A reminder of Writers Workshop

Hi everyone,

This is a repeat but one that seems worth posting a second time. It’s time to register for those who are interested in attending. Last year Writers Hall of Fame sponsored a one-day workshop in Springfield, Missouri called “Awakening the Writer Within.” It was a successful event so this year we’re sponsoring another one and calling it “Nourishing the Writer Within.” If you think you might be interested in participating in this workshop, here’s the information about it.

Get inspired! Get answers! Get going!

Start your writing life – or expand the one you have – at the 2013 Writers Workshop, “Nourishing the Writer Within,” sponsored by the Writers Hall of Fame. Get inspiration and useful tips from published authors, poets and journalists.
The 2013 Writers Workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, in the Library Center auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, Missouri. Cost is $50 and includes a morning snack, refreshments and a box lunch. For age 16 and older. Registration is limited, so sign up early!

Workshop schedule:

8:30-9 a.m. Registration, refreshments and welcome
9-9:45 a.m. David Harrison “You Know You’re a Writer When…”
9:50-10:35 a.m. Veda Boyd Jones, “Important Elements of Writing A Novel: Which Comes First When Plotting a Novel? Setting, Characters, or Conflict?”
10:40-10:55 a.m. Break/Poems for Two Voices – David Harrison & audience members
11-11:45 Cecily White, “Developing Conflict and Finding Your Voice.”
11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch provided
12:35-1 p.m. Break/ Entertainment: The Byron Biggers Band
1-1:45 p.m. Jim Long, “Marketing What You Write: Magazines, to Online Publications, Books to Blogs.”
1:45-2:30 p.m. Ethan Bryan, Juliana Goodwin, Wes Johnson, “How to Write What’s Second Nature To You… and Not Get Lost in the Weeds.”
2:30-2:45 p.m. Break/entertainment by songwriter/guitarist Ethan Bryan
2:45-3:30 William Garvin, “An Ugly Little Story: Placing Family History in a Wider Context.”
3:30-4 p.m. Wrapping It Up: Panel and audience Q&A with the writers

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Register now for an inspiring day of Nourishing the Writer Within!

• Saturday, October 12, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Library Center auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell. For ages 16 and older.
• Registration fee: $50, includes morning snack, refreshments & box lunch
• Registration deadline: Friday, October 4, 2013. Seating is limited, sign up early!
Please print clearly
Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
Daytime phone: ______________________
Email: ______________________________

Register online at http://writershalloffame.org or by mail and send this form and your completed check to: Kim Flores, 2256 S. Dollison Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807
For more information call Kathleen O’Dell, 616-0564 or email kathleeno@thelibrary.org .

Your workshop speakers:

David L. Harrison’s

89 books for young people and teachers have received dozens of honors, including the Christopher Medal for The Book of Giant Stories. His work has been translated into 12 languages and anthologized more than 125 times. David’s poem, “My Book,” is sandblasted into a library sidewalk in Phoenix and adorns a bookmobile in Pueblo, Colo. His poetry inspired the popular school play, “Somebody Catch My Homework.” The Missouri Librarian Association honored him with its Literacy Award for the body of his work. David has science degrees from Drury and Emory universities and honorary doctorate of letters from Missouri State and Drury universities. David Harrison Elementary School is named for him. He is Drury University’s poet laureate. See http://davidlharrison.com  .

Veda Boyd Jones

is a prolific writer, with 47 books and more than 500 articles and short stories to her name. Research skills are critical, Veda says. The skills she learned in school propelled the research she did for her nonfiction books and for details she needed for novels. She has written adult romance, children’s fiction and nonfiction for magazines, articles for reference books, middle-grade novels and nonfiction books for children, and books for first readers and high school students. See http://vedaboydjones.com  .

Cecily White

is the author of “Prophesy Girl.” She has enjoyed careers as a hand model, GAP salesgirl, movie projectionist, psychotherapist, yoga instructor, university professor, artist, dance choreographer, eating disorders specialist, psych diagnostician, book reviewer and copy editor – none of which, she says, are as much fun as writing novels. See http://cecilywhite.com .

