Dear Members, Participants and Supporters,

As our children go back to school, perhaps you are thinking it is time to recommit to that writing project you’ve been working on, contemplating writing, or dreamed of completing. Nothing helps me with follow through on my writing projects like having made a commitment, and then sticking to it.

For instance, since 2006 I have been contemplating writing a curriculum for high school students which taught them how to write while involving family members. As we writers know, you should write what you know and as Flannery O’Connor pointed out, “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.” 
I kept putting the project off, or working on it in baby steps, collecting ideas, creating a book of ideas, trying out the ideas on students, but not writing the book.  Then, in January, I got a great idea, if I was speaking at a conference on the subject, I would have to finish the book. I submitted my application and waited to see if I was accepted.

I was accepted to present and had to get in high gear to complete the book, “Writing with Home: Year One” (available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Home-High-School-Projects/dp/1453763228/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284329055&sr=1-13).

Now, I am happy to report that the writing project is done. I spoke at the conference which was fun and I met some great teachers/parents. And, I’m ready for my next project.

Which leads me to The Writers’ Gallery. Nothing says committed like showing up weekly with pages for your peers to read and critique at our Monday night Criticique Groups. We start at 6:30, ask you bring up to five pages to share, at lest three copies for reading by your peers, and be prepared to learn.

The calendar is updated and we hope to see you there.

Happy writing,

Diane

August 1, 2010

I am happy to announce that one of our members, Yvonne L. Stegman, has published her book, The Clearsong Chronicles, The Wizard Enlightened. The story is about young Ross Miller who was a bit of a daydreamer until a deadly, fire-breathing dragon destroyed his small village. After spending time with the elves, he grew up to be a powerful wizard seeking revenge on the dragon. But, had he known the price of his revenge, he would never have paid it.

You can get the book by following this link: http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Enlightened-Book-Clearsong-Chronicles/dp/0557164850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280721183&sr=8-1.

Congratulations to Yvonne, or Boni as we all know her!

I hope you are all writing. The new calendar is posted.

Happy writing,

Diane

Dear Members, Participants and Contributors,

I am happy to announce that one of our own, Rosalinda Vargas has published a book of poetry, “Not Only Dark Poems” available at this link – =”http://offthebookshelf.com/authors/349-rosalinda-vargas“. If you remember, Rosalinda had a poem, “Tarantula” published last fall in The Writer’s Gallery Annual Magazine. Rosalinda also studied under Diane Adams, one of our workshop presenters. Congratulations Rosalinda!

I am also happy to announce that I can officially tell people I freelance. Twenty years ago, I began to pursue writing as a profession. I wasn’t very good at the pursuit because I had no idea of how to do it. But, I knew back then I wanted books published and to be freelance writing for others. Well, last month I got a phone call, inviting me to do some freelance writing for FMS Productions! I was so flattered, but very nervous. Luckily, they loved my work and have now sent a second project along.

Twenty long years of pursuing my dream, and finally I can add one more feather to my hat. And, though you may have heard this before I do plan on repeating it, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you.

So, keep writing!

July calendar is posted.

Best,

Diane

Hello Members, Participants and contributors,

I recently finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintanence and one idea has stuck with me. The narrator is talking about Quality, yes, with a capital Q, and says to be a good artist, a good writer, a good mechanic, you need to be a good person. The best of any calling is not because these people studied the  art form, but because they were perfect and perfection is what results from being a perfect person.

Now, I have also read the collected Letters of Vincent Van Gogh, so I’m not sure if this thesis would hold up to closer scrutiny, but I do like the idea that by striving to be a better person, my writing will improve.

I hope your writing is going well and you are finding much success.

The June calendar is posted. Come on a Monday and share your work!

Thanks,

Diane

Hello Members, Participants and Contributors,

Two of our members have found publishing success. Joyce Melton with creative partner, Daniel,  have a cartoon appearing twice a week, Monday and Thursday at http://quillianonline.com.  Read their story below.

Sandy McPheron has won the Tiny Lights Annual Essay Contest. You can read her story below.

I hope both of these writers inspire you to keep writing and sending your work out into the world.

The May calendar is posted.

Thanks,
Diane

Joyce Melton and Cartooning:

We conceived it in the bookstore; after discussing each of our own creations, we created something new that belonged to both of us.

We talked the story out together, Daniel designed the characters, I wrote a script.

Daniel does the pencils and inks and edits the script, I do the lettering on the computer and take care of the technical webstuff and pay expenses. We are then 50/50 owners of the property, except that Daniel owns his original art and I own the website.

Sandy McPheron and contest success:

I was put onto the Tiny Lightsessay contest by my instructor from my memoir class in Idyllwild last summer. The contest asked for an entry that featured “a distinctive voice, discernible conflict and eventual shift in the narrator’s perspective.” Nice to have a very specific theme to write to. Standard category was no more than 2,000 words, okay, doable I figured.
>
> Because the theme fit like a puzzle piece to the subject of my dealing with the struggles of mental illness, I figured what the heck. Also, entering a writing contest just wasn’t as intimidating as putting my memoir work out there into the big bad publishing world. Not winning a contest just didn’t seem as bad as having my larger work rejected by an agent/publisher.
>
> Obviously working on a 2000 word piece was not as intense as working on a memoir, but I did polish and re-polish and the Writer’s Gallery critique group helped enormously. I felt proud of the final piece I submitted.
>
> On the day the winner was to be announced I have to admit I checked the web site as soon as I woke up, silly I know, but I suddenly realized I was more anxious for the validation then I had realized. I continued to check throughout the day and finally, finally at 4:45 there it was, my name and First Place. What a feeling, it felt so good that my work spoke to someone other then someone emotionally connected to me like family or friends, here were judges reading lots of essays and they had chosen mine.
>
> When something like this happens it gives a writer new energy to climb back on the keyboard and keep at it.
>
> Keep writing-Sandy

Dear Members, Participants and Supporters,

Spring has made it, and with more daylight, I am drawn away from my writing and out into the yard. But, I also am less inclined to be in hibernation mode, so it feels as though, much like the poppies in my yard, I am ready to burst forth with blossoms of my own in the shape of finished pieces of writing and new projects. Oh, to balance it all.

