Kung Fu Writers?

March 30, 2013

Hello, writers,

Thirteen writers met at the Callahan Branch Library Tuesday evening, March 26. 

      

Here’s what happened…

We started the workshop with a choice of warm-up exercises.  I’ll list them here in case you want to do them at home:

Choose one of the following prompts and write for ten minutes:

1.                  Pens or pencils?

2.                  Continue the phrase, “Go west, young man…”

3.                  Orange

4.                  A free-write on anything

After a few members read, we introduced ourselves, shared information and started our critiques. 

   

Good News and Information Exchange…

CCWW is planning a Publication Party for Tuesday, April 16. In addition to eating yummy food, we’re preparing at least one publication-ready piece for submission to a magazine, a newspaper, a contest, an agent or a publisher. Of course, it’s up to CCWW members to figure out the submission guidelines for the chosen publication.  Members are encouraged to submit more than one piece! 

Thank you to everyone who signed up to bring something to the party on April 16.    

In other news, Richard N. submitted a one-sheet to a contest.  He shared the one-sheet with us.  It includes a picture of Richard, a short bio and a brief synopsis of his book.  Way to go, Richard! 

I (Nancy B.) announced a new freelance writing opportunity I have with a community newspaper in Jacksonville.  My first story, outlining a potential new use for the Haydon Burns Library downtown, was due Thursday! I’m not sure if it will run in the April or May issue.

Finally, Michele N., her daughter, E., and I had tea at Cozy Tea in Five Points on Friday.  While there, I saw ruffle scarves for sale at one of the area's edgy stores.  If you haven't seen one of these scarves, here’s a picture:

Several CCWW members knit these lovely neck decorations.  I was happy to see them being sold in such a trendy place!

Overview of assignments/critiques...

Richard N. started the critiques by asking Karen D. to read a continuation of his novel.  Many members commented on his compelling plot.  Robert O. continued the session by reading an introspective piece questioning identity.  Several members commented on his skillful use of masks and contrasts.  Lori L. then read a piece about young adults taking a trip.  She used many powerful phrases, such as “shrunk in a trunk.”  Oliver M. then shared a piece written on the kung fu prompt.  In it, he said, “I’ve been told I have no filter.”  Members appreciated the honesty of his piece. 

 

Matt Y. then shared a humorous piece about a woman with bad breath.  Members loved his twist at the end!  Michele N. continued by reading a continuation of her novel.  She created a vivid pre-wedding scene and included an honest conversation between Katherine and her mother, Vivienne.   Karen D. then read “How Do I Live with the Loss?”  We all appreciated her honesty and empathized with her on the loss of her daughter.  

Connie W. then shared “The Teacher,” a piece where a teacher named Carol considers taking kung fu lessons.  Her characterization and her ending worked well.  Lisa C. then read two poems.  The first, “Kung Fu Carrot,” featured vegetables.  The second (I think “Chi” was the title) was a diamante poem.   Members said both poems worked well.  

Connie K. then read a continuation of her memoir.  In it, she reached a perfect balance of child-like wonder and adult responsibility.  Sandra H. then shared a short piece she wrote to the painting American Gothic.  Members loved her fresh approach to what the woman in the painting is thinking.

Wonderful work, everyone!

Some CCWW’ers suggested we change our name to Kung Fu Writers.  Any thoughts?

Links of interest…

Saturday Evening Post Fiction Contest

Here’s the contest I mentioned on Tuesday.

http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest

A Database of Markets for Romance Writing (especially short fiction)

You might want to spend some time researching this one.  

http://romance.fictionfactor.com/markets.html

Some Short Story Writing Markets

This article is full of short story markets. 

 http://suite101.com/article/paying-short-story-markets-a150588

 

Prompt for April 2…

Our prompt is…flappers.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (drama, non-fiction, poetry or fiction).  While there is no length requirement, you’ll want to share a piece that takes no longer than ten minutes to read aloud.  

As always, you’re free to bring a WIP (work-in-progress) if you’d rather.  Please do bring something to share with the group.

Happy Easter!

Blessings,

~Nancy

P.S.  CCWW is on Facebook!  Please join our Callahan Creative Writing Workshop page.

Fire extinguisher

March 21, 2013

Hello, writers,

Thirteen writers met at the Callahan Branch Library Tuesday evening, March 19.  We shared words and laughter as we read and critiqued our pieces.    

  

Here’s what happened…

We started the workshop with a choice of warm-up exercises.  I’ll list them here in case you want to do them at home:

Choose one of the following prompts and write for ten minutes:

1.                  Mailboxes

2.                  Continue the phrase, “I remember it like it was yesterday….”

3.                  Pocket knives

4.                  A free-write on anything

After a few members read their warm-ups, we introduced ourselves, shared information and started our critiques.    

Good News and Information Exchange…

CCWW is planning a Publication Party for Tuesday, April 16. In addition to eating yummy food, we’re preparing at least one publication-ready piece for submission to a magazine, a newspaper, a contest, an agent or a publisher. Of course, it’s up to CCWW members to figure out the submission guidelines for the chosen publication.  Members are encouraged to submit more than one piece! 

I’ll bring a sign-up sheet for the party next week.  

In other news, Connie K. shared her entry for NPR’s Race Card project.  The project asks participants to write six-word essays.   More information is located in the “Links of Interest” section below.

Overview of assignments/critiques...

