We briefly talked in our last meeting about the pending suit of the U.S. Justice Department against the Big 6 publishers and Apple.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
A look at the e-book price-fixing brouhaha
Thursday, March 8, 2012
8th of March
Despite Marsha's discombobulation, several people showed up to the meeting today and participated in the discussion and writing exercise. Unfortunately, due to Marsha's discombobulation, we didn't have time for reading our work. She apologizes.
The 15-minute writing exercise on the prompt to write in any form or genre about "the last time you slept outdoors" had our participants scribbling madly away for the allotted time and beyond, and quite a bit of good work came from it. Some pieces fell into the category of non-fiction, one was a poem, and others were fiction.
See you in two weeks!
March
Meetings this month are on the 8th and the 22nd, at 12:30 p.m. We'll stick with Mountain High Coffee Works, in the Swiss Village, until Marsha can check out other locations that have been suggested. Sorry, she's been terribly busy and not in town, of late.
Friday, February 10, 2012
February
We're going to have an awesome meeting on Feb 23, hopefully just as fine as the one we had yesterday. Larry will bring the memoir of a family member, and we will get to see what has been done so far to edit and get it ready for printing. We can give him our insights as to what more needs to be done.
Yesterday, we each wrote to a prompt. Since the assignment was to write a letter of resignation, Marsha took the time to write an actual one she will present, while Larry and John's efforts were more in the realm of "just pretend." I think! Ted went into the other room to see if we could get a bit less music filtering into our portion of the building.
We welcome all writers to join us in two weeks. Larry will have the floor for a lesson on editing memoirs.
Yesterday, we each wrote to a prompt. Since the assignment was to write a letter of resignation, Marsha took the time to write an actual one she will present, while Larry and John's efforts were more in the realm of "just pretend." I think! Ted went into the other room to see if we could get a bit less music filtering into our portion of the building.
Afterward, we read our work: a scene from a novel, an autobiographical essay, a chapter from a personal memoir, and a poem inspired by a recent journey.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
November 10th, 2011 - the printers revolt.
Today seemed a day of printer problems. We don't know if they somehow communicated with each other and unanimously decided to go on strike, but some of us were woefully unprepared for the sharing portion of the meeting.
As for my printer, it decided to meditate rather than do its job, frustrating me to no end since I actually had something to share this time around.
For those of you who are unaware, November is the National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) challenge. For those insane enough, the goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Plotting and outlining beforehand is permitted, but ideally one would start writing on November 1st.
Is there a large cash prize? No. But the exercise in futili - er..... rough drafting is invaluable. So when Mr. Printer decided not to churn out 6 copies of my excerpt, I was bummed. Oh well, life goes on.
Benevolent dictator Marsha Ward asked each of us what we'd learned about writing in the past year. After several enlightening responses, we then shared what we hope to learn in the upcoming year.Here are some of them:
All of us are at different skill levels on this writing journey, and learning new things each day. Poor Sue was in a tizzy about bringing in an excerpt from a novella she's had on the back burner for 15 years, but this is what the meetings are for: Bouncing your stories and ideas off of friends and getting good feedback. The cool thing is, you don't have to accept any suggestions if you don't want to. The choice to switch one word for another is ultimately up to the author. So bring in that work for a look-see. You'll be glad you did.
For our next meeting on December 8th, 2011, please bring in samples of good writing from a favorite author, or some of your own work to share. (Up to three pages, double spaced, and enough copies for about 7 people.) Also, be prepared to volunteer to teach something you already know about or something you want to learn in the next year. (Writing related, of course. No lessons in motocycle maintenance, please.)
The back room of Scoops in Payson is where we'll be at noon on December 8th. See you there!
As for my printer, it decided to meditate rather than do its job, frustrating me to no end since I actually had something to share this time around.
For those of you who are unaware, November is the National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) challenge. For those insane enough, the goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Plotting and outlining beforehand is permitted, but ideally one would start writing on November 1st.
Is there a large cash prize? No. But the exercise in futili - er..... rough drafting is invaluable. So when Mr. Printer decided not to churn out 6 copies of my excerpt, I was bummed. Oh well, life goes on.
