Y-City Writers' Forum

Lorena Mystery Dinner

2012-01-11T07:58:00.004-05:00

June 16, 2012
6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

Dinner: Baked Steak
Baked Potato
Asparagus and Red Pepper Stir Fry
Salad
Mocha Almond Fudge
Cost: $30.00/person

For ticket information or if you would like to by an advertisement in our playbill and online, contact Rita at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com.

January 3, 2012 Meeting Re-Cap

2012-01-09T08:18:00.001-05:00

In attendance: Braden, Rita, Cindy, Beth, Brian, Shirley, Heidi, Heather and Libby

We spoke briefly on the Lorena Mystery Dinner. We will meet 1-10-2012, 6:30-7:00 PM at the John McIntire Library to plan it further.

Our exercise for the night was to write about a color without using the word. Several of us read what we came up with.

During our discussion, Cindy gave us these helpful writing tips by Doug Lance (Editor of eFiction Magazine as postedon Google+) - Dec 29, 2011 (edited) - Public

32rules for writing #fictionfrom Allen Guthrie

Hunting Down the Pleonasms

I can’t stress strongly enough that writing is subjective. We all strive fordifferent goals. Consequently, we all need our own set of rules—and some of usdon’t need rules at all! Personally, I like rules. If nothing else, it’s funbreaking them.

1: Avoid pleonasms. A pleonasm is a word or phrase which can be removedfrom a sentence without changing its meaning. For example, in “Hunting Down ThePleonasm”, ‘down’ is pleonastic. Cut it and the meaning of the sentence doesnot alter. Many words are used pleonastically: ‘just’, ‘that’ and ‘actually’are three frequently-seen culprits (I actually just know that he’s the killercan be trimmed to I know he’s the killer), and phrases like ‘more or less’ and‘in any shape or form’ are redundant.

2: Use oblique dialogue. Try to generate conflict at all times in yourwriting. Attempt the following experiment at home or work: spend the dayrefusing to answer your family and colleagues’ questions directly. Did yougenerate conflict? I bet you did. Apply that principle to your writing and yourcharacters will respond likewise.

3: Use strong verbs in preference to adverbs. I won’t say avoid adverbs,period, because about once every fifty pages they’re okay! What’s not okay isto use an adverb as an excuse for failing to find the correct verb. To ‘walkslowly’ is much less effective than to ‘plod’ or ‘trudge’. To ‘connectstrongly’ is much less effective than to ‘forge a connection’.

4: Cut adjectives where possible. See rule 3 (for ‘verb’ read ‘noun’).

5: Pairs of adjectives are exponentially worse than single adjectives.The ‘big, old’ man walked slowly towards the ‘tall, beautiful’ girl. When Iread a sentence like that, I’m hoping he dies before he arrives at hisdestination. Mind you, that’s probably a cue for a ‘noisy, white’ ambulance toarrive. Wailingly, perhaps!

6: Keep speeches short. Any speech of more than three sentences shouldbe broken up. Force your character to do something. Make him take note of hissurroundings. Ground the reader. Create a sense of place.

7: If you find you’ve said the same thing more than once, choose the bestand cut the rest. Frequently, I see the same idea presented several ways.It’s as if the writer is saying, “The first couple of images might not work,but the third one should do it. If not, maybe all three together will swingit.” The writer is repeating himself. Like this. This is a subtle form ofpleonasm.

8: Show, don’t tell. Much vaunted advice, yet rarely heeded. An example:expressing emotion indirectly. Is your preferred reader intelligent? Yes? Thentreat them accordingly. Tears were streaming down Lila’s face. She was verysad. Can the second sentence be inferred from the first? In context, let’s hopeso. So cut it. If you want to engage your readers, don’t explain everything tothem. Show them what’s happening and allow their intelligence to do the rest.And there’s a bonus to this approach. Because movies, of necessity, show ratherthan tell, this approach to your writing will help when it’s time to begin workon the screenplay adaptation of your novel!

9: Describe the environment in ways that are pertinent to the story. Andtry to make such descriptions active. Instead of describing a book lying on atable, have your psycho-killer protagonist pick it up, glance at it and move itto the arm of the sofa. He needs something to do to break up those longspeeches, right?

10: Don’t be cute. In the above example, your protagonist should not benamed Si Coe.

11: Avoid sounding ‘writerly’. Better to dirty up your prose. When yousound like a writer, your voice has crept in and authorial intrusion is alwaysunwelcome. In the best writing, the author is invisible.

12: Fix your Point Of View (POV). Make it clear whose head you’re in asearly as possible. And stay there for the duration of the scene. Unless you’realready a highly successful published novelist, in which case you can do whatyou like. The reality is that although most readers aren’t necessarily clued upon the finer points of POV, they know what’s confusing and what isn’t.

13: Don’t confuse the reader. If you write something you think might beunclear, it is. Big time. Change it or cut it.

14: Use ‘said’ to carry dialogue. Sid Fleischman calls ‘said’, “theinvisible word.”

15: Whilst it’s good to assume your reader is intelligent, never assumethey’re psychic.

16: Start scenes late and leave them early.

17: When writing a novel, start with your characters in action. Fill in anynecessary backstory as you go along.

18: Give your characters clear goals. Always. Every scene. And provideobstacles to those goals. Always. Every scene. If the POV character in a scenedoes not have a goal, provide one or cut the scene. If there is no obstacle,add one or cut the scene.

19: Don’t allow characters who are sexually attracted to one another theopportunity to get into bed unless at least one of them has a jealous partner.

20: Torture your protagonist. It’s not enough for him to be stuck up atree. You must throw rocks at him while he figures out how to get down.

21: Use all five senses in your descriptions. Smell and touch are toooften neglected.

22: Vary your sentence lengths. I tend to write short, and it’s amazingwhat a difference combing a couple of sentences can make.

23: Don’t allow your fictional characters to speak in sentences. Unlessyou want them to sound fictional.

24: Cut out filtering devices, wherever possible. ‘He felt’, ‘hethought’, ‘he observed’ are all filters. They distance the reader from thecharacter.

25: Avoid unnecessary repetition of tense. For example: I’d gone to thehospital. They’d kept me waiting for hours. Eventually, I’d seen a doctor. Usually,the first sentence is sufficient to establish tense. I’d gone to the hospital.They kept me waiting for hours. Eventually, I saw a doctor.

26: When you finish your book, pinpoint the weakest scene and cut it. Ifnecessary, replace it with a sentence or paragraph.

27: Don’t plant information. How is Donald, your son? I’m quite sureDonald’s father doesn’t need reminding who Donald is. Their relationship ismentioned purely to provide the reader with information.

28: If an opinion expressed through dialogue makes your POV character looklike a jerk, allow him to think it rather than say it. He’ll express thesame opinion, but seem like a lot less of a jerk.

29: Characters who smile and grin a lot come across as deranged fools.Sighing and shrugging are also actions to avoid. Eliminating smiles, sighs andshrugs is almost always an improvement. Smiling sadly is a capital offence.

30: Pronouns are big trouble for such little words. The most usefulpiece of information I ever encountered on the little blighters was this:pronouns refer to the nearest matching noun backwards. For example: John tookthe knife out of its sheath and stabbed Paul with it. Well, that’s good newsfor Paul. If you travel backwards from ‘it’, you’ll see that John has stabbed Paulwith the sheath! Observing this rule leads to much clearer writing.

31: Spot the moment of maximum tension and hold it for as long as possible.Or as John D. MacDonald put it: “Freeze the action and shoot him later.”

32: If something works, forget about the rule that says it shouldn’t.

Five bonus rules from Orwell's Politics and the English Language.

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are usedto seeing in print.

2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.

3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.

5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you canthink of an everyday English equivalent.

Braden, Heidi, Beth, Brian, Libby and Heather read.

Coming Up:

January 4- Reading at Autumn Healthcare1:30 PM- 2PM

January 6- 6-9 PMthe Y-City Writers will be doing open readings in Suite 312 of the MasonicTemple Building, located at 38 N. 4th St. All are welcome to bring any piece ofwriting you have created, such as poetry, non-fiction, short stories or flashfiction. Feel free to just stop in to listen, as well.

January 19- Reading at The Carr Center10 AM

January 26-Open Readings at WeaselboyBrewing Company in the Gallery, 126 Muskingum Avenue at 7 PM-?.

March 20-Speaker: Joan Connor- EnglishDepartment at Ohio University “How to create texture in writing.” http://www.english.ohiou.edu/directory/faculty_page/connor/

May 15-Speaker: Julie L. Moore - Slipping Out of Bloom, her firstfull-length book of poetry, which was published by WordTech Editions in June2010, and Election Day, a chapbook of poetry published by Finishing LinePress in 2006. Her poetry has also been published in several anthologies,including Becoming: Anthology of Women’s Stories, forthcoming from theUniversity of Nebraska, and Mamas and Papas from City Works Press

June 16- Lorena Mystery Dinner Cruise7-9 PM

June 19- Speaker: Gina McKnight Author, Equestrian, PerformancePoet & Freelance Writer, Member: Ohio Arts Council

Next Meeting February 7, 2012 6:30p.m. – 8:00p.m.

Next meeting's prompt?

Time: FIVE-TEN MINUTES
"Write a letter to your thirteen year old self. Tell what you've accomplished, what you haven't, and some of the crucial life lessons you had to learn. What was important to you at 13 that isn't now (or vice versa )? What has stayed the same? Be Very Specific!"

Submissions:

Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.

“The Discovery” 2012 Y-City Writers Conference Contest Theme.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you would like to help with the 2012 Conference in any way please contact the following people to offer assistance. (Kim, Beth, Cindy, Rita, Traci, Heidi, Braden,

Donations-
• Soliciting authors & companies by email. -Kim
• Emailing authors & Beth when you’ve receive their donation. Kim & Beth
• Soliciting local business. -Cindy
• Thank you notes. Beth
2. Speakers -Rita
• Asking writers, agents and publishers to speak.
• Creating the schedule.
• Creating the flier/registration.
• Liaison with speakers via email/at conference: Getting their lunch orders, and finding out about their guests/ speaking time preferences, etc.
3. “The Discovery” Writing Contest –Traci
• Get judges.
• Receive emailed entries.
• Send judges all entries without identifying information.
• Check with judges regularly to see how judging is going.
• Kids entries à Sheila Rice Foundation
4. Advertising -Heidi
• Set up interviews about the conference and contest (must set up with Whiz 4-6 months in advance. You may need to check w/person in charge of the contest & conference speakers for what days they are available. -Heidi
• Send out press releases to all local papers. (Times Recorder, Jeffersonian, Eagle News, etc.)
• Make Poster and hang them around town. -Beth, Braden
• Mail fliers/registrations to all previous conference attendees. -Rita
• Put out registrations at the library and branches. -Heidi
• Network with other writers groups (this can be via email) to let them know about the conference. -Rita
5. Set up Conference -Heidi & Rita
• Obtain Church -Heidi
• Call Iris Epley about breakfast & lunch -Heidi
• Book Tables
• Room assignments - Heidi
• Contributor Board: Judges, Speakers, & donations. (Sheila Rice Foundation)
• Call George to set up rooms. -Heidi
6. Registrations & Fees
• Who’s paid/how/when/lunch option/workshop folders -Heidi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lorena Mystery Dinner Cruise- We need volunteers

Things to do:

Write Play: Shirley Perry

Contact Caterer: Rita Smith

Book the Lorena: Rita Smith

We will need the following:

Actors/Actresses: (If you want to act in the play.) Cindy, Rita, Amanda, Dennis
Actors Part 2: Shirley will contact the local theater to fill in for the rest.
Marketing: Amanda and Dennis
Advertising Part 1: (We'll need someone(s) to create advertising for the event and get them out across town.)
Advertising Part 2: (We'll need someone to set up radio/television spots about the play. Heidi
Advertising Part 3: (We'll need someone to put the event online. (Whiz calendar, Community Calendar, and anyplace else you can think of.
Advertising Part 4: Create a word file or a powerpoint ad for the community channel.
Playbill: (We'll need someone to create the playbill and get them printed.
Advertisers: (We need to contact local businesses to place ads in the playbill) Cindy,
Coordinators: (We need someone to make sure things run smoothly. Elizabeth O.,
Decorations for the dinner itself: (Flower arrangements) The caterer will provide table cloths and serving sets.
Costumes and Props: Linda Regula
Clean-up:

Let me know if you would like to work on any of these things.

DECEMBER 6, 2011 RECAP

2011-12-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

Braden, Brian, Beth, Rita, Kim, and welcome to “New” In-Person Member, Heather D. and to our fabulous GUEST SPEAKER: KELLY KATHLEEN FERGUSON http://www.kellykathleenferguson.com/

Before launching into her presentation, Ms. Ferguson proposed the following writing exercise:

1) Write down 10 things you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t

2) Look for a common theme. What’s keeping you from doing that? What would the consequences be if you never got to do that?

3) Now, write down five things you’ve never done and don’t care to do.

*NOTE: Doing what you don’t want to do makes a more interesting read than doing what you do want to do. (In fact, Ms. Ferguson assigns her students an “Emotion Memoir” and then has them do something they don’t want to do.)

And now for the introduction:

MY LIFE AS LAURA: OR HOW I SEARCHED FOR LAURA INGALLS WILDER AND FOUND MYSELF by Kelly Kathleen Ferguson

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson needed to know—was connecting with her lifelong heroine the key to knowing herself? She decided to find out. She donned a prairie dress and retraced the pioneer journey of Laura Ingalls Wilder. From Wisconsin to Minnesota, South Dakota to Missouri, Kelly explored Laura’s past and her own. Part travelogue, part memoir and part social commentary, Kelly discovered how an adult relationship with a little girl, who lived in little houses long ago, can give a sense of purpose for today.

“Hilarious, perceptive and true, a homespun story as genuine as the ones that inspired it.”

—Judy Blunt, bestselling author of Breaking Clean

You won’t detect any drawl in this Southerner’s voice. Ferguson is witty and edgy in a way that feels entirely fresh. This is stunningly, sharp, pitch-perfect writing.

