About Me

Karen Yvonne Hamilton 

Walt Whitman says about his autobiography, Specimen Days

“…At any rate I obey my happy hour’s command, which seems curiously imperative. May-be, if don’t do anything else, I shall send out the most wayward, spontaneous, fragmentary book ever printed.”

This is what I feel at this juncture of my life, the need to gather together memories of my ancestors as well as my own memories into some semblance of order. Because all of those fragments, all of the fragments that make up any life, become stories.

I am the mother of three sons and grandmother of six. I love the beach, finding treasures (feathers, rocks, shells, driftwood, whatever washes up!), painting, reading, Florida history, and anything science fiction or surreal (the universe is a mysterious place!)

I formerly taught Developmental Reading and Writing at Palm Beach State College, Fayetteville Technical College, and Robeson Community College. I have also taught English Language Arts at the middle and high school level.

I have published essays with Heritage Press, Florida Living, and the St. Pauls Review. I recently published Lostmans Heritage: Pioneers of the Florida Everglades and am currently working on several books about Key West, the Bahamas, and other historical works.

I live in my hometown, Jupiter, Florida and work as a freelance writer and curriculum specialist.

Here I am, working very hard. 

 

 

Some of my work:

Lostmans Heritage: Pioneers of the Florida Everglades

36 Days: A Memoir

When asked how we met, he would always answer, “She was my babysitter.” We fell into each other from the start, although it would take a dozen years before we actually connected at the deepest level. I haven’t written the middle part yet, our years together as he struggled with depression and alcoholism. Those are hard years to write about because I suppose I just want to remember the main thing – he was the love of my life.

And one day, his sister calls me, “Alex is dying.” You can know, really know, that this is coming, but somehow hearing the words knocks the soul out of you anyway. “Where is he?” I ask. It turns out he is in a nursing home less than two miles from me.

There is no thought process. I just go to him. And I stay with him all the way to the end, for 36 days.

 

Back to School Memoir Anthology

If there is one memory we can’t bury, it is most likely a school memory. Whether you attended public or private school, or you were taught at home, you spent some time of your life learning. Many of us tend to gravitate towards the bad memories of school, and I am sure that everyone has at least one bad memory or embarrassing moment, but I was relieved and happy to see that many choose to focus on the successes and the joy of school as well.

This compilation of memoirs encompasses the good and the not so good memories of being in school. I would like to thank all of the people who contributed to this anthology .

The authors here are teachers, artists, authors, and professionals from all walks of life.

What’s Your Story?

 This anthology brings together the work of a group of special people who had the courage to not only write down their memories, but to share them with the world.

We are pleased to bring you this collection of stories telling about special people, trials and triumphs, firsts and favorites, and overcoming adversities.

We hope you enjoy these stories and are encouraged to write down your own life stories.

 

 

Celebrating Poetry: 2014 Poetry Anthology

This edition contains poems from everyday poets from around the world. It also includes essays on poetry and poem writing exercises.

 

 

Playing with Words: A Poetry Writing Workshop

This workbook includes exercises for the younger crowd (middle school age) and for older students and adults who want to play with words. There are 30 exercises for creating poems by playing with words here, as well as a few examples of poems created by myself and famous poets like Lewis Carroll, Robert Frost, Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas, and Elizabeth Bishop. Play with writing cut-ups, sonnets, villanelles, found poetry, permutations, and more!

 

 Safe Counsel: Advice on Love & Marriage from the Late 19th Century

Prof. B. G. Jefferis, M.D., PhD and J. L. Nichols originally published this text in 1897, in a book called Safe Counsel: Search Lights on Health. According to the original authors, “KNOWLEDGE IS SAFETY”, and their medical knowledge from the late 19th century will be of great interest to historians, researchers of women’s issues, and the general reader in light of modern medical, social and scientific advancements. The text will give the reader a deeper understanding of day-to-day life and beliefs during the late 1800s. This volume covers such topics as: history of marriage, how to choose a spouse, how to propose, how to conduct oneself on the honeymoon, causes of family problems, how to handle jealousy, and how to write a love letter. Charming period illustrations augment the text.   

Lifetales: A Workbook for Writing Your Lifestories

The Lifetales Workbook is divided into easy to understand sections that will have you completing your memoirs in no time! Blank pages are included for you to take notes as you read. Sample chapters include: How to get Started, Finding your stories, Dealing with Painful Issues, Publishing your memoir, Memory Sparkers, and much more!

