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!

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"?

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 CLOSED SESSION	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.

Adverb Abuse and How To Avoid It: Craft Chat & Critique Workshop

Craft Chat and Critique Workshop

Topic: Adverb Abuse and How To Avoid It
Host: 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
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*****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.

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.

Worldbuilding and Rule Creation Resources

Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions by Patricia C. Wrede, http://www.sfwa.org/writing/worldbuilding1.htm - These are specifically geared toward fantasy worlds, but they're esily adapted to any other kind of worldbuilding. This is a much more expansive look at the aspects of the world mentioned briefly above.

The Rules of Quick and Dirty Worldbuilding by Annalee Newitz http://io9.com/5039477/the-rules-of-quick-and-dirty-worldbuilding - This takes on more of a science fiction bent, but again has some advice that can be generalized to other worldbuilding.

The Mythopoets Manual by Loren J. Miller http://www.rpgmud.com/WorldBuilding/Mythopoets/tmm.html - Specifically looks at the issue of religion.

Worldbuilding Links http://www.bmarch.atfreeweb.com/Worldbuilding.htm - A collection of links to other worldbuilding resources.

World Builder Projects http://hiddenway.tripod.com/world/ - Another collection of links to other worldbuilding resources.

Our next meeting we'll discuss red herrings which is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2009 from noon (possibly 12:15pm) to 3:00 pm at the library. More information to come.

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
View MapQuest Map Google MapQuest Microsoft Yahoo
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.

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.

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)

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

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.*

How NOT to be targeted by the evil #queryfail

Thursday, March 6, 2009

Yesterday various agents and editors got together on Twitter and posted a wild rash of reasons they will reject a query letter. If you haven't read the 140 or less character tweets we collected, now would be a really good time.

How do you write a winning query letter that won't be labeled "fail" by these editors, agents and interns working in publishing houses? We've collected a few really good articles that will help you get your foot in the door. Take a gander: (hint: click the links as they'll take you directly to the article we're referencing.)

• Mystery author, S. W. Hubbard, has a great article here: www.swhubbard.com
• Ester Heller, Editor-in-Chief, Targum Press posted the following guidelines Nov. 2008: http://blogs.targum.com
• A summation of yesterday's #queryfail experiment and lessons learned can be found here at the Belletrinsic blog: http://belletrinsic.blogspot.com
• Tara Lazar did a summation, too, that's worth perusing and can be found here: http://taralazar.blogspot.com
• Colleen Lindsay, the literary agent (FinePrint Literary Management) responsible for yesterday's #queryfail, has a site crammed full of useful information to pick through. Start here: http://theswivet.blogspot.com and be sure to look around the site, it's very useful!
• Jill Corcoran has a very well put together "how to write a query letter" post that's very timely, too, as it was published on March 1st, 2009: http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com Be sure to check out the posts she links to as well (run your cursor over the page to find the links which aren't underlined). Bookmark the post as it is a great resource!

Still need more? Want a template of sorts? Short of sending out the monkeys to write it for you (and no, we won't do that -- didn't you read yesterday's capture of the #queryfail tweets?), Nathan Bransford with Curtis Brown LTD provides you with a great "Mad Lib" style query letter. Just be sure to change it up a bit so it's more personalized! Go check it out at: http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2008/03/query-letter-mad-lib.html

If you have your own tips, winning recipe, experience to share, by all means, leave a comment! Good luck, too!

#Queryfail on Twitter

Agents and editors are posting snippets of what makes a query fail.  Searching Twitter using the #queryfail tag, you can see all of these tweets.  This has been a very educational, if not funny, experience. 

Here are some of the pass/fail, along with sage advice, query tweets (taken verbatim)

