www.westcoastwriters.blogspot.com - Laura's Blog

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Cyndy Largarticha,
Secretary

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. Now, some 40 odd years later, I'm finally pursuing my dream. My publishing credits include ByLine Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman’s World, The Christian Science Monitor, Country Woman, and The Chino Champion. But my most memorable moment came when I read a poem that my daughter had written. In it, she said she wanted to be like her mom…the writer.

My digital images are posted at PBase.com

Cyndy's email

S. Kay Murphy,
Publicity

S. Kay Murphy has never run with scissors, but has, almost daily since the age of sixteen, exceeded the speed limit while driving. She has never cheated on a lover or on Uncle Sam, but has cheated brazenly on every diet she's ever been on. She gets on well with dogs... but not so well with people. She is honest to a fault... but is known to prevaricate on occasion if the situation deems it necessary. She has been published in the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and The Writer, among other periodicals, and is the author of Tainted Legacy, a memoir about her great-grandmother--serial killer Bertha Gifford.
Kay's Pen Website
Kay's email

Sharon Herdina,
Programs, Scholarship / Historian

As a Speech Pathologist, my strength is in the area of language. By day, I work with children with language disabilities and autism. On some weekends, I work in rehab with adults who have had strokes and brain injuries. My favorite type of therapy involves all areas of language, as opposed to voice, stuttering, swallowing, etc. I am fascinated by how the brain develops and processes language, and how we communicate. I have been an avid reader since childhood, and when I look back, I recall "writing" a newspaper with my little brother when I was about ten and having a poem published in our school newspaper when I was twelve. Fast forward to about ten years ago when I noticed a writer's group at Border's. I began attending and discovered a real interest in writing. I still consider myself a beginner, as I'm constantly learning about this field. Every month I learn something new at our CWC meetings. I like to write fiction and non-fiction short stories and essays and have started on a couple novels. I'm also interested in travel, photography, genealogy, and baking.
Sharon's email



Libby Grandy,
At Large Board Member

My husband, Fred, and I live in Claremont, California. Before retiring, I worked in the Dean of Students Office at Claremont McKenna College. Previous to CMC, I was employed at General Dynamics in Educational Services, acting as liaison with state colleges and universities. I have also worked as a consultant, conducting workshops on Behavior Modification and Stress Management.

My published articles have appeared in magazines such as Mature Living, Alive, and Writers’ Journal. I am presently marketing two family saga novels (Promises to Keep and Lydia) and a mystery set in the high desert (Desert Soliloquy). My latest writing project is a sequel to Lydia, completing the family saga trilogy.

I have served on the board of IECWC for several years, and I facilitate a weekly writers’ critique group at Borders Bookstore. In both groups, I enjoy the camaraderie of other writers.

My website is LibbyGrandy.com .
Libby's email



Pat Nelson,


Pat's email







Aleta Jacobson,

AKA: AJ (because no one can spell Aleta or pronounce it at coffee bars and restaurants).
I love to write. I have been making up stories from the time I was 5 years old. Fiction, Poetry and essays are my favorites. I have published some Non-Fiction but it is not my best work.

Aleta's websites are
CreativeInfustion.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/aletaljacobson
aletajacobson-art.tripod.com

Aleta's email

Mary Jane Hill

I first discovered the joy of writing at the age of seven when my 2nd grade class was instructed to “write a story” and I had no difficulty coming up with an idea. I’ve been writing ever since, except when my children were babies. It is those very precious little ones who eventually inspired me to begin writing again and this time I hope to never stop.

I joined CWC in 2003. Being around other writers inspires me to believe in myself and pursue my dream of being published one day. I enjoy writing romances, memoirs, children’s stories, some poetry, and most recently discovered an interest in suspense. While my big dream is to publish a book, I’m focusing on short stories right now in between taking care of my family.
Mary Jane's email

Dolores Ramos

Dolores' email

William H. Wallace, Jr.

I am William (Bill) H. Wallace, Jr. I reside in Alta Loma, but I dream of Pine Mountain. I am married to Robin, two children, and currently four grandchildren. I regard being a grandpa as the best job in the universe. I am recently retired (June '03) after a long (37 years) and mostly gratifying career in education, including a 25 year tenure as Dept. Chair. I was raised in the Pomona Valley (when there were orange groves) and graduated from Pomona High. I attended Chapman University (B.A.&M.A.), the University of the Seven Seas, and did course work at U.C.R., U.C.I., R.C.C. and Chaffey.

