Heidi McCrary's Blog

Is it ever okay to use the F bomb in your writing?

After the publication of my first novel, I excitedly went on the author tour, meeting with appreciative readers at local libraries and other facilities to read from my novel and share anecdotes.

During the usual Q&A at one such appearance, a women rose from her seat and introduced herself as the mother of a childhood friend of mine. As she told me how much she liked the book, she paused for a moment before saying she was also disappointed in me. With raised eyebrows, I listened as she explained that she was sorry that I felt the need to include swear words in the book.

“Ah, yes,” I replied. “I have a feeling I know what word you’re specifically talking about. I actually used the word twice in dialogue. I didn’t use it lightly. I felt that the scene warranted the reaction of the characters, and was necessary for realism.” I thought for a moment, because I didn’t want to discredit her concern, and I appreciated her honestly. “I do understand that you may not appreciate it, and I hope you are able to look beyond it.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I thanked her for her comment and moved on.  

Are swear words necessary in novels? It’s a fair question, and I believe the answer is, “Yes, when it moves the story along in a realistic fashion and is true to the character’s situation and reaction.”     

I recently read a bestseller that contained the F bomb casually throughout the pages, and curious, I went to the Amazon reviews to see if readers had an issue with it’s liberal usage. Turns out, a fair percentage of reviewers did indeed cringe at the number of times profanity appeared, and some even stopped reading the book.

While I don’t pretend to take any moral high ground, my question of whether to use profanity is more of a business question. Does the inclusion of swear words diminish sales? It’s a real question that authors have to ask themselves, and it’s a balancing act between being authentic in writing and character development, and wanting to sell books.

As I finish the manuscript for my second novel, I am comfortable with the true language spoken by my characters, and I’m just going to have to stand there and take it when my childhood friend’s mother stands before me and tells me she’s disappointed in me, yet again.

F*ck!

Author of Chasing North Star and the upcoming I’m Your Person

Heidi McCrary

It was 1990-something, and I set my muffin down on the small café table as I joined my husband in this cozy bakery located in the midst of The Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago, celebrating our wedding anniversary. As we took our seats, I hung my purse on the back of my chair. When we finished, I grabbed my handbag and noticed it was now open, no longer holding my Ralph Lauren sunglasses, a gift I received from my husband an hour earlier, or my wallet, which held a vacation-weekend full of cash and credit cards. So many credit cards.

It was the last time I ever threw my purse on the back of a chair in a restaurant.

Every woman can relate to this. No man has ever stressed over where to put his wallet when sitting down at the bar, which might explain why it’s still an issue today in the majority of eating establishments. The answer is the simple purse hook, yet, so many bars still don’t have them, and I’ve yet to see purse hooks available for tables. No woman wants to put her handbag on the floor, and tables rarely offer enough space. My sister bought me a purse hook that I now keep in my purse, and it’s a godsend. 

Pictured, are purse hooks adorning a bar in The Grey Rabbit, a beautiful art gallery and lounge in Grand Rapids. I wish I could thank the woman who insisted they be installed. Because we all know, as the bar was assembled, a woman asked, “Where are the purse hooks?”

Author of Chasing North Star, and the upcoming I’m Your Person.

Heidi McCrary

This is the greatest story ever told, I thought to myself as I sent the first draft of my manuscript off to my editor. The best writing since Hemingway. Surely, she’ll fix a couple of typos, telling me that she is sorry, but her services are simply not needed because my writing is flawless.

Of course, it wasn’t.  

But the truth is, if you’re sending off your manuscript, not thinking that the editing feedback will be minimal and kind, you’re a better person than me.

A good editor fixes typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies. A great editor rips your manuscript apart, deletes one fourth of your copy, and questions character direction, dialogue, narrative, and pacing until it feels like you’ve been beaten senselessly.

Early in my career, I had a boss give me direction on handling employees in need of guidance. “Don’t sugarcoat it. Give it to them ruthlessly, and when you think they’ve finally had enough, tell them what they’re doing right, and pat them on the back before sending them on their way.”  He was on to something.

