One of the benefits of joining Tri-Valley Writers is the availability of critique groups and the beta reader group. The time I have spent working with other writers has always been worth it. Aside from sharing a love of the craft, I get a chance to see how my peers address plot and character development […]
Why Critique Groups Work by Lani Longshore Read More »
One of my critique groups has an annual planning session in January—we call it our private workshop. What it accomplishes is worth every penny we spend on food and every minute we take away from other demands on our schedules. We dedicate an entire day to hashing through some issue in our writing. This year,
Start the Year with a Plan by Lani Longshore Read More »
I started writing another book. I have a title (The Captain and Chenille), and a concept. That is, I had a concept until I realized the universe is telling me to rethink the idea. I wasn’t listening to my characters telling me what they wanted to do, and my writing time wasn’t happy. First came
Character, Plot and Writing Happiness by Lani Longshore Read More »
I belong to several critique groups, and I’m also a beta reader. The process of taking another writer’s words and seeing if I have a moment of inspiration that might make a good piece better is exhilarating. I often benefit as much if not more by the analysis. I have also discovered that I’m becoming
Inconvenient Inspiration by Lani Longshore Read More »
David Congalton will share the agony and ecstasy of chasing your screenwriting dreams as the guest speaker for the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard, Pleasanton. David Congalton is a radio talk show host and writer who spent 25 years chasing his
June 20, 2015: Chasing Your Screenwriting Dreams — The Agony and the Ecstasy Read More »
On June 21, 2014, Tri-Valley Branch honored Hector Timourian with the Sue Tasker Memorial Service Award. Hector is a charter member who joined in 2005 during the organizational year. Hector has been published in several anthologies including the Las Positas College Anthology where he won first prize for his poem “Abraham’s Hope” He has also published a memoir
Hector Timourian honored with Sue Tasker Award Read More »
I was a history major in college. Most of my roommates were, too, and we threw dinner parties to commemorate important dates. The Chicago Fire, the invasion of Poland, Pearl Harbor Day, Armistice Day – anything that came close enough to a free weekend so we had time to cook. Dates and food are still
Writing Down the Dates, by Lani Longshore Read More »
The buzz at the San Francisco Writers Conference this year was all about critique groups. I thought this might be a good time to remind everyone that one of the benefits of being a Tri-Valley Writers member is access to critique groups. I have belonged to one for years and I can’t imagine how I’d get
March 2013 President’s Message by Paula Chinick Read More »
I brainstormed with Dan Casner about Robot Garden, specifically community groups that might want to play in a warehouse full of tools and people who know how to use them. Near the end of the conversation, I mentioned wanting to design a futuristic tank that I could make from fabric. That led to a discussion of
Brainstorming by Lani Longshore Read More »
I didn’t realize how strong my commitment to critique group was until this past January. I had minor surgery on a Wednesday and figured I’d be at the meeting the next day. My doctor called me Thursday morning and asked me how I felt. I described the pain I had during the night but said
Commited to writing by Neva J. Hodges Read More »
