A Long Hot Summer

Well, I'm back after a long hot summer! It is still hot and I'm yearning for a northern crisp cool breeze. Fat chance of that here in Kissimmee. Anyway if any of you logged into the blog this summer expecting great news, I apologize. I haven't been updating the blog since July. My daughter is getting married, I visited my mom and I got distracted.

We had two workshops this summer. Rik Feeney, self-publisher presented at the Osceola One Word at a Time writers meeting in August at the Kissimmee Library. He imparted his experience working with traditional publishers, print on demand publishers and his experience in self-publishing. Rik has published many books about gymnastics giving pointers to parents and students involved in the sport.

This past week Terri Ridgell attended and gave a fantastic workshop on writing strong female characters. Her emphasis was how to keep from making your strong characters unlikeable. They still need to show a vulnerability and likeability (protagonist) so that the audience can identify and care for them. Everyone participated in the excercises and we had a lively interactive discussion. Check out the pictures that Vicki took.

Terri also invited our members to attend the Amelia Island Book Festival, October 5-7. Go to www.bookisland.org to get the information. Some of us are planning on going as a group. If I can go, I'll try to bring back mucho information to share.

I've also emailed our local members about Molli Nickell's workshop GET PUBLISHED NOW. It will be in Oldham, FL on October 13, 9:30AM -5PM. Attendees will complete drafts of query and cover letters and re-worked and compelling first page. Lunch and beverages included $75. For more information contact Molli at molikatee@yahoo.com.

Letters from the Heart project representatives are sponsoring a contest and are asking for letters to daughters, mothers, granddaughters, mothers-in-law, aunts, etc. They ask for letters that evoke emotion , and offer insight and depth. Honest expression of feelings is of hightest priority. Prizes will be awarded. The selected letters will be included in the forthcoming book, Dear Daughter. For more information and entry guidelines go to the letters from the heart site http://www.lettersfromtheheart.com/officialguidelines.htm

It's not too late to register for the Florida Writers Conference, November 9th - 11th, 2007 at Coronado Springs Resort Convention Center. Visit the Florida Writers Association website for details www.floridawriters.net. Or I have the brochures if you want me to give you one. There will be speakers, bookstore, publishers - agents meetings. They are even having a youth conference on Friday the 9th.