cozy Mystery/Fantasy The Java Tavern Series

https://DrunkBeth/wordpress

13* Diane Gray Non-Fiction finding her birth familyfhpspeaker@yahoo.com https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Hope-Perseverance-Adoptees-Biological-ebook/dp/B089T5YSFC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=R66VPHZH39UL&keywords=Faith%2C+Hope+and+Perseverance&qid=1666814386&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjUxIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=faith%2C+hope+and+perseverance%2Cspecialty-aps%2C729&sr=8-1-catcorr&srs=17143709011

14* Sherri Hollister Cozy Mystery https://sherrilhollister.com/

15* Nicole Kerr NF Self Help www.nicolekerr.com

16*Deirdre Kiernan PB Deirdrek45@gmail.com 

17*Jo Anna Kloster MG https://www.emptycagespress.com

18*Veronica Krug Fantasy https://krugbooks.com/

19* Eileen Lettick Children’s eileenlettick@gmail.com https://m.facebook.com/eileenlettick/; https//www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-lettick-347174aO

20* Julie Lombard Eclectic https://www.you-niqueproductions.com

21*Leslie Tall Manning Eclectic http://www.leslietallmanning.com

22*Nina Makhatadze Eclectic https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nina+makhatadze&crid=1NOXDC1RNGYP0&sprefix=%2Caps%2C216&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_1_0_recen

23*Barbara McCreary MG Historical https://www.facebook.com/ebbandflowshackleford

24 *Murinda MacDonald nonfiction

25 * Sue McIntyre: email: suemcintyre10@gmail.com 

26 *Cheryl Meola non-fiction https://manesourcecounseling.com/

27*Margaret Pollock MG https://margaretpollockwrites.com

28*Timothy Reinhardt Fantasy https://timreinhardt.com/

29* Robert Reinschild/DeForest Shields Fiction https:// deforestshields.com

30* Natalie Singletary ? Eclectic www.obconwriting.com

31*Blaine Staat Sci-Fi, Dystopian https://www.staatsbakery.com/blaine-s-books

32*Cyrus Spears (a.k.a. Sirius) Fantasy www.uncrownednovel.com

33*Sarah Maury Swan Children’s YA & MG https://sarahmauryswanlovesbooks.com

34 *Sev Tok Spiritual https://planetsev.com/

35* Stanley Trice Eclectic https://stanleybtrice.com

Children’s Books

Hope Andersen

Deirdre Kiernan PB

Jo Anna Dressler Kloster MG

Eileen Lettick MG & YA

Barbara McCreary MG Historical

Margaret Pollock MG

Sarah Maury Swan MG & YA

Eclectic

Paloma Capanna

Karen Dodd

Michelle Garren Flye

Julie Lombard

Nina Makhatadze

Leslie Tall Manning

Sue McIntyre

Natalie Singletary

Stanley Trice

Fiction

Fantasy

Mike Barton

Veronica Krug

Timothy Reinhardt

Cyrus Spears a.k.a. Sirius

Blaine Staat Sci-Fi, Dystopian

Fiction

William Charles Furney

Heather Cobham

Robert Reinschild/DeForest Shields

Mystery/Suspense

Phil Bowie

Beth Garver

Sherri Lupton Hollister

Non-Fiction

Memoir, etc.

Rosemary Klim Bricker

Cheryl Meola

Murinda MacDonald

Adoption

Diane Gray

Self Help

Hope Andersen

Chris Brown

Nicole Kerr

Spiritual

Sev Tok

Poetry

Nathan Black

Posted in Book Review, interview, poetry, writing inspiration

Unmasking Our Truth

October is associated with Halloween, a time of wearing masks and costumes. Most of us wear many costumes throughout our lives from uniforms to conforming to societies’ expectations of acceptable fashion. But for many of us Halloween is a time of unleashing our true selves, we can for one day be honest about who we hide from the world the rest of the 364 days of the year.

I spoke with a young woman this week about her poetry book, Speak. We talked about speaking our truth and unmasking ourselves. At twenty-four this lovely young woman knows who she is and has revealed her true self to her friends and family. I was in awe of her strength and courage as at fifty-eight I still feel as if I hide behind a mask of acceptability. Would people accept the real me, do I even know who that is. When I spoke with Lashanya ‘Shan’ Dudley and she shared her poetry, I saw the beauty in the raw, honesty of her words.

While I am not a poet myself, I am in awe of those who can touch your soul with their words. Shan has the talent to reach into the darkest depths and bring the truth into the light. She takes off the mask that has imprisoned her and reveals her true beauty. She gives voice to those who have been kept silent. Her words whisper a song and shout a charge to be heard over the din of peer pressure.

