0 THE WRITERS ACADEMY—A PLACE OF WORK AND KNOWLEDGE FOR AUTHORS AND WRITERS AT ANY LEVEL, WITH ANY DREAM, IN ANY GENRE!

For the second year in a row I traveled to Canyon, Texas and West Texas A&M University for the Writer’s Academy. The Academy is unlike a conference because participants choose an author with plenty of experience and name recognition to lead a specific group throughout the week.

It is a week of work beginning with informative lessons for every student at 8 am. Then, at 8:30 everyone takes off to their chosen class. Other classes occur in the afternoon. The groups choose what time to break and what time to return. Our group took a brief lunch and returned to class following the afternoon information class. We left each evening with homework.

Now, for more specific information. I chose to attend the workshop led by Alexandra Sokoloff, best selling New York Times author of thrillers and horror. Alex worked for many years in Hollywood as a screenwriter before turning to writing novels. She led our group in using the 3 Act 8 Sequence format for mapping out/outlining a novel. By the time the week was done each of us had our current work in progress mapped out and ready to write. We had eleven in our class. The experience level was unpublished to multi-published. The genres represented were Christian Romance, Science Fiction, Mainstream Mystery, Fantasy, Police Procedural Thriller, Women’s Fiction, and Paranormal/Time Travel Romance. At the end of the week Alex told us that each of us had potential bestsellers in our hands. Can you imagine how those words energized this tired group?

Alex has two workbooks using the 3 Act 8 Sequence format for writers available at Amazon for $2.99 each. I recommend each of them.

WWW.SCREENWRITINGTRICKSFORAUTHORS.COM

WWW.WRITINGLOVE.COM

ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF

 

 

 

OUR GROUP Consisted of (from L to R): MORGAN HYSINGER, WINONA CROSS, MATT SHERLEY, LINDA TROUT, ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF, JOLENE NAVARRO, STORM NAVARRO, DEANN ALFORD, SHERI WAIDE, MARILYN TUCKER, AND SHERRILL NILSON.

 

The Writer’s Academy is the dream and brain child of bestselling romance author, Jodi Thomas and musician/actor/author Tim Lewis. The popularity of this event is becoming well known and is popular.

 

Other class leaders this year were Margie Lawson teaching Creating Characters. Margie is a writing coach and author. She offers in depth courses in Deep Editing and Creating Characters as well as Immersion classes for small groups. She’s a small package of energy and knowledge. Find out more about Margie at www.margielawson.com

 

Margie and Me

 

 

Tim Lewis led the early morning Secrets of Publication. He has had a successful career but his dream will hit bookshelves in September. His novel, based on the true story of his great uncle, is being buzzed as the book that will hit as a bestseller and is being optioned for foreign rights and movie rights. The title is FOREVER FRIDAY. I guarantee this is a book everyone will want. You can reach Tim at www.timothylewisonline.com

Jennifer Archer led a group seeking knowledge about writing and the business. She has several novels out and is a very popular author in west Texas. She can be reached at www.jenniferarcher.com

Mike Bellah worked with a group wanting to write and publish memoirs. He is published in that genre and is a journalist. Find out more at www.mikebellah.com

Linda Castillo was the keynote speaker at our banquet. She is inspiring and gives hope to others with every word. Amazing woman. Reach her at www.lindacastillo.com

Friday morning began with a question and answer panel featuring Alexandra Sokoloff, Margie Lawson, Jennifer Archer, Jodi Thomas, and Mike Bellah. Very interesting stuff. 

 

It isn’t all work at the Academy. There is movie night, the Panhandle Museum on campus, dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in the world, living in a dorm, spontaneous discussions in the lobby of the dorm, and making friends in the writing world. 

 

 

 

 

I believe any writer can find value at the Academy. I plan to go each year unless family obligations prevent it. It takes place in June each year. Save your money! I ask for the tuition as a Christmas gift each year. The tuition is approximately $500, the dorm is $25 an night ($125), there isn’t much time to go out and spend other money except for food but the dorm suites have kitchens. The Academy provides breakfast. Most of us gathered for lunch in the student union and snacked at night. Our group did go out twice. Canyon is the home of the Palo Duro Canyon which is the second largest canyon in the Unites States. It is breathtaking. This part of the country is where I was raised so it felt like going home to me. Find out more at

www.wtamu.com/continuingeducation




















































 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Detail: THE WRITERS ACADEMY—A PLACE OF WORK AND KNOWLEDGE FOR AUTHORS AND WRITERS AT ANY LEVEL, WITH ANY DREAM, IN ANY GENRE!

0 A Trip of a Lifetime

My brother gifted me with a trip to visit him in Idaho in October. Seeing that part of the country has always been a dream of mine because the westward expansion is one of my favorite times in history. The novel of my heart, "Rebecca's Journey," takes place in 1845 on the Oregon Trail.

The first day we visited Bonneville Point (see photo above). It was here that several emigrants stopped on a rocky and dry outcropping that overlooked a valley that must have reminded them of the Garden of Eden. It surely took my breath away. I could see homes. Roads curved around the area and looked like ribbons from my vantage point. A stream wound through the valley, its banks studded with trees. A herd of horses grazed. Everything looked like toys from on high. What must the emigrants have thought when they saw this valley knowing they had to continue working their way around and through hills and mountains? Did any of them stop and settle here? I think so. At this point the travelers were about two thirds complete with their harrowing journey.