Benevolent dictator Marsha Ward asked each of us what we'd learned about writing in the past year. After several enlightening responses, we then shared what we hope to learn in the upcoming year.Here are some of them:
- Our beloved man of mystery, Ted, entertained us with a string of government conspiracy theories on technology, dreams, and flourescent lighting (all related to the field of writing, of course), but we managed keep on track. Ted is a wealth of information. But like Regan said: Trust, but verify. (Love ya, Ted!)
- Writing makes one more conscious of details. Being able to observe a scene, whether a peaceful nature setting or a city riot, and write about it in any sort of sense later is invaluable. It takes practice, to be sure! But like any muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
- We also learned about e-publishing, how to address your subconscious to dig up an idea, and various ways to tap into the muse.
All of us are at different skill levels on this writing journey, and learning new things each day. Poor Sue was in a tizzy about bringing in an excerpt from a novella she's had on the back burner for 15 years, but this is what the meetings are for: Bouncing your stories and ideas off of friends and getting good feedback. The cool thing is, you don't have to accept any suggestions if you don't want to. The choice to switch one word for another is ultimately up to the author. So bring in that work for a look-see. You'll be glad you did.
For our next meeting on December 8th, 2011, please bring in samples of good writing from a favorite author, or some of your own work to share. (Up to three pages, double spaced, and enough copies for about 7 people.) Also, be prepared to volunteer to teach something you already know about or something you want to learn in the next year. (Writing related, of course. No lessons in motocycle maintenance, please.)
The back room of Scoops in Payson is where we'll be at noon on December 8th. See you there!
Success seems to be largely a matter
of hanging on after
others have let go.
-William Feather
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Stretching Ourselves
Because our Intrepid Reporter, Betty, was unable to attend today's meeting, I knew I had to take good notes in order to come anywhere near her witty write-ups. Those who were able to come were Jaimie, Ce Ce, John, Ted, Chaya, and me, Marsha Ward.
Good news included Chaya's report that she uploaded several of her works to Barnes and Noble through the PubIt program. Hurray! She also has a website in the works, and will be interviewing writers and authors shortly.
Jaimie told us about two Arizona Press Women (APW) workshops coming up: one in Payson, and the second in Phoenix. The first deals with writing life stories and making altered books. The second is a talk about online marketing strategies that work.
I brought in a ton of materials, including a handout with tips for preparing for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is a writing challenge that takes place each November. Participants endeavor to finish a new 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
Stuart Watkins of Tucson has issued a call for 100 Arizona poets to submit a few of their poems about Arizona to participate in a book he is publishing to celebrate the Centennial of Arizona's Statehood next year. He will choose the best of those submitted. Each poet whose work is included in the book will receive a copy.
We had a lesson about poetry in general and specifically about poetry rhyme schemes, after which we each chose a rhyme scheme from the handout to emulate in a poem. Doing so was out of many of our comfort zones, but stretching ourselves is good for our writing muscles. Once we were finished with the exercise, we read our poems. Jaimie wrote three!
Here's my practice poem, using a short, four-stanza version of Terza Rima:
Snow
The season soon will come of snow.
I hope I won't be cloistered in
and snow-bound where I cannot go
to town, or on a trip within
my car. While I'm a hermit, true,
I need to move. It'd be a sin
if I could not get out, see Su
to give her birthday greetings on
her special day. I'd really rue
lost chance to give the book upon
the nurse's life I bought for her.
Snow can be a real yawn.
Copyright 2011 Marsha Ward
Three people brought work to share or for critiques. John read two of his poems, Ted read part of his memoirs, and Chaya read the end to her short story about two older women on vacation. Betty, you missed it!
I hope I didn't leave anything of great moment out of my report. Thankfully, Betty will be back in fine form next month.
Our next meeting will be on November 10, but during November and December, we will only have meetings on the second Thursdays, that is, once a month. We'll resume our twice-a-month schedule in January, 2012.
If you wrote a poem at our meeting and you'd like to share it, please use the Comments to do so. Thanks!
Good news included Chaya's report that she uploaded several of her works to Barnes and Noble through the PubIt program. Hurray! She also has a website in the works, and will be interviewing writers and authors shortly.
Jaimie told us about two Arizona Press Women (APW) workshops coming up: one in Payson, and the second in Phoenix. The first deals with writing life stories and making altered books. The second is a talk about online marketing strategies that work.
