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I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy writing as a lifelong career, a dream begun at age 9. Over the last dozen years I’ve been privileged to pass along some of the tips ‘n tricks that help writers find their story and the form that will show it off. Of three area universities, TCU, UTA, and SMU, I’ve taught at SMU the longest, 10 years plus, where the slogan “where writers write,” is oh, so true. I’m back at SMU again in 2012 teaching “Narrative Nonfiction Proposal” class that kicks off February 2 (Thursdays). “Introduction to Creative Writing” starts March 21 (Mondays).
Lisa Bernstein from this fall’s Introductory course said: “I learned so much and felt so encouraged to continue my writing. You have a wealth of information and...you actually want to share it!”
Sometimes the classes are formal, such as at SMU; sometimes informal, such as in my home. And then speaking opportunities come along such as on Monday, March 19, to The Writer’s Guild of Texas about Creative (or Narrative) Nonfiction, and in April a half day writing workshop for Professional Insurance Communicators Association (PICA), convening in Dallas on the 16 and 17.
WRITING CIRCLES...
A couple of years ago a friend said, “Why don’t you teach writing in your home?”
I mentioned it to friends and acquaintances and the idea took off. These Writing Circles are small. Now we have two groups: the “novice,” represents writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. At present, novelists comprise the “intermediate” session. That’s happenstance, not design.
Two out of the Intermediate group signed contracts with agents this last year; another agent is looking over the nonfiction manuscript of a woman in the “novice” group. Jim or “J. Fred” Beckman of Fort Worth--and a member of the “novice” group-- self published his first book, Love and Revenge last spring and is now writing his second novel.
He said “Carmen Goldthwaite ... shows great patience in helping writers improve. Her weekly Writer’s Circle group is a joy to attend and encourages anyone nervous in presenting their work."
A poet in the group is publishing several of his poems to accompany the works of photographers. Short stories, memoir, essay, poems, novels, and nonfiction and narrative nonfiction--they’re the forms we writers choose to tell the stories we want to pass along.
These women and men have been writing, growing in style and in voice, and having fun in the process. Yet, they may agree with Thomas Mann, the German Novelist of the early 20th Century: “A Writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”
• The Novice Writers Circle meets Tuesday nights, 7-10 p.m. We will have two openings for the six week session beginning January 10, 2012. The cost? $90 for the six weeks.
• The Intermediate Writers Circle meets Wednesday afternoons, 2-5, with the possibility of one opening for the session that starts, Wednesday, January 11. The cost’s the same, $90.
If you’d like to take part in a Writers Circle please contact me. We meet in my West Fort Worth home, near downtown.
SPRING SEMESTER AT SMU...
Beginning Thursday, February 2, 6:30-9:00 pm will be the 12-week Narrative Nonfiction Proposal course. In this class I teach how to tell a true story with all the interest and drama of fiction. In this class students begin with an idea and conclude with a nonfiction proposal to submit to agents or editors or to enter in the SMU competition for the trip to NYC and a “sit down” with agents. For more information, contact SMU CAPE: 214-768-2273 or click here to go to the website.
On Monday, March 26, “Introduction to Creative Writing” at SMU starts, 6:30 to 9 p.m. for six weeks. We’ll look at most forms of writing, experiment with several and introduce style and literary techniques. Contact SMU CAPE to register: 214-768-2273 or click here to go to the website.
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COMMENTS FROM RECENT WRITING STUDENTS...
• ”friendly open discussion, lots of encouragement;
• “good information and handouts;
• “topic and exercises were excellent and relevant;
• “enjoyed workshop feel--getting critique is infinitely helpful
• “The teacher--very helpful!”
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CHOOSE FROM THESE WRITING TOPICS for SEMINARS, SPEAKING PRESENTATIONS, AND WORKSHOPs ABOUT WRITING,
Tailored for topic, audience, and time(s) of those sponsoring programs.
“Finding the Story.” Discover the story you want to write, focus your writing on the message, the conflict, and the character. Discover the writing form or genre that calls forth your talents. Blend fiction AND nonfiction skills to create powerful articles, memoirs and fictional stories.
"Bring Your Characters to Life--in Fact or Fiction." Grow them into the hearts of readers. We'll build from the outside in so that when finished, you'll have a character poised to assume Center Stage in your stories. By doing so, the reader—and the editor—will find your book hard to put down because they will care for your characters and want to know what happens.
“Dialogue: Add Grit to Your Characters, Tension to Your Plot.” Apply the skills of dialogue, the “tension engine of fiction.” Keep readers turning pages and rooting for your character in this session of information, practice, and coaching. Develop dialogue skills to reveal personality, culture, values by “showing not telling,” creating a distinctive difference among characters.
"Voice, Suspense & Style." I look for that distinctive...new...and refreshing author's voice." That's what editors and agents say. So that's what topic covers--how to develop a distinctive voice, using the techniques of literary style and the dramatic element of suspense.
“Write the Right Way... to Publish.” There’s the writing we learned in school. And then there’s writing to publish in today’s market of fiction and nonfiction. Tweak and polish your skills into a commercially publishable form.
"How to Publish Short and/or Long Works."
Learn the “how-to’s” of turning stories and articles into published materials. How to approach editors and how to match your writing to their readers' interests. Learn about pitch, cover and query letters that get attention. Yes, it’s a tough market. But schooled in the techniques of talking about your story in a persuasive manner and matching your writing to a publisher’s audience—magazine and book (or agent)—will improve your odds.
“Create a Media Buzz.” Okay. So you’re published now and looking for those royalties (if your book is with a publisher) or direct sales if you’re self-published. We’ll address some do’s and don’ts as well as strategies for success so that you’re not “sitting alone at a book signing.”
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