West Houston RWA

New Adult is officially the next big thing in publishing, but what is a New Adult book all about – aside from protagonists ages 18 to 26? How much sex is there, really? What other themes need to be tackled in this burgeoning subgenre? From the big V to first jobs to the plain old difficulties of growing up and entering adulthood, learn what really comprises the genre, how to break in and who is really reading these books.

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s a RITA^® nominated New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of historical romances, paranormal romances, young adult (with a movie deal in the works) and new adult fiction. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows.

June 8th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “New Adult”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing and Book Sale

Weaving Characterization to Create a Tapestry of Emotion.

New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath will share various techniques that help create believable characters, characters that will touch the readers’ emotions and become memorable.

Lorraine Heath wrote her first story at seven, and it involved a fisherman who fell in love with a mermaid. She has since moved on to writing about sexy cowboys and dashing English lords (and sometimes, cleverly, in the same book!). Publishers Weekly says she is a “master of her craft.” Along with being a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, she has won the RITA® Award, four Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and a Career Achievement Award.

May 11th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “Weaving Characterization to Create a Tapestry of Emotion”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing and Book Sale

Adrenaline Shots for Plots

RITA-nominated romantic suspense author Colleen Thompson shares tips to get–and keep–your story moving, escalating tension from the opening pages to the last, satisfying page. If you’ve ever struggled with a manuscript’s slow pace or sagging middle, this is the workshop will give you helpful ideas for revising your story or plotting a new one.

A former teacher and prolific speaker and blogger, Colleen Thompson is the RITA-nominated author of 25 published or contracted books, from the fast-paced romantic thrillers she has written for Harlequin, Silhouette, and Dorchester Publishing to the action-packed historicals she wrote under her Gwyneth Atlee pseudonym for Kensington. Other honors include multiple Romantic Times’ Top Picks, KISS Awards and nominations for Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Publisher’s Weekly starred reviews, numerous foreign sales, and stints on the Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, Bookscan and Amazon bestseller lists.

Colleen’s most recent releases are Relentless Pursuit(Harlequin Intrigue, Sept. 2012) and Passion to Protect (Harlequin Romantic Suspense, Nov. 2012). Look for The Return of Cole Colton in the fall of 2013, or visit her online at www.colleen-thompson.com.

April 13th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “Adrenaline Shots for Plots”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing and Book Sale

There is no December meeting.

Instead this is when we have a Holiday party.  Party information is posted on the Yahoo loop.

Stay tuned for information on the January meeting.

We are welcoming Sherry Thomas on November 10th for our Fall all-day program. Registration is required, and lunch will be provided. Additional details are below.

>>>>Registration is now open.  Please Click here to fill out the form.<<<<

Program 1: Subtext: Not just another buzzword

The word subtext is often heard nowadays. But what does it mean to a romance writer? How do you use it to create a layered narrative and nuanced interactions between your characters?

The goal of this workshop is breakdown this mysterious catch-all word for subtle writing into concrete techniques you can apply to your own writing, from the dynamics of dialogue to the creation and expression of themes and motifs.

Program 2: Evoking Emotions

The success of a romance rests upon its ability to evoke emotions: The reader must care about the characters. Ever pondered how to give broad appeal to an otherwise deeply flawed character? Or how to make a two-dimensional character full-fledged? This workshop teaches the tools that convey a character’s humanity and vulnerability with maximum efficiency and minimum maudlinness.

About the Speaker 

Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed romance authors working today. Her books regularly receive starred reviews from trade publications and are frequently found on best-of-the-year lists. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

English is Sherry’s second language—she has come a long way from the days when she made her laborious way through Rosemary Roger’s SWEET SAVAGE LOVE with an English-Chinese dictionary. She enjoys digging down to the emotional core of stories. And when she is not writing, she thinks about the zen and zaniness of her profession, plays computer games with her sons, and reads as many fabulous books as she can find.

Sherry’s next book, The Burning Sky, volume one of her young adult fantasy trilogy, will be available fall 2013.

Website: http://www.sherrythomas.com

Registration Fee:

$10 for WHRWA members
$25 for other RWA chapter members
$40 for everyone else

Lunch:

The chapter will provide lunch with vegetarian options.

Schedule for November 10th

8:30 AM – Doors open – Check In/Coffee
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM – Business meeting and elections
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Social break
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – “Subtext: Not just another buzzword”
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM – Lunch, Book Fair, Signing with Sherry and WHRWA authors
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM – “Evoking Emotions”

Spinning Straw into Gold by Olivia Drake (aka Barbara Dawson Smith)

TWENTY-SIX YEARS AND COUNTING

Patricia (Pat) Kay began writing in 1986 and sold her first book in 1990. She will talk about her experiences as a writer — the four different publishers she’s worked for, including 20+ years with Harlequin/Silhouette, as well as the three different agents she’s worked with over the years — what it was like when she began, the changes along the way, whether it’s possible to support yourself writing, the various problems and pitfalls she’s encountered and/or how to avoid them, how to “write smart”, some of the mistakes she and others have made, etc. She will take any and all questions and answer everything you ever wanted to know about being a writer as honestly as possible, including questions about money and other possibly controversial subjects. Nothing is off limits. This will be a “let down your hair and let’s talk turkey” program.

Pat sold her first book to Silhouette Special Edition in February of 1990. CINDERELLA GIRL made the top ten Walden list the month it debuted (December 1990), something that even made Debbie Macomber ask about it. (Remind Pat to tell you that story!) Since that fateful day, she’s sold 50 more novels of both romance and women’s fiction and worked with four different publishing houses and six different imprints. Her first contemporary single title, THE WRONG CHILD, (Berkley 12/2000), was a Rita nominee and a bestseller. Her books have made the USA Today list as well as other bestseller lists. An acclaimed teacher, she taught creative writing and novel writing courses at the University of Houston and now teaches exclusively online. She has been a member of the West Houston chapter since May, 1986 and was its first newsletter editor. WHRWA honored her upon the sale of her 50th book with a beautiful award. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.patriciakay.com.

