NATIONAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION
LOS ANGELES
Beach scene on Nantucket Island by Tom Howard
IN A CLASS ALL HER OWN
It’s our hearts that
matter the most
An inspiring, surprising, sometimes shocking,
and ultimately deeply informative memoir of
the high-stakes, high-pressured life of a female
heart surgeon Healing Hearts is the story of
the making of a surgeon who is also a wife and
mother. Dr. Magliato takes us into her highly
demanding, physically intense, male-domi-
nated world and shows us how she masterfully
works to save patients’ lives every day.
Dr. Kathy Magliato is one of the few female
heart surgeons practicing in the world today.
She is also a member of an even more exclu-
sive group — those surgeons specially trained
to perform heart transplants.
In her memoir, we come to know many of
those patients whose lives Dr. Magliato has
touched: a baby born with a hole in her heart, a
ninety-four-year-old woman with a lethal tear
in her aorta, and a thirty-five-year-old movie
producer who saves her own life by recogniz-
ing the symptoms of a heart attack. Along the
way, Dr. Magliato sheds light on the too of-
ten unrecognized symptoms of a heart attack
and cardiovascular disease — the number one
Meet Dr. Magliato at Mo’s Restaurant, 4301 Riverside Drive, Burbank - Saturday Sept. 18, 2-4 pm
SEPTEMBER 2010
killer of women in America — and the specific
measures that can be taken to prevent it.
As we begin to see what it takes for Dr. Maglia-
to to heal hearts day after day, we come to un-
derstand a more human side of the medical
profession. Dr. Magliato celebrates with her
patients when they overcome their disease and
personally mourns when they die as a result
of it. She understands deeply the pain and suf-
fering that heart disease can wreak on patients
as well as on their families. Healing Hearts is
not only her story, it is also the story of every-
one affected by heart disease — roughly one in
three Americans.
Dr. Magliato acquaints us with the day-to-day
realities of her life and work. We see her skill-
fully juggle a full and happy family life as the
wife of a liver transplant surgeon (they have
bedside tables cluttered with pagers and cell
phones that ring throughout the night) and the
mother of two young boys. We also see the toll
that being a female pioneer can take, as well
as the rewards of such demanding work. She,
like many working women, is striving to have
it all.
Dr. Magliato’s powerful and moving memoir
demonstrates her passion and commitment to
her family, her patients, and her profession and
reveals that, at the end of a long day, it’s our
hearts that matter most.
As Director of Women’s Cardiac Services at
Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica,
California, she is developing a Multidisci-
plinary Women’s Health Center to address the
cardiac needs of female patients. Dr. Magliato
is also developing a Ventricular Assist De-
vice Program to treat end-stage heart failure
patients. Prior to joining Saint John’s Medical
Center, Dr. Magliato was a heart/
lung transplant surgeon and Director of the
Mechanical Assist Device Program at Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree
in Biochemistry at Union College in Sche­‑
With over two hundred
speaking engagements, Dr. Magliato is
a sought-after lecturer and has been an
invited speaker on a multitude
of topics to audiences
throughout the world.
nectady, New York where she graduated with
Cum Laude honors, she earned her medical
degree from Case Western Reserve University
in Cleveland, Ohio, and completed an intern-
ship and residency in general surgery at Akron
General Medical Center.
Further postgraduate training included a re-
search fellowship in thoracic organ transplan-
tation at the University of Michigan Medical
Center in Ann Arbor and a cardiothoracic sur-
gery residency at Loyola University Medical
Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr Magliato also
completed a fellowship in heart transplanta‑
continued on page two
It’s our hearts that matter ... Editorial
tion, lung transplantation, and ventricular as- Dr. Magliato is the recipient of many national EVER MOVING FORWARD
sist devices at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center. In 2006, she earned an execu-
and regional awards including the Women’s
Leadership Exchange 2003 Compass Award
TO A BETTER FUTURE
September is an active month for
tive MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of and, in 2006, was initiated into the American
National Writers Association Los
Management. College of Surgeons. In 2008, Dr. Magliato
Angeles. This is the time when we
was honored at the American Red Cross
Dr. Magliato is a member of many profession- renew our commitment to ourselves
gala, along with the cast of Grey’s Anatomy,
al societies, including the American Society as writers by signing up for another
and received their “Spirit of Humanitarian-
for Artificial Internal Organs, the Association year of interaction and support from
ism” award. In May of this year, she and Kate
of Women Surgeons, the American College of fellow writers. You will find the sign-
White, editor in chief of Cosmopolitan maga-
Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons up sheet enclosed. Please use the
zine, were awarded the Exceptional Women
and the International Society for Heart and enclosed envelope to return it with
award in Boston.