People said I would miss my job--but I haven't. It was the right time for me to go and I have been so busy that I haven't had time to look back--and I don't intend to.

Following my retirement, I decided to stay busy and keep out of trouble by returning to the classroom as a student. It has been one of the better decisions of my life. I enjoyed college before, but I think I may be enjoying it more now. Of course, the one big advantage today is I only take classes that I want to take! One of the courses I took at Chaffey resulted in my writing an essay for a contest sponsored by "IECWC." I was fortunate to win and have my essay published in "Fresh Ink." I am very gratified and I am very happy that it provided me with the opportunity to join CWC. My essay, "The Albino Ball," speaks of my life long interest in the written word--an interest largely inspired by my grandmother who gave me books and read to me.

I started doing creative writing in junior high and continued through high school and college. Like many, I had some things published, but after graduation I began my career and, again like many, I put my writing on the shelf and rarely found time for it. All that has changed, and now I "find time" to write virtually everyday. I write poetry, short stories, character sketches, essays, but my biggest ongoing project is (yes, you guessed it) "that novel" that everyone says they're going to write. Well, I've mostly written it, but now I need help. I may be wrong, but I think writing it may have been the easy part when I contemplate rewriting and editing it.

That's pretty much who I am and where I am in brief. Except I would like to mention that I am excited to have four poems and a short story being published in the "Pomona Valley Review."

Oh, I do have a hobby (shared in rivalry with my brother), I collect "records." Really. And I specialize in the old "78's." It is ironic that I am now searching for, and buying, the records I once owned and threw out.

I have recently finished a book, "Ghosts of Gordon Street," and I am currently working on a second book--a companion book called "Remembering Gordon Street." At times it has been a bumpy road, so I would like to thank everyone who helped and encouraged me.

Bill's email

Jane Velte

I am a true California gal; my family has been in the state since 1900. Now residing in the San Antonio Heights area of Upland, I was born, raised and married (the first time, at age seventeen), in Pomona.

Books have always been a major interest in my life. For many years, ever since reading "Black Beauty" in the third grade, I thought of authors as magical gods. Imagine, creating something out of nothing! Oh, how I wished I could be one of those writing magicians.

Although several teachers and others told me that I had a "way with words," early marriage, rearing three daughters, and working a demanding office job prevented me from any literary aspiration. Besides, I certainly wasn't a "magical god," plus I hadn't gone to college, hadn't even taken a writing course.

Then a few years ago, after reading several bad novels in a row, I realized that not all writers are "magical." If the dull-witted authors of those novels could get published, there was hope for anyone with a hankering to set down a story on paper.

So, I bought a computer and arduously taught myself how to operate the dang thing. At the same time, I struggled to learn the basics of novel writing. Some three years later I have completed my first novel, and am now in the revision process.

I am grateful for the help and encouragement I've received from Libby's critique group. Even if my novel is never published, it's been fun and rewarding to mingle with other writers, many of whom truly are "magical."

Jane's email

Carolyn Johnson, M.A., SPHR

I have been writing since I knew enough words to form a complete sentence. I still have, and treasure, the little “books” I put together as a youth for my Mother’s amusement (or was that amazement?).

More recently, I have been writing primarily on topics related to Human Resources and Training. I have been published in The Inland Channel (the ASTD Inland Empire’s newsletter), Creative Training Techniques Newsletter, Training Times, ASTD National Report on Human Resources, Employee Development Newsline, Choices (an internal newsletter on Career Development), and PIHRAScope.

My latest effort is a book, tentatively titled “Dealing with People Before They Become Difficult.” It is truly a labor of love, since it was begun originally as a collaborative effort with my late Husband. I plan to give him credit posthumously – but I suppose I need to finish it first!