September 8th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “Twenty Six Years and Counting”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing and Book Sale

14 Bestselling Story Archetypes

Even though Romance novels have evolved to keep pace with prevailing social views about love, marriage, and sexuality, market research has shown publishers that certain themes remain perennial favorites. Do you know the 14 most beloved story archetypes in the genre? How about the Romance genre’s 8 story taboos? Improve your chances of getting your own Romance novel published by structuring a story plot that Romance readers are likely to buy.

Originally published by Bantam Books and Avon Books, Adrienne deWolfe’s five novels have earned nine writing awards, including “The Best Historical Romance of the Year,” and have been finalists for two Rita Awards and two Reviewers Choice Awards (Romantic Times Magazine). She is the author of the three-book e-series, “The Secrets to Getting Your Romance Novel Published.” Her current historical romance project is “An Imperfect Angel,” which she is writing to complete her Naughty and Nice trilogy. Adrienne enjoys mentoring aspiring authors through professional story critiques and online workshops and courses. Learn more at WritingNovelsThatSell.com, or visit her at WildTexasNights.com.

August 11th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “14 Bestselling Story Archetypes?”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing and Book Sale

Spark: What is it and How do You get it?

Rejection letters—they range from the very bad to the very good. Between the form rejections that we take to mean “This stunk, don’t send anything here ever again” and the wonderful detailed “revise and resubmit” letters fall those mysterious missives—the ones that all too often say something like “It just didn’t have the spark I was looking for.” And we are left to wonder just what in heaven’s name is spark.

Gail Dayton has spent a lot of years reading a lot of books, judging a lot of writing contests, writing a fair number of manuscripts of her own, while trying to figure this out. She’s still not sure she knows exactly what “spark” is, but she thinks she knows where to find it, and she’ll be happy to share it with you.

Bring something to write with!

About the speaker:

Rita finalist Gail Dayton writes love stories with happy endings while living her own happy ending with her fella of 30-something years on the Texas Gulf coast. A Rita finalist and two-time Prism award winner, her steampunk books, New Blood and Heart’s Blood, were released in print by Tor Paranormal Romance. She’s recently self-published the contemporary romance Knight in Black Leather and the contemporary fantasy romance Heart of Stone in e-book formats.

July 14th Schedule

8:30 – Open doors – sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 – Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 – Break
10:30 to 12:00 – “Spark: What is it and How do You get it?”
12:00 to 12:30 – Book signing with Joanna Wayne and Heather MacAllister

Happily Ever After: At Home And On The Page

What do all of these authors have in common? A published author who had to reinvent herself after a setback and gain a new agent/publisher, the aspiring agented author still traveling the road to publication, and the author with multiple contracts a year whose husband works as her assistant? They have husbands who provide invaluable support.

Join these three authors and their spouses as they share what they’ve learned (and are still learning!) about this crazy writing biz and how they successfully (most of the time!) balance marriage, family, writing.  Please bring your significant other to soak up any tips at this informative panel!

Authors: Shana Galen, Lark Howard, Sophie Jordan
Spouses: Mathew Axcell, Steve Howard, Jared Kohler
Moderator:  Sarah Andre

June 9th Schedule

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Happily Ever After: At Home And On The Page"
12:00 to 12:30 - Book signing

The Divine Goddess, Myth, and Romance

If the predictions of the feminist movement during the 1970s and 1980s had been right, the romance genre should have died twenty-five years ago. Back then, romance and mystery took turns being in the number one spot for mass market books. Now romance far outsells any other genre, including mystery. Why? As romance writers, we all know why, even though we may have trouble articulating the reasons. This workshop answers that question with a closer look archetypes, the myths that we tap into, and the reemergence of the Divine Goddess that goes hand-in-hand with the boom of the romance genre.

Sharon Mignerey came out of the womb as a story-teller, though that talent, when she was a child, was called lying and stretching the truth beyond recognition. She loves myth and mythology, writing craft, and writing, though she’s recently left herself with too little time to delve into those as much as she wants since she is now teaching Composition at Lone Star College. She received her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University last year, and she’s made Houston her home for the last seven years. Sharon has been published with Kensington, Harlequin Silhouette, and Steeple Hill. She has eleven books and hoping to soon make that twelve.

May 12 Schedule

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "The Divine Goddess, Myth, and Romance"
12:00 to 12:30 - Book signing with Vicky Dreiling, Gerry Bartlett, Kerrelyn Sparks, and Joanna Wayne - singing their lastest titles.

Social Media Immersion

Using social media opportunities to get your name out there, build your brand, and present yourself to advantage.

Alyssa Goodnight self-published her first novel, UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS, a Regency historical romance, through her own press Impress Ink.  It was hailed as “wonderful” (Affaire de Coeur), “irresistible” (Booklist), and “downright charming” (All About Romance). It was awarded The Road to Romance Reviewer’s Choice Award and nominated for Best Regency Historical in the Affaire de Coeur 2006 Reader/Writer Poll.  Her second book, AUSTENTATIOUS, a chick-lit style romantic comedy featuring Jane Austen, was recently published by Kensington Trade.  Alyssa does her writing with an ice-cold can of Dr. Pepper and her reading with cake whenever possible.  And she’s always looking for creative ways to promote her books.

Schedule for April 14th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Social Media Immersions"
12:00 to 12:30 - Book signing with various authors

Practical Social Media and Unmarketing Strategies

Vicky Dreiling spent ten years in corporate marketing and uses that knowledge to guide her social media efforts.The workshop will show the relationships between traditional marketing and unmarketing in relation to social media. This hands-on presentation will demonstrate various social media sites, relate their purposes, and discuss Dos and Don’ts. In addition, Vicky will present market research statistics on business and consumer usage of social media, including usage by generation. She will share how her social media strategy ties it into her brand and how it helps her gain traction with readers, bloggers, and her publisher. By the end of the presentation, authors will understand how social media can be a fun way to connect and build relationships that can aid writers at any stage of their career

Vicky Dreilingis a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” Vicky’s debut historical romance HOW TO MARRY A DUKE made the American Library Association’s Top 10 Romances for 2011 and is nominated for Romantic Times best first historical romance.

HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL
HOW TO MARRY A DUKE
HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE (April 2012)

Schedule for March 10th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Practical Social Media and Unmarketing Strategies"
12:00 to 12:30 - Book signing with various authors

Celebrating the end of our 22nd Emily Contest with a bang!  We have… AGENT APPOINTMENTS and two MUST SEE WORKSHOPS!

