On Sunday, February 24th, I was invited to participate in a program at the Heritage Library called "Literary in Lakeville." There were three Lakeville authors as guests on a panel to discuss a wide range of topics related to writing.
I was joined with author Samuel S. Conaway, a wonderful man who has too many stories to tell in one sitting! He loves the idea of storytelling and wrote a book to promote it to young people, titled The "Tell Me a Story" Book. His stories are perfect for late night campfires, and he leaves the endings for the storyteller to fill in, depending on the audience. Quite a clever idea!
Author Dolores Attias was also on the panel, a delightful woman originally from Cuba. She has written three books, but her "prize" is one called "Dancing with Alzheimer's", chronicling a time when Dolores cared for a woman with Alzheimer's. Dolores-with-an-O, as she likes to say, was afraid she wouldn't know what to say to the audience, but when it was her turn to speak, she charmed the entire room full of people! She is a wonderful woman with a sweet spirit and a captivating accent.
A nice group of people turned out for the panel discussion, many of whom are interested in writing, of course. It was a great chance for the three of us to answer questions about some of the experiences we've had in our journeys to publication. A big "Thanks" to Murray at the Heritage Library for hosting the afternoon event. It was a great joy to meet everyone and talk about my favorite topic!
Blessings,
Barbara
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Southern California Writers Conference, San Diego, CA
For the second straight year I attended the Southern California Writers Conference (SCWC) in San Diego over President's Weekend. I'd have to admit that last year I was a little nervous and intimiated by the level of expertise all around me. This year though, I felt much more comfortable and allowed myself to relax, which made it much easier to connect with people and "have fun!"
I met some great new friends:
Tanya Miller, a teacher from Park Rapids, MN
Brian Frederick, a writer from Long Beach, CA
Charlie Redner, a writer from Laguna Woods, CA
Claudia Whitsitt, a teacher from Saline, MI
Kathryn Dionne, an artist from Fallbrook, CA
Christine Stenstrom, an artist from Poway, CA
As many of you know, writing is a unique bond that really draws people together. The Read & Critique sessions at the conference are a wonderful example of building up each other in our craft. After all, we're all there to learn and grow as writers. The real value of the conference comes in the professional writers and editors leading the workshops and seminars who are extremely helpful and open to questions.
During my one-on-one session with Judy Reeves, a writer and teacher from San Diego, she gave me a suggestion on how to weave in bits of critical flashback scenes into the opening chapter of my new book, Seeds of Salton. It's funny...sometimes I just need someone else to point out the obvious and then I "get it!" As soon as I got home I took her advice and divided up what I had written as one big chunk of a flashback scene and wove it into the first section in smaller pieces. I can already tell it moves the story along much better and builds the tension with a greater sense of urgency. It's advice like this that we hope to find at a conference and I'm thrilled to come home knowing I've learned something that will in fact improve my manscript.
I also spent time with author and screenwriter Susan Arnout Smith, the keynote speaker on Sunday morning. She has a brand new book out from St. Martin's Minotaur, The Timer Game. It's a fast-paced thriller that's "as riveting as a ticking bomb," an excellent read! Susan and I connected at last year's conference and she is interested in writing the screenplay for Hidden Heritage...the Story of Paul LaRoche. Susan is an absolute delight and I'm looking forward to working with her in the coming year.
Some of the other speakers and leaders that I found extremely helpful were author and screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff, editor Jean Jenkins, and authors Michael Thompkins, Mark Clements, and Amy Wallen. Of course there were many others on staff, but in a conference this size it's impossible to attend all the workshops.
And now that I'm home, I have work to do: I must write!