And, day two . . . I visited THE Oregon Trail in Baker City. I can't begin to tell you how that made me feel. Tearful. Rapid heart rate. Giddy. The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is jam-packed with information and exhibits. It is realistic. I saw and touched many tools, wagons, clothing specimens, photos, and diaries. The emigrants packed their entire lives into a wagon bed measuring 10 feet by 4 feet. They set out in faith. They walked, and they walked, and they walked. . . I stood in real wagon ruts remaining from the treks west (see photos above).

Actually visited Register Rock (see photo above). The signatures scratched on with knives and rocks reflect names and dates.The signatures make the emigrants seem brave for lack of a better word. Several large signature rocks mark the Oregon Trail. The most famous is Independence Rock, named because the emigrants had to reach this place on the trail by July 4th in order to avoid the winter storms and snows in the mountains.

To me the entire area was beautiful. Mountains on four sides. Valleys. Horses everywhere. History everywhere. I can tell you this--seeing the terrain and the hazards gave me a new appreciation of the difficulties the emigrants faced. I must change several scenes. I must add and delete much. I've heard of authors visiting the sites of their novels and how much it helps with the writing process. I know why it is so special and so important.

The nearly two week trip took me to other parts of Idaho. It took me to Oregon. It took me to Wyoming and Yellowstone. It took me to South Dakota and Mount Rushmore. Even now, my words bring back my memory pictures of the trip. Like I said, a gift. I'm a writer and this trip left me speechless more often than not.

Detail: A Trip of a Lifetime

0 An eye-opening challenge

Try this, Friends--

At a workshop the facilitator had the participants write free style for three minutes. She gave us one word to use. The word was motorcycle. Those of us who read our thoughts aloud differed so much it was amazing. I wrote of being a nurse and working in an ER when a motorcycle accident comes through the double doors. Another wrote of the freedom one feels on a motorcycle. Another wrote of a youthful memory and first love. Another wrote of the heartbreak of losing a loved one.

The exercise was about finding our personal voice in our writing.

I challenge each of you to sit down with a pencil and notebook. Write for three minutes using the word PROM. If you wish post your words. Let me hear at least about your voice.

Detail: An eye-opening challenge

0 Simple Appreciation

Appreciation. Such a simple word. Such a meaningful word. I've been thinking of that a lot lately. What, who, and why do I appreciate. Once my brain cells started on this journey I was bombarded with more samples of things I appreciate than I can comprehend. This knowledge has placed a new emphasis on my life. Some of the people I appreciate . . .

My husband, Frank, for 39 years of marriage through many ups and downs. My sons, Erick and Bill, for loving this Mama. All three for understanding when I was in nursing school and when I was able to work. I think sometimes I tended to put my career ahead of them. For that, I am sorry. My two daughters-in-law, Sierra and Sarah, for accepting this looney mother-in-law and for loving me. And, my two beautiful granddaughters, Rosalyn and Bailey. Now, I know what it means to have love come full circle.

My parents, now deceased, for loving, understanding, and supporting. My brother for the same. My extended family and the friends who have impacted my life over nearly 60 years.

I appreciate these people. I also hold a great deal of appreciation and admiration for the members of this crazy group of people called authors I am associated with--writers across the world. Writers at so many levels of success it's difficult to fathom. Mostly, I appreciate those who have known me since I first began writing. Writers Village University, Bayou Writers Group, and other on-line groups. Some I have the pleasure of knowing in person. Most I do not know personally. But, I know them. And, they know me. Writers are a most supportive group. They do not tend to eat their young as many other professions do.

Nowadays, I appreciate critiques. In the beginning, however, I took great offense and cried buckets of tears. They helped me. Thanks, Pamela Thibodeaux and Judith Leger. These ladies are now multi-published authors. I'm minimally published but work diligently at having more publishing credits.

I appreciate it when my dear muse visits me with new ideas. I just wish she would sleep at night.

I appreciate the Wild Okie Writers for allowing me to be a part of a series project. I'm not sure but I think I'm the only member of the group is not multi-published. What a great opportunity to learn.

Blogs. Such a new phenomenon. I have made many friends via blogs. I have learned much from blogs. Thank you, Christi Corbett, for sharing your love of the Oregon Trail.

Online workshops. I love them. Sometimes I tend to overload myself with them. I tend to go through reams of paper and many ink cartridges when I'm in the midst of a workshop. Thank you to all presenters and facilitators.

Conferences are the blood of opportunity for writers. The Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, LA holds a spectacular one day conference in November each year. I was privileged to attend and help with the first one. The Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI) offers a sensational two and a half day conference each year in May. This conference is attended by publishers, agents, and editors from all over the nation. The workshops are informative and full of life. Membership in writing groups and fellowship with other writers is what keeps most of us going. Writing is a solitary life. Often, when we're working it seems to others that we are daydreaming or just doodling.

All writers find inspiration in something. The "thing" that gives me the greatest inspiration is the beauty of creation. Life returning in spring, the heat of summer, the colors of fall, and the bleakness of winter.

Readers, think on the things and people in your life. What do you appreciate most? Why do you appreciate those things? When does the feeling of appreciation strike? Where does appreciation affect you most? How do you respond?

Detail: Simple Appreciation