Editorial feedback is just that … feedback. As a writer, you can argue that the editor doesn’t get it, and brush off the critique as simply a difference of opinions. Or you can realize the editor’s sole job is to get the best out of you. To make you dig deeper, start over. Make you question and reevaluate every word, phrase and description.

Following is an excerpt from my own editor on the manuscript I’m currently working on…

You have the plot and structure down; you have done great work to begin mining the wonderful web of emotionality you’ve woven within that plot and between your cast of characters, and now, in revision, you’ll have the opportunity to dig even deeper to bring the true story into the light. And trust me—that’s the place where, as an author, you want to be.

And trust me, this editor was brutal. As I began writing the second draft, the edits initially felt overwhelming, but as I continued, I quickly found the rhythm of the direction, and my writing consumed me, everything in my life taking a backseat until I finished.

Do I think my revised manuscript is now the greatest writing since Hemmingway?

Of course, I do.

We all thought we understood the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” After Dorothy crash lands in Munchkin Land, she is told that only The Wizard can transport her back home. When she is finally granted an interview with him, he tells her he can help, but only if she kills the Wicked Witch of the West. After Dorothy surprises everyone by actually accomplishing her quest, The Wizard tries to renege on his promise, and it’s not until Toto pulls back the curtain, that Dorothy and the rest of us realizes that The Wizard is nothing more than a huckster. If we truly think about it, this is not a story about an evil witch, but rather a tale about an evil con man convincing a young woman to kill someone.

So, it begs the question … who really is the bad guy in this story?  Cue the prequel…

“Wicked” follows the heartwarming and surprising friendship formed early on between the witches of Oz, long before Dorothy skips down the yellow brick road. Actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bring tenderness to a story that flips the narrative, giving hope to a tale that inevitably will end tragically for Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch. Meanwhile, actor Jeff Goldblum aces the role of the charming yet diabolical Wizard of Oz.

Make no mistake, “Wicked” is written and directed for today’s audience, with colorful costumes and sets similar to Barbie World, and a storyline reminiscent of “Mean Girls.” But “Wicked” is also the retelling of an old story … now told from a perspective that turns what we thought we knew, upside down.

Like its predecessor, “Wicked” is a charming mix of storytelling, colorful imagery and music. While this is the initial installment of a 2-part story, viewers can take solace that the ending of Part 1 is a satisfying intermission until the release of Part 2, coming out November 2025.

“Wicked” is available now on Amazon Prime. 

By Heidi McCrary, author of “Chasing North Star,” available online wherever books are sold. You can follow Heidi at heidi@heidimccrary.net.

Back in the early 70s, the Stafford family decided to open a restaurant down the road from us on Sixth Street in our little town of Alamo, and they christened it Staffordshire, complete with their family crest hanging on the wall and fancy white tablecloths. Never mind the cows grazing outside the windows. This was still farm country.  It was the most exciting thing to come to town since the Miller IGA, which served everyone’s grocery needs until it outgrew its location at the four corners in Alamo and packed up and left for the larger little town of Cooper. At least we still had the Miller Gas station for the purchasing of Snickers bars and Marlboros. 

Dan Miller and Jon Newby, taking a break so they can appease a customer and former classmate (Me).

After several successful years in business, Staffordshire closed, briefly reopening as The Shy Turtle before the restaurant changed hands again. In 1979, Fricano’s opened at this location, where their signature pizza was a mainstay in the area for 45 years. This past January, Fricano’s closed, with news that someone purchased the building, and a new restaurant would be opening soon. 

If you happen to be from the Alamo area, you might remember a couple of boys from your school days. Dan Miller and Jon Newby were buddies growing up, and a few years later (Okay, many years later), they’ve joined forces again and have opened the delightfully named, Joe Shmoe’s Bar and Grill. While they offer the usual pub fare, they also have sirloin steak, traditional Italian entrees and a delicious thin pizza reminiscent of Fricano’s on the menu. 

Awesome food and spirits, great surroundings, and two fabulous guys… the perfect recipe for Joe Shmoe’s. If you happen to stop in, say hi to Jon and Moose… I mean, Dan. Just a couple of great guys who grew up in Alamo and found their way back home. 

Heidi McCrary

Heidi grew up in Alamo Michigan, and is the author of “Chasing North Star,” available wherever books are sold.

