Upcoming book signing/reading

I have been invited to participate in a local author reading session followed by Q & A and book signing for my latest release 'In Their Words - Vietnam' on March 17 at 6:30 pm at Sonora Joes coffee shop on Washington Street in Old Town Sonora.

A few of the veterans who were interviewed for this book will be on hand to sign their 'chapter' and to answer questions.

Hope to see you there!

In Their Words - Vietnam NOW AVAILABLE

The long awaited non-fiction military history book 'In Their Words - Vietnam' is now available at

https://www.amazon.com/Their-Words-Vietnam-Charity-Maness/dp/1475125631

In Their Words – Vietnam, is a collection of stories from those who served on the water, in the air, and on the ground in Vietnam from 1964 to 1975. Many are autobiographical, others are a collection of memories of the time they served, and one is posthumous, transcribed from letters and documents left to loved ones. These are their stories, the way they remember, the way they felt… in their words.

Life changes...

As with most everything in life, change is imminent.
Whether you roll with it or fight it, its going to happen.
I choose to roll with it:)
Due to some health reasons I have had to close my beloved Copper Gazette, an online news site for my little wonderful, energetic and amazing town.
However, I will continue to freelance for the Calaveras Enterprise and hope to spread my wings to other journalism adventures.
With only two jobs consuming less of my time than three, I hope to have time to return to my many unfinished manuscripts...especially the one that pulls at my heart the most; In Their Words, Vietnam. A collection of stories from those who were there...in their words.

I wish you all well, and as always, happy reading!

Updated Veterans Corner columns

Veterans Corner : Veterans Deaths Extend Beyond the Battlefield

Veterans Corner : Hanoi Jane Lives on in the Memories of Vietnam Veterans

Veterans Corner : Bad Paper: Justified or in excess?

Update...

My apologies for not updating this page.
My career took a bit of a detour and ended up in journalism...a lot of journalism.
As a veteran advocate I have begun a column with the local newspaper titled the Veterans Corner. I will attach links to some of the articles.
I also have been active in starting a Veterans Treatment Court in my County. A relatively large undertaking that appears to be on a roll, thanks to the support of the Judge, DA, Sheriff, and the Director of Behavioral Health.
Thank you for your support of my endeavors. And as always...happy reading!

Veterans Corner: A new column for valued people

Veterans Corner: Service dogs for veterans a saving grace

Veterans Corner: Vietnam vets open doors with farrier school

For more articles visit Calaveras Enterprise and search for Veterans Corner.

Adding Photography to my repertoire

Creativity is not limited to the pen...words can also be spoken with pictures...actually volumes can be spoken with one glance at a photo.

I have collected my photography and am making gifts cards from my work.

Let me know if any of the photos tell you a story.


To view photos CLICK HERE

A few of my favorites....

My New Years Resolution

My new years resolutions:
Touch more hearts with the written word.
Make a difference in someone's life.
Slow down...enjoy my life and appreciate what I have.

More Stories Pounding in my Head

After an incredibly moving and passionate visit to the ocean I have even more stories crashing like waves through my head. I hope to find the time to, at the very least, put the ideas into words and create an outline of sorts.

If you write, or wish to write, visit a place that moves you, talk to a person that you admire, or simply find a quiet place to listen to your heart, then let the words flow!

Back to the pen and paper

Looking forward to the new year when I will hit the ground running once again, throwing my heart and soul into my latest work in progress, 'In Their Words - Vietnam' a collection of interviews with Vietnam Veterans. Their stories, their feelings, in their words.

Hopefully I will be able to share their words and their feelings with you by the Spring of 2014.

Your words are worthy

Just a bit from my presentation as guest speaker at the Tuolumne Writer's Retreat.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that your writing has no worth because it is not producing an income. Your words, from the heart, are more valuable than gold. Don't ever stop writing. Don't ever give up.

Treasure or trash

It never ceases to amaze me that each time I clean my desk, thats code for coffee table, I find the dreaded black binder.

"What" you ask "could be in the binder that could cause such dread?"

Why...9 unfinished manuscripts!!

Thats right..9. Everything from romance to murder mystery and some humor thrown in for good measure.

