One of my critique groups held a story challenge in 2011. We drew slips of paper with the names of an object and a place, and had to create a short story around them. This year one of the suggestions for the challenge is to start with the same first line. As I scan my …
December stirs nostalgic reflections of yesterday and brings dreams for tomorrow. This season demands choices. Tall tree? Small tree? No tree? Mall shopping or online? Stay home or travel? If you’re a writer, you could be juggling these cold-weather options while you pen warmhearted Mother’s Day stories. Perhaps you’re curled by a glowing fireplace, editing …
December 2011 President’s Message from Violet Carr Moore Read More »
Twelve CWC Tri-Valley members crossed the 50,000-word finish line in the National Novel Writing Month contest. This annual contest founded by Chris Baty, Executive Director of the Office of Letters and Light, concentrates on producing a first-draft novel in November. NaNoWriMo winners certificates have been awarded to Vee Byram, Paula Chinick, Pat Coyle, Lynn Goodwin, …
The participants of NaNoWriMo (and congratulations to you all, whether you hit 50,000 words or not) now have the editing to do. Like childbirth, getting the new creation out is only the first part of the job. Next comes the sorting and training, the snipping and shearing, dressing up and dressing down. For those of …
Ready to take your writing to the next level by learning from and networking with experts? Want to get your dream book published? Legendary West Coast literary agents Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada (www.larsenpomada.com), who are members of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, will spend a humor-filled day with writers and others wanting to tell …
It’s official – everyone is writing now. Six classes of elementary students in San Jose are officially part of NaNoWriMo, and there are 2000 classrooms across the country participating. Forget about being smarter than a fifth-grader – are you more disciplined than a sixth-grader? Given that I didn’t actually sign up for NaNoWriMo, I have …
CWC Tri-Valley member Sheila Bali’s article, “A Tale of Two Cities: 1956 and 1984,” is published in sikhchic online (http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?cat=21&id=2852). Ronnie Holland was published online in “It really is all about you” blog July 25 (http://itreallyisallaboutyou.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html). Ann Parker had an author signing for Mercury’s Rise, her newest book in the Silver Rush Mystery series, at …
Kudos to Sheila Bali, Ronnie Holland, Ann Parker Read More »
Nancy O’Connell, charter member of California Writers Club Tri-Valley, passed away in her sleep, October 21 after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s). A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., at the Graham Hitch Mortuary, 4167 First Street, Pleasanton CA 94566. In lieu of flowers, …
Ghosts and goblins vanish at midnight October 31st when my protagonist and friends spring to life with first clicks of National Novel Writing Month contest. I’ll push new characters in a 1,667 words daily dash while my critique group improves those from a previous plot. First-win protagonist will will cheer me as I pitch that …
November 2011 President’s Message from Violet Carr Moore Read More »
In some circles, I am known for the sweetness of my nature. My family has a different story to tell, especially after I’ve tried to make my way through a technical manual. My language becomes anything but sweet, my expression resembles a Halloween mask, and my husband reminds me to breathe by saying, “In through …
The irony gods must be laughing by Lani Longshore Read More »
