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WORD-for-WORDS
A Monthly Newsletter from the Westport Writers' Workshop
with news of the WWW Community,
writing wisdom, prompts,
and announcements of upcoming events
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WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
at the
WESTPORT WRITERS' WORKSHOP?
 PLEASE
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
where you will also find special offers and advance invitations.
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Go For The Gold
Why You Should Enter
Writing Competitions
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When children's author N.A. (Nina) Nelson, at the time still unpublished, submitted a selection of her manuscript to the little-known SmartWriters Write It Now contest, she did not win first, second, or even third prize. But she did receive an honorable mention. And shortly thereafter, in her e-mail inbox, was this:
Hi Nina,
My name is Melissa and I'm an assistant at (blank) Literary agency. We wanted to say congratulations on the success of Walnut Girl in the SmartWriter's Contest! If the manuscript is still available, we'd love to take a look at the full [ms]. We look forward to your response.
A week or so later, another e-mail, this one from an editor at a mainstream publishing company:
Dear Nina,
Roxyanne Young of Write It Now was kind enough to forward me samples of the winning pieces from the Write It Now Competition. I enjoyed the sample of Walnut Girl and would be curious to read the rest. Would you be interested in submitting the full manuscript to me?
The moral of this story? If you want to be published, first getting an agent need not be only means to literary success. Contests and competitions can be an overlooked, but powerful way to get one's material read by important publishing professionals, many of whom serve as judges. One doesn't even have to win the contest, in order to come out a winner.
New contests and competitions are regularly announced in the back pages of Poets & Writers, The Writer Magazine, and other publications. Or do an Internet search on writing contests. Make submitting to them part of your week's work.
Speaking of children's literature, Connecticut writers and illustrators should know about the Shoreline Arts Alliance's Tassy Walden Awards. (For details, see Enter a Contest below). Hopefully you are reading this in time to take advantage of tonight's (December 1 at 7 p.m.) free workshop at the Fairfield University Bookstore in Fairfield, when Members of the Tassy Walden Awards committee and past winners and finalists will provide insights and answer questions.
If you're interested to know what became of Nina Nelson, you won't be surprised to hear that she is no longer an unpublished author. In 2008 HarperCollins published her book Bringing the Boy Home after it won the HarperCollins Ursula Nordstrom Contest. You can meet Nina, and have her sign a copy of Bringing the Boy Home, on December 8 when the Westport Writers' Workshop presents "Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Children's Authors Share Invention Strategies." (See below for details).
Just one more thing I should mention about contests. In order to win, you've got to write really well. So develop your craft.
Founder/Director
Westport Writers' Workshop
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News of Our Writers
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We are happy to announce the publication of Bob Robustelli's first novel Teamwork. This thrilling new take on the spy novel combines the cutthroat worlds of international business, professional sports, and espionage. Bob worked on Teamwork for several years, attending several of Suzanne Hoover's Fiction Writing: Crafting Your Novel workshops. Bob Robustelli will be signing books Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 pm at Elm Street Books 35 Elm Street in New Canaan.
If you read last month's newsletter, you already know how much attention WWW instructor Marcelle Soviero's writing has been getting. We were delighted to learn that November followed suit. Her essay "The Script" was just published on Anderbo and on Thanksgiving Day her essay "My Drunken Thanksgiving", appeared on the front page of Salon.com. Marcelle leads several sections of Memoir Writing: Telling Our Stories, and recently led a Get Published Now! How To Get Your Short Work Published workshop. Beginning in January she will lead a weekly Poetry Brown Bag on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2 pm.
The blogosphere is abuzz with our Memoir and Personal Essay workshop participants. Liz Rueven just launched Kosher Like Me, a blog about the wonderful world of innovative vegetarian kosher cuisine outside her own kosher kitchen. And Sandy Weiner, who worked on her blog Last First Date in our Creative Nonfiction workshop, was recently featured as a guest blogger on the website HeadDrama.