And how I learned about my hybrid cat…

At the time, I didn’t know there was such a thing, as I scrolled through the wonderful selection of felines currently residing at our local shelters. I paused to look at few friendly faces, reading their descriptions. All cute. I kept scrolling, surfing… finally landing on a local Cat Café & Rescue site.  

Scrolling down, I scanned the current lineup of inhabitants at the café, finally landing on a peculiar little one named Shiraz. Cute enough photo, capturing her staring at the photographer while perched atop a Keurig Coffee Maker. Reading the description, I discovered she was found wandering the streets. She had some medical issues that were dealt with at the vet, and now appeared to be healthy and looking for her forever home. I continued staring at her, knowing we were meant to be. I just needed to get past the phrase that came up more than once in her bio… “She can be sassy.” For those unfamiliar with cat-speak, that’s code for “Mean.”

OK, I rationalized. I’d be a little “sassy” too if I’d been roaming the streets for a while. Truth is, I respect a cat with a little attitude. Before my husband could say I was moving too fast, I signed us up for an appointment to visit with Sassy … I mean, Shiraz.

Now keep in mind, that when a place is called Cat Café, I envision a cute little shop with quirky painting on the wall of cats in period pieces, with a barista refilling my coffee as a kitten jumps onto my lap with her purring machine revving. Yeah, that’s not it.

First, there’s a fee just to visit with the cats, and I get that. There’s rent to cover, employees to pay, and cats to feed, neuter and comb. As we stood in line to enter the little building, we were vetted as I soon discovered that “Café” is a bit of a stretch. The only thing resembling a coffee shop in this place is the Keurig Coffee Maker sitting inside a gated room housing a surplus of cats in every size, age and color. No little café tables, no soft jazz playing in the background. Just a coffee maker and cats. Lots and lots of cats.

And still sitting on top of that Keurig was my new best friend Shiraz.  

“I see she likes you,” the assistant said as I stroked Shiraz’s fur, making her purr loudly. “She usually doesn’t let anyone pet her.” I looked up, smiling just as a paw swiped across my forearm, creating an instantaneous flow of blood.

“Let’s allow her to settle down a bit,” my husband suggested as we joined the cat party with the other guests. As a petite Calico wrapped his tail around my arm, I scratched his neck, making him stretch for more attention. A loving cat that I’m sure will be a wonderful pet, I thought as I looked back at Shiraz, who was curled up on the coffee maker. A cat who appreciates coffee will also surely make the perfect companion, I rationalized. Once she gets to know me, we’ll be inseparable.   

While I do appreciate a nice glass of Shiraz, our new cat had to endure a name change. Living in the golf world, she was soon answering to the name, Bogey. With her dark ears and paws, it’s apparent that Bogey is part Siamese. But her tortoiseshell stylings on her face give her a unique look. With a quick Google search, we discovered that Bogey actually falls under the breed subcategory called Tortie Point Siamese. (Fun fact: Nearly all Tortie Point Siamese cats are female.) While some cat registries recognize the breed, not all do, instead labeling this hybrid as a Colorpoint Shorthair.

Not surprising, many articles depict the Tortie Point Siamese as being sassy (There’s that word again). Loving, playful, vocal like their Siamese cousins, and doglike. Bogey’s been with us for four months now, following me everywhere through the house, and always receptive to affection and cat treats. And yes, you can teach a Tortie Point Siamese tricks. Like most Siamese cats, she’s a darter when a door opens so microchipping is a must.

And sassy? I still have the track marks on my arms to prove it.    

By Heidi McCrary. You can follow Heidi at heidi@heidimccrary.net. Heidi is the author of “Chasing North Star,” available online wherever books are sold.

Heidi McCrary

A Toast to Battle Creek’s GRRREAT Breakfast Icon

“Trivial,” “Blasé,” “A below average comedy,” “It’s about nothing,” “One of the worst Netflix original movies,” and “Worst film of the decade.” Just a few lines lifted from reviews for “Unfrosted.” And those were the kinder reviews.