—Neely Harris Lohmann, editor-in-chief of mental_floss magazine

EXCERPT:
“I began the gymnastic routine required to get in the dress, like a prizefighter performing his warm-up exercises. While the dress did (eventually) zip, the procedure required a sharp intake of the breath, a yogic chant (Ohm, Shanti) and a little hop dance to make the metal teeth meet…Once fastened, the tightness produced a little roll of fat (O! Vanity!) and squeezed my breasts (O! Ashley!) up over the top of the scoop neck in a distinctly un-Victorian manner. I braided my hair into pigtails and checked out the final effect—the original St. Pauli Girl prairie hooker.” — From My Life as Laura

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson’s work has appeared in mental_floss magazine, Poets & Writers, the Gettysburg Review (for which she received a Pushcart nomination), McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and Brevity, among other publications. She has an MFA from the University of Montana, and is currently working on a PhD in creative nonfiction at Ohio University.

MY LIFE AS LAURA… à Immersion Memoir

- Taking on a task writing about the experience, investigative journalism

- Famous immersive memoirists include Nelly Bly, George Plimpton, A.J. Jacobs

-Retracing Laura’s Journey in 14 days, in a pioneer dress, in Kelly’s car.

-Began as a writing exercise. Started with an essay that spiraled out of control à kept not ending.

-Felt she had to create stakes and risk.

This book began when Kelly asked herself why she was still interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. Part of the book involves the whole mythology of “Going West” (for example, Ohio was once considered “West”). First she started seeing the places Laura lived and then couldn’t just leave her notes on them at the “Wasn’t that great?” level. Saw Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Memorial, worked for author Judy Blunt (BREAKING CLEAN) and PBS’ Frontier House for inspiration.

What was the smaller theme?
What was the larger theme? That Laura was always so necessary to her family
Put in just enough about Laura’s life to connect reader, but this book is primarily about Ms. Ferguson’s life story. OUTLINE THE QUEST, THEN GET ‘EM ON THE ROAD!
Drove & took notes, then stopped to type.
Took pictures & video to remember the feel of places and the ambient sounds (regrets not doing more of this, especially the video) à You can’t take too many pictures/notes/video! (This was the best part of her research.)
Took five years from original essay to final. Actual writing of book took one year.

Ms. Ferguson had an agent, was going to get a big book deal, then someone else published a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. Agent dropped Ms. Ferguson, who then sought out smaller presses (because several of them are now winning National Book Awards). Published with Press 53 (independent publisher of literary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction), gets more reviews than self-publishing. If she could have had an agent, she would have stuck with it. She had to do her own fact checking (because a small press didn’t cover that), and there was no advance, but small presses sell her books to her at cost and she can do readings and her own promotions.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Write in different genres à It’s cross-training.
It’s hard for us to understand what’s interesting to us à must connect with other people
ADVANCED MEMOIR: (sounds like fiction to Ms. Ferguson)

o What do you have to have?

o Who’s in the way?

o What happens if you don’t get it?

Ms. Ferguson is not detailed and meticulous
Easy way to structure a book is a year in the life.
Another way to structure is to start story, continue story, take a break with historical background, and go back to story.
In the Ingalls books, the children go from whiny to amazingly competent. Life for women not so great (Ref.: NEVER DONE, PIONEER WOMEN)
In answer to the great question of “Was Rose Wilder Lane (Laura’s daughter) really Laura’s ghost writer?” Ms. Ferguson says Rose was more likely a “Super-Editor” (this was the worst part of the Research Process, actually)
There is actually a LauraPalooza Conference in Minnesota
With Non-Fiction vs. encyclopedic articles, you can have researched speculation
Personal Research = books about the subject, personal observation
Secondary Research = books about what your research led you to (tangents, trivia)
Non-Fiction is easier to publish, but she doesn’t want the responsibility for Non-Fiction. Some fans are rather too loyal to certain subject matter, and not very forgiving about mistakes or assumptions. (Think Trekkies)
People never really get their book advance back
Promotes her own work heavily. Focuses on bloggers and popular book review websites. Being part of Writing Communities has been a huge help.

FIGURE OUT WHAT KIND OF BOOK YOU WANT TO WRITE, and then for larger audiences, write simply.

- Ms. Ferguson learned to write this book by reading books similar to her book.

“I figured out who I was for this book, but I don’t know who I am in the next book.” (No idea what next project will be, wants to write fiction)

-Some authors (David Sedaris) type out their favorite author’s sentences to get into their head and style. Don’t keep the paragraphs you “borrowed”, keep the writing style.

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU FIRST GOT PUBLISHED?

I was too shocked to be happy. Then later, to celebrate, I had a reading and a Prairie-Themed After party complete with beards and bonnets (instead of “black tie”)

“By finishing a book, and going the all of the steps, you find out who you are as an author.” Quote from an unnamed colleague of Ms. Ferguson.

-If you would like to help with the 2012 Conference in any way please contact the following people to offer assistance. (Kim, Beth, Cindy, Rita, Traci, Heidi, Braden,

1. Donations-
• Soliciting authors & companies by email. -Kim
• Emailing authors & Beth when you’ve receive their donation. Kim & Beth
• Soliciting local business. -Cindy
• Thank you notes. Beth
2. Speakers -Rita
• Asking writers, agents and publishers to speak.
• Creating the schedule.
• Creating the flier/registration.
• Liaison with speakers via email/at conference: Getting their lunch orders, and finding out about their guests/ speaking time preferences, etc.
3. “The Discovery” Writing Contest –Traci
• Get judges.
• Receive emailed entries.
• Send judges all entries without identifying information.
• Check with judges regularly to see how judging is going.
• Kids entries - Sheila Rice Foundation
4. Advertising -Heidi
• Set up interviews about the conference and contest (must set up with Whiz 4-6 months in advance. You may need to check w/person in charge of the contest & conference speakers for what days they are available. -Heidi
• Send out press releases to all local papers. (Times Recorder, Jeffersonian, Eagle News, etc.)
• Make Poster and hang them around town. -Beth, Braden
• Mail fliers/registrations to all previous conference attendees. -Rita
• Put out registrations at the library and branches. -Heidi
• Network with other writers groups (this can be via email) to let them know about the conference. -Rita
5. Set up Conference -Heidi & Rita
• Obtain Church -Heidi
• Call Iris Epley about breakfast & lunch -Heidi
• Book Tables
• Room assignments - Heidi
• Contributor Board: Judges, Speakers, & donations. (Sheila Rice Foundation)
• Call George to set up rooms. -Heidi
6. Registrations & Fees
• Who’s paid/how/when/lunch option/workshop folders -Heidi

Subject: Lorena Mystery Dinner Cruise- We need volunteers
Hello everyone,
The feedback I received from you has been good for a mystery dinner. I think that maybe we should book the Lorena in July, but before we do this I need to know who would like to help. Meeting: December 13, 6:30 PM at the library. We'll meet at one of the back tables downstairs.
Things to do:
Write Play: Shirley Perry
Contact Caterer: Rita Smith
Book the Lorena: Rita Smith
We will need the following:
1. Actors/Actresses: (If you want to act in the play.) Cindy, Rita,
2. Actors Part 2: Shirley will contact the local theater to fill in for the rest.
3. Advertising Part 1: (We'll need someone(s) to create advertising for the event and get them out across town.)
4. Advertising Part 2: (We'll need someone to set up radio/television spots about the play. Heidi
5. Advertising Part 3: (We'll need someone to put the event online. (Whiz calendar, Community Calendar, and anyplace else you can think of.
6. Advertising Part 4: Create a word file or a powerpoint ad for the community channel.
7. Playbill: (We'll need someone to create the playbill and get them printed.
8. Advertisers: (We need to contact local businesses to place ads in the playbill) Cindy,
9. Coordinators: (We need someone to make sure things run smoothly. Elizabeth O.,
10. Decorations for the dinner itself: (Flower arrangements) The caterer will provide table cloths and serving sets.
11. Costumes and Props: Linda Regula
12. Clean-up:
Let me know if you would like to work on any of these things.

Y-CW Re-Cap for 11/25/11

2011-12-07T11:36:00.001-05:00

November 25th , 2011:

Beth, Braden, Kim, Rita, Shirley, Brian

Christmas Party, December 20th, 2011 – 6 p.m. à Contact Rita or Heidi a.s.a.p. if you’re coming.

Lori Foster's Annual Reader & Author Get Together – The list of authors who'll be attending in 2012 is growing! Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh, Jacquelyn Frank, Erin McCarthy, Toni Blake, and many more! I'll update this page soon with all the awesome folks who are set to attend. Registration will open in January on my website at: http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php

Civil War Roundtables – Held at Stone Academy Monthly, Free Online Newsletter http://www.muskingumhistory.org/Recent_News/entry/newsletter/ NEXT ONE: Monday, January 23, 2012, at 7:30 pm. Join us at the historic Stone Academy, 115 Jefferson Street.

Braden read a poem about his NaNo character

Kim read Walter MacDonald’s poem “Marriage is a Bungee Jump”

Heidi read an excerpt about Charlotte Moon

Beth read excerpt of “A Friend Beyond the Hills”

Brian read a piece about “Memories, Rock Music, and the Passage of Time”

December Prompt: The Riddle

Nov. 1, 2011 Meeting Re-Cap

2011-11-14T07:46:00.001-05:00

In attendance: Rita, Elizabeth, Beth, Linda, Braden, Shirley, Heidi

Business:

Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.
• Our new website and forum are http://groups.google.com/group/y-city-writers-forum?hl=en and https://sites.google.com/site/ycitywritersforum/ or join us on facebook under Y-City Writers of Zanesville Ohio.
• Balance $75.00 in bank, $250 in cash, $50.00 for book change = $375.00.
• We will participate in the Holiday Book Fair on Dec. 10, 2011 at 11 AM-6 PM Cost: $35.00 full table, $20.00/half table.

Some suggestions for the 2013 Y-City Writers Conference is to have it at the library, Grants can be gotten to pay for it.

Coming up Author Talk Nov. 17 -3:30-4:30- Linda Regula at Muskingum University Library.

Linda read from "Wild Flowers Don't Care Where They Grow".
Beth read "Declaring Freedom" & "Silent Words".
Braden read a rough draft from the book he was writing before NaNoWriMo.
Heidi read about a little girl named Ruby.

Coming UP:

Write-ins- Every Monday and Friday at 11:30 AM at Sojourner’s on Brandywine this month, Wednesdays at noon at the Crossroads Library in Cambridge and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at John McIntire. Check the nanowrimo.org USA::Ohio::Zanesville for time and venue changes.

November 15- YCW Meeting at Central Pres. 6:30-8:00 PM
November 17- Reading at The Carr Center 10 AM
December 6- YCW Meeting at Central Pres. 6:30-8:00 PM
December 7- Reading at Autumn Healthcare 1:30 PM- 2PM
December 10- Holiday Book Fair 11 AM- 6 PM
December 20- YCW Meeting at Central Pres. 6:30-8:00 PM
December 22- Reading at The Carr Center 10 AM
March 20-Speaker: Joan Connor- English Department at Ohio University “How to create texture in writing.” http://www.english.ohiou.edu/directory/faculty_page/connor/
May 15-Speaker: Julie L. Moore - Slipping Out of Bloom, her first full-length book of poetry, which was published by WordTech Editions in June 2010, and Election Day, a chapbook of poetry published by Finishing Line Press in 2006. Her poetry has also been published in several anthologies, including Becoming: Anthology of Women’s Stories, forthcoming from the University of Nebraska, and Mamas and Papas from City Works Press
June 19- Speaker: Gina McKnight Author, Equestrian, Performance Poet & Freelance Writer, Member: Ohio Arts Council

Next Meeting: November 15, 2011

Suggestions for next meetings prompt? Write about fire and ice.

Submissions:

Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.

“The Discovery” 2011 Y-City Writers Conference Contest Theme.

If you would like to help with the 2012 Conference in any way please contact the following people to offer assistance.

1. Donations-
• Soliciting authors & companies by email. -Kim
• Emailing authors & Beth when you’ve receive their donation. Kim & Beth
• Soliciting local business. -Cindy
• Thank you notes. Beth
2. Speakers -Rita
• Asking writers, agents and publishers to speak.
• Creating the schedule.
• Creating the flier/registration.
• Liaison with speakers via email/at conference: Getting their lunch orders, and finding out about their guests/ speaking time preferences, etc.
3. “The Discovery” Writing Contest –Traci
• Get judges.
• Receive emailed entries.
• Send judges all entries without identifying information.
• Check with judges regularly to see how judging is going.
• Kids entries  Sheila Rice Foundation
4. Advertising -Heidi
• Set up interviews about the conference and contest (must set up with Whiz 4-6 months in advance. You may need to check w/person in charge of the contest & conference speakers for what days they are available. -Heidi
• Send out press releases to all local papers. (Times Recorder, Jeffersonian, Eagle News, etc.)
• Make Poster and hang them around town. -Beth, Braden
• Mail fliers/registrations to all previous conference attendees. -Rita
• Put out registrations at the library and branches. -Heidi
• Network with other writers groups (this can be via email) to let them know about the conference. -Rita
5. Set up Conference -Heidi & Rita
• Obtain Church -Heidi
• Call Iris Epley about breakfast & lunch -Heidi
• Book Tables
• Room assignments - Heidi
• Contributor Board: Judges, Speakers, & donations. (Sheila Rice Foundation)
• Call George to set up rooms. -Heidi
6. Registrations & Fees
• Who’s paid/how/when/lunch option/workshop folders -Heidi

If you are participating in Nano this year go to nanowrimo.org and sign up for USA:: Ohio:: Zanesville. Rita is the ML for the region..

Autism & Alleluias

2011-11-07T08:47:00.000-05:00

Autism & Alleluias is a heart warming story of one woman's struggle with a son who has autism. Kathy Deyer Bolduc manages to find joy in her son, Joel, and his triumphs. She wrote this book as a mom, not as a clinician. She shows how churches can overcome these challenges to include special needs children. All in all a satisfying, easy to read story. http://www.kathleenbolduc.com/

October 18 Meeting Re-cap

2011-10-22T08:35:00.002-04:00

In attendance: Rita, Kim, Heidi, Braden, Cindy, Beth and Shirley.

