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Same kind of different as me

Posted on August 14, 2011September 17, 2017 by Dot

This book is by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, published by Thomas Nelson.  This is the true story of the unlikely friendship between a homeless black man and a wealthy art dealer from Fort Worth. It’s also the story of Deborah Hall, Ron’s wife, a Christian who was called — driven — to minister to homeless persons in the poorest section of the city. One day while volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission, Debbie nudged Ron to reach out to Denver, who had wandered in for a free meal.

Leading up to this moment, Denver tells us how he came to be homeless on the streets of Fort Worth and Ron relates his journey to become one of the richest men in Texas.

Though the friendship begins at Debbie’s urging, it develops into a deep and supportive relationship.  Then, Deborah is diagnosed with cancer and dies after a short battle with the disease. We all are left to wonder why this happens when someone is doing so much good in the world and living a life devoted to Christ. Denver, though crushed himself, is able to offer comfort, spiritual wisdom and insight to Ron during this time.  Together they vow that the work Deborah started will continue.

Same Kind of Different as Me was on the New York Times Bestseller List in 2008 and has since been added to many high school reading lists, a fact I find surprising for a story about the Christian faith.

Denver and Ron are sill friends and continue to minister to people who need to experience God’s love. Denver says at the end of the book, “So, in a way, we is all homeless — just workin our way toward home.”

For more information about the book and authors visit samekindofdifferentasme.com

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The Play’s the Thing

Posted on August 1, 2011September 17, 2017 by Dot

A play is not complete until it’s been performed on stage. It takes actors, director, sets and props to make the script come to life. Having the opportunity to watch this process (with my very own play!) was an amazing experience.

The play, R.I.P. Emma Lou Briggs, is about Emma Lou Briggs’ three daughters who come together the day after their mother’s funeral to decide what to do with her things.  They have different ideas about what needs to happen and the results are family dynamics that often come to the fore at such times.

Our director, Lana Hallmark, chose the cast carefully, finding three women who not only looked like they could be sisters, but also had some ‘sister-like’ chemistry. Diane, full of sentiment about her mother’s belongings was played by Carolyn McNamee. Shelly White played Karen, the socialite in a hurry to get things taken care of and Suzanne Guyman was cast as JoEllen, the youngest sister whose biggest concern is that everyone should agree … and be agreeable.  They were ably supported by Madison Kuebler as Nikki, Diane’s daughter and J.R. Thomas as Hal, Karen’s husband.

The cast gathered early in June for the initial read-through.  Then they talked about the plot, often in the light of their own similar experiences.  This happened more than once either before or following a rehearsal as they explored their characters and how they might feel and react.

I had written Hal, the brother-in-law,  as a rather bland person, I think. I needed an antagonist that wasn’t a sister and I put him in to heckle a little. It was fun to watch Lana, the director, and J.R., the actor, define Hal’s character.

As sets took shape and we began to gather props, Lana decided the sets and props should be only those necessary (or mentioned) in the dialog. I had described Emma Lou’s living room as a house where someone had lived alone for several years: too much furniture, knick-knacks everywhere, full bookcases, old hi-fi, etc.  Lana felt the setting should be simple because the play was character-driven. I didn’t argue a bit, complimented that she saw my characters as strong enough to carry the show.

This was just one instance of the script being better than I imagined when I wrote it, due to the director and actors.  The ‘nurturing nudges’ to help the cast get inside the characters came from excellent direction. Then the actors just went onstage and became Emma Lou Briggs’ family.

I watched every single performance, hardly believing what I saw.  It was awesome

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Catching up

Posted on July 28, 2011October 12, 2023 by Dot

I’ve been away from the blog for a few weeks while attending to an exciting time in my life. For the past two weekends my play, RIP Emma Lou Briggs has been presented onstage at the Performing Arts Center on the Square in Searcy, Arkansas. This was an amazing event for me and the biggest thing that has ever happened to me as a writer.

Each summer the Center hosts a Dessert Theater featuring a smaller work than during the regular Dinner Theater season – a musical revue, magic show or, in this case, a one-act play. When the discussion of a summer show began several months ago, I offered my play for consideration. Rather timidly, I’ll admit. The play had won a first place at the Arkansas Writers Conference, but I had no idea what it would look like on stage.