“Unfrosted,” produced, written and starring Jerry Seinfeld and his arsenal of comedic friends takes a look at the pop-favorite Kellogg’s Pop-Tart, with the film attempting to deliver a lighthearted fictitious spin on how the beloved breakfast staple catapulted into the hearts of everyone and into every suburban toaster in 1964. Seinfeld, whose day job during the “Must See TV” era became a household staple in the 90’s. He really couldn’t act then and was fortunately surrounded with actual actors who did the comedic heavy lifting.  

With so many people seeking out the hot docu-drama of the week on streaming services, it was only fitting that after backstories on Steve Jobs, Air Jordans, Uber, and a stalker, we’re left with the story behind the creation of the simple Pop-Tart. Don’t forget this is a comedy, and with the exception of the actual Kellogg’s logo, everything here is make-believe, and if you’re looking for any semblance of the city of Battle Creek, you’re better off buying a box of Rice Krispies.

“Unfrosted” is most definitely aimed at baby boomers, which isn’t exactly the lucrative target audience at movie theatres, and explains why the producers were smart to regulate it to Netflix. The comedy doesn’t really stretch, but then, this is Seinfeld. He’s still not a great actor, but once again, he is surrounded by a glorious variety of comedians and actors, like Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Christian Slater, Max Greenfield, and Hugh Grant who is priceless as a Shakespearian actor forced to make ends meet by donning the Tony the Tiger suit. Best cameo goes to Jon Hamm and John Slattery reprising their Mad Men roles. Can we ever see enough of Don Draper?

Colorful. In the spirit of a Saturday morning cartoon, the sets are as bright and colorful as a bowl of Froot Loops. “Unfrosted” doesn’t pretend to be what it isn’t. If you think the movie, “Airplane” is a stupid movie, you may want to skip “Unfrosted” and instead catch up the latest docu-drama on Netflix. But if you don’t mind laughing at silliness in spite of yourself, you’re in for a sugary treat.

Heidi McCrary

Heidi McCrary is a writer and author of the novel, Chasing North Star – available wherever books are sold. Follow Heidi at heidimccrary.net and facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor

PURCHASE HI-RES FILES OF PHOTOS HERE

On the Kalamazoo Township website, alongside the parks of Stoud, Rynbrandt, Jenks & Grand Pre, Lakewood, and Academy, you’ll find another piece of land that doesn’t quite fit under the category of “Township Parks” – a unique piece of land nestled in the middle of the Westwood Neighborhood. In the Township of Kalamazoo, you’ll find five parks and one piece of township-owned property that stands apart from the others.

A golf course.

Grand Prairie Golf Course today

If you’re a non-golfer living in the area, chances are that you’ve driven down Grand Prairie Road with little thought as to who owns that golf course located on the 35 acres between Drake and Nichols Road. If you are a golfer and live in the area, perhaps you’ve enjoyed the pristine fairways and greens, or you’ve taken a lesson or two from the two golf pros overseeing the course. Either way, you’ve probably given even less thought about the history of this unique golf course, but there’s an interesting story to how this nine-hole executive golf course came to be and the important role it plays for the neighboring homes.

And how it almost all came crashing down in 1990 due to a 16-year-old.

HAMMOND GOLF CENTER

Hammond Golf Center Architect Rendering from 1962. On display at the GPGC clubhouse

Since 1881, the Hammond Family has been an important and constant force in the Kalamazoo area, erecting a 150,000 square foot manufacturing plant that specializes in metal grinding and printing equipment. Hammond Machinery designs and manufactures a wide range of technical and robotic equipment and applications.

It all started with William Custer (W.C.) Hammond. Starting as a General Manager with the William E. Hill Company in downtown Kalamazoo, W.C. Hammond was the driving force in leading the company to cutting-edge technology before buying the company in 1928 and building the Hammond Machinery plant on Douglas Avenue, where it still stands today, now called Hammond Roto Finish.    

According to the late Jack Moss, a journalist who functioned as the sports editor for many years with the Kalamazoo Gazette, W.C. Hammond was 53 years old when he discovered the game of golf. Thirty years later, at the age of 81, and with the help of local professionals and contractors, and golf architect William James Spear from St. Charles, Illinois, Hammond decided to jump into the business of owning a golf course, an endeavor that he admitted didn’t turn a profit for many years.