Jim Long

is the founder of Long Creek Herbs, and since 1987 has been in the business of herb gardening and writing books covering topics from herbal remedies to dream pillows. When he’s not traveling the world looking for interesting new plants, he is writing columns for gardening and herb magazines or writing books on a variety of related subjects or journaling on one of his many online blogs. Currently he writes for four magazines and 17 regional newspapers, and freelances for other publications. “It’s important to find your niche market, learn how to access it and things to avoid.” See http://longcreekherbs.com

Ethan Bryan

is an author, musician, and story-teller. He has completed century rides on bicycles, under par rounds of golf, and is a world-record holder. He still dreams of one day playing baseball with the Kansas City Royals. Ethan is currently working on a project to become the “World’s Best Catch Player.” Ethan and his wife, Jamie, live in Springfield, Missouri, with their two daughters. He is the author of “Run Home & Take a Bow: Stories of Life, Faith, and a Season With the KC Royals;” “Striking Out ALS: A Hero’s Tale;” and “Tales of the Taylor: Songs That Changed the World.” See http://ethanbryan.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/going-viral

Juliana Goodwin

was born in Brazil and raised in nine countries, which is where her love of travel developed. “My father was in the foreign service so we hosted three to five cocktail parties and luncheons a week – so I grew up entertaining. As a small child, my mother had a bakery out of the house and I learned to bake at an early age. By first grade, I was creating original recipes. I have always known I wanted to be a writer; I’d dictate to my mom before I could physically write. I have degrees in both English and Print Journalism. Early on, I decided I wanted to pursue food and travel writing. Today, I am a columnist for the Springfield News-Leader. My goal is to visit every continent on earth, 100 countries and every state in the U.S. (and continue writing about it). Read her work at http://news-leader.com

Wes Johnson

has been a reporter and editor since graduating from Wichita State University’s journalism program in 1980. Currently the Outdoors writer at the Springfield News-Leader, Wes enjoys getting out into the woods for long hikes, kayaking Missouri streams and sailing clear Ozarks lakes on sailboats he restores as a hobby. He specializes in participatory journalism — writing about the great outdoors from a personal point of view and sharing his experiences and adventures with readers. Read his work at http://news-leader.com

William Garvin

has been Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist at F.W. Olin Library, Drury University since 1992. His articles have been published The Springfield News-Leader, Drury Magazine, The Ada (Okla.) Evening News, and The Rolla Daily News. He has also taught a number of classes in literature, history and the study of the printed book.

Byron Biggers Band

Hi everyone,

Some nice things are on the horizon and I need to start preparing for them. Yesterday I mentioned the Writers Workshop here in Springfield on October 12. I’ll give the opening talk for that. At another point during the day I’ll entertain in something called Byron Biggers Band. Chris Craig (guitar, arranger, and lead singer), Gale Clithero (percussion, singer), and I form the band, which performs a number of my poems that Chris has set to musical arrangements. I took the group’s name from one of my poems.

Here lie the bones of Byron Biggers,
Eaten alive by hungry chiggers,
So if you see poor Bryon twitch,
Scratch his bones ’cause they still itch.

When we performed on radio a few years ago, the station gave us a CD of the results. One of these days that will become a collector’s item, he guffawed.

David

Veda Boyd Jones speaking at Writers Workshop

Hi everyone,

I mentioned the other day that Writers Hall of Fame is hosting its second annual writers workshop in Springfield on October 12. It’s an all day event that will feature a number of veteran writers speaking on various aspects of their craft. One of the highlights for me will be to hear Veda Boyd Jones talk about “Important Elements of Writing a Novel: Which Comes First When Plotting a Novel? Setting, Characters, or Conflict?”

It will be my privilege to introduce Veda before her address.