Beyond that, I dabble in poetry, and continue to dream up short articles on topics related to Training and Employee Development. I am grateful to be a member of this group, where I have already learned so much.
Carolyn's email

Helen Carson

I began writing poetry in January of 2007 at the urging of a colleague who also writes poetry and told me I had a gift for describing life! I was fortunate enough to be paid for and have one of my very first poems, "The Nurse," included in a book entitled Voices of Breast Cancer, published and distributed nationally by LaChance Publishing in Oct., 2007.

Seeing that hot little check in my hand and realizing that there were actually people out there who would pay me to write, got me excited, and today I am quite addicted to the writing bug! I write several days a week and submit my work religiously every week end to various traditional and eclectic markets. I have received dozens and dozens of rejections, but the occasional acceptance of my work keeps me going, as does my desire for immortality... through poetry!

I live with my retired civil engineer hubby and our cocker spaniel, Sammy, in Highland. I was an oncology RN for 25 years, and then, after a third bout with breast cancer, went back to school at the ripe old age of 54 for a Master's Degree in Educational Administration. Today I work as a training and technical assistance provider to Native American Head Start programs in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

When I am not on the road working, I enjoy reading and writing, cross stitching, flower gardening, photography, leisure travel, and time with my friends and family, including three grandkids who happily live just down the road. I have a part time business called "The Bead Box," in which I design, make, and sell natural stone and lampwork bead jewelry.

I would love to hear from any CWC member, anytime.

Helen's email



Timothy Chizmar

Timothy Chizmar is an eclectic writer, director, and producer who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications. He has done everything from running a professional wrestling company, to touring The Improvs with his standup comedy shows, to running an FM radio station, and even announcing for live Roller Derby events!

Before moving to California in 2005, Tim has been a staff writer for The Edinboro Spectator and The Meadville Tribune. His heart has always been in the art of storytelling and finds a fit in the horror genre. He has overcame many battles to get where he is today, and is excited for where the future will lead from here. He truly believes that Everything Happens For a Reason. He looks at the world differently from everyone else and is quite happy to do so.

Tim regularly attends a weekly writersʼ critique group facilitated by Libby Grandy and is currently working on his first supernatural trilogy.

Until he launches his spooky writer site, you can visit his comedy based one at www.myspace.com/drittyboro

Tim's email



J.R. Capps

I’ve been an on again-off again story teller for as long as I can remember. I think I wrote my first story before I was eight; my first song shortly thereafter. But mostly what I do is have some singular thought which I write down on the closest object at hand, fully expecting to develop it into something grander at a later date. So now I’m surrounded by a lot of small scraps of paper. Some of them are incomprehensible; others, illegible. Most will likely die orphaned, thrown into the recycle bin with me when I die. A few I still hope to pluck out and nurture into something grand. Obviously one can hardly make a living by recirculating tiny notes to himself. Fortunately I developed an interest in investing early and was afforded opportunities at various times throughout my life to pursue it. Some of these took root and grew into a career as a stock broker which has lasted so far for over twenty-five years. Still, I have found some time to complete several writing projects. Visit my website for more information about my novel *Satan’s Bulge*, my “chop book” *Bristlecone Sequoia*, and other projects in the works. My email address can be found here or on my website, and I’d like to see your comments. Or visit my blog to read my latest commentary on the current financial markets.

J.R.'s Website JRKapz.com

JR Kapz’s Market and Economy Blog

J.R.'s email


Barbara Bailey

The month after I was born, my eldest sister graduated high school and left for college in the fall. Before I started first grade, I remember paging through a college library book left behind after a weekend visit and daydreaming about my turn at school. I envisioned myself in a lab coat monitoring lots of glassware set up on a counter and at night quickly pecking out newspaper articles on a large black manual typewriter.

In elementary school I became a voracious reader. It was during that time that I envisioned myself smartly dressed in a suit and practical shoes shaking hands with people who had bought my novel. Of course, the novel was about a girl and a horse on a southwestern ranch. It didn’t matter that I had never actually been to the southwest, or on a ranch, and had only been on a horse at an amusement park, but I was going to write a book about it anyway.

Some of my early prophesy did get fulfilled. I became a high school chemistry teacher and have cleaned my fair share of glassware. I worked as a freelance journalist on an early PC rather than a manual typewriter. And, while that novel doesn’t have a horse in it, the setting is in the desert southwest.

I’ve been a member of CWC since the mid 1990s and live in the high desert with my husband, Rick, and various numbers of cats.

