Events/Programs
Meetings are held on the first Saturday of the month at:
Spring Creek Oaks Clubhouse
17111 Misty Creek
Spring, TX 77379. [map]
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Business meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Educational Program beginning at 10:30 a.m.
If you have a program you'd like to offer to our membership, please contact
our Program Coordinator.
February 4, 2012
Sharon Mignery on
M&Ms for Characters: Milieu and Motivation: creating unforgettable characters!(See home page for more details.)
-
Visitors welcome!
SCHEDULE:
1st Half of morning
HOW MANY HOOKS ARE ENOUGH?
BLURB: Whether you’re a plotter or seat-of-the-pants writer, the simplest way to avoid a sagging middle is to understand how to continually build hooks into your story. So how many hooks are enough? Knowing the answer to that question can be the difference between a compelling story and one that drags.
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: Ten pages of their manuscript to analyze for hooks.
2nd Half of morning
SUPER POWER OPENINGS
Can you sell your book based on your opening alone? Agents, editors and thousands of readers are going to decide to choose your book based on your opening. Is yours ready?
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: TWO hard copies of their opening [up to 150 words max] with only 3 initials and a zip code in the header [no full names on pages].
~ LUNCH ~
1st Half afternoon
ANALYZE THIS: SCENE SURVIVAL TEST: Test the Strength of Your Scene
BLURB: Submissions live or die by the strength of scenes. Are your scenes loaded with key elements or bloated with filler?
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: Any scene from your manuscript to analyze [name on pages is fine]. Any length is fine since you will be working on your own page, but if you want a suggestion then choose a scene with 5-12 pages so you can easily locate the elements we will be going over.
2nd Half afternoon
ACTIVE SETTINGS
BLURB: Setting can bog down pacing. Give your setting an active role in your story. Use Deep POV to spin boring descriptions into engaging prose.
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: One excerpt/passage of setting from their manuscript of approximately 100 words at the most to analyze.
Mary Buckham is an award-winning romantic-suspense author and co-author of BREAK INTO FICTION™: 11 Steps to Building a Story That Sells who, before becoming published in book-length fiction was a freelance article writer, selling hundreds of articles to local, regional, and national publications. She was also an editor of a regional magazine. Mary co-founded www.WriterUniv.com an online educational resource for writers and is a sought-after speaker and writing craft teacher for both online and in live presentations throughout the
TIME: 8:30 - Doors Open
9:00 - Regular Meeting (everyone welcome)
10:30 - 5:30ish - Mary Buckham's Workshop
Lunch will be provided (included in registration fee)
WHERE: Cypress Creek Christian Church
(our old meeting venue)
6823 Cypresswood Dr.
Spring, TX 77379
Room 30-33 (upstairs Annex Bldg)
$20. 00 For Members of NWHRWA
Hope Ramsay is a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart. Her debut novel Welcome to Last Chance (Grand Central Publishing -- Forever Romance) will be available March 1, 2011. Her second Last Chance story, Home at Last Chance, will be in bookstores, September 2011. Hope made her first sale in February 2010, selling the four-book Last Chance series to Forever Romance. She writes about writing at the RubySlipperedSisterhood.com blog. She had been writing for two decades before she made her first sale.
Contact Info:www.hoperamsay.com email:
info@hoperamsay.com
Cell number: 202-744-6720
Office number: 202-293-2944 ext 201
Carla Kempert is a two-time Put Your Heart in a Book finalist with four finished manuscripts to her credit. She is also a board member of the Valley Forge Romance Writers, and served as contest chair and Pro Liaison for the chapter three years running. She is Hope Ramsay’s critique partner, as well as the Lalala Sister of Jaye Garland a member of the Houston chapter of RWA. She contributes regularly to the writing blog: Blame It On the Muse.
