“I couldn’t see how to make it funny, so I went full-on heartwarming this time.” That’s how I explained the difference in tone from previous pieces I had asked my good friend and trusted critic, Stacey, to read. Before starting the piece, I had combed through stories from one edition of the popular anthology series where I planned to submit to be sure I wrote what the editors … [Read more...] about Writer Laryngitis by Camille DeFer Thompson
Blog
On the Road to Done, by Lani Longshore
I chickened out on NaNoWriMo again, but I'm still getting something out of it. For the last three years I've thought about using NaNoWriMo to help break one writing block or another, but haven't quite done it. This year, however, I determined to take advantage of some of those tips for NaNo participants. I'm on the third novel in the Chenille series (with Ann Anastasio). … [Read more...] about On the Road to Done, by Lani Longshore
Alphabet Hop, by Lani Longshore
One of my quilting groups did an alphabet challenge. We drew a letter, and made a quilt related to a word beginning with that letter. I wondered if I could use the same challenge in my writing and decided to start an alphabet hop. The word "accountable" leaped off the page of my dictionary. How could I make my characters more accountable in the story? How would they react to … [Read more...] about Alphabet Hop, by Lani Longshore
Flexing Those Writing Muscles – by Lani Longshore
May began with a vigorous celebration of writing. Towne Center Books held a Book Fight on May 3 - contestants were given five minutes to write a story based on three words chosen at random. TVW members Arleen Eagling, Alice Kight and Lani Longshore competed along with other writers from the community. After three rounds and a death match, Alice took first place. Patricia … [Read more...] about Flexing Those Writing Muscles – by Lani Longshore
Across The World
CWC Tri-Valley Branch is promoting our local authors world-wide, and entertaining U.S. troops at the same time. Members can donate signed copies of their own books at the April meeting. Vice President Deborah Bernal will collect the books and bring them to the San Ramon Blue Star Moms, who will send them to local military personal serving in Afghanistan. Annette Langer … [Read more...] about Across The World
The Twitter Pitch : by G. Karl Kumfert
On Wednesday, March 25th I tried pitching my novel on a Twitter event hosted by author Brenda Drake. The hashtag #PitMad trended #1 on Twitter for a while, which is testament to how many people are looking for an agent. The rules were simple. Writers were asked to limit to 2 tweets per hour with the hashtag #PitMad along with genre-specific hashtag(s) so agents could search … [Read more...] about The Twitter Pitch : by G. Karl Kumfert
Members Keeping Busy
Tri-Valley Writers are producing and publishing. Fred Norman has a new book, A Hill of Poems. This collection includes works read at various events on Lafayette's hill of crosses. Proving that your work doesn't have to be hot off the presses to be a hot commodity, Annette Langer had an event for her 2005 book, Healing Through Humor: Change Your Focus, Change Your Life, … [Read more...] about Members Keeping Busy
Get the Word Out – by Lani Longshore
If the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, the journey to a thousand book sales begins with a single blog. Or press release. Or mention in an email. Most of us would be happy to help other Tri-Valley Writers if we could - and here's where you can find information on new and upcoming releases from TVW members. Once a month, we'll blog about who has published … [Read more...] about Get the Word Out – by Lani Longshore