Lung Transplantation. With the surgical treat- your check as soon as possible.
ment of congestive heart failure her primary Be sure to include your birthday
She has been highlighted by the media
focus, Dr. Magliato has served as either prin- information.
as an expert in heart disease and has re-
cipal investigator or co-investigator for many
cently been seen on NBC’s iVillage, ABC
clinical trials and has contributed numerous Voting for our officers for the next
News, CBS news and NBC news, as well
articles and abstracts to the medical litera- year is also a September activity, and
as being featured on WebMD. In Febru-
ture. Additionally, she has a keen interest in ballots are enclosed. Those can be
ary, she was featured in Shape magazine.
promoting cardiac health for women and was placed in the return envelope with
recently elected President of the Board of the your membership, or returned when
She has also worked on character development
LA County American Heart Association. She you attend the meeting in September.
with actresses Brooke Smith, Mary McDonnell
is the first woman to ever hold this position in
and Kim Raver, all of whom have played cardiac
the history of this board. A focus for the next few months
surgeons on Grey’s Anatomy. Dr. Magliato has
will be an active membership drive,
Dr. Magliato’s areas of expertise include con- been featured in several documentaries includ-
which will be two-pronged. As a way
gestive heart failure, heart transplantation, ing Lifetime’s Everywoman and the National
of encouraging current members to
lung transplantation, heart disease in women Geographic Explorer series “The Moment of
introduce new people to our group,
and artificial heart technology. She has served Death,” which aired September 23, 2008. Dr.
we will offer awards:
as a consultant to a wide array of biotechnol- Magliato’s memoir Healing Hearts was pub-
ogy companies including start-up ventures, lished by Random House Publishing, Broadway
AWARD ONE
privately held companies and mature public Books Division in February 2010 and received a
A free breakfast for each current
companies. Currently, she is overseeing the starred review by Publisher’s Weekly and a four-
member who brings the most visitors
clinical trial of the Jarvik artificial heart in the out-of-four star review in People Magazine.
that sign up for a year’s membership
United States.
at the meeting. The requirement is
that the newcomers must sign up at
the meeting.
People Magazine book review
by Caroline Leavitt AWARD TWO
The current member, who over a six-
HEALING HEARTS month period from September 1, 2010
to February 28, 2011, brings in the
One of the few female heart surgeons in the world, Magliato most new members will get a $15.00
presents a fascinating look at the life-or-death world of rebate off their yearly dues.
cardiothoracic surgery. Along the way she reminds readers
that heart disease presents differently in women (nausea, So now is the time to let your
jaw pain), kills a woman every sixty seconds and is largely enthusiasm shine! Tell others about
preventable. Magliato’s passion and verbal skills make her our group. Distribute extra newsletters
the kind of doctor you’d want — and a writer to watch. (let the editor know how many you
can distribute) at libraries, bookstores,
restaurants, classes, etc. Bring friends
A book signing will follow the program. to the meetings. New acquaintances
and connections will benefit us all.

TWO
“LITTLE RED WRITER BOOK” SERIES BY JO ANN COLTON
Helping writers live the dream
Member Jo Ann Colton presents a book series
designed to give writers the inside scoop on
how to be effective in the business of writing.
So, You Want to be a Writer
Written by a writer who
understands writers’
concerns about enter-
ing the writing world,
So, You Want To Be A
Writer offers assistance
to aspiring writers. Cre-
ated strictly as a helpful
overview of the writing
process, it is informa-
tive and enlightening!
The book guides the writer/reader on a step-
by-step journey down the writer’s path. From
answering the “write” question and getting
started as a writer, to believing in one’s ability
to achieve, developing tools of the trade, mak-
ing that first impression as a writer and more,
Colton shares not only her own experiences as
a writer and author, but also her interactions
with other emerging writers and published au-
thors.
If you’ve always wanted to be a writer, but
didn’t know how to get started, this book
definitely belongs in your home library. Filled
with lots of helpful writing-related informa-
tion, dos and don’ts, and tips of the trade, So,
You Want To Be A Writer, book one of Jo Ann
M. Colton’s “Little Red Writer Book” series,
is a must-read resource for beginning and un-
published writers.
WHO SAID THIS?
Can you match the famous quote in history
with the inspiring do-gooder who said it? Test
your knowledge with our trivia quiz. Mark
your best guess, then find the answers on
page six.
1. “It always seems impossible until it’s
done.”
Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy
George W. Bush
Nelson Mandela
2. “You must be the change you want to
see in the world.”