It won’t be hard to think of something to say about this multitalented author. Here are a few quick facts. Veda Boyd Jones is the author of 47 books with traditional publishers, some for adult markets, most for children. Publishers include Scholastic, Barbour, McGraw-Hill, Lerner, Lucent, Chelsea House, Wendy Pye, Avalon, and Seedling. In addition,she’s had over 500 short stories or articles published in magazines (Woman’s World, The Writer, Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac, Highlights, Cricket, Humpty Dumpty and many others). Now she’s ventured into the e-world with Joe’s Ghost, An Ozark Christmas Angel and other books on Kindle.

See what I mean? It’s going to be a good day. To learn from Veda and a full lineup of other professionals, those who attend will only pay $50, which also includes a morning snack, refreshments, and box lunch. Anyone who would like to take advantage of this opportunity can register online at http://www.writershalloffame.org  or by mail to Kim Flores, 2256 S. Dollison, Ave., Springfield, MO 65807. For information call Kathleen O’Dell, 417-616-0564.

Dragons and trains

Hi everyone,

Another rainy night and morning. I’m sorry for all those who are suffering from severe flooding. Wishing you the strength to somehow get through this ordeal.

Don’t forget that this month our word challenge is TRAIN and our theme challenge is DRAGONS. You can post both of your poems on the W.O.M. Poems page.

I’ll have limited contact for a while but will check when I can. Do come by tomorrow though for information about Writers Hall of Fame second annual writers workshop.

David

Announcing a writers’ workshop

BULLETIN: It’s my pleasure to be added to Renee La Tulippe’s video library of poets reading their work. This also includes an interview and a number of links to other information about my work. If you are not familiar with Renee, her own delightful poetry, or her masterful site, I urge you to click on this link and prepare to stay a while! http://www.nowaterriver.com/poetry-monday-cookie-by-david-l-harrison

Hi everyone,

In May of this year, Writers Hall of Fame planned a one-day writers’ workshop in Springfield, Missouri for people with an interest in learning more about various aspects of writing. Unfortunately, our timing was in conflict with several other area events and our price ($85) was thought to be a bit much by some of those who responded. We had a number of people register, but not quite enough to make the workshop jell. Sadly, we cancelled and voted to try again in the fall, and with a lower price. The reason for the event, in part, is to raise money to fund our college scholarships for graduating high school students who want to pursue a career in writing. Naturally, we want the workshop to be successful financially as well as for those who attend the event.

So now we’re set to go again. The date is Saturday, October 13. The event, called AWAKENING THE WRITER WITHIN, will be held in Lay Hall on the campus of Drury University. The day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Subjects covered during the day include:

What You Need to Get Started: The Simple Nuts and Bolts of Writing.
Writing What You Know and Love
Ways to Earn a Living as a Writer
Are You a Children’s Writer? Here’s How to Find Out (Guess who’s teaching that one?)
Who Are You? Where Did You Come From? (Genealogy)
What Do You Want Your Family to Remember? Capturing Your Wonderful Stories
Writing by Ear: Words that Sound Just Right
Sounding Off — and Other Letters to the Editor
Self Publishing
Trade Publishing
e-Publishing,
Agents: What Does It All Mean?
Is Betty White Right? Learn About Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and Why
Wrapping It Up! With the Section Leaders

Speakers include Kaye Calkins, Shellie Foltz, George Freeman, Jonathan Groves, David Harrison, Sara Eaker, Todd Parnell, Maryann Wakefield, Wayne Groner, Patti Hobbs, and Resa Willis. Collectively they represent many years of experience and success in their various fields of writing. We’re proud of our slate and are confident that those who attend will find much to learn and enjoy.

The price is only $50 and it includes a morning snack, a box lunch, and coffee/soft drinks/water throughout the day.

Registration Deadline is Friday, October 5. The workshop is limited to 75 registrants. Fur further information or to register, contact Gail Gourley (417-616-0554) or gailg@thelibrary.org

I realize that most of you who normally visit my blog live too far away to join the fun on October 13, but a good number of you live closer. I hope that you’ll register for the day if you spotted anything on the program that might appeal to you. Also, many of you have your own blogs so please help by passing along this link and/or posting to Facebook, Twitter, etc. I will appreciate it!