(Registration for this event is required and limited to 75 participants.  More Registration Information is with the day’s schedule below.)

Morning: CONTESTS: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly with Sarah Andre and Lark Howard

With all the contests out there, ever wonder if they’re really worth entering? What can you get out of contests? How do you choose the best ones for you? What does it take to final? Why volunteer to judge? Sarah Andre and Lark Howard have entered a whole lot of contests over the years and will share the lessons and war stories of winning, losing and judging the best, the worst and everything in between.

Sarah Andre began writing contemporary romantic suspense novels in 2005 and joined WH in 2006.  She has been a finalist in multiple contests including Lone Star, Fab Five, Sheila, Finally a Bride and  2011 Golden Heart. In 2009 Sarah signed with a NY Literary Agent who is currently shopping her  manuscript “Locked, Loaded and Lying.”

Lark Howard’s love of reading, writing and travel led her to a degree in English, a string of colorful jobs and a well-worn passport. For years she’s written for a living—marketing financial services by day and writing novel length fiction at night. Her current project, a paranormal romance set in Paris, is out on submission which is both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Afternoon: The Marathoner’s Guide to Writing: Staying in it for the Long-Haul without Losing Your Perspective, your Patience, or your Mind with Colleen Thompson and New York Times Best Seller Kerrelyn Sparks

The race to get published can be pure hell, but as someone who’s spent more than twelve years and twenty books in the trenches, COLLEEN THOMPSON will tell you it’s a leisurely Sunday stroll compared to the Herculean effort of staying published–and staying sane and healthy while doing so. Of the scores of romance writers she started out within 1999, very few remain but there are survivors still out there kicking tail and taking names. So what are the distinguishing qualities that enable some to keep working through the ups and downs common to every career? What lessons can those of us who aspire to be marathoners take from their stories? Colleen will share the traits she’s noticed as well as what she’s learned talking to other writers. Come hear an insider’s observations on what it takes to have a long-haul career as a writer.

From the historical novels that began her writing career to the riveting romantic suspense that has become her trademark, Colleen Thompson writes stories that show us that sometimes, love can kill. Her first romantic thriller, Fatal Error was nominated for the RITA for Best Romantic Suspense and won the Texas Gold for Best Mainstream fiction, and awards and honors have been showered on her books ever since. These include a RITA nomination for Triple Exposure, starred review from Publishers Weekly, Top Pick, KISS awards, reviewers’ choice award nomination from Romantic Times Book Club.

A resident of the Houston area and member of WHRWA, Colleen is a sought-after speaker locally and nationally.

Kerrelyn Sparks is the bestselling author of the Love at Stake series, paranormal romantic comedies published by HarperCollins.  When the fourth book in the series, The Undead Next Door, debuted at # 14 on the New York Times list, even the Undead sat up and took notice.  Kerrelyn lives in the Greater Houston area with her husband, children, and a house full of garlic. At this time, there are no vampires in her family. Werewolves are another matter entirely.  For more information, visit her website at www.kerrelynsparks.com.

Agents taking appointments

AGENT APPOINTMENTS will be from 10:15-11:30 and from 1:20 to 3. The appointments will last five minutes. Those desiring a one-on-one agent appointment MUST have a complete manuscript. First priority will be given to PRO and PAN members. You may request which of the agents you wish to meet with, but we make no guarantees.

Laura Bradford established the Bradford Literary Agency in 2001. Her recent sales include books placed with Berkley, Grand Central, Harlequin, Kensington, Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins, Sourcebooks, Hyperion, Flux, Macmillan, Adams Media, Egmont USA, John Wiley and Sons and Mira Books. She continues to actively build her client list and is currently seeking work in the following genres: Romance (historical, romantic suspense, paranormal, category, contemporary, erotic), urban fantasy, women’s fiction, mystery, thrillers and young adult as well as some select non-fiction. She is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) and Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and she is an RWA-recognized agent. Twitter: @bradfordlit

After eight years at Berkley Publishing, Kim Lionetti left her position as Senior Editor to join BookEnds in March 2004. A member of AAR, Kim is currently focused on growing her young adult, women’s fiction, and romance lists and is only accepting submissions in those categories. Most important, she is looking for fresh voices and compelling storytelling. Given her extensive editorial background, she enjoys helping authors shape their work into more marketable products and seeing their writing as part of the “bigger picture.” You can contact Kim directly at klionetti @ bookends-inc.com or follow her at Twitter: @BookEndsKim

Registration Information

Workshop Fee:
2012 Emily Finalists: FREE!
WHRWA Members – $15
other RWA Members – $40
Everyone else – $55

Lunch will be provided.  If you have special dietary needs, you may wish to bring your own

Registration is required, and is limited to 75 participants.

The deadline to register is February 10th, 2012.

>>Registration now open.  Click Here.<<

Location:  Memorial Drive Christian Church (Our usual meeting location)

Schedule for February 11th

9:00 - 9:45: "Agent Introduction and Q&A" with Laura Bradford & Kim Lionetti
9:50 - 10:45: Business Meeting
9:50 - 11:50: Agent pitches
10:50 - 12:00: "CONTESTS: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" with Sarah Andre & Lark Howard
12:00 - 1:00: Lunch
1:00 - 1:30: Emily Awards Presentation
1:30 - 3:00: Agent pitches continued
1:30 - 3:30: "The Marathoner’s Guide to Writing: Staying in it for the Long-Haul without Losing Your Perspective, your Patience, or your Mind" with Colleen Thompson and Kerrelyn Sparks

BLOG: KEY TO SUCCESS plus Informal Q & A: My Ebook Success

Joan Reeves has written SlingWords, her personal blog, since 2005. Along the way, she wrote a “commercial” blog daily and became a ghost blogger for corporate executives, business owners, and bookstores. (Due to Non-Disclosure Agreements that remain in effect, she can’t name names, so don’t ask!) When she began publishing ebooks in March 2011, her sales immediately soared. She credits much of her ebook success to her blog SlingWords. Since she knows a thing or two about blogs, she’s happy to share her knowledge with other writers.

