Following a successful writing master-class during last year’s retreat, author John DeDakis kindly agreed to offer a signed copy of his book, ‘Troubled Water,’ to one of the ‘Friends of Ireland Writing Retreat.’
A veteran news editor, John is the author of three novels, ‘Fast Track,’ ‘Bluff’ and ‘Troubled Water.’ He spent 25 years with CNN, and also with CBN, working on a wide range of news and current affairs shows, including being senior copy editor on the popular news and current affairs Emmy and Peabody-Award winning programme, ‘The Situation Room,’ with Wolf Blitzer. John was also a White House correspondent for CBN News during the last three years of Ronald Reagan's presidency.
"I was honored to be a part of the 2015 ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ at which organizers did an amazing job anticipating - and meeting - the creative needs of everyone who attended,” he said about last year’s retreat. “We delved into the finer points of novel writing, song lyric composition, dramatic reading and forensic editing - the critically important element of the writing process that involves nit-picking every word. There were walks throughout the wildly picturesque and pastoral area - plus Irish music and dancing. The ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ is the best of both worlds: business AND pleasure."
The winner of the ‘Friends of Ireland Writing Retreat’ March Draw is Sally Kimball. An ordained Minister, Sally works as a Ministerial Counselor. She finds her inspirations through her work in the ministry and her years in the field of law enforcement. She lives in Dublin, California with her cat BBC and has one daughter living in Aptos, California.
“I was thrilled to receive your email and look forward to receiving the book,” said Sally when contacted with the good news. “I visited Ireland when my daughter was living in Dublin 1998. I loved Ireland and the coastal areas.”
Sally currently attends Las Positas College where she studies anthology and is also involved in publishing its book of Poetry, Prose and Art/Photography to be launched next month.
Sally’s writings have appeared in various U.S. publications including the Sri Sathya Sai Newsletter – a story on her experiences with Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, India. Her story, ‘A Closets Destiny’ was accepted for the anthology, ‘Choices,’ while ‘The Lost Pearl’ was accepted for last year’s California Writers Club Literary Review. Her works, ‘Face on the Wall and ‘Family Secrets,’ were both accepted for last year’s anthology ‘Voices of the Valley: Word for Word.’ Sally is currently researching and writing a book on her spiritual experiences in Scotland.
You can congratulate Sally by visiting her blog.
Become a Friend of Ireland Writing Retreat now and find out about the exclusive April Only Offer.