April Yet-to-be-Named Newsletter

The April edition of the newsletter is here! The first page can be found: http://www.ejourn.net/YTBNnews/apr2010/index.html and the new location for the newsletter is at http://cwgnews.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!

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!

Idea Think Tank

Where do you get ideas?

Some of us get them from reading the tabloids (nope, don't even have to buy them, just stand in line at the grocery store and flip through one while you wait), watching television, arriving early at the movie theater and watching all the commercials and trailers -- the possibilities are endless. The key is using your imagination, giving your muse an opportunity to romp around.

But in a world that's crazy busy, sometimes we lack the time or the ability to slow our brains down long enough to let our muse out to play. Are we endlessly stuck in a gray world, unable to coat a fresh sheet of paper with those lovely scribbles that turn into being novels, short stories, poetry or prose? Of course not! We just need tools to help us unlock our muse's true potential.

Working with writing prompts is a terrific tool to exploring some thoughts and ideas. Whether you chose to select a topic or subject and see what a few minutes of free writing will expose, a more definitive prompt that might give you character names, a place and a situation, or do a fun little exercise that involves a dictionary (see below), spend some time to free write.

The Dictionary Prompt:

Open the dictionary and blindly pick a word. Don't even bother looking at the definition, jot the word down on your pad of paper. Do this again, two more times.

Once you have your three words, set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes, then write. You don't even have to use the words you selected. Maybe those words elicited another thought or idea. Maybe you'd prefer to write about something that eludes to the words. Or maybe your muse has taken off in a completely different direction. There are no right or wrongs to this exercise. Just write. Don't edit. Don't try to make sense. Don't worry about grammar or spelling or the mechanics. If you do, your muse will shut up and sit there, staring vacantly at you as if you've put her under lock and key and threaded a gag across her mouth. Whatever you do, don't piss her off.

If you find you like this exercise, consider signing up for "Word of the Day." You'll find that a number of online dictionaries have this free service that will deliver a new word to your in-box daily. Create a filter and save those words in a special folder so that you can easily and quickly return to it for some new words to play with.

Online Prompts:

Do a query for the keywords "writing prompt" and see what you stumble upon. There are hundreds upon thousands of sites out there where the fodder is chin deep and just a few keystrokes away. Use caution, however, in posting what comes of the prompt. Should the exercise evoke a much bigger story (isn't that the whole point to these exercises?), you wouldn't want someone coming along and swiping it from you, right? But more importantly, as the industry continues to evolve in light of the economy and the necessity of streamlining by using technology, online posts can at times be considered a form of publication and can, in some circumstances, ruin the opportunities for agented publication. A good resource for learning more about these legalities is to visit literary agent Nathan Bransford's web site and enroll in his online forums at http://www.nathanbransford.com

What Ifs:

Thinking back on your day, whether it's while you were standing in line at the bank or grocery store, straddling the in-box at work, mindlessly running copies, or driving around running errands, was there a person, a car, a landmark you passed that caught your fancy? A situation, an event, an observation you made, perhaps? Spend ten to fifteen minutes just thinking about that, letting your mind go and carrying that thought away on it's own little trip. Now spend another fifteen minutes chasing that idea across your paper. Save it. You might find it useful as a scene description, a character, even a plot point. Maybe even the jump-off point for your next free write that could reap a wild array or even a single solitary idea for a story.

Where else can you get ideas?

• commercials
• mailers
• online ads
• movie trailers
• tabloids
• magazines
• a cozy coffee shop
• a busy mall
• the list is endless...

Other ways to develop a playground for your muse:

• Mind mapping - to learn more about this, visit http://www.hollylisle.com who has a wonderful way to mind map
• Snowflakes - to learn more about this, visit http://www.ingermanson.com or better yet, http://www.writetoinspire.com/article1258.html 
• For logic thinkers, work on developing your creative brain by taking up drawing and for those of you who are all creative-minded, visit Wikipedia for some articles about logic thinking. Having two sides of your brain, the creative and logical sides, your muse has a much more expansive playground to cavort around on!

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!

 

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/

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

In less than a week thousands will be sitting down to write a novel. Challenged by Chris Baty, the wonderbrain behind this mad adventure, writers of all types and around the world are spirited along to write fifty-thousand --that's right, 50,000-- words in thirty days. And if you've been so inspired to do this that you actually churn out a book (which are typically another 40-50K more words depending on your genre), literary agent Colleen Lindsay doesn't want you trying to pitch it to her. But don't let her stop you from pitching it to others. Just be sure it's worthy of the agent's time and not just sent out to a pool of agents on December first. Not cool.

Last year, Chico Writers Group hosted a number of write-ins as several took the challenge. This year, however, we won't be hosting write-ins. We will most likely continue holding our write-ins at the library on Wednesdays between 9:30 and 11:30 am, except we might be moving to the inside portion at the back of the reference area where it might be a tad warmer (see diagram below). If you plan on coming and haven't been before, you might want to stop off at the comment section and give us a holler so we know to be looking for you -- and that you'll be looking for us. If you have a laptop you'll be using and require power during the two hours, we suggest you bring a suitable extension cord as the number of open and available outlets is limited. There are some nearby our location, but for some, it might be a stretch.

Click on the picture above to enlarge.

If write-ins are your thing, one of our members will be working with the Chico NaNo liaison, Lynn, and hosting write-ins at her offices on Rio Lindo Avenue after 5:00 p.m. Want more information? Go to NaNoWriMo.org and register. Once you're done, edit your profile and select Chico, California as your region and be sure to sign up to allow the liaison to send messages to you. Still need more or can't figure that out? Hit that comment box and let us know. Just be sure to use a valid email address so someone can respond.

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"?