JANUARY 2018,  VOLUME 24, ISSUE 5
GENERAL MEETING: January 16, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Providence United Methodist Church, room 104
2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211

EDITORIAL
HAVE A FEARLESS NEW YEAR!
One of the things that make writing so difficult is fear. A line that may seem inspirational when you first put it to paper might look ridiculous when you sober up. Don't let this stop you. There are far worse things in this world than your attempts at creativity.

Everyone is afraid of something. Me, I've always been afraid of being buried in sand up to my neck with the tide coming in, so I try to avoid situations that might produce such a result. This is only common sense. The point is, we shouldn't let fear of failure overcome our efforts. My high school English teacher once said a story I had written was "Meaningless, on so many levels." Did I let that stop me? Well, yes, but now I've moved on.              DDC

PROGRAM FOR JANUARY 16
 MEMBERS READINGS
At our annual showcase reading of Charlotte Writers' Club members, a few writers will have an opportunity to regale us with their literary talent, reading from their best work. This is always an exciting time when CWC members young and old get to "strut their stuff" before their colleagues. Find out what your fellow Charlotte writers are creating and show your support. 

KUDOS: Paula Pederson Palmer

PAULA PEDERSON PALMER

 

 A Memoir
MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father is a memoir by  local author Paula Pederson Palmer released in 2017. This historical memoir dispels the author's fear that she was a bastard child, but reveals her birth as the result of a scandalous liaison between terminally ill, recently widowed Hans Pederson and his nurse 42 years younger. Author Paula Pederson's mother was that young, Ukrainian nurse from Canada who inherited Pederson's estate when he died the year after they wed. Paula was one month old. The outraged family sued. Her journey begins in Seattle, Washington traveling to Singapore, Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, Maine and North Carolina. After decades of believing her mother's tale that Danish immigrant Hans Pederson left them penniless, Paula uncovers the truth about her father's wealth and incredible contributions to Seattle. As a leading contractor in the American Northwest, his far-reaching vision left a distinctive imprint defining the personality of what has become the 18th largest city in the United States.

FUTURE NEWS ALERT
WORKSHOPS AND CONTESTS

This is the 2nd year that we are attempting to give our workshops, vis-a-vis the contests, a more rational arrangement. To wit: there will be a Poetry Workshop, led by John Amen, on February 10th, from 10 a.m. 'til noon. And there will be a Poetry Contest opening on January 16th, and closing on March 20th ,with winners announced at the May 15th meeting. John Amen will be our speaker for the May meeting.

Similarly, a Short Story Workshop, led by our February speaker, Bryn Chancellor, will be offered on April 7th, 10 a.m.'til 12:30, and the Elizabeth Simpson Smith Short Story Contest opens on March 20th and closes May 15th with winners announced at our September 18th meeting.

 

It is hoped that this arrangement will result in the workshops having greater relevance, offering an immediate challenge.

Both workshops will be held in room 104, Providence United Methodist Church. The cost for each will be $30 for members, $40 for non-members. For further details, please see our Workshop page on our website.
 



Annual Workshop
January 24, 2018 - February 28, 2018
Annual Workshop: Recalling Memories for Your Family or P ublic
 
Location
Christ Episcopal Church
1412 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28207
 
Author and editor Margaret Bigger is offering her annual six-week course: Recalling Memories for Your Family or the Public. This opportunity is sponsored by the CWC and is designed for anyone considering writing a memoir or non-fiction book.

Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. from January 21-February 25. Classes will meet at Christ Episcopal Church.

The cost for CWC members is $60 and for non-members the cost is $72.
Textbook: $14. (Optional)

To register, write a check to the Charlotte Writers' Club and mail it to:
Margaret Bigger
901 Silver Bell Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211

If you have questions, call Margaret Bigger at
704-364-1788.

Charlotte Center for Literary Arts, Inc.-"Charlotte Lit"-is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts center dedicated to elevating and celebrating the literary arts in our community.
Our focus is on promoting the Literary Arts-through classes, a weekly newsletter, a curated literary events calendar, book discussions, readings, hosting visiting authors, conferences, special events, and community collaborations of all kinds.
Charlotte Lit was formed in August 2015 by writers Kathie Collins and Paul Reali (who jointly serve as the organization's executive director) and began offering programming in February 2016.
 
For more information, check out our Charlotte Lit website.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Charlotte Writers' Club entitles you to participate in workshops, critique groups, contests, and guest speaker programs. The cost is a modest $35 per year for singles, $ 50 for couples, and $20 for students. 
We welcome writers in all genres and forms to join our Charlotte-area literary community. Your membership in the Charlotte Writers' Club helps support writers, readers, and literacy at a critical time in our nation's and our city's history. Join here.
To Join or Renew click this  Membership Link and follow the instructions. 

Charlotte Writers' Club 
P.O. Box 220954
Charlotte, NC 28222


In This Issue
General Meeting Location
Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Rd.

Click here for a map of the location.
Quick Links
  


  

Please "LIKE" our Facebook page to encourage discussion among fellow writers and keep up with the club offerings.
CONTEST NOTICES
CWC Nonfiction Contest  (article/essay)
Extended to January 2nd at Midnight.
 
Winners announced at our general meeting on Feb. 20.

INSPIRATION STATION
You don't write because you want to say something.
You write because you have something to say.
F. Scott Fitzgerald

Do not use semicolons. All they do is show you've been to college.
Kurt Vonnegut.

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
Jack London

Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.
W.H. Auden

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.
 T.S. Eliot

 The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
  Chinese Proverb

I'm a poet. I know it. I hope I don't blow it.
Bob Dylan