Meet Our Members: Stephen B. Bagley

Stephen B. Bagley co-wrote Undying, a collection of poetry with Gail Henderson in 2015. He wrote Murder by Dewey Decimal and Murder by the Acre. His other books include Tales from Bethlehem, Floozy and Other Stories, and EndlesS. He wrote the full-length plays Murder at the Witch’s Cottage and Two Writers in the Hands of an Angry God and co-wrote Turnabout. His poetry, articles, short stories, and essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Blackbirds First Flight, Blackbirds Second Flight, Blackbirds Third Flight, ByLine Magazine, Nautilus Magazine, Pontotoc County Chronicles, Tulsa World OKMagazine, Free Star, Dark Prairies & Deep Rivers, the Creations anthologies 2012-2015, and other print and online publications. He graduated from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. Visit his website at StephenBBagley.blogspot.com.

Featured Blog: Kelley Benson's Books

Good News!
By Kelley Benson

We live in turbulent times. There are many things that are constantly being challenged and changed, which is usually a symptom of fear. Regardless if that’s an accurate assessment or not, one thing is clear: people are living with fewer godly influences in their lives.

With all the shootings and riots and other crazy things that seem to happen all too regularly, it seems important to address our value. Each one of us are valuable to God, and God has arranged it so that  our job is to help other people realize God’s value for them as well. That’s the good news: God loves you more than you can imagine.
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Meet Our Members: Kelley Benson

Kelley Benson is a Christian and small town minister who has a passion for using everyday opportunities to help people recognize how God works in their lives. He and his beautiful wife Jade are being intentional about raising their three young children to see how God should be part of everything people do. Since 1997, he has participated in a wide range of ministries. However, he was inspired by a close Christian mentor to practice “vocational preaching,” simply put: to work and preach. This allows him the opportunity to be involved in the lives of other people in a personal way through secular work while demonstrating leadership in a local church. Benson currently pastors a church in Oklahoma. He’s been involved with the investment industry, the insurance industry, teaching at the local college, and even carpentry. He published On Target, a book of devotionals, and writes a weekly column in a local newsletter. His articles were published in Creations 2015, Creations 2014, and Creations 2013. He is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. Visit his website at kelleybenson.blogspot.com.

Featured Blog: Kelley Benson's Books

Do You Value Forgiveness?
By Kelley Benson

We live in a time in history when interest in Christianity is lower than it's been in a long time. Perhaps there are many reasons for that: more broken homes, more social peer pressure, an increase and endorsement of immoral lifestyles and actions, etc. How do we as the body of Christ address this problem?

But really, this is an age-old problem. The Israelites struggled with social pressure when they succumbed to Baal worship; the Pharisees rejected Jesus as the Messiah, even though they recognized the evidence for His authenticity. Countering culture isn’t easy because it's kind of like a stopping a truck rolling downhill. Once the momentum is going, it takes someone really “brave” to step in front of it. In fact, it will take many “brave” people stepping up to the challenge, and it won’t be quick or easy.
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Meet Our Members: Nita Beshear

Nita Beshear began her affair with writing as a young child. Her father had wander dust in his shoes and if the family wasn't moving from one state to another, they were moving across town. Stories gave her continuity, and a connection. Her friends in her stories went with her to every new house, neighborhood and school. The stories she and her cousin created during their annual visits kept the two girls close, even after returning home miles away. Beshear enjoys writing nonfiction and historical novels and short stories. Her books include: Devoted to Quilting and Beyond the Grief: A Widow's Survival Guide. Her fiction appeared in Romance-The Spice of Life. When not at home writing, sewing, or quilting, Beshear enjoys time with her six grandchildren. She is a member of the Material Girls (the Allen Oklahoma Quilters), McAlester McSherry Writers, Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., and the Ada, Atoka, and Okmulgee Toastmasters. Visit her website at nitabeshear.wordpress.com

Featured Blog: Paws and Reflect

Testimony
By Kathy Akins

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12  (KJV)

We all believe in something. Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are magical and fun for children. As we age, beliefs can turn into superstitions such as four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, and leprechauns bringing good luck, and black cats, broken mirrors, and walking under ladders bringing bad luck.
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Writing Tip

Stephen B. Bagley:
"When I edit, I work backwards. I start at the end of the book or short story and read the last page first and proceed backwards. Somehow that increases the number of errors and mistakes I catch. I think it must disrupt the flow of reading to allow the editor part of my brain to the front. One of my college professors suggested actually reading an article backwards, sentence by sentence. It does help with certain difficult passages."

Meet Our Members: Wendy Blanton

Wendy Blanton started writing when she learned to string words into sentences. She published three fantasy novels, The Dragon’s Lady, Rogue Pawn, and Sword and Scabbard, under the name Elizabeth Joy with co-author Scott Carman. Her short stories have appeared in Blackbirds First Flight, Blackbirds Second Flight, and Blackbirds Third Flight. Currently, she writes novels and short stories in several genres. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management from the University of Mount Olive, Mount Olive, North Carolina, and served on active duty for the United States Air Force for eight years. She is an apprentice bard and specializes in telling Celtic folk tales at Scottish Highland Games and other venues. She and her husband are members of the Clan Campbell Society of North America. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three rescue cats. She is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. Visit her website at wendyblanton.wordpress.com.

Featured Blog: Kelley Benson's Books

Whose directions are you following?
By Kelley Benson

The Bible is God’s gift to us to help us know how to live a more satisfying, peaceful life that is pleasing to God. It’s for that reason that it’s so important that we make a daily habit of practicing what God tells us through His word.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
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Meet Our Members: Debra E. Chandler

Debra E. Chandler released her debut novel, Bone Sliver in October 2015. In 2013, her poem, “Oppenheimer” and her short story “One Way Window” both won honorable mention and publication in Outside the Lines. In 2015, her poem “Carroll After Dark” won first place and publication in the Tulsa Review’s 2015 Spring contest issue. Her short stories, poems, photographs, and articles were also published in Blackbirds Third Flight, The Green Country Guardian, The Sapulpa Herald, and Sapulpa News and Views. She is currently a senior at Rogers State University, in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing and TV/Radio Broadcasting. She lives with her husband Tom in Oklahoma. She is a member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and Oklahoma Women Bloggers. Visit her website at http://dechandlerwrites.com.