GFWG Newsletter February 6th

Once again, I'm down to the wire. For those of you who work well under a deadline, this is the impetus. For those of you who panic yourselves into writer's block, don't worry, we won't flog you for having nothing written (were that the case, I'd have to give myself a few lashes..) So....love is in the air...maybe we can beat the winter doldrums with a little creativity....(thanks to Chris for getting my butt in gear)

QUOTABLES Words to shift your mind into overdrive...

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” 
― William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well

“Once I pulled a job, I was so stupid. I picked a guy's pocket on an airplane and made a run for it.” 
― Rodney Dangerfield

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 
― Winston Churchill

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” 
― Gloria Steinem

CONTESTS AND OTHER SUNDRY ITEMS

Freelance writing website

http://www.freelancewriting.com/freelance-writing-jobs.php
Why not parlay your talent into a career? Worth a look...

Mobius Poetry Magazine
http://www.mobiuspoetry.com/

Reader's Digest 100-word True Story contest

http://www.rd.com/sweepstakes-prizes/your-life-contest/
 Entries must be received by March 14th. 5k grand prize and publishing in Reader's Digest magazine.

PROMPTS

An open gate. Does it represent an opportunity? Coming home? A long forgotten memory or a favorite place or time?  How does this picture make you feel? Sad? Happy? Does it make you long for summer? See if you can't draw out a few words for this lovely Vermont vista.

Written Prompts

Imagine you know you will be canonized as a saint after your death. It's already written in the stars, you've had a window to the future. What would you have done to deserve sainthood? Saved a life? Discovered a cure for cancer? Are there events in your life, things you've seen that would push you to nominate someone for sainthood? All religion aside, what does it take to elevate someone above others?

Describe baking a birthday cake. The sounds of the spoon against the bowl. The smell of the vanilla extract, the radio playing in the background, the hiss of the sugar as it pours out of the cup measure. Use all your senses.

Until February 6th....

Remember a writer writes, always.


Think Spring...

Debbie

GFWG January 2nd Newsletter

Talk about your Hail Mary...Sorry I've been lax on this month's newsletter but hey, we've all worked under crushing pressure before....and Christmas intruded on my free time sooo...it is what it is. I will imitate the Romans in brevity.....

QUOTABLES Words to shift your mind into overdrive...

“Being an author is having angels whisper in your ear - and devils, too.” 
― Graycie Harmon

“A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.” 
― Samuel Johnson

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything good.” 
― William Faulkner

“There was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don't want to, don't much like what you're writing, and aren't writing particularly well” 
― Agatha Christie

CONTESTS AND OTHER SUNDRY ITEMS

William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing contest
2014 Competition opens January 1st..

http://www.wordsandmusic.org/competition.html


The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest
All entries must be postmarked July 1st, 2014. There is a $10 fee to enter but, hey, it's the Saturday Evening Post. Worth a look.
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest

No Entry Fee Poetry Writing Contests
A good list of contests with some hefty prizes to be had. 

http://creativegenius.hubpages.com/hub/Poetry-Writing-Contests

PROMPTS

All we are saying is....what? What are we saying? What does peace and/or equality mean to you? Does it mean equal wages for men and women? Does it mean foiling terrorist plots overseas? Maybe it means a silent prayer in an empty church, a quiet spring morning spent in a breakfast nook with a cuppa and the paper..give me your interpretation in prose or poetry..your choice 

Written Prompts

Imagine you are a falling leaf...where would you go, where would you land? Would you be blowing about in a blustery autumn gale, drifting gently along to land on a sidewalk. Raked into a pile of your leaf friends?

A charm bracelet is often filled with personal meaning for the wearer. Describe your charm bracelet and what it would have hanging from it...of course a charm bracelet would be a bit girly for our writer guys....how about what mementos you might have in your wallet...

See you January 2nd!

Remember a writer writes, always.

Happy New Year!

Debbie

GFWG Newsletter for the Dec 19th Meeting

   The writer's group is next week. Excitement! Even the newsboy on the corner feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle when the rush of a writer en route soars by.

      
     Hey, Want a short SHORT fiction competition? 500 words or less? The Gover Prize for Very Short Fiction is upon us.
     The deadline is January 10. We're meeting next Thursday the 19th, so if you brought it in THEN, you could get feedback from us for it when we meet again on January 2nd, and so you could clean it up and submit it. What a great idea, huh? You betcha. See the bottom of this email for details.*

     Want prompts? Okay. We got prompts.

1. Things around town keep disappearing

2. Two groups of knights have a mounting quarrel which looks like it is about to turn to bloodshed, write how someone steps in and resolves it through talk/diplomacy

3. A suspenseful horror story/scene which centers around holiday lights

4. you haven't decorated the house for the holidays, but the neighbors just did. You realize they stole your decorations you do it.