Contact info: www.CarlaKempert.com email: Carla@CarlaKempert.com
Cell: 215-813-2174
Title of Workshop:
The Secrets of Plotting -- (or how to drive your pantser critique partner to drink)
Summary of the Presentation:
Hope is a plotter. She organizes everything. She has charts, graphs, turning points, and even a database to keep her stories straight. Hope is seriously OCD.
Carla, not so much.
So, how do these two critique partners who have writing processes that are very different get along so well? A mutual interest in baseball and knitting help. But they also have taught each other.
Hope will present her uniquely over-organized and over-analyzed approach to plotting a story. She'll cover the scintillating topics of Goal, Conflict and Motivation charts and three-act story structure. Carla will talk about how learning this stuff has changed and improved her writing, even though she was dragged kicking and screaming into a grudging appreciation of advanced plotting.
Carla will talk about how she draws three-dimensional characters out of the ether, without any props like databases and character interviews, but with a huge help from
popular music. Hope will explain how Carla sends her endless U-tube links to songs that move her emotionally.
Hand out Materials
Hand out materials will include:
1) A blank GMC chart that Hope will talk about
2) A blank plot turning point chart that Hope will talk about
3) A visual representation of three act story structure that Hope will talk about
Carla doesn't need no stinking charts and pictures, because she's a (almost reformed) pantser. She may, however, expansively discuss the soundtrack from her latest Work in Progress.
September 10, 2011 (Special Meeting Date)
Andrey Geva
Russian Fencing Master
www.alliance-fencing-academy.com
August 6, 2011
Rhonda Morrow
"How to Digital Publish"
June 4, 2011
Mike Farris
Farris Literary Agency
Mike Farris is a literary agent with Farris Literary Agency and an entertainment attorney with the Dallas, Texas, law firm of Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C. As an agent, he has placed several award-winning novels for publication, including Balaam Gimble’s Gumption by Mike Nichols, winner of the 2004 Texas Institute of Letters John Bloom Humor Award, and Dreams to Dust: A Tale of the Oklahoma Land Rush by Sheldon Russell, winner of the 2006 Langum Prize for Excellence in American Historical Fiction. Mr. Russell’s mystery novel The Insane Train (St. Martin’s Minotaur) was selected by Publisher’s Weekly as one of the “Top 6 Mysteries of 2010.” Mike represents various university presses and has successfully placed subsidiary rights to their published books, including negotiating the sale of movie rights to producers and Hollywood studios.
As a writer, Mike collaborated with television journalist Murphy Martin in 2003 to write Martin's memoir, Front Row Seat: A Veteran Reporter Relives the Four Decades that Reshaped America, for Eakin Press. In 2009, he collaborated with rodeo cowboy turned actor/director/producer Robert Hinkle to write Hinkle’s memoir, Call Me Lucky: A Texan in Hollywood, for the University of Oklahoma Press. Mike’s novel Kanaka Blues, a Hawaiian thriller, was released in June of 2010, and his second novel Manifest Intent was released in December 2010, both by Savant Books, an independent publisher in Honolulu.
Mike is also an award-winning screenwriter. His screenplay Live From the Boneyard is currently being cast by Sweet Revenge Entertainment of Beverly Hills, with Adam Sandler protégé Nicholaus Goossen (Grandma's Boy, The Shortcut) attached to direct. His inspirational family screenplay Reaching Jordan, based on a true story, is in development with Advocate Pictures (The Beacon, Exit Speed) for possible production in 2011, and his adaptation of the award-winning novel Balaam Gimble’s Gumption was produced by Blue Logic Productions. In collaboration with New York Times best-selling novelist Patrick A. Davis, Mike is co-creator of two television series based upon Davis’s novels that are currently under contract to a Los Angeles-based television producer, as well as a third series in development with novelist Ben Rehder, author of the Blanco County Mystery Series from St. Martin’s Minotaur.