Suzanne Hoover also received a shout-out in a recent Freerange Nonfiction blog post. Founder Mira Ptacin studied with Suzanne at Sarah Lawrence College and calls Suzanne "one of the best teachers I've ever had in my life." She credits Suzanne with totally changing her approach to reading and writing. Read the entire post here. Sadly, all of Suzanne's upcoming fiction workshops are already filled. (Does that give you an indication of how talented and popular a workshop leader Suzanne is? Contact us now to get on a waiting list for the Spring session.)
Keep the good news coming. If you've been published or have a success to report, please let us know.
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NEXT WEEK
"Where Do You Get Your Ideas?"
Children's Authors
Share Invention Strategies
December 8
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Do you dream of being the next Roald Dahl? Are you among the lucky few who have found eternal youth within the pages of a children's book? Whether you're an aspiring children's author or just a fan of children's fiction, please join us for a panel discussion that will reveal the imaginations behind a few of our current middle-grade fiction favorites.
"Where Do You Get Your Ideas?"
A Panel Discussion with Children's Authors
Thursday, December 8
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$25, or FREE for WWW members
Be sure to join us for this inspiring evening with successful authors of middle grade fiction, Elise Broach, Tony Abbott, and N.A. Nelson, and surprise guest New York Times tech columnist David Pogue. Read more...
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
You may know David Pogue from the PBS Nova Series Making Stuff, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC, or his long-running New York Times Personal Tech column. Or perhaps you are one of his 1.4 million Twitter followers. But did you know that David Pogue has also written an captivating children's book, Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power (Roaring Brook Press, 2010)? A hugely entertaining speaker who packs in audiences whenever he speaks about technology, or in his TEDTalks, David will speak about this project near to his heart in this intimate setting.
Elise Broach is author of Missing on Superstition Mountain (Henry Holt & Company); New York Times Bestseller Masterpiece (Henry Holt & Company); Shakespeare's Secret (Henry Holt & Company); and Desert Crossing (Henry Holt & Company). A sequel to Missing on Superstition Mountain is scheduled for release in 2012.
Tony Abbott is the award-winning author of Firegirl (Little, Brown & Co.); Lunchbox Dream (Farrar, Straus and Giroux); Secrets of Droon (Scholastic); the Cracked Classics Series(Hyperion); and award-winner The Secret (Little, Brown & Co.).
Nina Nelson's novel Bringing the Boy Home (Harper Collins) is a Smithsonian Notable Children's Book and winner of the Harper Collins Ursula Nordstrom Award. She is currently working on a second Young Adult novel. (Read more about Nina in Go for the Gold, top of page.)
The panel presentation will include time for Q&A. Copies of the authors' books will be available for purchase and book signing.
A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to First Book, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting children's literacy by providing books to children in need.
This will be an intimate group and space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
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In case you missed ...
ESSENTIALS FOR THE FICTION WRITER:
ALL ABOUT SCENE
with Suzanne Hoover, Ph.D.
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For fiction writers, scenes are the molten core of a story. On Saturday, Nov. 5 Suzanne Hoover led a new installment in the Essentials for the Fiction Writer workshop series: ALL ABOUT SCENE. Here is some of what attendees learned: - There are three types of scenes, each with different uses: setup scenes, dramatic scenes, and aftermath (post-climactic) scenes.
- Setup scenes are used for defining the world within which the protagonist can make choices.
- Scene affords a vivid sense of "being there," and occurs in real time.
- Scene and summary may be combined in various ways; for example, there can be "scene-lets" within summary.
- An effective scene should allow both the reader and the character to be surprised.
- Whereas summary condenses time, time can also be elastic in scenic writing.
- Build some unpredictability into your character; it will instill a sense of surprise that can build to a climax.
A CD recording of this workshop will be available for purchase soon. The previous 7 Essentials for the Fiction Writer CDs are available to order now. Click here.