5. children have overthrown adults and are ruling the house/company/country/world

    For poetic forms, this time let's prompt the Bop.
The Bop is a form of poetic argument consisting of three stanzas. For specifics, go here: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5773

  

     That's it. See you next Thursday, the 19th, 7:00, in the Crandall Room!

     * The Gover Prize, named after groundbreaking author Robert Gover, awards an annual prize and publication in Best New Writing for the best short fiction and creative nonfiction. Entries limited to 500 words or less.
     The Gover Prize includes:
     $250 to Gover Prize Winner.
      Finalists published in the upcoming Best New Writing edition.
Please use our submission portal to enter your story: http://www.bestnewwriting.com/BNWgover.html
or visit www.BestNewWriting.com for details.

GFWG Newsletter

Hard to believe another year is almost at an end. The holidays are nearly upon us. Thanksgiving is a particular favorite of mine. I mean who doesn't like to stuff themselves with good food...(supermodels may now put their hands down)...I'll try not to be trite with the writing prompts this time but I admit I am a slave to the conventional..

QUOTABLES Words to shift your mind into overdrive...

“I write for the same reason I breathe ... because if I didn't, I would die.” 
― Isaac Asimov

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” 
―Anne Frank

“Don’t give people what they want, give them what they need.” 
―Joss Whedon

“Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up.” 
―Stephen King

CONTESTS AND OTHER SUNDRY ITEMS

NanoWriMo

It's that time again. Make the pledge to write a little each day, see how close you can come to the 50k goal.

http://nanowrimo.org/

L Ron Hubbard Presents Writers and Illustrators of the Future

A contest for writers and illustrators alike. It looks to be held every year though I couldn't find any dates on it. Still worth a look.

http://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules

Writing in Wonderland
With contests ranging from Sitcom writing to Screenplay writing, this blog has a little something for everyone, including such whimsical challenges as a Halloween poetry writing contest sponsored by the Salem Writing Arts foundation and a link to the annual Amazon Novel writing contest.
http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2013/06/17-writing-contests.html





AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT



CINDY DEES
First published in 2002, author of 40+ romantic suspense, thriller, and epic fantasy novels, Cindy is a great source of inspiration to me. She interacts with her readers and fellow writers constantly, giving advice, writerly wisdom, taking polls, and answering questions, something I find quite refreshing in such a self-absorbed world. Check her out here: https://www.facebook.com/cindydeesauthor
and here: http://cindydees.com/






PROMPTS
I feel there's a story in this photo prompt of a graveyard overlooking a farm in Fort Ann, NY. It almost prompts me to write about it myself...but I have way too many stories on my plate as it is...the rest of you, however, have at it!

Written Prompts

Okay, remember what I said about being trite? Wellll, because it's November....write a short piece, poetry, prose, what have you...about what you're thankful for (god, sounds like I'm right back in fourth grade..) I'll just leave this here....

Write a one shot about the one that got away....the turkey that is.....try to imagine what the lucky gobbler is thinking....

Imagine, now this can go either way, imagine if you were able to look out a window and see into the future or the past. Describe what you would see, the setting, the people, how they are dressed, what vehicles they're using, their clothes. What if someone from the past were to look out a window and see 2013, how would they describe it? You get the picture...any form is fine. The key here is to put yourself in someone else's shoes..

Until November

Keep on keeping on...

Debbie

October Newsletter

Summer is gone, Fall has arrived. My favorite time of year! In honor of such a fun season, I'll try to make this newsletter a bit playful. Next meeting is October 3^rd in the Holden room. Sharpen those pens and pencils, brew a mug of spiced cider and get those creative juices flowing!

QUOTABLES Words to shift your mind into overdrive...

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”  ~ Douglas Adams

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” ~ Ernest Hemmingway

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”  ~ Stephen King

“Writing is like sex. First you do it for love, then you do it for your friends, and then you do it for money.”  ~ Virginia Woolf

CONTESTS

2014 Writing for Peace – young writers contest

Not so much for those of us at the other end of the age scale but something to pass on for those of you who know writers age 13-19. Inspire the passion of writing in a young mind!

http://writingforpeace.org/young-writers-contest/2014-contest-guidelines-2/

No Fee Poetry Writing Contests
For my fellow writers who write poetry, a whole list of no-entry-fee contests for 2013 into 2014.
http://creativegenius.hubpages.com/hub/Poetry-Writing-Contests#



Erma Bombeck Writing Competition
Normally I wouldn't include fee based contests because the chance for fraud is so high nowadays but the contest is in honor of one of my favorite humorists and it seems legitimate. The fee to enter is $15 and it's sponsored by the Washington Centerville Library in Centerville, Ohio where Erma lived with her family.
http://www.wclibrary.info/erma/index.asp


PROMPTS
Another photo based prompt one of my favorite parks during my favorite season. Juckett Park in Hudson Falls has been the centerpiece of the struggling town for many years.