Bobby Kennedy
Mahatma Gandhi
Golda Meir
Albert Schweitzer
How to Develop Marketing Matters
Story Line Ideas For writers who subscribe
How to Develop Story
Line Ideas is a stimu-
lant for the imaginative
mind. Designed to help
new writers seek and
recognize a plethora of
ideas for books and oth-
er pieces, book two of
Jo Ann M. Colton’s “Little Red Writer Book”
series energizes aspiring writers to follow their
literary dreams and aim high for success.
Story line ideas are everywhere — often right
before our very eyes. Colton discusses what
she believes to be the fundamental foundation
for developing ideas for writing books, short
stories and articles, and then expands upon her
theories.
This seek-and-you-will-find guide provides
innovative tips, information and exercises to
increase writers’ mental acuity and get their
creative juices flowing. From embracing the
idea of writing to discovering and gathering
story line ideas to getting those ideas down
on paper, the book encourages writers’ to push
themselves toward greater accomplishments.
As a result, How to Develop Story Line Ideas
is an interesting and enjoyable motivational
experience for rising writers.
3. “For everyone of us that succeeds, it’s
because there’s somebody there to show
you the way out. The light doesn’t always
necessarily have to be in your family; for
me it was teachers and school.”
Oprah Winfrey
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Barack Obama
4. “As we express our gratitude, we must
never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Mother Teresa
Brian Williams
John F. Kennedy
John Lennon
more on page six
THREE
to the “nontra-
ditional” approach to book publishing via
self-publishing or publishing through a POD
(print-on-demand) pub-
lisher, Marketing Mat-
ters belongs on your
bookshelf.
Marketing is a means
of transferring services
and products to con-
sumers. As cited by
www.parapublishing.
com, according to R.R. Bowker as reported in
The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2004, there
are “over 2.8 million books in print.” Writers
will have to take an aggressive approach to tar-
geting their book’s audience and reaching their
readers.
For those who feel a bit intimidated by the sub-
ject, Marketing Matters provides a reassuring
introduction into the mechanics of marketing.
This basic guide offers an elementary glimpse
of the activities involved in the marketing pro-
cess. Designed for aspiring writers, beginning
writers and recently published new writers
who don’t consider themselves marketers, the
book presents helpful information and sugges-
tions about marketing.
On the journey through its pages readers will
learn of the connection between marketing,
advertising, publicity, and public relations.
Marketing Matters also discusses the four
Ps of marketing, what they mean and how
they relate to the author’s own book. From
“MAPP-ing” for success, to thinking outside
the box, from marketing plans to marketing
tools, readers will soon be enlightened as to
what they can do to market their books, even
on a shoestring budget.
Look for Jo Ann M. Colton’s
“Little Red Writer Book” series-
AVAILABLE NOW
through your favorite bookstore or
for a free preview of each book
and/or to order visit
www.authorhouse.com
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Passing the baton
It has been an honor to serve as president, facilitate
meetings, and write for the newsletter. I hope to
attend on September 18 and am impressed with the
plans that LaVonne has made for the upcoming year
to keep the group alive and vibrant.
WRITING ADVICE
ENERGIZING YOUR CRAFT
Among the activities we have planned for the
upcoming program year are support sessions by
writers for writers, which will be take place in
October and February.
The October meeting will be a forum for our
member/writers to share what or who inspired them
to write. A book or attending a class or some other
catalyst.
In February participating writers will get a chance
to have their work critiqued by the group. It helps
a writer’s ego as well as their ability to write if they
have peers read and give feedback on their work. One
of the best ways to connect with writers and to gather
feedback on your work is being a member of a writing
club.
SOME RULES OF THE ROAD When critiquing
the work of others, remember to keep things
positive and constructive, encouraging each other
rather than tearing down the other writers in the
After much thoughtful deliberation
I have decided to temporarily
relocate to the East Coast for the
next several months to be closer
to my mom and finish work on her
oral history, Mrs. Foley’s Flowers.
For this reason, I have decided not
to place my name on the ballot in
the presidential position for the
upcoming year. Since LaVonne
Taylor has been nominated for the
position, I am happy to recommend
that at the next meeting at
Mo’s Restaurant on Saturday,
September 18 at 2:00 pm, the group
unanimously vote her in as the next
president and give her your fullest
support.
— Your President, Tom Howard
group. Keep criticism constructive rather than
mean. Too much negativity can often be devastating
for group members, especially since sharing one’s The correct spelling of the order
writing can be a soul-baring experience to begin
with.