Grand Prairie Golf Course Grand Opening Announcement. 1963

While the working title for the course as it was being designed was Hammond Golf Center, it was officially changed to Grand Prairie Golf Club before its grand opening on July 8, 1963. (The name consistently jumps back and forth between that and Grand Prairie Golf Course throughout many articles written at that time.) In a personal note added to the grand opening announcement, Hammond explains in a PS, “If you sense the atmosphere of a private country club, that’s intended and explains the name, GRAND PRAIRIE GOLF CLUB.” The fee for a round of golf on that opening day was one dollar. Today, a round of golf is eleven dollars for an adult, which is still a deal. 

At that time, this par-30 golf course was managed by the husband-and-wife team, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Danforth, both golf pros who also provided lessons at the course. (Writer’s note: It pains me that I cannot find the first name of the wife, where all articles refer to her as “Mrs. Herbert Danforth.”) Twenty-five years later, Grand Prairie celebrated its anniversary in 1981, and at that time, management had changed hands to Bud Mason. Meanwhile, W.C. Hammond had passed away three years earlier, leaving the business and Grand Prairie Golf Course in the hands of his estate.

Hammond Machinery (Now, Hammond Roto Finish) is still family-owned and currently overseen in part by W.C. Hammond’s grandson Rob Hammond, who currently serves as President and Chairman of the company. He admits that while growing up he remained connected to the family business, but his interests didn’t extend to the golf course his grandfather had built just three miles from the family headquarters. With little interest from family members, it was decided to put the course up for sale in 1981. Panic hit the residents living in the vicinity of the golf course as word spread that the land would be purchased by developers looking to change the landscape to a housing development. The people of Westwood acted quickly, campaigning against the move and they rallied to keep the course intact, convincing the Township of Kalamazoo, with help from grants from the state and federal government, to purchase the property.    

And in 1981, with help from a grass-roots effort, the Township of Kalamazoo was the new owner of… a golf course.

GRAND PRAIRIE GOLF COURSE

The course continued to flourish under the ownership of the Township of Kalamazoo until that fateful day on October 10, 1990, when a 16-year-old got into a bit of trouble.

Leaves were beginning to change, and Keith Hertz, a resident of the Westwood Neighborhood and volunteer firefighter was passing time enjoying a cup of coffee at the kitchen table at the Westwood Fire Department on that cool afternoon when the alarms sounded, telling him and his friends at the fire station that their services were needed. As he geared up and jumped into the Ladder Truck, his comrades followed in the fire engine as they made their way to the fire which happened to be just down the road at Grand Prairie Golf Course. By the time they arrived on the scene, they found the golf shop ablaze, with flames shooting out of the broken windows.

Grand Prairie Golf Course Clubhouse fire. 1990

Soon after, as water cascaded onto the rooftop of the shop, Keith stayed close to the hydrant as onlookers in cars crawled by, gawking at the fire, which had now engulfed the entire shop. As Keith attended to his duties, he noticed a teenage boy watching intently as the water hit the fire, resulting in a satisfying sizzle as the flames slowly backed away. Expecting the boy to eventually leave, Keith found it interesting when, instead, the boy continued watching, enthralled with the activity buzzing around him. Curious, Keith approached the Fire Marshall who had arrived on the scene to survey the situation, letting him know that perhaps the boy could help with information on the cause of the fire. With Keith’s suggestion, the Fire Marshall spoke with the boy, and when confronted with his actions, it didn’t take long before the boy confessed that he did have information prevalent to the situation. And yes, he had indeed broken into the clubhouse and started several fires within—fires that could have sparked the beginning of the end for this exceptional golf course owned by Kalamazoo Township.   

Except the people of Westwood were used to challenges and they had other ideas.

While the overall structure of the clubhouse still stood, it was gutted and beyond repair, prompting the township to offer up the building to the Westwood Fire Department as a training exercise. In turn, the firefighters burned the building to the ground, allowing the township to save money on having to demolish the building themselves.

Westwood Fire Department – training session and photo opportunity. 1990

Only days later, the township Board of Trustees met to discuss rebuilding the clubhouse. With an estimated $79,000 insurance settlement, they voted to rebuild. At this point, the township also addressed the fact that they were ill-equipped for managing a golf course and overwhelmed in running the business. At this meeting, they voted to consider moving to external management of the golf course, a vote that was met with a positive response, and the search began for the right team.

