1. Writers can get very long-winded, and yours truly is the worst of the worst.
2. Editors want the most concise treatment possible of whatever.

Given these truths, the following "Material Published" list is nothing less than a miracle. If you remember reading one of these essays or features, I'd love to hear from you at sharon@slgardner.com.

• Black Days, Black Dust: An Oral History of Life in the Coalfields, Traditions, a Journal of West Virginia Folk Culture and Educational Awareness, Fairmont State Univ., Vol. 9, 2004.
• Memories of a Mining Family: Tony Armstead Recalls Four Generations, Goldenseal, Vol. 26, No. 4, Winter 2000.
• Dakota, Times West Virginian, Marion Pride (May 1997)
• Library: a Fairview Cornerstone, Times West Virginian, Marion Pride
  (Jan. 1997)
• Fairview: Town Originally Known as Amos, Marion County's Best-kept Secret, Times West Virginian, Marion Pride (Jan. 1997)
• Four States: Things Are Looking Up, Times West Virginian, Marion Pride (Oct. 1996)
• Benton's Ferry Charming, Friendly, Times West Virginian, Marion Pride (Sept. 1996)
  Above 1-2 page feature articles, with author's photographs, were published in Fairmont's Times West Virginian.
• Monthly Column for Marion County Public Library, Times West Virginian (1996-1997)
• Family Rides on Bicycle for Two--and Trailer for One, Terre Haute Tribune Star (1991)
• History of an Aging Veteran, Pioneer, a quarterly of Pioneer Historical Society of Bedford County, PA. Placed second in essay competition. (1986)
  ______Reprinted in Bedford Gazette (1986)
• There is Life Before 6 a.m., Bedford Gazette (1985)
• Commuter Key is Economy, Advocate, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (1982)

"Life happens while you're making other plans." Advice to get your own list started? Don't let "life" stop you from writing. DO IT! Then research for the best market and revise 'til the cows come home or 'til you're blue in the face. Oh, and don't use clichés.