Passages read should be brief, such as excerpts
from longer works, short stories, etc., allowing
everyone in the group to have time to share. Putting
a limit on time for reading and discussion can give
everyone an opportunity to hear feedback and
listen.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE One way to gain more
members (see editorial on page two), is go through
your personal address book and invite friends that
might be interested. You can also make a flyer with
information about the club and post it in places
such as the local library, newspaper, community
center, and in local bookstores around town.
We will post ads for the group on sites such as
Facebook and Craigslist. When prospective
continued on page six
FOUR
Perils of a tight
deadline
Due to a late night deadline, I
inadvertently introduced a few
errors into the story, “Can anyone
Spare a Typewriter,” an excerpt
from our book in progress,
Mrs. Foley’s Flowers and other
Autobiographical Tales of Growing
up Irish Catholic as told by Trudy
Mulcahy Howard to her son,
Thomas Howard, that appeared in
the April, 2010 issue of Views. As
writer/editor I must be respectful of
the subject, narrator, and source of
all the stories in the book, my dear
mother, Trudy Mulcahy Howard,
who would like the following
corrections to be noted:
Paragraph 6, line 8 should read:
Before I knew it, I was in all-black
Harlem. Daylight was fading and
the people also were getting darker.
Mr. Sutherbee had warned me not
to go into that area unaccompanied
so I turned back. I started to get a
little worried, saying to myself,
“Oh, my God! What am I going to
do?”
of Dominican nuns is Sinsinawa.
... The Sinsinawa nuns were
brought to NYC by Father Ford,
not Monsignor Rigney.
In the third column, second
paragraph of the story (as it was
printed), line 4 should read:
... This sister, whose name was
Sister Mary Jacqueline, came down
and showed me her classroom that
featured on the walls pictures of the
United Nations. (Graybeard poets
of New England were featured on a
wall when mom student taught.)
In utmost humility,
Thomas Acquinas Howard
FOLLOW- UP ON ‘TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM’
By Mary L. Ports
In the July, 2010 issue of Views, was an account of a sleep study I un-
derwent at Kaiser Permanente. Then, I felt somewhat like a recalcitrant
horse, rebellious to the use of an apparatus that could improve the qual-
ity of life. My experiences during the study, understandably led me to
mistake the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP), for
a “CRAP” machine. However, as with any story, there is always another
side and this one is no exception.
I recently learned from LaVonne, our il-
lustrious editor, that Jaime, her husband,
refused to have a sleep study suggested by
his doctor. After reading my article, he was
glad that he had refused.
About a week after my sleep study, my
doctor scheduled me for a one-and-a-half-
hour class at the Aprea Health Care Unit
in Van Nuys, California. Here, I would be
instructed how to use the machine. Since the
results of my study showed a severe sleep disorder, I decided it best to
take the class.
In the small class of four, was a gentleman who came for a review, re-
questing another mask, which you can do every three months. He told
me an interesting story about what happened the very first day after he
used his mask.
He was out shopping with his wife and about 2:00 p.m. he looked at his
watch and asked her, “Why aren’t I tired?” About 4:00 p.m. he looked
at his watch again and asked her the same question. He continued won-
dering throughout the day why he wasn’t as tired as usual and finally
realized after a few days that the CPAP machine was a Godsend.
I was surprised to learn that my maid, Robin, who drove me to the clinic
and sat in on the class, had sleep apnea. She decided to start using her
sleep mask that night and excitedly reported that the swelling and pain
in her right arthritic knee had subsided.
Talking with my CPA, I learned that his grandfather has been using a
sleep mask for five years and swears by it. He takes it with him wher-
ever he goes and often travels by airplane, using it every night. It is
amazing to find how many people make use of the CPAP machine and
wear the mask to bed.
When you don’t get enough sleep or proper rest, fatigue sets in. And
when you are terribly low on energy, there isn’t much to laugh about.
But the other night, just before bed, I decided to make a last phone call
to one of my night-owl friends. Bleary-eyed, I picked up the phone
and dialed. Putting it to my ear, I noticed that there wasn’t any ring.
Puzzled, I looked at the phone only to discover that it was my remote
FIVE
control. Tired as I was, I let out a huge laugh, wondering if I had finally
lost all of my marbles.
I’ve only used it for three nights and for me, I think it is too soon to tell
about the benefits. For others, it may be sooner. It takes practice getting
it on and off with dexterity. A touch of arthritis in my fingers makes it
difficult for me to use the clip on the right side, especially since it can’t
be seen, only felt. The chin guard was not included in my full face mask
kit as it should have been, so when I went for a refit, this was discov-
ered. The guard was given to me with the second fit and demonstration,
which was more thorough. This plas-
tic guard keeps the mask more secure
around the mouth and prevents air from
escaping, provided that it is strapped on
securely. It’s quite an invention. I’m told
that they are constantly changing and
improving the apparatus and I should or-
der another one every three months.
