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An exciting start

4/29/2017

Gondor Writers' Critique Group had a great first meeting. The members who attended are a quite diverse group of writers, with people with much experience and others who are just starting out.

It was decided that we would meet monthly on the last Friday of the month from 4pm to 6 or 7, depending on the time needed. The next meeting will be on Friday May 26th.

If the timing of the meeting does not suit and you are keen to join, contact me at [email protected]. We may get the numbers to form a second group.

I discovered after we had set the date that that evening, Friday May 26th, from 7pm we have Chris Collin here for a talk, telling us how he self-published and sold 30,000 books. So anyone coming to the meeting that night might like to stay to see him. He is being paid to be here so it will cost $20 to attend his talk.

The group decided that they wanted to have their critique on their work-in-progress, but for those without a current w-I-p we will set a short story subject.

I will be setting up a Dropbox for everyone to upload up to 1,000 or 1,500 words of their work for all to download. We will all then download, comment and bring the comments with us, or print out the copies with comments and bring them with us.

As the group grows, we will divide into similar interest groups, but for now we will all comment on all work submitted, if we feel comfortable to do so. Members have the right not to comment on all work.

More information is on the group page:

http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/gondor-writers-critique-group.html

I hope to see you at some future meeting.

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Looking for free feedback on your writing?

4/24/2017

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We all need someone to encourage and motivate us to continue with our writing and grow as a writer. That is what Gondor Writers' Critique Group will do.

It takes some skill and effort to learn to step back from your own writing and ask yourself why something doesn’t work. A critique done by a sympathetic friend and/or writer can more quickly flag the problem and that act alone will teach you a great deal.

Writing groups help you meet other local writers, make friends with similar interests and informally share experiences in the real world. In this day of cyberspace, it is nice to get away from the computer and actually exchange ideas with some real people.

With the right critique group, you can learn quickly what is working in your writing and what isn't, shaving years off the learning curve. Not only do you get some quick and honest feedback on what you’ve written, but the act of critiquing someone else’s manuscript can teach you a great deal about what works and what doesn’t in your own.

As writers, we are generally avid readers as well. All of the reading you have done in your life has honed your instincts about other people’s writing. You can spot it immediately when something isn’t working. It feels awkward or off somehow and it interrupts your involvement in the story, jolting you out of the story and back to reality.

Gondor Writers' Critique Group first meeting: April 26th at 7 pm.
The first meeting will set out the way the critiques will be done and make decisions of the timing, frequency, and format of future meetings. Please bring some samples of your writing to read if you want.

Those in attendance on Wednesday night can help us decided what will happen from there. There will be no cost for these meetings and no joining fee. If, as a group, we decided to invite guest speakers or workshop presenters we will all have to share the cost of their fee.

If you are interested joining the fast growing, dynamic group who are coming, please email me before the 26th. [email protected]

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Have you ever wondered ...

4/17/2017

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... how your favourite story so easily drew you into its world?

Setting is not just the location of the story, it is the time, place, and mood in which a story takes place. It is often the heart of the narrative. For the reader to be able to relate to the story, you must identify those details in your story that establish the time, place, and the overall mood of the story. The workshop Creating a wondrous setting on April 22nd will show you how that is done.

When we read a novel with a graphic description of the setting, we are transported to that place. In this workshop, you will be given examples of how it is done and do exercises on bringing the world of your story to life.

Book online at http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html or phone 54 399 038.

Gondor Writers' Critique Group first meeting: April 26th at 7 pm.
The meetings will take the form of a critique group and we will have guest speakers and talks on writing. The first meeting will set out the way the critiques will be done and establish the timeline of future meetings.

We are open to suggestions as the timing and the frequency of the meetings. Those in attendance on the first night can help us decided what will happen from there.

There will be no cost for these meetings. Costs may be incurred if we have guest speakers at a future date. If you are interested in attending, please email me before the 26th. [email protected]

Photo of Capricorn Writers' group 2013.

MAY WORKSHOPS:
Saturday May 13th - 10am to 12 pm: Writing in Rhyme.