Oh heck, on second thought, maybe there’s room for a horse somewhere in that novel.
Barbara's email


Paul Colaluca

2008-2009 will be my first year as a member of the Inland Empire California Writer’s Club (IECWC). In my professional career, I’ve served as a Speech Therapist, Special and Regular Education Teacher, Program Specialist and Coordinator, and Elementary School Principal. Now that I’m retired, I’ve become an Administrative Coach, certified by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), and an Adjunct Professor with Concordia University’s School of Education, teaching graduate level courses in leadership. Being a consultant has afforded me the opportunity to pursue writing more conscientiously and consistently.

I’ve been a “poet-at-heart” all of my life, always seeing the world in metaphorical images, and working to capture the essence of life’s moments in words as I journeyed through them. The diversity of talent and support available within the IECWC group, is for this “coming-out-of-the-closet poet”, like cresting a gently rising hill to behold a longed for horizon. As professional priorities fade into the past, my yearning is to express the quiet, gentle, and peaceful energy that nurtures love and compassion between souls.
Paul's email






Pam Bowen

In fifth grade I wrote a haiku on a candy bar, in seventh grade I wrote love stories about me and the Beatles, and in ninth grade I consigned door-to-door salesmen to the ninth circle of hell. College at Cal Poly Pomona as an English major ended the creative writing, but the critical essays improved. Thirty-three years of grading student writing as an English teacher deadened my writer's brain. Now I approach the CWC with cap in hand, hoping to bang out a novel during National Novel Writing Month, just to prove to myself that I can do it.

I already appreciate the pointers I have received at the club meetings of the IECWC, and look forward to reviving my inner writer, so long comatose.

Sossy Hyatt is a Dance Studio Owner/World Champion Dancer/Instructor and Marketing Director. She spent most of her college life in writing classes to a point where her counselor informed her to stop. Her writing instructor on the other hand continued to encourage her writing and asked her to submit several of her writings to magazines, etc. But she never felt they were good enough; along with a book that she had started back in 1994. So basically she is a closet writer.

During the day, she spends time writing newsletters and direct marketing materials for a credit union in San Bernardino. And when challenged, she gets to use her previous Legal Secretary skills to write business demand letters. Quite a talent!

She enjoys going to church, reading, dancing with her husband and traveling. Her goal is to finish the book she started in 1994 so that she can start working on the rest of the books she’s been wanting to write for quite some time.

Kathryn Wilkens
Vice President, Website Manager

In the summer of 1999 I signed up for Mike Foley's UCR Extension class, "Writing and Selling Nonfiction Articles." He taught me how to write query letters and helped me gain enough confidence to send my essays and articles to editors. Some pieces were declined and others have been accepted (but not always by the first editor I sent them to!)

My writing falls into three categories: travel articles; personal experience essays (including memoir); and articles/essays about language, writing and keeping a journal. I've been published in The Los Angeles Times, Personal Journaling, Writers' Journal, Verbatim, The Christian Science Monitor and other periodicals. Three essays have appeared in anthologies, The Walker Within, Gardening at a Deeper Level and Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution.

While I love getting paid for writing, money is not my primary motive. Rather, it's the satisfaction that comes from seeing my thoughts in print, and knowing that others are reading my words. If those readers gain an insight, look at something in a new light, or at least relate in some small way to what I've written, that is the ultimate reward.

Besides writing and reading, I love travel, food, roses, puzzles, history, nature and photography. My digital images are posted at PBase.com

Kathryn's email



Ro Woodruff
Treasurer

Writing, for me, has been a long, slow process of evolution. This process began in childhood and I have traveled through many genres in search of my voice. Early on, I wanted to sound like Ray Bradbury. Later literary role models included Stephen King and Shirley Jackson. While my first love will probably always be horror, I also wanted to explore the possibilities inherent in other genres. The discovery of Margaret Atwood marked a major turning point in my literary development, as her feminist allegories allowed for a gentler—yet still edgy—perspective.

