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.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
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All entries must be original and unpublished at the time of submission.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!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Author Paul Salsini
Paper Tiger Bookstore, located in City Center, downtown Oshkosh, is hosting author Paul Salsini from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1st, to promote his newest title, "The Cielo: A Novel of Wartime Tuscany."
Salsini is a former editor and writing coach at The Milwaukee Journal, and teaches journalism at Marquette University. His articles about Italy have appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Barbara.
For more information on the event, you may call the bookstore at (920)231-0800.
Salsini is a former editor and writing coach at The Milwaukee Journal, and teaches journalism at Marquette University. His articles about Italy have appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Barbara.
For more information on the event, you may call the bookstore at (920)231-0800.
Poetry Circle
Neenah Public Library hosts a Poetry Circle on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. in the first floor Shattuck Community Room, Neenah Public Library, 204 E. Wisconsin Ave. Members learn a bit about poets and their work among folks who simply like poetry and enjoy a good conversation.
If you want to check it out, the next meeting is December 13, when the discussion will be Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "The Lady of Shalott." Plumb the depths of what may appear to be a simple narrative poem. In this audio-visual, actress Charlotte Cornwell reads the complete text over illustrations by Charles Keeping.
For more information about the Poetry Circle, contact Pat at 886-6330 or email hewitt@neenahlibrary.org.
If you want to check it out, the next meeting is December 13, when the discussion will be Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "The Lady of Shalott." Plumb the depths of what may appear to be a simple narrative poem. In this audio-visual, actress Charlotte Cornwell reads the complete text over illustrations by Charles Keeping.
For more information about the Poetry Circle, contact Pat at 886-6330 or email hewitt@neenahlibrary.org.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Club Christmas Party
The club will host a Christmas Party for the first half of the Dec. 15st meeting.
Interested members are asked to bring a wrapped White Elephant gift to exchange; a White Elephant gift is something you have around the house that you don't use or need. The object can be useful or totally silly; pretty much anything goes. So start digging through your closets and junk drawers now for the perfect gift for that special writer in your club.
Interested members are asked to bring a wrapped White Elephant gift to exchange; a White Elephant gift is something you have around the house that you don't use or need. The object can be useful or totally silly; pretty much anything goes. So start digging through your closets and junk drawers now for the perfect gift for that special writer in your club.
Author Spotlight Schedule
“Author Spotlight” allows writers to bring in pieces of work that are eight or more pages, or a compilation of pieces that are best read/reviewed together.
The last hour of each Saturday meeting is devoted to discussing the works of the featured author; advance registration is required and authors must bring ten copies of their work prior to their turn in the “Spotlight.”
Those who accept a copy of the author’s work must commit to reading it and showing up for the review.
The upcoming schedule of Spotlight Authors:
Dec. 1 - JoAnn G.
Dec. 15 - Joyce F.
Jan. 5 - Ruth P.
Jan. 19 - Dixie J.
Feb. 2 - Bob B.
March 1 - Hope S.
The last hour of each Saturday meeting is devoted to discussing the works of the featured author; advance registration is required and authors must bring ten copies of their work prior to their turn in the “Spotlight.”
Those who accept a copy of the author’s work must commit to reading it and showing up for the review.
The upcoming schedule of Spotlight Authors:
Dec. 1 - JoAnn G.
Dec. 15 - Joyce F.
Jan. 5 - Ruth P.
Jan. 19 - Dixie J.
Feb. 2 - Bob B.
March 1 - Hope S.
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