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FOOTNOTES
September 17, 2019
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In This Issue:
Third Thursday, Texas Writes, & More
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September Third Thursday:
Learning to Write by Watching TV
Thursday, September 19, 2019
7 p.m.
BookPeople (3rd floor)
603 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
For writers, television usually gets lumped in with social media in the list of wastes of time. But probably every writer you know watches television, in part because we're living in a golden age of programming and because so many shows are based on novels (
Game of Throne
s,
Handmaid's Tale
,
Pretty Little Liars
,
Outlander
,
Big Little Lies
,
Orange Is the New Black
). And, it's always been the case that some writers move back and forth between working on books and scripts. In this panel, we'll talk about the inspiration and mechanics that can be borrowed from TV for use on the page.
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ANNOUNCING A NEW SEASON OF TEXAS WRITES!
It's that time of year again and we're happy to announce the first several events on our 2019/2020 Texas Writes schedule of half-day writing workshops.
Free and open to the public, these presentations take place in rural communities across Texas, so chances are we'll be visiting a library near you in the coming months.
Each event features two accomplished authors talking about a particular aspect of craft, followed by a discussion about the writing life facilitated by a WLT staffer. There's a chance there will be writing exercises (bring paper and pen) and there will be plenty of time for questions.
Save the dates, spread the word to other writers you know, and keep an eye on the
Texas Writes page on our website for updates. Hope to see you soon!
Saturday, September 21, 2019
10:00 a.m.
401 E. Commerce, Brady, TX 76825
Featured authors:
Meg Gardiner and Rachel Starnes
7
200 FM 1283, Lakehills, TX 78063
Featured authors:
Donna M. Johnson and Naomi Shihab Nye
More details
here.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
10:00 a.m.
Carl and Mary Welhausen Library
810 Front Street, Yoakum, TX 77995
Featured authors:
Stacey Swann and Jessica Wilbanks
Featured authors:
Carol Dawson and Charlotte Gullick
More details
here.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Featured authors:
Nan Cuba and Antonio Ruiz-Camacho
More details
here.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
10:00 a.m.
215 E. 4th Street, Burkburnett, TX 76354
Saturday, April 4, 2020
10:00 a.m.
300 Courthouse Square, Big Lake, TX 76932
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Say "Hello" to our new Member Services Manager.
If you attended our 2019 A&E Conference or the Summer Writing Retreat in Kerrville or you've called the office in the last several months or you've joined us for Third Thursday or another free event, you have probably spoken to Samantha Babiak.
Sam's been a member of our WLT team since the summer of 2018, joining us full-time in May of this year after graduating from UT. From day one, she has been a wonderful colleague, a dedicated and hard worker, and someone our community of writers can count on when they need something, whether they're calling in or sending an email.
We're so happy to announce that, starting this month, Sam is making the transition from Administrative Assistant to Member Services Manager. She'll be overseeing our membership benefits and will be in charge of special events and volunteer opportunities for WLT members. It's a well-deserved promotion and we hope you'll join us in congratulating her.
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ONLINE CLASS
On the Hero's Journey: Discovering Plot, Character, and Meaning for Your Novel
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Hero's Journey offers writers a useful skeleton or framework for their plots, but it also suggests ways that characters may be transformed during their adventures, and even posits some of the ultimate meanings characters discover along the way.
In this class, participants will learn
how this pattern might help you write your best novel,
how the pattern can be reshaped to suit your purposes, and
what kinds of stories don't fit the pattern.
Registration closes on Wednesday, September 18, at 5 p.m. Walk-in registrations will be accepted, as space allows.
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IN-PERSON CLASS
Layering: A Structured Approach to Revision
Saturday, September 21, 2019
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
During revision, your manuscript might get worse before it gets better, so how do you revise without getting stuck in the mess and losing your way entirely?
This class will provide a logical sequence of steps to make the revision process more purposeful and productive.
Learn a layering approach to revision - sweeping through your manuscript and addressing one issue at a time. The instructor will discuss a logical sequence of "layers" and experiment with different formats for creating a revision plan that works for you and your manuscript.
Online registration closes Thursday, September 19, at midnight.
Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.
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Crafting an Effective Novel Synopsis
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Writers' League of Texas offices, Austin, TX
In this special evening intensive class, you will learn the necessary components of a novel synopsis in the classroom component, and then work on your own synopsis in the lab component. Students will leave the class with a draft or revision of a synopsis for their writing project.
Prior to the class, each student will send the following to the instructor:
- Two-page synopsis draft for your writing project
- Your author bio.
If you don't have any or all of these things, you can still attend the class, but we do urge you to send in what you can in order to have a richer experience.
Sign up soon (current members only!), as registration will be strictly capped at
10.
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News
Lana Castle (Austin) is happy to announce the release of
Get That Book Published!
Updated & Expanded Edition. In addition to working with a traditional publisher or self-publishing printed books and/or ebooks, this new edition includes sections about self-publishing audiobooks and steering clear of predators who prey on hopeful writers.
September 24: Heather Harper Ellett's (Dallas) debut novel, Ain't Nobody Nobody, comes out from Polis Books. Publisher's Weekly called it "an auspicious review" and Library Journal praised its "witty prose and oddball but deeply relatable characters." The launch will be held the same day at 6pm at Interabang Books in Dallas.
Interested in having your news listed here? Current Writers' League members can submit their news to [email protected]. Announcements should adhere to the following guidelines: third-person, starting with your first and last name, followed by your city of residence, maximum 50 words. We may edit your announcement for style and clarity.
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Open Office Hours
Sign up for a one-on-one meeting with a WLT staffer!
On the second Thursday of every month, the Writers' League is happy to open its doors for an opportunity to schedule a 30 minute meeting with a staff member in person or over the phone. Bring all of your burning questions on the craft and business of writing!
Please note: Open Office Hours for September will be held on Wednesday, September 18.
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Writer Classifieds
Looking for a writing group or critique partner?
Look no further than our Writer Classifieds. Current Writers' League members can submit their name, contact information, and additional details to be included as a listing on a private page on our website.
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Coming Up @ WLT
Classes, Free Programs, Deadlines, and Other Events Across the State
September 18
Online Class
Registration closes Wednesday, September 18, at 5 p.m. CST.
All registrants will have access to the class recording for one week.
In-person or via phone call
September 19
BookPeople, Austin, TX
September 21
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, September 19, at midnight.
Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.
McCulloch County Library, Brady, TX
September 24
Writers' League of Texas offices, Austin, TX
September 28
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Lakehills Area Library, Lakehills, TX
October 5
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Carl and Mary Welhausen Library, Yoakum, TX
October 9
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
October 12
Bandera Public Library, Bandera, TX
October 15
Writers' League of Texas offices, Austin, TX
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This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.
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Writers' League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts - Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to
www.arts.texas.gov
.
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This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities,
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