"We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives ... not looking for flaws but for potential."
~ Ellen Goodman
The internet is awash with suggestions on how to usher in a new year, set new goals, and resolve to make meaningful changes in our lives. And after the last two years, we're all looking for a fresh start and a little more normalcy. Jumping back into the writing life by attending area FWA group meetings is one way to travel a more positive path, and we have a month-full of opportunities for you.
- The River City Writers group returns with a motivational Zoom presentation by author Bob Boze, owner of WritingAllSorts.com. Bob will talk about setting your writing goals for 2022. Hop aboard the Zoom train on Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30p.m. by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77963594927?pwd=QVlwRDU0RU9uTjBlREhqWjAyYjFKUT09 Meeting ID: 779 6359 4927
- Amelia Island Writers rings in the new year with a special luncheon event on Saturday, January 15, 12:30 - 2:30, at Story and Song Bookstore Bistro. Award-winning Florida author, Craig Pittman, will appear with Friction Farm, a highly acclaimed singing duo. Craig will present his "Oh, Florida!" chat about our state's culture, complete with the weird and wonderful. The program is partially funded through Florida Humanities, Florida Talks. Tickets are $25.00. Call 904-601-2118 for reservations.
- In St. Augustine's Main Library, the Ancient City Writers will meet on Saturday, January 15 at 10:00 a.m. to hear from Skye Taylor, the globe-trotting, parachuting grandmother, and novelist. Skye will tell us how to keep ramping up the tension throughout your novel.
- The Ponte Vedra Writers group kicks off the new year with one of our most popular speakers. Brad Kuhn will take the Ponte Vedra Library stage on Saturday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. to present, "Self-Publishing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Brad returns with real-world insights from more than three decades of experience as a writer, publisher, and publicist. He's been down this road a few times and has some good advice to share.
- Contact Clay County Writers Group Leader Melanie Pronia for details of the January meeting.
And in other news:
Remembering Rik Feeney
Florida writers lost a good friend, prolific author, able book doctor and publisher, and popular speaker when Rik Feeney, age 63, passed away unexpectedly last month. Rik touched so many of us with his offbeat humor and helpful manner. Although he lived in Altamonte Springs, Rik frequently made the trip to NE Florida to attend our meetings, and we could always count on him to present a new workshop on almost any aspect of the writing and publishing business. Rik was a Lifetime FWA member, and Group Leader of the Orlando FWA chapter for twelve years, and will be missed.
- In case you missed it, FWA is offering an amazing deal to jumpstart your learning with master classes they call Total Acceleration. For only $69, you receive access to new advanced classes like Formatting with InDesign, Making School Visits Fun and Profitable, and Mastering Memoir: Beyond the Basics. But wait, there's more. Aside from these and other new workshops, you'll have access to the best of former webinars. And all for only $69. Click on the Total Acceleration link for details.
- Maybe you've always wanted to be an FWA board member. Now's your chance. Submit an application at this link.
That's it for now, but we'd be interested in hearing about your New Year's resolutions. Send them to me and I'll include the best in the next blog post. Until then, a word of warning: If you've resolved to take more risks in 2022, keep in mind what Steven Wright said, "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you."
Cheers,
Vic
Vic DiGenti
FWA Regional Director
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