This is an interview I did with a young man who has spent the last four years of his life investigating the death of Hollywood movie star, Dominique Dunne.
This interview will give you a glimpse into the work of a dedicated author who wants to get the facts straight for this non-fiction book because it deals with domestic violence and the ultimate crime of murder at the hands of the abuser.
Elaine Littau
Please tell me your author name and the genre you prefer to write.
Michael J. Eastman
I’m Michael Eastman, I hail from Houston, Texas, and I am currently writing a true-crime, non-fiction book about the tragic story of the late actress, Dominique Dunne. The book is called Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
When did you know that you were a writer?
Michael J. Eastman
It all goes back to the 8th grade, from what I remember. It was English class; I don't recall the teacher's name, but I suddenly went from getting Ds in English to getting pretty good grades because I found I could enjoy writing and expressing myself. This teacher would always let us write stories in addition to doing the required work. I found it to be a lot of fun, and using my imagination. What was the most rewarding, however, was being accepted as a writer, however much in "infancy" I was at that time. It gave me a sense of something I could do, and be accepted at it. Self-worth really helps a child at that time in their lives.
Elaine Littau
I felt the same way about Jr. High and High School English class. It was something I never let on about lest the other students stone me to death.
Michael J. Eastman
When you come from a dysfunctional background as I did in my formative years, it was important to find something to get me though my life at that time. I wanted to be a football player, and I did play, but was not very athletic, so I found writing was for me, and I enjoyed it.
Elaine Littau
Tell me about your first writing experience.
Michael Eastman
Well, I am a two-time award-winning published poet, but that was mainly just for fun, but as far as anything professional, Hollywood is Dying was the first manuscript. Hollywood is Dying isn't actually about stars dying, but more about the industry itself seemingly dying due to running out of story ideas, lack of acting talent, etc. However, there is a chapter in it which covers those Hollywood stars who died tragically.
I began to write about Dominique's story, and then found that there was so much to tell, that is just simply had to have its own book. Her father, the late author and journalist, Dominick Dunne, had written about his daughter’s tragedy, but this will be the first time anyone has ever written a full book about it in much detail.
Elaine Littau
So, Hollywood is Dying was your first book?
Michael J. Eastman
Yes. A fun book, for the most part, whereas the Dominique Dunne book is a sad one. However, that book is still unpublished and is on hold until I finish my current one. Have some issues with that one, legally and financially, that still need to be worked out, because of all the copyrighted photos I need in it.
Elaine Littau
So what was the hook that got you started on the Dominique Dunne story?
Michael Eastman
Let me preface my comments here, Elaine, by saying that doing a book such as one where a Hollywood star - or any celebrity such as Elvis, Michael Jackson, etc. - can be very, very tough for the writer, especially if the author is an unknown commodity.
I had read Dominick Dunne's story about his daughter's death and the travesty that went on afterward in the courtroom where her killer went on trial, and basically walked away with a slap on the wrist.
I became emotional and angry over it, like many people have, and still are today. I said, "This just has to be told and looked into before this happens again to some poor woman!"
As I mentioned, I was working on my first book at the time and wanted to do a chapter on those Hollywood stars who had died tragically, and Dominique was one of the ones I was looking at to include in that book. Others were Natalie Wood, Mariska Hargitay's mother, Jane Mansfield, etc., but when I came upon Dominique's story, I just felt it needed to be told further than what her dad had mentioned. The more I read about it, the more intrigued and upset I became over the injustice that took place.
Elaine Littau
In telling a true story that is tragic and emotional, have you found that there are mountains of obstacles in getting the information about the circumstances of a victim’s death?
Michael J. Eastman
That is a huge understatement, yes indeed! And there are many reasons for that. Now, I can only speak for myself, and what I have experienced, but again, one is being an unknown author, where respect can be hard to come by. Locating the facts in a case can be a huge obstacle, also. You can get the basic facts from the internet that everyone else already knows, but you really have to dig deeper to find “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say.
Other major factors for running into obstacles are that the family does not wish to be disturbed over it, nor reminded, so therefore, they want no part in helping you; plus there are privacy issues you try to not to invade, but at some point, you inadvertently do.
Another factor is that there are so many who have come before you with sleazy, tabloid intentions, that they have nearly ruined it for any good-intentioned authors who come along later.
