• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Writers of Kern

Everything Writers Need | Writers of Kern

  • About Us
    • History
    • Membership
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Officers & Chairs
    • Overview
  • Upcoming Events
  • Jump In
    • Attend a Workshop
    • Become a Member
    • Get the Guide: The Best Places to Write in Bakersfield
    • See Upcoming Events
    • Submit a Speaker Proposal
  • Blog
  • Members
    • Books by Members
    • Join a Critique Group
    • Pay Dues
    • Request a Sunshine Card
  • Become a Member
  • WOK Press
  • Contact
    • Stay Connected
  • Donate
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Blog

February Featured Speaker – Phyllis Wachob

January 24, 2024 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: Developing a Unique Writing Voice and Exploring Points of View

This workshop will present ideas, tips and a chance to practice developing your own voice and exploring points of view. Tips will be given and exercises will be demonstrated on how to find and develop your unique way of description, dialog, imagery and syntax. A point to remember is that editor’s comments are only suggestions, not corrections. Your own authentic voice is the one that your readers want. The close third person point of view is a newer way of crawling into a character’s head to experience thoughts, feelings, and intuitions without quotes or italics. This workshop aims to give writers more devices in their writer’s toolbox to express themselves.

Phyllis Wachob, born in Bakersfield and currently residing there, began her traveling adventures after college. She became a travel writer and then an English teacher, living and working in various places across the globe. These experiences are reflected in her mystery novels in the Teachers Abroad Mystery series. Later, she used her hometown and its inhabitants as inspirations for her Kern Kapers Mystery Series. So far, she has completed eight cozy mysteries, honing her writing skills along the way. Fellow members of the Writers of Kern as well as critique group members have shown her different ways of looking at characters, storylines and points of view.

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

2024 Spring Conference | Online Ticket Purchase (EARLY BIRD DEADLINE Mar 16th.)

January 14, 2024 By TBeaulieu

The Writers of Kern 2024 Spring Conference will be held on Saturday, March 16, at Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive, Bakersfield, CA. from 8:00AM to 3:00PM and Includes: Continental Breakfast, Snacks, and Lunch.

There will also be a panel of experts covering the ups and downs of navigating the world of self-publishing.

Get Your Conference Tickets Here!

January Featured Speaker – Kathleen Kline

January 12, 2024 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: Promoting Fiction in Today’s Tech-Savy World

Get invigorated, inspired, and geared up to write more fiction. Kathleen Kline, a 32-year professional writer, editor, and writing coach will be here to share the changes in the Fiction Market and explain the path for new authors, aspiring authors, and those authors desiring to change up and the potential expansion of their craft.

Kathleen Kline is a wordsmith who’s been playing with words for 32 years and has helped clients all over the world. She started out in the Magazine and Newspaper arenas, but couldn’t help expanding into the fiction and non-fiction genres. She also enjoys helping writers reach their goals, whether it is with a short story or a series of books, detailing a family’s past or a how-to-do. Effective communication is key while helping others create entertaining stories for others to enjoy, that is what Kathleen loves to do!

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

2023 Winter Holiday Dinner

November 14, 2023 By TBeaulieu

The Writers of Kern 2023 Winter Holiday Dinner & Year-End Celebration will take place at Hodel’s Country Dining on Saturday, December 16th from 5:30PM – 8:30PM with dinner at 6PM.  The Winter Dinner is a fun and festive event perfect for sharing time with your fellow writers. Traditionally, everyone brings a gift-wrapped gently used book to exchange or the books may be donated to benefit the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter. There will be gift baskets up for grabs with our popular opportunity drawing.

Besides the great food, holiday music, games, activities, and good friends, the winners of the Fall Writing Contest will be announced. Featured stories will be read.

You do have to be a member to attend, but members are encouraged to bring guests.  Dress is casual, but if you prefer a more formal or holiday attire, you’re a writer, go ahead and express yourself.  

Reservations need to be made in advance.  Please click below to reserve your spot.  Space is limited and we recommend you make your reservations today!

See you there!

Click Here To Reserve Your Spot!

November Featured Speaker – Nancy Ellen Dodd

November 7, 2023 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: Spark: Learning the Process

Spark is that aha moment when an idea ignites. Understanding your process and the rhythm for igniting spark may influence what and how you write, how to develop good ideas, and when you are allowing spark killers to stop you. Dodd will present her recent research from interviews with those who have succeeded, as well as historical documentation of successful people in the arts, on the importance of spark. This will be an interactive program and will be her knowledge and experience as an editor and writer.

Nancy Ellen Dodd earned an MPW (master’s in professional writing) and an MFA (in playwriting) from USC. Her book, The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages (Writers Digest), covers the creative storytelling process. She formerly taught advanced screenwriting at Pepperdine’s Seaver College and has published more than 130 articles in local and national publications. Dodd was also formerly the academic editor of the peer-reviewed Graziadio Business Review at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, where she taught electives “Presentations & Stories” and “Business Storytelling.” Currently, she works as an editor and a consultant internationally and is earning her Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change, focusing on spark—the moment that ignites creativity.

Writers of Kern Monthly Meeting and Workshop Fee. Breakfast is included.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 79
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 2025 · Writers of Kern · Website by Hypist

  • Advertise
  • Submissions
  • Speakers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Contact