Tag Archives: workshop

Weekly Writing Prompt — January 13, 2016 Edition

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Writers:

This is the week to start that journey from completed manuscript to publishing. On Saturday (1/16) at 10:30 a.m., leaders in the group will be at the North Bend Library to provide a short presentation and help attendees move forward. SVW! is presenting this year-long workshop series, NaNoWriMo to Published, designed to help you take a roughly written finished manuscript through the editing, critique, revision edit, beta, final edit, ARC, polish and publish phases. There will be some general instruction and resources offered, but it will mostly be a hands-on support program tailored to help move each writer forward with focus on areas where they are seeking help and/or continued motivation.
Please think about what you’d like to work on for this year’s workshop and consider committing to this intensive program. If you’re not sure…come to the meeting on Jan 16th at the NB library Meeting Rm from 10:30–noon to find out more about it.  http://www.kcls.org/calendar/detail.cfm?view=event&lib=29
 
For those still trying to find The End, your prompt is to set aside no less than 20 minutes today and write. It doesn’t matter if you write three words, thirty words, or 333 words. Just so that you write in those 20 minutes. Journal if there are no story ideas. Then do this 20 minutes again tomorrow. Keep at it. Every day this year and you’ll find “The End.” You might even find it more than once.
 
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
 
“Commitment is an act, not a word.” ~Jean-Paul Sartre

—
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

Weekly Writing Prompt — February 18, 2015

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Good Morning Writers!

This Saturday you’re planning on being at the North Bend Library at 10:30 a.m. in order to polish your pitch for whatever project you’re currently on, right? Don’t know what a pitch is? You should be there to learn as well. This will be a round-table discussion and critique workshop, so lots to learn. Bring a couple of copies of your pitch to share.
Afterwards, take time for lunch and your Saturday errands, or a nap, whatever, and join us at 3 p.m. at the North Bend Visitors Center for the Storyteller’s Circle. Bring a poem, a short story, a legend from your family, your guitar, your ukulele, a drum, whatever. Tribal leaders plan to be there and partake this month, so it bodes to be a special session. Hope to see you there.
Before Saturday, there is other writing work to be done. If you don’t have your pitch ready, get that ready. (Here is a cheat sheet to get you started.) Or spend two hours editing. Or get 1,000 words on the paper/screen. Go to a writing cafe. It’s free-reign week! Just make progress. Pitch, edit, write, and then write, edit, pitch. Tell your story. It matters.
Now for your moment of Writing Zen:
“We’re past the age of heroes and hero kings. … Most of our lives are basically mundane and dull, and it’s up to the writer to find ways to make them interesting.”
—John Updike

—

—
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

Weekly Writing Prompt — June 11, 2014 Edition

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Writers:

Again, my sincere apologies for the last-minute cancellation yesterday. All I can say is that life happens and it doesn’t happen according to schedule. That’s the stuff stories are made of, yes? All is handled, and life will go on.
Now for writing-focused news:
Our next workshop June 23 and we’ll do an editing check list along with doing feedback and critique. Please bring some work to share.
On July 8 we have special author guest speaker. Regional Author Sharol Louise will come and speak to the group. If you attend any workshop this summer, please attend this one.
July 22 will be our last workshop of the summer. I’ve learned a few more things since the last time we focused on this in a workshop regarding online personas and building platforms. As is our core, we’ll be doing some feedback and critique time. Please bring some work to share.
August we’re on summer sabbatical. Enjoy the weather, good times with family and friends and get ready for some changes in the group come fall.
Beginning in September our workshops will moved to once a month and on the third Saturday of the month. Therefore, Sept. 20th will be our first of the new schedule. We’ll meet at the North Bend Library Meeting room, still. Time is from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Hope this schedule allows everyone to participate more often and regularly. Be ready with work to share for feedback and critique, as always.
Your prompt is to put all these dates down on your calendar and make writing a priority in your life. We give you permission.
Now your moment of Writing Zen:
“Our animal companions love us unconditionally. They are our great teachers.” ~ Julia Cameron

—
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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

Weekly Writing Prompt — May 14, 2014 Edition

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SEO-Travel-WritingGreetings Writers!