 Suzanne Hoover, Ph.D. is a master teacher of fiction writing craft. She holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in English and Comparative Literature and is the author of two novels. Suzanne was also a full-time member of the Literature faculty of Sarah Lawrence College for 25 years, until her recent retirement. She currently teaches in the Sarah Lawrence Graduate Writing Program.
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This Month's Featured Workshop: BE A BLOGGER with Dan Woog
Author of the widely read blog "06880"
("Where Westport Meets the World") | |
Anyone can log in and start blogging, about anything they like. Writing a blog may seem easy. The challenge lies in writing a clever, compelling blog that draws regular, devoted followers.
If you've considered starting a blog, or perhaps started one and failed to find a voice, an audience, or both, "Be A Blogger" is the workshop to make it all happen for you. By the end of the second week, you will have your blog online.
BE A BLOGGER
Two Mondays, December 5 and 12
7 - 9 p.m.
$195
In the first session, "Be a Blogger" participants will explore every stylistic element needed to be a strong blogger, including
- Choosing a topic
- Generating ideas
- Creating content
- Finding a voice
- Cultivating, understanding and responding to your audience, and turning that audience into a community
- Mechanics: choosing a platform, finding graphics, marketing and maintaining your blog.
In the hands-on second (final) session, bring your laptop to develop your own blog, write the first post, put it online, and receive immediate constructive feedback from fellow workshop participants.
The workshop is appropriate for ages 14 and above. Limited to 12 participants to give each person individual attention.
 Dan Woog is a freelance writer with over 3 decades of experience. He has authored 16 books, as well as countless newspaper and magazine stories and columns. His blog "06880" - whose tagline is "Where Westport meets the world" - gets thousands of hits every day. Dan posts at least once a day, and nearly every story generates intense feedback. Dan also blogs for the Westport News, and has several clients for whom he "ghost blogs."
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We are pleased to announce... 
SCREENWRITING
Led by professional screenwriter GiGi New
Now offered as an 8-week workshop beginning January 19
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On November 19, seasoned screenwriter and instructor GiGi New taught an intensive Screenwriting Immersion workshop. Aspiring screenwriters of the next "Little Miss Sunshine" or "The Sixth Sense" spent the day learning how to craft great screenplays that are compelling, cinematic, and have the potential to grab the attention of a studio or production company.
Here are few things GiGi's participants have said about her workshops:
"When it came to end of the workshop, I couldn't believe it ... GiGi kept you captivated all evening with information, stories, and with that great energy she has." ~ Patricia Miller, Milford, Conn. "Gigi is an engaging speaker and knowledgeable source. She did a great job of covering a lot of territory in a short amount of time. Her presentation was well organized and appropriately interactive. She exudes energy and a sense of humor ... A wonderful addition to Westport Writers Workshop." ~ Sally Luce, Westport, Conn.
With these and other enthusiastic responses in mind, this winter we are excited to offer Screenwriting, a structured, content-rich, 8-week workshop led by GiGi New. Gigi will introduce the elements of strong screenplay writing: format, story, character development, and theme. GiGi will also provide an insider's insight as to what is happening in today's marketplace, and offer concrete advice on how a newcomer can break in.
SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
Westport Writers' Workshop
3 Sylvan Road South, Westport
8 Thursdays, Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, Mar. 1, 8, 15
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$475, or $450 for WWW members
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 10
Register now to ensure your spot.
 GiGi New has written film scripts and developed material for several studios and independent producers including Aqua Entertainment, Gunn Films, The Walt Disney Company, Maya Entertainment, Avalanche Entertainment, and Underground Films. She currently has three screenplays in active development, with one script being slated to shoot in the spring of 2012.
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JANUARY ARTICLE
Re-energize Your Writing Career From The Inside Out
by Debbie Danowski, Ph.D.
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This article included here with permission of the author originally ran in the November, 2011 newsletter ASJA Monthly of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA.org).