During the business portion of the meeting we discussed tasks for next year's conference and took volunteers for tasks.

1. Donations-
• Soliciting authors & companies by email. -Kim
• Emailing authors & Beth when you’ve receive their donation. Kim & Beth
• Soliciting local business. -Cindy
• Thank you notes. Beth
2. Speakers -Rita
• Asking writers, agents and publishers to speak.
• Creating the schedule.
• Creating the flier/registration.
• Liaison with speakers via email/at conference: Getting their lunch orders, and finding out about their guests/ speaking time preferences, etc.
3. “The Discovery” Writing Contest –Traci
• Get judges.
• Receive emailed entries.
• Send judges all entries without identifying information.
• Check with judges regularly to see how judging is going.
• Kids entries  Sheila Rice Foundation
4. Advertising -Heidi
• Set up interviews about the conference and contest (must set up with Whiz 4-6 months in advance. You may need to check w/person in charge of the contest & conference speakers for what days they are available. -Heidi
• Send out press releases to all local papers. (Times Recorder, Jeffersonian, Eagle News, etc.)
• Make Poster and hang them around town. -Beth, Braden
• Mail fliers/registrations to all previous conference attendees. -Rita
• Put out registrations at the library and branches. -Heidi
• Network with other writers groups (this can be via email) to let them know about the conference. -Rita
5. Set up Conference -Heidi & Rita
• Obtain Church -Heidi
• Call Iris Epley about breakfast & lunch -Heidi
• Book Tables
• Room assignments - Heidi
• Contributor Board: Judges, Speakers, & donations. (Sheila Rice Foundation)
• Call George to set up rooms. -Heidi
6. Registrations & Fees
• Who’s paid/how/when/lunch option/workshop folders -Heidi

Most of all keep us informed of your progress. If you need help do not be afraid to ask for it! Have fun! If you would like to help with any of the above tasks, please contact Rita (ritasdragontoo@aol.com).

If you are participating in Nano this year go to nanowrimo.org and sign up for USA:: Ohio:: Zanesville. Rita is the ML for the region. Input on days and times for write-ins will be appreciated. The swag has finally arrived. I have some stickers for you, so come to at least one of the meetings.

Everyone read, except Rita. We discussed Cindy's book and for which level it would best be suited.

Coming Up:
October 25-Write-in at the Crossroads Library in Cambridge with the Southeast Ohio Novel Writing Group at noon. October 27-Open Mic at Weaselboy Brewing Company in the gallery. 7 PM-?
October 31- Nanowrimo kick-off party -11 PM – ? Steak 'n Shake
November 1- Write-in 11AM at Sojourner’s Baked Subs.
November 2- Reading at Autumn Healthcare 1:30 PM- 2PM.
December 10- Holiday Book Fair 11 AM- 6 PM

Next Meeting: November 1, 2011

Next meetings prompt: Secrets

Submissions:

Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically:
Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.

“The Discovery” 2011 Y-City Writers Conference Contest Theme.

October 4 Meeting Re-Cap

2011-10-05T10:08:00.004-04:00

In attendance: Rita, Heidi, Brian, Beth, Mark and David

The theme for next year's conference was discussed and a decision has been made.

"The Discovery" will be next year's contest theme.
Library Events for writers and readers:

10/8/2011 Dr. Porter Talk - Sara's Table: Cooking During the Great Depression & WW II: Join us for this great discussion by the always entertaining Dr. Porter. She will be discussing the social history of how Ohio women coped with shortages in supplies and cash during the epochal moments of the Great Depression and World War II. Time: 2:00 PM

10/20/2011 Ghosthunting Ohio: On the Road Again
Author John Kachuba discusses his new book, "Ghosthunting Ohio: On the Road Again." On this leg of his American Haunted Road Trip, we join the author as he explores the scariest spots in the Buckeye State. The author will give us a first hand account of each of the places visited and discuss the people who swear to their paranormal experiences. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing from the author. Time: 6:30 PM

Last week's prompt: Take a picture and write a story using your 5 senses.
Rita (Untitled), David ("Life Changing Event") and Beth ("On the Emerald Isle") wrote to the prompt. Brian read a poem called "Fool's Enlightenment", Mark read an essay called "How to Play a Guitar in Five Minutes" and Hedi read an untitled story.

See you all on Saturday for the Y-City Writers Conference!

October 18 Meeting's Prompt: Secrets

Upcoming Events:

October 5 -Reading at Autumn Healthcare at 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
October 8- 2011 Y-City Writers Conference
October 13- 6:30-7:30 Pre-nano Meet-up at Sojourner’s
7:30-9:00 PM Open Mic at Sojourner’s Baked Subs.
October 18- Y-City Writers Meeting 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM.
October 20- Reading at The Carr Center at 10:00 AM.
October 27-Open Mic at Weaselboy Brewing Company in the gallery. 7 PM-?
October 31- Nanowrimo kick-off party -11 PM – ? Steak & Shake Prompt?

Next Meeting: October 18, 2011

Submissions:

Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.

Business:

•Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.
•Our website and forum or join us on facebook under Y-City Writers of Zanesville Ohio.
•We will participate in the Holiday Book Fair on Dec. 10, 2011 at 11 AM-6 PM Cost: $35.00 full table, $20.00/half table. If you want your own space email Summer at summerc@columbus.rr.com.
•October 18- 6 PM anyone wishing to help organize next year's conferences should join us for this discussion.

September 20, 2011 Meeting Re-Cap

2011-09-21T08:04:00.002-04:00

In attendance: Rita, Nathania, David, Braden, Beth, Shirley and Heidi.

We decided to wait until the October 4 meeting to choose the theme for next year's contest. (Hopefully, more Y-City Writers will be there.) If you have an idea let me know. It can be a picture (You must have the rights to it, because we will want to use it for the cover), a first line, a theme or whatever you feel will be good. Current suggestions: My Travels With..., The Prodigy, Brain Itch, The End of the World as We Know It, Sticks and Stones, The Truth Be Told. Please come help us decide at the next meeting.

David has been using the program Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition program. He highly recommends it. He says it writes everything you dictate including ums, background talking, etc. so you need to have a quiet place. Oh, and punctuation is all on you!

David continues to endorse Strunk and White Elements of Style.

Braden said his book signing was good. He sold 10 books. He received more compliments on his heart cookies, decorated to look like the cover on "Heart of Mold" than on his book.

Shirley has an idea for a speaker, a playwright turned novelist, who just got an agent. She will ask him.

Readings:

Braden "The Scary Face" from the prompt "The one not in the picture".
Shirley "The Life House"
Nathania "Untitled Poem"
Beth "Who am I?"
Heidi "The Moon Sisters"

Heidi needed some help with what kind of weapon would damage a man's face during the civil war era. A musket was the answer and it's what she had written.

Open Mic is Thursday, September 22, 7 PM at Weaselboy's on Muskingum Avenue.

2011 Y-City Writers Conference is October 8, 2011 all day. Get your registrations in by September 30 to be guaranteed a lunch. (Heidi will call the count in that day.)

Prompt for the next meeting: Choose a photo and write about it using all the senses: sight, sound, taste, smell and touch.

Next Meeting: October 4, 2011.

Pomp & Circumstance

2011-09-18T07:58:00.000-04:00

As many indy authors know, you sell more books when you promote yourself. The same is true for authors of the big publishing house too! This includes doing speaking engagements and booksignings.

The Y-City Writers have two such events coming up in our area.

October 8, 2011 Y-City Writers Conference • Coburn United Methodist • 3618 N. Maple Ave. • Zanesville, Ohio 43701 • If you attend the conference, we have tables set up for you to sell your work. • Cost: $30 (non-members) and $15 (members & students)

December 10, 2011 Holiday Book Fair • 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. • Colony Square Mall • 3575 Maple Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio • Cost: $20.00 for a ½ table or $35.00 for a full table, which covers space, advertising, and insurance. • Contact Summer Clark • summerc@columbus.rr.com

Also, don't forget to bring your books along to the Open Mics. After hearing your stories people might want a copy of your work.

2011-09-11T06:20:00.002-04:00

Y-CW Recap SEPT. 6, 2011

Headcount: Braden, Rita, Kim, Elaine, David, Brian, Linda, Beth, Heidi, Shirley

We have decided to dissolve the LLC, but will still be having conferences yearly. Please think of prompt for next year’s writing conference. So far we have My Travels With..., The Prodigy, Brain Itch, The End of the World as We Know It.

Pretty laid back evening this time around. Lots of good pieces shared this night:

WHO READ WHAT:

· Braden -- excerpt from Heart of Mold

· Brian -- read the lyrics from a Todd Rungren song “Born to Synthesise” . Likes of a song as an internal language, a metaphysical tune poem.

· Kim – two poems, “Not a Turtle” and “Going Silent”

· David – read an untitled piece

· Heidi -- short story called Grief Counseling, a Sign in the Window submission

· Beth -- 2 Poems, “Messiah’s Ride” and “Spring’s Arrival”

· Rita – short story -Untitled

· Kim – 2 poems, “Credo” and “Sexy Damn Thing”

· Braden – another excerpt from Heart of Mold

· Beth – story called “The Encounter”

· Kim – poem “Good Game”

· Heidi – “The Sign”

Discussion about traditional publishing and the rejections one must put up with when submitting queries.

Braden Grenier's Book Signing is on September 17 from 11-1 at John McIntire. Please come out and show him your support.

August 2 & August 16 Re-caps

2011-08-26T06:23:00.002-04:00

Phenomenal Writing Prowess…Itty Bitty Meeting Space.

Recap Aug 2, 2011

Headcount: Rita, Cherry, Orvall, Linda, Kim, Mark, Robyn, Summer, Emily, David, Beth, Elizabeth, Braden, Shirley, Karen and her daughter, Natasha, Brian, Heidi

Welcome and thank you to Stephen Hines, graphic novelist/young adult-novelist.
His bio from his website: I was born a poor white boy in a little Ohio hicktown up north (Willard: where the men are men & the sheep are nervous) and moved to southwestern OH in 1998. Now I'm an older albino leperboy who works too much (I teach, therefore I'm insane).
So far I've written one novel, Hocus Focus, published in 2008, and one graphic novel, Valedictorian USA, which is being published issue by issue. There are samples of Valedictorian on the book's section of my site (click the title on the main menu). Please buy a copy if you like what you see.
Also, I recently finished a web comic strip series called Clyde the Redneck.
What am I working on now? Well, for now: a memoir mini-comic series called Crackerstacker, a super-secret one-shot comic...and I'm ghost writing a memoir for a retired state highway patrolman. http://www.stephenhines.org/

At our meeting: 20 years married, 40 years old. 13 years as a high school English teacher.

1 novel published – Hocus Focus à agent wanted it “Edgy”, asked him to add some stronger language to the piece. Penguin Books had been interested until they got to the language. Agent didn’t tell the publisher the language could be easily taken out…the deal didn’t happen, Stephen parted company with his agent.

Got into writing primarily because of Star Wars….LOVED it. Wrote fanfic-prequels before there were any prequels. Learned how to read in 1st grade, was writing stories by age 10. Sent some of these to Piers Anthony, who actually responded and offered suggestions and good advice, while simultaneously crushing Stephen’s 10-year old ego by calling his story “trite”… However, Stephen was not deterred.

WEBSITES MENTIONED BY STEPHEN:

· SPACE (Small Press and Alternative Comic Expo) in Columbus

http://www.backporchcomics.com/space.htm

· Lightning Source http://www.lightningsource.com/ a p.o.d. service, good quality and good consistency …makes you jump through a lot of hoops, though

· Digital Webbing.com http://www.digitalwebbing.com/blog/ you can put an ad in their classifieds their art + your vision

· Rink – A P.O.D from Indiana. The only thing I could find was this site http://www.rinkprinting.com/index.html

· Ka-blam http://ka-blam.com/printing/front/?cat=5 e-lance setup contract for art, web-based.

Stephen freely admits that he asks his students to help him with the artwork for his covers and novels (he supplies the stories and dialogue) – his students usually know more about photoshop than he does. Sometimes, he asks local JVS graphic arts students to help publish his work, as an alternative to P.O.D. – but admits that he is often at the mercy of the student’s motivation or lack thereof.

===============

Face to face interaction is the best way to get the word out…sell yourself, then sell your book

OTHER TRIVIA--

His wife, Missy Hines, is on the board of the TROY BOOK FESTIVAL. Says there’s a bookseller in Troy that goes out of her way to promote self-published authors, takes 20% off cover price though

First Book Stephen Fell In Love With As A Reader: WINNIE THE POOH… he had his scratch and sniff hardback version of this book up through his teens.

He celebrated selling his first book by getting a tattoo.

Does not recommend getting an EIN #

Via Linda à report income, take off all expenses

August 16, 2011 Re-Cap

In attendance: Rita, Elizabeth, Summer, Braden, Elaine, Beth, Chuck, Heidi, Cherry, Billie, Robyn, Linda, Brian, Emily

Welcome to our new members: Robin, Elaine, Chuck and Billie!

Welcome and thank you to speaker Patricia A. Rasey, who gave us an interesting, fact filled talk.

Her bio from her website: A daydreamer at heart, Patricia A. Rasey, resides in her native town in Northwest Ohio with her husband, Mark, and her lovable Cocker Spaniel Gypsy. A graduate of Long Ridge Writer's School, Patricia has seen publication of some her short stories in magazines as well as several of her novels.

Ms. Rasey is a three-time recipient of the Word Weaving Award for Literary Excellence and a three-time winner of the prestigious RIO Award Of Excellence. She is also a three-time EPPIE finalist and was a 2001 nominee for Romantic Times Magazine's Best Electronic Book. Additionally, Twilight Obsessions and Twilight Visions, two anthologies she was a part of, was nominated for the PEARL, the Paranormal Excellence Award in Romantic Literature, in the Best Anthology category. Her short story, In The Mind of Darkness won the P&E 2002 Horror short story category.