Are you working on your snap writing? Remember, last week I told you to carry a small notebook and pen with you to write whenever you got an idea or had 5 minutes or more to spare? Snap writing is a great way to keep plugging along on a project and keep the creativity juices flowing and steady. Please keep working on that. I saw lots of photos of notebooks. Now, send me photos of them being filled up. 😉 Think of snap writing as Whenever and Wherever writing. W2 writing. It’s done in a snap. Before you know it, you’ll have made headway in your writing life.
We talked at last night’s workshop about finding more quality time for your writing and identifying your productivity zone. Don’t deny your desire to write. Give in to it. There’s a story or stories that need to come out. Your story is important. So if you have to get it out by doing snap writing, do so. But know when you’re most creative — likely when you’re groggy — and go with it. Chunk it out in 15-minute time intervals if necessary.
Bottom line is that writers write. If you’re not writing, then perhaps you’re blocked and need to go back through the steps in The Artist’s Way? Forgive yourself and restart the forward momentum. But, you need to write. Trust me, you’ll feel better.
Today’s prompt is to identify a piece of work — either a short story, or a chapter of a larger novel, or a couple of poems, or article and work on it for our May 27th workshop. Be prepared with at least two hard copies of that work. We’re going to focus on feedback. What it is. How to give it. How to receive it. And then we’re going to read and give feedback. It’s one of the most important tools for growth a writer can give and receive. We need to get back to that. So, be ready. Two copies of something you want feedback on, a pen, and you at 6 p.m. on May 27th at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. Hope to see a big group for this.
Our redo of the Solidifying Your Online Presence workshop will be June 10th.
Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

― Winston Churchill

—
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

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 26, 2014 Edition

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Wow, the end of March is upon us. Where does the time go? As one of my favorite non-fiction authors, Gretchen Rubin, says, the days are long but the years are short.

Hopefully you’re reading and working on creating book reviews. I missed being able to do the workshop yesterday, but as it turned out it was just as well. Hospital stays, even when they are not yours, are exhausting when you are a caregiver.
Our next workshop is April 8 at 6 p.m. at the North Bend Library. In between, I would hope you would all participate in a writers cafe or two. 
An administrative note, our Facebook page will be going away soon. Due to Facebook’s new policy for “pages” the likelihood of you seeing it is about 8 percent, which doesn’t make it worth our while. I’m in the midst of trying to determine the best social media format to feed into our web site. If you haven’t bookmarked our website, please do so today. I’m trying to determine the best path to make it more interactive, but that has been difficult. Also, I’m looking to see how many of you are on other social media platforms like twitter, Google+, linkedin, Tumblr.. Just ship me a quick email to say which is your preference for social media usage. I don’t need handles or anything like that, just an email that says, “I’m on twitter, but love Google+,” or whatever. This is all to help you stay connected as writers.
Today’s prompt/exercise is to do a freewrite as a response to a book you’ve just read. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and just write everything that comes to your head about the book. Don’t stop, just let the pen flow or your fingers fly. Allow a stream of consciousness. Don’t worry about punctuation or spelling or any of that. This is strictly for you. When the timer goes off, put it aside. Wait at least a day and then revisit it when you’re ready to do your review. It might give you a great hook for your review or, at minimum, a jumping off place.
Don’t forget to keep doing your morning pages and participating in artist’s dates.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:  “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” ~Albert Einstein

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 19, 2014 Edition

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Writers:

You should be reading. Reading like a writer. Making notes (if you need) for a review.
We will discuss this in great length on our April 8th Workshop at 6 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room.
Remember:  The March 25 Meeting is cancelled (scheduling issue with library). I’m sorry we couldn’t make the Lit Salon work. It’s just as well as I have a child in the hospital with an expected week-long stay (no worries, she’s going to be fine and is getting great care), so next Tuesday would have been an extreme juggling act for myself. The universe always answers us the right way, ya know?
Also, before April 8, I hope many of you will make an effort to get to one of the Writing Cafes. They have been a huge source of inspiration and favorite work time for myself. Many will also tell you they use the time productively.
Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility.”  – Aristotle – Greek Philosopher

—
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

Weekly Writing Prompt — February 27, 2013 Edition

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Writers:

Great Work Shop last night. I can tell winter is wearing on folks as our numbers always seem to dwindle in late February/early March. Hope to see more of you on March 12.

