Reflections on the Ozark Creative Writers Contests and Judges' Comments

As I reflect on my role as contest chair for the 2016 OCW contests, I've learned a few lessons. 

It was rewarding, and at times challenging, experience. I got to read some amazing entries and meet some wonderful people -- sponsors, judges, and entrants. I also made a few suggestions to improve the process next year.

Not everyone who entered won, but everyone who entered showed their courage and determination. During a closing session on Saturday I shared some lessons learned and comments from a few judges.

Here is a sampling of those comments:

* It's more than getting words on the page.
* Put the reader right there with you.
* Be honest; it's not necessarily about making writers heroes in their own work.
* Let us see real people.
* Emotions should be relatable.
* Doesn't have to be surprising or shocking.
* Readers should be able to see something of themselves in the story.
* Judging is subjective (this was repeated by several judges as well as during the conference)
* More than one judge wrote they enjoyed every one!
* Do spell check, grammar check, proofread carefully.
* Don't rely on spell check.
* Read your work out loud.
* Thoroughly vet your work.
* The better entries were pretty immediately obvious.
* Stay on theme if there is one.
* Watch formatting.
* Most were formatted correctly.
* Stick to word count.
* Include a header on your work with title and page number (but not your name)
* Be sure your work fits the category.
* Title your work.
* Follow the guidelines!

Congratulations to everyone who entered the contests. Submitting to a contest is a wonderful way to focus on meeting deadlines, following guidelines, and gaining self-confidence as a writer.

Special thanks to the judges and sponsors who provided their time and monetary support for the contests. During the conference I even managed to solicit a couple new contest sponsors for next year!

Yesterday I forwarded a Word document with a complete list of the winners to Chrissy Willis, incoming OCW president, who promptly posted the document on the OCW website.

Here's a link with all contest titles and names of the winners.

http://www.ozarkcreativewriters.com/contests.html

Free Unbound Book Festival Features Author Events, Panels, Signings and More

If you're looking for an educational and inspirational writing event this month, the Unbound Book Festival should be on your list. Festival founder and director, author Alex George, has done a brilliant job planning and organizing this literary event, which celebrates literature of all kinds.

Note: While all events are free, festival organizers have requested that attendees bring gently used books to deposit in bins that will be placed outside the doors of the meeting rooms. These donated books will be distributed throughout the community after the event.

Friday evening, April 22, the Missouri Theater in Columbia will be the site for a conversation with internationally renowned bestselling author of The English Patient and many other exceptional novels, memoirs, and books of poetry -- Michael Ondaatje.

The main event will be Saturday April 23 on the campus of Stephens College in Columbia, MO. The schedule includes programs for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Children's Events. Senator Claire McCaskill is among the score of top-notch speakers who will be featured during the day. You can find a complete list of speakers here.

A variety of panels will also be held during the day, including the First Page Rodeo, where an expert panel (New York literary agent Margaret Sutherland Brown, Unbridled Books senior editor Greg Michalson, and New York Times bestselling authors Eleanor Brown and George Hodgman) will share their thoughts on a selection of first pages of novels submitted in advance of the festival by the general public.

Five first pages have been selected, from authors as far away as Texas to Massachusetts. The panelists will discuss what works and what does not, as well as what will grab the attention of industry professionals.

Note: At least one of the first-page selectees is from Missouri, and she will be in the audience hoping the panel isn't too harsh on her one-page submission.

You can find a complete schedule, list of authors, and more details on the Unbound Book Festival site. Hope to see you there! And don't forget to bring your gently used books to donate.

CCMWG's Write Direction Conference 2014

The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild will hold its annual  "Write Direction" conference on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 8:30-4:00 at the Unity Center, 1600 W. Broadway in Columbia, MO. 

Early-bird registration (by Sep 26) is only $35 for CCMWG members and $40 for non-members. 

Registration includes:

* Choice of break-out sessions,

* Sales/exhibition space in author’s hall,

* Breakfast snacks, lunch, afternoon tea

Keynote speaker Terry Allen will talk about "Writing Dialogue" and "Writing in Shadows and Fog." Dr. Allen is Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire who taught courses in playwriting, directing, acting, stage movement, theatre history, theatre of the Holocaust, and American cinema for thirty-four years. 

