Annis Cassells

Waiting in Mexico

April 6, 2017 By Annis Cassells

Tedium fizzles
into nothing
no consequence,
no concern
while waiting in Mexico.

While waiting in Mexico
easy-going, bone-tired women
stand on one foot
then the other
in a broken line

They shift parcels, clutch pesos
Balance stacks of steaming tortillas
on one palm
hablan rapido in hushed tones
while waiting in Mexico.

While waiting in Mexico
I observe fellow humans
reflect on life
speak small words in español
and listen.

I embody patience,
sense serenity
know peacefulness
while waiting in Mexico.
Unlike waiting at home.

—Annis Cassells

Annis Cassells is a teacher, poet, and writer who added “life coach” and “speaker” to her resume after retiring from teaching middle school. She is a long-time member of Writers of Kern whose poems have been published in several online ‘zines and print anthologies. A lover of travel, she’s always planning her next trip.

Tips for Crafting a Successful Scholarship Application

March 16, 2017 By Annis Cassells

The Peg Connelly Scholarship was established by Writers of Kern to both honor the late children’s writer Peg Connelly and encourage all childrens writers in Kern County to achieve their goals. Up to two $500 scholarships are awarded annually.

Applications will be accepted March 11-31, 2017. To apply, writers must submit an application along with either the full text of a picture book OR the first ten pages of a young adult or middle grade manuscript.

Full details can be found here.

What can the money be used for?

Writing conferences, retreats, and classes as well as travel expenses for research are all appropriate ways to use the scholarship money. Applicants could also use the money for tools such as a computer or books on writing craft. If finding time to write is a problem, the money could even be spent on childcare. Basically, anything the applicant feels would help him or her achieve personal writing goals is an acceptable use of the money. If you need ideas on where to attend workshops, classes or conferences focused on writing and/or writing for children, here are a few options:

What does a successful application look like?

Applicants who express specific goals along with a brief itemized budget show they have given the task careful thought and have an actual plan they want to accomplish. These type of applications are much more likely to be awarded money.

Specific: My goal is to work on infusing my middle grade novel “Joey’s War” with a unique voice, so I plan to attend the Highlights workshop titled “Characters with Voice” August 21-24 in Honesdale, PA. The workshop costs $425 which includes lodging and food. A flight from LAX costs $200 for a total cost of $625. I can cover the additional $125 if I’m awarded the $500 scholarship.
Non-Specific: I plan to go to a writing workshop.

In addition, applicants who demonstrate a knowledge of craft in the way they format their materials stand out as professionals. Manuscripts should follow the industry standard: double-spaced, in a 12 point serif font, with one inch margins and the first line beginning one-third of the way down the first page. The age category (picture book, chapter book, middle grade, young adult) should be placed in the upper right corner with the word count below it. Entries should carefully adhere to all guidelines, be free from spelling errors, be written in an active voice and demonstrate the writer is a professional with a lively interest in writing as well as growing as a writer.

This is a great opportunity for local children’s writers. With a little thought and planning you could be this year’s recipient, and further your writing dreams.

Blogging With Style Tips for Bloggers

January 30, 2016 By Annis Cassells

“If you’re going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance.”

Blogging with Style

Blogging is about you. Are you new to the Writers of Kern A-Z Blog Challenge? Breathe. You will be fine. You have the support of friends and fellow writers. You have plenty to be blogging about. Breathe. As a past participant in the Blog Challenge and with many years blogging under my belt, let me offer some tips and suggestions that will help you through your next 26 posts.

Find a Theme

One way to approach blogging is to have a theme. Having a theme narrows topics and lends to finding something for the letters K, Q, X, and Z. And, the whole A-Z thing is just a suggestion anyway. Don’t worry if you don’t have a topic for every letter. But, I did find the alphabet structure was comforting to me. Having one letter to start with was one less thing to think about.

The first year I participated, my theme was places I’ve been. I looked back at photos and travel journals for inspiration, topics, and words for the page. “Write what you know” is something every writer hears. You know where you’ve been and that’s why it is such a good place to start blogging.

The second year motorcycling stories was my theme. I had just decided to sell my beloved motorcycle, and writing the A-Z blog challenge was therapeutic. Having a motorcycle had been a big part of my life. And, as you can imagine, there were lots of memories – both good and bad – that went along with that experience. Blogging helped me deal with the impending loss of my bike and my identity as a biker. When I handed over the keys to Big Red, I’d resolved all issues.

Plan Ahead

So, think about the interests and hobbies and passions you have. Choose your theme and start brainstorming, then you can start blogging. I found an organizational grid helpful in listing possible topics and fleeting ideas. Here’s an example of my grid.

Still thinking about joining in? It’s never too late. There’s still time to get on board the A-Z Blog Challenge train.

We’re all here to cheer you on, extend a hand if you need one. Have fun and enjoy the writing, the reading, the camaraderie. Breathe. Go! Just Write.

