Our upcoming meetings are:
Showing posts with label critique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label critique. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Newsletter & Upcoming Meetings
Friday, April 30, 2010
Craft Chats & Critique Workshops
Workshops are held every other Saturday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The following is a list of upcoming workshops and dates manuscripts must be submitted for distribution:
We are a no-fees, no membership dues writing group open to serious writers ages 18 and older. For more information, please contact us by writing to TheChicoWritersGroup@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop: Point of View
Achieving a strong point of view (POV) is critical to storytelling regardless of the genre. Should you keep the same POV throughout the story? When can you change? Can you have several different points of view? One of the more difficult elements of the craft is learning how to use varying points of view and maintain them throughout the course of your story. We'll be discussing the differences and offering some ideas on how to assess which type of POV works best for moving the story along in this week's Craft Chat.
EVENT: Chico Writers Group Craft Chat and Critique Workshop
DATE: Saturday, December 19, 2009
TIME: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Butte County Library, Chico Branch, Meeting Room
1108 Sherman Ave., Chico (cross street: First Ave.)
CONTACT: 
(530) 521-4264
AGENDA:
1:00 - 1:15 PM - Free write.
Bring along your pad of paper and pen or laptop and spend the first portion of our meeting writing to a prompt that will tie into our Craft Chat.
1:15 - 1:30 PM - Craft Chat: Point of View
1:30 - 3:00 PM - Critique Workshop - manuscript has been sent out to all members in good standing for review. Critique to be conducted round-robin fashion.
Next Meeting: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy holidays and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Where Do You Get Ideas? Craft and Critique Workshop
So where do you get ideas for your next novel? How do you get them? How can you tickle your muse and get her to speak to you? This is our topic for our upcoming Craft and Critique Workshop coming up on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Butte County Library, Chico Branch (1108 Sherman Avenue, cross street First Avenue) in the meeting room (directly across the breezeway from the circulation desk). Don't forget to bring your writing gear for our kick-off free write session!
Agenda
1:00 - 1:30 p.m. Free Write
1:30 - 1:45 p.m. Craft Chat: How do you get ideas for your next piece?
1:45 - 3:00 p.m. Critique Workshop: Two pieces have been selected to be critiqued during this session. All members in good standing should have a copy and be prepared to review them at our meeting.
Next meeting: Saturday, December 19, 2009 1-3 pm @ Chico Branch - Butte County Library
For more information about the Chico Writers Group, membership, manuscripts and formatting and more, visit our official website at http://www.ejourn.net/cwg/ or look for us on Facebook!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Writers Workshop: The End All
Probably one of the most difficult things for writers, or should we say, storytellers, is learning how and when to come to an end. When and how exactly does one end the story? For most of us burgeoning novelists, this is the caveat, the one single solitary thing that keeps us from flourishing in the world of becoming published. You do, after all, need an ending to your novel, right? Well, step right on up, fetch some coffee and maybe a scone, grab a chair and listen to the story we're about to tell. The topic for this coming meeting is "How - and when - to end your tale." Catchy title, isn't it? Have faith, it's better than the other one that came to mind.
Our meeting will be held Saturday, November 21st from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at a location to be disclosed later. If you'd like to receive an email regarding the location, leave a comment here, just be sure to use a working email address.
Agenda
1:30 - 1:45 pm Free Write
Writers are encouraged to spend the first 15 minutes of our session writing from the prompt given (which often ties into the craft chat topic) and afterwards, share with the rest of the group.
1:45 - 2:15 pm Writer Share and Craft Chat - "Endings"; selection of topic for upcoming session (Saturday, December 5, 2009)
2:20 - 3:30 pm Critique Workshop
Selected authors will be sharing their current work and receiving feedback from other authors in the group. Manuscripts have already been selected and distributed. Please note that only members in good standing are eligible for having their work critiqued and members who have been in attendance previously and are planning on attending the upcoming session have been sent the selected manuscripts to read and prepare for the critique workshop.