Alan Proctor: "Submitting your Poetry: What Poetry Editors Want." Alan Proctor is a poetry editor for Kansas City Voices, a former humor columnist, tree surgeon, Vice President of a public university and classical guitarist. 

Mary Horner: "Write like a pro to sell your nonfiction writing." Mary is the author of Strengthen Your Nonfiction Writing, a guide to help you write like a professional. She teaches communications at St. Louis and St. Charles Community Colleges. 

Linda Rodriguez: "Riding the Tiger: Writing and Publishing Novels with a Big Five Publisher in a Chaotic Time of Transition."  Linda Rodriguez’s third Skeet Bannion novel, Every Hidden Fear (St. Martin’s/Minotaur), will be published May 5, 2014. 

Mary-Lane Kamberg: “What’s So Funny?” Put your sense of humor on paper. Her workshop includes practical advice for using humor in poetry and following the narrative form for humorous essays. Mary is a professional writer with more than twenty years’ experience. She is the author of 27 books. Her articles have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Marriage and Family Living, Christian Science Monitor, Healthy Kids and many others.

Gerado Mena:  "Unleashing your Inner Voice." His workshop includes generating material, sifting, and creating poems using modern structural techniques. War Poetry: (Closing Session) Iraq.  In this workshop he will read from his poetry book The Shape of Our Faces No Longer Matters and will share his journey from a head full of bad memories to a book of war poems. Gerardo Mena is a decorated Iraqi Freedom veteran. He spent six years in Spec Ops with the Reconnaissance Marines and was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal with a V for Valor for multiple acts of bravery.  His poetry and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Ploughshares, Best New Poets 2011, Ninth Letter, and elsewhere.

For complete details, visit the CCMWG site.

It's Not Too Late to Take Your Writing Career in the Write Direction

This Saturday, November 10, I'm excited to be giving a workshop at the "Write Direction" conference in Columbia, MO.

The annual conference, sponsored by the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild,  kicks off at 8:30 and ends at 4 p.m.

The conference will be held at the Unity Center, 1600 West Broadway in Columbia.

CCMWG president Judy Stock, conference chair Carolyn Mulford, and everyone involved in planning the event have done a wonderful job obtaining presenters, laying out the agenda, and keeping the registration fee affordable.

Here's what you can expect:

Bill Clark, columnist with the Columbia Daily Tribune, will serve as the keynote speaker and inspire participants on The Joy in Taking the Next Step"

Other speakers and breakout session topics include:

Bridget Bufford on "Creating Characters through Archetypes"
Matthew Murie, English professor at Westminister College, on "Finding Your Perfect Pitch"
William Trowbridge, Missouri Poet Laureate, on "Humor in Poetry"
Dr. Edward Adelstein, anatomic and clinical pathologist, on "Every Death is a Short Story"
Donna Volkenannt on "Structuring Short Stories for Passion and Profit"
Linda Fisher from Mozark Press, Yolanda Ciolli from AKA Publishing, and Lou Turner from High Hill Press will participate in publisher/editor panels

Registration fee includes lunch, special-interest tables, book sales, and an afternoon tea.

Student discounts are available and Late registrations will be accepted at the door.

Hope to see you there!

2012 Catholic Writers' Guild Conference in Arlington, Texas

Last Saturday during the meeting of the Catholic Writers of St. Louis, our leader Denise Montgomery gave a brief overview of the Catholic Writers' Guild Conference, which will be held in Arlington, Texas August 29-31.

The focus of this year's conference will be on "writing and the new evangalization."

Some conference features include:
Workshops on marketing and writing
Pitch sessions
Group critiques
Publishers panels

Publishers include: Ignatius Press, Ave Maria Press, St. Anthony Messenger, Pauline Books and Media, and others.

Presenters will be: Patti Armstrong, Faher Andrew Apostoli, Ann Lewis, Claudia Volkman, and several more. Click here for more information on presenters.

Sadly, my schedule doesn't permit me to attend this year, but I hope to make it next year.

To find out more about the conference, contact Ann Lewis, President of the Catholic Writers' Guild at cwglivecon@catholicwritersguild.com

Erma Bombeck 2012: Dinner with Adriana Trigiani, author of THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE

Friday night dinner at the Erma Bombeck 2012 Workshop was an unforgetable experience. The reading by Andy Bombeck before dinner of his mother's column about his marching to a different drummer was a bittersweet moment that brought tears to the eyes of just about everyone in the banquet room.

