A word from WWW Founder and Director
Jessica Bram:
"One good hour of writing can do more to nourish the spirit and refresh the soul than countless hours of worry and self-recrimination."
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Meet new Office Manager
Kathleen Nash
Kathleen, who came on board last month, is co- founder and former owner of a successful home and Internet business geared toward children's clothing and giftware. Kathleen holds a BS from Georgetown University where she majored in psychology and English. She lives in Fairfield, Conn. with her husband and three children.
Contact her at (203) 227-3250 or by email
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Happy New Year!
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We couldn't think of a better way to welcome 2011 than to send this first edition of our newsletter "WORD-for-WORDS" to our vibrant and growing Westport Writers' Workshop community.
Since moving to our new studio location at 3 Sylvan Road South in April, we continue to grow by adding new workshops, members, and programs. Among other new offerings, we are particularly pleased to offer in 2011 for the first time:
- Playwriting with Drama Desk Award-winning playwright and author David Wiltse, former Playwright-in-Residence of the Westport Country Playhouse. See workshop description on our web site. (Hurry: this workshop is almost filled.)
- Open Mic Nights for our members and workshop participants to share their work. (See "What's Coming In January," below.)
- A new Saturday section of Writing About Your Life that meets every other week to accomodate those with full-time schedules. See workshop description.
- A new Thursday morning Beginning Memoir Writing section, by popular demand. See workshop description.
Make sure to check out these and other offerings at www.westportwritersworkshop.com.
We hope to see you in 2011!
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News of Our Writers
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At the Westport Writers' Workshop, we believe that writers write to be read. Therefore, writing for publication - or at least, aiming to elevate the quality of the work to make it worthy of publication - is always our goal.
We are pleased to report this month the latest publication news of our writers:
- Valerie Seiling Jacob's essay "A Better Place" will be published in the anthology Twelve Breaths a Minute, as well as in Creative Nonfiction magazine. Valerie first began writing in a WWW class in 2006, later becoming one of our most popular memoir instructors. Valerie is currently on hiatus from her position as WWW workshop leader to complete her MFA degree in creative writing at Columbia University.
- Valerie will also be presenting her paper "Crafting Engaging and Realistic Dialogue" at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference in 2011.
- Last month, WWW instructor Marcelle Soviero had four essays, all written in Westport Writers' Workshop classes, accepted by Salon.com, NY Metro, More.com and Literary Mama. Marcelle leads the WWW's popular "Get Published Now! Boot Camp for Getting Your Short Work Published."
- After attending Marcelle's "Get Published Now!" workshop in November, Randi Olin had her piece "The Chocolate Grudge" named "editor's pick" on Salon.com's Open Salon. Wrote Randi, "I owe it all to Marcelle - her assigned 'homework' was to submit something, somewhere."
Have you had a piece published, won a contest, or other good news to report? Please email jessica@westportwritersworkshop.com and we'll be happy to announce it.
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What's Coming in January
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Thursday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essentials for the Fiction Writer: Character Creation: Giving the Kiss of Life With Suzanne Hoover, Ph.D. at the Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, $55 or $45 for GAC members.
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m., Calling all poets! Share your work at the Westport Writers' Workshops' Poetry Open Mic Night. Westport Writers' Workshop, 3 Sylvan Road South, Westport, $10 to read your work (free for WWW members), pre-registration required. Coffee/tea and cookies on the house!
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., Calling all fiction and non-fiction writers! Share your work at the Westport Writers' Workshops' Short Fiction/Non-Fiction Open Mic Night. Westport Writers' Workshop, 3 Sylvan Road South, Westport, $10 to read your work (free for WWW members), pre-registration required. Coffee/tea and cookies on the house!
Tuesday, Jan. 20, Winter 2011 Workshop series begin. Many are already filled to capacity, but some openings do remain.
If you're ready to get serious about your writing goals in 2011, register now at www.westportwritersworkshop.com.
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| Writing Prompt | |
Rusty because you haven't been writing in a while? Marcelle Soviero recommends brief writing prompts to limber up the writing muscle. Here's one:
"Write a story or piece of nonfiction where a character or narrator describes what his or her father did for a living."
Want to take it further? See if you can subtly convey the narrator's opinion about his/her father's job, without coming out and saying it directly.
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What We're Reading
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This month, a contribution for WWW member and instructor Valerie Seiling Jacobs:
"Nancy Lamb's book The Art and Craft of Storytelling - A Comprehensive Guide to Classic Writing Techniques is full of invaluable-and practical--advice. Ms. Lamb not only addresses the "nuts and bolts" of good writing (e.g. plot, character, time shifts, point of view, and creating realistic dialogue) but she also has lots of useful things to say and practical examples about structure, voice, tone, and the "care and feeding of creative spirit." Her suggestions are useful for writing a memoir, fiction, or creative nonfiction."
Do you have a book rave? Send it to: info@westportwritersworkshop.com
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Cape Cod Writer's Retreat 2010
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Seven writers gathered for the Westport Writer's Workshop annual writer's retreat at The Inn on Cook Street in Provincetown, MA, for four days of intensive writing with workshop meetings every evening. Once again, it was a creative and magical time. Above, writers gather with retreat leaders Suzanne Hoover and Jessica Bram for a final portrait. Left to right: Doreen Birdsell, Marcelle Soviero, Teresa Peck, Suzanne Hoover, Stephanie Guterl, Jessica Bram, Nancy Galasso, Jane Edgell.
Our Summer 2011 Retreat, currently planned to take place in a gorgeous oceanside location, will be announced in the next few months. Watch out for announcements..
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Well Said
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"You're only kidding yourself if you put creativity before craft" - Twyla Tharp
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Winter 2011 Workshops Now Registering!
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Registration for the Winter 2011 workshops, which began in November, are currently underway. Unfortunately, most sections are already filled to capacity. However, a few spaces do remain.
If you're ready to get serious about your writing goals in 2011, don't delay any longer!
Log on to Westport Writers' Workshop and click on Register. Call (203) 227-3250 or email first to check space availability.
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