When not behind her computer, you can find Patricia working, reading, watching movies or MMA. She also enjoys spending her free time at the river camping with her husband and two sons. Ms. Rasey is currently a third degree Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate.

Ms. Rasey's work includes the novels...

-- Deadly Obsession (currently not available).
-- Kiss of Deceit.
-- Facade.
-- The Hour Before Dawn, sequel to the best-selling Deadly Obsession (currently not available).
-- Eyes Of Betrayal, sequel to the best-selling Kiss Of Deceit.
-- Love You to Pieces (not yet published).
-- Lawfully Yours, her first historical romance.
-- Eternally Yours, sequel to Lawfully yours.
-- Dark Savior.

...As well as the novellas and award winning short story...

-- Fear the Dark
-- Sanitarium
-- In the Mind of Darkness

Patricia spoke to us about writing romantic suspense. She worked off a handout: Writing And Pacing Suspense. I am sure Patricia wouldn't mind emailing you the handout. patricia@patriciarasey.com

Some of the highlights of the evening:

Convince your reader that not only is something happening, but that something is going to happen.

You must achieve the right pacing in order for the suspense to work. Always keep the plot moving forward. (Flashbacks tend to set the forward momentum back.) Every scene you write should have to do with the plot and moving it forward. If you use flashbacks put them in dialogue or in a scene.

A dozen ways to check your pacing. (by Kelly L. Stone)

__1. Does every chapter relate to the theme of the story?
__2. Is the story's climax also the climax of the character's projectile (arc)?
__3. Do the climaxes of the subplots tie back into the main plot?
__4. Within each chapter, are there a number of small changes in dynamics?
__5. Does the foreshadowing create suspense?
__6. Is exposition subordinate to the story? Are flashbacks at the most dramatic moments?
__7. Is the emotional pacing varied?
__8. Does the opening grab the reader's attention?
__9. Do chapter breaks end with something to hook the reader?
__10. Do scene cuts work to build drama and suspense?
__11. Is the language varied? Are sentences varied? When you read through, are there places where the language gets hung up?
__12. Overall, is the story told in the most dramatic and suspenseful way possible?

Leave little climaxes at the end of each chapter to suspend the reader.

You need to hook the reader in the 1st 5 minutes.

You should begin with a bang and end with a bang.

Always read your work back to yourself!

Patricia gave us another handout that she finds useful: Style Blunders in Fiction by Jodie Renner.

--

Sincerely,

the web-admins:
Kim S YCityAdmin1@gmail.com
Rita S ycitywritersforum@gmail.com

=========================================
WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU WRITE!!!

2011 Y-City Writers Conference Speakers

2011-08-16T14:34:00.013-04:00

Bob Welsh is an author & inspirational speaker.

Drawing from a lifetime of experiences that include a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy and 29 years as an Ohio State Trooper, Bob has mesmerized listeners around campfires, in churches, schools and auditoriums with inspirational stories of fact, fiction and humor set to verse.

Bob's stories deliver messages that will put a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, a chuckle in your belly or a profound thought in your mind. http://www.bobwelsh.com

Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, regular columns for Afictionado E-zine and the Suspense Magazine where she writes the “Ask your Writing Career Coach” column. She is tenacious in her approach to not only create a great story, but to mentor other writers. Tiffany won the 2007 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the inspirational unpublished division for her manuscript A Face in the Shadow and was a semi-finalist in Operation First Novel in 2004. She earned her BA in Political Science with a History minor and French Language Concentrations from the University of Toledo’s Honor’s College in 1998. She earned a Summa cum Laude distinction and was inducted in to numerous honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key. She writes a blog for businesses and writers called The Writing Career Coach. On that site she mentors writers in matters of business management, marketing, and time management principles. Tiffany also travels and speaks on these topics to writers and small business owners at conferences and via online webinars. She is an active member of local and national writing groups where she has served as a judge in writing contests for published and unpublished writers. She offers a variety of online lessons for a fee as well as a monthly free feature at www.WritingCareerCoach.net.

Terry W. Ervin II is an English teacher who enjoys writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. He is an editor for the speculative fiction magazine MindFlights and a guest contributor to Fiction Factor, an ezine for writers.

While Fiction Factor has published the majority of Terry’s articles on writing, his short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines.

Gryphonwood Press published Terry’s debut fantasy novel FLANK HAWK and the next novel in the First Civilization’s Legacy series (BLOOD SWORD), has an expected release date in late Fall 2011.

To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at: www.ervin-author.com.

Sandra Gurvis (www.sgurvis.com) is the author of fifteen books and hundreds of magazine articles. Her titles include DAY TRIPS FROM COLUMBUS (Globe Pequot, 3rd ed., 2009), CAREERS FOR NONCONFORMISTS (Marlowe, 2000), which was a selection of the Quality Paperback Book Club; AMERICA'S STRANGEST MUSEUMS (Carol/Citadel,1998; 1996); and more. Her books have been featured on "Good Morning America," "CBS Up to the Minute," "ABC World News Tonight," in USA Today and in other newspapers and on television and radio stations across the country; and have been excerpted in magazines. Her newest titles are OHIO CURIOSITIES (Globe Pequot, 2007, 2nd edition 2011), PARIS HILTON: A BIOGRAPHY (Greenwood, 2011), and MANAGING THE TELECOMMUTING EMPLOYEE with Michael Amigoni (Adams, 2009). She recently completed her second novel, COUNTRY CLUB WIVES.

A major aspect of her work has been on the Vietnam protests and their aftereffects and particularly relevant to today's political situation is her recent nonfiction title, WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWER CHILDREN GONE? (University Press of Mississippi, 2006). Five years in the making, it covers all facets of the Vietnam era, from tracking the student protest and conservative movements to comparing the controversy surrounding Vietnam to the Middle East. Her novel, THE PIPE DREAMERS (Olmstead,2001) is a fictional exploration of the late '60s/early 70s, mostly set in the small college town of Hampton, Ohio. She has also written on this topic for the VVA Veteran, Ohio State Alumni Magazine, People, and many other publications.

Sharon Fish Mooney lives in Coshocton, Ohio where she coordinates an annual writers’ conference and monthly poetry and music nights at Tim Hortons with her husband Scott; both are sponsored by the Write-On Writers Guild. Sharon is the author of Alzheimer’s, Caring for Your Loved One, Caring for Yourself and other books and articles on health and aging issues. Her poems have appeared in RUMINATE, on the Ohio Poetry Association website, in their newsletter and journal Common Threads, and in three anthologies (Silver Boomer Books). An ekphrastic poem after van Gogh’s The Harvest, won the Y-City Writers Conference award for poetry (2009). She lectured on poetry and dementia in 2010 at an international nursing conference in the Netherlands. Sharon’s blank verse narrative poem, Dimly Burning Wicks, won the inaugural Frost Farm Prize for metrical poetry (2011), judged by William Baer; she was a semi-finalist for the Richard Wilbur Award for a book of sonnets (2011). She teaches nursing research and gerontology on-line for Regis University, Denver, CO and Indiana Wesleyan University. She has an undergraduate degree in nursing from Alfred University and an MS and PhD from the University of Rochester in New York State.

Robert W. Birch is a retired marital and sex therapist who began writing in earnest after his retirement. He has written and published in print four sexuality information and self-help books and two e-books, as well as a collection of short erotic stories. His training and experience enable him to write with keen insight into the fantasies, motives and behaviors of both genders and of all persuasions. His first novel, Settling the Score, a 400-page erotic mystery, was offered by the Venus Erotic Book Club as one of its member selections.

Bob writes of believable sexual encounters that occur within the context of realistic relationships, except when one of the main characters is an alien. He believes that sex on any planet should be fun, so he writes with humor. He is member of the Erotica Readers and Writers of America and of Romance Writers of America. He lives in rural Ohio where he writes in the company of his wife, four dogs, two tanks of fish, and two cages of birds.

Debbie Alferio is an award-winning author and speaker whose Forever Love series was inspired by an actual dream. She has appeared in local television, radio, and newspaper interviews, and is listed in two Who’s Who directories. Debbie is the Ohio Representative for Authors Across America and a member of the International Writer’s Association, American Author’s Association, Ohio Professional Writers, Writer’s Ink, and the Sauna Friends Writer’s Group. She donates a portion of her profits to the American Cancer Society. Visit the author’s website at www.freewebs.com/debsbooks and follow her blog at www.debbiealferio.blogspot.com.

Brenda Layman is a book lover, freelance writer, avid angler, and sometime teacher. When she was studying English literature at the Ohio State University in the 1070’s, her advisor told her, “You should be a writer.” Brenda thought that was a fine idea, but at that tender age she had no idea what to write. Decades later, she had written and self-published a book and was publishing two to six freelance articles a month. She joined the Ohio Writers Guild and the Satellite Writers Group where she found the company of other writers to be both exhilarating and inspiring. Along with colleague Jerry Lopper, Brenda started another writers group, All Genres Writers, and an online writing community, Fiction Writers’ Platform. She was accepted into the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, and she received second place for Best Internet Article of 2010 in the annual Outdoor Writers of Ohio Craft Awards. As her circle of writing friends and associates grew, Brenda decided there was a need for an affordable book development and marketing group for independent authors. She founded Select Authors with her husband, Mark, a software engineer and communications technology manager. Brenda and Mark consulted an internet communications expert, Tommy Walker, and launched their Facebook page and website in January of 2011. Six months later, the Facebook community had grown to around 1500 members, and the Select Authors book collection included over a dozen titles. At that point, Brenda decided that acquiring marketing expertise was the next step in her venture, and she entered the Master of Communication and Marketing program at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Brenda is excited about the opportunity to build a community of successful, independent authors.

Brenda and Mark reside in Pickerington, Ohio. They are active in the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance, and enjoy cooking, attending concerts and plays, geocaching, and traveling. They have two sons, Jonathan, an attorney who is married to Julie, and Daniel, who is a graduate student at the University of North Carolina.

Donna MacMeans- Award winning author Donna MacMeans made a wrong turn many years ago when she majored in Accounting in college. What was she thinking? Balancing books just can’t compete with crafting plots and inventing memorable characters. She finally broke free of her life as a CPA to write witty and seductive Victorian historicals for Berkley Sensation in what can only be described as her dream job.

Her books have won numerous awards including the prestigious Golden Heart from Romance Writers of America, and the 2008 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Historical Love & Laughter. Her next historical, REDEEMING THE ROGUE, is scheduled for release in August 2011.

When not at her keyboard, Donna enjoys painting, traveling, and creating luscious desserts. An avid reader, she also uses the analytical skills learned as an accountant to analyze novels in an effort to constantly improve her own craft. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband of thirty-seven years. Please contact her at www.DonnaMacMeans.com

Julie Scudder Dearyan is the senior editor of Victory in Grace, part of a national television and radio ministry featuring her dad, Dr. James A Scudder. She has been published in Focus on the Family, Thriving Family, Clubhouse, Marriage Partnership, Lifeline Journal, The Secret Place, Quiet Places for You, and many other publications. She will speak on The Perfect Query Email.

Destination Ohio

2011-08-15T07:26:00.011-04:00

What an appropriate venue to read our Destination Ohio stories and poetry. Several Y-City Writers gathered on the Main Stage at the 2011 Y Bridge Arts Festival. Kim Stickrath did a fine job of introducing our group to the masses. Kim Stickrath

Marilyn Murphree

Megan Torelli

Beth Mautz

Emily Imes

Rita Smith

2011 Y-City Writers Conference Schedule

2011-08-11T07:43:00.001-04:00

2011 Y-City Writers Conference Schedule

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration, Breakfast, & Greet the Authors in the Gym

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcoming Remarks & Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Bob Welsh

9:15-10:00 a.m. Keynote address: Bob Welsh

*10:15-11:00 a.m. Session I

A___ Terry Ervin “Characters & Characterization”

B___ Sandra Gurvis “E-Books”

*11:15-12:00 p.m. Session II

A___ Sharon Fish Mooney “Poems that Tell Stories: Exploring the Narrative”

B___ Bob Birch “Warming up the Romance”

12:00-1:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 – 1:15 Announcement of the winners for “The Sign in the Window” contest and Introduction of afternoon Keynote Speaker: Tiffany Colter

1:15- 2:00 p.m. Keynote address: Tiffany Colter

*2:15-3:00 p.m. Session III

A___ Debbie Alferio “Creating Credible Characters”

B___ Brenda Layman “You Can Write and Sell Your Book”

*3:15-4:00 p.m. Session IV

A____ Julie Scudder Dearyan “Writing for Magazines”

B____ Donna MacMeans “The W- Plot”

Raffle/Door Prizes, Conference Concludes

Y BRIDGE ARTS FESTIVAL (August 5 & 6)

2011-08-02T08:44:00.007-04:00

Come join the Y-City Writers and other artists on the Y Bridge this Friday evening from 6-9 and Saturday from 10 AM - 9 PM at our tent.

The Y-City Writers will take stage at 10:15 AM on Saturday morning to read our Destination Ohio stories. The books will be available for sale before and after in our tent. (We'll be on Main Street in front of the last building before you g0 onto the bridge.)

Authors Linda Regula, Brenda Layman (Friday Only), Summer K. Clark, Rita L. Smith, Emily Imes and Braden Greiner (if his books come in time, if not he'll take orders.) will be there with their books too.

YCWF July 2011 Newsletter

2011-07-24T08:41:00.002-04:00

The Y-City Writers at the Y Bridge Arts Festival

Friday, August 5, 2011, 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10 am to 9 pm. We'll have a book tent both days.

Saturday, August 6, 10:15 am. The Y-City Writers will be reading the Destination Ohio Stories. Books will be available for purchase.

Future Events:
Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins at Sojourner’s on Brandywine this month.

