Join us Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Rd. Pleasanton, as Kevin Gunn, guest speaker, presents a Poetry Workshop for the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch. Kevin Gunn is the current Poet Laureate of Livermore. He curates the Ravenswood Poetry Series. He works with elementary school students […]
April 16, 2016: Poetry Workshop with Livermore Poet Laureate Read More »
Someone asked me if I had grandchildren. Without thinking, I said, “Oh, no, thank goodness.” I got some funny looks on that one, but it’s very true that I am not grandma material. That got me thinking about the characters in my stories. Do I know whether they are grandparent material? Would they get down
Is Your Character Grandma Material? by Lani Longshore Read More »
We recently lost another terrific writer, Pat Conroy. The author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, just to name two novels in his remarkable collection, delved into the complicated subjects of family and social relationships, connecting individuals to a larger historical narrative. He wrote, “The most powerful words in the English language
Tell Me A Story by Constance Hanstedt Read More »
Juhi Kunde’s gift book for mothers, Expressions of Milk, is available at Towne Center Books in Pleasanton and Rakestraw Books in Danville. Just in time for Mother’s Day! Glen Robins’s second book, Off Course, was published on March 4, 2016, and is available on Amazon. Camille DeFer Thompson’s short story, “Just
Join us Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, as Kevin Smokler, the guest speaker for the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch, presents “Criticism: Meet Confidence!” The writer’s life comes with triumph and disappointment. You can always count on the disappointment. What writers do with, and learn
March 19, 2016: Criticism: Meet Confidence! Read More »
I once lived where the vernal equinox meant more than spring break was around the corner. Flowers bloomed for the first time in months, trees burst into leaf, snow melted. No one complained too much about a loss in productivity because everyone had spring fever. Then I moved to California. It isn’t that we don’t
This Time of Year by Lani Longshore Read More »
In February I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference. I met other writers, presenters, editors, and agents. Everyone gave us their best advice and did it with kindness. This conference would not exist without the many volunteers who gave their time before, during, and after the conference. Their smiles and friendly attitude added to the
San Francisco Writers Conference 2016 by Neva Hodges Read More »
Look for Patricia Boyle’s byline in articles publicizing Livermore-Amador Symphony concerts in the Arts and Entertainment sections of the Livermore Independent and the Pleasanton Weekly. After writing anonymously for two seasons, both publications began including her byline last season. Stacey Gustafson’s story “For Your Eyes Only” and Camille DeFer Thompson’s story “Prank’d in Produce” are included
Join us February 20, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, as Joel Friedlander presents “How to Create Book Covers that Work” as the guest speaker for the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch. Book cover design, at its best, is an amazing commercial art. The best book designers continue to
February 20, 2016: Creating Book Covers That Work Read More »
There’s an old saying in the writing business: “Kill your darlings.” Some famous writer said it. I thought it was a charming insight into the importance of revising, rewriting and revising again, and cutting. Cuts are required, of course. Sacrifices must be made in the interest of the literary masterpiece flying across the screen on
Don’t Kill Your Darlings – Put Them in Foster Care by Dan Hobbs Read More »