Blessings,
Barbara
I met some great new friends:
Tanya Miller, a teacher from Park Rapids, MN
Brian Frederick, a writer from Long Beach, CA
Charlie Redner, a writer from Laguna Woods, CA
Claudia Whitsitt, a teacher from Saline, MI
Kathryn Dionne, an artist from Fallbrook, CA
Christine Stenstrom, an artist from Poway, CA
As many of you know, writing is a unique bond that really draws people together. The Read & Critique sessions at the conference are a wonderful example of building up each other in our craft. After all, we're all there to learn and grow as writers. The real value of the conference comes in the professional writers and editors leading the workshops and seminars who are extremely helpful and open to questions.
During my one-on-one session with Judy Reeves, a writer and teacher from San Diego, she gave me a suggestion on how to weave in bits of critical flashback scenes into the opening chapter of my new book, Seeds of Salton. It's funny...sometimes I just need someone else to point out the obvious and then I "get it!" As soon as I got home I took her advice and divided up what I had written as one big chunk of a flashback scene and wove it into the first section in smaller pieces. I can already tell it moves the story along much better and builds the tension with a greater sense of urgency. It's advice like this that we hope to find at a conference and I'm thrilled to come home knowing I've learned something that will in fact improve my manscript.
I also spent time with author and screenwriter Susan Arnout Smith, the keynote speaker on Sunday morning. She has a brand new book out from St. Martin's Minotaur, The Timer Game. It's a fast-paced thriller that's "as riveting as a ticking bomb," an excellent read! Susan and I connected at last year's conference and she is interested in writing the screenplay for Hidden Heritage...the Story of Paul LaRoche. Susan is an absolute delight and I'm looking forward to working with her in the coming year.
Some of the other speakers and leaders that I found extremely helpful were author and screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff, editor Jean Jenkins, and authors Michael Thompkins, Mark Clements, and Amy Wallen. Of course there were many others on staff, but in a conference this size it's impossible to attend all the workshops.
And now that I'm home, I have work to do: I must write!
Blessings,
Barbara
Thursday, January 24, 2008
2nd Annual Writers Retreat, Dead Lake, Perham, MN
Those of us fool-hearty souls who make our home in Minnesota are always at the mercy of Mother Nature, especially in the dead of winter. This was especially true last weekend when Julie Saffrin hosted her second annual writers retreat in mid-January, roughly 200 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Her cabin is situated on a beautiful piece of property facing Dead Lake, west of Perham, Minnesota, with a panoramic view of the lake. True to January being the coldest month of the year, the temperatures plunged to -24 degrees below zero at night, with wind chills running a steady -40 below. One might think our brains would freeze in such circumstances and nothing would get accomplished!
On the contrary, inside the cozy cabin the warmth and creativity of those present sparked an energy level that defied the frozen conditions on the other side of the glass. I propped my table in front of a south-facing window and welcomed the sun's ray's in my face each day. God's beauty came to life in the simplistic setting of a snow covered prairie and frozen lake laid out before me. For three days I transferred notes from my last interview into the framework of the next several chapters for Seeds of Salton, relying on tiny seeds of imagination and artistry in my unique setting to help create new scenes.
The hearty Minnesota writers in attendance were: Julie Saffrin, Janelle Huston, DeAnna Brandt, Sheri Jacobs, Laurie Quinlan, Nancy Willette Jobe, and myself. Several different genres of writing were represented...children's books, non-fiction, short story, essay, and fiction. During the day we mainly spent time working individually on our projects. In the evening we came together around the dining table, sharing not only a wonderful meal but an abundance of ideas.
A writer's retreat is time well spent, an investment in our dreams and whatever the future may bring. As our hostess Julie made the retreat everything it was meant to be...and then some. Thank you, Julie!
Our challenge now is to bring that sense of inspiration home and continue the writing...despite the winter chill just outside our door on these cold January days!
Blessings,
Barbara
On the contrary, inside the cozy cabin the warmth and creativity of those present sparked an energy level that defied the frozen conditions on the other side of the glass. I propped my table in front of a south-facing window and welcomed the sun's ray's in my face each day. God's beauty came to life in the simplistic setting of a snow covered prairie and frozen lake laid out before me. For three days I transferred notes from my last interview into the framework of the next several chapters for Seeds of Salton, relying on tiny seeds of imagination and artistry in my unique setting to help create new scenes.
