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Write Now | October 2019 Entries

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November brings to mind – Thankfulness

Write NOW’s writing challenge for October was to write a 50 word or less story on the theme of “Thankfulness”. 

Thankfulness by Judy Kukuruza

Lips trembled. No words. But such thankfulness! An impulsive hug, choking, to show, act on what couldn’t be voiced.

In return, the ear of the grateful hearing, “You’re so welcome.” Silent tears for the love given. Thankfulness to be able to receive it.

Thankfully by Pam Reeves

“Get me a bowl for mom’s botulism-inducing, in-the-bird stuffing,” my daughter teased.

“I don’t know how you can eat those dried-out, oven-baked bread crumbs. In-the-bird is the only way to make stuffing,” I retorted. “And I’ve never gotten botulism!”

Thankfully!

Experience by Sandra Ryan

It’s midnight on the frozen Montana road. I had a blowout. As I put on gloves the wrench appears. I loosen bolts as the tire is elevated. The spare rolls into place. The car lowers while I retighten bolts. I am thankful my girlfriend had a flat tire last week!

16 November 2019 | WOK Writer Day

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Calling all published, active members! Want a chance to showcase your hard work?

Bring your books to the November meeting for our second Writer Day Event.

Guidelines: Agree to give a 40-second pitch about your book during the meeting. Sales will be before/after the meeting and during the break. Space limited to one half-table ($5.00).

To reserve your space, please RSVP by November 9, 2019. Questions? Contact president@writersofkern.com

16 November 2019 | Featured Speaker: Cyn Bermudez | Writing for the Reluctant Reader

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Come out to our monthly meeting on November 16th, when WOK’s very own Cyn Bermudez will introduce us to the art of writing for reluctant readers.  There is a growing demand in the education market for high-interest, low-vocabulary stories.

Cyn is the author of 5 “hi-low” books, written using age-appropriate topics of high interest for an audience who struggles with reading.  Word choice is limited to simple vocabulary and the writing  must be concise.  Although a “Hi-Lo” book is much shorter than a typical novel, it still has to be just as emotionally satisfying to read.

So, how do you attract an audience that doesn’t enjoy reading?  And if you manage to attract their attention with an exciting topic, how do you keep them reading to the end?  Don’t miss Cyn’s presentation where she will share her insights and experience with crafting books in this genre.  

Get your tickets now by clicking here.

Cyn Bermudez

Cyn Bermudez is a writer from Bakersfield, California. She attended college in Santa Barbara, California, where she studied physics, film, and creative writing. Her work can be found in the anthologies such as Building Red: Mission Mars, The Best of Vine Leaves Literary Journal (2014), and others. Her fiction and poetry can also found in Middle Planet, Perihelion SF, Strangelet, Mirror Dance, 805 Literary and Art Journal, among others. For more information about Cyn, visit her website at www.cynbermudez.com.

19 October 2019 | Featured speaker Nancy Ellen Dodd | Writing Dialogue

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Would you like to learn how to write better dialog that is authentic to your characters?   You will have the opportunity to sharpen this skill at the Writers of Kern monthly meeting on October 19th.  Author and screenwriter Nancy Ellen Dodd will walk us through the process in a fun and highly interactive workshop.

Nancy is inviting participants to volunteer dialog they have written for their own stories, for use in this presentation.  Fear not! This won’t be a critiquing exercise, but is intended to be fun and engaging. It’s a great opportunity to receive feedback relevant to what you are writing!   And you will come away knowing how to give your dialog greater impact and make your story more powerful.  

If you choose to share, here are Nancy’s instructions:

  • Please email one double-spaced page of dialogue from your story. This could include a (conversation between two people or a monologue). 
  • On that one page, please include a brief description of your character/s
  • State permission to use your page as an example in the PowerPoint presentation. 
  • From these submissions, examples will be chosen that best illustrate what is being taught. This will be a friendly and positive teaching/learning experience, it’s not about critiquing, but rather about adding a new layer to your writing skills.
    Email: nancy.cates@alumni.usc.edu – in the subject line write “WOK Dialogue”.

Ms. Dodd offers us a wealth of experience.  In addition to holding a MPW (Master’s in professional writing) and an MFA (in playwriting) from USC, Nancy is currently earning her Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change focusing on the impact of storytelling.  She teaches advanced screenwriting at Seaver College, Pepperdine.  She is the author of over 130 articles and has recently published a book, The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages (Writer’s Digest).

Nancy Ellen Dodd

Don’t miss this! Click here to pay the meeting fee online.

To learn more about Nancy, check out her blog at http://www.thewriterscompass.com/