Meet WordPlayer C F A Floyd

"Maureen's writing methods opened my mind to different ways and approaches of spinning my thoughts into something I never knew was in me."

What Charlotte says about WordPlay

Nervous and unsure are just a few words that described me before I embarked on Maureen's writing retreat at Sunset Beach. I'm shy by nature and immediate acceptance of my insecurities let me know I was not alone. Spending those few days with a wonderful group of people was refreshing. In sharing our hearts and minds through our words, smiles, and tears let me know that we all have something that drives us to express ourselves verbally, visually or by writing a simple few words on a piece of paper.

Maureen's writing methods opened my mind to different ways and approaches of spinning my thoughts into something I never knew was in me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maureen.

I have written and published my first novel, but I'm still learning and growing as a writer. I'm currently working on the sequel and a few other writing projects. When I feel that I've reached a plateau of creativity I reach for Maureen's Spinning Words Into Gold and use some of those activities to get the creative juices flowing again. 

I'm no longer nervous or unsure about myself or my writing due to the guidance of Maureen and my fellow writers from the Sunset Beach Retreat. Confidence in oneself is 90% of the battle. Never give up on your dreams of becoming a writer. Life and people may disappoint you but God gave you the talent to express yourself. Writers are a special group of people that can take a lemon and make a Margarita. Make every day and every word count!

C F A (Charlotte) Floyd is a native North Carolinian who loves this state with a passion -- there is nowhere in the world that she'd rather live and play. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where, she says, her love of writing was truly found and nourished. Charlotte is the author of the novel Deception.

To learn more about Charlotte, visit www.cfafloyd.com.
To order Deception, go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988730405. 

Featured Writing

An Excerpt  from C F A Floyd's novel Deception 

Several months later, as Ward held the love of his life in his arms and watched her sleep, he thought life couldn't get any better. He was ready to propose and spend the rest of his life with her. Yet there was one hitch -- Tyler. While their import business seemed to be flourishing, Ward began to notice that something was off about Tyler. He had become less forthcoming about the true nature of items that were moving in and out of their warehouses. The shipments were becoming larger and there was more security than ever.

One evening Ward stayed late at the warehouse at Tyler's request. Ward paced the floor, preparing to confront Tyler. The crates were holding secrets, Tyler's secrets. Ward's curiosity was getting the best of him, so he grabbed a crowbar and pried a few planks to loosen the top. When the top had enough give he put the bar next to the crate marked "French Antique Market" in black bold letters. He came across a small mahogany box inlaid with ebony and boxwood, and as he brushed the straw dust from the top he saw a strange crest. To him it almost looked Russian instead of French. The box revealed a collection of intricate jewelry. There was one particular piece that caught his eye, a platinum ring with magnificent filigree. Within the band itself was an inscription with what looked like a Latin phrase, but it was too worn to make out all the words without a magnifying glass. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a larger metal box with the words "Munitons Militaires" (Military Ammunition). His gut wrenched. When he heard the door to the warehouse open, he pocketed the ring, put the box back where he found it and quietly closed the lid to the crate. He took a few steps to gather himself.

"Ward, thank you for staying," Tyler said as he approached, removing his jet-black overcoat.

"What is all this? I'm tired of being in the dark."

"Then turn on a light," Tyler said with a slight smirk.

"Shut up. You know what I mean. The security, the merchandise. Where is all of this coming from?"

"The French Antique Market. Can't you read the side of the crate?"

"Be honest with me for once, Tyler. What are you really importing?"

"Antiques, of course. Do you not remember signing the agreement papers?"

"Antiques don't require extra security." Ward's tone was matter of fact and angry.

"These do." Tyler's voice turned from sarcasm to ice.

"What are these crates really carrying, Tyler?"

"I think our question and answer session is over. Go home."

"Not until you explain why there are guns and ammunition hiding underneath the shipment."

"The less you know, the better off you and your little girlfriend are."

"Who are we dealing with? Tell me, or I go to the cops."

"Are you threatening me?" Tyler walked closer to Ward, his eyes black with anger.

                                                                          ~ C F A (Charlotte) Floyd

MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You, and two collections of poetry, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."

Maureen also believes that serious "word work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn -- and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to yours!