The hearty Minnesota writers in attendance were: Julie Saffrin, Janelle Huston, DeAnna Brandt, Sheri Jacobs, Laurie Quinlan, Nancy Willette Jobe, and myself. Several different genres of writing were represented...children's books, non-fiction, short story, essay, and fiction. During the day we mainly spent time working individually on our projects. In the evening we came together around the dining table, sharing not only a wonderful meal but an abundance of ideas.
A writer's retreat is time well spent, an investment in our dreams and whatever the future may bring. As our hostess Julie made the retreat everything it was meant to be...and then some. Thank you, Julie!
Our challenge now is to bring that sense of inspiration home and continue the writing...despite the winter chill just outside our door on these cold January days!
Blessings,
Barbara
Friday, January 11, 2008
A new year...a new project!
Here it is January already...sometimes I have to ask myself how time seems to stand still in one sense and yet fly in another. Another one of life's mysteries, I suppose!
Most of my time this past year was devoted to promoting Hidden Heritage. I loved getting out and meeting people, many who were fans of Paul's music and loved the book already. I enjoyed the traveling, the variety of different events, some with Paul and his band, some on my own. One thing I discovered during that time, however, is that I missed writing. There's something uniquely fulfilling to my soul when I can spend time simply writing. This fall I started a brand new project titled Seeds of Salton. Based on a true story, this family drama recounts a gripping story of forgiveness between a son and his father. It is set in the rugged terrain of eastern Montana and begins in the 1970s. It's a story with many layers...a mother's love, a broken heart, anger and rage, rebellion, a father's redemption, true love, forgiveness, healing, God's saving grace.
Last week I read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and I was really inspired by her style of writing. I felt her poetic and beautiful prose call out to me, challenging me to go deeper within myself in regards to my own writing. In order to write a book like Seeds of Salton, I know I will need to do that. My first chance will take place later this month. I've been invited to a writer's retreat in Perham, Minnesota, hosted by my good writing friend and mentor, Julie Saffrin, at her cabin on Dead Lake.
As Julie shared with us, according to Judy Reeves, author of The Writer's Retreat Kit, there are 20 reasons to go on a writer's retreat:
1. To renew your creative spirit
2. To connect with your inner voice
3. To being a project
4. To complete a project
5. To focus your attention
6. To change your perspective
7. To unkink the coils of your brain
8. To find connections
9. To cross-fertilize
10. To fill your empty cup
11. To set a place for the Muse
12. To have time to simply be
13. To rest
14. To read
15. To renew
16. To reward yourself
17. To be in solitude
18. To be with other writers
19. To honor yourself as writer
20. To write
I hope I experience every single one of them!
Blessings to you this new year,
Barbara
Most of my time this past year was devoted to promoting Hidden Heritage. I loved getting out and meeting people, many who were fans of Paul's music and loved the book already. I enjoyed the traveling, the variety of different events, some with Paul and his band, some on my own. One thing I discovered during that time, however, is that I missed writing. There's something uniquely fulfilling to my soul when I can spend time simply writing. This fall I started a brand new project titled Seeds of Salton. Based on a true story, this family drama recounts a gripping story of forgiveness between a son and his father. It is set in the rugged terrain of eastern Montana and begins in the 1970s. It's a story with many layers...a mother's love, a broken heart, anger and rage, rebellion, a father's redemption, true love, forgiveness, healing, God's saving grace.
Last week I read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and I was really inspired by her style of writing. I felt her poetic and beautiful prose call out to me, challenging me to go deeper within myself in regards to my own writing. In order to write a book like Seeds of Salton, I know I will need to do that. My first chance will take place later this month. I've been invited to a writer's retreat in Perham, Minnesota, hosted by my good writing friend and mentor, Julie Saffrin, at her cabin on Dead Lake.