With the departure of the current golf pro running the course, the question remained as to how the course would continue after the fire, and who should operate it. It was then that the Township Supervisor Phyllis Cleveland approached Jim Roschek, who was at that time busy running the City of Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Courses. Together with fellow golf pro Heidi Krum, Roschek agreed to take over operations of the course in January of 1991, and the partnership of KRUMRO Inc. was established. Along with this partnership, the clubhouse and Grand Prairie Golf Course found new life.

Grand Prairie Golf Course also continued the unique tradition of having a female head golf pro on the premises.  Having worked with Roschek at Milham Golf Course, Heidi Krum had the distinction of being only the third woman to be elected to the Michigan PGA. With her move to Grand Prairie Golf Course, she served as the head golf pro until her untimely death in 2003 at the age of 41.  

TODAY

PGA Golf Pro Jim Roschek

Today, the course is still run by Jim Roschek, along with his wife Ann Marie, who stepped into the role of Head Golf Pro and Manager in 2003 where she has assisted countless golfers with their swing on the golf range while also managing the business side of the operation. Ann Marie soon took on even greater duties at Grand Prairie in 2007 when Jim was elected to serve as President and CEO of the Municipal Golf Association of San Antonio Texas. After several successful years, Jim returned to his roots in Kalamazoo in 2020 where both husband and wife continue to work as a power couple.

Golf Pro Ann Marie Roschek enjoying a little golf with her grandchildren.

The Roscheks are celebrating 33 years of managing the course. Both Roscheks continue to pour their heart and soul into providing the area with the finest golfing experience on an executive golf course. While the partnership between the township and the Roscheks is unique, the move to external management has benefited the township and the community as the course continues to cater to a wide range of golf enthusiasts and families, from those who are picking up clubs for the first time to the more serious golfer who wants to get in a quick nine. Grand Prairie Golf Course is also the home for the popular GPGC Junior Program, where Ann Marie believes they are growing golfers organically. Many positive online reviews point out the course’s immaculate fairways and greens, reflective of being on par with many of the top-rated courses in the area.

Remember Keith Herst, the firefighter who was there for the course when it needed him most on the fateful day in 1990? Coincidentally, at that time during his tenure of being a volunteer firefighter with the Westwood Fire Department, his day job was overseeing the mechanics at the Kalamazoo Country Club Golf Course. Now, in his retirement years, Herst is anything but idle, currently lending his talents and expertise as the Chief Mechanic & Technician at Grand Prairie Golf Course.    

Grand Prairie Golf Course.

With the Roscheks at the helm, and their partnership with the Township of Kalamazoo continuing today, the residents of Westwood can rest assured that their golf experience at Grand Prairie Golf Course will continue to be fun and exceptional, to be shared with families and friends for years to come.  

Heidi McCrary is the author of the novel, Chasing North Star, available locally and online wherever books are sold. She considers herself lucky to live alongside Grand Prairie Golf Course, where she works during the summer months as she also works on her game, mired in being a hopelessly mediocre golfer.

Heidi McCrary

Based on the novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, written in 1955, the Netflix limited series, Ripley is set in the 60’s and follows conman, Tom Ripley as he immerses himself in the extravagant lifestyle of his newly-found friend, Dickie Greenleaf, now living in Italy, happy to be away from his family in America.

A slow burn, this series is shot entirely in black and white, and the cinematography is extraordinary as we follow the characters as they travel throughout Italy. While not exactly a likable fellow, Ripley, played by Andrew Scott, takes viewers on a ride that is captivating and enjoyably frustrating as he weaves himself into the lives of Greenleaf, played by Johnny Flynn, and Dakota Fanning as the understated yet endearing Marge.

Some viewers have expressed dissatisfaction in the movie being shot in black and white, but this style lends itself beautifully with the essence of the film. Every shot, angle and scene plays out as an additional character, and the end result is movie magic.

Now showing on Netflix, Ripley, the eight-episode series, needs to be on everyone’s must-watch list, and worthy of consideration at awards time.   

Heidi McCrary