"dear editor, hello! I would like to thank you for taking the time to read the first 3 chapters..." Absolutely no need, seriously	fail
"The purpose of this letter is not earth shaking, so, if it will be ignored, and I'm sure it will" Yeah.  Now it will.	fail
"Allow me the privilege of publishing it through your company, so I can be the best selling author I know I am meant to be."	fail
The Artichoke and the Onion: A Love Story (in which artichoke peels away layers to reval its "secret hidden place inside")	fail
Here are synopsis for fifteen completely different projects I've completed.  I am currently working on these 5 additional novels.	fail
Greetings from Sweden.  We hardly have any agents.  So I sent my query directly to the publisher.  Book'll be out this spring.	fail
"P.S. I collect stamps.  Should you have any stamp... that is destined for the trash can, [please] stuff them in the enclosed SASE.	fail
Page numbers, no. Chapter heading, no. ANY sort of header, no. #queryfail, yes	fail
Dear XX Publishing, I guess I am unable to write a synposis that is short and reflects my manuscript so..."	fail
"Have u ever lost yr partner in the fringes of a war u didn't approve of which subjecting him to an unsubstantiated war?" Grammar	fail
I'M TYPING MY QUERY IN ALL CAPS SO YOU WILL BE SURE TO NOTICE IT.  Okay, now that my pupils have stopped burning	fail
"This is a very exciting narrative which relates how I was attacked by a whore house" Exciting in what sense?	fail
"[TITLE redacted] contains sexually graphic descriptions, a violent rape scene [...] and mayhem. On the bright side..." No.	fail
It is unnecessary (and $$$) to fed-ex queries, it ends up in the same stack.	advice
"enclosed is a sample of my book XX. It is incomplete but there is enough for you to get an idea of the content." Errr....	fail
Creepy query = having your character send the query	fail
My favorite query typo from past: She mustard her power	fail
A classic: don't use a spokesperson, ok? Don't let your dad/lawyer/wife/brother query on your behalf	advice
If your spam blocker has to authorize my response to your query, I probably won't resent - approve agent emails ahead of time	advice
FedExing with signature required a query letter?	advice
not using contractions in your character dialogue/narrative... (unless it's time period appropriate)	advice
Don't send me your manuscript and tell me to start reading at page 312 because that's "where it gets good"	fail
It isn't a #queryfail, but you should know that unnecessary pen names do make me wonder about you	advice
These words are the kiss of death: "first book in a [multi]-book series	fail
People, query one book at a time please	advice
Handwritten query on scrap paper w/ eyeblass ad/7th bday party cloud paper/label peel saying "Sorry about the paper, we recycle"	fail
You want to write a nonfiction book but you have no impressive credentials or platform? This is a huge issue, folks	advice
Sentence fragments, which are not used for effect	fail
"This novel is very similar to The Da Vinci Code but much more plausible and better written."	fail
"I read about ur interest in poetry so Im querying U" Really?  Where?  You mean in my gidelines whre it says I dont accept poetry?	fail
"I have covered my sexual exploits with literally hundreds of women, mostly exotic dancers" - sorry, yuck	fail
Authors, PLEASE use a tracking system and don't query the same agent multiple times with an already-rejected book!	advice
Writing back to my form rejection for me to recommend another agent at my 2 person agency.	advice
Tight first paragraph, references, a recent relevant blog post of mine, awesome hook, good pages. Query WIN!	pass
One line hook, wordcount, genre, short blurb, short paragraph of writing background and polite closing. Query win	pass
tells me you read interview with me re: your genre, tells me what you learned from interview, & how your book is a fit. Win.	pass
Top reasons I don't read further: overwriting, info dumping and starting the story in the wrong place (often relates to info dump)	advice

If you'd like more information, please leave a comment and be sure to include a working email address (will not be published but necessary for a response.)

Happy query writing!

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

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.

Describing the Physical Setting

The topic of our upcoming craft chat (Saturday, January 24, 2009) is how to describe the physical setting in your novel.  Over the next two weeks, we'll attempt to post prompts and challenges along with some helpful tidbits about this topic here. 

One thing that seems to be overlooked when writing a scene is using several senses.  Draw your reader in by including at least three of the five senses: smell, touch, taste, sight, and sound.  Thinking about the five senses, how could you describe an artist's studio?  Try playing around with the five senses, using a different set of three each time.  How does it change the feel of the room? 

Craft Chat on Sentence Structure and Critique Workshop

Date: Saturday, December 27, 2008
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Butte County Library - Chico Branch
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico
(cross street is First Ave)

Agenda

2:00 PM: Craft Chat - Sentence Structure

What makes a complete sentence? Do you always have to use them? How do you learn to vary your sentence structures? Is it ever okay to use a run-on sentence to get your point across when it fits what you're doing even if you've been told not to use them and that sentences need to contain only one solid idea? Fragments? We'll talk about all of this and what sentence structure can mean for your story.