As Julie shared with us, according to Judy Reeves, author of The Writer's Retreat Kit, there are 20 reasons to go on a writer's retreat:
1. To renew your creative spirit
2. To connect with your inner voice
3. To being a project
4. To complete a project
5. To focus your attention
6. To change your perspective
7. To unkink the coils of your brain
8. To find connections
9. To cross-fertilize
10. To fill your empty cup
11. To set a place for the Muse
12. To have time to simply be
13. To rest
14. To read
15. To renew
16. To reward yourself
17. To be in solitude
18. To be with other writers
19. To honor yourself as writer
20. To write
I hope I experience every single one of them!
Blessings to you this new year,
Barbara
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Brainerd Writers Workship & Program
This past Saturday, October 6th, I traveled to Brainerd to attend the Brainerd Writers Alliance (BWA) Workshop and Contest Awards Program. Held at Central Lakes College, the morning session offered a panel discussion with Corinne Dwyer, from the North Star Press in St. Cloud, Seal Dwyer, from Sun Ray Printing, Dee George, a freelance writer & editor, and Donna Evans, with Echo Publishing in Pequot Lakes. Gary Midge, with BWA, hosted the question and answer session. The four panelists had a wealth of information regarding the local/regional publishing and writing industry, and provided many helpful tips for the attendees.
Following lunch, the program turned to the winners of the annual contest. First, second, and honorable mentions were invited to read their works in front of the group. It was quite a thrill for me to read, "One More Chance", the First Place winner in the Short Fiction category. The story is taken from a revised version of the first chapter of the new book I'm writing. As a "lonely writer, working at home," it's easy to question which projects are worth pursuing, and having the diligence to keep at it when the doubts and discouragement creep in. Let me tell you, having this story win first place in the BWA contest is truly an affirmation from God to "keep at it!" There were many wonderfully written pieces read in the afternoon, and it was a fun chance to put faces to the names I see so often on the email notices.
A big thanks to the BWA writers for hosting a great workshop & program!
Barbara
Following lunch, the program turned to the winners of the annual contest. First, second, and honorable mentions were invited to read their works in front of the group. It was quite a thrill for me to read, "One More Chance", the First Place winner in the Short Fiction category. The story is taken from a revised version of the first chapter of the new book I'm writing. As a "lonely writer, working at home," it's easy to question which projects are worth pursuing, and having the diligence to keep at it when the doubts and discouragement creep in. Let me tell you, having this story win first place in the BWA contest is truly an affirmation from God to "keep at it!" There were many wonderfully written pieces read in the afternoon, and it was a fun chance to put faces to the names I see so often on the email notices.
A big thanks to the BWA writers for hosting a great workshop & program!
Barbara
Meeting a Mentor
It's funny sometimes how life comes together. In 2000 when I decided to take a bold step of faith into the world of freelance writing, I really didn't have a clue where to start. As I thought more about it and pondered my direction, I was drawn to the comfort and safety of my hometown, Wadena. My sisters had shown me a small periodical called LakesAlive, which featured stories and articles in and around the Detroit Lakes/Wadena areas. Dee George, who was editor at the time, responded to my very first query letter, and even more importantly, agreed to have me write an article about my sister and brother-in-law's gardens. The article, "Discover wine & waterfalls at Wadena's Lee Gardens," was published--I must say--after a fair amount of editing from Dee. More importantly though, Dee took the time to mentor me, to show me what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong.
Following that first article, Dee continued to guide me and published several subsequent articles. One was a feature article about the annual White Earth Pow Wow north of Detroit Lakes, a simple trip that for me turned into something much deeper. See, for the past three years I'd been denying a Voice telling me to write a book about a Native American man. The man had an incredible life story, but I didn't have any connection to him. And so with all of my great logic and justification I continued to deny the Voice...until the White Earth story came out.
