CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS GUILD REPORT
January - February 2008
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Redmond Writers is now Central Oregon Writers Guild. The name change is designed to reflect our group's commitment to the entire Central Oregon writing community as we carry out our mission to support, encourage and assist writers of all genres.
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Author Martin Winch to Present "Biography of a Place" at January 24 meeting
Tumalo author Martin Winch will talk about his book, "Biography of a Place: Passages Through a Central Oregon Meadow" at this month's meeting. "Biography of a Place" explores and weaves together the social and natural history of Camp Polk Meadow, which covers 160 acres of seasonal marsh and grassland just outside Sisters, Oregon. The book is a compelling account of the meadow itself and the impact of humans upon the area, from the earliest settlers to the present day. Winch's narrative about the creation of "The Camp Polk Meadow Preserve" details efforts to restore and conserve the meadow.
Winch's previous publications include "Tumalo: Thirsty Land," a history of irrigation development in the upper Deschutes Basin, and "Joseph Gervais: A Familiar Mystery Man," co-authored with Thomas Vaughan. Winch has worked as a lawyer, policy analyst, political aide and social services administrator. He is currently a mediator and elementary school tutor and he volunteers with the Deschutes Basin Land Trust at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve.
The public is invited to the Central Oregon Writers Guild meeting on Thursday, January 24 at the Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave. The meeting is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. A critique session follows the program, and those who would like to present their work (limit is three readers) should bring along 20 copies. Critique guidelines are available at the meeting.
February meeting: Paty Jager and Lindy Jacobs will present "Critique: Getting the Help you Need" at the February 28 Central Oregon Writers Guild meeting.
Upcoming 2008 programs:
March 27 - Rod Morris - Dialogue
April 24 - Ali McCart - Editor with Indigo Editing - "What an Editor Looks For"
May 22 - Bill and Mary Lewis - "Interviewing - Mining for the Story's Golden Nugget"
Upcoming Events:
February 16, 2008-Oregon Christian Writers is hosting a one-day conference "Bring Forth the Words of a Serious Writer" at Corban College in Salem from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $8 for OCW members, $30 for non-members, and lunch is $8.50. Online registrations can be made at their website, http://oregonchristianwriters.org/, which also includes information about future OCW workshops and conferences.
April 5, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (time to be confirmed): Central Oregon Writers Guild will host a DVD Workshop by Chris Vogel at the Comfort Suites Inn, Redmond. Details about the workshop will be forthcoming, but it should be noted that participants are encouraged to view the movie "Erin Brokovich" prior to the workshop, as it will be referenced in the presentation.
October 17, 2008 - Fall Literary Harvest, Comfort Suites Inn, Redmond, 6:30 p.m. We will present details soon for those who are interested in reading their work at the Fall Literary Harvest, as well as how to participate in planning and organizing the event.
THE WRITER'S LIFE
Our December 2007 pot luck was a successful event, an enjoyable time of sharing, visiting and of course savoring the sumptuous fare. We thank all who participated and brought such delicious food. While he was unable to attend the session, Neil Mason asked Cindy Prescher to read a holiday story he wrote. It was a touching account of some youngsters who had fallen on hard times but thanks to the generosity of strangers, had a very special Christmas. Thank you, Neil, for sharing such uplifting words with us.
DUES REMINDER
Just a reminder that membership in the Central Oregon Writers Guild is $12.00 annually, and our Membership/Finances chair Elsie Rochna is in charge of collecting the dues, maintaining the membership lists and keeping our financial records. Those who would like to join our group or renew their dues may do so at any meeting, or contact Elsie to obtain her mailing address. Checks should be made payable to Elsie Rochna-Redmond Writers. Central Oregon Writers Guild is funded by membership dues, which help us sponsor activities such as the upcoming DVD workshop and the Fall Literary Harvest.
CONTESTS, CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Ink-Filled Page
Quarterly Literary Journal, Spring 2008 Young Adult Issue
Submissions accepted January 1 through February 29 from youths age 11 to 18. Visit http://www.indigoediting.com/ for submission guidelines and to order the Ink-Filled Page 2007 anthology.
Oregon State Poetry Association Contest
OSPA's Spring 2008 Poetry Contest is now open. Deadline for submissions is February 29. Go to their website http:www.oregonpoets.org/index.php? for contest categories and read the rules carefully to assure your entry is considered.
77th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition
The deadline for entries in this prestigious contest is May 15, 2008. For details about the categories, rules, entry forms and requirements, go to their website, http://www.writersdigest.com/.
Cool Stuff 4 Writers
January Cool Contest Challenge: Write 7 ridiculous writing resolutions that were probably made in a drunken, eggnog stupor. Use the following header before listing the impossible goals: "My 2008 Writing Resolutions." Submit entries to http://www.blogger.com/sandy@coolstuff4writers.com with "January Contest" in the subject line and the entry in the body of the email. There is no word limit and the winner will receive $25. Deadline is January 31, 2008. For further details and some cool writers' tips, go to their website, http://www.coolstuff4writers.com/
Nature of Words Third Annual Rising Star Competition
This competition is awarded in fiction, literary nonfiction and poetry in two age categories, 15-18 and 19-25. Winning writers will receive a cash prize, recognition at an awards ceremony during the Nature of Words festival in November, and a scholarship to one of the event's workshops. Entry deadline is May 10, 2008. Competition details are at the Nature of Words website: http://www.thenatureofwords.org/.
CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS GUILD BLOG
We are happy to announce that our blog is now online. We are grateful to Tia Linschied, our blog administrator, for the time, energy and effort she devoted to getting the blog up and running. Thanks too to Cindy Prescher and Lindy Jacobs, who recently assisted Tia in putting the final touches on the blog prior to "liftoff". Besides the monthly newsletter, the blog will feature member websites, Central Oregon Writers Guild updates and activities such as workshops, book signings and other news of interest to the Central Oregon writing community. We welcome your comments, feedback, positive or negative and suggestions for information that should be included in our blog. The site address is: http://centraloregonwriters.blogspot.com/
CO WRITERS GUILD CONTACTS:
Executive Director: Cindy Prescher
Membership & Finance Chairperson: Elsie Rochna
Membership & Finance Assistant Chairperson: Carol Brian
Publicity Chairperson: Anita Lanning
Program Chairperson: Paty Jager
CO Writers Report Editor: Anita Lanning
Refreshment Chairperson: Lindy Jacobs
Photographer: Jo Ann Senior
Blog Chairperson: Tia Linschied
1 comment:
Martin Winch's presentation to COWG on Thursday night was interesting. His talk of the stories he uncovered while conducting research for his book rekindled my desire for conducting research and meeting with people with interesting stories to tell.
In my writing business, I spend a lot of time conducting reserach. But, though it may not officially be considered research, my favorite kind of research is people watching. To me, it counts as research for defining and developing fictional characters.
What kind of research do you do?
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