A fun-filled 2 hour session with Chris Collin on writing in rhyme.

Learn the secret to making your poem or rhyming story as much fun to read as it was to create.

May 20th & 21st: Advanced class: Creating memorable characters:

Developing strong, believable characters that your reader either loves or hates ... depending on your intention is vital. This workshop examines the many personality types we meet and shows you how to portray them effectively. For crime and mystery writers, the character workshop includes an examination of criminal types and what drives them to commit crimes.

2 DAY WORKSHOP

Friday May 26th: 7pm to 9pm. Chris Collin: How to succeed as a self-published author:

A fun-filled night with award-winning local children’s author, Chris Collin as he shares his journey of Animated Funkiness and tells us the secret to selling 30,000 books as an independent author.

Book online at http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html or phone 54 399 038.

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NEW WRITERS GROUP DATE CHANGE

4/11/2017

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Because of a clash with another event, we have had to change the date for our first meeting. This will now take place at 7pm on April 26th. The details as posted last week are below.

We have been asked to form a writers’ group and hold regular meetings at Gondor. As we have done this before and miss the informal contact with other writers, we decided it would be an excellent idea.

The meetings will take the form of a critique group and we will have guest speakers and talks on writing. The first meeting will set out the way the critiques will be done.

We are open to suggestions as the timing and the frequency of the meetings. We are holding the first on Wednesday April 26th at 7pm. Those in attendance can help us decided what will happen from there.

If you are interested in attending, please email me before the 26th. [email protected]

OUR NEXT WORKSHOP: Creating a wondrous setting.
Saturday April 22nd.

Suitable for advanced writers and beginners:

When we read a novel with a graphic description of the setting, we are transported to that place. Setting is the time, place, and mood in which a story takes place. It is often the heart of the narrative. For the reader to be able to relate to the story, you must identify those details in your story that establish the time, place, and the overall mood of the story.

In this workshop, you will be given examples of how that is done and exercises on creating a setting that draws your reader into the world of your story.

Book online at http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html or phone 54 399 038.

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VIDEO WORKSHOP ONE IS LIVE!

4/1/2017

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By popular demand, the first video workshop is on the website.

Writers who couldn't make the first two workshops, have asked me if they will be online.

This is the first of the video workshops. More are to follow.

As a special introductory offer, we are pricing this one at $35. It is the same workshop you would receive if you attended our workshops at Gondor.

WORKSHOP ONE: Turning an idea into a story:

Exploring the building blocks that make a compelling story that no one can put down. The course includes, establishing the best point of view for your story, the importance of setting, and much more.

How it works:

When you purchase a workshop you will be given access to a video slideshow and a worksheet to download. You can log in and watch the video as many times as you want.

After payment of $35 for the content of the 4 hour workshop, and the Pay Pal confirmation of your payment, I will send you an invitation to log in. Go to the website, choose the login button on the top right of the home page. Enter your email address and create a password. When you log in, the workshop you purchased will appear on your page.

The completed worksheets can then be emailed to the tutor for comment and editing. There is no time limit to finish the assignments.

Go to the Video Workshop page to purchase the workshop.

http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/video-workshops.html

NEW WRITERS GROUP:

We have been asked to form a writers’ group and hold regular meetings at Gondor.

As we have done this before and miss the informal contact with other writers, we decided it would be an excellent idea.

We are open to suggestions as the timing and the frequency of the meetings. We are holding the first on Wednesday April 19th at 7pm. Those in attendance can help us decided what will happen from there.

The meetings will take the form of a critique group and we will have guest speakers and talks on writing. The first meeting will set out the way the critiques will be done.

If you are interested in attending, please email me before the 19th. [email protected]

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An exciting start

Looking for free feedback on your writing?

Have you ever wondered ...

NEW WRITERS GROUP DATE CHANGE

VIDEO WORKSHOP ONE IS LIVE!

By popular demand, the first video workshop is on the website.

NEW WRITERS GROUP:

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