Sheriff Harry Lee

Today is the funeral for Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee.
This man has been in office since 1979 I believe. For as long as I can remember.
Being a Sheriff in a Parish next to New Orleans you had to be a strong man to handle the crime. And, that is exactly what he was. I can't imagine anyone else replacing him, but when someone does, I can only pray they follow in his footsteps or do even better. (Hopefully better)

I know it wasn't easy for him, but I know he did what he could. Some people thought bad things about him, but he wasn't bad. He was honest, he told the cold hard truth. Didn't sugar coat for anyone... He didn't worry about hurting anyone's feelings, he was there to protect his citizens, and thats what he did.

We'll miss you Sheriff, rest in peace!!

Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com

What's going on with me?

Well, not too much, but actually a lot. (haha)
I've been working on my voodoo story trying to get it up to par.
It was going so smoothly until the end, now I think I can get a better ending, but not exactly sure how just yet.

Other than that, don't laugh, I'm taking commercial acting lessons. Yeah, I know. You say "Dawn, your too old to do that stuff."..... I say. "No not really, look at commercials and they are all types of ages, sizes, colors and what ever....... If I feel I can get over my camera phobia, I might just have a chance... Never liked camera's!!! But, if you live in New Orleans film making is becoming very popular, I want to see if I might can fit in somewhere. You all know I write, maybe someone will need a script writer?? Hmmm... The big picture is I'm trying to stop working for my hubby. I need my own space. I want to work, but not full time. (cause I want to write full time) So a friend told me about commercials, and now I'm in classes........so there you go......I've already been a Extra on a movie, haven't seen the movie yet to see if I'm shown or not.... I went straight to video. The movie was called THE LAST TIME......Michael Keaton and Brandan Frasier.....anywho, gotto go.......just wanted to drop by and say hi.......

p.s. I so can't wait to October to get here.... K-Con in New Orleans, including Anne Rice's Vampire Ball......Whooo-Hoooooo!!!!!!

Dawn
www.dawnchartier.com
FANTASY ON THE ROCKS!!!

Update on GENUS

I received 1 pass on GENUS, but the same editor would like to take a look at my new story.
I'll take that as a good sign.

Now I'm polishing up my first 3 chapters of Voodoo Style and will send out to see if it grabs someone's attention. I hope so, I really like it. I think it's much better than GENUS (in a different way). I think GENUS actually would make a great movie...seriously...it's that type of action, none stop...... VOODOO STYLE I think would do good selling books. At least thats the goal...

Anywho, back to writing, just needed to stop by for a short break.

Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com

My book pitches

Just wanted to do a quick report for my friends.
My book pitches this weekend went well. I have 3 requests for my new story, which I'm thrilled about. I think this novel is much better than the last...

Heathers conference was great again.

Well, I'm tired, and I'm going to listen to some advice from a editor. She said to stop all the blogging. Write your book instead. Okay, KD that's what I'm going to do. Blogging will be minimum from now on...

So good night from New Orleans,
Dawn
www.dawnchartier.com

Heather Graham's Writers Workshop - NOLA

This weekend is the Heather Graham's Writers Conference in New Orleans.
This is the second conference Heather has had so for. But, this out of all of the conferences I've ever attended is my favorite one.

The first year is was small and cozy. I was honored to meet Heather, Christine Feehan, and Kate Duffy, editor, along with many other great authors. "Kathleen Pickering was a sweetheart, she made me and my sister feel very welcome, thanks Kathleen." And I got to meet a great friend Veronika... She flew down last night and I picked her up from the airport, I showed them a little of the Katrina damaged area, stuff you don't truly see on TV. Then brought them to the hotel. I can't wait for it to get started today...I here they have about 50 more registered than last year, but thats fine. The city needs the tourist spending their dollars.......

I'll report at the end of the weekend how it went.
p.s. I have (3) editors appts. to pitch my voodoo story. I'll also let you know about that too.

Dawn
www.dawnchartier.com

Remembering Katrina Part III

You know people who don't live here in New Orleans, want to know what the heck is going on?

Why is there so many houses still left as it was after the flood? Why is the government still paying people to help them get on there feet? Why are they still electing idiots into office? What about the mental health of people who lived to tell the story? I'll try and answer the best to my knowledge as I see it.

1.) What's going on? A lot of rebuilding, and at the same time a lot of people still moving out other parishes near New Orleans.

2.) Houses still the same? Yes, there are many reasons for this. 1.) Corps of Engineers created crappy levees, didn't keep them up like they were supposed to. They blame higher government for not paying them to do this. ~ Also many people didn't have insurance, some are elderly and can't rebuild. ~ Then you have some who have insurance, but they won't pay up. ~ Then you have those that are afraid to come back, and afraid to sell hoping they can get the nerve to come back. ~ Then theres those that just can careless anymore.