July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave. (This Thursday)
July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.
August 2-YCWF meeting Author Stephen Hines will speak. Stephen wrote Hocus Focus an fantasy children’s novel, he write graphic novels and owns his own publishing imprint. http://stephenhines.org/
August 5- Art Festival (The Y-City Writers have a floating tent. Let Rita know if you want a space to sell your books for the 2 day event.)
August 6- Art Festival - Destination Ohio readings at 10:15 AM- 11:00 AM.
August 11- Open Mic at Sojurner’s Baked Subs at 7 PM. http://www.bakedsubs.com/
August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html
August 25- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

Send stories, poetry or articles for the newsletters to Rita at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com. I didn't recieve any for this month's newsletter. Thank you, Rita!

Opportunities & Submissions:

2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250
From Pen & Quill -Please begin thinking of writing and gathering stories, poems and artwork for Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.
P&Q's goal will be to solicit and compose stories, poems, and art enough to fill a 150-page book.
Don’t forget the Theme is Pottery Writing Contest. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Drop off at the Pottery Museum. (The Ohio Ceramic Center is located at 7327 Ceramic Road NE (County Road 96) at State Route 93, between Roseville and Crooksville in Perry County)

Copyright (C) 2011 Y-City Writers Forum All rights reserved.

Y-CW's Out and About

2011-07-21T07:24:00.003-04:00

Today, the Y-City Writers will be at The Carr Center to read our stories and poems to this appreciative group of adults. We'll be there at 10 AM if anyone would care to join us. Just make sure you introduce yourself to Rita or Kim, so we'll know you are there to read.

July 19 Y-CW Minutes

2011-07-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

In Attendance: Rita, Elizabeth O., Braden, Orval, Heidi, Robin, Emily

Our speaker Stephen Hines could not make due to a medical emergency. We wish his wife a speedy recovery. Stephen will reschedule.

Though only a few of us gathered tonight, it was a good group filled with discussion and sharing.

Robin Milstead joined the group last night. Some of us had met her previously at the John McIntire Library for the Book Fair. Robin's 1st book (her dissertation) was published by Kendall/Hart Publishing Company. Her other books were published under the hospice of the Church of Many Ways. Robin's books are inspirational or as she termed them "feel good" books.

Orval talked about Skirts and Erin O'Reilly. His plans for his graphic novel, include a web-based series.

Heidi wrote what she terms a "Cheesey Romance", called Flowers, which she shared with the group. Her plans are to submit it to Woman's World. They pay something like $800.00 for 800 words. Though she has been writing historical stories, Heidi tends to write short stories and some poetry.

Braden read the first chapter of his novel, Heart of Mold. Braden will be having his first book signing at the John McIntire Library on September 17, 2011 from 11-1. Braden writes bad romance with a lot of violence.

Rita read her "Sign in the Window" contest entry, called Scaredy Cat. She writes about Vampires, Shapeshifters and Witches. Her writing is dark with bouts of fluff.

Elizabeth didn't read, but she writes fantasy with faeries, vampires, shapeshifters and zombies.

Emily read from her new novel in progress, Battle La Crea. She writes fantasy that takes place in the "real world." Urban Fantasy or the term she used is Verismo. From Wikipedia: Verismo (meaning "realism", from Italian vero, meaning "true") was an Italian literary movement which peaked between approximately 1875 and the early 1900s.

We adjourned to Bob Evan's for coffee.

The agenda for the meeting:
Business:

• You can sign up for the newsletter on our blog at http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/
We aren’t mailing them. Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.
• Our new website and forum are http://groups.google.com/group/y-city-writers-forum?hl=en and https://sites.google.com/site/ycitywritersforum/ or join us on facebook under Y-City Writers of Zanesville Ohio.
• Balance $348.23
• Thank you to Shirley Perry and Heidi Heiby for writing the thank you notes to our contributors for the conference. Check out the list of donations on our blog: http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

We still need people to sign up to help out at the Y Bridge Arts Festival. Email Rita at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com. Also, the Destination Ohio books have been submitted and will hopefully arrive for the festival.

Coming Up:

Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins at Sojourner’s on Brandywine this month.
• July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave. (This Thursday)
• July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.
• August 2-YCWF meeting
• August 5- Art Festival (The Y-City Writers have a floating tent. Let Rita know if you want a space to sell your books for the 2 day event.)
• August 6- Art Festival - Destination Ohio readings at 10:15 AM- 11:00 AM.
• August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html
• August 25- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.
Open Mics at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company
July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November Thanksgiving (Sorry we won't be doing one.), December 22?

For those of you who objected to Open Mics at Weaselboy, I have set up an Open Mic at Sojourners on Brandywine for Thursday, July 14 at 7:00 PM- ?

October 8, 2011 Y-City Writers Conference

Next Meeting: August 2, 2011. Write for 10 minutes using “I used to think” as your starter.

Opportunities & Submissions:

• 2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250
• From Pen & Quill -Please begin thinking of writing and gathering stories, poems and artwork for Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.
Our goal will be to solicit and compose stories, poems, and art enough to fill a 150-page book.
• Don’t forget the Theme is Pottery Writing Contest. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Drop off at the Pottery Museum. (The Ohio Ceramic Center is located at 7327 Ceramic Road NE (County Road 96) at State Route 93, between Roseville and Crooksville in Perry County)

Y-City Writers Forum Meeting Tonight

2011-07-19T12:46:00.002-04:00

Our speaker, Stephen Hines, cannot make it tonight. Please bring your work to share, as well as paper and a pencil.

Pray for Stephen's wife, who had an emergency appendectomy.

Agenda For July 19 Meeting

2011-07-17T07:43:00.002-04:00

July 19, 2011

Business:

You can sign up for the newsletter on our blog at http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

We aren’t mailing them. Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.

Our new website and forum are http://groups.google.com/group/y-city-writers-forum?hl=en and https://sites.google.com/site/ycitywritersforum/ or join us on facebook under Y-City Writers of Zanesville Ohio.

Balance $348.23

Thank you to Shirley Perry and Heidi Heiby for writing the thank you notes to our contributors for the conference. Check out the list of donations on our blog: http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

Coming Up:

Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins at Sojourner’s on Brandywine this month.

Today: July 19- At YCW Meeting Speaker Stephen Hines, Author of Hocus Focus a Y/A book and two comic books and an independent publisher. http://www.stephenhines.org

· July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave. (This Thursday)

· July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· August 2-YCWF meeting

· August 5- Art Festival (The Y-City Writers have a floating tent. Let Rita know if you want a space to sell your books for the 2 day event.)

· August 6- Art Festival - Destination Ohio readings at 10:15 AM- 11:00 AM.

· August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html

· August 25- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

Open Mics at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company

July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November Thanksgiving (Sorry we won't be doing one.), December 22?

For those of you who objected to Open Mics at Weaselboy, I have set up an Open Mic at Sojourners on Brandywine for Thursday, July 14 at 7:00 PM- ?

October 8, 2011 Y-City Writers Conference

Next Meeting: August 2, 2011. Write for 10 minutes using “I used to think” as your starter. Followed by coffee at Cracker Barrel.

Opportunities & Submissions:

· 2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250

· From Pen & Quill -Please begin thinking of writing and gathering stories, poems and artwork for Musings V, to be published in time for Art Walk, 2012. Theme: Food, and more specifically: Culture and Heritage of Country Culinary Delicacies and Delights.
Our goal will be to solicit and compose stories, poems, and art enough to fill a 150-page book.

Don’t forget the Theme is Pottery Writing Contest. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Drop off at the Pottery Museum. (The Ohio Ceramic Center is located at 7327 Ceramic Road NE (County Road 96) at State Route 93, between Roseville and Crooksville in Perry County)

Agenda For July 19 Meeting

2011-07-17T07:43:00.000-04:00

July 19, 2011

Business:

You can sign up for the newsletter on our blog at http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

We aren’t mailing them. Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.

Our new website and forum are http://groups.google.com/group/y-city-writers-forum?hl=en and https://sites.google.com/site/ycitywritersforum/ or join us on facebook under Y-City Writers of Zanesville Ohio.

Balance $348.23

Thank you to Shirley Perry and Heidi Heiby for writing the thank you notes to our contributors for the conference. Check out the list of donations on our blog: http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

Coming Up:

Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins at Sojourner’s on Brandywine this month.

Today: July 19- At YCW Meeting Speaker Stephen Hines, Author of Hocus Focus a Y/A book and two comic books and an independent publisher. http://www.stephenhines.org

· July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave. (This Thursday)

· July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· August 2-YCWF meeting

· August 5- Art Festival (The Y-City Writers have a floating tent. Let Rita know if you want a space to sell your books for the 2 day event.)

· August 6- Art Festival - Destination Ohio readings at 10:15 AM- 11:00 AM.

· August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html

· August 25- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

Open Mics at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company

July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November Thanksgiving (Sorry we won't be doing one.), December 22?

For those of you who objected to Open Mics at Weaselboy, I have set up an Open Mic at Sojourners on Brandywine for Thursday, July 14 at 7:00 PM- ?

October 8, 2011 Y-City Writers Conference

Next Meeting: August 2, 2011. Write for 10 minutes using “I used to think” as your starter. Followed by coffee at Cracker Barrel.

Opportunities & Submissions:

· 2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250

Don’t forget the Theme is Pottery Writing Contest. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Drop off at the Pottery Museum. (The Ohio Ceramic Center is located at 7327 Ceramic Road NE (County Road 96) at State Route 93, between Roseville and Crooksville in Perry County)

July 5 Meeting Re-Cap

2011-07-11T15:13:00.002-04:00

8/5/2011

HEAD COUNT: Orval had a mild heart attack a few months ago, but we’re so glad he was able to join us at this meeting. Also there à Rita, Sean, Elizabeth, Kim, Braden, Linda, Brian, Shirley, Dave, Mark, Heidi, and Welcome to Jan Foshee

These are the sites mentioned at the meeting:

Central Ohio Fiction Writers http://www.cofw.org/,

Romance Writers of America http://www.rwa.org/

Agent Query Connect http://agentqueryconnect.com/

September 1^st is the deadline for the “Sign In The Window” NEED MORE ENTRIES

à GET THEM TO HEIDI

è $5.00 fee if you’re not attending the Y-CW Writer Conference. If you attend the conference, the contest is free to enter.

Who Read What?

Linda Regula – Excerpt from Tale of Three Sisters

Braden – “(My Love Is) Unknown”

Brian – Two Untitled Poems

Kim – Untitled Poem, excerpt Ch. 2 of Aggie Winkum and the Not-Knows

Rita – Too Late and Ghost Story

Mark – “Coffee” and “Swindlers” -- Poems

Heidi – “Desire” – Poem

Linda – another Excerpt from Excerpt from Tale of Three Sisters

--

Sincerely,

the web-admins:
Kim S YCityAdmin1@gmail.com

Rita S ycitywritersforum@gmail.com

2011 Y-City Writers Conference Speakers

2011-07-06T06:41:00.019-04:00

Bob Welsh is an author & inspirational speaker.

Drawing from a lifetime of experiences that include a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy and 29 years as an Ohio State Trooper, Bob has mesmerized listeners around campfires, in churches, schools and auditoriums with inspirational stories of fact, fiction and humor set to verse.

Bob's stories deliver messages that will put a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, a chuckle in your belly or a profound thought in your mind. http://www.bobwelsh.com

Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal, regular columns for Afictionado E-zine and the Suspense Magazine where she writes the “Ask your Writing Career Coach” column. She is tenacious in her approach to not only create a great story, but to mentor other writers. Tiffany won the 2007 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the inspirational unpublished division for her manuscript A Face in the Shadow and was a semi-finalist in Operation First Novel in 2004. She earned her BA in Political Science with a History minor and French Language Concentrations from the University of Toledo’s Honor’s College in 1998. She earned a Summa cum Laude distinction and was inducted in to numerous honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key. She writes a blog for businesses and writers called The Writing Career Coach. On that site she mentors writers in matters of business management, marketing, and time management principles. Tiffany also travels and speaks on these topics to writers and small business owners at conferences and via online webinars. She is an active member of local and national writing groups where she has served as a judge in writing contests for published and unpublished writers. She offers a variety of online lessons for a fee as well as a monthly free feature at www.WritingCareerCoach.net.

Terry W. Ervin II is an English teacher who enjoys writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. He is an editor for the speculative fiction magazine MindFlights and a guest contributor to Fiction Factor, an ezine for writers.

While Fiction Factor has published the majority of Terry’s articles on writing, his short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines.

Gryphonwood Press published Terry’s debut fantasy novel FLANK HAWK and the next novel in the First Civilization’s Legacy series (BLOOD SWORD), has an expected release date in late Fall 2011.

To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at: www.ervin-author.com

Sandra Gurvis (www.sgurvis.com) is the author of fifteen books and hundreds of magazine articles. Her titles include DAY TRIPS FROM COLUMBUS (Globe Pequot, 3rd ed., 2009), CAREERS FOR NONCONFORMISTS (Marlowe, 2000), which was a selection of the Quality Paperback Book Club; AMERICA'S STRANGEST MUSEUMS (Carol/Citadel,1998; 1996); and more. Her books have been featured on "Good Morning America," "CBS Up to the Minute," "ABC World News Tonight," in USA Today and in other newspapers and on television and radio stations across the country; and have been excerpted in magazines. Her newest titles are OHIO CURIOSITIES (Globe Pequot, 2007, 2nd edition 2011), PARIS HILTON: A BIOGRAPHY (Greenwood, 2011), and MANAGING THE TELECOMMUTING EMPLOYEE with Michael Amigoni (Adams, 2009). She recently completed her second novel, COUNTRY CLUB WIVES.

A major aspect of her work has been on the Vietnam protests and their aftereffects and particularly relevant to today's political situation is her recent nonfiction title, WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWER CHILDREN GONE? (University Press of Mississippi, 2006). Five years in the making, it covers all facets of the Vietnam era, from tracking the student protest and conservative movements to comparing the controversy surrounding Vietnam to the Middle East. Her novel, THE PIPE DREAMERS (Olmstead,2001) is a fictional exploration of the late '60s/early 70s, mostly set in the small college town of Hampton, Ohio. She has also written on this topic for the VVA Veteran, Ohio State Alumni Magazine, People, and many other publications.

