Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

WOTS October Meeting

The atmosphere at our October 1st meeting was similar to a family reunion. Everyone was so glad to see each other after the long weeks after hurricane Ike. All of us were amazed that our families survived without television and the internet, passing the hours by playing games and (gasp!) talking to each other.
We welcomed our guest, Debbie Browne. Debbie had been looking for a group in the area and contacted one person, who lead her to another, who lead her to another…until she found WOTS.
Our silly hat contest was held right before lunch, and it was so much fun! The brave entrants were: Linda Kozar, in her red shriner’s hat, Cathy Messecar, with her white-wired hat, and Martha Rogers, who was decked out in a stars and stripes straw election hat. Cathy won first place and was awarded the prize we all coveted, earrings designed and fashioned by Dannelle Woody.
Janice Thompson, multi-talented editor, freelance writer AND ACFW’s 2008 mentor of the year (way to go, Janice!) shared on the subject of ghostwriting…the phantom pen. The candles on the table flickered as Janice, standing under a spider webbed chandelier, talked about the ups and downs of ghostwriting. For those who don’t know, a ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, stories or other things which are credited to another person. It’s a behind the scenes work. Ghost writing can be a viable way for a writer to make a living, i.e. pay those Texas size light bills. Janice stated that while some writer’s may not like doing this kind of work, as a professional writer she finds the work fulfilling. Janice went on to explain that she is a huge believer in making other people’s dreams come true and that ghost writing is a way she can help someone achieve that dream.

Monday, October 20, 2008

New Speaker for November! Gayle Wigglesworth


There's been a change in speakers for Wednesday, November 5th at Pappadeaux, I-45 The Woodlands. . .We're pleased to announce that Gayle Wigglesworth will teach a workshop on Mystery Writing, "How I Became a Mystery Writer." She's a multi-published author who lives in Kingwood.

I was scheduled to speak, but have decided to have a book launch lunch at a Chinese Restaurant instead. (Details Soon!)

Gayle's set of travel mysteries, titled Claire Gulliver Mysteries (Koenisha Publications) are:

Tea is for Terror
Washington Weirdos
Intrigue in Italics
Cruisin' for a Bruisin'
Malice in Mexico


A booksigning will follow.



Here's a recent review of Tea is for Terror: http://charsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-tea-is-for-terror.html

Gayle Wigglesworth
Much of life is a mystery...
Author of the Claire Gulliver Mysteries
www.gaylewigglesworth.com

Monday, October 13, 2008

Whodunit and How



Mysteries abound in everyday life! There are missing socks that will never be found. Abominable snowmen and Sasquatches waiting to be discovered. A Chuppacabra, a Nessie.
And what ever happened to Amelia Earhart? Why was there only one bathroom in the Brady Bunch house? I mean, there were 8 people--with Alice--9 and only one bathroom? C'mon.
I'm not sure, but I think there's someone coming into my house and just randomly creating messes all over the place--leaving things on the counter, pulling the covers off the beds so they look unmade, dropping crumbs all over the floor, leaving wrappers and half-full glasses everywhere. It's insidious. Someday, I'm gonna nab this person. At first I thought it might possible be my husband and children making these messes, but they emphatically deny it. So I can only jump to the plausible conclusion that an intruder is responsible.
Well anyway--my point is I hope you'll come and see me speak and SIGN my very first cozy mystery novel: Misfortune Cookies on Wednesday, November 5th at Pappadeaux. We're going to solve a mystery together. Are you a natural born sleuth? Do you have what it takes? Find out next month.
AND YES, THERE ARE FUN DOORPRIZES--TWO THIS TIME--AND IF YOU BRING A GUEST YOUR NAME GOES INTO THE HAT FOR A PRIZE AS WELL!

Monday, October 6, 2008

On September 11, 2008, two days before Hurricane Ike barreled across Texas, WOTS members held a flash fiction contest. For those of you who don’t know anything about flash fiction, it is a complete story including character, conflict and climax, consisting of 99 to 1,000 words. Our flash fiction contest had a limit of 99 words with two topics which were titled "dreams" or "duds." We were told to read our stories with emotion, using dramatization. There was much laughter as we took our turns standing in front of our fellow authors, trying to be dramatic. Each story read was wonderful and when it came time to vote it was hard to choose. The three winners of the flash fiction fricassee were Alta Goodnight, Cathy Messecar and Annette O’Hare. "Dud," Alta Goodnight’s story about some friends whispering together in a movie theater came in third place. Alta’s surprise ending made us all laugh. Cathy Messecar's story "Flopsie," about a woman who 'accidently' leaves a ring in her suitor’s car, won second place. Our first place winner was Annette O’Hare with her story titled, "Spellbound." Annette had us rolling in our seats with her dramatization of the evil women in the strange voodoo princess dream. (You had to be there). Annette has my vote for this year’s best actress academy award; her story and acting were superb.

Category 5 Winners Announced at:

Category 5 Winners Announced at:
the Meet The Christian Authors Event!

Contest Deadline Extended!

Our Category Five Contest deadline has been extended to August 31st, 2011. If you missed the previous (July 31st) deadline, here's your chance to send your entry(s)!

