We Don't Say Goodbye | a novel by Anne Elwick

About the author. . . .

Anne Elwick* was born in East Texas. An avid reader all of her life, she was influenced most by Janet Daily, Larry McMurtrey and Danielle Steele. Always having the knack to remember details and repeat stories she had heard, she has frequently entertained family and friends with her tales. She began writing poetry and short stories as a teenager and has written numerous poems and prize winning short stories, as well as articles and columns which have been published. Her columns have appeared in newspapers in Texas and Arkansas. This is her first full length novel.

She studied journalism and creative writing in Texas and later in Arkansas while raising a family and pursuing a lengthy career in Office Management. Involved in several community and social organizations, she has served as President of Van Buren EHC, Key Person with Project Compassion, and is currently a member of The Red Hat Society, River Valley Writers, Wizards of Words, Romance Writers of America, Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and Mid-America Authors. Never without an interesting anecdote to tell, she has often marveled at how fate has placed her "in the right place at the right time" in order to meet some of the most famous or "notorious" people of her time, including three presidents.Now retired, she resides with her husband Arthur in western Arkansas, near the foothills of the Ozarks where she is currently at work on her next novel.

*This website is dedicated to "We Don't Say Goodbye" and the author, who uses the pseudonym of Anne Elwick. The author also writes under the nom de plume Caryn Bruer, which is an alternate spelling of her actual name: Karen Brewer, that she rarely uses in publication.

Favorite Quotes

We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh.

Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900)

AND ....

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain. (Author unknown)

AND ....

One of my favorite songs is "I Hope You Dance" by Leann Womack

Speaking of dancing.....

My mother and father danced. They were Baptists, so it was a no-no to dance out in public. But the radio stayed on almost all the time and they both sang along with it. We all loved music. I remember them preparing supper in the kitchen on Saturday evenings with The Grand Ole Opry playing on the radio. If the sound of rattling pots and pans ceased, my sisters and I would jump up and run to peep around the door because we knew they'd be dancing. Of course, back in those days, it was always a Two-step or a Waltz.

My mother taught me to dance. My sisters learned, too, but didn't put it to practice as much as I did. I watched American Bandstand every afternoon right after school, and mimicked every step I saw the dancers do. Dancing came as naturally to me as breathing.

When I grew up and got married, my husband and I lived in the Dallas area for awhile. In the 60's there were two televised live shows every weekend, and they always had big-name guest stars. One was Cowtown Jamboree, from Fort Worth and the other was The Big D Jamboree, from Dallas. Many country entertainers cut their teeth performing in those barn dance scenarios, and went on to become famous.

One weekend in the 60's, Ray Price was the featured guest on Cowtown Jamboree. He had always been a favorite of mine, so we went to see the show, live and in person! The featured guest did sets onstage, televised, then they would take a break and the local band and performers would do a set. Sometimes, during these breaks, the featured performer would come out and mingle with the audience, and occasionally dance with some of the ladies. Cowtown Jamboree had a dance floor right in front of the stage. In about the third break that Ray Price took, he came and asked me to dance with him. What a thrill! I was on cloud nine until we got on the dance floor. I'm not sure which one of us stepped on whose feet the most, but I'm sure it was not a pretty sight. One of us might have been a little bit tipsey, and I wasn't even drinking! We didn't have a camera with us, so the moment is lost to all but the memory.

My husband could dance a little bit when we first married. I taught him to appreciate the music and the rhythm. Through the years he became quite good at leading me around the dance floor. As we aged, he lost his shyness, and took a few chances with me as he learned to appreciate some Rock N Roll, and even a little Reggae beat. But, best of all are the times when our favorite band plays John Fogertys' One Hundred and Ten In The Shade. Dirty dancing? It's hot! We scorch the dance floor!

When my three little girls were growing up, I taught them to dance. During the 70's I taught Disco Dance classes, as well. How funny to look back on those days now. But the one thing that I always noticed; when people dance, they smile. In fact, some even laugh out loud. Dancing is good for the heart, and I think it's good for the soul. But, I won't argue that a little old-fashioned belly-rubbin' music makes for a good preamble to a little bit of romancing, too.

My elder daughter is an EMT, and Industrial Nurse. She has one son. Now she can dance! Boy, howdy! She's got rhythm!

My middle daughter is a school teacher. She has two girls and a boy. She dances, but I'm not sure she hears the same music that I do!!! It's fun to watch her. Her kids all dance, and they are good at it.

Then, my youngest daughter is tall and slender. She dances pretty darn good. She would have been a fantastic Rockette with those long legs! She is a Master Sergeant in the military and has one daughter who is a fantastic dancer.

As I age, and they follow suit, I hope they will always dance with smiles on their faces. I hope they'll have that vision of me, still smiling and humming along with the music, when I've danced my last Waltz.

E-Mail

I would love to hear your comments. You may e-mail me at: anne-elwick@cox.net

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