Sharon Fish Mooney lives in Coshocton, Ohio where she coordinates an annual writers’ conference and monthly poetry and music nights at Tim Hortons with her husband Scott; both are sponsored by the Write-On Writers Guild. Sharon is the author of Alzheimer’s, Caring for Your Loved One, Caring for Yourself and other books and articles on health and aging issues. Her poems have appeared in RUMINATE, on the Ohio Poetry Association website, in their newsletter and journal Common Threads, and in three anthologies (Silver Boomer Books). An ekphrastic poem after van Gogh’s The Harvest, won the Y-City Writers Conference award for poetry (2009). She lectured on poetry and dementia in 2010 at an international nursing conference in the Netherlands. Sharon’s blank verse narrative poem, Dimly Burning Wicks, won the inaugural Frost Farm Prize for metrical poetry (2011), judged by William Baer; she was a semi-finalist for the Richard Wilbur Award for a book of sonnets (2011). She teaches nursing research and gerontology on-line for Regis University, Denver, CO and Indiana Wesleyan University. She has an undergraduate degree in nursing from Alfred University and an MS and PhD from the University of Rochester in New York State.

Robert W. Birch is a retired marital and sex therapist who began writing in earnest after his retirement. He has written and published in print four sexuality information and self-help books and two e-books, as well as a collection of short erotic stories. His training and experience enable him to write with keen insight into the fantasies, motives and behaviors of both genders and of all persuasions. His first novel, Settling the Score, a 400-page erotic mystery, was offered by the Venus Erotic Book Club as one of its member selections.

Bob writes of believable sexual encounters that occur within the context of realistic relationships, except when one of the main characters is an alien. He believes that sex on any planet should be fun, so he writes with humor. He is member of the Erotica Readers and Writers of America and of Romance Writers of America. He lives in rural Ohio where he writes in the company of his wife, four dogs, two tanks of fish, and two cages of birds.

Debbie Alferio is an award-winning author and speaker whose Forever Love series was inspired by an actual dream. She has appeared in local television, radio, and newspaper interviews, and is listed in two Who’s Who directories. Debbie is the Ohio Representative for Authors Across America and a member of the International Writer’s Association, American Author’s Association, Ohio Professional Writers, Writer’s Ink, and the Sauna Friends Writer’s Group. She donates a portion of her profits to the American Cancer Society. Visit the author’s website at www.freewebs.com/debsbooks and follow her blog at www.debbiealferio.blogspot.com.

Brenda Layman is a book lover, freelance writer, avid angler, and sometime teacher. When she was studying English literature at the Ohio State University in the 1070’s, her advisor told her, “You should be a writer.” Brenda thought that was a fine idea, but at that tender age she had no idea what to write. Decades later, she had written and self-published a book and was publishing two to six freelance articles a month. She joined the Ohio Writers Guild and the Satellite Writers Group where she found the company of other writers to be both exhilarating and inspiring. Along with colleague Jerry Lopper, Brenda started another writers group, All Genres Writers, and an online writing community, Fiction Writers’ Platform. She was accepted into the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, and she received second place for Best Internet Article of 2010 in the annual Outdoor Writers of Ohio Craft Awards. As her circle of writing friends and associates grew, Brenda decided there was a need for an affordable book development and marketing group for independent authors. She founded Select Authors with her husband, Mark, a software engineer and communications technology manager. Brenda and Mark consulted an internet communications expert, Tommy Walker, and launched their Facebook page and website in January of 2011. Six months later, the Facebook community had grown to around 1500 members, and the Select Authors book collection included over a dozen titles. At that point, Brenda decided that acquiring marketing expertise was the next step in her venture, and she entered the Master of Communication and Marketing program at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Brenda is excited about the opportunity to build a community of successful, independent authors. Brenda and Mark reside in Pickerington, Ohio. They are active in the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance, and enjoy cooking, attending concerts and plays, geocaching, and traveling. They have two sons, Jonathan, an attorney who is married to Julie, and Daniel, who is a graduate student at the University of North Carolina.

Big Doin's

2011-07-03T07:15:00.002-04:00

Y-City Writers Forum Meeting this Tuesday at 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM followed by coffee at Cracker Barrel. Bring what you are working on to share or something to read. Don't be afraid to ask questions. (Central Presbyterian 40 N. 6th St. in downtown Zanesville.)

The write-in is, also, on Tuesday at 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM at Sojourner's Baked Subs -1206 - C Brandywine Blvd. Zanesville OH, 43701 . All are welcome to join us to write, get help or to brainstorm.

Wednesday at 1:30 PM -2:00 PM- Reading at Autumn Healthcare on North Point Dr. Bring something to read to this bright group, some of whom are writers too!

June 21 Y-City Writers Forum Re-Cap

2011-06-26T06:03:00.005-04:00

Head Count: Heidi, Sean, Emily, Elizabeth, Braden, Kim, Brian, David, Kim, Megan

Welcome to Laura Bickle and husband Jason who drove from the wilds of Columbus to entertain and inform us tonight.

Fantasy Writer Laura Bickles also writing as Alayna Williams (Science &Magic)www.salamanderstales.com www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com She has a Masters in Criminology and a Masters in Library Science. Currently working in a library now.

URBAN FANTASY – relatively new term….

URBAN FANTASY LAND – Looks like our modern world except for the creatures/or supernatural element

Lots of overlap in Paranormal Romance, but the primary difference between the two is that

Paranormal Romance à hinges on love/relationship of characters, likely to have a happy ending. Ex. Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series.

Urban Fantasy àmore about saving the world, may not end happily. There may be some romance or involvement, but it is not the focus of the plot. Character involvement through external conflict or situations. Ex. Jim Butcher’s Storm Front

Two kinds of world à

Open – (not Laura’s Preference) all characters aware of supernatural elements because they are well integrated into society. Lots of fantastical elements seem to be ordinary à flexible, resilient…must suspend reader’s disbelief at outset.

Closed/Hidden – Very few characters know about supernatural elements. Need a stronger balance of magic and realism. Trickier to write because you can push it too far: Too much realism = too harsh and gritty; Too much magic, and the reader may “fall out of disbelief”

Set out rules of magic and adhere to them!

Why not write under your real name? “I was trying to keep my day-to-day life (Workin at a prison.) from intersecting with my writing life… also some of my books came out in a staggered order… publisher thought the pen name would smooth it over. ” SPARKS and EMBERS under Laura Bickle, ROGUE ORACLE and DARK ORACLE under Alayna Williams (the last two were NaNoWriMo books)

She is published out of Juno (urban fantasy division of Pocket Books, owned by Simon and Schuster

Laura is a big believer that people should keep throwing stuff at the wall and see what works the best for them. Absolutely try it all. Got started writing epic fantasy (the results of her attempts are hidden in shoeboxes never to see the light of day), drawn to Urban Fantasy because of the “What-If” factors.

è CONTEXT (http://www.contextsf.org/ ) Convention annually held in Columbus, Ohio-- writers of speculative fiction can make an appointment with agents and pitch their work. Laura couldn’t pitch her story well at her first Context, did better at the second one. She says a lot of finding an agent is luck and timing and connecting with people. Didn’t have an agent when she published her books, but insists that all writers should have an agent first. (Met her agent through another author, and has had an agent for about a year.)

Laura’s process is to go through three drafts, give the last one to a beta reader, she gets back at least two pages of comments, makes changes. Then a copy-editor checks type and consistency issues.

If you’re under contract with an editor, you don’t have control over title and cover art. You may (and should) ask why they want to change the title/cover material…and you may be able to offer input, but decision is theirs, not yours. Sometimes, your title is too similar to another title in their line up (or actually is another title in their line up), or has different connotations than what you intend.

Chris McGrath, who does the Dresden Files (Jim Butcher) cover art does Laura’s book covers.

The one book she wishes she’d written and could claim for her own is Robin McKinley’s HERO AND THE CROWN à it’s the best book she’s read that’s really stuck with her and made her fall in love with fantasy.

Her husband, Jason, is her “Muse”, “First Defender”, and Beta-reader (Fresh Eyes) – but doesn’t read Urban Fantasy unprompted.

Have you ever written something so astounding, it made you go, “Wow!” -- No. However, when she hits the last chapter in her own books, she feels like she’s flying.

“We want our words to affect other people – to stay with them”

Do your characters talk to you in your head? Yes, as she’s writing, but usually they behave.

The great thing about writing is that you can research anything you want. She takes exception to the old “write what you know” chestnut. In this day and age, you can research the heck out of it and fake it. “A good editor will push you and challenge you to see if what you write might really be true”, however Laura’s “Internal Editor” is relentless!

Do you have a set time to write/what’s your process?

She describes herself as a Planner, not a Pants-er: She outlines and uses index cards. 2-3 Page synopsis beginning middle and end (skeleton of the story). When she’s half way through the book, the note cards really come into play. They are the most useful in last 1/3, especially when she is telling the story in more than one or two points of view

Doesn’t have internet connection on -- she’ll want to “research” or talk to her internet buddies about writing for five hours.

Tries to follow NaNoWriMo setup each day.

What is your best advice to get into publishing.

"Finish! Finish! Finish! Finish!

Start another work.

Finish! Finish! Finish! Finish! Repeat.”

Our work becomes our babies, but if you get knocked down a hall of a lot, get up and keep trying new things and keep trying to get it done. Try to figure out how to pace yourself/manage your time to write a book.

June 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-23T10:18:00.002-04:00

Here is the link to our June Newsletter. If you have articles, poetry or short, short stories you would like to include in upcoming issues, email Rita at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com.

Y-CWF MEETING RE-CAP

2011-06-12T06:50:00.004-04:00

Rita, Elizabeth O., Brian, Sean, Laura, Emily, Braden, Cindy, Mark and Heidi.

Cindy S., who attended the Donna McMeans Workshop in Cambridge in May, gave us the highlights of the workshop and the W Plot. I found this blogpost by another author with the nuts and bolts of the workshop along with graphs. (Cindy has copies if you want one.) Also, Patricia Sargeant speaks about the W Plot. There is so much more about this one form of plotting on the web, so if I manage to confuse you, please look it up.

Here are the notes I took from Cindy's lesson:

Hook the reader. Your voice must be strong. (Oh, I learned about finding your voice at the Cleveland Rocks Romance Conference last month. Your voice is your unique perspective on life that comes through in your writing. It's a conglomeration of your values, beliefs, dreams,etc. that comes through in your writing. Holly Lisle speaks on this topic).

Your first page should be a promise to your reader about what they will get. "Go all out your editor can pull it back in," Donna MacMeans said. Your first chapter should give a glimpse of internal conflict. No back story in your 1st chapter. Dialogue is a good place to give back story.

The end of your 1st chapter should be a call to action, which will hook the reader. Character makes a wrong choice.

Chapters 3 & 4 - Crossing the threshold (reluctant to do something -->make a change.

Middle section- Things should begin to get better, but not totally. 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Whatever the hero/heroine is running from should come back.

Every character has an internal conflict.

The person who is helped might seem like the betrayer.

Someone might get murdered. The hero/heroine should sacrifice for each other and overcome what they fear.

Thins will change for the better.

Don't neglect the ending, encourage the reader to come back. Happily ever after (primarily for romances).

The W graph definitions: (from handout by Donna MacMeans) Cindy has the descriptions if you would like.

A- Normal World, B- Inciting Incident, C- Things get worse, D- The First Turning Point, E- Enemies and Friends, F- Point of No Return, G- Things begin to fall apart, H- The Big Black Moment, I- Return with the Elixir, J-Happily-ever-after resolution/epilogue

There are Rooting Interests that make the reader care about the characters we feel sorry for (empathy). We like characters with humanistic traits. We like to admire the character. So try to endow your characters with traits the you can empathise with like undeserved mistreatment, handicaps, moments of weakness, etc. Giving your character humanistic traits, such as letting down his/her guard, relates to children, helps others, risks life for others, etc. helps the reader further like your character. And last giving them admiration traits, such as power and charisma, courage, sense of humor, wounded and continues on, etc. further helps us like the character.

I hope that I haven't confused you too much. Cindy did a much better presentation than my notes suggest.

After the presentation Mark, Beth M., Braden, Sean, Heidi and Rita shared their work.

We adjourned at 8:00 PM to Cracker Barrel.

Y-City Writers at the Book Fair at John McIntire Library in Zanesville

2011-06-05T07:16:00.013-04:00

Event Coordinator and Y-City Writers Forum Member, Summer Clark

The Y-City Writers Forum stepped out into the public to meet new people, peddle our books and to network with other writers. Y-City Writers Forum members, who did not have any books to sell, also, showed up to meet the authors and get autographed books.

The lovely Cindy Sterling manned the Y-City Writers table for us. A natural born people person, Cindy charmed many people. She, also, coordinated a writers lunch after the event.

Cindy Sterling did a fabulous job giving out information about the Y-City Writers Forum to potential members.

The multi-talented Linda Regula talking intently to Y-City Writers Forum founder, Traci K. Couch. Linda's stories and artwork have charmed many readers.

Marilyn Murphree with her husband Walter manning her table. Marilyn has been an active member in the Y-City Writers Forum. She participates in our readings at the Carr Center and Autumn Healthcare.

Another multitalented writer, Laura Moe, displays her Y/A novels, Under the Veil, Chasing the Dragon and Parallel Lines, as well as her line of jewelry-Moe Wear.

Events and Other Happenings

2011-05-31T06:28:00.007-04:00

Greetings from the Y-City Writers Forum

(Pictured left to right: Elizabeth Onderko and Heidi Heiby greeting people at the 2010 Y-City Conference.)

The Y-City Writers Forum have been busy in the community. We host write-ins and open mics. The open mics are on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00p.m. at Weaselboy Brewing Company.

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to come out to support us or to participate in this very informal reading of poetry, stories and even the occasional song.

We have participated in the Y-Bridge Arts Festival for two years. The first year we read our stories from our first anthology,

The Y Bridge: An Anthology of Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction Stories about Zanesville, Ohio's famous bridge. Last year we had an information tent and sold our books.