After dinner, listening to Adriana Trigiani felt like sitting around the kitchen table with my sisters after a holiday meal talking about family, friends and  Hollywood celebrities. Adriana was open and funny and wise.

She spoke about her fondness for the Bombeck family, about leaving her shoes in Nashville, growing up in Virginia, her aunt's special holiday appetizer (cream cheese and crackers), going to school across town from Notre Dame, writing scripts for Hollywood celebrities, and lots more.

She joked with the audience--the "late responders" who were seated in the back--and with a few women who married into large Italian families. She answered questions from the audience, even the ones who crossed the line.  

Sadly, a couple attendees took the opportunity of being in the presence of a bestselling author and screenwriter to ask inappropriate questions. One guy asked her to dish out gossip on celebrities she'd worked with in Hollywood. She didn't rise to the bait; instead she deflected the question by sharing a humorous incident she had with Dolly Parton.

Another man asked Adriana to take a look at his manuscript and send it to her agent. Her response was graceful, yet pointed. She explained that legally she couldn't read his manuscript, but she promised to let her agent know the man would be sending his manuscript. She told us she liked to make her agent work hard and earn her money. Boy, would I love to read what Adriana wrote to her agent about the man's out-of-line request to fast-track his manuscript.

After her talk, a circle formed of people asking more questions. I didn't want to slow her down from getting to her book signing, so I missed my opportunity to meet her personally and tell her how much I enjoyed her latest novel, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE. I had brought my review copy with me and planned to ask her to sign it, then I decided it would be tacky asking her to sign a book I got for free--so, another missed opportunity.

The Friday night banquet was the last workshop event my sister Kathleen and I attended. I was worn out and having shoulder pain, so we left early Saturday morning to drive back to Missouri.

Of all the workshops and conferences I've gone to over the years, the Erma Bombeck Workshop in Dayton has been the most memorable, and the banuet dinner with Adriani Trigiani the most fun. 

Don't you love the gorgeous cover of her latest novel, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE? 

If you would like to read my review of THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE, you can find it on the Bookreporter website. In essence, THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE is a heart-warming tale about two young peasants who meet briefly before leave their separate villages in the Italian Alps at different times and are brought together in America through fate and faith. It's an epic family saga and a love story, which is based on the history of Adriana's family, and the book "she was meant to write."

If you visit the Bookreporter site you can also find an interview of Adriana. The book trailer will give you chills. No wonder THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE has been on the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks. I'm hoping there will be a sequel!

Oh, and to show you how gracious Adriana is, here's some feedback I received from my editor after I returned from Dayton. Adriana's expresses her thoughts on my review which appeared on the Bookreporter's newly re-designed website: "How beautiful- the review! the new site design! the layout! it's totally gorgeous and energized and easy to navigate. The review of The Shoemaker's Wife is absolutely lovely!"

Even though I didn't get to meet Adriana personally, her comments about my review helped me get over it. 

That's all for the workshop, except for some photos I received the other day from Debe Dockins of the Erma Event at the Centerville Library; I'll post most them most likely next week. 

Hope you all have a great weekend.   Ciao!

David Morrell to be Keynote Speaker at Ozark Creative Writers Conference in October

If you're looking for an affordable conference with inspiring speakers in a unique setting, the Ozark Creative Writers Conference should be at the top of your list.

This year's conference will be from Oct 6-8 in the Inn of the Ozarks in scenic and historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Conference kicks off Thursday evening with a reception. The main events begin on Friday, Oct 7 and continue through Satuday, Oct 8.

The theme for this year's conference is "The Secrets of Writing."

Keynote speaker is best-selling thriller writer David Morrell, who will discuss the secret to finding your own voice and subject matter. Morrell is three-time recipient of the Bram Stoker Award and the ThrillerMaster Award given by the International Thriller Writers.

Literary agent Gordon Warnock, a senior agent from the Andrea Hurst Literary Agency, will talk about your secret weapons--taking advantage of tools that most writers ignore. Warnock will also take pitches from attendees.

Dr. Susan Swartwout, editor of The Big Muddy and creative writing teacher from Southeast Missouri State University, joins High Hill Publishing editor Louella Turner to host a panel discussion on the secrets of small and university presses. Dr. Swartwout will also take pitches from attendees.