Since Joan loves to talk, she’ll also offer an Informal Q&A about her Ebook Success which she reveals in her soon to be published book, EBOOK SUCCESS: JOAN SELLS & TELLS ALL.

Joan Reeves is a bestselling Kindle author of Romance. In her spare time, she’s a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet who–no, wait, that’s some other writer. Seriously? Okay, if we must be serious. Joan Reeves is a multi-published print and ebook author. She’s published all over the web under her own name, various pseudonyms, and as a ghost, and she’s the writer and publisher of the long-running blog SlingWords.

Joan believes: “Although we are all different on the outside, on the inside, we all share the same human desires and emotions. My job as a writer is to appeal to those human emotions. I sometimes think professional writers do this well because, as F. Scott Fitzgerald pointed out, “A writer isn’t just one person. He (she) is a whole lot of people trying to be one person.”

Schedule for January 14th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "BLOG: KEY TO SUCCESS"
12:00 to 12:30 - Book signing with various authors

Registration is required, and is limited to 100 participants.  Please fill out our registration form located here.

During this special all-day seminar, Hollywood script and story consultant Michael Hauge will present his unique approach to creating compelling fiction and eliciting emotion in your readers through story concept, plot structure, character development and theme. Michael will then reveal his proven method for getting the people in power to read your manuscript or screenplay. Selected participants will also get direct feedback on their story concepts and pitches.

Topics covered will include:

• The primary goal of all story
• The power of desire, need, longing and destiny
• The essential conflict all characters must face
• Turning plot structure from a complicated concept into a simple, powerful tool you can easily apply to every story
• The single key to creating character arc and theme
• Creating unique, believable and fulfilling love stories
• The unique rules of romantic comedy: fantasy, duality, deceit
• Adapting your novel to film
• The single biggest mistake writers make in pitching their work
• The eight steps to a powerful pitch
• Query letters, phone calls, conferences and pitch fests
• Uniting your own passion with the demands of the market

If you want to elevate your fiction writing to the highest possible level, this event is a must.

Schedule:

8:00 Doors Open
8:30 Chapter Business Meeting
9:00-11:45 Hauge speaks
11:45-1:00 Lunch and Author Signings (not Hauge)
1:00-3:00 Hauge speaks
3:00-3:30 Afternoon break and Hauge Signing
3:30-5:30 Hauge speaks
5:30-6:00 Hauge Signing

Registration is required, and is limited to 100 participants.  Please fill out our registration form located here.

Registration Fee:

WHRWA member – $15
Emily Judges (2011 and 2012) – $40
RWA member (Not WHRWA member) – $55
Not a member of RWA or WHRWA – $100

MICHAEL HAUGE is a story consultant, author and lecturer who works with screenwriters, novelists, filmmakers and executives. Michael has presented seminars and lectures to more than 40,000 participants around the world, and has coached writers, producers, stars and directors on projects for Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey, Jr., and Morgan Freeman, as well as for every major studio and network. He is currently on retainer with Will Smith’s company, Overbrook Entertainment, where he was involved in the development of I AM LEGEND, HANCOCK and THE KARATE KID.

Michael is the best selling author of Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read, as well as the brand new 20th Anniversary Edition of Writing Screenplays That Sell.

Three successful young adult/middle grade authors will present a panel discussion of the teen/tween market at the Oct. 8 meeting of West Houston RWA.

Remember high school? The friends, the drama, the parties, the… sex? Fashion and technology change, but teen angst remains the same. On Saturday, October 8, authors Lara Chapman, Dotti Enderle and Mary Lindsey will help you tap into your inner teen. Learn the do’s, don’ts, tips, trends and taboos of writing for the young adult and middle-grade markets.

The Panel

Prior to attending law school at The University of Houston, Mary Lindsey received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Drama from U of H. She has taught drama and playwriting in a large public high school and English in a private school.

Mary lives in Houston with her husband, three kids, two dogs, her daughter’s pet rats, an Australian Bearded Dragon, and dozens of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

Her YA paranormal romance, SHATTERED SOULS (Philomel/Penguin), will be released December 8, 2011. Her second novel, ANNABEL (Philomel/Penguin), is a modern Gothic YA based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Annabel Lee,” and has a tentative release date of Summer 2013.

For more, visit: http://www.marylindsey.com

Lara Chapman, author of FLAWLESS, grew up loving school, especially new school supplies (who doesn’t love the smell of new crayons?). She loved school so much, in fact, she tried to make a career out of it. But after an extended stay in college prompted her father to announce she couldn’t be a professional student, she finally declared a major and graduated with her teaching certificate, reluctantly leaping into the scary waters of adulthood. Since then, she’s been teaching various subjects at the intermediate school level and loving every second of it. Lara lives with her family in Dime Box, Texas (it’s as small as it sounds), where she reads and writes daily. She’s rarely – if ever – found without her laptop and iPhone. For more, visit Lara online at www.larachapman.com.

Award-winning author Dotti Enderle began her writing career in 1995 when she got tired of her husband coming home at night, looking around, and saying, “What the hell did you do all day?”  Inspired by her two daughters, Nancy Drew, and hatred for housework, she has published 39 books for children and tweens. Her work includes middle-grade novels, CROSSWIRE, MAN IN THE MOON, and the FORTUNE TELLERS CLUB series.

Schedule for October 8th

8:30 AM - Door open, sign in, coffee
9:00 AM - Business meeting
10:00 -10:30 AM - Fellowship
10:30-Noon - "Today's YA - Beyond the Angst"

“The Emily” Judge Training

Jo Anne Banker and Kay Hudson team up to present the very helpful judge’s training workshop. It’s got something for everyone, newer writers who are thinking about judging for the first time, but want to feel confident in their ability to handle the overall job, as well as experienced judges who want a reminder of all the different aspects of judging. This workshop is for anyone interested in giving fair, consistent evaluations, or in learning the criteria RWA contest judges use for contest entry placements.

Jo Anne Banker is the 2011 Golden Heart winner in Contemporary Series with her manuscript, Lost and Found. After a successful career as owner of a bookkeeping service, she’s traded her calculator for a laptop, and hopes to touch the lives of others with her stories. She’s been a member of RWA since 1993, studying her craft. She has also served for a combined twelve years on two local chapter Boards, including two years as president of West Houston RWA.