May 7, 2011
Ava Kay Jones
Voodoo and Yoruba Priestess
Ava is an ordained Voodoo & Yoruba Priestess and is a leading spokesperson for Voodoo and related African religions and culture. She is an actress, lecturer, author, speaks and teaches foreign languages, and is a law school graduate. Significantly, she was born in New Orleans on Halloween.
Ava has appeared at the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland and is a favorite at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. A few of her media appearances include the Montel Williams TV show, The History Channel, Fox TV "In Search of", Unsolved Mysteries, ABC-TV "Good Morning America and a MSNBC Voodoo special.
Contact: judith@judithfaye.com
April 8-10, 2011
**Field Trip**
New Iberia, Louisiana
Lodging- La Quinta, Make your own reservations!!!! $79.00/night
(337) 321-6000 Say Romance Writers
Friday- Stacey is leaving 9AM! If you want to carpool, she'll leave from the parking lot of the club house on TC Jester in the same neighborhood where our meetings take place. (She will be at the clubhouse where Alicia Rasley's workshop was held. **Not our regular meeting place.)
Hope To See- Tabasco Factory, Avery Island, Konricko Rice Factory and Museum, Le Jeune's Bakery, Le Petit Museum-history of sugar cane and the people, dinner and (hopefully) Shane Bernard speaking about the history of the Cajun people after dinner.
Saturday- Tour Shadows On The Teche Plantation and museum, Chere will then teach us about gris gris bags and voodoo, museum there, Drive to St. Martinville, Evangeline and ghosts?, go to Breaux Bridge to eat at Mulates- cajun food, music and dance!
The hotel says it's holding our rate until March 15th. You might be able to get it after that, but do so at your own risk!!!!!
Email Stacey if you have more questions.
Stacey Purcell
April 2, 2011
WORKSHOP & PRESENTATION by Kimberly Ivy
"Unearthing Bodies: Digging Deep To Uncover the Psychology of Creating Characters"
Do writers create story characters from their imaginations, or from real people they encounter in every day life? Forget what you previously thought. Everything you need to know about creating characters--protagonists
Kimberly Ivey Wuttke began writing professionally more than 25 years ago. Since then, hundreds of her nonfiction magazine articles, captioned news photographs, poetry, short stories and personal essays have appeared in both print and electronic publications throughout the
Kimberly served several years on the chapter board of a national writer’s organization—one of those terms as President—and has chaired literacy fundraisers, mentored and tutored aspiring writers (several are now published). She has presented writing workshops at conferences and to local writing groups and has won national and local awards for her work. A writing instructor for ten years, she's taught her acclaimed novel, short story, and creative writing classes at College of the Mainland since 2004.
She lives in the
**This Field Trip is Filled up, but stay tuned for the next one!
February 25, 2011
So You Want to Shoot A Gun!
Field Trip: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Spring Guns and Ammo
4401 Spring Cypress
Spring, Tx. 77388
281 288 7000
March 5, 2011
Christie Craig
Genre Jumping:
Moving from Romance into the YA Market.
With the Young Adult market still expanding, many romance authors are considering making a move into the YA market. And why not? Adult romances have a lot in common with YA romances . . . but they also have a lot of differences, too.
The talk will include:
Sexual Tension – how much is too much for a YA?
Importance of Family Relationship in a YA
Authenticity of Voice is Key in a YA
Pitfalls to Avoid when Writing a YA
C.C. Hunter’s first YA, Born at Midnight, the launch book for the Shadow Falls series, released in April, 2011 and is available wherever books are sold. For more information, visit C.C. Hunter at her website, www.CCHunterBooks.com. Visit C.C.’s alter ego, Christie Craig, at www.Christie-Craig.com. or writing tips, visit C.C./Christie at www.WritewithUs.net