For more information about the Chico Writers Group, read our post: Update on Meetings and Write-Ins (http://chicowritersgroup.blogspot.com/2009/10/update-on-meetings-and-write-ins.html) or visit our official site at http://www.ejourn.net/cwg/
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Update on Meetings and Write-Ins
Here's a list of our upcoming meetings which are open to new members. There is never a fee (no dues or membership fees). We just ask that if you plan on attending to please leave a comment here to let us know to look for you!
The following are held at the Butte County Library, Chico Branch (1108 Sherman Avenue, cross street First Ave.), Public Meeting Room (directly across breezeway from the Circulation Desk).
1-3 pm Saturday, October 24, 2009
1-3 pm Saturday, November 7, 2009
1-3 pm Saturday, December 5, 2009
1-3 pm Saturday, December 19, 2009
1:30-4:00 pm Saturday, January 2, 2010
1:30-4:00 pm Saturday, January 16, 2010
1:30-4:00 pm Saturday, January 30, 2010
We will also be holding closed session meetings, only open to active members in good standing. The locations are to be announced via email prior to the session. The tentative dates for these sessions are as follows:
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Our meetings are structured in the following format:
15-30 minutes (by member/participant votes) free writing from prompt followed by with sharing (optional, not required)
30 minutes craft chat - each session we will be talking about various elements of the craft of writing on topics selected by member interest during the previous session followed by a selection of the upcoming meeting's craft chat topic
Remainder of time is spent critiquing manuscripts that have been distributed to the current, active members of the group whom are in good standing. New and interested members are more than welcome to stay for the critique portion of the meeting (unless an author scheduled for critique prefers not to have their work discussed with others outside of the current group), however, we regret we are unable to provide extra copies of the manuscripts selected nor are we able to distribute manuscripts to anyone prior to the session as we do require all recipients have attended at least one full meeting due to privacy and copyrights.
For more information, take some time and browse this site as we have published a number of articles and links to supporting documents and sites pertaining to our group.
Write-Ins
During the month of November when many of our writers participate in the National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo (visit http://www.nanowrimo.org for more information and registration), we typically beef up our write-ins. These are open sessions for writers of all kinds, ages, genres, etc. It's a time to set aside and meet at an agreed upon location to do little more than write. It's a great motivational event, if you haven't done this before, give it a try!
Because this was popular and a great motivator, we've continued to hold write-ins. We usually meet every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 am* at the Butte County Public Library, Chico Branch (1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, cross street is First Ave.) at the very back tables just before the magazine and newspaper section. As the attendance varies, we suggest you leave a comment here to let us know you plan on attending. Also leave your current, working email address and check prior to attending as we do sometimes cancel and don't always publicize cancellations for a number of reasons.
*Write-in update: Our next write-in is scheduled for THURSDAY, November 19, 2009 from 9:00 am to noon in the conference room at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library (First Ave. and Sherman Ave.).
We will have another write-in on FRIDAY, December 4th, 2009 from 9-11:30 am in the same location.
CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE AND TIMES you will be attending the two aforementioned write-ins is required. You are not required to stay the duration, however, since this is a very open chunk of time, if there are not writers using this space, out of courtesy to the library and their patrons, we should return any unused time enough in advance that they are able to schedule for other use. (Updated Thursday, November 12, 2009)
Do you have to arrive and leave on-time? Absolutely not! This is your time to write.
Can we chat while we're attending a write-in? Generally this is frowned upon as (a) we're in a library and (b) we're there to write.
For more FAQs on this topic, see our post: Upcoming Write-Ins and What is a "Write-In"?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Craft Chat: Describing Setting through Character's Eyes
The Chico Writer's Group will be hosting a Craft Chat Saturday, September 12, 2009 on the topic of how to describe a setting through the character's eyes. This is a free event, writers of all walks, all levels of experience, are invited to attend.