3.) Why is government still paying some people? Well, I guess they feel responsible for the levee's that weren't built and maintained properly?? I don't know why. I do know sometimes it makes me mad seeing some people take advantage of it, those who can work, those who can take care of themselves, but won't. That pisses me off. Just like it does everyone else. But, most of these people were living off the government before Katrina, so that's that.

4.) Electing idiots? God only knows this answer. I didn't elect them. Most of my friends and family members didn't elect them either. I have no clue how it could have happened? Maybe it was because the mayor bussed in thousands from Houston and where ever, maybe he made the deal sweet for them, I have no clue... It smells is all I can say.....

5.) The mental minds of the victims? This varies greatly. One example, last week I was getting my haircut, and my hair stylist tells me his neighbor died after she dropped her kids off of school. No one knows how she died? She was 39-40? Her home flooded, her husband lost his job, but was in school learning a new trade, school just started for her two little boys, dropped them off and never picked them back up. -- Katrina Stress? Could be. I can believe it.

Then you have people living in there cars, or living in there gutted houses, or fema trailers. People so tired of working on their homes. It's hard work. If only these people can hold out for the reward, they'll be okay.

We need mental treatment clinics/hospitals..there is no help for those depressed, stressed or anything. I can't figure that one out!! Everyday someone commits suicide here along the gulf coast. (still) Though thats not reported...

But then everyday, someone moves back home. You've got the good and the bad. The hurricane didn't destroy New Orleans like it did Biloxi and other Louisiana areas, the levees broke.
No matter what, I'm still glad to call New Orleans my home... I love it!!!

Dawn

Remembering Katrina Part II

This morning the news was on and the newscasters were interviewing people, and showing new businesses up and running. It was great to see this. I try really hard to not venture into the devastated areas if I can help it. But, on occasions I have no choice. My husband and I own a construction company. We've helped re-build many, many buildings so hospitals, stores, clinics, and many businesses can put their workers back to work. It's been a really hard time, but to be honest keeping busy kept me going. All contractors around were so busy we didn't have time to think other than work. There were some who just sat back and did nothing, they were too out of it to jump in quickly and get back on the horse... Some of those are going out of business.

Well this morning and all week I've been hearing the 2 yr. anniversary is coming up, and here it is today. "2 years"... for many people it seems like 20 yrs. or 10 yrs. and to some it seems like just yesterday. Everyone's stories are different, like mine, like my family and my friends.

After I dropped off my daughter at school this morning I was on my way to work. I looked in my rear view mirror and what do I see? Flashing blue and red lights. I know, I know, it was my fault I was doing 30 in a 20, and I hadn't even realized it. He pulls me over, and then he proceeds to introduce himself. (I can't remember his name, it was a stressful moment) He said "hello, I'm officer so & so." I look up at him through my sun glasses. "Good morning sir."
Then he proceeds. "Mam', do you know you were doing 10 miles over the speed limit", I glanced at my speedometer as if that would help me out. "Really? No I didn't realize, I was just trying to dodge all the pot holes." He glanced at my dash board too, and then replied. "Yes. There are a lot of them. Can I see your license, registration and insurance papers." I stare at him and it took a second to absorb his words. "Oh. Okay, sure." I get all the stuff he asked for realizing I couldn't find my current insurance papers, now I'm thinking Oh Sh**!! I hand him the expired one. He looks over it and then glances back at me. "Make sure you don't speed down these side streets anymore. Have a good day."

I'm staring at him dumb founded. Duh. What just happened? The toughest city to get a ticket in, the meanest cops on the westbank, and this guy was a sweetheart. "Thank you," I said and then watched him drive away..... Now it hits me.... My heart thumps hard... If I would have gotten this ticket, it would have been my undoing. I felt my eyes swell with tears, my throat burned, I felt my pulse in my temples. I almost let myself crumble a little today, 2 years after Katrina... The cop saved me by doing a nice gesture and letting me off with a warning. "Thank you!" I feel blessed again, something so simple... This is life after Katrina... Still a little stressful, (or a lot depending on who you are) yet you keep telling yourself "I'm blessed." And I am....

And to be truthful, this is why I love to write and read, why I think millions of people write and read, we all want a fantasy world to escape to. Something to make us feel better when your having a bad day. "To be entertained"...I'm glad I found writing after Katrina, truly. I may not be great at it, but the journey it's taking me along the way is amazing. Oh, and the amazing people I've met in the short two years of writing, wow you'd not believe what great people!!!

p.s. RE: Voodoo Style~ I'm on Chapter 15, didn't finish as I hoped, but I'm still going to push myself. Hopefully before next week, the hubby & I are going to the coast to relax and take a break. --- I'm going to do a little blog at Myspace at well, but a different one. If you want to check it out go to http://www.myspace.dawntheauthor

Dawn
www.dawnchartier.com