Victorian

February 6, 2013

Hello, writers,

Fourteen writers met at the Callahan library on Tuesday evening to share their words.    

One visitor attended.  Please welcome Tom B. to the group!

Please note CCWW will not meet on Tuesday, February 26 and Tuesday, March 5.  Our second six-week session will run from Tuesday, March 12 through Tuesday, April 16.

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 this week:

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

1.                  Describe your favorite car of all time.  Why is it your favorite?

2.                  Write about your childhood.  Was it too long?  Too short?  Sheltered?  Structured?

3.                  “Cherie looked at Delores with disgust....” Continue the story.

4.                  Complete a free-write on anything

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

Good News and Information Exchange…

CCWW has started a blog.  It’s pretty simple right now, but we have plans to grow it as our group evolves.  Please consider following the blog.  Here’s the link:  http://callahanwriters.blogspot.com/

I (Nancy) started a blog about creativity.  I’ve challenged myself to complete at least one creative action each day for a year.  Please consider following my creativity blog.  Here’s the link:   http://thecallahancreative.blogspot.com/

Overview of critiques...

Connie W. started by reading “The Memory Box.”  Her piece chronicled the life of a debutante.  Her details and historical setting worked!  Matt Y. then shared a piece rich with Victorian setting featuring a character named Tristan.  Matt’s descriptions of the interior of the house worked.    

Connie K. shared a piece about her great-grandparents.  Her piece was full of historical facts as her characters faced the frontier of the West.  I (Nancy B.) then read a continuation of “The Party,” which I started last week using the hardware store prompt.  Members said my piece would work better if I added more internal thoughts of the characters.  

Shirley A. then read a humorous piece about Charles and Victoria.  Members said her use of clever phrases throughout the piece worked.  Lori L. shared a realization piece dealing with divorce.  Her use of metaphors (flea, cat, white fluff, etc.) worked well.      

Lisa L. read “The Dreamer,” a poem about women and their corsets on one level and about the freedom to be yourself on another level.  Everyone thought her piece and her British accent worked!  Michele N. then continued her romance novel.  Her syntax and her imagery worked well.  Betty C. read an informational piece on the Victorian era.  She skillfully combined the historical setting with people’s yearning for more independence.  

Oliver M. shared a piece written in a newscast style.  Members commented on the truth imbedded in his work.  Cameron S. then read “What Would I Do?”  Her piece answered questions about time stopping, a zombie apocalypse and other profundities.

Tom B. then read a piece featuring cultural contrasts.  His writing offered a perspective on our society.  Chad A. then read a historical piece on Queen Victoria.  Members found his writing to be informative.  Robert O. finished the critiques by reading “The Sleeping King.”  His poem had powerful rhymes and a literary quality.    

Links of interest…

Anybody interested in grammar?  This article offers a new take on nouns, verbs and prepositions!  More info here:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Most-of-What-You-Think-You-Know-About-Grammar-is-Wrong-187940351.html

“I’ll take a book with my coffee.”  Read about a new book machine.  Pretty cool! http://www.thomasnelsoncorporate.com/2013/01/harpercollins-christian-publishing-to-join-the-espresso-book-machine-network/

Entangled Publishing has loads of opportunities for writers.  Read their editors’ wish lists: http://www.entangledinromance.com/2013/02/04/wish-list-february-2013-edition/

New Writer’s Magazine targets new writers and seeks submissions.  Contact:  newwriters@aol.com, www.newwriters.com.  Looking for non-fiction, cartoons, fiction, fillers and poetry.  Submission guidelines here:  http://newwriters.com/submit.html

Mudlark: An Electronic Journal of Poetry and Poetics, a publication of the UNF Department of English, is taking submissions.  Submission guidelines on the web here:  http://www.unf.edu/mudlark/

Prompt for next week…

Prompt for next week is…stamps.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction or drama).  If you’d rather bring a WIP (work-in-progress), please do.  

Please bring something to share with the group.

Until Tuesday, February 12, happy writing!

~Nancy

At the hardware store...

January 31, 2013

Hello, writers,

Fourteen writers shared their writing on Tuesday evening at the Callahan library. 

One visitor attended.  Please welcome Chuck L. 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 this week:

            Choose one of the following and write for 10 minutes:

1.                   Describe your favorite artist and a few of his/her works. 

2.                   Describe your life as food.  Is it salty, sweet or something else?

3.                   Write a scene with dialogue between a student and a teacher.

4.                   Complete a free-write on anything

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

Good News and Information Exchange…

Betty C. and her book, “Be Lifted Up,” were featured in a piece published in The Florida Baptist Witness.  Read the story here:  http://www.gofbw.com/News.asp?ID=14730.  Great article, Betty!

Lynn R. has reached chapter 10 in her novel. Way to go, Lynn!  Very impressive!

I (Nancy) submitted a group of poems to a literary journal.  I don’t know if they’ll be published, but I’m happy I sent them in for review.  

Overview of critiques...