Other speakers include: Max McCoy, Dusty Richards, Johnny Boggs, Beth Bartlett, W. C. Jameson, and former Arkansas poet laureate Peggy Vinning, with Friday night's entertainment by legendary Country music artist, Nick Nixon.

If that's not enough, all registrants are eligible to enter the 19 contests with substantial cash awards in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry--and a surprise on-the-spot contest. Contest deadline is Aug 27.

Registration is $99 if paid by Aug 27, $119 after Aug 27.

Lodging is available at Inn of the Ozarks and other nearby hotels.

For details about the conference, registration, contests, and speaker bios, please visit the Ozark Creative Writers website.

Personal note: OCW is the first conference I ever attended, and it is a wowser. The conference coordinators are warm and friendly, and the attendees range from cowboys and rodeo riders to university professors and literary agents. The entertainment on Friday is always fun, and the awards banquet on Saturday is exciting and always entertaining.

ORA Contest and Conference Information

Are you in the mood for romance?

If so, the Ozark Romance Authors have a contest and a conference for you.

New to writing? Don't fear. Their motto is "helping new and seasoned writers hone their skills."

The contest deadline is May 16, so if you're interested, you need to act fast!

The conference is July 23 in Springfield, MO--in the heart of the Ozarks--and the registration fee is very reasonable.

Speaker topics include revision, plotting, dialogue, pacing, backstory, transitions, an agent/editor panel, and much more. For complete details click on the conference link.

I was asked to post this information on my blog as a favor to a fellow-Missouri writer. Now that I've read the list of speakers coming to the conference, I'm thinking what a great line-up and an excellent opportunity for writers--even if you don't write Romance!

The Tony Hillerman Writers Weekend in Santa Fe

I don't have a "bucket list," but I do have a conference dream list of writing events in cities, states, and countries I would like to attend. Near the top of my list is The Tony Hillerman Writers Weekend. This year it's in Santa Fe, New Mexico, November 12-13. New Mexico is really a land of enchantment. Featued speakers include:

* Margaret Coel, who will discuss "Creating Compelling Characters and Dynamic Dialogue." Coel was a speaker several years ago at OWFI, where she gave an informative and entertaining presentation on creating characters readers can root for when crafting your novel. (If I look hard enough I might be able to find my notes from her presentation.)

* Bill O'Hanlon, who has been a guest on Oprah, will present Show Me the Energy!Find the Fuel to Start, Complete, and Sell Your Writing Projects." Sounds exciting.

* Publisher and editor Judith Van Gieson will give optional first chapter and synopsis critiques. Sounds helpful.

* Keynote speaker Valerie Plame Wilson is a former CIA covert operations officer and an author. She is currently working on a spy novel. Sounds fascinating.

Other locations for writing conferences or events on my dream list are: Hawaii, Florida, Georgia, San Francisco, Chicago (I might get there some day), London, Germany, Greece, Ireland, and of course New York.

How about you? What are the locations of dream conferences you would like to attend?

Ally Carter, Kristen Nelson, and MWG

Last month I reviewed HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter for Teenreads, which is a fantastic site for teens to learn about authors like Ally Carter and books like HEIST SOCIETY. You can read my entire review on the Teenreads site.

I first learned about Ally Carter after visiting Literary Agent Kristen Nelson's blog, Pub Rants. Kristen is Ally's agent, and from what I've read on Kristen's blog, Ally and other authors Kristen represents have done exceptionally well with their books. So when I saw Ally's name on the list I received from my editor at Bookreporter, I jumped at the chance to review HEIST SOCIETY. Reading books written by YA authors, especially successful ones, has taught me a great deal in crafting the YA mystery novel set in St. Charles, MO, that I'm working on now.

Finishing my YA novel has been a challenge, and I'm always looking for resources to help me work through the process. I visit Kristen's blog frequently because she represents YA authors. Her blog is an exceptional resource for writers; it's filled with helpful advice about submissions, query letters, pitching, and other relevant topics.

Kristen is going to be speaking at the Missouri Writers' Guild Conference this year and I had hoped to learn more about the YA market from her, but life has interfered with my plans. This weekend I will be one of the hostesses for a shower for my niece.