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop
| Date: | Saturday, September 12, 2009 |
| Time: | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. |
| Location: | Butte County Library, Chico Branch |
| Address: | 1108 Sherman Avenue (cross 1st Ave.) |
| Chico, California | |
| Public Meeting room directly across breezeway from the circulation desk. | |
| What to Bring: | Pen/pencil, writing tablet or a laptop/notebook |
| Agenda | |
| 1:00 - 1:20 PM | Free write. Using prompts, writers will be given the opportunity to write for fifteen minutes, then share what they've written to the other members of the group.* |
| 1:20 - 1:30 PM | Craft Chat: What are some effective ways to describe the setting in your fiction through different character's eyes that is unique to the character's own voice? We'll explore this question, exchange ideas, and review resources available to add to our writing toolbox. |
| 1:30 - 3:00 PM | Critique Workshop: Members in good standing will be offering critiques to authors of assigned manuscripts which are distributed prior to the meeting. Members: Please attempt to use the critique worksheet, available for download, when reading the manuscript, complete it and bring it with you to the meeting. |
| About: | Closed sessions are still open to the public, we just ask that anyone interested in this segment enters prior to the session, understands they are only there to observe, and may ask questions, enter into a conversation with the members after the session concludes (however, after session discussions should be conducted outside the meeting room). Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent at all times due to the nature of the conversations that take place. If, however, the authors do not feel comfortable having their manuscript reviewed in the presence of minors, we reserve the right to ask anyone under the age of 18 to please leave the room. |
| *Sharing written free write work | This portion of our group meeting is not critiqued. Other writers are encouraged to give feedback, provided it's positive. The free write portions of our group meetings is meant to inspire, challenge and bring about new and exciting ideas about the written word to those participating. While you are not required to read your work aloud, this is an invaluable opportunity to hear the differences in points of view and often quite enjoyable both for the writer and the members of the group. Alternatively, provided your writing is reasonably legible, you may always invite another member to read your work out loud to the rest of the group. |
Coming Saturday, September 26, 2009: Writing Conference Review. Chico Writer's Group members who have attended writing conferences over the summer will be sharing useful information with us. This is also a free event, open to the public. If you are interested in attending this special presentation, please contact us (you may leave a comment here, just be sure to provide a working email address so we can reply. Email addresses are never published publicly.) as space is limited.
The Chico Writer's Group, is not affiliated with the Meetup Group with a similar name.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Adverb Abuse and How To Avoid It: Craft Chat & Critique Workshop
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop
Topic: Adverb Abuse and How To Avoid ItHost: Chico Writer's Group
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Butte County Library, Chico Branch - Meeting Room
Street: 1108 Sherman Ave.
City/Town: Chico, CA
View MapQuest Map
*****AGENDA*****
1:00 - 1:20 pm Free write exercise
During this time, members will be given the opportunity to write from prompts provided and then share (voluntarily) with others at the end. Be sure to bring writing tools (paper and pen or laptop, stone tablets work well but can be a bit noisy)!
1:20 - 1:40 pm Craft Chat: Adverb Abuse and How To Avoid It
This is a step beyond and ten times better than Schoolhouse Rock! As writers, we sometimes slip into a habit of using and then abusing adverbs. How many times can your character be found looking, glancing, frowning, smiling, catapulting or picking the hairs out of his ears? Learn some of the tools of the craft and how to avoid adverb abuse during this insightful chat session. Handouts will be distributed at the close.
1:40 - 3:00 pm Critique Workshop
(open to members in good standing, guests and visitors are invited to listen,
but we are unable to provide copies of the scheduled author's work)
Members: Remember to have your manuscript in to Ruth by Thursday, August 13th. This is a strict deadline.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Upcoming Meetings
The following is a list of our upcoming meetings (2009). New members and those interested in the group are more than welcome to attend except when noted as "closed session." New and interested members are respectfully asked to contact us prior to attending the meeting so we can provide you with information about the session and about our group.
Except where noted, meetings are held in the meeting room directly across from the circulation desk at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library (1108 Sherman Avenue - cross street 1st Ave. - Chico).
| Manuscript Due Date | Manuscript Distribution Date | Meeting Date | Time | Location |
| Thu., July 9 | Fri., July 10 | Sat., July 18 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
| Thu., Aug. 13 | Fri., Aug. 14 | Sat., Aug. 22 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
| Thu., Sept. 3 | Fri., Sept. 4 | Sat., Sept. 12 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
| Thu., Sept. 17 | Fri., Sept. 18 | Sat., Sept. 26 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
| Thu., Oct. 1 | Fri., Oct. 2 | Sat., Oct. 10 | 1-3 p.m. | CLOSED SESSION* |
| Thu., Oct. 29 | Fri., Oct. 30 | Sat., Nov. 7 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
| Thu., Nov. 12 | Fri., Nov. 13 | Sat., Nov. 21 | 1-3 p.m. | CLOSED SESSION* |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Fri., Nov. 27 | Sat., Dec. 5 | 1-3 p.m. | Chico Library |
The noted (*) closed session locations will be disclosed to members in good standing prior to the scheduled meeting.
Dates and times are subject to change. We will attempt to update this blog and other web sites where announcements regarding upcoming meetings are located with the corrections. All active members in good standing are automatically notified via email.
Meetings typically begin with a "free write" segment (time allotted is voted on by participants) typically with a prompt that leads into the prearranged craft chat portion of the meeting. Writers are encouraged to bring paper and pen/pencil or a laptop for this portion. Afterwards, everyone is encouraged to share what they wrote as this portion is not a "critique."
The Craft Chat is about a variety of topics (character development, how to name your piece, worldbuilding, adding red herrings, etc.) all pertaining to the craft of writing. Handouts covering the topic are typically distributed at the end of this segment.
We conclude our session with a critique of (typically) two submitted manuscripts.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Rescheduled Craft Chat & Critique Workshop
Due to illness, our last Craft Chat and Critique Workshop was canceled. It's been rescheduled for this coming Sunday, June 28 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at the Butte County Library, Chico Branch (1108 Sherman Avenue) meeting room.
Agenda:
3:00- 3:30 PM Craft Chat
Planting Red Herrings
A red herring can divert your reader until you’re ready for them to know the truth. How do you set up a red herring and make your reader follow its scent - without being suspicious?
3:30- 5:00 PM Manuscript Critique
All members in good standing have been sent the manuscripts for this week’s critique session.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop
Planting Red Herrings
Host: CWG: Chico Writer's Group
Type: Education - Workshop
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Time: 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Location: Chico Branch, Butte County Library Conference Room (across from cirrculation desk)
Street: 1108 Sherman Ave.
City/Town: Chico, CA
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Agenda:
12:30 - 1:00 PM Craft Chat
Planting Red Herrings
A red herring can divert your reader until you're ready for them to know the truth. How do you set up a red herring and make your reader follow its scent - without being suspicious?
1:00 - 3:00 PM Manuscript Critique
All members in good standing have been sent the manuscripts for this week's critique session.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Craft and Critique Workshop Saturday, May 30, 2009
Topic: Worldbuilding and Rule Creation
Host: CWG: Chico Writer's Group
Type: Education - Workshop
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Chico Branch, Butte County Library Conference Room (across from circulation desk)
Street: 1108 Sherman Ave.
City/Town: Chico, CA
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Phone: 5305214264
Email: kathie(dot)blog(at)gmail(dot)com
Get ready for an exciting writing workshop and craft chat this coming Saturday, May 30th!
Agenda
4:30 - 5:00 pm Writing Exercise
5:00 - 5:30 pm Craft Chat - Worldbuilding and Rule Creation
"How do you create a story world? What makes it real for your readers? How do you create rules and keep them consistent?"
5:30 - 7:30 pm Critique Workshop
Manuscripts have been emailed out to the members in good standing and will be critiqued.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop Sat. May 16
(We are not affiliated with the Chico Writers Meetup Group*)
"Describing Sounds"
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico
Room: Butte County Library - Chico Branch conference room (directly across the hall from the circulation desk)
Fees: None
Agenda
3:30 - 4:00 PM Free write - We always have a fun writing exercise assigned that inspires creativity (and has resulted in poems, short stories and even the beginnings of longer pieces!). Come join!
