Continue reading Social Media Workshop at Cedar Mill Library AND Blogging at the Old Church →

In December’s meeting we discussed what topics we might like to hear more about. These included (in approximate order of popularity – PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT if something’s missing, or if you feel something important hasn’t been emphasized enough).

1. Writing
   1. Creating believable characters/character development
   2. Story arc/story development
   3. Point of view, including distant and close
   4. Turning fact into fiction
   5. Grammar
   6. Historical research and authenticity
   7. Thinking outside the box
2. Marketing
   1. Book promotion
   2. Blogging
   3. Websites (including WordPress , ipages)
   4. How to get into non-traditional locations – e.g. Starbucks
   5. Networking
3. Getting published
   1. How to get short stories published
   2. Finding a publisher
   3. How to get poetry published
   4. Genres and book length
   5. Query letters
   6. Self-publishing and Ebook publishing
4. Editing
   1. How to read like a writer
   2. Editing fiction
   3. Editing poetry
5. Commitment
   1. Becoming a productive writer – a chapter a week perhaps
   2. How do you finish and how do you know you’ve finished
   3. Difference between novel, novella, short story and other forms.

Last Friday and Saturday, 4th and 5th December, Amelia, Beki, Karin and Sheila manned our table at the Oak Hills Holiday Bazaar, where we sold Writers’ Mill Journals and other books written by or contributed to by members of the Writers’ Mill. Thank you to all who helped make the event a success, especially those who stopped by our table to encourage us (and even to buy books!).

On Sunday, December 6th, Sheila was one of the authors at the Oregon Historical Society Holiday Cheer event.

If you want to be an author there next year, you need to publish a book sometime during 2016. Join us; it’s great fun (and there are Dickensian singers too!) It’s always on the first Sunday of December, and I can give you the contact information.

And for all of us, whenever or however published, don’t forget the Beaverton Library Author Fair. It took place in April last year, so watch out for more information (and please let me know when you hear anything).

FOR FRANCE

Mary Jane E

Jennifer H

Sheila D

Please send SheilaD your sentences (1, 2, or 3, edited or unedited) or add them in comments below.