Schedule and Location

Our group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Nokomis Fire Station. From Sarasota or North, proceed a few blocks south of Albee Road on US 41 (past Matthews-Currie Ford) to Pavonia Road. Turn right (West, toward the bay) at the Fire Station's flashing yellow caution traffic light. From the south on US 41, we are two blocks north of Dona Bay. Turn left onto Pavonia Road at the flashing yellow caution light. At the Fire Station, drive to the fire hall's far end or west side; PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DOORS! We gather in the training room at the far end of the complex for a meet and greet at 6:00 pm but call the Meeting to order at 6:30 pm and take a Ten-minute break at around 7:50 pm. Meeting Adjourns: 9:00 pm

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Last Meeting and Next Meeting

July 23, 2017

Our meeting began on by welcoming a new attendee. Diane drove all the way from Holmes Beach in pouring rain to attend. We are honored and hope you enjoyed and come back. She told of us of her plan to write about the pain and issues that come with being a second wife and stepmother.

Kerri introduced us to a website, TinHouse.com a lovely little website with lots of magazine, book, and workshops available. You might want to check it out.

Jeff suggested a good read on Florida entitled "Oh Florida" Jeff claims it's as good if not better than Dave Barry's "Best State Ever."

Don led off the reading with a thrilling tale of being in an uncomfortable military cargo plane, low on fuel, stuck in a snowstorm over the mountains, and piloted by an man who's only aim was to get home, even if it means ignoring the safety rules. I doing so, he endangers the lives of an entire platoon of airmen.

When Ernie began, he brought us a rewrite of the first chapter of his latest work about the Emperor Constantine. He doing a great job telling us a tale of an historical figure that makes the reader feel as if they are there, witnessing history yet getting to know the humanity of the characters.

Bruce continued from where he left off at the last meeting with his reading of Promontory Castle, an epic story of Kings and Kingdoms in Iambic Pentameter.

Our last reader of the evening, Kerri, read a selection from her memoir entitled "Where Neck Meets Mane." A trail ride led by a ranch hand who leads his charges into the heart of Florida's mysterious natural beauty and possible dangers. Accompanied by her daughter, niece, and company of tourists, the crossing of a swollen creek holds a special meaning.

At our next meeting, August 2nd, our first readers will be, Darienne and Tish who did not get the opportunity to read this week.



This excerpt comes from an article on Linkedin, Author U.

The following questions were written by Shonell Bacon (shared with permission) and originally posted here: http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2014/12/eight-questions-for-writers.html



Are There Gaps in your Story Arc?

A plot needs to have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but sometimes holes or gaps develop that need to be filled. While there is no formula to writing a novel, these eight questions can help guide an author in making sure the arc of their plot is complete.


  1. Who is your main character (MC)?
  2. What does the MC want?
  3. What's the main conflict that keeps the MC from getting that want?
  4. What's the event/situation that sets the MC in motion to achieve the want?
  5. What are the obstacles the MC encounters, keeping him/her from the want? (Obstacles should escalate, building tension)
  6. What's the event/situation that makes the MC go "All-or-Nothing" to win the want? (This is a moment in which there is no turning back)
  7. Does the MC win or lose?
  8. What's the effect of the win or loss on the MC?
Do these sound as if they'd be useful to you?


At our next meeting we will discuss these questions and more.

Until then; Keep On Writing

Rod

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Thanks to Darienne Oaks:

Here are the Merriam Webster dictionary definitions for the blog:
criticize is a verb: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly: evaluate
criticism is a noun: 1. act of criticizing, usually unfavorable  2. critique: the art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature
 We engage in the act of criticizing, considering the merits and demerits of a piece of writing, by providing a critique, an evaluation or analysis of the work. 

Too, I wonder if others in our writing group would care to add to this suggested list of specific feedback for writers or offer alternatives. 
Are the characters well drawn?
Is dialogue believable?
Is the pacing of the story well matched to its content?
Are there too many adjectives and adverbs?
Is the sentence/paragraph construction effective?
Do transitions lead the reader from one part to another in a way that keeps the story moving forward?
Is the length of the writing appropriate for its subject matter?
Does the writing hold the reader's interest?If not, what might improve the writing?
How might the writer strengthen the writing, story line, dialogue or characterizations? 

ALSO

THANKS TO KERRI DIEFFENWIERTH

Check out this web address for 
"A Basic Guide to Getting Permissions + Sample Permissions Letter"



Thursday, July 06, 2017



Thanks to cecile bell:




For the Love of Books & Florida





Sarasota, Florida

JULy 15, 2017



DATE AND TIME

LOCATION

Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
1111 Ritz Carlton Dr
Sarasota, FL 34236

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to For the Love of Books & Florida!
Everything beach!!!! We will live it up right on the beach in beautiful Sarasota, Florida!
Our event details:
Location - The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. This is the best of the best on the Gulf Coast and it's all ours! After the event the authors and readers will be taken to a private beach for drinks, dinner and relaxation in the sand.
The Friday night mixer will be held pool-side and only feet from the Gulf. Food and drinks included as well as contests and prizes.
WEEKEND AGENDA

FRIDAY NIGHT
5:30 - 7:00 PM - AUTHOR & VIP REGISTRATION: HEALING GARDEN
6:00 - 8:00 PM - COCKTAIL & HORS D'OEUVRES MIXER: HEALING GARDEN
LIMITED TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT REGISTRATION

SATURDAY
9:00 AM - DOORS OPEN FOR VIPS
9:00 AM - RAFFLES AND SILENT AUCTION OPEN
10:00 AM - DOORS OPEN FOR GENERAL ADMISSION
12:00 - AUTHOR & VIP LUNCH
1:00 - SIGNING RESUMES
2 PM - SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLES CLOSE
4:00 PM - SIGNING ENDS
6:00 - 8:30 PM - PRIVATE BEACH PARTY: LOW TIDES TERRACE
LIMITED TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT REGISTRATION

Current List of Authors (more being added):
Marni Mann
TM Frazier
M. Robinson
Kristen Hope Mazzola
Seth King
K Street
K. L Roth & R. L Weeks