**TIME CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER!!
10:00 Meeting begins
10:45 Workshop starts
February 5, 2011
6002 Bur Oak Drive
Spring, Texas 77379
** Different Meeting Place ** this month.
Alicia Rasley
Dazzle the Editor: Preparing a Powerful Proposal with Bolder Scenes and Your Unique Voice
In these turbulent publishing times, just impressing the editor isn't enough. You have to dazzle! In this interactive all-day workshop, we'll discuss the realities of getting published today, and the type of proposal that will get you editorial notice. Techniques will include designing scenes for greater vividness and better pacing, finding and refining your own voice, and writing an intriguing cover letter and synopsis. Alicia, with experience as an editor and writer, will explain how you can achieve the classic power of story but also the savvy to market yourself as well as your book. We'll talk about how to avoid the slushpile, how to get out of the slushpile if you end up there, how to disregard or break the supposed rules of submission, and how to cope with the new realities of this brave new world of publishing.
Alicia Rasley is the author of The Power of Point of View and The Story Within Plotbook. She is also a
The Year She Fell, a women's fiction novel set in the mountains of
9:00 - 9:45 am Business meeting
Top
9:45 - 11:00 Unify your story with journey, theme, motif.
11:00 -
11:15 - 12:30 Dramatize your scenes with design and conclusion.
1:30 - 3:00 Enliven your voice with recognition, techniques, and savvy submission.
3:00 -
$20. 00 For Members of NWHRWA
$25.00 For NonMembers of NWHRWA
December 4, 2010
"Christmas Party!”
Come Celebrate your YEAR of SUCCESS with us!!!
Business meeting as usual, at 9:00 AM. There will be the "changing of the guard", a recognition of out-going and in-coming board members. Recognition of contest category chairs.
Afterward, instead of a workshop or presentation, there will be singing, dancing, and rejoicing. And don't forget the gift exchange. If you would like to participate,
please bring a NEW, WRAPPED gift valued between $10-$15.
Da Rules:
For each person that brings a gift, they will draw a number. The person who draws #1 picks a gift and unwraps it for everyone to see. Person #2 can either steal the gift from person #1 or pick a new gift to unwrap. Person #3 can steal from person #1 or #2 or they can pick a new gift. On and on it goes. A single gift can be stolen no more than 3 times and can not be stolen "back" in the same turn. When the final person has gone, person #1 can steal (or not) for the final turn.
As our Chapter prez says, "There will be tears, laughter, and evil cackling as the wrapping paper flies."
We will also have a spread of yummy food to eat. If you haven't signed up to bring goodies, please contact Mary David, our new and fabulous hostess at hbdutp@aol.com.
November 6, 2010
"OctoberFest!"
1)
Practice Pitching: Diane Holmes will help you prepare for the October conference, during which meetings with agents will be conducted.
2)
Ask an E-Pub Author: Our panel of experts will answer your questions about their electronic publishing experiences. Authors included are Anna Kathryn Lanier (Melinda Porter), Elizabeth Pina, Rhonda Morrow and Téa Trelawny (Teri Thackston).
3)
Conference committees may use this time for any extra work they might need to do to prepare for the upcoming conference, October 16.
Coming on November 6, 2010
William Simon
photo by: Christie Craig
A fan of CRIMINAL MINDS? Never miss an episode of LAW AND ORDER? Obsessed with NCIS?
Curious about the reality behind Behavioral Analysis? What really goes on inside the office of a 'Profiler'? (Hint: there's no such job!)
William Simon has been a Licensed Computer Forensic Investigator since 2000, and has worked extensively with both local and Federal law enforcement. His fiction writing has been published in the anthology "Murder by Magic" and "Suspense Magazine".
WARNING: This presentation will cover sensitive subject matter, and may touch on examples some find offensive.
Past Speakers
August 7, 2010
Tony Musgrave
"The Written Word in the Digital Age"
F. Anthony “Tony” Musgrave is an attorney and the managing member of F. Anthony Musgrave, PLLC, in
July 3, 2010
"Being the Professional Story Pitcher"
Scott Eagan - Greyhaus Literary Agency
Scott draws on an extensive background in education, writing and literature to assist the writers at Greyhaus. He has a BA in English/Literature, a MA in Creative Writing and a MA in Literacy. Scott is also a writer (mostly as a hobby) and is an active member of Romance Writers of America. His agency has been open since September of 2003 and he only works with RWA recognized publishers.