Good poetry should make you feel and make you think. Talking to Shan, she said “if you feel uncomfortable when you read my poetry, you should because I felt uncomfortable when I wrote it.” After she left, I couldn’t get her poems out of my mind. I did feel uncomfortable reading the poem, but I also felt sad and angry. As I ponder her words and how she put them together, I see there was also love and hope amid the anger and pain. This may have been Shan’s first collection of poetry, but I do not think it will be her last. She has a lot to say, and her words will touch you with their truth.

Speak is a collection of truth, raw, ugly, beautiful and soul-deep.

Posted in poetry

A Christmas Poem

Peace on Earth By: Sherri Lupton Hollister 2011


Silver tinsel shining bright
Carolers singing Silent Night
Bells clanging, pealing ring
Peace on Earth the Angels sing
Chaos, confusion , heartaches abound
There is no Peace on Earth to be found
I pray for a calm, quiet place
God whispers, “Child I give you grace.”
Wadded paper, twists of tape
Knotted ribbon, the hour late
So much to do no time to pause
Children touting Santa’s cause
Alas upon my bed I rest
I know in truth that I am blessed
For Peace on Earth at last I find
Quiet rest for a weary mind.

Posted in poetry, Thoughts

Flash Fiction for Cancer

With Beaufort County Relay for Life coming up on June 16th, I thought I’d add a little flash fiction or prose poetry from the Pamlico Writers’ fifty word challenge. My friend Kay Wilson wrote a piece for the challenge and I wrote a companion piece. This is for all of the survivors of breast cancer. God bless you.

 

She wore not a stitch,

The feel of the sand abrasive to her wrinkled skin

Passersby gawked but she paid them no mind

Alive to the rhythm of the ocean

The waves lulled her to a place of rest

Here, cancer didn’t exist

It was gone with her breast.

 

 

Posted in poetry

Fear or Love

Fear

The four letter word that gives rise to tyrants

Terrorists

And bigots

 

Fear

Our excuse for prejudice

Hate

And anger

Persecution of our neighbors

 

Fear

builds walls

prisons

and slums

Shackles the masses and silences our voices

 

Fear

Crowns kings

Starts wars

Ruins lives

Reasons injustice, murder and slavery

 

Is it better to be feared or loved?

 

Love

Gives rise to faith

Grace

And peace

 

Love

Tears down walls

Opens doors

Frees us from our prison

 

Love your neighbor

Pray for peace

Be courageous

Strong and free

 

Fear has no strength when we stand and fight

Fear has no hold when free men unite!

 

 

 

 

Posted in poetry

Peace on Earth

“Let there be peace on earth…”
There doesn’t seem to be much peace this year, the news is full of anger and fear, police brutality, terrorists and hate, crime is on the rise. Everyone shouting and screaming about the color of a cup or the words we use to greet each other. All the while children are being killed in their class rooms and shot in the streets.
As the bells jiggle and the lights twinkle children huddle in the cold, hungry and old before their time. Happy holidays, good cheer, would you like fries with that? Close the borders, close your eyes, don’t let the truth disturb the lies. Live and let live as long as we don’t disagree. Martyrs and fanatics, Christians, Muslims and Jews, straight, gay and all the way. Why can’t we all just get along?
My heart is heavy as children cry, old people left alone to die. Hate abounds, fragile glass of hope it drowns. Christmas star shine your light, we need your Peace on Earth tonight. Little Christ child in the hay, bring your love to me this day. The world can’t change unless we do, let the change begin with you. Peace on earth, the song we sing, let the bells of freedom ring. Be the change you want to see. Hope and faith and love are free, priceless their value to humanity. Gold and silver and silicone, the greatest of these is love.

Posted in poetry

When I tell you “You are beautiful”

Winter's end in Aurora 034When I tell you “You are beautiful”
It is not the brilliance of your smile
Or the color of your eyes
It is not your physique
Or your sexy new style
It is the substance inside that makes you so
Your strength, your courage, your wisdom.
The most beautiful people are not the bodies of perfection
Plastered on billboards and on covers of magazines
It is the beauty of those who can smile
when they have every reason to cry
Their faces are filled with laugh lines
Eyes that mirror the perils of their journey
The young woman who brings food to a homeless vet
A friend who reaches silently for your hand offering quiet courage
True beauty is not simply youthful innocence
Though it is precious with promise
Real beauty takes time to perfect
The maturity of honor
Joy of experience
When I tell you “You are beautiful.”
You have earned that glorious epitaph
A life well lived
Shared with love.

Posted in poetry

Gift of the Season

PWG Christmas Party
PWG Christmas Party
Simeon rejoiced in the temple grand
God’s promise was fulfilled
As his weary gaze fell on the tiny babe
He knew the Messiah had come.
Mary and Joseph came that day
To make their sacrifice
He took the child into his arms
Holding him aloft
Emanuel,
The Gift of God with us.

Chaos all around us
No peace on earth is found
Wars and strife and heartache
The world is spinning round.
Let not your heart be troubled
Find joy in little things
Let the wonder of the season
Renewal of hope it brings.
.