Written Prompts

For all the poets, and maybe some of the non-poets just to be brave. Write a haiku about your favorite....favorite what? Favorite anything, your pet, favorite vacation spot, favorite dessert, favorite person, etc. ….you get the picture..

Write a one shot about getting stuck in an elevator with your worst enemy....or your serious crush...gee that sounds kinda teenager-ish....or your boss...

October is the month for ghosts stories. Write your own ghost story but use an unusual or funny setting like “The Haunted Bathroom” or “There's a ghost in my sock drawer!” Whatever the case, make it scary AND funny!

I don't want to overtax anyone so I'll sign off and see you in October!

Psst..let's make October bring-a-writer-friend month! Let's swell our ranks!

Peace out!

Debbie

September Prompts

Glens Falls Writing Group....

     ...where good stories come to die, and some, like Charlemagne, await to rise again in our greatest need.

    And where someone made the mistake of asking me to help with the prompt/newsletter.

    Hi! Chris Baldwin here! I'll try to be brief (failing so far).

First. Next meeting: Thurs., Sept. 19. One week. So get typing. (and we're meeting in the Crandall room, which is the smaller room)

You want some prompts? Here's some prompts.

1. write about someone you'd love to see put in jail, but write it from a character's POV, not yours.

2. The streets were deserted. Where was everyone? Where had they all gone?

3. She'd/He’d never noticed a door there before.

4. Use the words "errand, words, see, fell, touch, through" in a poem (or at least some of the words).

5. Write something about the photo above.

    No get on the stick! Write write write!

August Newsletter, Introductions and Prompts etc.

Greetings,

Most of you know me as a newcomer to the GFWG, coaxed into joining by my friend and co-worker, Kay Hafner, (thank you, Kay!). In light of Kay's re-entry into college to further her career, knowing her work load will allow little free time for creative writing, she has asked for other members to take over writing the GFWG newsletter,. In that respect, myself and fellow member Chris Baldwin have volunteered our time. We hope to live up to the quality Kay has established with her informative content and inspiring words.

Deborah Austin

QUOTABLES Words to shift your mind into overdrive...

“A writer writes..always” ~Larry (Billy Crystal) “Throw Momma From the Train”

It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.
- C. J. Cherryh

It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.
- Robert Benchley

Writing is its own reward.
- Henry Miller

CONTESTS

The 2013 Assent Publishing “ROGUE WRITING” Contest by BAD DAY BOOKS

All subgenres of horror, thriller, suspense, and apocalyptic fiction accepted
http://assentpublishing.com/BadDayRogueWritingContest.aspx



The Family Circle Fiction Contest *ends Sept. 16^th!
 fictional short story of no more than 2,500 words (typed, double-spaced and page numbered on 8-1/2 x 11 paper),
http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/fiction/fiction-contest-rules-2013/

PROMPTS

Since I am also a photographer, I would like to try a photo based writing prompt. Write a short story, ficlet, poem, haiku or what have you based on this photo.. to give you a boost..this is Utica State Hospital, an institution shut down in the '80's...

~In light of Glens Falls' recent Chalkfest, an exercise in description. One sidewalk square was allotted for each chalk artist. Using whatever form you wish, describe what you would draw in your square.

~Dialogue enhances a story, great dialogue can make it sparkle. Write a short exchange between a man on death row talking to his wife (children, mother, best friend, etc. you get the idea) for the last time.

~I travel a lot for my photography but it's never a grab the camera and go sort of thing. I have to bring my tripod, bag, zoom lens, maybe my reflector disc, macro lens...write an inner monologue for someone packing for, say, a camping trip, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, a trip to hear the reading of a will, just as long as they're going somewhere...

I'm all about extending the story line of a favorite character either in literature, the movies or on TV. Take one of your favorite characters and write a scene for them. It can be written as a screenplay or a story.

Links  Advice to keep us writers writing.

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2013/06/how-i-self-edit-my-novels-15-steps-from.html

http://janefriedman.com/2013/05/20/infographic-5-key-book-publishing-paths/

http://breathingfiction.com/2012/09/29/neil-gaimans-eight-rules-for-writing/

http://selfpublishingteam.com/25-author-tweet-ideas/

http://jnkhoury.blogspot.com/2013/04/ship-it-like-fedex-what-writers-can.html

How YOU Doin'?

Applause and wishes for good luck go out to Kay Hafner upon returning to college to further her education. Shoot for the moon! We're all behind you, we know you can do it!

Congratulations to Chris Baldwin, a guest artist with command of the center circle in City Park for the recent Glens Falls Chalkfest sponsored by APE.

If anyone has news they would like to have posted here, getting published, going back to school, public appearances, awards they've received, etc. Simply email me at funygirl38@hotmail.com and I will be glad to post them here...We all need a little positive affirmation now and then.

Well, I won't take up any more of your valuable writing time. Any questions, suggestions, comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. After all this is your group, it should be the way you want it to be.

Until next Thursday, Cheers!

Debbie