Connie K. started by reading another installment of “Emily’s Secrets.”  Connie’s descriptions worked well as did the suspense she created about Emily’s secrets.  I (Nancy B.) then read, “The Party,” a piece of fiction about a man who works in a hardware store and a woman who is planning a party. 

Lisa C. shared a poem called “Hardware Heartthrob.”  The story her poem told and the rhymes she used worked.  Sandra H. then read her version of a Facebook chat about hardware stores.  Her use of multiple characters and dialogue was cleverly done.    

Matt Y. read a piece offering a glimpse inside the mind of an ‘artist.’  His characterization worked well.  Lynn R. shared a prologue of her novel.  The piece offered a well-researched retrospective of the 1970s.

Chad A. continued by sharing a short piece written from the perspective of a product on the shelf of a hardware store.  His piece garnered many interpretations ranging from jail to death.  Connie W. then read a poem about a lady named Flo who heads to the hardware store for a lamp.  While there, she sees so many products, she forgets to purchase the lamp.

Karen D. then shared a piece set inside a hardware store called Cowford’s.  Members thought her inclusion of the cat worked.  Oliver M. then read a short riddle-like piece written as an acrostic for TRUST.  His parallel structure and strong verbs worked.

Cameron S. continued by reading a piece set in a hardware store.  Her circling back to the needed light bulb at the end worked well.  Christine R. then read “This Too Shall Pass.”  In it, Vanessa heads to the hardware store to pick up items her soon-to-be ex-husband requested.  While there, she meets Eric who encourages her.  With realistic dialogue and a good story line, her piece worked.  

Heike M. finished the critiques by sharing her Stonehenge piece.  Her skillful use of the neutral observer caused us all to be curious about the speaker of the piece.  NOTE:  I neglected to ask Heike if she wanted to say anything after reading her piece.  I apologize, Heike.  Next week, I’ll remedy this by starting with Heike’s comments at the beginning of the critique session.

Links of interest…

The Amelia Island Book Festival is coming up soon.  CCWW member, Lori L., asked if any CCWW’ers want to carpool to the event.

More information here…http://ameliaislandbookfestival.com/

Southern Writers Magazine sponsors Short Story Contest

Deadline:  March 1

Entry Fee:  Free

Theme:  Any family-friendly topic will work

http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/contest.html

Parable Press is open to submissions

“A place to air your literary laundry”

http://parablepressmag.com/submissions/

J. Taylor Publishing is seeking YA (Young Adult) stories between 5,000 and 10,000 words based on a prompt about time stopping…

Deadline:  March 6, 2013

More here:  http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/blog/?p=1146

Adventure Publications, an award-winning publisher of outdoor guides, is accepting fiction manuscripts for its new series of outdoor/wilderness mysteries. We are looking for mystery fiction that will appeal to both the mystery reader and the outdoors enthusiast. The books will be produced in print and ebook formats. Examples of authors we love are Nevada Barr, Victoria Houston, C.J. Box, William Kent Krueger and Beth Groundwater. Currently, we are seeking novels set in the Midwest, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast and Rocky Mountains.

More here:  http://www.adventurepublications.net/author-guidelines

Prompt for next week…

Prompt for next week is…Victorian.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction or drama).  If you’d rather bring a WIP (work-in-progress), please do.  

Please bring something to share with the group.

Until Tuesday, February 5, happy writing!

~Nancy

Stonehenge

January 24, 2013

Hello, writers,

Fifteen writers shared laughs and words on Tuesday evening at the Callahan library. 

Three visitors attended.  Please welcome Lisa, Mer and Chad to the group!

Here’s what happened…

We started the workshop with a warm-up exercise.  I’ll list them here in case you want to do them this week:

            Choose one of the following and write for 10 minutes:

1.                   Describe your favorite book.  Why is it your favorite?

2.                   Describe your life as a landscape.  Is it a beach scene?  A desert?  Mountains?

3.                   Write a scene with dialogue in which two characters argue over food.

4.                   Complete a free-write on anything

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

Good News…

Shirley A. shared the Callahan Community Center’s new calendar.  The Center is located in the MCCI building across the street from Callahan Elementary.  More here: http://www.mccigroup.com/calendar.php

Cheryl L. shared that local best-selling author, Charles Martin, is seeking book groups/clubs to read and discuss his latest novel, Unwritten.  If you’re part of a book group, please consider looking into this wonderful opportunity.  More information is on Martin’s web site here:  http://charlesmartinbooks.com/bookclub/

Overview of critiques...

Shirley began with a witty piece full of questions.  Turns out, she wrote it without using the letter –e.  Not so easy to do!  Cameron then shared a story set in Africa.  A cub receives a mark and must grapple with becoming a leader.  Oliver then read a short piece paying homage to trees. Members commented on his vivid imagery.  

Lori continued by reading a piece featuring a single mom and a young woman who wants to start her own business.  Her story had a good balance of dialogue and narration, and it showed the passage of time well.  Robert then shared a story of elves and the Round Table in Stonehenge.  His wolf-taur character worked.  Sandra then read from a fictional travel journal.  Her piece garnered laughs as we found out Rafael’s true colors.  Mom was right!

