PLANNING & PLOTTING
It was so much fun, we're doing it again!
THIS Saturday, January 17
1 - 4 pm in Eureka Springs
Due to an overwhelming response, we are offering a second session of Planning and Plotting. There are still a few seats left, so don't miss this opportunity to start YOUR writing year off on the right foot.
Sixteen writers took the first workshop. Here are just a few of the many great comments.
I found the workshop very, very helpful in getting myself focused on the overall structure of my children's book. I have been drifting for years now without anything definite beyond a general concept. The workshop gave me a whole new insight into my main character which totally changed the story.Thank you so much.
Great workshop. Clarified some confusing points for me and put me on a path that will be productive!
I really enjoyed today's workshop and I hope to come again. I finally have my story planned.
Excellent presentation from Dr. Guinn. I'm not good at outlining, but this has helped me formulate ideas and structure.
The outline was great! I will definitely use this from now on!
Gary is a great speaker, able to enjoy and use his own experience to help us negotiate our own story.
I finally have my story planned after today.
A perfect workshop to help you live the writing dream in 2015 !
February 14: Pamela Foster (morning) and Pat Carr (afternoon) will bring their combined experience to you. Whether your story is centuries back or only decades, you'll learn to tell it right.
(Valentine's Day is a GREAT weekend to visit Eureka Springs. Take the workshop and then have a romantic evening.)
Writers' Night Out
Jessie's Ristorante Italiano
(at our building)
We'll have an Italian dinner at 5.
Afterward, we will share our work, so bring something to read.
We welcome anyone who is interested in writing.
OPEN MIC at Brew's Wednesday
January 14
6 pm
Brews Coffee Bar & Taproom
on the corner of Pine and Spring in Eureka Springs
Parking is free after 5 pm
This is a community event and you are invited to read your flash fiction or poetry or perform music.
Kenzie is helping to organize it. Email her with any questions.
From the Director
What's Your Cue?
At this time of year, many of us are trying to form new habits or break old ones. Habit science tells us a habit consists of:
A cue
A response
A reward
So when I get stressed (cue), I eat a monster cookie (response), and feel happier (reward). To break a bad habit, identify the cue so you can either avoid it or plan a wiser response.
But what if you want to start a new habit, such as writing regularly?
There are many interesting articles online about the routines of famous writers. Many had a ritual prior to their writing session. Some rituals were elaborate, but others were as simple as brewing a cup of tea. Many involved a specific place (Maya Angelou rented a motel room by the month and wrote there, away from all distractions.)
Other writers have portable cues that they can use anywhere. My friend Diane has a special set of headphones. She doesn't listen to music, but she wears them to put herself into writing mode. I use a program for my fiction called Scrivener. For everything else, I use Word. So when I see that Scrivener screen, with my research photos in the sidebar, I'm automatically one step closer to my story.
Several of our village writers who have crossed the line into writing regularly say they have a certain time of day, a certain location, a certain wine. These elements have become their cues to trigger the response of writing.
If you find it difficult to get into writing mode, consider programming your brain with some cues. Dedicate a certain desk or chair to writing. Have a writing snack that you don't eat any other time.
Nothing says routine like a set time of day. But some of us have to grab our writing time when we can. Even so, I find it helpful to define the time. If it's two hours, I note the stop time on a piece of paper and dedicate myself to writing until then. Writing down the time is a cue.
It may take 28 days to form a new habit. So your new cue(s) won't be magical on the first day. But if you persist, they can form a door into your story.
Jan 17 - Dialogue and Setting
Feb 7 - The Word and the Sentence
March 7 - Subtext, High Events, Closings
April 4 - Self-Editing
May 2 - First Page/Character
All Workshops will be from 9-4 with an hour for lunch. The fee for each is $45 with a 10% discount if the whole program is paid in advance.
2nd & 4th Sunday
2 pm - 4 pm
Village Writing School
WRITERS' NIGHT OUT
Thursday Evenings
5 - 7 p.m.
Village Writing School
FAYETTEVILLE WRITING CIRCLE
1st & 3rd Sunday
1 pm - 3 pm
Fayetteville Library
The mission of the Village Writing School is to foster a vibrant literary community in Northwest Arkansas and to provide resources for ALL writers who seek to improve their craft.
(Valentine's Day is a GREAT weekend to visit Eureka Springs. Take the workshop and then have a romantic evening.)
From the Director