When or if I will ever finish these stories in seemingly permanent hibernation...time will only tell.  Though I did cry and laugh out loud when reading one of them. I believe I will tackle that one first. Nothing like a good emotional roller coaster ride when traveling on a literary journey:)

I will keep you posted.

As always...happy reading!

Interview with Author Charity Maness

Words are so much more than simply words...

Writing is not simply words streamed together to create a story, they are colors and feelings painted on the awaiting canvas of the readers mind. A reader does not know what corner will be turned next, they await the surprise and expect to be moved.

I can only hope that when people read what I have written they will feel intense emotions of... passion... fear... love... desolation... hope... tragedy....laughter...sadness...

Emotions so real that for a moment my thoughts translated to words, become their thoughts translated to feelings.

Reading is a journey....

Enjoy the journey....

Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk-a-thon Speech 9-15-12

I would like to thank you all for coming today to the 3^rd annual Live On Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk-a-thon! Today, you are making a difference… for some, it is a difference between life and death. 

In 2012 Calaveras County has already exceeded the national average in suicide deaths with a total of 15 deaths to date. This is unacceptable.

When I was asked by Kim Molina to speak today I was honored by her request, yet at a loss as to what I would say. Kim gently told me to speak from the heart. That, I can do.

Many of you may know me as a mother, an author, a journalist, a veteran activist, or simply a friend. Some of you may not know me at all, but what none of you know is that I am survivor.

On June 1, 2009 my best friend took her life. 

Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association Ride

On Friday August 24, 2012 I was honored to ride with the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association in a funeral escort for a fallen Desert Storm veteran.
It was an incredibly moving experience.
At the conclusion, as the veteran's ashes were lowered into the ground and Taps played, we stood in formation holding flags at attention, the last three notes floated through the air on a breeze that had each of our flags billowing out creating a straight line of American flags. Stunning.

New Interviews

Each day brings new adventures and new learning experiences. With that said I am currently interviewing a Special Forces Vietnam Veteran for a chapter in my new book 'In Their Words - Vietnam' and am thrilled to be writing his story.

I love my job! I can only hope, upon the books completion, the words I have written will honor each and every veteran that I interviewed.

Tuolumne Writer's Retreat September 2012 - Charity Maness featured speaker

TUOLUMNE WRITERS RETREAT SEPTEMBER 28th, 29th, 30th, 2012

PRESENTED BY SONORA WRITERS GROUP Experience the 1st Tuolumne Writers Retreat in the State Historic Park of Columbia, California. This Gold Rush town orginally founded by miners in 1850, claims preserved brick buildings, historic artisans, period displays, shops, restaurants, hotels, & docents to transport you to another era. While you are embedded in your favorite writing classes, your entire family will be entertained. Stage coach rides, gold panning, climbing rock formations, watching the blacksmith clang his anvil, candle & candy exhibitions, and creamy ice cream cones await their arrival. Participate in classes, hear featured speakers, take a lantern walk to the Cemetery for a Ghost Poetry Open Mic, enjoy professional Literary Performances, Miners Nuggets of Prose & Poetry Reading, Authors Row. Special events planned for the public & your families including Cowboy Poets & The Devil Mountain Boys Country Band.

For more information CLICK HERE

More kind words...

I received a warm email this morning from a veteran who had read "It's Lonely Here in Hell" love Letters from Nam, it read in part - " I must say that the story contained within it's cover was nothing less that shocking."

That was a wonderful way to begin a day!!

It is every authors dream to touch people's hearts with the written word. 

Travel always inspires me

When I travel, I am always surprised and delighted with what I see, hear and feel. Every experience I have is either turned into a humor column or added to my ever growing list of unfinished manuscripts.

I find people in different areas of the country enticing and exciting. New dialects, sounds and actions...all foreign...yet all American. Amazing.

I hope to have some fun anecdotes for your perusal upon my return:)

Youthful writers

Had a wonderful few experiences yesterday, as two seperate youth asked me advice about writing. One was interested in journalism, the other in novels.
Either way I was impressed and thrilled that some of our youth are still motivated to manipulate the written word to create a moving and passionate piece of literature.
For those of you wishing to write....do it!