Workshops & Classes

Crime Writers Guide to REAL Crime

January 6, 2016 By Natalia Corres

What Ever Happened to Nancy Drew?

A Crime Writers Guide to REAL Crime in Kern County

David E. Wolf, Deputy District Attorney

It 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]

Don’t Tell Me Show Me

November 23, 2015 By Natalia Corres

Don’t Tell Me Show Me

With Nancy Ellen Dodd

Nearly 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

November 16, 2015 By Natalia Corres

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

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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A Novel Way to Write a History Book

July 7, 2015 By Annis Cassells

Writers of Kern is proud to present Judy Salamacha and Sandra Mittelsteadt, authors of Colonel Baker’s Field: An American Pioneer Story.

Salamacha and Mittelsteadt’s presentation, “A Novel Way to Write a History Book,” will give writers, history buffs, and genealogists insights into adapting history to creative non-fiction by weaving family lore into documented fiction. Attendees will also glean tips on where to research facts and how to manage writing as a team.

“History is often more exciting than fiction, but fails to engage the reader when it is written like a textbook,” says Salamacha. “The facts are recorded, but with no dialogue and little description.” Colonel Thomas Baker’s great-great grandson invited Salamacha and Mittelsteadt to use his lifetime of research to write the official biography of his ancestor. After talking with them, he agreed to allow them to fictionalize portions of the story where there were gaps in the research and joined the collaboration.

Salamacha, a native of Bakersfield, and Mittelsteadt, a transplant from the mid-west and Saudi Arabia, are former teachers of English as well as writers. For the past five years, Salamacha directed the Central Coast Writers Conference at Cuesta College. She currently writes for several newspapers on the Central Coast. Mittelsteadt is president of her company, Zayn Consulting, specializing in connecting businesses to education through career academy development and project-based integrated learning. Colonel Baker’s Field is their first book as a team.

Guests are invited and welcome at Writers of Kern monthly meetings. For meeting location, time, and cost, please click here.

Nancy Ellen Dodd Workshop, November 2 & 23

August 19, 2013 By Annis Cassells

Nancy Ellen Dodd, writer, university professor, editor, and author of The Writer’s Compass, is no stranger to Writers of Kern. In November, she returns for a two-part writing workshop. At this time, the twelve spots are filled. But, we have begun taking names for the waiting list.

The first session will include writing from visual representations; Nancy and the participants will discuss options for Session Two.

Dates and Time: Nov. 2 and 23, 2013; 9:00 AM -1:00 PM.

Location: Westbrook Church Coffee Shop on Ashe, south of District Blvd.

Fee: $105 per WOK Member for the 8-hour workshop. Non-Members: $120. Fees are payable to Nancy Dodd at the first meeting.

If you wish to be added to the waiting list, email Annis Cassells. She will confirm that you have been added and let you know your position on the list.