PROMPT – Use the sentence “What fresh hell is this?” in your piece. This is a quote attributed to Dorothy Parker, who is said to have uttered this when the phone rang in the middle of a writing session.

Inside this issue we have a special report from Barbara Brabec at www.barbarabrabec.com on the issues surrounding the Google Book’s settlement, an interview with the lovely Tasha Alexander, author of historical novels including And Only to Deceive, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and her latest, Tears of Pearl. Chico Writers Group member, Lori “Stormy” Storm, pens a moving essay about The Library and gives her review of the book, Art & Fear. Much more are here in this monthly edition, including the instant hit, daily writing prompts.

So hurry on over and read up, then get to writing. And don’t forget, you, too, can have your article printed in our e-newsletter. For more information, read our Submitting Articles post.

The Chico Writer’s Group will be hosting a Craft Chat Saturday, September 12, 2009 on the topic of how to describe a setting through the character’s eyes. This is a free event, writers of all walks, all levels of experience, are invited to attend.

Craft Chat and Critique Workshop

Coming Saturday, September 26, 2009: Writing Conference Review. Chico Writer’s Group members who have attended writing conferences over the summer will be sharing useful information with us. This is also a free event, open to the public. If you are interested in attending this special presentation, please contact us (you may leave a comment here, just be sure to provide a working email address so we can reply. Email addresses are never published publicly.) as space is limited.

The Chico Writer’s Group, is not affiliated with the Meetup Group with a similar name.

(We are not affiliated with the Chico Writers Meetup Group*)

Chico Writer’s Group Craft Chat and Critique Workshop

“Describing Sounds”

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time: 3:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico
Room: Butte County Library – Chico Branch conference room (directly across the hall from the circulation desk)
Fees: None

Agenda

3:30 – 4:00 PM Free write – We always have a fun writing exercise assigned that inspires creativity (and has resulted in poems, short stories and even the beginnings of longer pieces!). Come join!
4:00 – 4:30 PM Craft Chat: Describing Sounds
What was that noise – and how can you describe it to your reader? Whether it’s the creak of a basement door, the babbling of a brook, or the rush of the wind, your characters encounter sounds. We’ll talk about ways to describe those sounds so your reader hears them too.
5:00 – 6:30 PM Critique Workshop
All manuscripts have been turned in and distributed to members in good standing.

*Chico Writers Meetup Group is through a paid membership site, Meetup. We do not have anything to do with this group and are not affiliated. We never charge membership dues or collect fees.

4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Flash Fiction Writing Exercise and Craft Chat: Opening Lines

How do you pull your readers into your story from the very first line? What makes for a good first line? When should you write it?

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Critique Workshop

Manuscripts have been turned in and distributed to the members in good standing. Order of critiques are as follows:  R. A., K. L., D. H.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Place: Butte County Library, Chico Branch – Conference Room
Address: 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico (cross street – First Avenue)

Also, under the “useful links” category in the navigation column, you’ll find a recently added “Creating a Pitch” which was written by the novelist Camy Tang. Definitely worth reading and even bookmarking for future reference.

The article (be sure to read both pages) guides the author through some thoughtful ways in which to write good physical fight scenes, characters and "the hook." 

At the end there are a few writing prompts.  Why not give them a whirl? 

Agenda

4:30 – 5:00 PM Craft Chat

Naming Characters – Given names, chosen names, and nicknames are a part of who we are. How do we find the right names for our characters? What do the characters’ names mean for the story? Or does finding just the right name even matter?

5:00 – 6:30 PM Critiques

Members have been sent the manuscripts for critiquing.  This is a closed session.  Persons interested in attending our workshop may attend the first portion (Craft Chat) but will be asked to leave for our critique portion. 

Synopsis Workshop Announcement

The Chico Writer’s Group is looking to host a synopsis workshop/seminar.  If you are a published author, an editor and/or an agent and are interested in presenting, please leave a comment below (your name and working email address are required, we never sell, share or publish your email address) and someone will be in touch with you.

A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though she has had no lessons, nor prior experience. She mounts the horse unassisted, and the horse immediately springs into motion. It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slide from the saddle. In terror, she grabs for the horse’s mane, but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse’s neck, but she slides down the horse’s side anyway.

The horse gallops along, seemingly impervious to its slipping rider. Finally, giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts to leap away from the horse and throw herself to safety.

Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup. She is now at the mercy of the horse’s pounding hooves, and her head strikes the ground over and over.

As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness when to her great fortune, Frank, the Wal-mart greeter sees her dilemma and unplugs the horse.

And you thought all they did was say Hello.