March 2017 FWA Blog Post

Moving into the third month of the year brings us closer to spring and the first FWA Focus Day on Saturday, April 29. This mini-conference in Altamonte Springs focuses on Character-Driven Stories with faculty members Arthur Doweyko, Tawdra Kandle and Darlyn Finch Kuhn. More information may be found here.

On the same day in the same Hilton/Orlando hotel, FWA's Executive Vice President delivers his Novel In A Day workshop as a benefit for the Florida Writers Foundation. This popular workshop covers many of the essential elements necessary to write a compelling novel, including plot and structure, characterization, dialogue, beginnings, middles and endings, and much more. The day-long workshop includes individual and group exercises, all of it delivered in a fast-paced, interactive and entertaining a workshop. Here are what two of the past attendees said:

“Vic DiGenti is a great speaker and covered all the material you could want. Group work and matching handout were very helpful.” – Shannon B.

“Vic’s workshop is fantastic! He gives information to help writers break down novel writing into chunks. I loved his use of humor and examples. It was a great day full of valuable information.” 

– Kitty W.

Click here for registration information.

March also brings NE Florida all of these fine FWAA group programs:

• On Tuesday, March 14, the River City Writers begin a series of programs based on The Great Courses series - on Novel Writing. They will watch a lecture from Writing Great Fiction and discuss how the session applies to current works on progress. The group will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the SE Branch Library. Contact group leader Gregg Golson for more information.
• Clay County Writers group leader Maureen Jung reports there is good news for writers looking to upgrade their professional bio. The group meets Wednesday, March 15, 6:15 p.m. at the Orange Park Library for a hands-on session on "How to Polish Your Bio." Maureen says, "Your bio statement acts as your introduction when you’re not around. It helps establish your credibility and build trust. It can express your personality and entice readers to buy your book or read your article." Bring three copies of your current writing bio.
• Writers by the Sea will tickle your funny bone with the Thursday, March 16 program, "The Funny Thing About Writing Humor." Humor writer and educator Michelle Boyette begins by asking, “What is going on in the brain when we laugh?” and posits that knowing something of how and why humor works helps create the humorous piece or the comic story. The group meets at 6:00 p.m. at the Amelia Island Museum of History
• The Ancient City Writers FWA chapter is on the move for the Saturday, March 18 meeting. Due to construction at the Main Library, the group will meet at the SE Branch Library, 6670 US 1, south of St. Augustine. The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and Vic DiGenti pays a visit to present his "Life is Like a River" memoir writing workshop. If you've been thinking of writing a memoir or biography, this workshop session will get you off to a fast start.
• The Ponte Vedra Writers welcome multiple award-winning writer John Hope who will tell us how deep editing short stories can take them from good to great. John, who won five 2016 RPLA's for his stories, will show us how to dissect and view our stories the way readers and publishers view them. The group meets Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ponte Vedra Library.
• FWA affiliate First Coast Christian Writers meet each Thursday at 6:45 p.m at the Oakleaf Christian Fellowship on Lake Grey Blvd.

And in other news:

• Florida Sisters in Crime meets Saturday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m. at SE Branch Library to hear from Dr. Sabine O'Laughlin, Anatomic Pathologist.
• The International Woman's Writing Guild presents Florida Fling 2017 on Saturday, March 25 at the Del Webb clubhouse in Nocatee. Judy Huge and Kelly DuMar will present workshops. Click here for more information. 
• If you're looking for venues to sell your books and willing to travel, then check out FWA's 2nd Annual I (Heart) Books event on May 21 in Boca Raton, FL. This is a multi-genre book signing event limited to the first 50 authors. Here's the link for more information.
• The May 10-11 Florida Library Association Annual Conference will have opportunities for authors to see their books. Information may be found here.

Until next time, keep these words of wisdom in mind:

"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write."

 ~ Stephen King

Cheers,

Vic

FWA Executive Vice President 

FWA Regional Director