My first novel was a mystery, which featured police officer Jasmine Kincaid on the trail of a serial killer. Currently titled The Upland Murders, the book is still in search of a publisher, so keep your fingers crossed! My second novel, Proof of Gold, is a work in progress. The genre is historical fiction, which is uncharted terrain for me, and I’m enjoying the challenge. In addition to these projects, I’ve written a number of short stories, mostly because the novels take so darn long and face it, there’s gotta be immediate gratification somewhere!

Laura's email

Bob Covington

As a Supervisory Claims Adjudicator for the United States Treasury Department for 32 years, little did I know that I would ever write poetry or be a resident of California. Fortuitously, about a year after retiring from the Treasury, my bride of now 51 years visited Rancho Cucamonga. She liked what she experienced and asked me to come and take a look. Because I liked it, too, we said goodbye to the often unkind winters of the east coast and took up residency temporarily with relatives in Rancho, till finding our home.

One day on a stroll, descriptions of the countryside popped into my head. And I rushed home to write “The Walk,” my first poem. Relatives and friends liked it. With scanty knowledge of the craft of poetry, I searched for a writing group. Finding one at Barnes and Noble in Rancho, its members led me to CWC. My membership in CWC since 2001 has been one of the better experiences of life. For me, writing poetry is an encounter with the Divine. Too, I’m grateful for my colleagues and all that I have learned and will continue to learn about writing.

Bob's email

Victoria Waddle

Victoria's website is ColonyLibraryLady.com Victoria's email

David Gamboa

Dave Gamboa lives with his wife and daughter in the city of Colton, California. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he worked in the film industry for twelve years. Fascinated by the movie industry, he combined his talents with script writing and created his fantastic stories. Dave is a big movie buff and science-fiction, horror, the unexplained, and anything to do with UFO’s are his favorites.

His first book, Tales of a Lucid Dreamer, is a compilation of twelve short-stories of the strange and unusual and is related to lucid dreams. It is available on Amazon.com, Barnes&noble.com, Borders online book store, and other book sites.

His second book, The Night They Came, is a fast-paced thriller about an alien invasion in Los Angeles and done in a 50’s style but set in the future. Young adults will enjoy it. It is also available through Barnes&noble.com, Amazon, and other sites.

Currently he is working on book three, Wicked Mountain: Enter the Forbidden Zone, which is a sci-fi fantasy based on one of his short stories. It is scheduled for a 2010 release. For more information you may visit the author’s web site at www.Davegamboa.com and click on, In The Works.

David's email



Ted Knuckey

A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker I am not, nor have I ever been, but I write from my experiences of life. In that pursuit I bring to the table the following; I was a professional rodeo cowboy, who rode the circuit and competed in both the bareback and saddle bronc riding as well as surviving many 8 second contests with the bulls. I served in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S. Marine corps when North Korea moved South.

In 1954 I became a Police officer and spent the next 22 years working my way up through the ranks with most of my time being a detective in Homicide until I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and placed in charge of the bureau. I attended school in my spare time and attained a Bachelor of Science as well as a Juris Doctor degree.

In 1975 I passed the bar exam and left the police department to practice law. I had my own office until 1988 when I was appointed to the judicial bench as a Court Commissioner. I retired 11 years later and now aspire to become a writer. I was married in 1954 and somehow this has escalated to 3 daughters, 3 son-in laws and 10 grandchildren.

In addition to being a member of CWC, I belong to THE MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA, and the WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA. I have published articles in The WRITERS DIGEST magazine PUBLISHING SUCCESS, and CAPPERS book “MY FOLKS RODE THE RAILS.” The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the CWC published a short story in their book, “VOICES FROM THE VALLEY.” I have two books in print, “ME AND OTHER GREAT HUNTERS,” and “RECOLLECTIONS OF A RODEO COWBOY.” I have a murder mystery in progress, “THE ODOR OF DEATH,” which should be released by December 10, 2002.

I write with humor that sometimes might be close to the gallows humor of the homicide cop. I do write because I feel compelled to exprent.ss myself and I will deny that writing is just a hobby. I will admit that I write, because I can’t paint.

Cindy Hanna

I have always enjoyed taking pen to scraps of paper. I’m often asked when I knew that I was a writer to which I reply, “In the second grade when I won a national DAR writing assignment and was honored.” That moment marked the beginning of an insatiable appetite for scribing words.

