Tales2inspire Writing Contest

From our own Lois Stern:

Have an inspiring story just begging to be told? If so, jump on the bandwagon and enter it in Tales2Inspire®, a well respected contest, but much, much more. FREE to enter. Then Tales2Inspire works hard to promote its winners. So if you want help in building your author platform, this is a great opportunity. 

Deadline Date: March 1, 2017. JUST EXTENDED TO MARCH 31st - There's still time!!!!

What should you write about? A picture is worth 1000 words, so get a FREE e-book sampler of winning stories from previous years at: www.tales2inspire.com/contest. Then scroll down the page for submission details, guidelines and “What’s In It For You” rewards..

         Lois W. Stern

Creator of Tales2Inspire 'Authors Helping Authors’ Project/Contest

         Lois W. Stern

Creator of Tales2Inspire 'Authors Helping Authors’ Project/Contest

CLICK to get the NEW Tales2Inspire E-book

                  6 Inspiring Stories - FREE 

    Tales2Inspire books available HERE.

  Your reviews are most appreciated.

                     

             Lois’ links:

Get Your Free E-book

Inspiring Stories Sampler 

http://tales2inspire.com/gift

e-mail: tales2inspire@optimum.net/

Inspiring Stories blog: http://tales2inspire.com/blog

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/LoisWStern

Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tales2inspire-lois-w-stern-13a76a14?trk=hp-identity-name

Tales2Inspire YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/WinningTales

The Punta Gorda Literary Fair

*** Attention ***

This information was furnished by Mr. James Abraham.

Those of you who are interested, please call the number on the flyer. Bring any information you wish to share to the next meeting, Wednesday, February 1st.

A GOOD MEETING

January 18^, 2017

Our meeting was a good one. We opened with a discussion about grammar. When is good grammar needed, when can it be corrupted, and when do we simply throw the rules out the window?

Oh Boy, did that ever open the proverbial can of worms and was fun. Hard-core grammar aficionados insist the proper use of English be employed always; those who tend to write for more commercial reasons often adhere to the premise grammar can be corrupted for a less rigid style making it more appealing to less discerning readers.

Fiction Writers tended to fall into the latter group and even went as far as supporting the idea grammar could be dispensed with when writing dialog. While, Essayist, Non-Fiction Authors, and Report Writers were more supportive of using proper grammar. Concessions were made by both school and even the hard core “grammarians admitted there are times when circumstances allow some deviation from the rules.

No hard and fast methods were agreed upon but, the general consensus was, let the author do as he or she sees fit and the readers will make the decision to read or not to read, all the while remembering not to stray too far from the accepted norm of grammar’s influence.

Oh, by the way, our Poets looked at the whole thing as an exercise worth noting but said,

Matters not if you get it right

We will not change the world tonight

But if we study hard and are not Cheaters

We will soon find the proper meters

As our discussion closed we were privileged to hear some fine examples of work from our members. Each of the pieces drew comments and ideas from the listeners. As always, the comments were valuable and aimed toward helping the author better the work.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, Wednesday, Feb 1^st, 2017 in the Nokomis Fire House training room.

Our topic for discussion will be; DO OUR FEELINGS GUIDE WHAT WE WRITE? This comes to us inspired by an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL published on Dec. 3^rd and 4^th by Robert M. Sapolski, entitled Laughter Is the Best Medicine to Gauge Social Ties; suggested by Ernie Ovitz.

It sounds like fun to me.

Write till it hurts;

Rod

  

Next Meeting

Wednesday, January 18th, our meeting begins at 6:30 PM at the Nokomis Firehouse training room, end of the building away from US 41 - and please park in parking areas - do not block firehouse doors. We are looking forward to your attendance.

This week we will have a discussion on grammar, proper usage and exceptions. Does it really matter when writing a fictional piece containing dialog? This is an open forum and if you are an expert please fell free to come prepared to instruct.

We will also have as many readings as time will allow. Let's try to limit the length to approx 5 minutes of reading time and we will have a discussion and or critique session after each reading. We do not limit the time on discussions if constructive and relevant.

See you there;
Rod

A New Year

Welcome to 2017.

Our group has undergone some changes over the past year. George Mindling chose to step down as a leader and we miss him but Ernie Ovitz has filled his shoes and is doing a great job. 

Rod DiGruttolo, has continued as a facilitator.

Over the next few weeks we'll make an effort to post events and meeting highlights. I invite members to provide articles and notices so we can keep up-to-date with the happenings in our little writing world.

Thanks,
Rod