MWG Conference Chair Claire Applewhite, Registrar Margo Dill, and all the board members and volunteers have done an outstanding job planning this year's conference. Pulling off a conference of this magnitude is a major undertaking; I know because in 2005 it was my job to plan and chair the MWG Conference in St. Charles, so I appreciate all their hard work and dedication. While I won't be at the MWG conference this weekend, several of my critique group friends will be including Judy Moresi, who is speaking on a panel, and Claudia Shelton and Doyle Suit, who will be shepherds for some of the speakers. Have fun, guys!

So, I hope everyone who attends has a great time and learns much. With such a star-studded line up, I'm sure it will be a success! To find more about the conference visit the MWG Conference website.

2010 Called to Write Conference April 9 & 10

If you live in the Midwest and are looking for something to do this weekend, here's a conference that might interest you. It's the 2010 Annual Called to Write Conference sponsored by the Christian Writers Fellowship.

The conference will be April 9 & 10 at the Lamplighter Inn and Suites, 2040 Parkview Drive in Pittsburg, Kansas. Speakers include:

Cecil Murphey, best selling author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, Committed but Flawed, Touchdown Alexander and other books.

Deborah Vogts has written a contemporary romance series set in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Sally Jadlow is a member of the Missouri Writers' Guild who lives in the Kansas City area. She has written poetry and has been published in Cup of Comfort books and others.

The workshop schedule covers: How to get started, How to promote yourself, Contracts, Poetry, Biographies and Memoirs, the Business of Writing, Background and Settings, and other topics.

I'm not sure if you can register this late, but it's worth checking out. For more information, including area lodging and dining options, contact Carol Russell rlrussell@ckt.net or visit http://www.christianwritersfellowship.blogspot.com/

Ozarks Romance Authors (ORA) Writers Conference

Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: Partly sunny, high 71 degrees. "Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy . . ."

Missouri is a lovely place to be in the spring, and the Ozarks are especially scenic this time of year, with dogwoods, lilacs, and rosebuds in bloom. How about combining a trip to the Ozarks along with a writing conference? Here's one I found out about just last week.

Kathy Mullens, Conference Chair for the 22nd Annual Ozarks Romance Authors Writers’ Conference, e-mailed me and asked if I would spread the word about their annual conference. So, here are the particulars.

Who? Anyone can attend.

What? ORA 's Conference theme is "Committed to Write."

When? June 6, 2009, 9:00AM-3:30PM (registration 8:30-9:00)

Where? The Springfield Library Center
4653 South Campbell Avenue; Springfield, MO

How Much? Cost ranges from $40 for members to $49.

Why? Speakers, motivation, value, door prizes, contest, book signings.

Speakers include:

ANGIE FOX, "Lining up the Bones: Plotting Your Paranormal (and Other Novels)"

ELIZABETH GRAYSON aka: Karyn Witmer-Gow "Bridging the Gap: Transitioning Between Historical and Contemporary Fiction"

LEIGH MICHAELS, "Writing Between the Sexes"

Contact Diana Locke for more details and registration information at 417-832-9191 or e-mail her at dilock @ sbcglobal . net (delete spaces) or visit the ORA website for complete details.

The Editing Process - Kate Angelella at MWG Conference

Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: Partly cloudy, high 71 degrees, chance of thunderstorms. Some wicked storms blew through this area last night, mostly to the north and east.

While I have my notebook handy from last month's MWG conference, I thought it would be a good time to share some notes I took during a presentation on "The Process" by Kate Angelella. Kate is an acquiring editor at Alladin, a division of Simon and Schuster. Kate's area of expertise is the 'tween market, ages 9-13, which she calls "an untapped market . . . for readers who have graduated from Nancy Drew but not ready for Gossip Girl."


Here are some of her answers to frequently asked questions:

What should I write?
Don't write into a trend because they change
Write what you want--because when you do, it shows

How do I submit?
Find an agent
S&S does not accept unsolicited manuscripts--must be through an agent or invited by an editor
Know whom you are submitting to--make sure that's what they represent
Know their tastes and what they're looking for (hint--look at acknowledgements in books)

What does she want to see?
Voice must be authentic
The "hook" is critical
The first page is the most important
Complete manuscript (through an agent or by editor's request only)

Other words of advice:
It's all about the author's drive
Have an on-line presence
Be passionate about what you write

Perfect Pitch

Today's weather forecast for St. Peters, MO: Foggy, cloudy, high 65 degrees.

