Write Tight Workshop

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of speaking about editing at Baldwin Writers Group's second annual Write Tight Workshop. We had a great group of participants, and it was delightful to mingle and talk about writing with friends I hadn't seen in a while.  Candace Sams and Cynthia Eden - both well known and heavily published writers of paranormal romances and thrillers (70 books between the two of them) - presented excellent information on the writing process and developing characters along with helpful information on social networking. I plan to incorporate a number of their ideas into my writing and my social networking - Twitter is still an annoying process to me, but I am striving to make it work for me. I am pleased that Twitter is spreading the word of the MAC writing contests far and wide.  I had an entry from India this month.

The Write Tight workbook that Candace and Cynthia and I incorporated our materials into will be on Amazon in the near future and I will post that information here when that happens.  As always, Steven Moore, President of BWG organized the event seamlessly with wonderful snacks (love the cups of peanut butter!) and lunch and handouts, announcements, etc.  BWG will be selling their newest anthology in the near future and I'll keep you posted on that as well.

Three days left in the June MAC contest, so get your entries in before the deadline. 

Have an enjoyable 4th of July to celebrate the best democracy in the world!

Mahala

Write Tight Workshop

Just spoke with Steven Moore, President of Baldwin Writers Group, and he says there are a few slots open for the workshop on June 23rd. Here is a little info about the speakers.

Candace Sams has some great ideas and useful tools to help writers get their work organized, stay on track, pace their writing and assure continuity. After publishing almost fifty titles in the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and action-adventure genres, she’s received more than thirty awards from various organizations, including being a five-time National Readers’ Choice Award winner/nominee. Her Tales of The Order™ series, as well as several
other works, are now being vetted for movie options, and she is about the celebrate the publication of her 50th novel. www.candacesams.com. Candace also writes erotica as C.S. Chatterly and can be contacted from www.cschatterly.com.

Cynthia Eden will teach us how to do useful character sketches that bring our characters to life. She has unique ways to develop plot points through plot point strategy and tips to help writers stay motivated when the middle of the story is sagging. She also brings to the table handy information on using Twitter effectively (a topic that still eludes me) so I'm looking forward to it. Cynthia is a national best-selling author of paranormal romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and her novel, DEADLY FEAR, was named a RITA® finalist for best romantic suspense. Cynthia’s publishers include Kensington Brava, Harlequin Intrigue, Grand Central Publishing, and Avon Red. In addition to her New York publishers, Cynthia has also stepped into the self-publishing field with the release of her “Bound” books—her “Bound” vampire and
werewolf books have been Kindle and Nook best-sellers. www.cynthiaeden.com

And finally I'll be giving pointers on using editing to give writers the competitive edge.

Cynthia and Candace will also present a class on digital promotion for writers, a very timely subject.

And thanks to Steven, the workbook, like last year's, is jammed full of info from all the speakers and is worth the price of admission all by itself.

Join us for lunch and lively conversation. Mahala

MAC April Winners

Below are the two pieces that tied for second last month. Both are entirely different approaches to the passions that surround the military life and war; both are about Marines - one female, one male. Robert and Steven are both active in the writing life and belong to several writing groups in South Alabama. Steven is currently the President of Baldwin Writers Group and a talented illustrator as well as budding writer. Robert loves boats, books, and photography.

Gehanna
by Robert O'Daniel

“Forward—Harrch!”

Thinking of the past, experiencing the present, will I survive until the future? I’m not hopeful.

“Column lefft—Harrch!”

Drill Sergeant’s a sadist. We’ve been drilling, in this inferno, two hours. Parade ground’s super-heated by the relentless sun. They’ll black-flag drill, when it gets to ninety-five. Boots stickin’ to asphalt.

“Rearrr—Harrch!”

Four years undergraduate, two years graduate school, fluently speak Pashto, I thought I’d change the world. What was I thinking? I joined the Marines. They need female interpreters in Afghanistan.

“By the right flank—Harrch!”

Where do they find people like her? The mutant scrap heap?

“Double timmee—Harrch

I’ve sweat less in saunas.

“Company—Halt!”

“Dis…missed!”

Will I live to see graduation next month? Summer starts tomorrow. Hur—rah, the end of Spring.


Spring Forward, Fall Back
by Steven Moore

Trembling, Martha's index finger pushes the clock's hand around its face. "Spring forward, Fall back" —Jonathan's nine year-old voice fills her memories.

"Can we keep him?" An eleven year-old Jonathan begs.

Sixteen year-old Jonathan stands with a freckled young redhead under his arm. "Mom, this is Susan, from science class."

Managing past the scene, Martha reclaims her seat. To her side, on the end table, waits the computer-generated letter atop the torn envelope. Mom, I've decided to be a Marine, like Dad was.

Catching the letter's corner, her hand hesitates then fights to lift the heavy paper. "We regret to inform—"

Tears blur the remaining text.

Resting the letter in her lap, Martha sets her watch. Spring forward, Fall back.

My father was a Marine in WWII and my mother was a WAVE. I salute all the brave women and men in uniform. Mahala