4:00 - 4:30 PM Craft Chat: Describing Sounds
What was that noise - and how can you describe it to your reader? Whether it's the creak of a basement door, the babbling of a brook, or the rush of the wind, your characters encounter sounds. We'll talk about ways to describe those sounds so your reader hears them too.
5:00 - 6:30 PM Critique Workshop
All manuscripts have been turned in and distributed to members in good standing.
*Chico Writers Meetup Group is through a paid membership site, Meetup. We do not have anything to do with this group and are not affiliated. We never charge membership dues or collect fees.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Crafting Opening Lines and Critique Workshop
Agenda
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Flash Writing Exercise and Craft Chat: Opening Lines
How do you pull your readers into your story from the very first line? What makes for a good first line? When should you write it?
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Critique Workshop
Manuscripts have been turned in and distributed to the members in good standing. Order of critiques are as follows: R. A., K. L., D. H.
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Butte County Library, Chico Branch - Conference Room
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico (cross street - First Avenue)
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Critiquey Critique Workshop
Getting the most from critiquing and being critiqued
Host: CWG: Chico Writer's Group
Type: Education - Workshop
Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Chico Branch Meeting Room, Butte County Library
Street: 1108 Sherman Avenue
City/Town: Chico, CA
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Agenda
11:00 AM - Craft Workshop: Getting the Most from Critiquing and Being Critiqued
You've written your heart and soul out. Worked long, tireless hours perfecting your manuscript and now you ache for feedback other than from Grandma, the cat and your significant others. Fellow writers, perhaps. A critique group. But the size, type and availability of these groups might be far and few between, how can you go about getting the most out of your time spent with them and get the valuable insight you crave and desire? How do you, in turn, provide enough feedback to other authors so they are equally rewarded? We'll be presenting effective, useful methods which will help you and your fellow writers achieve their goals during this session which is free to the public.
12:00 pm Closed session (members only) Critique Workshop
Manuscripts have been already sent out and members should be in receipt and have responded to the like. The order of these is: R.S.A. followed by K. L.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, 2009 from 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Craft Chat: Race and Ethnicity
How do you make characters of a race (describing biological descent) or ethnicity (describing cultural heritage) other than your own realistic? How can you avoid reducing them to a stereotype? Where do you go for information? What obvious traps should you avoid?
We'll be answering these questions and enjoying some free write time during our regular writers group meeting. Visitors are welcome! This is a free event.
Critique Workshop and Craft Chat
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Times: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room (directly across from circulation desk)
Chico Branch, Butte County Library
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico
Agenda
- 4-4:30 p.m. Free Write followed by Craft Chat
- 4:30-6:30 p.m. Critique Workshop
- m.s.s in this order:
- D. H.
- R. A.
- L. H.*
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Writers Workshop Sat., March 7
Agenda
Craft Chat: Creating Suspense
You want your reader to both understand what's going on and want to keep reading. How do you create mystery without either giving away too much or losing the reader?
Critique Workshop
This segment is only for members-in-good standing. Manuscripts have been delivered, please be prepared to actively critique the three manuscripts. We'll be working in the following order:
- R. A. S.
- L. H.
- L. G.
Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Chico Branch Meeting Room
(directly across from circulation desk)
Butte County Library
1108 Sherman Avenue (cross street 1st Ave.), Chico
Please note: members are requested to help put everything away after our sessions and check with the organizer before leaving. Thank you.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Craft Chat and Critique Workshop
Agenda
1-2 p.m. Craft Chat and Writing Exercise
Topic: Physical Description - Setting
2-4 p.m. Critique Workshop
Members will critique manuscripts
which have already been distributed.
Note: If you have not previously attended
a Chico Writer's Group workshop, you are
welcome to attend the craft chat session.
Critique Workshops are for members only.
Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Location: Butte County Library, Chico Branch
1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, CA
Meeting room directly across from Circulation Desk
For further information, leave a comment
below with your current, functional email address.
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