Read and then Write

Our upcoming Craft Chat will be on how to add suspense to your novel.  Here is an excellent resource, one that is worthy of being bookmarked and referenced every now and again: Suspense Writing and Action Scenes (http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/suspense-writing.html)

The article (be sure to read both pages) guides the author through some thoughtful ways in which to write good physical fight scenes, characters and "the hook." 

At the end there are a few writing prompts.  Why not give them a whirl? 

Writing Exercise: Creating Suspense

From Curtis Winkle's (Executive Director at Tate Publishing) blog, there's a terrific article to read, written by Meghan Barnes, about creating suspense in your story.  Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in writing suspenseful tales.  You can find the entry here: http://tatepublishingeditors.blogspot.com/2008/10/building-suspense-by-meghan-barnes.html

From the "bonus" section of the entry, we've created a little writing exercise for you to enjoy.  Have fun!

Write a scene where your character(s) have to endure a primal fear, such as darkness, the basement, etc.

Write a paragraph or two that shows the character's internal struggle between sanity and madness.  Better yet, a few paragraphs where the character is oblivious to the changes but an interacting character questions the other's sanity or lack thereof.

For our workshop attendees, if you chose to rise to the challenge, why not bring in your completed exercise and share it with us? 

Workshop Saturday, February 21, 2009

Chico Writer's Group Craft and Critique Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Place: Meeting Room (across from Circulation Desk) 
          Butte County Library, Chico Branch
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, CA

Agenda

4:30 - 5:00 PM Craft Chat

Naming Characters - Given names, chosen names, and nicknames are a part of who we are. How do we find the right names for our characters? What do the characters' names mean for the story? Or does finding just the right name even matter?

5:00 - 6:30 PM Critiques

Members have been sent the manuscripts for critiquing.  This is a closed session.  Persons interested in attending our workshop may attend the first portion (Craft Chat) but will be asked to leave for our critique portion. 

Synopsis Workshop Announcement

The Chico Writer's Group is looking to host a synopsis workshop/seminar.  If you are a published author, an editor and/or an agent and are interested in presenting, please leave a comment below (your name and working email address are required, we never sell, share or publish your email address) and someone will be in touch with you.

Craft Chat and Critique Workshop Feb. 7th

Location: Butte County Library - Chico Branch 
                Public Meeting Room (across from circulation desk)
Address:  1108 Sherman Avenue (cross First Avenue)
Date:       Saturday, February 7, 2009
Times:      4:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Agenda

4:00 - 5:00 PM  Craft Chat and Exercise
Topic: Punctuation

As always, we have a great time with the creative, insightful, thought-provoking writing exercises.  Be sure to bring your laptop or a pad of paper and pen and write on the topic assigned.

5:00 - 7:00 PM  Critique Workshop

Members-in-Good-Standing will critique manuscripts already distributed to the membership.

Next meeting: Saturday, February 21, 2009 4-7pm at the Chico Branch, Butte County Library.

Upcoming events: Synopsis workshop and lecture series.  The Chico Writer's Group is preparing to present a workshop on how to write an industry acceptable synopsis.  Currently we are seeking published authors of fiction, preferably individuals whose first work has been published within the past 5-7 years, who are able to speak about the process of writing a synopsis.  We are also interested in agents, editors and publishing representatives to address the group.  If you are interested, please contact Kathie Leung at kathie dot blog at gmail dot com.  Be sure to include in the subject line: Synopsis Workshop Interest.