The Lifetales Workbook brings in over 20 years of experience of lecturing and teaching memoir workshops. The workbook includes tips on getting started, writing prompts to keep you writing, and tips and resources on book layout, publishing, and marketing your completed stories. Be a part of PRESERVING HISTORY…ONE LIFESTORY AT A TIME!

 

Safe Counsel: A Complete Guide to Health Care and Home Remedies in the Late 1800′s Published by Heritage Books

This enlightening artifact was originally published by Prof. B.G. Jefferis, MD, PhD, and J.L. Nichols, AM, in 1897 as a home medical reference for common people. The intent of the authors was to promote general physical and mental health by dispelling the myths and mysteries of both the human body and the medical sciences. To that end, this text covers a wide scope of health-related topics, including home remedies, the care of the sick, bathing and personal hygiene, puberty and reproduction, women’s health issues and increasing longevity. Two appendices comprise a glossary of medical terms and a section pairing antiquated disease names with their new, “modern” definitions. Quaint period illustrations accompany much of the text. Like its companion volume, Safe Counsel: A Complete Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth and Childcare in the Late 19th Century (also published by Heritage Books, Inc.), this book is notable not so much as a reference work but as a reflection of the attitudes of our ancestors and of the times in which they lived. Some readers are sure to chuckle at some of the more peculiar scientific facts or advise offered by the authors, such as cautioning nurses to never wear dark clothing (“studies” had shown that dark cloth was more likely to absorb the “subtle effluvia that emanates from sick persons”) or demanding sexual temperance (never just before or after meals and never under the influence of alcohol, to avoid “idiotic” offspring). However, it is the ageless wisdom of simple diet and abundant exercise that is most often suggested by the authors as a formula for well-being. Includes illustrations and an appendix.

Safe Counsel: A Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Childcare in the Late 1800′s Published by Heritage Books

According to the original authors “KNOWLEDGE IS SAFETY”, and their medical “knowledge” from before the days of disposable diapers will be of great interest to historians, researchers of women’s issues and the general reader in light of modern medical, social and scientific advancements. These pages reflect attitudes towards women, common family planning practices, and scientific “truths” of the times, giving the reader a deeper understanding of day to day life and beliefs during the late 1800s. This volume covers procreation disorders such as impotence and sterility, health during pregnancy, pregnancy advice including dress and diet, confinement during delivery, newborns and their care, home lessons in nursing sick children, and treatment for the diseases of infants and children including home remedies. Many of these home treatments, advising a simple diet and exercise, make the reader smile at their ageless wisdom. Some advice will make the reader grin – “Pregnant mothers should avoid thinking of ugly people… Also avoid ungraceful position and awkward attitude, but cultivate grace and beauty in herself. Avoid difficulty with neighbors or other trouble.” Charming period illustrations augment the text. Appendices include a “Dictionary of Medical Terms” and “Old Disease Names and Their Modern Definitions.” Includes illustrations and an appendix.

Creative Writing Workbook for Middle and High School

A hit with English and Creative Writing teachers! Over 165 pages of exercises for your English and Creative Writing class! How to write in different genres (sci-fi, fantasy, newspaper, children’s books, plays, poetry and more!) Also includes important grammar issues such as sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

 

 

 

Poetry Writing Workshop: A Workbook for Students

This book describes easy to follow directions for creating poems that touch the heart.

It includes writing exercises and prompts for traditional poems like the cinquain and haiku and more modern poetry like generated poems and found poetry.

No matter what age you are, these exercises will show you how easy it is to jump into writing poetry! Written by English and Creative writing teachers for their students from middle school to adult.

Fiction Writing Workshop: A Workbook for Students

A hit with English and Creative Writing teachers! Over 75 pages of exercises for your English and Creative Writing class!

This workbook contains instructions and individual exercises for writing general fiction, science fiction, fantasy, children’s books, and plays. Plan a semester or a full year around these lessons. Exercises are on individual pages so that you can quickly find a writing lesson when you need it.

How many times have you had 10 minutes to fill in class and were at a loss how to fill the time? Pull out this workbook and get a quick idea for a fun writing assignment for your students. Includes individual and group work.

Give a workbook to each student in your Creative Writing class! No more photocopying! Perfect for Homeschoolers!