Kay Hudson used to answer to “contest slut,” but now she prefers “Golden Heart Finalist.” Sounds a shade more dignified, doesn’t it? She joined RWA in the mid 90s and has served on the boards of the Houston Bay Area and West Houston Chapters. She’s still entering contests, and tries to return the effort by judging for at least four of her favorites every year. When she’s not working, commuting, or writing paranormal romantic comedy, she blogs at  kayhudson.com.

Main Program: Expecting the Unexpected in the World of Publishing: Surprises to Prepare For

Sandra Worth has degrees in political science and economics which have nothing whatever to do with what she writes about—the Tudors and the Plantagenets. She worked briefly as a research assistant at the University of Toronto before giving it up to follow her husband around the world and raise her family. Writing is her second career. She is the prize-winning author of six historical novels, five of which have each garnered multiple awards, including three Reviewers’ Choice Awards, among them the Romantic Times “Best Historical Biography.” For more information, visit her website at www.sandraworth.com.

Schedule for September 10th

7:30 - Doors open, sign in, coffee
8:00-9:00 - "The Emily Judges Training"
9:00-10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews
10:30-12:00 - "Expecting the Unexpected in the World of Publishing: Surprises to Prepare For"

What We’ve Learned Along the Way

Best selling authors Nina Bangs and Gerry Bartlett met at an RWA chapter meeting almost twenty years ago and have been critiquing together ever since. Nina has hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists with her paranormal romances, and Gerry’s Real Vampires series continues to hit the Barnes and Nobles and Borders top 10 trade paperback list with every release. They will share with us the good, the bad and truly frightening of what they’ve learned in the trenches about the publishing business and writing in general.

Schedule for August 13th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "What We've Learned Along the Way"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors

Fundamentals and Essentials of Writing the Suspense Novel

Rita finalist Linda Castillo may be writing thrillers now, but her roots are in romance, and those roots run deep.  She wrote 23 romantic suspense novels for two publishing houses before breaking out in 2009 with her debut thriller Sworn to Silence.  If you’re writing any type of suspense, whether it’s a straight thriller, an inspirational romantic suspense or something in-between, and you’d like to learn more about his exciting genre, this workshop is a do not miss!

Linda Castillo wrote for 11 years before making that first sale to Silhouette Intimate Moments in 1999.  Since, she’s sold 27 books to three New York publishing houses.

She’s won numerous industry awards.  In 1999, she was a triple Golden Heart Finalist, winning the romantic suspense division with what would later become her first release.  She’s also won such prestigious awards as the Daphne du Maurier, the Holt Medallion, and a nomination for the prestigious Rita.

Her debut thriller, Sworn to Silence, garnered starred reviews from Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist—and spent four weeks on the extended New York Times bestseller list.  The second book in the series, Pray for Silence, also hit the NYT list.

In her spare time, Linda enjoys trail riding, and dabbles in barrel racing. She resides in the Texas Panhandle with her husband, three dogs, a barn cat, and two Appaloosa horses.  She’s currently at work on her next novel, a thriller set in Amish Country and featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti.

Schedule for July 9th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Fundamentals and Essentials of Writing the Suspense Novel"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors

Staying the Course:  Tracking the Plot for Pantsers and Planners.

Award-winning author Julia Justiss will talk about the importance of the major story elements (GMC,) and how she uses a synopsis as a writing outline to stay on track. She will also show the chart system she has developed for keeping track of POV, chapter breaks, and plot and romance developments as she writes.

Once she has explained the idea, the group will brainstorm a story and put together a chart, so everyone can see how it works as they progress through the book.

A former Golden Heart winner, Julia Justiss has published 15 Regency-set historical novels and three novellas for HQN and Harlequin Historical. Her books have won The Golden Quill, a Favorite Category Book of the Year from All About Romance and finaled for awards ranging from Romantic Times’s Best First Book to the Daphne Du Maurier to a Reader’s Choice for Best Historic Novella.  An admitted historical research nerd, Julia balances a day job as a high school French teacher with her first love, creating deeply emotional, character-driven historical romance fiction.

Schedule for June 11th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Staying the Course: Tracking the Plot for Pantsers and Planners"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors

Humor: It’s More Than Just a Joke

Make your readers laugh, and they will love you for it! Join Kerrelyn Sparks as she takes a serious look at humor,  though be warned Kerrelyn can only remain serious for short intervals, each lasting approximately sixty seconds. During those brief flashes of coherency, she will present ten ways to incorporate humor into your writing and explain how humor can be used to help you achieve multiple goals while crafting your story.

Kerrelyn Sparks is the bestselling author of the Love at Stake series, paranormal romantic comedies published by HarperCollins. When the fourth book in the series, The Undead Next Door, debuted at # 14 on the New York Times list, even the Undead sat up and took notice. Her most recent book, Vampire Mine, debuted at # 9 on the NY Times, # 7 on Publishers Weekly, and # 22 on the USA Today bestseller lists. Kerrelyn lives in the Greater Houston area with her husband, children, and a house full of garlic. At this time, there are no vampires in her family. Werewolves are another matter entirely. For more information, please visit her website at www.kerrelynsparks.com.

Schedule for Mary 14th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Humor: It’s More Than Just a Joke"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors

Early Morning: Jumping Off the Cliff: Writing Full Time with Karen Burns

Do you have a day job and write romance novels before you go to work, at lunch, and late into the evening? Have you considered chucking the day job and writing full time? If you have, there are a few things to consider before you give your boss that resignation letter. And, your lack of a steady paycheck isn’t the only consideration.

Karen Burns has worked as an accountant/CPA her entire adult life. She’s traveled to Rio de Janeiro, London and Oslo, audited glass molds for wine bottles in California, taken a helicopter to a drillship off the Gulf Coast—all in the name of accounting. For the last 15 years she’s been controller at the University of St. Thomas. She’s in charge of the financial statements, the annual audit, and preparing IRS Form 990. Quitting her day job isn’t an option, but writing romance novels is her passion.