This year, August 5 & 6, we will be manning a tent, similar to the one pictured here. We have been promised a slot to read our Destination Ohio stories, that will, also, be on sale for the Festival. Writers: Linda Regula, Brenda Layman, Summer K. Clark, Rita L. Smith and Marilyn Murphree will be on hand to speak with the public and to autograph books.We volunteer to read at the The Carr Center on the third Thursday of each month at 10:00a.m. and Autumn Healthcare on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us to entertain these wonderful people.

We participate in book fairs and art walks. Pictured on the right is the first Holiday Book Fair in December, 2009. On June 4 from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. we will be selling our books at the John McIntire Library in Zanesville, OH. Several of the Y-City Writers will be autographing their books at this event, including Linda Regula and Marilyn Murphree.

Last, but not least, the Y-City Writers Conference. October 8, 2011, we will host our fourth writers conference. 2011 Y-City Writers Conference at Coburn United Methodist, 3618 N. Maple Ave., Zanesville, Ohio 43701

Speakers: Tiffany Colter, Bob Welch, Sandra Gurvis, Bob Birch, Donna Sheperd, Debbie Alferio, Terry Ervin, and Brenda Layman.

Each year this event has enabled us to provide valuable information to writers at an affordable cost, and donate to the Maysville Literary Fund, a local youth writing club. This year we are offering scholarships to attend the conference to two young writers in our quest to encourage youths to write.

Open Mic

2011-05-27T10:17:00.004-04:00

Last night The Y-City Writers' Forum held an open mic. Really, it's writers reading... since we don't have a microphone. The acoustics are good at Weaselboy Brewing Company, since we are not in the bar.

Eleven people showed up and seven read stories or poetry. It was a nice night to spend with friends, new and old. It was nice having an audience who aren't part of the writing group. Feedback is better from strangers.

Thank you everyone who came out for a couple of hours. Our next open mic will be on June 23 at 7 PM. at Weaselboy's. I hope some of you come out to join us.

I forgot to take pictures, so I am recycling an older one of Heidi coming into the open mic. Hopefully, next time I'll remember.

~Rita L. Smith

May 17, 2011 Meeting Re-Cap

2011-05-19T08:31:00.002-04:00

Business Meeting: (Summer, Rita and Heidi)

The 2011 Conference Speakers are Sandra Gurvis, Bob Birch, Tiffany Colter, Bob Welch, Donna Shepherd, Debbie Alferio, Terry Ervin, and Brenda Layman.

The Sign in the Window Contest Judges are Laura Moe, Dr. Jane Varley, Dr. Vivian Wagner, Dr. Andre DeCuir, and Meghan Wynne.

We are in the process of collecting donations for the conference. If you want to donate or have a favorite author (who is alive) that you would like Rita to ask, please email her at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com.

In attendence: Our speaker: Lesley Jenike and her husband Josh Butts, Rita, Beth, David, Braden, Heidi. Sean, Glady, Cindy, Jim, Linda and Elizabeth O.

Speaker: Poet Lesley Jenike http://www.lbojengles.blog spot.com/. Lesley Jenike's first book of poems Ghost of Fashion is now available from CustomWords Press. Her poems have appeared or will appear soon in Poetry, Rattle, The Gettysburg Review, The Southern Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Quarterly West, The Journal, Drunken Boat, Sou'Wester, Pool, Gulf Coast, and others. She's recently been awarded a fellowship from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and a Tennessee Williams Scholarship from the Sewanee Writer's Conference. She's an assistant professor of English at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio.

It took two years from acceptance to publication for her collection of poems to be released. Her poetry, based on musicals, put in a new context.

Submitting your poetry for publication. The best way to go is contests. Poetry is contest driven. (Lesley wishes she would have gone this route.) Publishing poetry is a long arduous process. She suggests that you strike a balance between submitting to contests and collecting them into a manuscript. It is important to get your work out there. Most poets don't have agents. She suggests Duotrope to find places to submit your poems. This is better than Poet's Market, since it's updated more frequently.

Lesley read selected poems: Bye- Bye Birdie, Brigadoon, Three's Inheritance, Three Go to the Zoo, The I am, The I am Woman and several more.

It's good to get feedback from others. Lesley had accidentally lifted some of Robert Frost's poem, The Directive, which was discovered during a critique. She hadn't remembered the poem, but parts of it must have remained with her.

The group asked some really good questions, which I included in the newsletter, so I won't share them here. If you would like me to forward the newsletter to you email me at ycitywritersforum@gmail.com.

Cleveland Rocks Romance Conference

2011-05-17T08:51:00.003-04:00

This past weekend I, Rita, attended NEORWA's Cleveland Rocks Romance Conference. I have been to three of their conferences now and I have to say they all rocked!

This year I was particularly excited, because my novel, John Dunham's Diary, is complete and Whitney Ross from Tor was taking editor appointments. The fabulous thing about Tor is that they don't just publish romance.

I fretted about my pitch. How does one summarize the entire novel in one or two sentences? Remember you have limited time to pitch at these conference and in this case only 7 minutes. Being the procrastinator I am, I waited until almost the last possible moment to re-fine my pitch.

In the end I was happy with it and Whitney requested that I send the first 50 pages to her. So, I was riding on a high at the end of the conference.

Back to the conference: It began Friday night with the agent and editors (Amy Moore Benson, AMB Literary Management, Whitney Ross, Tor, Victoria Curran, Harlequin, and Kelli Collins, Ellora's Cave). listening to Query Letters and making comments on them. The main thing is to keep it short and bring your voice or the tone of the story into the letter.

Jules Bennett gave some great advice about POV and setting. She said that she tends to write about places she has never been, so she contacts real estate agents and asks them a series of questions. i.e. What's popular in your city? What's the weather like? What do people wear? To get into your characters mind list 20 things you want to happen to your character. You should know your characters inside out.

Lori Foster told us to "Never start a book, unless you are dying to write it." You need to finish it! You should always treat your writing like a business. Meet your deadlines and fulfill your contracts! Don't fight about things like titles or book covers, especially with your first novel.

LuAnn McLane talked about finding your voice. What is the theme that runs throughout your stories? Finding your voice through your blend of beliefs, passion and your theme that runs throughout your books. Once you discover your voice you can get away from the trend and please yourself. 1. Make a list of your strengths. 2. Dare to be different. Take something that's been done before and put your own spin on it. BE FRESH 3. Please yourself first! 4. Create your brand. (Now- don't wait for your book to be published.) Your tag line should be short and will resonate with your readers. What is that special ingredient that will always be an extension of you? LuAnn's tag line is Romantic Comedy with a Southern Kick.

All in all it was a good conference.

Enter the 2012 NEORWA Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest by January 15, 2012.

Wild Things

2011-05-09T06:23:00.010-04:00

Friday night I went to Marilyn Knell's Art Exhibit, Wild Things.

The turn-out was good. Her paintings are fabulous, because she cares so deeply for the animals she paints in unexpected colors.

This multi-talented artist is, also, a member of The Y-City Writers Forum. Full Moon Over Black Water, a collection of artwork, stories, poems and play was available at the opening, too.

The beat: African

Marilyn greeted and mingled her guests as if she has been doing this all her life. She feels quite strongly about the subject of prevention of animal cruelty.

Y-City Writers Forum member, Summer K. Clark, presented us with her interpretations of Marilyn's paintings.

May 3 Y-City Writers Meeting Re-Cap

2011-05-05T10:58:00.003-04:00

Recap May 3, 2011 –

Headcount: Rita, Teresa, Summer, Kim, Braden, David, Sean, Brian, Beth, Emily, Shirley, Heidi, Mark

Conference Related –

è Liking the idea of Coshocton’s Write On Writer’s conference

è Also liking the idea of having an open mic at the end of a conference and tables with different areas of interest at lunch time. i.e. fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.

è Pondering the idea of cutting the conference down by one hour, so that it will end at 3p.m., rather than 4 p.m.

è Gas prices could severely impact the number of speakers we have

May 14^th, 2011—Our own Beth Mautz is walking for a cause àGreat Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If you care to make a donation, please contact her. All checks should be made payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

May 31^st, 2011 – Last Day To Submit to the Destination, Ohio project for the Y-Bridge Arts Festival. Only five submissions so far. Remember, you can write in any genre, poetry or prose, but it must be about a real, Ohio Destination….and please, please don’t use “Destination, Ohio” as your title.

June 4^th , 2001 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Summer Reading Kick-Off Book Fair @ John McIntire Library Basement. If you want to help let Summer know. 2 people to a table. If you want a full table, talk to Summer ahead of time. Authors can bring promotional materials to promote e-books.

Who Read What?

Ø Heidi read David’s Civil War Vampire Excerpt, working title “ Lady in the Mist”

Ø Heidi “For Juliet on her Seven Month Birthday” poem

Ø Emily read an excerpt from her 2005 NANO “Steel Angel”

Ø Heidi read from her “…Virginia Moon” story

Ø Braden read “ Gotta’ Break Through the Block!”

Ø Brian read a piece on his “Goal to Write on Boredom, Writer’s Block, and Infinity

Ø Kim read the poem version of “Voice of the Singer”

Ø Mark read “This is For the Living” poem

Ø Summer read “Through The Eyes of a Soldier”

Ø Beth read “A Friend Beyond the Hills” – revised excerpt

Ø Sean read a short fiction story – “Paradox of Dr. Cynthia Moore”

Ø Rita read “Snap”, her Destination, Ohio Submission

Ø David read his prologue for “Engraver’s Tale"

Coming Up:

Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins.

· May 19 - Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· May 26- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· June 1- 1:30pm-2:00pm reading at Autumn Healthcare on Autumn Dr. off of Northpoint on the left if coming from Maple (across from Social Security)

· June 11 from 4 to 8 PM. Crooksville Art Walk. I will have a table for my books and the Y-City Writers’ books. If you want a space of your own let me know and I’ll pass it on to Alma. Must provide your own table and chairs, but the space is free.

· June 16 - Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· June 21- Speaker: Urban Fantasy Writer Laura Bickles also writing as Alayna Williams (Science &Magic)www.salamanderstales.com www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com

· June 23- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· July 19- At YCW Meeting Speaker Stephen Hines, Author of Hocus Focus a Y/A book and two comic books and an independent publisher. http://www.stephenhines.org

· July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html

Open Mics at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company

May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November Thanksgiving (Sorry we won't be doing one.), December 22?

October 8 2011 Y-City Writers Conference

Bring what you are working on to share with the group or write to the prompt…

Next meeting May 17, 2011. Poet Leslie Jenike http://www.lbojengles.blogspot.com/ Will speak on the publishing/ writing life. Lesley Jenike's first book of poems Ghost of Fashion is now available from CustomWords Press. Her poems have appeared or will appear soon in Poetry, Rattle, The Gettysburg Review, The Southern Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Quarterly West, The Journal, Drunken Boat, Sou'Wester, Pool, Gulf Coast, and others. She's recently been awarded a fellowship from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and a Tennessee Williams Scholarship from the Sewanee Writer's Conference. She's an assistant professor of English at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio.

Opportunities & Submissions:

· Write a story or poem about any destination in Ohio. This can be fictional or non-fiction in any genre, but the location must be real. We will read and sell these books at the Y Bridge Arts Festival in August. Deadline: June 3, 2011, email to Rita at ritasdragontoo@aol.com

· 2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250

Don’t forget the Theme is Poetry Writing Contest. Deadline: August 31, 2011. Drop off at the Pottery Museum. (The Ohio Ceramic Center is located at 7327 Ceramic Road NE (County Road 96) at State Route 93, between Roseville and Crooksville in Perry County)

--

Sincerely,

the web-admins:
Kim S YCityAdmin1@gmail.com
Rita S Admin2@ycitywriters.com

=========================================
WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU WRITE!!!

**We have created four different sources containing different writing-related information. Find the one that suits your needs the best!**

Y-City Writers Website and Forum Homepage
http://www.ycitywriters.com/forum/index.php

Check out our Blog:

http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

Find us on Face Book at
"Y-City Writers of Zanesville, Ohio"

Twitter: @YCityWriters

Sign up for our Free Newsletter:

Y-City Writers Group welcomes ALL tale-spinners, of ANY experience or genre.

WHEN:
1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 6:30 - 8 p.m.
WHERE:
Central Presbyterian Church, 40 N. 6th Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701

The Write-on Writers Conference

2011-05-02T08:50:00.003-04:00

Wow! What a great day. I networked with others and spread the word about The 2011 Y-City Writers Conference and The Sign in the Window Conference Contest. People seemed excited about it. I didn't bring nearly enough postcards with the contest information, but I passed out business cards to people too!

The Keynote Speaker, Dan Barnes was interesting. He sited some books to read: A Canary for One by Ernest Hemmingway, Roman Fever by Edith Warton and The Gardner by Rudyard Kipling.

Taking Your Book from Idea to Publication by Mary Clemens Meyer

Another interesting person, she almost had me convinced to start canning. And those who know and love me can tell you that I do not cook often.

She's says the number one thing for any writer to do is read, read, read!

For fiction -plot twists and in non-fiction -tips you want and need.

In order to land a publishing contract, you must write a good book!

Tips of what an Editor looks for:

Unique Idea

A Good Plot (Editor can fix grammar and flow of story, but not the plot!)

Action- don't bog down with too many letters. You want to keep the action moving. Non-fiction- Flow of ideas.

Rights

Most boos are done with author royalties. Each publisher is different.

During the lunch hour, tables were divided into different topics. For instance: poetry, non-fiction, and fiction to name a few. I sat at the fiction table. At first I didn't know who was running the group, because the others were asking me about The Y-City Writers Conferenc and Contest. It was fun to chat with others about what they were writing and interesting to hear about different genres.

Tweaking Ideas and Slanting your Stories by Julie Scudder Dearyan

Rejection and re-direction.

You are an active writer if you are getting rejected.

Magazines are about the editor. The editor is about the readers. So slant your articles toward the reader. You want a broad theme with a narrow focus.

