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
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
Jim returned for a much anticipated second visit where he talked about writing and editing poetry.
Continue reading Writing and Editing Poetry, from Jim Stewart’s talk
(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
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
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
Perspective:
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2015/02/4-tips-for-handling-multiple.html
Character:
http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/10/planting-minor-characters-with-purpose.html
http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/09/bring-your-characters-to-life-with.html
Detail:
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/descriptive-writing/
http://www.copyblogger.com/damn-good-sentences/
http://www.writersonthemove.com/2013/11/use-seven-senses-to-spark-your-writing.html
Plot and story arc:
http://storyfix.com/the-irrefutable-algebra-of-story
http://storyfix.com/easy-approach-story-building-bedtime-story-model
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-save-cat-beat-sheet.html
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-heros-journey.html
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/how-to-plot-with-three-act-structure.html
http://storyfix.com/value-pantsing
Polish:
http://storyfix.com/fiction-writers-definition-criteria-concept
Twenty four people attended on January 17th to hear local author Marcia Coffey Turnquist tell us about writing, publishing, marketing, and everything in-between. Marcia’s first novel, the God of Sno Cone Blue is available at Barnes and Noble (store and online) or http://www.amazon.com/God-Sno-Cone-Blue/dp/0991637437/ on Amazon. Continue reading Minutes 201601
“Writing is…. being able to take something whole and fiercely alive that exists inside you in some unknowable combination of thought, feeling, physicality, and spirit, and to then store it like a genie in tense, tiny black symbols on a calm white page. If the wrong reader comes across the words, they will remain just words. But for the right readers, your vision blooms off the page and is absorbed into their minds like smoke, where it will re-form, whole and alive, fully adapted to its new environment.”
~ Mary Gaitskill
Mary Gaitskill is an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, Esquire, The Best American Short Stories, and The O. Henry Prize Stories.
Born: November 11, 1954 (age 61), Lexington, KY
Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, US & Canada, New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year
Twenty people attended August’s Writers’ Mill Meeting and enjoyed a wonderful presentation from former Oregon poet laureate, Paulann Petersen. Paulann, who has written many books and run many workshops, promised to coax, cajole and nudge us into writing, using a Springboard writing activity, as detailed below. She certainly kept that promise and we had a fantastic meeting.
In other events… after wonderful gluten free foods, drinks and home-grown tomatoes from Jean… Continue reading Minutes 201508