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Guest Speakers

July 21st, 2018 | Crafting the Perfect Pitch with Clarissa Kae

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Clarrisa Kae

Monthly Meeting July 21, 2018

The publication journey is filled with obstacles. Among them is “the pitch.” At the July 21st Writers of Kern meeting, Clarissa Kae will present a workshop that will demystify the art of a pitch. Writers will discover what a pitch is and what it isn’t–and why we authors need one.

We’ll learn the basics (what, where and how) of a pitch and then work together to reconstruct a more polished pitch. At the end of the workshop, we’ll have a Good Pitch, Bad Pitch contest, where each participant can win a prize for their Perfect Pitch.

“A Perfect Pitch is the very soul of the novel—and the crowning moment in the author’s craft,” says Kae, longtime board member and this year’s WOK president. She has worked with publishing editors and the online presence for Writers Digest and others and garnered clients for traditional and self-publishing clients before breaking out on her own.

Join us on Saturday, July 21, for this exciting topic. Register to attend here.

(You can also pay at the door.)

Allison Crotzer Kimmel – Craft the Perfect 10

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Writers of Kern
Monthly Meeting

April 23, 2016
Allison Crotzer Kimmel

 

Allison Crotzer Kimmel, author and writing workshop presenter, will teach writers how to “Craft the Perfect 10”.
Allison Crotzer Kimmel’s program is designed to remove the mystery of how to hook an agent or editor. She will help participants understand what the first ten pages of their manuscripts should contain and why these are the most important pages of their manuscript.

Using examples and discussion of successful novels that have wonderful “First 10s” and hands-on activities designed to set up participants’ “First 10s” for perfection, Ms. Kimmel expects attendees will become ready to craft their own “Perfect 10.”

A former teacher and the author of four published books for youth in middle grades, she said, “I’ve learned a lot about what worked in my manuscripts and what didn’t.  From the first drafts of my manuscripts to their published pages, my first tens changed [greatly]… “

Allison Crotzer Kimmel, a Bakersfield resident, serves as the Published and Listed Liaison for the CenCal region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. To learn more about Ms. Kimmel, see her website at www.allisoncrotzerkimmel.com

Writers of Kern monthly meetings, held at the Clarion Hotel from 9:30-12:00, are open to the public. Admission: Members, $5, Guests $10. For more information see www.writersofkern.com or email [email protected].

Mark Bagby Writings of Mark Twain

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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/

Crime Writers Guide to REAL Crime

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What Ever Happened to Nancy Drew?

A Crime Writers Guide to REAL Crime in Kern County

David E. Wolf, Deputy District Attorney

Crime WritersIt seems like most crime writers focus on PC 187 (that’s murder) and yet one of our most famous and long lasting mystery series, Nancy Drew, dealt almost entirely with fraud, scams, and theft crimes.

This presentation will be an overview of fraud in Kern County and discuss predictions for crime in 2016. You may be surprised to learn about some of the many different types of fraud (ID Theft, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, Contractor Fraud, etc.)

Crime writers will learn about other types of crime beside murder. These crimes could be the main plot of a story or the motive for a homicide. Crime writers will also learn some “nuts & bolts” about crimes that will be helpful in any story (mystery, romance, etc.) that involves law enforcement. For example, is that really the language a cop or DA would use?

Finally, everyone will learn some tips on how not to be a victim of crime and what to do if they are a victim.

David Wolf has been prosecuting criminals for over two decades. He is an award-winning prosecutor and has prosecuted crimes ranging from misdemeanors to murders. Mr. Wolf volunteers with the Young Writers’ of Kern writing competition. He also volunteers with Kern County Academic Decathlon, High School Mock Trial and We the People programs. He is also a volunteer member of the Kern County Search and Rescue, Frazier Park Mountain and Snow Rescue Team.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDVOLGeIwVs]

Share Your Work with Annis Cassells

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Time to Share Your Work

Annis Cassells
Annis Cassells

Showing, rather than telling, is the key to hooking readers and keeping them turning the pages. In last Saturday’s presentation at the WOK monthly meeting, Nancy Ellen Dodd encouraged us to “show.” She advised us to allow readers to see our character interacting with the world around them. Show characters’ actions and them being 27aware of their environment.

Nancy brought in the idea of storyboarding, using photos to better visualize the characters and setting. Photos can range from extreme up close to extreme wide shot, with each wider-view picture giving a more complete idea of the character’s world. She recommended we use a weather shot for more environmental information and a cutaway shot to depict another aspect of the setting, one that is away from the main character.

Setting. What is the character’s point of view? Show what she sees. This reveals details about the character to the reader. Write something that shows the scene and the character and his interactions.

Nancy made a distinction between three elements/devices writers can use:

  • Description: specific details
  • Inference: implying setting, tone, and feeling by the character’s actions or words
  • Metaphor: using a symbol or something familiar for comparison

For this workshop, Nancy provided four different scenarios and asked us to choose one to use as the basis for our quickly written pieces. We were to incorporate some of her “show me” principles, writing at intervals in her presentation. At the end, several attendees, members and guests, shared their short piece with the entire group. Here’s mine:

[Scenario 2: A couple, now divorced, drive together to their best friend’s funeral. Unknown to one of them, the friend is the reason for their divorce.]

Share Your WorkJoe and Madeline ride in his flashy Corvette, crammed into the bucket seats and stuck in freeway traffic. Wet pavement and red tail lights reflect in their faces. He follows too closely. She presses her foot to the floor, putting on the brakes.” Joe! Careful! You’re following too damn close.” Then, under her breath, “As usual.”  He clamps his teeth together like a bulldozer gobbling earth.

Come on, WOKians who attended the meeting. Add your paragraph in the comments section. Let’s show other members what we learned last Saturday about showing vs. telling.