It's that time of year when I think about what I've written and my accomplishments. For the past several years, there haven't been many in the way of writing. With a slew of personal problems, I've barely been able to write in my journal, never mind think about publication.
All of that changed in May when the doctor told me I needed brain surgery. Filled with fear, I thought back over my life and realized that this could be the end. Luckily, there wasn't anything I regretted in my relationships with my family and friends. It was different, however, with my writing career. Read more...
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Enter A Contest | |
Have you written or illustrated a children's book, but have yet to find a publisher? Enter to win...
The New Voices in Children's Literature:
12th Annual Tassy Walden Award
The Tassy Walden Awards is an annual competition presented by the Shoreline Arts Alliance to encourage and nurture the creation of exceptional quality books for children by unpublished Connecticut writers and illustrators.
Winners in each of five categories, including: Picture Book (text only), Illustrated Picture Book, Children's Book Illustrator's Portfolio, Middle Grade Novel, and Young Adult/Teen Novel, will be presented with an award of $250.
As an added bonus, all submitted works that meet the contest guidelines will be judged by literary agents for the first round of judging. Those deemed outstanding will be sent on to publishers and editors at major children's literature publishing houses.
For more information, including guidelines, tips, and entry forms click here.
Deadline for submissions is February 3, 2012.
And here's a great opportunity to
gain a competitive edge before you enter:
Fairfield University's MFA in Creative Writing program will be sponsoring a free workshop on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m, to help aspiring writers submit their work for the 12th annual New Voices in Children's Literature: Tassy Walden Awards. The workshop will be held at the Fairfield University Bookstore, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield.
Members of the Tassy Walden Awards committee and past winners and finalists will present the workshop, providing insights and answering questions about getting your work 'out there.'
Reservations are requested and may be made via e-mail to donita@shorelinearts.org or by phone at (203) 453-3890.
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Well Said
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"Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer."
~ Barbara Kingsolver
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Coming This Winter To the Westport Writers' Workshop | |
NEXT WEEK: Mondays, December 5 and 12, 7-9 pm, BE A BLOGGER: A BEGINNER'S HOW-TO with Dan Woog. $195.
NEXT WEEK: Thursday, December 8, 7:30-9 pm PANEL: "WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?" CHILDREN'S AUTHORS SHARE THEIR INVENTION STRATEGIES with authors Tony Abbott, Elise Broach, N.A. Nelson and David Pogue. $25 or free for WWW members.
Saturday, December 10, 10 am - 4 pm PLOTTING AND PLANNING A MEMOIR: THE STORYBOARD METHOD with Jessica Bram. $195
Saturday, January 21, 9 am-12 pm, SILENCE YOUR INNER CRITIC: LET THE INSPIRATION FLOWwith Jessica Bram. $125
Saturday, February 4, 9 am-12 pm, BLOCKED? HOW TO GET UNSTUCK with Marcelle Soviero $125.
NEW! BROWN BAG WORKSHOP SERIES. Be inspired and nourished at the same time. Bring your lunch and your writing to these informal, focused workshops where you can share your work and develop your craft in a lively and supportive atmosphere.
- POETRY BROWN BAG 6 Wednesdays, January 18-February 29, 12:30-2 pm, with Marcelle Soviero $195.
- GET PUBLISHED MASTERMIND: Submissions Process Support6 Mondays, Jan. 23, Feb. 6, 20, Mar. 5, 19, and Apr. 2, 12:30-2 pm, with Marcelle Soviero $195.
- LET'S WRITE TOGETHER 8 Fridays beginning Jan. 13 , $75.
For more information or to register see
individual links above or go to
www.westportwritersworkshop.com
or call (203)227-3250.
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| Please feel free to forward this newsletter WORD-for-WORDS to your friends and fellow writers. Visit our website to sign up for newsletters. You can also read past archived issues here.
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Westport Writers' Workshop
3 Sylvan Road South
Westport, CT 06880
203-227-3250
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WWW instructor 