Elaine Littau
How long ago was the murder?
Michael J. Eastman
1982. The trial took place in '83. Now, I want to say one thing more about Dominick Dunne...Nick, as he was called by his friends, did catch wind of my writing of his daughter's tragedy. And before he died a few years ago - August 2009, I think it was - he basically gave me his blessing via a friend of his, who forwarded me his e-mail.
Nick Dunne told his friend to tell me he appreciated what I was doing, but that he was too sick, too old, and didn't want to hurt all over again. Nick Dunne was dying of pancreatic cancer by then.
Mr. Dunne was very generous to have given me his approval, permission, or whatever you want to call it. That meant so very much to me!
Elaine Littau
For my readers and I, could you remind us of the movies, etc. that Miss Dunne appeared in.
Michael J. Eastman
Well, her most famous role was as the older daughter, Dana Freeling, in Poltergeist, but she also turned a memorable performance on TV's Fame, among her many other television appearances. She was an up-and-coming actress, so she really was just getting started in the business, but had a promising career. I feel her future, after all my research, would have been more in television than in films, but that's just my opinion.
Her brother is actor/producer/director, Griffin Dunne. Her aunt is author and playwright, Joan Didion, and her uncle, the late author and screenwriter, John Gregory Dunne.
Elaine Littau
Did you have to become part detective/part author in your research?
Michael J. Eastman
Indeed I did! You have no idea. And part archaeologist, too, recovering all the records and all the names of those involved; we’re talking hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles to comb through, as well as official court documents. And it was very frustrating at times, too, because of either the lack of information, wrong information, or lack of cooperation. For example, it took me a good six months before I found out the name of the priest who did Dominique’s funeral. It was very difficult to find because it had never been published, to my knowledge, and the church refused to help due to privacy issues, I presume. Her dad kept this priest’s name out of any write ups he did about the case, and I think I know why, but because of necessary detective work, I have uncovered this, as well as many other names and details never before revealed, including all the way down to the alternate jury members in the case.
Elaine Littau
When you began writing the story, where did you start?
Michael J. Eastman
At her grave, as morbid as that sounds. I mean, if you are going to do this, you really have to involve yourself, emotionally, and what better way to do that than to start there at reality 101?
Elaine Littau
In addition to locating all the information about the case, what other hurdles might you have had to clear when writing about this case?
Michael J. Eastman
When you do a story such as this one, where there are feelings to consider of the family, you want to do it the right way, and respectfully. So, you have to keep the family in mind, but this book is “pro-Dunne family” anyway, so I don’t think I did too much to offend her brothers or relatives. It is basically an unauthorized biography of Dominique and her case, but that doesn’t mean when you write an unauthorized version of someone’s life you have to offend the family.
Elaine Littau
Despite not getting all the help and cooperation you needed, you have kept yourself going with your goal of getting this story told. Have you reached your goals you set out to accomplish?
Michael J. Eastman
Although I've gotten little help or respect, I walk on, and you have to, because you know despite all, you are doing the right thing in telling this story.
You see, my intentions are two-fold:
To, in some way, help prevent this thing from happening to another woman. It's a story about a domestic abuse case turning deadly. If in the end with this story I can help save even ONE life, then it will be worth it.
I also wish to educate potential future jury members on what to be on the lookout for in cases such as this one, where the sleazy defense attorneys will turn the tables on the victim and put her on trial instead of the guilty party, as if she deserved what she got. So, this is what has kept me going with this story, keeping those goals in mind. And it’s not entirely a negative story; you get to see the good side of Dominique Dunne’s life, as well. I did not write solely about her death and the trial.
Elaine Littau
Those are angles I hadn't thought of.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes...You must have a goal if you are going to write about a true story, and if you are not a sleazy tabloid writer, than you need to have positive goals that many can benefit from.
I have spent thousands of my own dollars going back and forth to Los Angeles for this story, as well as spent countless hours in research, so one would have to really believe in what one is doing in order to spend the money and the time and the effort on a project like this.
Elaine Littau
It seems to be a true calling.
Michael J. Eastman
Just to elaborate some more on what I said, I’ve spent countless hours telling this story in writing; traveling to locations having to do with this tragedy; interviewing people that really do not want to be interviewed about this; making cold calls to places such as courts, hospitals, studios, ambulance companies, homes of people who knew her, etc., so it is not easy at all - I do not want to paint a false picture here.
Writing fiction is so much easier than doing a non-fiction story, because of the aforementioned reasons I listed, but also because you had better have your facts in order, because I guarantee you someone will come along later to correct you, if not sue you!
Elaine Littau
This is true.
Michael J. Eastman
I wanna tell ya, that is one of an author's biggest fears is being sued. You must retain a copyright attorney, and if you're writing about a celebrity, find one who has experience in that field, as well, an entertainment lawyer. I got lucky and found one who does both.
Elaine Littau
Those steps are vital. The copyright attorney, etc.
Michael J. Eastman
You bet! Now, don't let those obstacles prevent you from doing your story if you really believe in it, and are searching your best to find the facts.
Elaine Littau
Were you surprised with any of your research that was easier than you thought, or was it all difficult?
Michael J. Eastman
Well, I was pleasantly surprised at times when those few people stepped up to the plate for me. Like for example, one of the witnesses to the assault on Dominique, six weeks before she was murdered. That woman's name is Denise Dennehy, and she was actually there, so I got a star witness, if you will, to help me out and tell the story with facts! Very important, and gives your story much needed credibility.
Also, I am grateful to the Los Angeles County courts for keeping great records on microfiche after all this time passed. The personnel there at both the courthouse and the archives building were very, very helpful to me! Then there are the public libraries in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and in Houston that were really wonderful. There were also some that weren’t so wonderful, like the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, or the Schaeffer Ambulance Company, who transported Dominique that night to Cedars-Sinai.
Can I tell you real quick about meeting the jury foreman in the case?
Elaine Littau
Sure, please do.
Michael J. Eastman
I tracked down the jury foreman from the trial in 1983, and he was shocked to hear from me and that a book was being done about the case. He was a real jerk, for the most part, but he did give me some insider information about what went on in the jury room during the trial, and also how it effected him, etc. We were supposed to meet at L.A.X. in person for an in-person interview, but he failed to show. I called him later, but he said he was busy. I've never attempted to call him back. You see, I am of the attitude that I will take help from anyone who wishes to, and brush off any who don't. The story is going to be told, either way, but it sure is nice to get the cooperation when I can get it.
Elaine Littau
How long have you been on this project?
Michael J. Eastman
Four years now. I am finding new info. all the time, but then again, most of my research work is done now.
Elaine LittauIt takes a lot of courage to write on this subject matter. Thank you for your work.
Michael J. Eastman
Yes, it does. But, again, an author with the right heart is the only one who should be writing a book like this. It's shameful that tabloid writers have come along prior to make it tough for legitimate writers, but it can be done!
You gotta have a tough, determined attitude about you when you write non-fiction, realizing that you may not get the cooperation from many people. Do it anyway - write the story! Put your heart into it, make your readers feel the same emotions you do, or those of the victim’s family!
Finally, Elaine, I want to tell those authors wishing to write a story like I am this: be ready for false accusations or assumptions made about you as to what your intentions are. For example, people, even the media, may rip you for trying to make a buck off a tragedy, dead celebrity, or whatever, but if that is not your mission, than ignore it and carry on.
Elaine Littau
It is too bad that many women have died by the hand of an abuser even since Dominique's death.
Michael J. Eastman
Sure is, but the system is getting better, and women are becoming more educated as to what to do. I am not an expert in the field of domestic abuse, but I have called in some who are in my book. I have interviewed a couple, or quoted them from their own books.
Elaine LittauHow on Earth do you find a way to put an end to a story like this one?
Michael J. Eastman
With hope, you know, that’s how I want to end it; hope for those domestic abuse victims still out there. It’s also important to remember the victim, Dominique Dunne, and what a wonderful person she sure seemed like.
I wish to have all this done by the end of this summer, and self-published soon after.
In closing, I would like to thank you for your interest in this book, and helping to get the word out! Again, the book is titled, Murder in West Hollywood: The Dominique Dunne Story.
Elaine Littau
Thank you, Michael Eastman. May your efforts be rewarded with lives saved and changed.
Michael Eastman
Thanks, and may God bless your work as an author, as well
Thursday, April 19, 2012
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
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