Kudos to Jim Stevens, who has finished the documentary on the club; thanks to everyone who agreed to be interviewed and for allowing Jim to tape our meeting. Jim hopes to get the documentary aired on the Oshkosh Communty Access Televion (OCAT) Channel 10 but you can view the 10-minute piece at: http://www.boathouseloopers.com/videos/OAWCtest2.wmv
Thanks Jim for undertaking this project!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Classes at the Clearing
The Clearing Folk School in Ellison Bay has announced it's 2008 schedule of classes. Some of the offerings of interest to writers are below; prices are reasonable. More information can be found at their website.
Winter 2008 (registration now open)
Beginning to Write Poems
Mondays from 10 - 11:30
4 Sessions; First Class: February 4
Classes will include a variety of writing exercises and prompts to help students write their own poems. Please bring pens and a large notebook or legal pad.
Location: The Conference Room in The Meadows at Scandia Village, Sister Bay
Tuition: $40.00
Summer 2008 (registration opens Feb. 21)
The Process of Writing: Focus on Poetry & Short Prose - Chris Swanberg
May 18 - 24
Poetry Camp: Generating New Work - Robin Chapman & Judith Strasser
May 25 - 31
Writing Personal Fiction - Sara Rath
June 22 - 28
The Spirit & Practice of Poetry - Ellen Kort
July 13 - July 19
Joy Seeking & Journal Writing - Darlene Cole & Joyce Morrison
July 20 - July 26
Writing from Your Life - Jerry Apps
Aug. 3 - Aug. 9
The 3-in-1 Writing Workshop - John Lehman
Aug. 24 - Aug. 30
Women's Writing Retreat - Judy Bridges
Sept. 7 - Sept. 13
Winter 2008 (registration now open)
Beginning to Write Poems
Mondays from 10 - 11:30
4 Sessions; First Class: February 4
Classes will include a variety of writing exercises and prompts to help students write their own poems. Please bring pens and a large notebook or legal pad.
Location: The Conference Room in The Meadows at Scandia Village, Sister Bay
Tuition: $40.00
Summer 2008 (registration opens Feb. 21)
The Process of Writing: Focus on Poetry & Short Prose - Chris Swanberg
May 18 - 24
Poetry Camp: Generating New Work - Robin Chapman & Judith Strasser
May 25 - 31
Writing Personal Fiction - Sara Rath
June 22 - 28
The Spirit & Practice of Poetry - Ellen Kort
July 13 - July 19
Joy Seeking & Journal Writing - Darlene Cole & Joyce Morrison
July 20 - July 26
Writing from Your Life - Jerry Apps
Aug. 3 - Aug. 9
The 3-in-1 Writing Workshop - John Lehman
Aug. 24 - Aug. 30
Women's Writing Retreat - Judy Bridges
Sept. 7 - Sept. 13
Curtis L. Brown Challenge
The Fox Valley Writers Club is again sponsoring the Curtis L. Brown Challenge (Dixie J. took second place last year!). This year's theme is "Inventing and Inventiveness."
Rules:
There is no entry fee.
Deadline: Entry must be postmarked before midnight February 29, 2008.
Any high-school senior or older resident of the Fox Valley and surrounding communities is eligible to compete.
Entries should not exceed 2,000 words.
Any form of writing is acceptable - prose or poetry, fact or fiction - but must not have been published before.
The contest's theme, Inventing and Inventiveness, can be explored from any angle. It can cover the story or impact of an invention; the solution to a problem; or any event, in which quick thinking saved the day, rescued a pet or a person, or resolved an embarrassing situation.
Correct English is assumed, and entries will be judged primarily on originality and clarity. The judging decision is final, and entries cannot be returned.
Entries should be double-spaced on one side of sequentially numbered sheets. Only the title of the entry may appear on top of every page. The writer's name, address, and telephone number, the title of the entry, and its word count should appear on a separate sheet and nowhere else in the manuscript.
Mail to: "Curtis L. Brown Writing Challenge" 635 Quarry Lane, Neenah, WI 54956-4146.
Award certificates and monetary prizes will be given to the three best entries. First place: $45.00; second: $35.00; third: $20.00.
Winning entries may qualify for publication in the Club's Experimental Literary Journal, Ego Trips, but copyright stays with the author.
Rules:
There is no entry fee.
Deadline: Entry must be postmarked before midnight February 29, 2008.
Any high-school senior or older resident of the Fox Valley and surrounding communities is eligible to compete.
Entries should not exceed 2,000 words.
Any form of writing is acceptable - prose or poetry, fact or fiction - but must not have been published before.
The contest's theme, Inventing and Inventiveness, can be explored from any angle. It can cover the story or impact of an invention; the solution to a problem; or any event, in which quick thinking saved the day, rescued a pet or a person, or resolved an embarrassing situation.