I brought in a ton of materials, including a handout with tips for preparing for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is a writing challenge that takes place each November. Participants endeavor to finish a new 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
Stuart Watkins of Tucson has issued a call for 100 Arizona poets to submit a few of their poems about Arizona to participate in a book he is publishing to celebrate the Centennial of Arizona's Statehood next year. He will choose the best of those submitted. Each poet whose work is included in the book will receive a copy.
We had a lesson about poetry in general and specifically about poetry rhyme schemes, after which we each chose a rhyme scheme from the handout to emulate in a poem. Doing so was out of many of our comfort zones, but stretching ourselves is good for our writing muscles. Once we were finished with the exercise, we read our poems. Jaimie wrote three!
Here's my practice poem, using a short, four-stanza version of Terza Rima:
Snow
The season soon will come of snow.
I hope I won't be cloistered in
and snow-bound where I cannot go
to town, or on a trip within
my car. While I'm a hermit, true,
I need to move. It'd be a sin
if I could not get out, see Su
to give her birthday greetings on
her special day. I'd really rue
lost chance to give the book upon
the nurse's life I bought for her.
Snow can be a real yawn.
Copyright 2011 Marsha Ward
Three people brought work to share or for critiques. John read two of his poems, Ted read part of his memoirs, and Chaya read the end to her short story about two older women on vacation. Betty, you missed it!
I hope I didn't leave anything of great moment out of my report. Thankfully, Betty will be back in fine form next month.
Our next meeting will be on November 10, but during November and December, we will only have meetings on the second Thursdays, that is, once a month. We'll resume our twice-a-month schedule in January, 2012.
If you wrote a poem at our meeting and you'd like to share it, please use the Comments to do so. Thanks!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
furiously flung information! (and chocolate smudges)
Today I, your humble narrator, made a fool of herself with a hot fudge brownie sundae during the meeting. Both my hips and my notebook paid for it, as I am working around a chocolate smudge forever on the page, and chocolate forever on my hips. So be it.
Chaya, Leon and Sue, myself (Betty), and Jaimie were present, guided by Marsha Ward. Lots of great information was tossed around today! It's a shame you couldn't be there with us, but luckily for you, we're giving people.
To win an e-publishing package, detailing the how-to's and what-nots of publishing your work on Amazon Kindle and other e-readers, please visit Jaimie's blog at: blog.rvlifestyleexperts.com. You'll find the link to the information, and if you leave a comment, you'll be entered to win the package. Nice!
Ladies' Home Journal magazine is running an essay contest. You could win $3,000 for sumbitting an essay on "personal growth - a term you can interpret as broadly as you like. Whether you choose to write about a life lesson you learned the hard way or a challenge you managed (or perhaps failed) to meet, no topic is off-limits.... Essays will be judged chiefly on their emotional power, their originality, and the quality of their prose." -Ladies' Home Journal.
Please keep it between 1500 - 2500 words, typed, double spaced, and pages numbered. Also include your name, address, and phone number on each page and send to:
Personal Essay Contest
Ladies' Home Journal
805 Third Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10017
The postmark can be no later than 13 December 2011. For complete details, visit LHJ.com/essaycontest.
Book covers:
- The U.S Parks Service provides some public domain photos that aspiring writers can use for cover art. Marsha herself has successfully used one of a beautiful mossy stream for the cover of her samplers.
- Deviantart.com also is a good source for book covers.
- At e-lance.com one can find artists for hire who will gladly design the book cover of your dreams. Remember that cover art is basically more important than content (no matter how much that statement hurts). If people aren't pulled in by the cover, they won't even stop to read the back. Hook 'em, fisherman!
Marsha presented us with a fun writing assignment, penning thoughts about our favorite season. Autumn seems to be the most popular, and we enjoyed hearing our unique writing styles, each of us nodding in agreement to imagery of colorful leaves, wood smoke, and crisp air.
Leon and Sue treated us to more of their surprising poetry, and even shared their favorites from William Blake and Emily Dickinson!
Without fail, we walk away from these meetings re-inspired to the craft, and ready to write. Curious about the craft? Published author? We welcome all newcomers and encourage you to join us. Our next meeting is 27 October 2011 at Scoops Ice Cream in Payson, AZ. We'll be in the back room at 12 noon for an hour or so, if you want to drop by. No fees!
"There are people who will always come up
with reasons why you can't do what you want to do.
Ignore them"
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