Writers of Kern

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Guest Speakers

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.

 

Don’t Tell Me Show Me

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Don’t Tell Me Show Me

With Nancy Ellen Dodd

writer's compassNearly fifty people showed up at the Clarion Hotel to hear Nancy Ellen Dodd’s presentation “Don’t Tell Me, Show Me”.   It was a homecoming of sorts as Ms. Dodd was once a member of Writers of Kern.  Her book, A Writer’s Compass, teaches writers to use their intuition to as an internal compass to create their story map.

The crowd learned a number of techniques to improve their writing.   For example, Ms. Dodd talked about layering to build a scene.  Much like you would in photography, try describing the scene from many different focal lengths.   What does it look like from a distance?  What details are revealed as you get closer?  Of course, she also said it was important to keep in mind what we want the reader to see and what information or details the writer may want to save for the “reveal”.

Ms. Dodd pointed out that it was important to add details as your story can use them.  She talked about the use of description, inference, and metaphor in writing and how their use can bring a story more depth and complexity.

She offered the group a writing exercise as her talk progressed and many writers were up to the challenge.  I have enough trouble writing in a quiet room with no distractions.  As many as ten people got up and read their creations at the end of Nancy’s presentation and they were all quite impressive.  It was a fast-paced hour packed with a lot of information.  Along with other door prizes, Ms. Dodd contributed a  signed copy of The Writer’s Compass to one lucky winner.

Our next meeting is the Annual Winter Dinner Party.  Check out these photos from the November meeting then register.

Nancy Ellen Dodd at November Meeting

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Nancy Ellen Dodd: “Don’t Tell Me. Show Me!”

Nancy Ellen Dodd
Nancy Ellen Dodd

Nancy Ellen Dodd, author, playwright, and instructor at Pepperdine University, is the featured speaker at the Writers of Kern November meeting.  Ms. Dodd is author of A Writer’s Compass, a guide to help writers in all genres.  She will offer writers insights into descriptive writing using inference and metaphor. She will also cover aspects that will help writers give their stories more depth and color.

Writers of Kern meets Saturday, November 21,  9:30 am-Noon, at the Clarion Hotel, 3540 Rosedale Hwy.  Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

A branch of the California Writers Club,  Writers of Ken offers monthly meetings, writers’ conferences, and critique groups to help published and non-published writers improve their skills.

To listen to a preview, please click the image below.

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