This month, the critique groups, fiction and memoir, will continue to meet on Monday nights beginning at 6:30 pm. Please remember to bring 5 to 6 pages, double-spaced, 12 font and copies to share for feedback. The April calendar has been posted.

Also, if you have a project you are wanting to put out into the world, you will want to visit OffTheBookshelf.com a new space to support writers in bringing their projects to full blossom. The publishing industry is changing and the old ways of getting our work into the world is quickly changing, very exciting.

Thanks for your continued participation and support,

Diane

Dear Members, Participants and Supporters,

March is upon us and if you are working as diligently on your manuscript as I am, you are “marching” right through it. Ha- ha?

The move to the back of Darcie Lynn’s PaperBack Exchange has been a blessing. Several new writers have found us in our new space and have been sharing not only their wonderful projects, but also their insight into our projects. I want to personally welcome our brave new participants.

The critique groups, memoir and fiction, now both begin at 6:30 on Monday nights because of the great participation. Remember, we bring six copies of five pages of double-space 12 font to share with everyone. The feedback is incredible!

This month, Vern Bradley will present the final seminar in his series, “Reading Your Partner Like A Book” on Saturday, March 20th beginning at 10 am.

Also on Saturday, March 20th, we will be hosting Toi Moore, author of several books, most recently “Unbreakable”. Beginning at 3pm, Toi will be presenting a free lecture covering her journey to publication and the topic of her latest book, how to make your relationship last. Light refreshments will be provided and books will be for sale after the lecture.

Finally, on Thursday, March 18th from 3:30 – 5:30, Noelle Kiely will be offering the Children’s Creative Writing Class. Participation is open to children ages eight to fourteen and costs $20.

I hope to see you at one of our gatherings this month.

Keep writing… and revising,

Diane

Dear Members, Participants and Supporters,

Wow! It’s the 12th and I’m just now getting out the newsletter. I hope this isn’t how the rest of my year ends up going.

Just want to remind you of some upcoming events:

Saturday, February 13 from 10 am until 12 noon, Noelle will be conducting the Children’s Creative Writing Workshop. Cost is $20 per child. Noelle leads the participants through several writing exercises, instructs on technique and has a great time. You can sign up Saturday morning if you haven’t already.

Saturday, February 20, Vern Bradley will host the second relationship workshop, “Reading Your Partner Like a Book.” Workshop begins at 10 am. More information is available at Darcie Lynn’s Paperback Exchange.

Monday nights are busy with Memoir and Fiction groups meeting. Both groups will begin meeting at 6:30 to be sure we have time for everyone’s work. 

There is interest in a screenwriting group if anyone out there wants to join. Right now our screen writers are joining fiction, but it would be great for those of you working on screenwriting to be able to focus specifically on that genre. Shoot me an email if interested at writersgallery@yahoo.com .

Finally, I, along with two other Writers Gallery members, attended the San Diego State Universtiy Writers Conference. It wasn’t cheap, but well worth the money. The general advice when attending conferences is if you come away with one new idea, it was worth the money. I’ve attended so many conferences, workshops, classes and seminars over the years that often one thing is all I come away with. Not for this conference. The fog cleared for me regarding how the agents and editors in New York and otherwise see their work of getting books out into the world. Very enlightening, if not very overwhelming. I tell all of you this because I would highly recommend attending next year if you can. Begin putting $30 away each month starting now so you will be able to afford it. The other advice I remember clearly when I first started this writing journey: If you aren’t willing to invest in yourself, then why should anyone else be willing to invest in you?

So, invest in yourself and your writing journey this year… and keep writing.

Best, Diane

Hello Members, Participants and Supporters,

Welcome to a new year.

Sorry for the brief newsletter, but I am still catching up from the holidays.

The January Calendar has been posted and our first meeting is Monday, January 4 for memoir at 6:30 pm at the back of Darcie Lynn’s Paperback Exchange.

Hope to see you soon,

Diane

Dear Members, Participants and Supporters,

I am so happy to announce the publication of our second edition of The Writers’ Gallery Magazine. We will be hosting a Release Party at our new location on Saturday, December 12th from 3 pm until 5 pm. Contributors will be able to pick up their free copy and there will be copies for sale that day for the special price of $10. You can also purchase copies at Amazon.com for $12.  Follow this link http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Gallery-Magazine-Collection-Writing/dp/1449560857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259638563&sr=8-1

Yes, we are moving to a new location. We will now be meeting at the back of Darcie Lynn’s Paperback Exchange located at 12126 California Street. Come see the new space on Saturday, December 12th after the Christmas Parade.

Due to the holidays – the Release Party for The Writers’ Gallery Magazine on December 12th from 3 pm until 5 pm at Darcie Lynn’s Paperback Exchange at 12126 California Street, will be our only activity. We will begin with critique groups and classes again in January.

We hope to see you on the 12th.

Best,

Diane