Matt Y. started the critiques by reading a dramatic short piece.  His characterization and humor worked.  Lori L. continued the session by reading a non-fiction narrative about a time her van caught on fire.  Many CCWW members commented on her skillful use of details.  Shirley A. then read a non-fiction piece about her time as a preschool teacher.  She started and ended with the image of a pink lunch box, and her piece worked.  

Richard N. then shared part of his novel.  Many CCWW members commented on how well his plot and characterization worked.  Connie W. then read “How Not to Impress Your Mother-in-Law,” a non-fiction piece about a time she heated a baby bottle on her in-laws’ stove.  She created an excellent sense of flow in the piece.  Lisa C. then read “Extinguished.” After meeting in the grocery store’s produce section, Javier and Blair share both romance and rage.   

Oliver M. then read a series of thoughts from “An Awesome Mistake.”  His piece featured powerful imagery through phrases such as “a tiny little capsule delivered through the temple.”  Robert O. then read a continuation of his fan fiction work based on My Little Pony.  Many CCWW members commented on his excellent dialogue and use of details in the piece.  

I (Nancy B.) then read “Reclaiming Flames,” a sonnet based on the fire extinguisher prompt.  Members told me the rhythm and rhyme in the piece worked.  Sandra H. then shared “Fire Season,” a poem based on the fire extinguisher prompt.  Her beautifully crafted poem elicited an extremely positive response from the group.  

Michele N. finished the critique session by sharing another installment in her story about Kathryn and Wyatt.  CCWW members commented on her excellent use of detail and her ability to spin a great story.    

Wonderful work, everyone!

Links of interest…

The Race Card Project

Here’s the site Connie K. mentioned at the meeting.

http://www.npr.org/series/173814508/the-race-card-project

A Romance Contest

Write romance?  In this contest, you submit only your first 35 pages.  Deadline is April 1.

http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/Contests/ffl.html

One-Sheet Contest

Looks like a great contest here. 

http://milehighscribes.acfwcolorado.com/onesheet_contest.php

Prompt for March 26…

Our prompt is…kung fu.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (drama, non-fiction, poetry or fiction).  While there is no length requirement, you’ll want to share a piece that takes no longer than ten minutes to read aloud.  

As always, you’re free to bring a WIP (work-in-progress) if you’d rather.  Please do bring something to share with the group.

Until Tuesday, March 26, happy writing!

~Nancy

P.S.  CCWW is on Facebook!  Please join our Callahan Creative Writing Workshop page.

New CCWW session started March 12

March 15, 2013

Hello, writers,

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Karen Davis, whose daughter passed away.  Karen and her family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Thirteen writers met at the Callahan library Tuesday evening, March 12.  Many writers brought in pieces and potential markets for their pieces.  There was no prompt. 

Richard N. and Suzanna D. joined us.  Welcome to the group!   

Here’s what happened…

We started the workshop with a choice of warm-up exercises.  I’ll list them here in case you want to do them at home:

Choose one of the following prompts and write for ten minutes:

1.                   Magnets

2.                   First kiss

3.                   Your experience with fishing

4.                   A free-write on anything

After a few members read their warm-ups, we introduced ourselves, shared information and told others the results of our assignment.  

Good News and Information Exchange…

CCWW is planning a Publication Party for Tuesday, April 16. In addition to eating yummy food, we’re preparing at least one publication-ready piece for submission to a magazine, a newspaper, a contest, an agent or a publisher. Of course, it’s up to CCWW members to figure out the submission guidelines for the chosen publication-some ask for query letters while others ask for sample pages.  Members are encouraged to submit more than one piece! 

Overview of assignments/critiques...

Karen D. began by reading a piece on her daughter.  Thank you for sharing a little bit of her life with us, Karen.  Robert O. is still working on choosing a piece to submit at the Publication Party in April.  Lori L. then shared a first-person realization piece.  Her use of the story of Elisha and the oil worked well.

Richard N. then read shared his “fishing” warm-up.  His skillful use of short questions and answers worked.  Connie W. then read a piece about an archaeologist.  She said her piece was about Lilith.  Heather then shared another installment in the “Big Joe” saga.  In this segment, we learned Joe is living with his sister in Jacksonville, and he dislikes hardware stores.  

Suzanna D. then read a piece based on the River Styx.  Her use of second person pronouns worked.  Cameron S. then read a continuation of an earlier piece.  Members commented her twist at the end worked well.  Lisa C. then read “Dream Crushers,” a poem.  Her piece showed the value of creativity and what can happen if it’s snuffed out.  

Shirley A. then shared her rap about the Bear Family.  She is researching markets and is considering submitting to Highlights.  Michele N. then shared her online dating piece.  Members said her piece really worked.  Connie K. then shared her status.  She is considering submitting her “prison” piece to a Christian magazine.  (I) Nancy B. then shared my status.  I’ve picked a 2500-word feature on a Callahan woman who beat cancer, but I don’t know where I’ll submit it yet.  

Wonderful work, everyone!

Links of interest…

Writing Contests

Here’s a site chock full of writing contests…

http://www.freelancewriting.com/writing-contests.php

Romance Markets

Write romance?  Check out these markets…

http://romance.fictionfactor.com/markets.html

Database of Writers’ Guidelines

Lots of great information here…

http://www.organizedwriter.com/guidelines.htm

Assignment for March 19…

Our prompt is…fire extinguisher.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (drama, non-fiction, poetry or fiction).  While there is no length requirement, you’ll want to share a piece that takes no longer than ten minutes to read aloud.  

Until Tuesday, March 19, happy writing!

~Nancy