3:00 PM: Manuscript Critique Workshop

# # #

Upcoming Meetings
January - June 2009
(tentative)

Location: Butte County Library - Chico Branch
Saturdays (unless otherwise noted)

January 10	3:30 - 6:30 PM	January 24	1:00 - 4:00 PM
February 7	4:00 - 7:00 PM	February 21	4:00 - 6:30 PM
March 7	4:00 - 7:00 PM	March 21	4:00 - 6:30 PM
April 5 (Sun)	11AM -2:00PM	April 18	3:30 - 6:30 PM
April 30	4:30 - 7:30 PM	May 2	4:30 - 7:30 PM
May 2	4:30 - 7:30 PM	May 16	3:30 - 6:30 PM
June 13	4:30 - 7:30 PM	June 27	4:30 - 7:30 PM

We now have a calendar with updated information, including manuscript deadlines. You can click here to go there now.

Craft Chat- Dialect and Critique Workshop

Date:  Sunday, December 14, 2008
Time:  11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Chico Branch of the Butte County Library System
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico (cross street is 1st Ave)

Agenda

11:00 AM  Brief introductions for all members, welcome guests and new members

11:15 AM  Craft Chat: Dialect

Even when we all speak the same language, we don't all speak it the same way. Dialects are particularly tricky to write. We'll talk about some ideas for getting dialect down on the page, as well as a neat exercise for learning dialectic speech patterns.

11:45 AM  Critique Workshop
In queue:

• Screenplay by B. C.
• Short Fiction by R. S. A.

This event is for members only and those whom have received an invitation.  If you desire to join our group or would like more information, please visit our main website at http://www.ejourn.net/cwg and leave a comment with a current, functioning email address (never published) and we will be in touch with you shortly. 

Upcoming Meetings

Saturday, December 27, 2008
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Chico branch, Butte County Library

Manuscripts are due by Thursday, December 18, 2008 and will be distributed to members in good standing on Friday, December 19th.

This is a member-only event.  For further information, please visit our main website at http://www.ejourn.net/cwg and leave a comment with your current, functioning email address (never published) and we will be in touch with you shortly.

Craft Chat, Critique Workshop and End of NaNoWriMo Celebration

Whether or not you even participated in the tenth anniversary of National Novel Writing Month or won the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days, it's time to celebrate this momentous event!  We'll be having a pot luck this coming Sunday, November 30th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library.  RSVPs are required.  Please leave a comment below if you haven't already received an email invitation and would like to attend.

We'll be writing more flash fiction as a writing exercise on Sunday after our last experience went quite well.  Our topic for the craft chat will be the use of a metaphor to convey a theme.  Be sure to bring your laptop and/or a pad of paper and pen along with you as we'll be writing!

We also have 4 pieces to critique, a short story that came from a writing exercise and 3 poems.  Chico Writer's Group members have already received their copies and are expected to have read them, commented upon them and bring the printed out copy to our meeting to discuss and then return, with comments, to the original author.  If you did not receive a copy but would like to attend, leave a comment here (be sure to use a working, valid email address) and we'll confirm your reservation.

Craft and Critique Workshop Sunday, Nov. 2nd

This workshop promises to be exciting as we'll be using our first half of the workshop trying our hand (or for those who've done this before, dazzling us) at flash fiction!  Mark your calendars now, this is one not to miss!

Date: Sunday, November 2, 2008
Time: Noon to 3:00PM (Note the time change)
Place: Chico Branch of the Butte County Library
Addy: 1108 Sherman Avenue (cross of First Ave.), Chico 
NOTE: The off ramp at First Avenue may be CLOSED.  Please use the links to the maps below if you need directions using an alternate route.
Maps:   Google  |  MapQuest  |  Microsoft  |  Yahoo

12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM Craft Workshop
We'll be trying out a workshop using flash fiction where writers are given a topic to write on for a few minutes and then discuss. This should be a very fun activity!
     After the exercise, we'll discuss the focus of the writing exercise, a specific element of the craft of writing. A sure winner for all genres of fiction!

1:00 - 3:00 PM Critique Workshop
Manuscripts need to be submitted to [kathie dot blog at gmail dot com] on or before noon Saturday October 25, 2008 and will be distributed to members who have attended meetings consistently and are in good standing. If you plan on attending but have not done so previously, you may request a copy be available to you when you arrive, however, we will not be distributing manuscripts to non-members for privacy and copyright purposes.
For more information, contact the organizer, Kathie Leung (pronounced Lee-young) at 521-4264 or [kathie dot blog at gmail dot com].

RSVPs requested! (You may use the "comment" link below to RSVP.  Just please be sure to provide a valid email address.  RSVP comments and general inquiry comments are not published and email addresses are never published.)