Main Program: Making Sense of Scenes with Kimberly Frost

Scenes are considered the building blocks of a novel. Join WHRWA author Kimber Frost for a presentation on the important elements found in scenes, how to make them sparkle, and using scenes to create a compelling story.

Kimberly Frost is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the humorous paranormal Southern Witch series. Her new paranormal romantic suspense series launches this year in a multi-author Christmas anthology that will be released in November 2011. You can learn more about Kimber and her books at: http://frostfiction.com/

April Meeting Schedule:

7:30-8:00 Doors Open
8:00-9:00 Jumping Off the Cliff: Writing Full Time with Karen Burns
9:00-10:15 Business meeting/PAL Reviews
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:45 Making Sense of Scenes with Kimberly Frost
11:45-12:30 Signing, Various Authors

Extreme Makeover: How to take your characters from drab to fab

Ever read (or even worse, written) a page-turning romance that still left you feeling unsatisfied?  Ever wondered why some romances have an excellent ‘sigh’ factor, but others have you betting the couple won’t make it past a year?  The key to a satisfying romance is vivid characters.  Many writers—both new and seasoned—struggle to create character-driven books that deliver the powerful romance that readers crave. After all, it’s easy to get caught up in Mary Jane’s struggle to raise the money to save the ranch and Detective Jones’ quest to identify the serial killer. We forget that while the twists and turns of an external plot may keep the reader turning the pages, they might fail to deliver the satisfying emotional punch readers expect.This workshop will show writers how they can use pop psychology to create believable characters. But we go beyond that with a10-step character arc that will show them how to use the conflict in their book to push their characters to learn the oh-so-important lesson.

A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ’s and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn’t be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers’ Weekly claims her writing to be “comical and sexy” while the Chicago Tribune dubs her “wonderfully entertaining.” Robyn is a three-time RT Bookclub Reviewers’ Choice award nominee, and her book Seduce Me won for the 2009 Best Historical Romantic Adventure. The same book also won the inaugural RomCon Reader’s Crown award. In March, Treasure Me, the much anticipated conclusion to her Legend Hunters trilogy hit stores. You can find Robyn on-line at www.RobynDeHart.com or www.JauntyQuills.com.

Schedule for March 12th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "Extreme Makeover"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors

Come and join us with Lori Wilde on February 12th as we celebrate the Emily!

There is a registration fee for this meeting: $10 for WHRWA members, $35 for RWA members (Non-WHRWA members), and $60 for non-RWA members.

The meeting will be at our usual meeting location, Memorial Drive Christian Church, except we will be in the Athens Room.  Look for signs pointing to where we are.

Lunch will be provided.

Registration is open.

Morning session:  Layering Your Scenes For Maximum Impact

You’re a competent writer. You’re close to selling or you might even have sold a book or two. You get nice reviews. But you’re still get more rejections letters than contracts. What’s wrong? What’s missing? Why can’t you snag those contracts, collect sparkling reviews, hit bestseller lists and win lots of contests?

This course seeks to answer those questions. Layering Your Scenes For Maximum Impact will illustrate exactly what’s holding you back and keeping you from being the writer you’re truly meant to be. It’s designed to teach you how to find the hidden excellence in your work. What are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you shot to the next level?

Topics covered include:

1. The importance of identifying your theme
2. The secret to fresh fiction
3. The power of the concrete symbol
4. Motifs and marketing
5. The delight of surprise
6. How to evoke more emotion
7. A character’s true blue worldview

Afternoon session: Plotting from Theme

Theme will enrich a book faster than any other single element. Theme is a tool that drives a story on a deeper level. Think of theme as like the love in a marriage. It’s the core reason your story exists. Implications of theme colors and shapes everything in the story. It permeates character and the plot. Theme speculates on a possible truth. It is not an answer or law, but a supposition, a questioning, an exploration of potential.

This course seeks to teach you how to plot your story from the standpoint of theme first, story events second to produce a cohesive blueprint that will make building the backbone of your book easier.

Topics covered include.

1. The tyranny of theme.
2. Theme defined
3. Characters and Theme
4. Plot and Theme
5. Props, Symbols and Motifs
6. Closed themes versus open themes
7. Make your story sing through theme
   

   

USA Today bestselling author, Lori Wilde has sold fifty-three novels to four major New York Publishing houses. She holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and a certificate in forensics. She volunteers as a sexual assault first responder for Freedom House, a shelter for battered women. She has also served as the RWA National conference workshop chair and PAN retreat chair.

She is an instructor for a company who provides online community education to over 1600 colleges and universities internationally. Lori is a past RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choi

ce Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Lories, The More Than Maggie, the Golden Quill, The Laurel Wreath and The BestBooks of 2006 Book Award.

Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman, All You and Quick and Simple magazines. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.

Schedule for February 12th

8:00-8:30 Registration/social
8:30-9:30 Meeting (note earlier than usual)
9:30-9:45 Break
9:45-11:15 Lori Wilde, "Layering Your Scenes For Maximum Impact"
11:15-12:00 Emily Awards
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Lori Wilde, "Plotting from Theme"

No December Meeting

There will only be the Holiday party on December 11th.  For more information on the party, watch the yahoo loop or email President Karen.

Writing a Series with Donna Grant (January Main Program)

Think its too confusing to write a series? Think you’ll never be able to remember all the little facts needed from one book to the next? Having a cohesive grasp on your series world and characters can make writing the series so much more enjoyable.

Join bestselling author Donna Grant as she explores a variety of techniques that can help you build – and retain – your series.

Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories.  She’s the author of more than twenty novels spanning multiple genres of romance—Scottish Medieval, dark fantasy, time travel, paranormal, and erotic.  Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Sword, features a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and three cats in Texas.

First Impressions with Ane Ryan Walker (January Early Morning)

“You only get one chance to make a first impression.”

With the amount of marketing expected of todays published authors, Ane will list and assist with simple guidelines to help you keep your composure during TV, Radio and in depth interviews no matter what happens. Everything from dressing for success and keeping your foot out of your mouth to handling the microphone and addressing the cameras. This course mantra and most important guideline is

Ane Ryan Walker, a health care professional with a career spanning more than forty years has also been involved in multiple fund raising organizations which called for skills not found at the hospital bedside or in the surgical suite.A former beauty queen, and multimillion dollar fundraiser and “big tickets” sales trainer, she has been involved with national and international organizations which called for speaking skills on camera and impromptu interview skills. During the recent political campaign season Ane assisted several candidates with fund raising expertise and interview/presentation skills, including practice sessions to help them feel comfortable in live TV interviews.