The simple act of Dee's acceptance triggered something deep and powerful within myself, something called confidence. Any of you who have followed my writing journey know the man was Paul LaRoche, a complete stranger until I found the courage to contact him. The book, of course, took several years to complete, but since it was released in 2006 so many incredibly wonderful things have happened that I'm amazed each time I look back. And to realize all of that started with a little bit of encouragement from an editor in a tiny town in north central Minnesota, someone who took the time to give me a chance.
This past Saturday I had the chance to finally meet Dee George in person. We both happened to attend a workshop sponsored by the Brainerd Writers Alliance. Dee is now a full-time freelancer, busy querying and writing articles for numerous magazines and newspapers. It was fun to reminisce with her and I thanked her for her gracious spirit. She shared how someone had done the same thing for her when she first started writing, and so it goes forward, from one person to the next. Right now though, I simply want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Dee.
Blessings,
Barbara
Following that first article, Dee continued to guide me and published several subsequent articles. One was a feature article about the annual White Earth Pow Wow north of Detroit Lakes, a simple trip that for me turned into something much deeper. See, for the past three years I'd been denying a Voice telling me to write a book about a Native American man. The man had an incredible life story, but I didn't have any connection to him. And so with all of my great logic and justification I continued to deny the Voice...until the White Earth story came out.
The simple act of Dee's acceptance triggered something deep and powerful within myself, something called confidence. Any of you who have followed my writing journey know the man was Paul LaRoche, a complete stranger until I found the courage to contact him. The book, of course, took several years to complete, but since it was released in 2006 so many incredibly wonderful things have happened that I'm amazed each time I look back. And to realize all of that started with a little bit of encouragement from an editor in a tiny town in north central Minnesota, someone who took the time to give me a chance.
This past Saturday I had the chance to finally meet Dee George in person. We both happened to attend a workshop sponsored by the Brainerd Writers Alliance. Dee is now a full-time freelancer, busy querying and writing articles for numerous magazines and newspapers. It was fun to reminisce with her and I thanked her for her gracious spirit. She shared how someone had done the same thing for her when she first started writing, and so it goes forward, from one person to the next. Right now though, I simply want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Dee.
Blessings,
Barbara
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Northwoods Arts Festival, Hackensack, MN
On Saturday, August 25th, I participated in the Northwoods Arts Festival, way up north in Hackensack, Minnesota. It was a picture-perfect day in the north woods, with a steady stream of people coming through the festival all day. Most of the "book arts" were located in the community building, which gave us the chance to mingle and visit with one another. Gillette, from Borealis Books in Wadena, had a nice book table and invited authors to take part in the Wadena Writers Week in November. Several writers groups were also represented and it was fun to meet people in person that I've only known through email-newsletters. It's always interesting to see the variety of topics that people have written about and the avenue they chose for publication.
Once again many people were drawn to pick up a copy of Hidden Heritage and read the back cover. I enjoyed the chance to share the story over and over. Most were unaware of Paul's reputation as a Native American recording artist, but there were several who already knew of Brule' and their wonderful music.
I had some visitors in the afternoon. My sisters--Sharon Veden, Doris Veden, and Norma Lee--from the Wadena area, came by in the afternoon to stroll and shop. And a high school friend, Marsha Karam, came by with her daughter, Gabriella, which made the day that much more fun!
All in all it was a good day and I hope to go back next year!
Blessings,
Barbara
Once again many people were drawn to pick up a copy of Hidden Heritage and read the back cover. I enjoyed the chance to share the story over and over. Most were unaware of Paul's reputation as a Native American recording artist, but there were several who already knew of Brule' and their wonderful music.
I had some visitors in the afternoon. My sisters--Sharon Veden, Doris Veden, and Norma Lee--from the Wadena area, came by in the afternoon to stroll and shop. And a high school friend, Marsha Karam, came by with her daughter, Gabriella, which made the day that much more fun!
All in all it was a good day and I hope to go back next year!
Blessings,
Barbara
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