Author name: Deborah Bernal

Kevin Fisher-Paulson, Author and SF Chronicle Columnist, September 17, 2022

Kevin Fisher-Paulson will present “The Fourth Column” at the Tri-Valley Writers Saturday, September 17, 2022 meeting. Every writer has one column in them. The trick is to be the kind of writer who has one column in them every week.

Kevin will discuss the craft of writing from the perspective of purpose and structure. Specifically, the process of writing a weekly column for a major newspaper, like the San Francisco Chronicle. His unique brand of column is the one-week memoir, warts and all. Writing is a search for meaning, and Kevin talks about how the different forms represent different means of exploring experience. He includes choices—not habits—that usher the individual through the creative door.

In his weekly column, Kevin grapples with great issues but knows that the narrative must be satisfied in 750 words. As the reputation of this column grew, he became aware of consistency, fresh perspective, and the assertive reader.

Patricia Boyle

Member Successes

Patricia Boyle’s poem “Musings on an Overcast Morning,” was published in Wingless Dreamer’s anthology,War Scars in My Heart. And her poem, “Apple Tree Roost,” has been accepted for publication in Wingless Dreamer’s anthology, Summer Fireflies. George Cramer attended the Public Safety Writers Association conference in Las Vegas on July 13-17, 2022. He was a panelist …

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2022 Alameda County Arts Commission Grant

Tri-Valley Writers was fortunate to be awarded a generous grant of $2700 by the Alameda County Arts Commission. The grants are awarded on a two-year cycle to 501(c)3 arts groups within Alameda County. While completing the application for the 2022-24 cycle, TVW learned that the branch’s parent organization, California Writers Club, as a 501(c)3 organization, …

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Member Successes

Patricia Boyle’s poem “Fog of Unreality” won an honorable mention award in Livermore’s science poetry contest Poetry in a Test Tube. James Morehead’s  poem, “the silent roar of haleakalā” has been accepted for the 2022 Alameda County Fair. Art Tenbrink’s poem, “Summer’s Caprice” won an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Alameda County Fair.

Members Publishing

  Carole MacLean published her book, Believe/Practice/Choose: The Gift of Self Care, on May 1, 2022. It is available in print here.     Susan O’Leary published her mystery, Curiosity Killed The Cobbler, in April 2022. It is available in print and ebook here.     Monique Richardson published her memoir, When Then Became Now, …

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2022 Tri-Valley Writers Scholarship Award Winner

The 2022 recipient of Tri-Valley Writers’ Las Positas Scholarship is Cate Berry. Cate said, “I am so honored to have been selected for this scholarship. I have been writing since elementary school! I’m currently working on a novel, a few short stories, and several original songs. My favorite genres are horror and fantasy.”

July & August 2022

Tri-Valley Writers takes a brief summer hiatus during the months of July and August. The Board of Directors will be busy planning for a terrific 2022-2023 term. Monthly meetings will resume in September. Critique groups, Social Space, Author Support Group, Pull Up a Chair and Write, and the Zoom Sit Down and Write will continue …

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Jim Grayson, June 18, 2022, Great Stories—How the Pieces Fit Together

Jim Grayson will present “Great Stories—How the Pieces Fit Together” at the Tri-Valley Writers June 18, 2022 meeting. This presentation deals with the use of characters, plot, setting, and conflict and how they can combine with dialogue, inner thought, action, and reaction to bring out the best in your stories. Together, we’ll delve into an …

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Member Successes: Las Positas College Anthology

Las Positas College’s 2022 Havik has accepted the following submissions for publication from TVW members: Poem: “Conversations of a Silent Bystander” by Patricia Boyle Poems: “The Who That You Are,” “I Imagine Him Saying Thank You” and “Compassion” by Linda Drattell Poems: “Dear Jack Kerouac” and “Devotion” by Constance Hanstedt Poem: “Seeing” by Rose Owens …

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