Connie K. then read “Emily’s Secrets.”  Based on Connie’s childhood, the story created suspense about the locked north bedroom.  I (Nancy) laughed every time I tried to read my poem called, “Pillars,” but thankfully, Karen read it for me.  Thanks, Karen!  It was a poem written from the perspective of a rock at Stonehenge. 

Betty then read a press release for her book “Be Lifted Up.”  Members gave her feedback on it.  Connie W. shared a piece featuring Mab from her persimmon story.  Members offered feedback to her after she read it.  Karen then read an imaginative piece full of facts about Stonehenge.  Michele ended the session with a continuation of her romance between Catherine and Wyatt.  Her syntax and imagery really worked.

Links of interest…

1.       Lori L. passed this along.  The Amelia Island Book Festival is coming up soon.  More information here…

http://ameliaislandbookfestival.com/

2.      Several of you are interested in writing or publishing children’s books.  Knowonder.com publishes LOTS of children’s stories.  They are currently open for submissions.  Click on the “Submit” tab to find out more…

http://www.knowonder.com

3.  There are currently many publishing opportunities with Harlequin.  Check them out here: 

http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=538&chapter=0

Prompt for next week…

Prompt for next week is…at the hardware store.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction or drama).  If you’d rather bring a WIP (work-in-progress), please do. 

Please bring something to share with the group.

Until Tuesday, January 29, happy writing!

~Nancy

Workshop starts with a bang!

January 17, 2013

Hello, writers,

We started 2013 with a bang on Tuesday evening as 15 writers shared laughs, words and opinions.  Many writers wrote pieces on the “hairspray” prompt.

Please welcome Dave P. and Cameron S. to the group!

Here’s what happened…

We started the workshop with a warm-up exercise.  I’ll list them here in case you want to do them this week:

             Choose one of the following and write for 10 minutes:

1.       Describe a near-death experience you’ve had.

2.       Describe yourself as a writer.  What do you most enjoy writing?

3.       Write a dialogue in which one character tries to scam another.

After a few members read their warm-ups, we shared our good news.  Then, we began our critique session.

Good News…

Betty C. published her book, “Be Lifted Up.”  It took nine years, Betty says, and a few restarts along the way, but it’s done!  See Betty’s web site with book information here: http://bettycrews.com/. 

Shirley A. has a new job at the Callahan Community Center located in the MCCI building across the street from Callahan Elementary.  She teaches knitting, crochet and other crafts.  The community center offers classes, workshops and game days.  See more here:  http://www.mccigroup.com/calendar.php.

Oliver M.’s shop, Oliver’s Outpost Antiques, is open for business.  Featuring an assortment of valuables from typewriters to fine furnishings, Oliver’s store is the go-to place for unique pieces.  The store is located at 10965 North Main Street in Jacksonville.  Phone number is 904-696-0884. 

Heike M. finished her book!  She’s in the middle of the revision process now.

I (Nancy B.) had two columns published in the January issue of Jax4Kids (www.jax4kids.com), and my piece on the status of the Advanced Placement Program in First Coast high schools is slated to run in the February issue of Jacksonville Magazine.

Overview of critiques...

Karen D. began with a powerful memory piece about her mother’s use of Aqua Net hairspray.  She also included interesting facts about the history of hairspray.  Michele N. then read a vivid scene in which two Southern women visit with each other in a restaurant.  She used excellent detail and imagery, according to many CCWW members.

Dave P. then shared “The War Within,” a piece written from the perspective of a can of hairspray.  His use of personification really worked.  Sandra H. then read a scene between Louise and her brother, Justin.  It takes place in a bathroom where Louise attempts to mimic the look she sees in a magazine ad.  Many CCWW members complimented Sandra’s piece.

John F. then read “Zeno’s Advice to His Son,” a touching piece in which a father advises his son about song, women and wine.  Heike M. then read “The Devil Called Home,” a thoughtful fictional piece about a person’s return home.  Many members commented on her use of color and the somber, dark mood her piece created.

I (Nancy B.) then read a short piece told from the perspective of hair.  A young woman’s hair decided to revolt and mess up her blind date.  Connie W. then shared “A Sticky Situation.”  In the piece, a spider considers going to the prom atop a girl’s hairsprayed ‘do.

Rosemary S. then read three prose poems entitled, “These Nightmares.”  Many members commented on her powerful use of imagery.  Oliver M. then shared “Wild Year.”  His piece offered self-reflection and thoughts for how society can improve itself.  Then, Robert O. continued his story about Seven.  Many CCWW members commented on his skillful use of details.

Links of interest…

1.        Here’s an article on a really, really big library that just opened in North Carolina…

                http://www.flavorwire.com/362890/is-this-the-most-amazing-library-in-the-world

2.       Many of you write Christian fiction or non-fiction.  Here’s information on the Florida Christian Writers Conference.  More here…

                http://floridacwc.net/

Prompt for next week…

Prompt for next week is…Stonehenge.  You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction or drama).  If you’d rather bring a WIP (work-in-progress), please do.  Please do bring something to share with the group.

Until Tuesday, January 22, happy writing!

~Nancy