Writers' Conference in Blue Ridge, GA April 8-9

Local writers, in WNC and north Georgia, have a great opportunity in April to attend a writers conference near us. In Blue Ridge, GA, Carol Crawford has brought together a fine group of presenters who will cover poetry, nonfiction, fiction and writing for children.  

Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, agent, has vast experience in choosing and  selling books  for children. She  has worked for several publishers in this  field. Stephanie is the keynote speaker.

Blue Ridge Writers' Conference, April 8-9. 

Robert Brewer, senior content editor of the Writer's Digest Community, will speak on poetry.

Steven Harvey, author of The Book Of Knowledge and Wonder, a Memoir, and  other nonfiction books, is  on the program.

Tara Lynne Groth, expert on social media, freelance writing, and marketing, is also a presenter.

Now click HERE to see who else will be there. 

What is happening in these mountains this spring!

Aren't we lucky to live in Western NC and North Georgia?

2014 Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference

When: April 4-5

Where: Historic Fannin County Courthouse at 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

Website:  www.blueridgewritersconference.com/about-our-speakers.html

17^th Annual Conference for writers

…to learn to write well, we need other writers and mentors and teachers.  We have many wonderful writers in our area, and they are always striving to improve.  The Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference is an opportunity for them to meet professionals in the industry and get accurate information about how to publish a book or find an online market or get an article accepted somewhere.  It’s also a chance to meet other writers and network with them. 

                ---Carol Crawford, Conference Coordinator for Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference

2014 BLUE RIDGE BOOKFEST
When: April 25-26
Where: Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W. Campus Dr., Flat Rock, NC
Website: http://www.blueridge.edu/blueridgebookfest
Join us at the 6th Annual Blue Ridge Bookfest.  Preliminary list of authors: Bill Ramsey, Renee Kumor, Joe Perrone, Jr. The Featured Speakers are Ken Grossman, co-founder of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and author of Beyond the Pale, and Cassandra King, author of Moonrise and four other Southern novels.

NETWEST SPRING WRITERS' CONFERENCE
When: Saturday, May 10, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Jackson County Library, 310 Keener St. Sylva, NC
Judy Goldman will be our Keynote Speaker in the morning, and will lead an afternoon workshop on writing creative nonfiction.  (We hope to have more information on this event soon)

We are fortunate to live in an area where so many literary events bring us together where we can learn and meet other writers and people in the literary field. I try to take advantage of every opportunity to attend and support these organizations. I have learned that other areas, even in large cities, have few affordable conferences and workshops for local writers. I urge all of you within traveling distance to attend at least one of these events this spring. 

If you live far away, look for similar opportunities in your area. Check with libraries, book stores, colleges and online. Contact writers in your town and ask them about literary events you might attend. Start with attending a writer or poet speaking at a local college. You might hear of something near you or you might meet another writer who takes classes. The best way to improve your own writing is to attend workshops and classes by good teachers and by writing as often as you can. 

Guest Post on the subject of Poetry by Mary Mike Keller

Today we have a guest post from Mary Michelle Brodine Keller, poet, writer, painter and instructor. Thank you Mary Mike for posting today.

Mary Michelle Brodine Keller

Poetry classes by skilled Poets 

This past week I found myself with seven others at the knee of Gene Hirsch learning “the relationship of a poem’s art and the aim of the poem to the information from which it is written.”  

Those of us gathered, poems in hand, worked hard, if not struggled to put our minds around something that was not a tool or technique but craftsmanship.  We dug deep into ourselves and the poems, separating the poem from the poet, finding the focus, naming the vehicle, the thread that runs through, the essences and the art with which the poem elicits a reaction from the reader. 

   

Not long ago I took a workshop at The Writers Circle taught by Scott Owens.  The focus of that day was meter, not the “ta da ta da” counting of accented syllables as written, but counting the accents as they are actually read. They are different and can be tricky to count as you read aloud. This was about a tool or technique that could improve a poem from awkward to flowing. 

Thinking on the two classes, I realize how important it is to marry the non-technical with the technical, by doing so, we as poets can write poems that grab the reader and will not let go.

There are many places available to writers who want to learn how to write the best they can. We are fortunate to have The Writers Circle.  Skilled writers come from near and far to teach for one day or several days.  A full range of classes is available, including poetry, memoirs, writing your ancestor’s stories, publishing, essay, fiction and others. Take advantage of this resource.  It is the best in this area.

Mary Michelle Brodine Keller is a published poet and writer, and a seasoned genealogist.  She is a member of NCWN West and is on faculty at Writers Circle where she will teach a course in August, From Bones To Flesh. - Genealogy and writing class.

Back home from a nice vacation

Please forgive me for falling behind in updating my Schedules and Workshops pages. I have taken some time off this winter and had my first real vacation since 2009. But I am back home and will catch up on everything shortly.

Had a great time in sunny Florida and came home to warm weather here in the mountains. I'm not even unpacked yet, so be patient with me. I'll get caught up soon.

Thanks for stopping in and reading my blog. I appreciate each one of you. Please let me know if you have any questions about upcoming workshops and classes. Contact me at Nightwriter0302@yahoo.com

Beautiful Tampa Bay with Skyline bridge in distance