Schedule for January 8th

7:30-8:00 Doors open/visting
8:00-9:00 Ane Ryan Walker with First Impressions
9:00-10:15 Business meeting/PAL reviews
10:15-10:45 Break
10:45-11:45 Donna Grant on "Writing a Series"
11:45-12:15 Book signing

Registration is now closed.

NY Times bestselling author Bob Mayer has 40 books published. He has over three million books in print and is in demand as a team-building, life-change, and leadership speaker and consultant. Bob graduated from West Point and served in the military as a Special Forces A-Team leader and a teacher at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School. His latest book is Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear & Succeed. He teaches novel writing and improving the author via his Warrior-Writer program. He lives on an island off Seattle. For more information see www.bobmayer.org

Saturday, November 13th – Bob Mayer’s One of a Kind Warrior Writer Workshop:

I have created a unique and innovative workshop called Warrior Writer that focuses on educating writers how to be successful authors in all aspects of publishing. I have run this workshop through various writing groups and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The basic concept is for me to present the Warrior Writer Workshop for your group on a Saturday as your normal meeting, or as a special presentation. No limit on participants. Run completely through your group. Then on Sunday, I run a smaller A-Team Writers Workshop.

WHAT IS WARRIOR WRITER?

Warrior Writer is a holistic approach that gives the writer a road map to become a successful author. Warrior Writer integrates the artist’s creativity with the business savvy needed to succeed in publishing. This is the only workshop that covers all aspects of an author’s role from creator of the book to being an integral part of the business end of seeing that book in a reader’s hands. The world of publishing is changing at an incredible rate. New technologies have required authors to adjust to a different mindset. Today’s authors have to not only write the better book, but create a platform for themselves. Social media is also changing the face of marketing. Formal author training does not exist in traditional publishing. Warrior Writer fills this gap by giving authors the tools they need to be successful in today’s new face of publishing.

WHAT WARRIOR WILL ADDRESS:

It is a nine-step plan that will give writers a flow to becoming the most successful author they can be. This includes finding personal blind spots that are hurting the writing and their career. Warrior Writer will help writers develop a plan to enrich their writing, and overcome hurdles.

Integral to the program is how to develop a career path with agents and editors that includes author goals in terms of books, theme, unifying concept, all the way down to organizing one’s day-to-day writing. The ins-and-outs of running a business as a self-employed author, and become an integral part of the publishing world including doing an ‘author’ dissection of a successful author whose career can serve as a template for yours. Of particular focus in creativity are finding true fears, developing courage to conquer them, and uncovering each person’s unique creative tactics & strategies.

November 13th Schedule (8am to 6pm):

8:00-8:30 AM Sign in
8:30-9:00 Quick business meeting/elections.

Schedule Warrior Writer Presentation

9:00-9:50: Introduction to overall Warrior Writer concept.
10:00-10:50: WINS: Setting a strategic writing goal; subordinate tactical goals and aligning them
11:00-11:50: WHY & WHERE: Understanding your goal intents; and your writing environment and interaction in the publishing world.
11:50-1:00: Catered lunch
1:00-1:50: CHARACTER: Understand your character, blind spots, and character traits of successful writers.
2:00-2:50: CHANGE: The three steps of change and the five stages.
3:00-3:50: COURAGE: What do you really fear, how to build courage, build a plan to expand your comfort zone by venturing into your courage zone.
4:00-4:50: COMMUNICATE & COMMAND: Evoke the responses you want with your communication; take charge of your writing career.
5:00-5:50: COMPLETE the Circle of Success and integrate all the Special Forces.

Saturday, November 13^th Registration Fee

WHRWA Members: $10
Other RWA Members: $45
All Others: $60

Registration capped at 75 participants. First come, first served.

Optional Sunday, November 14^th A-Team Writer’s Workshop

To learn more and sign up for this extra, for-fee workshop (not a WHRWA event) please visit – http://www.eventbrite.com/org/205142012?s=1229204

Use code RWA75 to receive a special discount!

WHAT IS THE A-TEAM WRITER’S WORKSHOP?

This workshop is limited to 12 participants to ensure excellent feedback to participants. This workshop will utilize the principles of Warrior Writer and The Novel Writers Toolkit and will be focused on both the participants writing as well as their business model. We will cover aspects of writing such as the original idea, locking down core conflict, query and synopsis writing as well as developing career goals that are in-line with each individual author and uncovering blind spots.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

All participants will receive a copy of The Novel Writers Toolkit, Who Dares Wins, a copy of Who Dares Wins outline, a submission critique of cover letter, one page synopsis and the first ten pages of manuscript. This is over a $100 dollar value in material and work even before the day-long workshop.

Testimonials for WARRIOR WRITER WORKSHOP

Susan Wiggs (#1 NY Times best-seller): “Bob Mayer is a gifted writer and a generous teacher.”

Terry Brooks (#1 NY Times best-seller): “An invaluable resource for beginning & seasoned writers. Don’t miss out.”

Elizabeth George (NY Times best-seller): “Something for every writer. My hat is off to Bob.”

John Tulliius (Director Maui Writers Conference): “Fiction writers everywhere will have the advantage of Bob Mayer’s teaching wisdom.”

Chicken Soup Creator Jack Canfield (#1 NY Times best-seller): “Your Warrior-Writer focus is a great one. I always loved at the Maui Writers Conference how your programs delved deeply into the psychological models you need to develop characters. Now you are using that same knowledge to develop people. As we say in California– way cool! Much love to you my friend, and congratulations on the new book, it looks great!”

The Emperor’s … er, Publisher’s! … New Clothes with Lynn Lorenz and Sharon Mignerey

Join us for an early morning and fun discussion about what you need to know about publishers, the differences between eBook production and printed book production, reasonable expectations, and author-publisher etiquette.  The publishing model is changing, and these two multi-published authors will try to help you make sense of it all.