Did I miss anything? Share it in the comments.

Annis’s work has been published in local magazines as well as in professional journals and hobbyist publications. She is a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for the Young at Heart. Her short story, “The Blessing” appears in the Scarlet Leaf Review, and she has a poem in the Yellow Chair Review anthology. Annis writes and publishes The DayMaker, an inspirational blog..

Kid Lit Writers Get Together

January 25, 2016 By Annis Cassells

Kid Lit Writers Get Together

Calling all Children’s Writers:

Kid Lit writers take note! Writers of Kern and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) are teaming up for a Kid-Lit Mingle Saturday, January 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Russo’s Books, 1601 New Stine Rd., #182.

The SCBWI is one of the largest organizations for writers and illustrators. The organization is dedicated to those writers and illustrators working in the children’s literature (Kid Lit) and young adult fields in all facets including magazines, film, and multi-media. According to their mission statement the organization, “… to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books around the world. We accomplish this by fostering a vibrant community of individuals who bring books for young readers to the public including writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, bloggers, enthusiasts and others. We provide education and support for these individuals and the community through our awards, grants, programs and events. We strive to increase the quality and quantity of children’s books in the marketplace, and act as a consolidated voice for writers and illustrators of children’s books worldwide.”

Whether you write picture books, middle grade or young adult, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow Kid Lit writers, share ideas and discuss writing goals. Participants may bring the first page of a work-in-progress to share.

The event is not only social, Kid Lit writers will leave with 100 tips to help you on your path to publication. If you are a writer or illustrator specializing in children’s literature, you need to come to this event. To RSVP contact Rebecca Langston-George at cencal-ara@scbwi.org

The author of six non-fiction books for children, Rebecca Langston-George is the Assistant Regional Advisor of the Central Coastal Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). When she’s not writing Rebecca can be found in her fifth grade classroom or procrastinating at her keyboard beside her tribe of sock monkeys. www.rebeccalangston-george.com

Kern County’s First Poet Laureate

December 29, 2015 By Annis Cassells

Calling Kern County’s First Poet Laureate

The Arts Council of Kern is heading the charge in the county-wide search for Kern County’s first poet laureate. We, community members and poets and writers, have the chance to help choose this history-making, pride-producing appointee.

As WOKians, we have poet laureate-hood in our genes. California Writers Club’s own Ina Coolbrith was California’s first poet laureate from 1915-1928 and the first for any American state.

What’s a poet laureate?

A poet connected to an area or group who is chosen as a representative that keeps the fire of poetry alive as a literary art. The poet laureate teaches and encourages, writes and shares his own work, and promotes the appreciation of poetry throughout the region.

The Kern County poet laureate will be a recognized poet/spoken word artist with a proven history of substantial publication of individual poems or books and will demonstrate an appreciation for Kern County.

How does having a poet laureate going to benefit Kern County?

Local poet and WOK member Portia Choi believes having a laureate will “raise the visibility of poetry” in our community.

The presence of Kern County’s community of poets may be a well-kept secret from many residents, but, “We have quite an active poetry community here,” Choi said.

Since 2010, WOK member Dr. Nancy Edwards and Choi have been instrumental in organizing multiple events for National Poetry Month, which is celebrated in April. Choi said, “Many of us, including poets Nancy Edwards, LisaAnn LoBasso, and myself, have presented workshops during National Poetry Month.”

Regarding the importance of a Kern County poet laureate, Nancy Edwards said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage writers to find or share their poetic voices and feelings with the community.”

How can YOU have a voice in the choice?

Candidates will be nominated by the public. Download the nomination form and fill it out. It’ll take a bit of time and a little research on your candidate. The deadline for submitting nominations is January 31, 2016.

The honored poet laureate will be selected by a committee comprised of Kern County poets, Writers of Kern and Arts Council of Kern board members, and academia. I am proud to represent WOK on this committee.

Choosing a Kern County poet laureate to showcase poetry and its merits will have far-reaching effects. California’s newly appointed poet laureate Dana Gioia said, in a recent interview, “My life changed for the better by falling in love with poetry. It made me a better student, made me a more alert human being.”

Opening the world of poetry to a broad Kern County audience will have a positive effect right here at home.

Fill in and submit your nomination form today.

Annis Cassells serves Writers of Kern as Hospitality/Sunshine chair. She is the Writers of Kern 2013 recipient of the California Writers Club’s Jack London Award for service. After her 34-year career teaching students of all ages, kindergarten through college, Annis finished a Masters in Counseling and became a life coach and speaker. Annis’s work has been published in Bakersfield Life magazine, Bakersfield Magazine, and Bakersfield’s Wellness Quarterly as well as in professional journals and hobbyist publications. She is a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for the Young at Heart. Annis writes and publishes The DayMaker, an inspirational blog.