Correct English is assumed, and entries will be judged primarily on originality and clarity. The judging decision is final, and entries cannot be returned.
Entries should be double-spaced on one side of sequentially numbered sheets. Only the title of the entry may appear on top of every page. The writer's name, address, and telephone number, the title of the entry, and its word count should appear on a separate sheet and nowhere else in the manuscript.
Mail to: "Curtis L. Brown Writing Challenge" 635 Quarry Lane, Neenah, WI 54956-4146.
Award certificates and monetary prizes will be given to the three best entries. First place: $45.00; second: $35.00; third: $20.00.
Winning entries may qualify for publication in the Club's Experimental Literary Journal, Ego Trips, but copyright stays with the author.
BIC HOK TAM
BIC HOK TAM is the motto of Book-in-a-Week, which means butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly.
Book-in-a Week writers are connected through a list created at Yahoo. The main purpose of the group is to write, but they also exchange information, publishing news and kudos. Anything writing related.
The Monday of the first FULL week of the month (usually) we begin BIW at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The dates are planned for the year making it is easy to mark your calendar and plan ahead.
BIW writers decide on their own goals and submit them to the list the week prior to BIW. During BIW, writers write as much as they can and post their daily totals to the list. To stay motivated we recommend checking in everyday whether you write or not. We’re here to help with the support and accountability. The group works on the honour system.
No editing, no going back over what’s been written. Write, write, write. What is important is getting the words down, creating a first draft. Editing and revising comes later. Allow yourself to write quickly and without worry. Get your ideas down first.
Some members actually finish a book in one week and for others the only time they write is during BIW, thereby giving BIW a double meaning.
Writers can work on whatever they wish--a story, an article, book length fiction. It should be in the beginning stages rather than something you have already written and want to polish. You can even select something from work or school, like a research paper, as long as it is writing related.
At the end of each day writers post their page total to the list. Just the number of pages written, not the actual pages. If you had problems writing, share what happened and why. If you did really well, share that, too. List members are always supportive. Discussing the problems and successes helps.
The BIWs are scheduled a year in advance. Most of the traffic on the list is generated during this week but it doesn’t end there. You are welcome to stay and be as active as you like. We have some regulars who participate every month and some who only participate a few times a year. Check out “When” in the navigation bar to find out when the next BIW will occur.
We have members from all over the world: The US, Canada, India, Ireland, Australia, France and Taiwan. This BIW list unites writers from all walks of life, published and unpublished.
Book-in-a Week writers are connected through a list created at Yahoo. The main purpose of the group is to write, but they also exchange information, publishing news and kudos. Anything writing related.
The Monday of the first FULL week of the month (usually) we begin BIW at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The dates are planned for the year making it is easy to mark your calendar and plan ahead.
BIW writers decide on their own goals and submit them to the list the week prior to BIW. During BIW, writers write as much as they can and post their daily totals to the list. To stay motivated we recommend checking in everyday whether you write or not. We’re here to help with the support and accountability. The group works on the honour system.
No editing, no going back over what’s been written. Write, write, write. What is important is getting the words down, creating a first draft. Editing and revising comes later. Allow yourself to write quickly and without worry. Get your ideas down first.
Some members actually finish a book in one week and for others the only time they write is during BIW, thereby giving BIW a double meaning.
Writers can work on whatever they wish--a story, an article, book length fiction. It should be in the beginning stages rather than something you have already written and want to polish. You can even select something from work or school, like a research paper, as long as it is writing related.
At the end of each day writers post their page total to the list. Just the number of pages written, not the actual pages. If you had problems writing, share what happened and why. If you did really well, share that, too. List members are always supportive. Discussing the problems and successes helps.
The BIWs are scheduled a year in advance. Most of the traffic on the list is generated during this week but it doesn’t end there. You are welcome to stay and be as active as you like. We have some regulars who participate every month and some who only participate a few times a year. Check out “When” in the navigation bar to find out when the next BIW will occur.
We have members from all over the world: The US, Canada, India, Ireland, Australia, France and Taiwan. This BIW list unites writers from all walks of life, published and unpublished.
Writing Prompt for Jan. 19
Some members have indicated they would like a writing prompt to get them started on a piece to write/read at a future meeting. The prompt may used in a poem, essay, character or description sketch.
The writing prompt for the Jan. 19 meeting is: A picture is worth a thousand words.
The writing prompt for the Jan. 19 meeting is: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Playwriting Class
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is holding an introductory playwriting class on Tuesdays, from Feb. 5 to March 11, 2008. The class provides a supportive environment for beginning writers and curious non-writers who are interested in creating texts for live theater. Participants will work collaboratively to create original monologues, scenes, and short plays. This class is intended for people ages 17 and up. Instructor: Dr. Dean Yohnk, Rep Education Artist. $150. Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Call 414-224-9490 for more information.