Lynn Lorenz started writing on a dare in 2006. With the sale of her first ebook The Mercenary’s Tale, a gay medieval romance, she’s never looked back. Now published with three epublishers and adding a fourth, she manages to juggle both traditional romance and gay romance, with a total of nineteen books and novellas. She’ll be adding three more before the end of the year. In her spare time, she sleeps.

Sharon Mignerey Bio: Please see below

The “I hate to write a synopsis” Workshop presented by Sharon Mignerey

Sure some people like to write a synopsis.  For most writers, the task is about as appealing as jumping into a frozen lake during sub-zero weather–even though some people like that, too.

This workshop helps participants identify the elements required to put together a solid romance synopsis.  Workshop participants leave with a workbook that provides concrete reminders of the steps and the techniques.

In addition to discussing different types of synopses and synopsis conventions, the workshop covers techniques for determining what your story is about, tips and techniques to crystallize turning points from other scenes, choosing which subplots to include and leave out, developing a tone that matches the story, and more.

Bio: Sharon Mignerey (www.sharonmignerey.com) has written books for Silhouette Intimate Moments, Zebra, and most recently for Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense (another imprint of Harlequin).  She has recently completed a single title romance that she’s marketing, and she’s working on a suspense series.  Her most recent title is THE GOOD NEIGHBOR (11-08).  She’s had articles published by The Writer magazine, and she’s a regular contributor to The Rocky Mountain Writer with a column entitled Muse Sings.  Sharon is a student of craft, and she is a sought-after speaker who enjoys sharing with other writers.  She’s recently returned to school in pursuit of a master’s degree, and will graduate in January 2011.

Sharon’s books have won several awards including The Golden Heart, the National Readers Choice Award, and the CRW  Keeper Award.

October Meeting Schedule:

7:30-8:00 Doors Open
8:00-9:00 The Emperor’s, er, Publisher’s New Clothes (Everything You Need to Know About Publishers) – Lynn Lorenz and Sharon Mignerey
9:00-10:15 Business meeting/PAL Reviews
10:15-10:30 Break
10:40-11:40 The "I Hate to Write a Synopsis Workshop" – Sharon Mignerey
11:40-12:10 Signing, Various Authors

Notice: Location and Time change!

Program will begin at 9:15am in the Athens Room! We are back in the Fellowship Hall.

The Happy Hookers: Using Hooks and Lines to Avoid Sinkers

Hooking for fun and profit? Join Heather MacAllister & Vicky Dreiling as they show writers how to create hooks that catch editors and readers and reel them in. The first part of the workshop will show how a story’s setting, subject, time, and even you, the author, can be used as a marketing hook. In the second part of the workshop, writers will learn to identify classic story hooks that are both intriguing and familiar to readers, and how to turn a time-honored plot device into a unique, compelling, high- concept premise.

Heather MacAllister used a holiday sales hook with her first book, DECK THE HALLS, a Christmas romance published twenty years ago this December. It worked so well, she used the same hook for several more of the 47 books she’s sold to Harlequin, including this December’s Blaze, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.

Vicky Dreiling got a request from her agent with a one-sentence pitch. She swears she learned the art of brevity when told to cut 192 slides from a PowerPoint deck for a presentation to a VP. In her day job, Vicky is a market research analyst for a Fortune 500 corporation and a  former intern at Ogilvy & Mather. Her debut historical romance HOW TO MARRY A DUKE will hit the shelves on January 1, 2011. HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL is slated for publication in July 2011.

Schedule for September 11th:

9:00-9:15: Welcome, reminder of revised schedule
9:15-10:30: Vicky Dreiling and Heather MacAllister on "Happy Hookers"
10:30-10:45: Break
10:45-12:00: Business meeting, PAL Reviews, Introductions
12:00-12:30 Booksigning with various authors

Speaker TJ Bennett presents: “When Your Princess Isn’t Perfect: Understanding the Dark Side of Your Romantic Heroine.” Using her professional training in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), TJ will share techniques for finding and using the dark side of character that is the primary source of internal conflict between the hero and heroine. Even writers who are acquainted with personality type will learn a different way of examining character and conflict, and will discover techniques for quickly defining what they might have instinctively struggled with for years. This is a follow-on to TJ’s popular presentation last year, “Finding the Dark Side of Your Knight in Shining Armor,” which examined the romantic fiction hero.

If you’ve ever heard the expressions ENTJ, ISTP, ESFJ, etc., you’ll learn how each of these archetypal characters handles stress—and how the same stressors can provoke wildly different reactions in different types. If you have no idea what these letters mean, come and learn more. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your heroine’s “shadow” function, or her emotional responses to the darkest moments of life, and will take away a handout that describes the heroine conflict types most frequently represented in romance—and ways to resolve storylines that stay true to your character’s type.

BIO: While employed with the Department of Defense and later as president of her own Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) consulting and training business, TJ Bennett used the MBTI instrument to help Fortune 500 CEOs and government executives develop successful work teams. Called an “author to watch” by Romantic Times Magazine, TJ is a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist. Her debut novel, The Legacy, a historical romance set in Early Reformation Germany, explored the destructive nature of secrets. Reviewers called the novel an “emotional rollercoaster,” “an overpowering, extraordinary tale,” and a “fast-paced tale that grabs your heart from the beginning and keeps it to the very end.” All About Romance awarded The Legacy “Buried Treasure 2008” status and named it a Desert Isle Keeper, saying it “…features the best relationship between hero and heroine [the reviewer has] read in a long time…”. TJ’s follow-on novel, The Promise, was a May 2009 release and earned a TOP PICK award from Night Owl Romance and 4 stars from Romantic Times Book Club.

TJ’s work reflects her “Dark and Daring Romance” brand. She knows a lot about the black moments of life and uses that knowledge to enhance her writing. She believes that nothing is ever lost, and no painful experience is in vain: it’s all research. Visit her at www.tjbennett.com

Schedule for August 14th:

8:30 - Open doors - sign in/coffee
9:00 to 10:00 - Business meeting, PAL reviews & introductions
10:00 to 10:30 - Break
10:30 to 12:00 – "When Your Princess Isn’t Perfect"
12:00 to 12:30 - Booksigning with various authors