A free book writing seminar (win #1) from four established local experts (win #2, all members of the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. You have everything to gain (win #3) from the time you invest.
Nothing should keep you from RSVPing… right now. Just sayin’.
Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.
Writers, looking for some support to hone your skills? These three affordable April events offer a wide variety of book-related information, and an opportunity to rub elbows with a slew of excellent local authors. I’m involved, too, and would love to see you at all three.
POSTPONED TO SAT., May 7, 2016
Phoenix Area Writers Workshops at Vesuvius Conference Center (PAWWVCC)
In my workshop #1 of four, “27 Steps from Book Idea to Published,” I will cover every single item you need to know about creating a book. Perfect for new authors of fiction/nonfiction, with either traditional or self-publishing goals.
9 a.m.-3 p.m
Vesuvius Conference Center
4806 S. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
#PAWWVCC
SAT., APRIL 16, 2016
Tempe Book Festival
“A Celebration of Books”
I’ll be exhibiting at this local author book fair with a sign on my table that says, “Ask me anything about writing.” Come pick my brain! As a Book Shepherd, I have written/self-published two of my own novels, and assisted hundreds of other authors with everything from writing and editing, to independent publishing and word-of-mouth marketing.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tempe Public Library
3500 S. Rural Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
SAT., APRIL 30, 2016
Write On! Workshop
Scottsdale Society of Women Writers
I will join a handful of other SSWW authors at this free all-day workshop in Scottsdale. This workshop, #2 in my series of four covers “12 Editing Tips to Wow and Publisher.” I will share with you how to avoid the 12 things I change the most when editing other authors’ manuscripts. Fix these few things, and you’ll hand a potential publisher a manuscript with vibrant writing that connects your reader emotionally to the story.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
3839 N Drinkwater Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Recap of the “Catch Your Dreams” writing workshop and brainstorm for the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, Jan. 26, 2011
By Ann Narcisian Videan
©2010 ANVidean
Do you have a life dream you want to catch and live, but can’t get past everyday reality? Need a jump-start to move you toward your goal?
In our January brainstorming session, we talked about how – by listening to intuitions, using available resources and taking action – you can find true fulfillment, just as I have, and also as my heroine does in my novel Rhythms & Muse.
I asked participants to express their life dream and, with input from everyone in the room, we shared the ideas, resources and support recorded in this blog post.
Expect to gain at least one, but probably many, positive action items to help you take the next step with your writing, or life goal.
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Writing Goal #1: Publish a historical fiction book for young adults.
Next step: Get started.
| Ideas | Resources/Action Items |
| Research how it’s done. | • Read books on the topic. • Attend professional meetings. Scottsdale Society of Women Writers is a good start. |
| Take a writing class. | Check out Gotham online writing workshops. |
| Contact Stella Pope Duarte, author of If I Die in Juarez. | Duarte teaches classes at Paradise Valley and Phoenix community colleges. |
| Contact Jessica McCann. (Glendale, AZ writer) | McCann‘s book All Different Kinds of Free releases April. |
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Writing Goal #2: Publish My Book(s)
Next step: Get out of overwhelm.
| Ideas | Resources/Action Items |
| Hang out with others who will support and encourage your efforts. | Start with the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. |
| Set up one next step and do only that. | Then, set one more step and do that. |
| Listen, and ask for what you want. | Interview authors, get to know others who already do what you want to do. |
| Protect your rights. | If you wrote it, you own it. You may also copyright works legally, using online forms. |
| Find an illustrator. | Ask other writers, visit illustrators’ association meetings, and participate in pertinent blogs. |
| Never give up! | Example: Misty Hyman, Mesa-born swimmer who swam 22,000 miles to earn Olympic gold. |
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Life Goal #1: Buy cottage in Maine
Next step: Find the money
| Ideas | How to apply the ideas to a writing goal |
| Visualize yourself in the place you want to be, in clear detail, and write it down. | Visualize your writing goal, in clear detail, and write it down. |
| Create a picture board or three-ring binder with magazine cutouts showing what you want. | Create a picture board or three-ring binder with magazine cutouts showing samples of other’s works or ideas representing what you want to create. |
| Never say never. | Indeed! |
| Make a list of ways to obtain your cottage without money. | Make a list of ways you can accomplish your writing goal, elements and resources you might need. |
| Rent a cabin/become part of the community. | Immerse yourself in the community, connect with other industry people associated with what you want to do. Ask for input and ideas! |
| See what trades are available. | See if you could create a mutual support system with someone else. You help them, they help you. Perhaps a critique partner. |
| Find a realtor/private person and switch places for a summer. | Find a critique partner, agent, editor, publisher, writer’s group, or others with whom to swap information and skills. |
| Develop a pen pal in the area. | Find a mentor who’s done what you want to do, and meet consistently. |
| Create a blog with entries about making the cottage purchase happen. | Create a blog with entries about making your writing dream come true. |
| Start a savings account and fill it with change or any extra money. | Divide the work into small, reasonable steps so you don’t get overwhelmed. Or collect needed notes or tools as you work forward. |
| Explore the costs and set a budget. | Explore what’s involved in your next step and set aside the resources (time, money, people) to make it happen. |
| Keep the mindset, “I have enough.” (use play money) | KNOW you can obtain anything you need to meet your goal. |
| Keep in mind what it represents to you. | Picture yourself after accomplishing the goal and hold that image. |
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Life Goal #2 Manifest a Civics Program for inmates.
Next step: Bring Sandra Day O’Conner into the movement.
| Ideas | How to apply the ideas to a writing goal |
| Contact Sandra Day O’Conner. | Get to know other successful writers. |
| Tie in your contact to your book, or maybe the book she wrote with her granddaughter. | Existing work can open doors. Think about how you can leverage what you’ve already done. |
| Andrea Beaulieu (http://www.yourauthenticvoice.com/) knows Dick Snell, who went to college with Sandra Day O’Conner. | Ask others if they would be willing to make introductions with others in their network (an editor, agent, publisher, mentor etc.). |
| Just ask! • Sandra Day O’Conner to participate • Everyone around you to help (What’s the worst thing that could happen?) |
Just ask! (What’s the worst thing that could happen?) 😀 |
| Sandra Day O’Conner may simply be a stepping stone for you to get to the person who can’t wait to help you reach your goal. (Supreme Court Judge Rebecca Burch? Or someone else!) | Keep your options open and listen for ideas to move you in the right direction with your writing. |
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Do you have other ideas or resources to share? Please comment.
Do you have a goal for which you’d like others’ help? Ask here and let’s see if we can’t get you moving forward with help from our “village.”
Ann Narcisian Videan: Book Shepherd/Editor/Author 