Be on the lookout for new markets. Ask yourself, "Who is the audience?" and "How many freelance articles does this magazine accept?"

Brain Storming- "Life's fodder for writing."

List what is happening in your life (maybe 5 broad themes.) i.e. homeschooling

Then think about what makes your idea unique.

Why are you an expert in this area? (experience)

Learn your strengths and tailor them to fit the market.

Query Letters Editors determine from your query letter if you can write effectively.

One sentence hook (Slanting your ideas to the magazine.) Write to a specific demographic, but narrow focus. Be creative. Seasons and Holidays are good times, but not major ones. Submit at least 6 months - 1 year in advance.

The Header of your email - Address it to an actual editors email/mail. You can find this online or in Writers Market, also on Writers Market.

If an email- From: Your Name, Subject: Query: Brief description of proposal or Article: Name of Article

Dear John Doe -Do not put to whom it may concern or dear sir. Find out their name! It is acceptable to use their name when you don't know whether they are a Mr., Miss, Ms., Mrs. or Dr., etc.

The Hook- Grab the editors attention! Problem or solution hook- 1 sentence.

The informative hook:

2-3 lines of information. Don't begin with personal information, don't brown nose and don't tell them you've never been published.

The Pitch- Let the editor know what you are offering. Describe what you are going to bring out.

Credentials- professional experience. (your life experience- credentials, teaching experience, interviews)

The Close- I look forward to your reply. Clips of what you've published. (Maybe online now or on your website.

The Address Block - Name, address, phone #, email address with your name not some made up one.

Save a file so you remember what you sent.

Use the same ideas for different magazines (similar concept with new slant- tailor each query to the magazine.

The conference wrapped up with selected poetry readings and an open mic. I read my entry for last years Dead Silence Conference Contest, In Memory Of. There seemed to be a collective gasp when I finished reading the story. One lady came up to me to tell me she was waiting for the hook in the story and then I read the ending. She told me great job. I am so blushing right now from just remembering.

~Rita L. Smith

ritalsmith.com

Meeting Minutes for April

2011-04-27T08:47:00.002-04:00

April 5, 2011

In attendance: Teresa, Summer, Kim, Beth, Heidi, Rita, Doug, Sean, Braden, Cindy, Brian, Emily, Mark.

Business:

Send Rita ritasdragontoo@aol.com articles, short, short stories or poetry for the Newsletter.

You can sign up for the newsletter on our blog at http://y-citywritersforum.blogspot.com/

The re-caps are on the blog, too. We aren’t mailing them.

In July ycitywriters.com will no longer be provided by Bill D. We are looking into getting the domain name transferred and setting up a new website/forum.

Balance $348.23

We would like to welcome Sean Miller and Brian Little to our group.

Congratulations to Braden Greiner whose novel, Heart of Mold is now available on Createspace.

We discussed whether it is detrimental to the writer to focus on more than one kind of writing. (Genre, Form)

This had mixed feelings. Some think writers should stick to one form, while others think it helps their writing by doing more than one form or genre. Others, think this is how we learn to find our voice which makes us better writers.

Mark, Braden, Emily, Summer, Teresa, Doug, Beth, Heidi, Cindy and Sean shared their work.

April 19^th, 2011

Headcount:

Rita, Orvall (Yay! So glad to see you back!), Braden, Mike A., Kim, Brian L., Beth, Teresa, Dave C., Sean, Cindy, Heidi, Shirley

Y-Bridge Arts Festival -- Rita needs submissions a.s.a.p. – she only has 4, and would like to have enough to put into an anthology to sell to help out the festival. Topic is “Destination Ohio” – do not use this as the title of your piece. Can write in any genre, poetry or prose, but your destination must be real.

For anyone wishing to take part in the 2011 Arts Festival this year please contact Rita Smith at : Ritasdragontoo@aol.com She will be handling the space availability and sign up sheet for volunteers for this event

* The 2011 Y-Bridge Arts Festival will be held: Friday, August 5, 2011, 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10 am to 9 pm

* Y-City Writers will be participating as a demonstrator not one of the visual artists.

* We must be set up and ready to go NO LATER THAN 6PM FRIDAY!

* Linda Regula will be providing the tent. We will be supplied with 3 tables and chairs.

* Those of us wishing to sell our books during the festival need to sign up and make arrangements for our display in advance.

* Anyone wishing to help out by doing a shift at the tables will need to sign up in advance so that we have a constant presence. Please let me know if you are interested and when you would like to work the booth.

We have been asked if we would mind reading our work/the work of others at Autumn Healthcare (1420 Autumn Drive, this is off Northpoint Dr.) Rita's checking to see if we can do it WEDS., once a month, at 1:30 p.m. - but we may only read here for half an hour, rather than an hour. Mark your calendar's, we are on Autumn's schedule for the first Wedneday (May 3) from 1:30-2:00 pm to read.

A very sincere (very belated) welcome to Brian, Sean, and David – our new members. David has published several books, but would like to learn more about finding reputable representation. Here are some helpful links to that end.

Find Reputable Agents.

è Preditors and Editors http://pred-ed.com/

è Publisher’s Marketplace http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

è Guide to Literary Agents http://guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/

è Agents Query Connect http://agentqueryconnect.com/

When considering an agent it's worth checking that they are a member of either of these two associations:

USA - Association of Authors' Representatives http://aaronline.org/DirLit

UK - Association of Authors' Agents

This is not meant to suggest that agents who do not belong to either organization are disreputable. However, an agent's code of practice should conform to those outlined by these associations.

è Via http://www.writingforums.com/writing-101/116897-reputable-agents.html

5/5/2011 Meet Lisa Black - Author and Crime Scene Investigator
Join us for this exciting evening with author and crime scene investigator, Lisa Black. Ms. Black writes crime novels set in Cleveland. She has real-life experience as a former forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga Coroner's Office, and is now a latent fingerprint examiner in Florida. Her most recent novel is "Trail of Blood," a suspense thriller with a true crime basis. Copies of her novels will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is requested, free of charge and may be completed by contacting the Reference Department at John McIntire Library - 740.453.0391, ext. 116 or 132. This is a great opportunity - don't miss out!
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Category: Adult/Teen
Location: John McIntire Library

5/6/2011-5/27/2011 Paintings by Marilyn Knell
Marilyn Knell took her first art lesson at the age of 60. "It's the first time in my life I've felt a passion for an interest. When I paint, everything else falls away; I'm entranced." Marilyn especially enjoys painting abstracts where the viewer's interpretation is important to the meaning of the painting. She uses acrylics, oils and mixed media. Marilyn has her studio in Tower Studios in downtown Zanesville. Be sure to join us for the Opening Reception in the Carnegie Wing Gallery Friday, May 6th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. as a part of downtown Zanesville's First Friday Art Walk.
Category: All Categories
Location: John McIntire Library

5/12/2011 Author Visit and Luncheon with Neil Zurcher
Want to hear Neil Zurcher tell the story about how he met Prince Charles in a bathroom, or when he tripped and fell on President Gerald Ford, or the time he raced an elephant, survived a tornado, got caught up in a prison riot, or piloted a sternwheeler? In his forty years as a TV reporter and host of Channel 8's "One Tank Trips," Neil proved that he would do almost anything or go almost anywhere for a good story. Now, he is sharing his favorite stories - and the stories behind the stories - in his new book, "Tales from the Road: Memoirs from a Lifetime of Ohio Travel, Television, and More." Neil is a natural storyteller with a great sense of humor. Join us for lunch, entertaining Ohio stories, and a book signing with the author. We will also be unveiling our "Hometown Proud" booklet in celebration of Zanesville's recognition as one of Ohio's Best Hometowns 2011. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 740.453.0391, ext. 131 for reservations. Brought to you by the Muskingum County Library System and the Zanesville Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Category: All Categories
Location: John McIntire Library

We had no speaker this time due to a scheduling conflict, so we had the opportunity to share our work.

Who Read What?

è Sean -- “Birth of a New World” poem

è Teresa -- “The Five Writers’ Coffins” short very urgent story, experiment in ridding her work of passive voice.

è Beth --“The Third Day” inspirational poem

è Heidi – Read excerpt from her novel GOODBYE VIRGINIA MOON

è Braden – “Stress and Caffiene” train-of-thought poem, “Walk in the Rain” train-of-thought-poem

è Cindy – 3 poems -> “Fairytale Endings” about hope in the face of disillusionment, “Death by Loneliness (because we all know that loneliness is the lion that never sleeps)”, “Anguish”

è Orvall – Read excerpt from SKIRTS

è Kim – “Destination” a poem about scrubbing regrets from the brain, lyrics to Indigo Girls’ “Wood Song”

è Sean – “Ephiphany” a poem

Coming Up:

Every Tuesday at 11:30 AM –Write-ins. All are welcome to join us for a get together to write, toss ideas around, seek help from other writers, edit, etc. The goal is to keep us on task not just for one day, but everyday, Nicol’s Family Restaurant & Ice Cream on Putnam (I will let you know if the group decides to go elsewhere.)

Speakers at YCW meetings: (These are on the 3rd Tuesday- The 1st Tuesdays are regular meetings.)

· April 21 - Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· April 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· May 17- Poet Leslie Jenike http://www.lbojengles.blogspot.com/ Will speak on the publishing/ writing life. Lesley Jenike's first book of poems Ghost of Fashion is now available from CustomWords Press. Her poems have appeared or will appear soon in Poetry, Rattle, The Gettysburg Review, The Southern Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Quarterly West, The Journal, Drunken Boat, Sou'Wester, Pool, Gulf Coast, and others. She's recently been awarded a fellowship from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and a Tennessee Williams Scholarship from the Sewanee Writer's Conference. She's an assistant professor of English at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio.

· May 19 - Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· May 26- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· June 16 - Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· June 21- Speaker: Urban Fantasy Writer Laura Bickles also writing as Alayna Williams (Science &Magic)www.salamanderstales.com www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com

· June 23- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· July 19- At YCW Meeting Speaker Stephen Hines, Author of Hocus Focus a Y/A book and two comic books and an independent publisher. http://www.stephenhines.org

· July 21- Reading at the Carr Center, 10 AM on Beverly Ave.

· July 28- Open Mic at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company on Muskingum Ave.

· August 16- Speaker: Patricia A. Rasey Writes Romantic Thrillers and Historical Romance. http://www.patriciarasey.com/index.html

Open Mics at 7 PM at Weaselboy Brewing Company

April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November Thanksgiving (Sorry we won't be doing one.), December 22?

October 8 2011 Y-City Writers Conference

Bring what you are working on to share with the group or write to the prompt…

· Next meeting May 3, 2011. This will be a sharing meeting!

Opportunities & Submissions:

· Write a story or poem about any destination in Ohio. This can be fictional or non-fiction in any genre, but the location must be real. We will sell these books at the Y Bridge Arts Festival in August. Deadline: June 3, 2011, email to Rita at ritasdragontoo@aol.com

· 2011 Contest Theme: The Sign in the Window- send entries to Heidi at hheiby@yahoo.com Word limit: 1250

Don’t forget Crooksville’s Poetry Contest (Judging will be May 5^th.) Deadline is Midnight, April 30. Cost $5.00/entry. You may mail them to Mike Schultz at Original Works Poetry Contest, 329 West Brown Street, Crooksville, Ohio 43731

The Writing Career Coach

2011-04-03T06:57:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, 9 women and I gathered to hear Tiffany Colter, The Writing Career Coach, speak to us about How to Make Money Writing! I am sorry for all who have never heard this dynamo speak. She is truly inspiring.

Even if your goal is not to make money with your writing, but to finish that story you have been working on, Tiffany's workshop would have given you the structure to finally do so. This writer took home some valuable insight on creating writing goals.

Oh, and the mistakes I have been making with my little hobby. Tiffany had some great insights about budgeting. You should decide on your budget. For instance if you have $50.00 in your budget and you want to sell books at a book fair, what should you do? You should invest your $50.00 into your books. To paraphrase Tiffany, "It's better to sell out and make your money back then to over buy and not cover your costs."

Marketing can be done online through your website, your blog, your newsletter, twitter and facebook. These are things you'll want to do as a writer to get your name out there!

If you get the chance to see/hear Tiffany speak, you should definitely do it. You will be so jazzed about your writing, you will be productive! You may get your opportunity to see her at The Y-City Writers Conference on October 8, 2011. Stay tuned for details...

~Rita L. Smith

http:ritalsmith.com

Writers at the Crossroads

2011-03-31T11:20:00.011-04:00

Y-City Writers joined the Cambridge Writers at the Crossroads Library in Cambridge, OH for a couple of hours. Writers gathered on the stage to read to an audience of about 25. Refreshments were served afterwards as local authors gathered to sell their books.

Emily Imes at the podium. Photo by Elizabeth Onderko.

It was a fun time for all. With many different types of stories in different genres and writing style, there was something for everyone. (Except the little children.)

Writers at the Crossroads

2011-03-25T06:28:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, March 26 at 11 AM, local writers will gather at the Crossroads Library in Cambridge to read and share their work.

Among those reading are Y-City Writers Linda Regula, Emily Imes, Cindy Sterling, Laura Moe, Rita Smith, and Kathy Campbell. Linda, Rita, Emily and Laura will be signing their books.

Other writers sharing will be J. Paulette Forshey, Pam Ritchey Marilyn Durr, Carey Mozena, Lisa Bell, Cambridge; Barb Kernodle-Allen, Linda Burris, Donna Wells, Mary Lu Warstler, Beverly Kerr, and Luna Lea Hayes.

Please come out and support your favorite local authors!

Details...

2011-03-19T09:36:00.003-04:00

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that I have a problem with commas. Knowing that this is a problem for me, I chose to leave out the offending punctuation. Not the right move...

The Purdue Owl says:

1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.
b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.

4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.

7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

Now, when I am in doubt, I can just look up the rule. If you have a problem with commas, does this help you?

What is your grammar, punctuation question? Perhaps, I or one of my fellow writers can help...

~Rita L. Smith
http://ritalsmith.com/