Not only does he work tirelessly to give back to the writing community through workshops and conferences, he will be launching a chance for writers to talk directly to him about issues in writing. The writer will also be given opportunities to pitch their story live during the online radio program! This will simulate the experience you would have pitching at a conference except from the comfort of your own home. Please check his website for more details.
Scott will be teaching us how to be professional story pitchers when he visits in July. There will also be an opportunity to pitch your story. Slots are limited and we ask that you review his requirements before you sign up.
June 5, 2010
"Bigger Than Botox"
When your Manuscript Needs More Than a Face Lift
Robyn DeHart
A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ’s and computer. Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn’t be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the
Practical instructions for when your book needs more than a face-lift.
Sure, everyone knows how to edit a manuscript. But how do you revise one? We’re not talking mansy-pansy punching-up-your-verbs revisions. We’re talking my-book-is-flatlining-and-needs-a-heart-transplant revisions. Maybe your critique group is harping on your convoluted plot and you're getting rejections that say they just don't feel connected to your characters. These are problems your spell checker and thesaurus can't fix. It could be time for major surgery. This workshop will unveil three levels of revisions that will take your book from an unhealthy, flabby mess, to a thing of beauty your editor will want to clutch to her chest while singing Etta James’s At Last.
Heart transplants - We'll take a look at the big elements here. Characters, GMC, character arcs, plot, theme, pacing, scenes and emotion. We’ll show you how to see the flaws in your book and how to wield the scalpel. More importantly, we’ll teach you to layer those big items into a book so smooth no one will ever see the surgery scars.
Tummy tucks - After you've tackled the big areas, there are other elements to nip and tuck. Setting, subplots, and continuity are among the next level revisions.
Botox - Now you're ready to start polishing and editing. We'll show you how to take a concentrated look at character voice and proofreading to make your book shine with your voice.
May 3, 2010
"A Breath of Fresh Air"
Spring Cleaning for Your Creative Life
With Kathryn Lorenzen, Creativity Coach
With the change of season, what if you could houseclean your creative life? Would you like to clear away the cobwebs and clutter of procrastination and blockage, making it possible for you to dive into your work with gusto? Are you willing to spend a couple of hours to make an energizing space in your life and your head?
In this session, Creativity Coach Kathryn Lorenzen will perform a sort of ‘feng shui’ for your creative life. We’ll find and sweep up the dust bunnies of anxiety, the lint of disorganization, and the piles of avoidance and fear. Plus, we’ll replace them with handy little tools to master your psychology and keep your psychic/mental spaces clear and ready for you to be productive.
If you’ve been part of a program led by Kathryn, you know that they’re jam-packed with insights and tips. This time she has an all-new roster of self-explorations, tools, techniques, and mind-toys we can play with! All are designed to help you make the most of your energy, your brain, and your creative gifts.
"My central creative work, as a singer/songwriter, began in young adulthood and has sustained for forty years, teaching me ideation, craft, and communication. Working in advertising for almost twenty years, as a writer/producer and also as a media strategist, I learned how to produce on demand – headlines, copy, jingles, film scores. Winning awards and working with national brands was fun, yet helping develop the careers of my team was even more rewarding. This led to my next career, as a career coach and recruiter for creatives in the communication arts.
For the past two years, I’ve gained training and experience in creativity coaching, through the Creativity Coaching Association and the International Coach Federation. Supporting creative artists is my passion! I help artists, especially writers and songwriters, to recognize and push through creative challenges, including fear, anxiety, and self-doubt, to think bigger, and to work more productively and happily." -- Kathryn Lorenzen, CBC, Creativity Coach