• 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
    • Upcoming Events
    • Holiday Writers Row Outdoor Book Fair: Local Authors, Local Voices
  • 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
    • Student Member Scholarships
    • Pay Dues
    • Request a Sunshine Card
  • Become a Member
  • WOK Press
    • WOK Press Books
    • Rubrics
  • Contact
    • Stay Connected
  • Donate
    • Donate
    • Donate to Student Scholarships
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Blog

Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

February 15, 2016 By Natalia Corres

Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

Mark BagbyMark Bagby is an expert on Samuel Clemens, best known under his pen name, Mark Twain.  Mark Twain wrote an astonishing array of work, practically inventing travel writing and redefining children’s literature. He was a journalist and sought-after speaker. The most popular and widely read author of his day, Clemens wrote what many consider the most notable American novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was America’s first celebrity author and a brand name.

Mark Bagby’s newest Twain lecture, “Finding Out is Better: Mark Twain on Writing”, is designed especially for the Writers of Kern February 20th monthly meeting at the Clarion Hotel.

Mr. Bagby compiled stories, anecdotes, and writing tips from his extensive research on the gamut of Mark Twain’s works to create this lecture. “I’ve gathered up material of interest to writers, along with a laugh or two,” he said. “I hope to engage listeners with some not-so-well known Mark Twain quotes about writing, editing, style, publishing, criticism and life.”

An accomplished Mark Twain performer, in his day-to-day life, Mark Bagby is a communications director for an agricultural marketing company. For this special presentation, he will provide a behind-the-scenes peek at the life of Mark Twain and discuss the work necessary to perform in character.

To hear a brief interview with Mark Bagby LISTEN HERE

Monthly General Meetings

Writers of Kern Monthly General Meetings are a time when local writers get together to socialize, network, and improve their writing skill.  Each month the group presents an expert to help local writers hone their craft.

The meetings are open to the public.  Coffee and light refreshments are served at 9:30 with the general meeting beginning promptly at 10 am.  All Active Members of Writers of Kern are encouraged to wear their Writers of Kern Active Pin.

Writers of Kern meetings are held at the Clarion Hotel from 9:30-noon. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests, payable at the door or online https://writersofkern.com/meeting-fee/

Expressions Blog by Marie Elrich

February 11, 2016 By Natalia Corres

Expressions Blog by Marie Elrich

“The Expressions Blog is dedicated to encouraging writers and readers wherever they are in their lives. I write about my own experiences in order to inspire you in one way or another.” – From Expressions Blog

Marie Elrich has been writing since she was two years old.  She picked up her mother’s magazines and copied them even though she had no idea what she was writing.  Marie Created stories for a second grade assignment and she has been hooked on writing ever since.  Marie graduated from Cal State Bakersfield and currently works at a magazine learning the marketing and publishing business.  She has been published in her college literary magazine, Orpheus.

Marie’s Expressions Blog is a mix of reading reviews, writing tip, and life reflections.  Her favorite genre is fantasy. Marie enjoys reading Jane Austen, Diana Wynne Jones, Eoin Colfer and Rick Riordan.

Topping the list of Marie’s favorite books are Sense and Sensibility, Howl’s Moving Castle, Artemis Fowl #1, and The Lightning Thief.

Marie’s Expressions Blog is part of the Writers of Kern A-Z Blog Challenge.  Follow the Expression Blog at  www.marieelrich.com  You can also find Marie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marieelrichexpressions/ and her Twitter name is @MarieElrich.

expressions blogPersonally, I can’t wait until she gets to the letter “H” post on the Expressions blog because not a lot of people know that Marie owns a horse and loves to go riding.

 

Khoti Sarque Blog

February 7, 2016 By Natalia Corres

Featured Bloggers in the A-z Challenge

Over a dozen Writers of Kern writers have picked up the gauntlet, knocked the battery off the shoulder, taken the slap by the proverbial glove and committed their writing to the A-Z Blog Challenge 2016.  Twenty Six posts in 13 weeks is their goal.

This is a diverse set of writers and we think YOU would enjoy following along.  To that end, we will profile these very special bloggers right here. We know you will enjoy the diversity of their individual style. Please stop by their blog sites and drop them a word of encouragement.  After all, as a fellow writer, you are keenly aware of their task.

Khoti Sarque Blog

Khoti Sarque BlogFirst up, (in no particular order, he just got his information to me first), Ian Cant.  Ian writes under the name Khoti Sarque.  Ian is not on social media so you won’t find his post on our Writers of Kern Facebook Group page, but don’t let that stop you.  While Ian has been writing all his life, he has worked at it seriously for about 5 years now.  The focus of his blog is “just writing” which fits well with the Writers of Kern mantra.

Ian likes to write in many styles, but when pinned to the mat says he leans toward Science Fiction and short stories.  When asked if he has been published, “Yes, a little,” is his response.  You gotta love a humble man.

Ian loves reading Joseph Conrad and has many favorite authors.  His favorite book is the Left Hand of Darkness.  I asked Ian to let us in on something most people don’t know about him.  His answer: ” Certifiably insane…sorry, that’s what they DO know.”

Stop by the Khoti Sarque blog and follow along in Ian’s journey through the A-Z Blog Challenge.  You will enjoy it!

Khoti Sarque Blog
Blog Name:     khotisarque.wordpress.com
URL:                 https://khotisarque.wordpress.com

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.

blogging

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 CassellsAnnis’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

Kid LitCalling 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

Kid Lit WritersThe 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

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 68
  • Page 69
  • Page 70
  • Page 71
  • Page 72
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 83
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 2026 · Writers of Kern · Website by Hypist

  • Advertise
  • Submissions
  • Speakers
  • Terms
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Manage Consent

Writers of Kern uses basic cookies to keep our website running smoothly, analyze our local site traffic, and display features like videos. By continuing to use our site, you agree to this standard behavior. You can update your choices at any time in our footer link

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}