Come Write In: Local authors provide insight
By Steve Herring
Published in News on November 15, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Author Lavone C. Hicks autographs one of her books. She often dresses in character, as seen in the photo, to talk about her books.
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
News-Argus reporter Phyllis Moore talks about her new book, "Feathers on My Path,"prior to the start of Tuesday night's Come Write In program at Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive.
MOUNT OLIVE -- A muse can come in any form -- even in the shape of a lovable little ducky named Gimpy.
Gimpy's story has been an inspiration to Betty Rose of Calypso who thinks it can inspire others, particularly children.
It was with an idea of turning the story into a children's book that prompted Rose to attend Tuesday night's Come Write In at Steele Memorial Library held to celebrate November as National Novel Writing Month.
She and other aspiring authors heard tips and suggestions from Dr. Alexis Poe Davis, director of the University of Mount Olive Writing Center.
They had the opportunity as well to talk to six local authors and purchase their books.
Rose was particularly interested in speaking with LaVone C. Hicks, author of "The Thing that Lived in the Attic" -- a children's book drawing on her childhood.
Rose is a retired school nurse and has worked with Hicks, a retired school teacher.
Hicks encouraged Rose to tell Gimpy's story.
"I do like to write a little bit," Rose said. "Plus I like to take pictures. This duck came to us in April -- a duck named Gimpy.
"We had eight ducks, and he was a handicapped duck. He couldn't walk. His legs were messed up."
Rose started following Gimpy and taking photos of him.
At the same time she was writing little stories about him.
Gimpy developed quite a fan club through her Facebook postings, she said.
Rose said at first she had thought about not putting Gimpy in the pond because she did not think he would make it.
"We would go feed the ducks every day, and he would hobble out there," she said. "Every day when we went to feed he would come and get his corn and do his little struggling swim then he would go back to the shore and rest.
"The whole basis for children is about how brave Gimpy was and how he overcame."
Rose said she worked a lot with handicapped children in the school.
Yet, the children were able to do things through their determination, she said.
Rose said one of the reasons she attended the event was that she is a friend and fan of News-Argus reporter and author Phyllis Moore who was at the program.
"I love to read her writing," Rose said.
Rose has not yet written the book, but is thinking about it.
"I am sitting here thinking of lots of morals to that story," Hicks said. "So please write it."
Rose said that people stop her wanting an update on Gimpy.
Sadly, Gimpy just recently died, she said.
"They were all so sad when he passed away," Rose said.
Rose said her mother loved to read and had always wanted someone in the family to write a book.
"She always said, 'I think you might could do it,'" Rose said. "But it takes discipline and I have a busy life as a pastor's wife and still working.
"But I have got to do it soon because I'm not getting any younger."
What a legacy that would be, Hicks said.