(Cari and Michael)
Michael's baseball game was a rainout last night, but there's no worry about the weather this evening for Cari and Michael's spring musical because it's going to be held inside their school auditorium. Cari's eighth grade class is doing "Grease" (we ran out last night to buy stuff so she could make a special tee-shirt), and Michael's fourth-grade class is doing "Dreamgirls," (easy one, just a new pair of dress pants and a dress shirt for him). Our second-grade carpooler's class is doing "Oklahoma"; the seventh grade carpooler is doing "Hairspray," and our first-grade carpooler is doing "The Sound of Music," so I've been hearing show tunes in the van for a several weeks now. It's been fun, and tonight should be a blast!

The kids' concert got me to thinking about "perfect pitch"--not in music, but for writers--in having a good ear for dialogue, a unique voice in stories, and a strategy for pitching to an editor or agent. Spring is not only the time for school concerts; for writers, it's a busy time for conferences, where opportunities to pitch your novel abound.

As writers with hopes of one day publishing a novel, pitching is something most of us dread. I've pitched ideas at several conferences, and my anxiety level always increases just thinking about what I'm going to say.

As luck would have it, yesterday literary agent Nathan Bransford posted on his blog about "How to Maximize Pitch Sessions." He recently attended Pike's Peak Writer's Conference, where he participated in pitch sessions. He talked about his experiences on his blog, where he also gave some suggestions for pitching.

The following list his five suggestions. For complete explanations of each, visit Nathan's blog.

1. Spend as little time as possible talking about your project.
2. Go in with questions.
3. Focus on making a personal connection.
4. Listen to feedback.
5. It's okay to be nervous.

So, even if you are not musically inclined and have a tin ear, as a writer you can give the perfect pitch--just remember: don't be nervous because it's all about the writing.

March Madness in Missouri

**Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: This afternoon it will be windy, high 69 degrees. Take off your jackets and hold on to your hats!

Here's a special announcement from MWG Conference Publicity Chair, Margo Dill Balinski, to members of Saturday Wriers and any other interested writers:

"During March Madness, the Missouri Writers’ Guild is making the following offers for the 94th Annual Conference in Cape Girardeau:

1. Calling all College Students: If you are currently enrolled as a full-time student at a college or university, you can attend the MWG conference for $139, which is a savings of $30 off the current price.

2. Saturday Only price: We’ve had several requests about attending the MWG conference on Saturday only. So, we are offering pricing just for Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. (includes lunch). The prices are $109 for MWG members, $119 for chapter members, and $129 for non-members.

3. Deals on Master’s Classes and the Banquet: FOR ONE WEEK ONLY From March 9 to March 16, you can sign up for a master’s class for $10 off ($55.00) or for the banquet for $5 off ($20).

4. More Deals on Master’s Classes and the Banquet: If you add a Sunday Class or the awards' banquet to your registration from March 17 to April 2, you will get a $5.00 off coupon for the conference book store when you check in at registration on Friday night. (If you are only attending a Sunday class, this will not apply because the book store is only open on Friday night and Saturday until the banquet.)

5. If you live in the St. Louis area and can attend the SLWG meeting on Saturday. . .Barri Bumgarner, MWG board member, has been invited by the St. Louis Writers' Guild to share a program and information about the conference. If you register on that day and pay Barri in cash or check to the MWG, you will save! We are basically offering early bird pricing on that day only if you attend Barri's talk and pay that day. If you need more information about this, you can e-mail me at margodll@aol.com

Check the MWG conference website for more information: www.mwgconference.org, call Margo at 217-714-8582, or e-mail Emily at esh@mwgconference.org.

Hope to see you there!
Margo Dill Balinski"

I'm going to the conference on Friday and Saturday, so I hope to see you there, too!
Donna

Missouri Writers' Guild Conference Offers Affordable Options

Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: High 49 degrees, chance for showers this evening.

If you haven't signed up for the MWG Conference in Cape Girardeau, MO, from Apr 3-5 because you cannot afford the entire event or can't commit to a full weekend, here are a couple less-time consuming and more affordable options:

Member/Attendee Book Signing - Saturday, April 4, from 5:15 to 7:00. The book signing is free and open to the public (but, of course you pay for any books you buy). Come support the speakers, attendees, and members by attending the book signing, chatting with the writers, and buying copies of their books. I'll be there signing copies of anthologies with my stories in them, including "Welcome Home" in A Cup of Comfort for Military Families, and "November Rose" in the 2009 Voices Anthology. Attending the book signing is free--you can't get a better bargain than that.