As a writer of novels, I like to challenge myself, believing that if I do not succeed in captivating my own interest, then I will never hold that of my readers. I oft write in a tense other than the norm and with storylines that move fluidly from the present to the past and back again. My writing style is raw and does not sensor the “difficult” topics. In both the novels and published articles I’ve written, I set out to mold the minds of my readers into becoming more empathetic towards the trials and tribulations of those whom they may have prejudices against as well as a deeper understanding of who they are at their very cores.

www.cindyhhanna.com
www.inspirememagazine.com
Cindy's email

Carol Poole

I was surfing the Internet one day and found the California Writers Club web site...what a stroke of luck that was. It's wonderful group.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember and because I'm also an artist, fiction writing to me is like painting with words. I love period pieces and historical fiction. The research is fun! Often, I get ideas from some very strange places...names on car license plates, obituary notices, wayside diners and overheard conversations. I love unusual names. They spark an idea and my imagination runs wild. I get very attached to my characters and they take on a life of their own. When a story ends, I often feel a sense of loss.

I hope to be published some day, but until then I will keep on writing.
Carol's email






Brenda Dunkelman

Brenda Dunkelman is new to the writing world, but has been writing since childhood. She has had careers both in real estate as an agent and in radiology as a technologist. She has been married for sixteen years to a wonderful man and has a fourteen year old son. They share their lives with a dog, two bad cats, a parakeet and a pond full of Koi. Living in Rancho Cucamonga, she writes from home in hopes of turning out ‘The Novel’. With support form her family as well as friends, she is determined to continue on her writing journey.
Brenda's email



Ishrat Husain

My full name is Ishrat Husain Austin. I enjoyed writing short stories for Sunbeams, my college magazine in the early years. Then there was a long gap going to medical school,and doing residencies. I have been a Dermatologist for nearly twenty-five years but my love for writing has never diminished. For the last two years I have been writing with the" Night Writers" group in Claremont.

Most of my writing is fiction. Some of it is based on real life personal experiences, and some on the lives of others whose stories have moved me. I lived in Pakistan with my family when I was growing up before I came to live in the States and many of my stories have social undertones, the injustices to women and stories of loves not found. I wrte about the blending and the clash between two cultures, and their impact on our lives. Ihave written over fifty-five short stories over the last two years. I hope to publish these as a book of short stories someday.

Ishrat's email






Al Guzzetti

Alan Guzzetti was born in upstate New York at the beginning of World War II. His family migrated to Northern California when he was five years old. Guzzetti has led an exciting and fascinating life as a world traveler and a businessman.

He joined the U.S. Air Force at seventeen and spent four years touring the Far East and other parts of the world. Later, he was involved in America’s early space program as an employee at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company.

As the computer industry matured, Guzzetti became a successful sales and marketing executive in the field of high technology. At one point he was responsible for an extensive international marketing operation and visited many foreign countries.

Guzzetti has written various technical articles for trade magazines. His first book, NO MORE SMOKING IN BED has been recently published as part memoirs, part travelogue, and a series of humorous adventures. His second book, RIVERVIEW is a suspenseful crime and punishment novel. His third book, also a novel, is entitled DANGEROUS PROFESSIONS, and is now available. Guzzetti has begun work on a sequel to DANGEROUS PROFESSIONS, tentatively titled NEVER FAR FROM DANGER.

Guzzetti’s work can be previewed on his website www.americanpacificbooks.com His books are also available on www.amazon.com

Mr. Guzzetti lives in Sun City, California.
Al's email





John Hull

For the past thirty-five years, Dr. John W. Hull, Jr. has taught and consulted the principles and practices of organizational, managerial/leadership, team/group, interpersonal, and intrapersonal (i.e., self) communication and dynamics for the expressed purpose of educating, developing and training his undergraduate and graduate college students and professional clients to maximize their genius and optimize their lives, professions and organizations.