S H OWCA S E
Now, with a chin guard on my full face
mask, oxygen gets to my brain. Perhaps I won’t continue to be such a
numbskull, but only time will tell.
RECOGNITION
Being lauded by my peers is a hoot
We all know we’re not in it for the loot
Since recognition is the most I’ll ever get
Monetary expectations aren’t my bet
I sit here mulling over what I’ve got
Which word where? To rhyme or not?
Meter or free form, narrative or lyric?
Why do I bother? ... Ain’t it clearic?
This is how I want to spend my days ...
Eventually ... perhaps ... going out in a blaze.
— LaVonne Taylor, August 2010
With apologies to Ogden Nash, 1902-1971
Energizing your craft ... 5. “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken
with painstaking excellence.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
members ask about the group, we will have an Confucius
information packet to give them that contains Hillary Clinton
the information about our group. It is best that Buddha
these prospective members know as much as
6. “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.”
possible about the group before joining.
Benjamin Franklin
Harry S Truman
For the February critique session, please Abraham Lincoln
submit the excerpt to be read to LaVonne in Michael Jordan
December or before, so there will be time to
7. “My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”
copy and distribute a print version to the rest of
Sarah Palin
the members that will be in attendance. Henry Kissinger
George W. Bush
Remember, the writing group should focus Thomas Paine
on the group, not the leader or one particular
8. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to
writer. The group should be supportive of each
improve the world.”
other as writers rather than competitive. The Anne Frank
friendlier and more caring the atmosphere, the Pope Paul
less likely that negative drama is to creep in. Margaret Thatcher
Outside of the writing, that is. Norman Vincent Peale

PROPOSED PROGRAM SCHEDULE

IN MEMORIAM
Donna Daniel, a friend
of Nwala, recently passed
away. We mourn the loss and
send our sincerest condolences to
the family. Donna died following
complications from an aneurysm
sustained August 22nd.
Her ashes will be interred in a spot
she chose in Oregon. Because there
will be no service or funeral, that
sometimes leaves people feeling a
sense that things are unresolved. If
inclined, you might consider con-
tributions to the LA Public Library,
purchases of books in her name, do-
nations to doggie charities (she loved
her doggies!), or simply to write a
note to her family, c/o The Family
of Donna Daniel, 1619 North
Stanley Avenue, Los
Angeles, CA
90046-2712.
FOR SEPTEMBER 18, 2010 to JUNE 18, 2011
SEPTEMBER 18, 2010 – DR. KATHY MAGLIATO
OCTOBER 16, 2010 – WORKSHOP: DISCUSSION - WHAT INSPIRED
    YOU THE MOST AS A WRITER? BOOK,
    TEACHER, CLASS, ANOTHER WRITER, ETC.,
    THAT HELPED OR ENCOURAGED YOU THE
    MOST AND WHY (Submit a synopsis to LaVonne
    in September)
NOVEMBER 20, 2010 – AUTHOR/PUBLISHER DIANA M. JOHNSON
TOPIC TBA (See enclosure for a chance to choose.)
DECEMBER 18, 2010 – CHRISTMAS PARTY, MEMBER
PERFORMANCE ART
JANUARY 15, 2011 – MORGAN ST. JAMES
FEBRUARY 19, 2011 – WORKSHOP: WRITING CRITIQUE OF
MEMBERS

MARCH 19, 2011 – SPEAKER TBA

VIEWS, a newsletter for the members of the
Los Angeles chapter of the National Writers APRIL 16, 2011 – NATIONAL POETRY MONTH; WHO SAID THIS?
Association monthly. The meetings take place at   EARTH DAY, SPEAKER TBA 1. Nelson Mandela
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the third Saturday of every 2. Mahatma Gandhi
other month, except July and August, at Mo’s 3. Oprah Winfrey
Restaurant, 4301 Riverside Drive, Burbank. MAY 21, 2011 – SPEAKER TBA
4. John F. Kennedy
5. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For information, call: 661-267-2220
JUNE 18, 2011 – SUMMER PARTY, MEMBER 6. Abraham Lincoln
or send an e-mail to   PERFORMANCES 7. Thomas Paine
lavonne.taylor@sbcglobal.net 8. Anne Frank
JULY & AUGUST, 2011 – VACATION

SIX