If you are able to open yourself up and connect to an audience to show the truth of who you are, that’s authenticity. It sells. Reflecting the authentic in your work is a crucial skill. I will share my journey of how I excavated my truest self and found passion for what I wanted to write. … Read more
Debra Spark: Writing in a Time of Disaster “Why write?” Alex Chee asked after 9/11, questioning not the content of his writing but the very point of putting pen to paper. How do we understand our vocation or make any sort of meaning when confronted with the tragedies of our times, the daily horrors that seem … Read more
Gail Eastwood & Liberty Blake: Sources for Building Memorable Characters Since ancient times, people have tried to understand and categorize the aspects that make up character –the traits, behaviors and psychology of fellow human beings—or even animals! Today, after a discussion about the foundations and added layers that give both depth and contrasting variety to … Read more
June 6th Carolyn Betensky: Badass Women & the Nineteenth-Century Novel (via ZOOM) The Victorian era is commonly thought to be a time of extreme prudery and rigidly defined gender roles. Yet novels from the nineteenth century — especially those by women writers such as the Brontë sisters, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Mary Elizabeth Braddon — suggest … Read more
Getting the Most Out of the May Write-In (via ZOOM) Intrigued by NaNoWriMo (or any fast-writing challenge), but not sure if it’s for you? Here’s your chance to learn more about it. Deb Noone, Carolyn Sullivan and Kenneth Henry will share their experience with and tips for getting the most from your NaNoWriMo or Write-In experience, … Read more
Gwen Hernandez: A Webinar via ZOOM: A Writer’s Toolkit: Free and Inexpensive Apps to Keep You on Track Can’t find that amazing idea in your pile of sticky notes? Distracted by blog posts, social media, and email? Looking for an easy way to write on the go? Gwen will introduce you to handy—and often free or … Read more
J.M. Griffin & Gail Eastwood: Publishing Options – Which are for you? Traditionally published, but wondering what it might be like to go indie? Indie published, but thinking your next book might be better suited for a traditional publisher? Not yet published and wishing you had a good grasp of the advantages and disadvantages of each … Read more
Judith Arnold How to Write Your 101st Novel Sustaining a long and productive career as a writer can be exhausting, rewarding, or both. To do it, you need flexibility, a thick skin, the ability to set goals and prioritize, a willingness to write inside your comfort zone and outside your comfort zone, and a determination of … Read more
This is our chance to talk writing, informally, in glorious detail with one another! Really talk craft and any other writing topic you are dying to get input on from your fellow writers. In addition, and this is optional, we encourage members to bring an item from home (don’t buy anything) for a fun “white … Read more
It Takes a VillageMost have heard the saying, It takes a village. This is true in real life and also in the books we love to read. While many writers spend countless hours (days, weeks!) developing their main characters, often times the side characters get overlooked. How the hero, heroine, and even the antagonist interacts with others, … Read more