We are now on Week 11 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s clear folks are really beginning to recover their creativity and be good to their inner artist. That’s fantastic and what it’s all about.

In this chapter we focus on our artistic autonomy. We examine the ongoing ways in which we must nurture and accept ourselves as artists. We explore the behaviors that can strengthen our spiritual base and, therefore, our creative power. We take a special look at the ways in which success must be handled in order that we not sabotage our freedom.

We will be working on acceptance of self as an artist. I’ve had you do this exercise before, but we’ll do it again.

Say these words a loud:  “I am an artist.”

Again.

Once more, and with feeling!

Awesome.

Oh, you didn’t do it.

Turn around and do it. Excuse yourself to a private place, if necessary. But say, “I am an artist.” And say it out loud for your own ears to hear three times.

We’ll be focusing on how success is creativity. How creativity is a spiritual practice.

We’ll be focusing on what Cameron calls “The Zen of Sports.” Basically that’s doing things like walking, or running, or a Zumba class to get the brain waves into a zone that allows for open channels to creativity.

We’ll be looking at building an artist’s altar. We just said that creativity is a spiritual practice. You’ll need to create some “rituals” towards your creativity. Some of you may already have them. Some of you maybe just need permission to building these spaces and actions. Some of you just need to know this is a part of The Artist’s Way.

Tasks:

  1. Tape your own voice reading the Basic Principles. (See Page 3). Choose a favorite essay from this book and record that as well. Use it as a meditation. (If you do not have a copy of The Artist’s Way – just choose any inspirational essay. However, here’s some from Cameron that you might choose.)
  2. Write out, in longhand, your Artist’s Prayer from Week Four. Place it in your wallet.

Those are the tasks for this week.

Those who went to the workshop – don’t forget:  One lovely thing for you – just yourself – each day for the next seven days.

For those that didn’t attend the workshop and want to know what that is…be sure to join us March 12, so you don’t miss out.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes it visible. The moon develops creativity as chemicals develop photographic images.” ~Norma Jean Harris

Weekly Writing Prompt — October 10, 2012 Edition

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Writers:

Brr! I don’t want to turn on the fireplace yet; but, it’s cold today. But at least its going to be dry for a few more days. Then the rains move in.
Speaking of rains, when the weather turns this way, it’s so much easier to get into the swing of the writing thing. It’s going to rain, you may as well write. And November is the perfect month for it, because it’s National Novel Writing Month! Once again, SnoValley Writes! will be leading the charge and getting everyone excited and involved and making the month not only productive, but fun!
Kick Off:  Will be on the evening of November 1. It will inspire those that feel stuck and allow those who have already charged ahead to come out. There will be prizes, giveaways, No Plot, No Problem discussion, and connecting with your other WriMos. I will have details hopefully after today. But it will be the evening of Nov. 1 — so be sure to stay tuned.
To also put on your NaNoWriMo calendar is the evening of Nov. 17th — our regions Night of Writing Dangerously. This event will also provide a mini writing retreat. So stay tuned for details for that as well. I’ll be posting this information via the NaNoWriMo.org site, so be sure you get signed up and registered and home yourself with the Snoqualmie Valley region. I’ll be at the Black Dog on Friday for those who need help with the technical aspects of signing up. Or at our Workshop Session on Sunday.
This Sunday is our regular Workshop Session. Please RSVP if you plan on attending. We will start the session with exchanging some work for feedback. Bring a short story, one chapter of a novel, up to five pages of poems, or up to 10 pages of a screenplay for review by other members. Then we’ll dive into our exercises and other creative pursuits. Bring pen/notebook or your lappie. We’ll be working. That’s why it’s called a Workshop. 😀
There is a board meeting for SnoValley Writes! tonight at the Sawdust Cafe at 5:30 p.m. for anyone who is wanting to be involved further in the group.
Okay, enough with the housekeeping and announcements. Here’s your prompt….which you may proceed to if you’ve done your morning pages and had your artist’s date in the last week. Oh, you haven’t? Nor have you done any inspirational reading? tsk-tsk. Go do those.  When you’ve finished those, you may proceed to the other tasks.
Which I’ll give the group on Sunday. North Bend Library. 3 p.m. Be there.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” ~Anne Lamont
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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