Dr. John Hull is an applied psychological communication specialist. Dr. Hull earned his bachelor degree and teaching credential at the University of Northern Colorado and his masters and doctorate degrees at the University of Denver. His educational and professional background includes advanced training in cognitive, humanistic and transpersonal psychology, clinical hypnotherapy, and, radio, television and film presentation and performance. John is a certified/registered Clinical Hypnotherapist and a member of the National Communication Association, American Board of Hypnotherapy, National Guild of Hypnotists, American Association of Professional Hypnotherapist, and the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Hull’s company, Hull Talk, Inc., offers personal development, performance coaching, and professional improvement programs in: Your Esteem Solution for Unleashing and Expressing Your Greatest Self; Your Esteem Solution for Effective Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration; Your Esteem Solution for Remarkable Executive Leadership; Successful Motivational Speaking and Inspirational Presentations; Your Esteem Solution for Winning Teams and Shared Leadership; Effective Team-Based Strategic Planning; Contact: Effective Customer Relations; Your Esteem Solution for Extraordinary Mind Power & Practical Intuitive Decisions; and, Optimum Golf Performance.

Dr. John Hull has consulted with numerous non-profit, public and governmental agencies, and, regional and national corporations including: the PGA of America; Nissan USA; the Lexus Division of Toyota USA; Harley-Davidson, Inc.; Southern California Edison Utility Company; Nordstrom; Tiger Federal Credit Union; South Orange County Senior Services; the cities of: Grover Beach, Chino, Alhambra and Anaheim, California; and, Colorado’s Winter Park and Steamboat Ski Areas. In addition, John provides one-on-one counseling to top administrators, athletes, actors and artists on how to strengthen their self-esteem and self-confidence, and, how to enhance their creativity and professional performance.

Dr. John Hull is also an adjunct faculty member with Chapman University College teaching undergraduate and graduate adult students in all areas of organizational leadership, psychology and communication. Currently, John is working on several self-help, “How To”…..books on self-esteem, leadership, mind-power, and golf psychology.

John's email







Lisa Hahn Smith

I have been the publisher of Water Strategist, analysis of water marketing, finance, litigation and legislation for over 20 years and, for the past year, I have been thinking that it is time to do something different. (I won’t give up my day job.)

Telling that to friends, family and my business partner, the question was asked, “So what do you want to do?” My answer was at first a long silence. Then it just popped out of my mouth, “I want to write.”

I was asked, “What will you write about?” I answered, “What they tell you to write about---write about what you know.”

Upon hearing this, my daughter replied, “Oh lord, please don’t use my real name.”

I extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of the California Writers Club of the Inland Empire who have welcomed me into their ranks and encouraged me to bring my writing out of personal journals to become published stories and articles.

Duncan Dieterly is a seventy year old single unmarried man; according to his state of California property deed. Duncan is a native of Cincinnati Ohio who now resides in California. Like all Californians he suffers from the indignities of traffic congestion, uncontrolled urban spiral, Wal- Marts, air pollution, fires, earthquakes and escalating prices. He enjoys the pleasure of the American dream of surfing over 110 channels and watching endless movies and documentaries on the Cable TV. He grows lemons in his back yard as well as a wide range of California weeds, collects books and cooks well enough that he can generally prepare anything he wants for dinner.

His four adult children and one grandchild is his major accomplishment. He began writing fiction recently in 2006. So far he has self-published two books, Short Stories One and Short Stories Two. He hopes to improve his word weaving skills to entertain and engross an ever growing audience.

He stumbled through a modest twenty year military career after graduation from the University of Cincinnati in June 1961. He retired from the Air Force as a Major in 1981. His last assignment (1979-1981) was as a liaison officer with NASA Ames Research Center in San Jose California working on multi-crewed aircraft safety, cockpit design and decision making. He completed another twenty–two year career working for Southern California Edison, the electric utility serving the greater Los Angeles area. He experienced and survived the management turbulence caused by the impact of the power melt down resulting from the state deregulation fiasco in 2000. He was a manager of safety when he retired in December 2006.

The Air Force graciously provided him with the training to acquire both a Masters Degree in Test and Measurement Psychology from George Washington University in 1965 and Doctors Degree in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland in 1975. During his professional careers he has written endless letters, memos, emails, reviews, manuals, articles and reports. Forests of the world, he apologizes to you.

He has watched the world spin around several times and is not overly proud of our current government’s imprudent policy decisions. Duncan is sadden by the wars, recession and waste that continue to ravage our earth and hopes to live long enough to see better times, much better times for all of us.


Duncan's email