82-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WRITES HER FIRST NOVEL; JACKSON'S GWEN WINNINGHAM BELIEVES SENIORS SHOULD WRITE

JACKSON -- Gwen Winningham, an 82-year-old author from Jackson, says older people should write.

"Older people have different stories to tell marvelous stories. What background there is if they would just tell us. For example, my grandfather sold pies to Confederate soldiers. Wouldn't that make a great story?

"When you write, you use your mind, intelligence and background," she said. "You might not be able to run as fast or play golf as well, but age doesn't limit you from thinking."

Taking her own advice, Winningham began writing short stories and poems about 10 years ago. Then, two years ago, she decided it was time to try writing a novel.

She recently published "Cry of the Owl: A Cherokee Love Story."

"I've always been interested in the Cherokees," she said, while selling her book at the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern steam railway in Jackson. "I spent about two years researching the Cherokees.

"Most Indian stories are about the western Indians," she said. "I've never seen a movie about the eastern Indians."

Winningham has owned Brookside Motel for 42 years. Recently she sold 40 acres of property to the city of Jackson for Brookside Park.

"I still do the mowing there. It give me time to think," she said. "The ideas sort of grow on you, a bit like a romance. I wake up with ideas. I get ideas when I'm driving the tractor or mowing the lawn."

The book was written on a word processor.

"I must admit the equipment I used has helped," she said. "It makes writing so much easier. I always try to get older people to try new things like computers. Sometimes older people are afraid to learn new things."

But Winningham believes people should try all types of different activities.

"It's like a symphony. The more instruments you play, the fuller your life," she said.

Winningham has already started a second novel. This one is about a magic hat.

"If it keeps raining, I'll get more written; if not, I'll be out mowing."

"The book is in large print," Winningham said. "Everything I do will be in large print so it's easier to read.

"It's also in a spiral folder because it's easier to read. And it will stay open to the page you want."

Winningham said "Cry of the Owl" is at the Riverside Regional Library and is being sold at Our Way Book Store in Jackson. The book is also on display at Trail of Tears State Park.

She is also working with distributors to sell the book in other bookstores.