Florence Lindemann Humor Contest
Members of the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association are welcome to enter the Florence Lindemann Humor Contest, which opened Jan. 1 and closes March 15, 2008.
Contest rules:
Include your name, address, phone, local newspaper (including an address), title of manuscript and word count ON THE COVER PAGE ONLY. The pages of the manuscript should contain only page number and title of the work.
There is an 800-word limit.
All entries must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.
All entries must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side of white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Entrants are urged to keep the original of their manuscript and submit a good-quality photocopy.
Entrants should include a SAS postcard ONLY if they wish to be notified their manuscript has been received.
Entries will not be returned. (They may be retrieved after the awards ceremony in May. Any manuscripts not recovered at that time will be destroyed.)
Winners (including up to two Honorable Mentions) will be notified when the judge returns his/her decision. They are not told how they placed and they are asked not to reveal their status before the ceremony.
A check for $8 made out to WRWA must accompany the manuscript.
First place winners are not eligible to enter this contest for the following three (3) years.
Winners receive:
First Place - check for $50, Certificate, and a traveling trophy engraved with their name to keep for one year.
Second Place - check for $30 and Certificate.
Third Place - check for $20 and Certificate.
Not meeting these qualifications will result in disqualification of the manuscript and return of the manuscript and entry fee.
The contest opens January 1, 2008.
All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2008.
Send all entries to:
Barb Jensen
410 Winnebago Ave.
Portage, WI 53901
Not a member of WRWA? Click here for a membership application.
Contest rules:
Include your name, address, phone, local newspaper (including an address), title of manuscript and word count ON THE COVER PAGE ONLY. The pages of the manuscript should contain only page number and title of the work.
There is an 800-word limit.
All entries must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.
All entries must be typewritten and double-spaced on one side of white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Entrants are urged to keep the original of their manuscript and submit a good-quality photocopy.
Entrants should include a SAS postcard ONLY if they wish to be notified their manuscript has been received.
Entries will not be returned. (They may be retrieved after the awards ceremony in May. Any manuscripts not recovered at that time will be destroyed.)
Winners (including up to two Honorable Mentions) will be notified when the judge returns his/her decision. They are not told how they placed and they are asked not to reveal their status before the ceremony.
A check for $8 made out to WRWA must accompany the manuscript.
First place winners are not eligible to enter this contest for the following three (3) years.
Winners receive:
First Place - check for $50, Certificate, and a traveling trophy engraved with their name to keep for one year.
Second Place - check for $30 and Certificate.
Third Place - check for $20 and Certificate.
Not meeting these qualifications will result in disqualification of the manuscript and return of the manuscript and entry fee.
The contest opens January 1, 2008.
All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2008.
Send all entries to:
Barb Jensen
410 Winnebago Ave.
Portage, WI 53901
Not a member of WRWA? Click here for a membership application.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Next Meeting - Jan. 5
Just a reminder that there are five Saturdays in December so our next meeting will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Anthology Update
For those who are curious, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club anthology, "Hearts We Know By Stories," has sold 74 copies since the book was released in June '07. The book is available from lulu.com for $7.85 plus shipping. It's 166 pages and features the writings of over a dozen club members.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
2008 Writing Goals
"Public humilation is a great motivator" - Dixie J.
At the Dec. 15 meeting, each of us stated a writing goal we wanted to accomplish in 2008. Goals varied from finishing a first draft to publishing two items to organizing a collection of work. If you missed the meeting, come prepared in January to publicly declare what your goal is for 2008!
At the Dec. 15 meeting, each of us stated a writing goal we wanted to accomplish in 2008. Goals varied from finishing a first draft to publishing two items to organizing a collection of work. If you missed the meeting, come prepared in January to publicly declare what your goal is for 2008!
UW-Milwaukee Spring Writers Festival
UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education is sponsoring the sixth annul Spring Writers Festival March 7-9, 2008. The fee is $269.
