Annual Literary Harvest

ANNUAL LITERARY HARVEST

FRIDAY OCTOBER 14

WHAT:         CENTRAL OREGON WRITERS GUILD’S PREMIER EVENT, THE ANNUAL LITERARY HARVEST

WHEN:         FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

                      6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:        COMFORT SUITES INN

                       WHITEWATER ROOM

                       2243 SW YEW AVENUE

                        REDMOND

                        ADMISSION PAYABLE AT THE DOOR:

   $5 Guild members, $10 non-members

The event features readings by the top ten Literary Harvest Contest winners. Their names will be posted when they are announced later this week. Entries were open to Guild members and Central Oregon residents, and finalists were selected by a panel of local judges. Winners’ stories will be published in the 2011 Literary Harvest Chapbook, available following the event.

Several Guild authors will display and sell their books during the Harvest.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND AS THESE WINNING AUTHORS SHARE THEIR STORIES IN A VARIETY OF GENRES

                                        REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED

POWER OF REVISION WORKSHOP PRESENTED BY ELIZABETH LYON, SATURDAY OCTOBER 16

On Saturday October 17, Elizabeth Lyon presented her workshop, The Power of Revision. The topic was Manuscript Makeover: From Rough Draft to Ready: Revision Techniques for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction. Elizabeth, who was the keynote speaker at the previous evening’s Literary Harvest, focused and expanded on these components of good writing: Movement (more than just action), revision for sound structure, characterization, voice and style.

Elizabeth talked about the etymology of original writing—what we learn and what we must do to break the pattern of conformity. A first step is to free oneself of one’s inner critic, which can stand in the way of original writing. She defined riff writing, comparing it to a musician’s riff, and said the story riff has pieces of melody woven into it. The purpose of riff writing is to free the writer from constraints, give our brains a focus to get past self-imposed restrictions. Elizabeth said we must know our characters and use multiple sources of movement to improve the pace of our story, increase suspense and deepen our characters. If we apply these techniques of creating movement, she said we will see our writing soar! She talked about scenes, which if effectively written can become characters in the story. It is important to reveal the goal at the top of the scene, and move/riff the character(s) through the scene as they face opposition and obstacles as they move toward the goal. The idea is to keep the reader hooked, continually engaged and looking forward to the next page.

Elizabeth based her workshop on her most recent book, Manuscript Makeover, which is available at Camalli Books in Bend. Her presentation was timely, fast-paced, and jam-packed with information every writer needs. Elizabeth conducts writing workshops nationwide, as well as speaking at conferences. She is a top-notch editor and writing instructor. We sincerely thank Elizabeth for providing us a day of learning and inspiration. To learn more about Elizabeth and keep updated on her schedule and adventures in editing, go to http://www.4-edit.com/

Local Happenings

Sunday, October 10, 2:00 p.m., Second Sunday, Brooks Room, Bend Public Library. The featured author this Sunday is Denise Fainberg: Oregon, An Explorer's Guide and Washington, An Explorer's Guide. Open mic follows her reading.

Monday, October 11, 7:00 p.m., BendPAC, Bend Performing Arts Center, The Speakeasy. Open mic storytelling. This month's theme: scary story slam. Panel of judges - Bob Shaw, Robert Killen and Don Senecal - will choose the scariest of all for the special grand prize. $5 - free parking. 1155 SW Division Street, between 3rd & Reed Market in Scandia Square behind the House of Music.

Tuesday, October 12, 6:30 p.m., Saralee Lawrence is reading from her novel, River House. For more information: Camalli Book Company

Thursday, October 14, 6:30 p.m., Diane Hammond is reading in the Brooks Room of the Bend Public Library from her new novel.

Friday, October 15, 6:30 p.m., 7th Annual Literary Harvest, Hitchcock Auditorium, COCC - Bend Campus. For more details hit the 'Literary Harvest' tab above.

Saturday, October 16, 9 a.m - 4:30 p.m., Revision Workshop with Elizabeth Lyon. For more detail click on Elizabeth's picture on the sidebar.

Friday, October 29th, 6:30 p.m., Ursula K. Le Guin will be reading at Camalli's from her new novel. Camalli Book Company

Central Oregon Writers Guild 2010 Literary Harvest Planning Meeting

Tuesday, March 2
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Redmond Library
827 Deschutes Avenue

The 2010 LITERARY HARVEST planning will get underway March 2. All Guild Members are welcome to this important meeting to form the 2010 Literary Harvest Committee.

The 2010 Literary Harvest will be held on October 15, and we are excited to announce our keynote speaker will be nationally acclaimed author and book editor, Elizabeth Lyon (Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore, Writer’s Guide to Fiction, The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit, Nonfiction Book Proposals Anyone Can Write, and the Writer’s Guide to Nonfiction)

This year, for the first time ever, Literary Harvest will also include an all-day FICTION WORKSHOP and a half-day NONFICTION WORKSHOP given by master teacher Elizabeth Lyon.

For more information, contact Lindy Jacobs, Events Director at 541 408-6306

Winners of Fall Literary Harvest Writing Contest Announced

Congratulation to the winners of the 2008 Fall Literary Harvest Writing Contest!

First Place: Mike Rettig, Last Run
Second Place: Cameron Prow, See, Hear, and Speak No Evil
Third Place: Suzanne Burns, Casting Call

The top submissions selected for reading at Fall Literary Harvest are:
Elsie Rochna, Split Decision
RaeAnn Proost, Cupcakes Cooling On The Counter
Alex Weiss, Wild Life; Rumble Ponies; Rootsteps; I Remember; Enough
Constance Gilbert, Dandelions of Life
Jo Ann Senior, Revenge of the Devilish Donut
Bill Baber, The Innocence of Summer; Next Nowhere; Your Blues
Carol Brian, How Canada Geese Behave; High School English Teacher; Standing in Line at the Post Office; Virtual Reality; Why Are You Weeping?

Alternate Readers:
Karen Wright, My Chilling Adventure
Robert Schultz, Delaney's Wake