Writers:

In just 10 days, we kick back off another season of work shops. I certainly hope you all are ready to roll into fall and learn all you can about helping your literary life.

Hello Writers!

Writers:

Writers:

• NO WORK SESSION TODAY (JAN. 22, 2012) Many of us are just beginning to get our power back on; but there’s still plenty that do not have power. Heck, as we write this, we’re really unsure if the library has power or not. Additionally there’s a fairly icky sinus virus going around that has Casz feeling poorly and unable to teach/moderate. Hoping you all have a way to get this, because we can’t call …all of you (especially given the spotty cell coverage as of late). Email and Facebook  have info as well. We will resume our regular work sessions Feb. 12, same time (3 p.m.), at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. Additionally the various writing “cafes” will continue this week, too. Hope all you have your electricity back and speedy recovery to those of us fighting the latest round of the virus du jour.

  (Sunday1/22/12 @ 0954 hrs.)

Greetings Fabulous Fellow Writers!

I’m going to start with your moment of Writing Zen, this week, instead of traditionally ending with it.

“The great struggle in life is not between good and evil, which are both relative terms, but between the desire for certainty and the desire for freedom. Freedom and certainty cannot equally coexist. The more you have of one, the less you have of the other. And certainty is merely an illusionary product of fear.” ~Tom Robbins (Author)

That is your writing prompt as well. Drive your character back and forth between certainty and freedom. What does she give up or gain? Show me the pain, the indecision, the exhiliration and peace once the choice (whichever is right for your character) is made.

Lots of deadlines coming up at the end of the month for contests, journal submissions, etc. If you don’t have a goal for one, and have a story you want to set free into the world, Email me back and I’ll see what I can do to help you find an appropriate landing zone for your newly launched baby. 😀

Now get your butt in that chair and write!

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What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Once again you get our weekly inspirational time together just a tad early. My Wednesday promises to be co-opted by those who would wish me and mine ill — so, I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss this.

Don’t forget field trip on Saturday night. Leaving North Bend Library Parking lot at 6 p.m. Reading/Signing with local authors, Aaron Dietz, J.R.D. Middleton and Grace Krilanovich. They are billing it as “New Literature Wilderness Exploration Group.” (as a side note, prominent folks from Dark Coast Press and Emergency Press will be there…come find out what makes them tick and what new wild literature they want to publish next).

Sunday is our regular work session. North Bend Library Meeting Room 3 p.m. Please RSVP to let me know you’re attending and so I can structure the session appropriately.

Here is the prompt:  Irregular Creature.

If you create something you love and it’s within 1,000 words and you get it done before noon on Friday. Submit it here: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/03/04/irregular-creatures-flash-fiction-challenge/

If not, bring it Sunday to share with the rest of your fellow writers.

Also here’s another resume builder potential for your writing:  http://www.undergroundvoices.com/UVcontribute.htm

For those that really want to dive in big —  I mean BIG:  Tin House (as in the literary mag that features folks like Dorothy Allison, Stephen King and Sherman Alexie) Summer Writers Workshop. It’s a weeklong (July 10-17) intensive series of workshops, seminars, panels and readings lead by the editors of Tin House magazine. Tin House Books, and their guests. Full and partial scholarships available. Scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on the merit of a writing sample only. To apply, fill out the scholarship application in addition to the general application. First come, first serve. See more info here: http://www.tinhouse.com/writers-workshop/applying.html

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

‘It’s a kind of zen question: if you write a book and no one reads it, is it really a book?’

Lee Child

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What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Woohoo! Just like a magazine subscription you’re getting this a tad early. I’m fighting with a boring protagonist right now, so I thought I’d take a break and get this all penned to my fellow writers.

1.  Update: A second run of  “FALL INTO STORY” our second annual Views, Voices & Verses journal has arrived in. If you want a copy at a discount — $12 — verses the $15 on the street cost, please let myself or Sheri Kennedy (sherikcarriage@msn.com) know as soon as possible. By next Wednesday, all the copies which remain after this members-only discount special sale will be held by the hungry merchants in our area that want it. Once you raise your hand to say you want a copy, or two or three, Sheri or I will make arrangements with you to get the book in your hands.

2.  Our group has grown and accomplished so much. But where to take things next remains the question. Please take five minutes and answer this survey so we can determine where to go with the group.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R68JNF7

The information you leave in that survey will help guide your board of directors to accomplish even more and provide better leadership for you, our fellow authors.

3.  You didn’t think you were going to get away without writing did you? Well, actually, yes, you’re prompt is to fill out the survey monkey. 😀 Above.

4.  Field Trip! March 12 at Elliott Bay Book Company to see three local authors — Aaron Dietz, Grace Krilanovich and J.R.D. Middleton read from their current works. I can bring up to six others. I will be leaving from the North Bend Library parking lot at 6 p.m. on that evening. If you want a ride — RSVP now. If you need to drive yourself and want to follow me, that’s cool, too. Event starts at 7 p.m.; I suspect we’ll be back in North Bend around 10 p.m.

5.  If there is something specific you would like covered in the work sessions, please let me know. Next one is March 13 (the afternoon after our field trip), at 3 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room.

6.  And Now your moment of Writing Zen:

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What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces

My fellow writers:

I hope this day finds you well, safe and warm. Weather like what we’ve all experienced lately –that flings us back and forth between spring-like sunshine and winter’s harsh blast — is enough to make any one feel like they aren’t sure what to expect next.

Honestly, we shouldn’t.

But, it’s a great mood to write into the conflict of your story — because isn’t it the uneasiness with decision that many of our protagonists find themselves in between the pages of the stories we write? Has your protagonist been playing it safe? Or are they taking risks that let your story weave into uncertainty and likely more exciting reading?

Today’s prompt is to take a character and make them make those choices that are the riskiest. It doesn’t mean that they won’t break their neck when they fall — but what happens when they are recouperating in the hospital? Or end up with a new job because they lost their former job during their sick leave? The alley at night probably isn’t the best choice to walk, but your heroine swore she heard an animal in distress, plus it saves walking past her old boyfriend’s house. Push the envelope. Play safe with your driving in the snow — but not on the pages of your story. Think of the riskiest thing you would NEVER do and make your character do it. Write until your own heartbeat is palpitating. Got 1,500 words and you found ‘The End?’ Then consider sending it out. Upcoming contest/submission deadlines include:

Feb 28 – Gulf Coast Contest:  http://bit.ly/ez6WR5

Feb. 28 – Ledge Fiction Awards:  http://bit.ly/gEpjOy

Apr. 15 – Bellingham Review: (I’d like to see many of you try for this one) http://bit.ly/gyqwEN

There are a ton more…and I’ll try to get you some more later on this evening. But for now I’m plotting my escape from the city by the sound and heading back to my beloved valley.

But, first, your moment of Writing Zen:

“Every great and original writer, in proportion as he is great and original, must himself create the taste by which he is to be relished.” ~ William Wordsworth

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What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron