Rhode
Island
Romance Writers
Promoting Excellence
in Popular Fiction
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Rhode
Island |
All meetings are held at the
Cumberland Public Library
Community Room (October meeting only)
Cumberland, RI
Cumberland Library Website
12 p.m. General Meeting
12:30 p.m. Workshop/Speaker
DIRECTIONS:
From Route 95, take Exit #4, which is Route 295 South.
Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Route 114.
Follow Route 114 for 1 mile, until you see the signs for the Cumberland Monastery and Hayden Library on the right.
Turn right onto the property. Bear right at the gatehouse to the parking lot just beyond.
Enter the library through the main doors, then go through the double doors on the left and up the stairs to the second floor. Turn right at the top of the stairs. The Community Room is down the hall on the right. Alternatively, when you enter the library, take the elevator on the right to the second floor. Once off the elevator, head straight through the double doors until you reach the Community Room on the right.
(We would appreciate a $2.00 donation at the door.)
Visitors may attend up to two meetings before being required to join.
Our Next Meeting:
October 3, 2009
Lisa Mondello: Understanding Your Writing Profile
We've all heard of writers who say that they write by the seat of their pants and then have to do extensive rewrites. Or the heavy plotter who does months of research before they get the first word written in chapter one. Maybe you start on page 1 but are unable to move on until Chapter 1 is perfect. But when you get to the end, you're done. And then there is the puzzle writer who sees her entire manuscript like little pieces, writing completely out of order, piecing scenes together at the end and filling in the blanks.
We all start at the starting gate and finish with a complete manuscript. Why should how we write matter? Because even knowing you're a "pantser" or "plotter" etc. can drive you crazy and slow down your writing process if you're using the wrong tools to get you through your manuscript. What works for a pantser may not work for a puzzler and so on.
In this workshop, we'll talk about how to identify which profile or combination you have, and what tools you can use to help you write faster and more efficiently. Handouts will include definitions of different writing profiles and how to identify what you are, graphic organizers (worksheets) for each type with an explanation of how each profile approaches using them to write better, faster. At the end of this workshop the pantser will be able to write without having to do extensive rewriting, the plotter will be able to start page one faster without writing a mini-rough draft before even starting, the linear writer will be able to let go of perfecting chapter one quicker so she can actually finish the book, and the puzzle writer can piece her manuscript together without pulling all her hair out!
Speaker's Bio:
Lisa Mondello published her first novel in 1998 and continued on, selling 4 books in her Texas Hearts series to Avalon Books. Her 10th published novel, an Inspiration Suspense called Yuletide Protector, will be published December 2009 by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. For 3 years, she's worked in elementary education working in grades one and two writing classes and discovered that even at that early age, she can identify who's a pantser, a puzzler, plotter or a linear writer.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
November 7, 2009 - Annual Mini-Conference: Paths to Publication
SERIES PUBLISHING with Barbara Wallace
Almost one quarter of the romance novels published each year are series romances demonstrating that, while not as glamorous as its mainstream counterparts, series romance is still the main game in romance town. Yet at times it also seems like the hardest market to break into. What are the pro and cons of targeting series romance? What do writers need to know to publish with series publishers? What are some common mistakes writers make, and how do you know if series romance writing is the right place for you?
Barbara Wallace submitted her first manuscript shortly before the birth of her son in 1994. What followed was an up and down journey through the world of publishing. In 2000, her first novel, Chandler's Law was published by Neighborhood Press. Her second novel, Harry's Return, followed shortly after. And shortly after that, the publisher folded. Finding herself back at square one, she decided to concentrate on traditional publishing roots. In 2005 she was a Golden Heart finalist in the Best Traditional category - the last year that category was offered - but lost to now Harlequin Presents author Jennie Lucas. In 2007, she was a finalist again, and this time won the award for best short contemporary manuscript. She is now an author with the Harlequin Romance line, having received the Call two days before her son's fifteenth birthday. Her debut novel, Secretary Bride, will be out in 2010.
SMALL PRESS PUBLISHING with LeeAnn Lessard
LeeAnn Lessard is a publicist and an author. She'll talk about the small press writer's market as well as how to market your book once it is published.
ELECTRONIC PRESS PUBLISHING with Ashlyn Chase
The epublishing industry can provide a new author with valuable training for dealing with publishers, editors, reviewers and fans. It can even become a valid and lucrative career. At any rate, if you're realistic about what you'll get out of it, it can be a step in the right direction. But is it for you? This workshop presents facts and dispels myths so you can consider all the advantages and disadvantages in light of your own career hopes, dreams and practical limitations. For some it's a foot in the door. Others are sold on it as an alternative career path and are delighted to be writing for epublishers. Many authors previously published by large, New York publishing houses are also epublishing. But this is a whole different ball game and the better prepared you are, the better decision you'll make--for you.
Ashlyn Chase has degrees in nursing and behavioral sciences. Nice to know, but not important to her career as an epublished author. She has epublished numerous novels and short stories. She has learned her way around the epublishing world since her first book was published in 2004. A few of her ebooks are now in print and soon she'll be going the other way. Her latest contract is with a print publisher just now testing the electronic market and making their paperbacks available as ebooks. She thinks her experience has made her more realistic and savvy than she would have been without it, despite needing an agent to interpret her new 15 page contract.
SELF PUBLISHING with Jeanne Paglio
Jeanne Paglio has been writing for 9 years and while she teaches art workshops throughout New England and the United States, Jeanne also writes romantic suspense novels. When she had difficulty finding a publisher, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Never being one to hold back, her motto of onward and upward has worked to her benefit. By self-publishing her first novel, Jeanne learned how bumpy the path to publication can really be. Marketing her work and setting up her own publicity, Jeanne quickly realized how much is involved with being an author besides the writing end of things. She will share her knowledge with you about her journey over the Paths to Publication.
Download the registration form (in Microsoft Word format) and sign up today.
December 5, 2009 - Roundtable Discussion: Tools of the Trade
January 9, 2010
February 6, 2010
March 6, 2010
April 10, 2010
May 1, 2010
June 5, 2010
Previous Meetings:
September 12, 2009
Dr. Tim Warren: Lessons from Everest
Dr. Warren gives his no-holds-barred humanistic account of his failed ascent on the icy slopes of Mt. Everest followed by redemption and success in 2008 as he became the first from his state and profession to climb the treacherous terrain of the world's highest peak. He sees his struggles to achieve the summit of Mt. Everest as one analogous to life itself: a journey of unfolding awareness and purpose. Dr. Warren uses mountains-as-metaphor to help you successfully love and learn the way to your own personal 'Everest'.
Speaker's Bio:
Dr. Warren has a BA in Psychology from Rhode Island College and a DC from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He started his Chiropractic business in Warwick, RI in 1987. While getting started in practice he became active in training and racing triathlons while doing the occasional backpacking trip. The climbing bug was getting stronger and winter ascents up Mt. Washington, 6,288', led to Mt. Ranier in Washington 14,411'; Mt. Kilimanjoro, Tanzania, Africa 19,340'; Denali, Alaska 17,300' and 20,320'; Grand Teton, Wyoming, 12,000' and 13,770'; Yosemite, California (multiple routes on rock); Acancagua, Argentina 22,840'; followed by Mt. Everest, 24,500' and 29,035' (5/24/08 5:11am to be exact). Dr. Warren chronicled his adventures in his upcoming book, Lessons from Everest: Seven Powerful Steps To the Top of Your World. Visit www.drtimwarren.com for more information.
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