The three-day conference is offering sessions on things like:
- Crafting the Short Story-- From Start to Finish
- How to Pitch Your Ideas
- What Every Author Learns from Their First Book
- Crafting An Other World
- A Visit to the Book Doctor
- Breaking In: The Basics of Writing for Magazines
- Pitch Session Workshops
- Agent and Editor Panel
- How Editors Think
- Show, Don't Tell: How to Grab Readers by the Neck
- Pathways to Publishing
- A Writer's Website
- Wiki-Whatia: Finding Credible Sources Online and Off
- How to Write Without a Muse
- Book Proposal Basics
- The Personal Essay
- Poetry Workshops
The three-day conference is offering sessions on things like:
- Crafting the Short Story-- From Start to Finish
- How to Pitch Your Ideas
- What Every Author Learns from Their First Book
- Crafting An Other World
- A Visit to the Book Doctor
- Breaking In: The Basics of Writing for Magazines
- Pitch Session Workshops
- Agent and Editor Panel
- How Editors Think
- Show, Don't Tell: How to Grab Readers by the Neck
- Pathways to Publishing
- A Writer's Website
- Wiki-Whatia: Finding Credible Sources Online and Off
- How to Write Without a Muse
- Book Proposal Basics
- The Personal Essay
- Poetry Workshops
Friday, December 14, 2007
Random Daily Writing Prompts
Writingfix.com offers daily writing prompts simply by clicking the Random Daily Writing Prompt Generater.
Some sample prompts:
"How does the nose know? Invent a story where an unwelcome smell brings a character sheer happiness."
"How did you get up there? Write about something that happened on the roof."
"Why did you get involved? Write about a time you could have said: 'Oops! I should have never gotten involved!'."
Some sample prompts:
"How does the nose know? Invent a story where an unwelcome smell brings a character sheer happiness."
"How did you get up there? Write about something that happened on the roof."
"Why did you get involved? Write about a time you could have said: 'Oops! I should have never gotten involved!'."
New Reading Device - Kindle
Amazon has introduced a new reading device for electronic books that doesn't require a computer or internet access called Kindle. It sells for $399 and holds over 200 books; almost 100,000 titles are currently available for the product, including newspapers, magazines and blogs.
For more information and an online demonstration of how it works, click here.
For more information and an online demonstration of how it works, click here.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thank a Soldier
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com, you can pick out a Thank You card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.
It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.
It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.
Next Meeting
Just a reminder that the next meeting of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.
Please bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (something in good condition from your home) to exchange. Donuts and beverages will be provided.
The second hour of the meeting will be devoted to the Author Spotlight. This week's author is Joyce F.
Please bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (something in good condition from your home) to exchange. Donuts and beverages will be provided.
The second hour of the meeting will be devoted to the Author Spotlight. This week's author is Joyce F.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Jennifer Chiaverini
Over 100 people attended author Jennifer Chiaverini's appearance at the Oshkosh Public Library on Nov. 29th. If you'd like to see photos form the event, click here.
Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Submissions are now being accepted for the 77th annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Compete and win in ten categories:
Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
Memoirs/Personal Essay
Magazine Feature Article
Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Rhyming Poetry
Non-rhyming Poetry
Stage Play
Television/Movie Script
Children's/Young Adult Fiction
$10-$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
For complete rules, click here.
Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
Memoirs/Personal Essay
Magazine Feature Article
Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Rhyming Poetry
Non-rhyming Poetry
Stage Play
Television/Movie Script
Children's/Young Adult Fiction
$10-$15 ENTRY FEE
Deadline: May 15, 2008. There will be 1,001 winners and more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Top winners will be listed in the December 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.
Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents. Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books. The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash. The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash. The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.
For complete rules, click here.
Merton Prize For Poetry of the Sacred
Merton Prize for Poetry of the Sacred is sponsoring a contest for poetry that expresses, directly or indirectly, a sense of the holy or that, by its mode of expression, evokes the sacred. The tone may be religious, prophetic, or contemplative.
Contest Guidelines
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.
Prizes: First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.
Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site: www.mertoninstitute.org.
Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.
Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.
Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.
Contest Guidelines
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.
Prizes: First Prize, $500; Three Honorable Mention Prizes, $100 each.
Winning Poems will be published in The Merton Seasonal, a publication of scholarly articles about noted spiritual leader Thomas Merton and will be posted on the Merton Institute web site: www.mertoninstitute.org.
Only ONE unpublished poem type written in English may be submitted.
Please limit the poem to no more than 100 lines.
Type your name, address, phone number, FAX number, email address, and the title of your poem on a cover page. Attach (1) one copy of your titled poem to the cover page.
Poetry Fireside Chat
The Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Grand Chute is hosting a Poetry Fireside Chat at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17. For more information, click here or call the store at 920-831-7880.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Writing Prompt - Jan. 5
Some members have indicated they would like a writing prompt to get them started on a piece to write/read at a future meeting. The prompt may used in a poem, essay, character or description sketch.
We will not have a normal critique session at the Dec. 15th meeting due to the Christmas party and Author Spotlight but Mike N. has given the following writing prompt for the Jan. 5th meeting: "The guy's no hero."
Have fun!
We will not have a normal critique session at the Dec. 15th meeting due to the Christmas party and Author Spotlight but Mike N. has given the following writing prompt for the Jan. 5th meeting: "The guy's no hero."
Have fun!
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