Tag Archives: level-up your writing

Writers:

As I pen this it’s been raining for 32 hours straight. Perhaps we should be crafting arks and not novels. Of course, there’s at least a few of us working on ARCs right now. hehe.
Hey, if we’re not trying to laugh at this point in the winter/spring of never-ending rain…you know what they say, “Tears in the rain….”
Last week I told you I was trying desperately to find someone to sub for our April 15 workshop; however, I have not been successful as of yet. Worse case scenario, the time and space will be there for those who are not attending NorWesCon to have some quiet heads-down writing time in a different space. Sometimes moving locations helps spur creativity. But, once again, I will continue to find a solution. I heard from a couple of you that you decided to attend this convention and I’m thrilled to hear that. Again, it’s local, very affordable for the whole weekend and chock-full of writing panels and inspirational programming. So that is still very much an option for anyone not already attending.
Regardless, there is much work to still be done on our track of Level Up Your Writing! So far you’ve looked at lots of mechanical things — description, dialogue, lay out. Now we’re going to start looking at themes in the story and the tools used to reveal them. So take your chosen text and re-read as necessary, making note of themes. Maybe take a few minutes and journal out thoughts about what you think the themes are in the novel you’ve chosen. The biggest thing I want you doing is thinking about the text and deeply considering it. Next week there will be more definitive exercises, but thinking is part of the creative and learning process. We’re at that stage in this examination, so give yourself permission to just think.
Want to also tell you all about an event that’s headed our way on April 27:  Wine & Words at the Black Dog. So pencil in that early evening for a literary event that I hope will become a regular one. More details next week. Just mark your calendar today.
Also, I was trying to update the blogs on both my personal site as well as SnoValley Writes! some of them are linking to blogs that have disappeared. Please take one minute and respond to me with the link to your most current or “main” blog. Thanks.
Don’t forget our weekly writing cafes Tonight at Little Si Cafe beginning at 6 p.m. and Friday morning at The Black Dog Arts Cafe at 9:30 a.m.
Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” ~Mark Twain

What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Writing Prompt — September 14, 2016 Edition

Because Summer time always makes things a little hectic, our eighth anniversary as Sno Valley Writes! came and went. Hopefully you were writing, editing, or thinking up new stories during it. But, I just wanted to say thanks to all those that help make this group so awesome, progressing, and positive! Here’s to many more years together creating new literary peaks!

This Saturday, Sept. 17, our learning track, From NaNo to Published, headed by Tara Brouwer will continue in the North Bend Library Meeting Room at 10:30 a.m. Just a couple more months and National Novel Writing Month will be upon us and many will be diving into new projects just as old projects come out in new shining books. I’ve had the pleasure to read many of them and I’m so proud of everyone’s hard work and my reading list is so extra long now! That is excellent! Keep up the hard work and take advantage of everything you can learn from Tara.

Beginning in January we start a new learning track, with yours truly heading the platform. In 2017, our monthly workshops will be: Level-Up Your Writing. This learning track will push folks to a new mastery level, with emphasis on directed reading, enhancing our literary community, and concentrated writing. If you always wanted to take an MFA in creative writing, but couldn’t, this learning track is for you. We meet the 3rd Saturday of every month at the North Bend Library’s meeting room at 10:30 a.m. until Noon. First class is January 21st.

In the meantime, our writing cafes on Wednesdays at Little Si Cafe beginning at 6 p.m. and at The Black Dog on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. continue. This is a great way to build your literary community, network, and get inspired. Make time for one or both!

Last week you needed to work on getting a misty morning in your story. Did you do it? If so, post it on your blog, your facebook page, or comment on this thread on the SnoValley Writes! blog (easy link on our facebook page). That’s your prompt today. Post your work from last week. Let’s see all your brilliance.

Now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Tears are words that need to be written.” ~Paulo Coelho

 


What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron