Past Meetings

15th Annual HSWC Awards Ceremony, May 16, 2026

Past Meetings /

Join Tri-Valley Writers on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the La Quinta Inn Dublin as we celebrate the winners of the 15th annual “My Story, My Vision” high school writing contest. High school students in Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon submitted works in fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. As writers know, and as TVW Member Patricia Boyle once said, “It takes great courage for students to submit writing to strangers to evaluate and comment on it. I’m proud of the students who entered the contest and took the risk of sharing their work.” So come support local high school students’ successes as the winners receive their awards and read their submissions.
This event is free and open to the public. While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: Treasurer by Thursday, May 14, 2026. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

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Poetry-Writing Process to Polished Poems, April 18, 2026

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Join Tri-Valley Writers on April 18, 2026 for National Poetry Month as several TVW members will discuss various aspects of writing poetry. Ashley Kim, Pamela Pan, and Ilana Tal will discuss the process of writing poetry and read some of their own work, showcasing the variety of poetry TVW poets write. There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun. While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: Treasurer by Thursday, April 16, 2026

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Member Panel, March 21, 2026

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The March 21, 2026 meeting will be designed for members, and the community, to get to know several of TVW’s members in depth. The three members for this panel will be: Rose Owens—fiction & storytelling, Haihong Liao—creative nonfiction & historical memoir, and Art Tenbrink—poetry. Each writer will discuss aspects of their writing, motivations, and things they have learned during their writing journey.
There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun.
While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: Treasurer by Thursday, March 19, 2026

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Writing, Sharing, & Networking: Feb. 21, 2026

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Join us for a writing session from prompts, meet-and-greet, and informal discussion of all things writing. There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun.

While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at Treasurer by Thursday, Feb. 19.

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Winterfest: “The Craft of Writing” Round Robin Workshop, January 17, 2026

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January Winterfest: “The Craft of Writing” Round Robin Workshop

Are your characters flat and stale? Do they carry your story by being unique, or do they drag it down because they are stereotypes? Or are you unsure how to write effective dialogue that says what needs to be said, yet also gives the reader more information about your characters? Have you added enough tension and/or suspense to keep your readers turning the pages? Never fear, it’s Round Robin Workshop time.

Tri-Valley Writers members will lead four distinct topic presentations, which are designed to impart tips of the writing trade. Each attendee will receive a handout packet with valuable information to take home with them. Workshop topics include: “Crafting Well-rounded Characters” (B. Lynn Goodwin-Brown), “Writing Dialogue for Impact” (Bruce Overby), and “Creating Tension and Suspense to Keep Readers Reading” (Ann Parker).

While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: Treasurer by Thursday, January 15, 2026.

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Writing Trivia Game, Dec. 20, 2025

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See below for Reservation details*

The December meeting will be held on Zoom and with feature a Writing Trivia Game for TVW members ONLY. Attendees have a chance to win prizes in a Trivia Game about well-known authors and their written or spoken words. Come prepared to test your knowledge of writers of all genres (including song writers) from the 19th century to present day. There will also be time for socializing. So brew up your favorite holiday beverage and be ready for some laughter and fun.

Join us on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. RSVP by Friday, December 19, 2025. An Email RSVP is REQUIRED at President (Without your email, we can’t send the Zoom invitation to you).

*Zoom Meeting link will ONLY be sent to those who have RSVP’d by the RSVP date.*

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Member Panel, Nov. 15, 2025

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The November 15, 2025 meeting will be designed for members, and the community, to get to know several of TVW’s members in depth. The three members for this first panel will be: John Bluck—fiction, Daniela Fritter—memoir, and Connie Hanstedt—poetry. Each writer will discuss aspects of their writing, motivations, and things they have learned during their writing journey.
There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun.

While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: treasurer@trivalleywriters.org by Thursday, November 13, 2025.

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Critique Groups & Best Practices, Oct. 18, 2025

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The October 18, 2025 meeting will focus on critique groups. Lani Longshore will discuss the importance of joining a critique group, TVW’s best practices, and the challenges and benefits of making the critique process work. And members who would like to join a critique group will be able to network and start the process of setting up their own critique group.

There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun.

While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: treasurer@trivalleywriters.org by Thursday, October 16, 2025.

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Goal Setting, Obstacles, & Overcoming those Obstacles

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The September 20, 2025 meeting will focus on goal setting, various types of obstacles, and ways to overcomes those pesky obstacles. The discussion will include setting reasonable goals, including specific steps (with deadlines) for achieving those goals, and brainstorming fixes when life just gets in the way. Each monthly meeting going forward, TVW will ask attendees to share their goal successes and encourage those who are struggling.

There will also be time for socializing and getting to know your fellow TVW members. So, bring your favorite writing implement and snack/beverage and have some fun.

Please note that our location has changed. We are now meeting at:
LaQuinta Inn—Dublin
6275 Dublin Blvd.
Dublin, CA 94568

While there is no fee for the meeting, we would like to know how many people to expect, so please register at: treasurer@trivalleywriters.org by Thursday, September 18, 2025.

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July & August 2025

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Tri-Valley Writers takes a brief summer hiatus during the months of July and August. The Board of Directors will be busy planning for the 2025-2026 term. Critique groups, Pull Up a Chair and Write, and the Zoom Sit Down and Write will continue during the summer, so please forge on with your writing.

We look forward to seeing you soon. Write On!

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