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Blog

September Featured Speaker – Tracy Kelly

September 1, 2023 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: Writing Your Legacy

Tracy Kelly has fourteen years teaching Special Education in California. He has taught all grades K-12, as well as being a Lecturer, both Adjunct and Full Time, at the University level. He taught those that inspired to be General Education and Special Education Teachers. He has earned a BA in Economics, MA in Special Education, two teaching credentials, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, with a focus on teacher self-efficacy. He has edited six books. Tracy and his wife have three sons, three grandsons, and two granddaughters. Four dogs, four cats, and two rats also live with him.

Tracy will discuss the importance of writing your story, and your legacy. Perhaps, even the things that you learned from your grandparents or even parents that your children and grandchildren are not aware of. Write it like an autobiography. If you have been carrying something that you may regret or was a valuable lesson that you will never forget, write it down. He will discuss the value of your life to the next generation. All of us have a story, and there is value in it being shared.

The attendees will gain insight into themselves and their growth as writers and human beings.

Tracy will reinforce the insight that failure leads to success and learning.

They will better understand the worth of their life, story, and legacy.

They will have a better understanding of what their strengths, weaknesses, failures, and successes mean to them and their legacy.

The attendees will gain insight into the meaning of saying Yes leads to Success!

They will learn that their story or legacy has value.

They will learn how to draw those memories/lessons out of themselves.

They may learn how to share hard life lessons with family members. They will learn how to delicately share some regrets or uncomfortable truths about themselves if they have any.

They will learn how they can share their story/legacy before it is over or after.

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

August Featured Speaker – Matthew Woodman

August 7, 2023 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: The Poetries of Inner Geographies: Exploring the Self through Weather and Land

Matthew Woodman’s poems, stories, and essays have appeared in publications including Puerto del Sol, Sonora Review, Hawai’i Review, Fourteen Hills, Catamaran, and The Moth. He was named the 2018-2023 Kern County Poet Laureate and was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Lecturer at California State University, Bakersfield, where he currently teaches.

Matthew will speak on The Poetries of Inner Geographies: Exploring the Self through Weather and Land

Through a guided lecture, workshop, and reading, Matthew Woodman will lead writers through an exploration of how poets have combined the internal, reflective process of self-analysis and understanding with the external, seemingly objective world of weather and landscape. Participants will leave the workshop with a draft of a poem that uses a combination of these internal and external elements to capture a sense of their self and their lived experience.

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

July Featured Speaker – Joan Raymond

July 10, 2023 By TBeaulieu

Workshop Title: Creating Memorable Characters

Unleash the power of unforgettable characters! Join author, Joan Raymond for her immersive workshop on Creating Memorable Characters and learn the secrets behind crafting personalities that leap off the page and into readers’ hearts.

Discover techniques for breathing life into your protagonists, antagonists, and supporting cast, ensuring they resonate with your audience long after the last page.

Through dynamic discussions, interactive exercises, and expert guidance, you’ll gain invaluable insights into character development. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your storytelling skills. Register now and embark on a journey to captivate readers with characters they’ll never forget!

A long-time member of Writers of Kern, Joan served on the board for nine years, six of those as the club’s president. She is a published author, professional editor, creative writing instructor, and Certified Professional Writing Coach.

Connect with Joan:


A Heart For Writing FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/737527804229012

Coaching Site: https://aheartforwriting.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07SMSZGLX

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

Free Money?  Yes!

June 25, 2023 By TBeaulieu

We are holding a dues renewal incentive for all current and incoming members of Writers of Kern.  If your dues are paid before the end of June (closing of the fiscal year), your name will be put in a hat for a $100 Amazon gift card.

A second name will be drawn for the return of your monies…free membership for the term. 

Get in on the fun. Click the link below to join or renew your membership!

Click Here to Join or Renew!

Calling All WOK Members – 2023 WOK Board Elections

June 11, 2023 By TBeaulieu

Important!! WOK 2023 Board Elections are this Week!

A members-only vote is taking place this week June 12 – 17 for the following board positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Click on “Vote Now” below to cast your vote!

Vote Now!

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