If you're driving to Cape to attend the book signing on Saturday, why not stay for the:

Annual Awards Banquet--Saturday night, April 4 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The banquet only costs $25. For $25 you get a delicious meal, as well as a presentation by the keynote speaker, TV writer and producer, Lee Goldberg, and presentation of the Missouri Writers' Guild writing awards. The banquet is a great opportunity to listen to a fantastic speaker while networking and meeting with other writers.

If you want to spend one night, you can book a room and spend the night at the Drury Lodge for only $85 and on Sunday, you can attend one of four:

Masters Classes, Sunday, April 5 from 9 to noon. For $65 you can attend your choice of one Master Class. These are smaller sized classes where you have intense instruction from a writing professional. Many of these are taught in workshop format where you will be doing some writing and learning both!

Here is a listing of the classes you can chose from:

Lee Goldberg's "Breaking Into TV Writing -- The Crash Course" - TV writer and producer Lee Goldberg ("SeaQuest," "Monk," "Diagnosis Murder" ) will teach you how to watch TV the way professional television writers do -- how to recognize the "franchise" of a show, the four-act structure, and the unique conflicts that drive the weekly storytelling. These are essential skills that are not only important in understanding TV, but also in writing the all important spec script that will be your calling card (but many of the lessons he teaches can also be applied to novel-writing). This three-hour seminar combines a free-wheeling lecture and discussion with clips from television shows that highlight the key points. You'll never watch TV the same way again after this seminar.

Harvey Stanbrough's "Writing Realistic Dialogue Workshop" Harvey's classes are often STANDING ROOM ONLY. He's that good! This is a discussion of the necessity and excessive use of tag lines and brief descriptive narrative passages; the physical and abstract nuances of Implication; the use of sentences vs. sentence fragments; the use of dialect, including truncated and/or phonetic spellings; mechanics; and conveying emotion through dialogue.

Barri Bumgarner's "Let's Write! Workshop" - Barri is enthusiastic, fun, and encouraging. Anytime you have a chance to take a class with Barri--seize the opportunity. This class is a session designed to inspire and get ideas formulated, design characters, plots, and even do a bit of writing!

Annette Fix's "Memoir Workshop" - Annette is one of the co-founders of WOW! Women on Writing. She also has written a memoir, The Break-Up Diet. She brings her story to life through humor and also includes universal themes. If you are writing a memoir or ever thought about writing one, you don't want to miss this workshop.

To register for any of these events, visit the MWG conference website: http://www.mwgconference.org/

If you have any trouble using the website for registration, or you don't feel comfortable paying with PayPal, call Margo Dill at 217-714-8582 or e-mail Emily at esh@mwgconference.org.

Remember, you can sign up for the entire conference too--which begins Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and goes until Saturday at 7:00 p.m. I'll be there--I hope you will, too.

Missouri Writers' Guild Conference

(Here's a photo from last year's conference)

That's me on the right with two of my writing friends--Mary Horner and Dianna Graveman--and Walter Bargen (Missouri's first poet laureate)

Today's forecast for St. Peters: Chance of fluries today, snow this evening. High 39 degrees.

*If one of your New Year's resultions is to get serious about your writing career by attending a conference, here's one I recommend.

* The Missouri Writers' Guild will hold its 94th annual conference April 3-5 at the Drury Lodge in historic Cape Girardeau, MO. (Cape Girardeau is in Southeast Missouri, about 115 miles south of St. Louis.)

* This year's MWG conference will feature speakers:
** Lee Goldberg, TV writer (Monk)
** Annette Fix and Angela Mackintosh, WOW! Magazine editors
** Harvey Stanbrough, Pulitizer Prize nominee
** Kate Angelella, Simon and Schuster editor
** Celeste Walker, editor of Listen Magazine
** Marcia Preston, former editor of Byline Magazine and award-winning novelist

** Michelle Salater, writer and editor

** Jessica Burkhart, writer and novelist
* Plus more speakers to be announced.

* Conference highlights include: one-on-one agent/editor appointments, marketing advice, and workshops on perfecting your craft.

* For complete details, visit the conference website http://www.mwgconference.org/ or e-mail Emily Hendricks, conference chair, at esh@mwgconference.org

* Hope to see you there!