Writing Exercise (from Teri Brown): Teri handed around scent vials during our meeting. Maybe just stand at an open window (on this lovely spring day) and see what smell reaches your nose. Then write for 10 minutes and see what story reaches the page. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201803
Category Archives: exercise
Writers’ Mill Minutes 201801
Writers’ Mill Minutes Jan 21st 2018
Our first meeting of 2018 was fairly sparsely attended with only 12 people present. We blamed the weather, and invite anyone who wasn’t there to weigh in on the questions below:
- What do you want to achieve this year? (Feel free to add your goals to the box at February’s meeting.)
- What do you want from the Writers’ Mill this year? (Feel free to email admin@portlandwritersmill.org with your requests.)
- How important are speaker engagements to you?
- How important is it to have regular critiques?
- How important is it to have regular writing exercises at our meetings?
Writers’ Mill Minutes 201704
Writers’ Mill Minutes April 23rd 2017
Guest speaker Zita Podany was unable to attend due to illness, but has been rescheduled for August 20th – mark your calendars. With the off-schedule timing for the meeting (due to Easter) causing a lower attendance this month, let’s hope for more people to be here when Zita joins us in August. Meanwhile around twelve of us enjoyed a BYOS meeting (Bring your own snacks, and bring your own speaker), with an impromptu writing exercise taken from the Creative Writer’s Notebook ($8.98 from Barnes and Noble) inspired by our next contest. We also enjoyed receiving contest awards filled with wonder for the Wonder contest, pondering contest entries for the next few months, and critiquing the third enticing chapter of Matthew’s novel. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201704
Mining Your Life Story, Notes from Nancy Linnon’s Talk, March 2017
Notes from Nancy Linnon’s Writing Your Life Story Workshop
Opening question: If you were to write a memoir or personal essay, what would it be about? Continue reading Mining Your Life Story, Notes from Nancy Linnon’s Talk, March 2017
Writers’ Mill Minutes 201609
Minutes from Portland writers mill, Sunday September 18th
Nearly 20 members, plus a few guests, were at the Cedar Mill library on Sunday September 18th to listen to Brian Doyle’s presentation on writing. We had an amazing, wonderful time, and I shall do my best to make sense of my notes at the end of these minutes. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201609
That Strange Thing Called Writing, from Brian Doyle’s Talk in September
Notes From Brian Doyle’s Talk On Writing
Brian Doyle has pages and pages of books listed on Amazon, including Martin Marten, Mink River, Chicago, The Plover and more, and he needs no introduction from me. He introduces himself, educates, entertains, has us in stitches, has us almost in tears, reveals his feelings, his history and his stories, and then says he’s not a teacher and he doesn’t do seminars and workshops. If you missed this one, you missed a very special treat. Continue reading That Strange Thing Called Writing, from Brian Doyle’s Talk in September
Notes from Christi Krug’s talk, July 2016
Notes from Christi Krug’s talk, July 2016
(with thanks to Karin)
Christi gave us a handout, ‘Following the Thread’ and read a poem by William Stafford about Following the Thread.
– We learn from the challenges we have.
– You can still consider yourself a successful writer if you have challenges.
– One obstacle is finding your way when you are lost. Continue reading Notes from Christi Krug’s talk, July 2016
Minutes 201607
With thanks to Karin and Judy…
WRITERS’ MILL MINUTES
13 writers attended the Writers’ Mill meeting with Wildfire Writer Christi Krug. As Sheila was vacationing in England, Norm had the honor of chairing the meeting. The inspirational talk and writing exercises provided by Christi were followed by Robin’s delicious snacks. After the break Judy handed out the writing awards on behalf of Jean for the July contest. Thereafter Lavonna led the critique of the second part of Matthew’s story as well as Robin’s story. Continue reading Minutes 201607
Looking for Inspiration?
Define your workplace:
http://www.warrenadler.com/the-anatomy-of-a-novelists-workspace-infographic/
MFAs and more:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/07/what-really-thinking-creative-writing-ma-tutor
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/03/8-tough-lessons-fram-an-ex-mfa-teacher/
How to write and make it work:
http://storyfix.com/going-succeed-writer
http://twjmag.com/the-pro-active-author/are-you-pursuing-the-different-or-the-same
How to make yourself write:
http://www.pdxwriters.com/home.html
http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/04/you-know-youre-writer-when.html
http://indigoediting.com/December2014
http://www.pinterest.com/pubslush/nanowrimo/
http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/4300
http://writerswrite.co.za/five-10-minute-fixes-for-your-short-story
http://writerswrite.co.za/finish-that-first-draft-five-fantastic-tips-to-keep-you-moving-forward
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2014/10/everything-you-need-for-nanowrimo.html
Looking for Inspiration?
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/03/famous-writers-insults-infographic/
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/postaday/ebook-365-writing-prompts/
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/december.htm
http://randomwritingrants.com/2014/10/27/nanowrimo-tips-from-dylan-newton/
http://storyfix.com/theres-power-public-domain-guest-post-art-holcomb
Need a challenge to inspire you?
(Christian) http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-intro.php