Saturday, May 09, 2009
FWA Ancient City Chapter Newsletter for May
Hello Ancient City Writers,
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:15
How to Avoid Muddled Middles & Dead Ends by Vic DiGenti
In May, the Ancient City Chapter welcomes FWA Regional Director, Vic DiGenti.
You've launched your story with a swift and satisfying start. But there’s danger ahead in those meandering middles where a good story can flounder on the shoals of confusion and boredom. And, unless your story builds momentum, sustaining interest to the very end, the reader may be totally lost. FWA Regional Director and author Vic DiGenti, who showed us how to get our novels off to a Great Beginning last year, returns to guide us through the troubled waters of middles and ends, offering effective solutions along the way. Don't miss Vic's instructive and entertaining presentation on Saturday, May 16.
About the author: After thirty-five years in public broadcasting working as a producer, director, fundraiser, and assorted other jobs, including producer of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Vic DiGenti turned to his first love—writing. Finding inspiration in his household of feline critters, he's published three adventure/fantasies with a feline protagonist. His Windrusher novel series has won multiple awards and attracted readers of all ages.
Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 10:15
The CHIA Plot by Nancy Haddock
Plot is what makes the reader keep turning the pages. It is the backbone of all books. Nancy Haddock will address this vital topic with a method she calls the CHIA Plot -- or -- “Growing a Plot from a Simple Sentence.”
This is an interactive program designed to help writers dive from initial concept into full story development. The technique encompasses aspects of characterization as well as plotting. Haddock created Chia Plot to illustrate story building to a creative writing class she taught in Dallas, and since then has presented the program to professional writing organizations.
Nancy Haddock’s debut book, La Vida Vampire, launched a new series from Berkley Publishing Group in April 2008, garnering rave reviews, including a 4 1/2 star Top Pick from Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Her second book, Last Vampire Standing was released in May 2009.
In writing paranormal romantic mystery, Haddock drew on her long experience with things-that-go-bump, on her love of the mystery genre, and on the historic wealth of St. Augustine, Florida. She writes full-time, and is a dedicated resident-tourist who never gets tired of exploring the sights of her new hometown.
Upcoming Events / Contests
March 1st – July 13th
From now until July 13th is the window available to submit your entries into the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Awards Competition. This is the FWA’s members-only annual writing competition. For details visit: http://www.floridawriters.net/RPLA.html
May 1st - May 29th
Member Beth Mansbridge's photography will be on display from May 1 to May 29th at 130 King Fine Art and World Treasures, located at 130 King Street, downtown St. Augustine. The Pen Women exhibit includes art in oil, watercolors, pencil and photography as well as adult and children's books. For more information, contact Georgia Gayle Nick at 806-3348 or georgianick@georgianick.com.
May 24th - May 26th
The Limelight KIDZfACTory presents....Emma's House of Sound written by Member Mary Jane Hayes
Sunday May 24th @ 7:30, Monday May 25th @ 2:00 & 7:30, and Tuesday May 26th @ 7:30
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for childrenFor reservations call: (904) 825-1164
May 31st Deadline!
May 31st is the deadline to get your entries in for the FWA Collection #1 – From Our Family to Yours. For more details visit: http://www.floridawriters.net/uploads/FWA_Collection_HO.pdf
July 29th - August 1st
The Anhinga Writers' Studio is hosting the Anhinga Writers' Studio Summer Workshops July 29-August 1 in Gainesville, Florida. Five genre tracks. Manuscript consultations. Editors, publishers, agents. Conference anchored by Charlaine Harris, NYT bestselling author of Southern Vampire series (True Blood -- HBO weekly drama).
For more information, visit: http://www.anhingawriters.org/.
October 23rd - October 25th
The 8th Annual Florida Writers Conference will be held October 23 – 25, 2009 at the Orlando Marriott of Lake Mary.
More information will be available soon at: http://www.floridawriters.net/FWA_Annual_Conferences.html
Good luck with you writing projects and see you at the next meeting,
Upcoming Events / Contests
March 1st – July 13th
From now until July 13th is the window available to submit your entries into the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Awards Competition. This is the FWA’s members-only annual writing competition. For details visit: http://www.floridawriters.net/RPLA.html
May 1st - May 29th
Member Beth Mansbridge's photography will be on display from May 1 to May 29th at 130 King Fine Art and World Treasures, located at 130 King Street, downtown St. Augustine. The Pen Women exhibit includes art in oil, watercolors, pencil and photography as well as adult and children's books. For more information, contact Georgia Gayle Nick at 806-3348 or georgianick@georgianick.com.
May 24th - May 26th
The Limelight KIDZfACTory presents....Emma's House of Sound written by Member Mary Jane Hayes
Sunday May 24th @ 7:30, Monday May 25th @ 2:00 & 7:30, and Tuesday May 26th @ 7:30
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for childrenFor reservations call: (904) 825-1164
May 31st Deadline!
May 31st is the deadline to get your entries in for the FWA Collection #1 – From Our Family to Yours. For more details visit: http://www.floridawriters.net/uploads/FWA_Collection_HO.pdf
July 29th - August 1st
The Anhinga Writers' Studio is hosting the Anhinga Writers' Studio Summer Workshops July 29-August 1 in Gainesville, Florida. Five genre tracks. Manuscript consultations. Editors, publishers, agents. Conference anchored by Charlaine Harris, NYT bestselling author of Southern Vampire series (True Blood -- HBO weekly drama).
For more information, visit: http://www.anhingawriters.org/.
October 23rd - October 25th
The 8th Annual Florida Writers Conference will be held October 23 – 25, 2009 at the Orlando Marriott of Lake Mary.
More information will be available soon at: http://www.floridawriters.net/FWA_Annual_Conferences.html
Good luck with you writing projects and see you at the next meeting,
Jeff Swesky