Contest Details--UPDATE

Hi friends,

Janice Thompson here. I'm sending an updated version of an earlier email about our Writers on the Storm Category Five Fiction Writing Contest. We've added more information. We would like to ask three things of our WOTS members and/or Houston area writing friends:

1). If you are unpublished (on not traditionally published) please consider entering the contest.
2). Please help us spread the word to other writers by placing this information on your facebook page, blog, etc.
3). Please pray for our organization as we move forward with this, our first-ever writing contest.

Thanks so much for your support. Now, here's the updated information about the contest (per Linda Kozar):

Dear Writers,

Details for entry to the Writers On The Storm "CATEGORY FIVE" Writing Contest are below. The contest is open to unpublished and non-traditionally published FICTION authors, both members and non-members of the Writers on the Storm group. NOTE: If you have previously been "traditionally" published, you are not eligible. However, if you paid to publish your book(s), you are eligible and encouraged to participate.

Judges are all published authors and/or industry pros, though not members of our chapter. Entering a writing contest is a great way to get feedback or accolades, and we hope you will enter this one with great enthusiasm! The WOTS Chapter Board invite you to BLOW THE JUDGES AWAY with your fiction writing brilliance!

Our Cat Five Writing Contest OPENED on JUNE 1st and CLOSES on Friday, JULY 29th. Judges will receive entries for review on August 1st, 2011. Winners will be announced at our MEET THE CHRISTIAN AUTHOR event on September 17th, 2011 and winners will be notified by phone.
Our Five Categories (novels and/or short stories)
1. Romance (Historical and Contemporary)
2. Women's Fiction
3. General Fiction
4. Mystery/Suspense
5. Young Adult/Children's
Contest Fees:
Members-$20 per entry (Two or more entries $15/per entry)
NonMembers-$25 per entry (Two or more entries $20/per entry).

Make checks out to: Writers on the Storm

PRIZES:
The overall grand prize (for the highest scoring entry) is the FICTION WRITING MASTER COURSE from www.freelancewritingcourses.com, a $249 value. The grand prize winner will also receive a plaque, a press release he/she can share with others and a news splash on our website. The category winners will each receive a free edit of the first chapter of their book from a multi-published author, along with a certificate. Their names will be listed on our website, as well. We will also post the list to facebook, twitter, the ACFW loop, etc.

Instructions:
Send the first 15 pages of your novel or short story. If you have a prologue, you may send the prologue and part of chapter one or just 15 pages of chapter one if chapter one exceeds 15 pages. The total pages of your entries may not exceed 15).

Entries must be double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point on white paper.
Entries should reflect a Christian world-view.
Entries with inappropriate content (i.e. profanity, pornography, extreme violence) will not be considered.
Entries will not be returned to contestants via the U.S. Post Office unless a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) is enclosed with each entry submitted.
Judges are all published authors and/or industry pros, though not members of the Writers On The Storm chapter.
Send your entries via SNAIL MAIL to:
Linda Kozar
7 South Chandler Creek
The Woodlands, Texas 77381
Questions? Contact Linda Kozar at zarcom1@aol.com

Category Five Contest Entry Form

Registration Form Name:_____________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________City_______State____ZIP_____ Email address:_______________________________________________________ Member of WOTS: Yes….. No….. Category Entered: 1. Historical/Contemporary Romance ______ 2. Women’s Fiction ______ 3. General Fiction ______ 4. Suspense/Mystery ______ 5. Young Adult/Children ______ Amount Enclosed: __________ Check:___ Money Order:______ Make Checks out to: Writers On The Storm Checklist: Correct Manuscript Form ___ SASE Envelope ____ Registration Form ____ Check or money order ____ Mail entries to: Linda Kozar 7 South Chandler Creek The Woodlands, Texas 77381 Contact: If you have questions. Linda Kozar: zarcom1@aol.com Martha Rogers: marthalrogers@sbcglobal.net Janice Thompson: booksbyjanice@aol.com

SATURDAY, May 7th from 9:30-11:00 followed by a booksigning 11-12:30

The Multiple-Author Booksigning will feature Patrick Scott, Martha Rogers and Linda Kozar!

Patrick Scott currently serves as the Founder / Design Architect for Creative Solutions, LLP.com. Patrick Scott is the creator and author of the Archangels: The Saga™ comic book series. First published in 1995 - 2010; the series has sold over 1.2 Million copies.

Patrick Scott pioneered the Christian comic book market in 1995 and is a 12 time published author, a trading card game creator (Timestream: The Remnant™) and has developed and published 15 inspirational posters. Under his leadership, Cahaba Productions, Inc. received the International Christian Retail Show’s highest honor by receiving an “IMPACT AWARD” in 2003.

Patrick Scott has over 17 years of graphic design, venture capital fundraising and business experience within mainstream and the International Christian Retail Marketplace. Over those years Patrick Scott has developed a professional working relationship with Lovell-Fairchild, Dynamic Marketing, Focus on the Family, Propeller Consulting, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Dickson’s Inc., Cactus Game Design, Universal Designs, Lifeway Christian Stores and many more.

Writers On The Storm presents...

Writers On The Storm presents...
Category Five Writing Contest

Patrick Scott--May 7th Speaker

Patrick Scott--May 7th Speaker
Christian Comic Book Author

Popular Posts