The theater directors seemed pleased and eager to showcase the work of a local writer, but since it was only one act, it needed a companion piece. I was asked if I would like to read from my books. (My response was something like, “Are you kidding?”) A studio reading was suggested and then an interview/ Q&A time.  And so the program took shape: Presentation of the play RIP, Emma Lou Briggs, followed by a dessert buffet, followed by reading from my novel, The Last to Know. Then four teen actors gave a studio reading of a chapter from the latest novel To Find a Home. The evening ended with an author’s  interview and questions from the audience.

Cool, huh? Such an honor to be spotlighted and have my work heard and appreciated.  I am still pretty gushy about it all – hardly finding words to describe the experience. So I’ll leave it at this for now. Next time, I’ll tell you more about the process of seeing my words on paper become a play.

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Mad Dogs and Englishmen …

Posted on July 10, 2011July 10, 2011 by Dot

Over the past few weeks, as the temperature soars in Central Arkansas, there has been much media attention to heat related illness. Agencies gather fans to distribute to those less fortunates who have no air conditioning. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette ran a series of articles following up on three heat stroke victims – young athletes overcome during 2010 summer football practice. (Three separate incidents in as many schools during one blistering hot week in August. One boy did not recover.)

Now, coaches are required to attend workshops explaining emergency treatment for heat related illness. And as I’ve said, there has been much information forthcoming from news anchors and guest ‘specialists’ they have interviewed.

The admonition in all this is: drink plenty of water, pour water over your head or better yet hose down. Have ice packs handy and CPR equipment ready and a cell phone to call 911.

I listened to this and suddenly felt like the little girl watching the emperor walk naked through the streets.

STOP! Here is a group of young men running around in the sunshine wearing 40 pounds of equipment. (This is a ‘biblical’ 40 pounds, since I have no idea how much it really weighs.) Why are they outside in triple-digit weather? This is not a rhetorical question. We know why they are there. Because if they don’t make practice they won’t be on the team next fall. And because coaches (and some parents) begin yelling, “push through it” while the kids are still in pee wee ball.

Of course, the coach is standing on the sidelines holding a clipboard. He can hydrate whenever he feels the need. I never heard of a coach falling out with heat stroke.

I grew up in the south. We hoed the garden early in the morning. Cotton pickers went to work at dawn and quit about noon. Nowadays, farmers have lights on their equipment so they can work after the sun goes down and air conditioners in the cabs to protect them in the hottest part of the day.

Noel Coward said, “Mad dogs and Englshmen go out in the midday sun.” I don’t know this complete work but I take it to mean that only someone who is a little touched in the head would work outside in the heat of the day.

If the cleat fits …

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Poetry Slam

Posted on July 2, 2011October 12, 2023 by Dot

It was my pleasure this week to facilitate a workshop about Slam Poetry in the Schools. Clayton Scott, poet laureate of Fayetteville and a noted poet and performer, came to Wilbur Mills Education Service Cooperative to give a ‘creative awakening presentation.’ The teachers in the workshop heard about Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation contest for high school students and received ideas on how to incorporate this activity into their curriculum. POL is bringing the re-entry of recited poetry into Arkansas classrooms. As Mr. Scott pointed out, this is nothing new. And I gave a silent assent. I came to enjoy poetry when I heard my older sister rehearsing “Who Stuffed that White Owl” for presentation in her junior high English class. When I reached 8th grade, I relished that part of our literature studies. Even now, when I read chapbooks for my own pleasure, I will say the words aloud, loving the rhythm and flow (or not).

I was not able to sit in on all of the workshop, but when I returned in the afternoon, a slam was going on. Some participants were reading, some judging. There was an emcee and lots of applause and encouragement. Everyone seemed totally engaged in what was going on. Several had found their ‘inner poet’ and the words they read reflected that. It was awesome.

Poetry Out Loud is funded by the Arkansas Art Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about Clayton Scott, slam poetry and Poetry Out Loud, visit these sites: www.claytonscott.com and www.poetryoutloud.org.

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Dot Hatfield

Dot Hatfield

Dot Hatfield is a member of the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame and a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church. She is the author of 7 books.

Dot’s Books

  • Worth the Candle
  • Did Anyone Read My Story?
  • An Ordinary Day
  • R.I.P. Emma Lou Briggs
  • To Find a Home
  • The Last To Know
  • Every Day a New Day

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