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OCTOBER 2020 VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2
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Message from the President:
Forty signed on for our first Zoom meeting of the 2020-2021 program year. That's two screens of faces to scroll through in gallery view. "A good time was had by all," as my Mama would have said. What a treat to see, hear you and chat with you, to celebrate good publishing news with you and listen as Phillip Lewis talked about allusion and answered your questions.
If you missed that first meeting, check out the September 15th Meeting Recap page.Then mark yourself busy on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm so you can join in the fun.
Stay Healthy and Keep Writing!
Caroline
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Critique Groups Information Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: via Zoom
It's that most wonderful time of year again! Yes, pumpkin spice, but more importantly...Critique Groups!
Our general meeting on Tuesday, October 20, will focus on forming critique groups. Jennifer Hurlburt, our critique groups coordinator, can help steer you in the right direction. These groups span every genre and writing level and, unlike a pumpkin spice latte, they're free! Careful and honest readers have been invaluable to writers through the ages, while also providing friendly accountability and a sense of community to the solitary pursuit of writing.
We encourage you to attend the October meeting and have discussions with others who wish to join critique groups. We will soon send out invites for the meeting for you to RSVP and tell us what you seek in a critique group and your genre(s) of interest. If you write across genres or are unsure of where you want to focus, our mixed genre group might be for you.
Our October general meeting will be via Zoom from the comfort of your home. We will have designated breakout "Zoom Rooms" for individuals interested in the same genre(s) for you to discuss among yourselves what you seek and who might be a good match for you so share your work.
Prior to opening the breakout rooms, we'll have a special announcement and invite members to share their publishing good news.
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OCTOBER is...
6-Mad Hatter Day
11-Myth and Legends Day
16-Dictionary Day
National Book Month
National Arts and Humanities Month
Cookbook Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Quote from Spanish poet, editor and critic Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958)
"If they give you ruled paper, write the other way."
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Trivia Questions
1. Who was the first Chinese author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature? 2. What famous literary character offers this sage advice?"Neither a borrower nor a lender be." 3. How did Joanne Rowlings of Harry Potter fame get her pen name? See answers under the Curl Up With a Good Book section
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CWC Virtual Writing Salon & Social Time
On Monday, October 5, from 7 to 8:30 pm, Tiffany Grantham reprises her Virtual Writing Salon & Social Time. She'll have some face time and then there will be prompts-- instrumental music for your mind to riff on, and phrases or scenarios to play with on the page. Volunteers will be invited to read out loud.
No pressure, no angst, just you and your creativity. If you give yourself permission to shake the dust off the day, you might find something that really jazzes you. All genres are welcome. Sign up here to let Tiffany know you'll be there. If you are a member, the Zoom link is in the event announcement and the reminder emails. Be our guest, contact us though the CWC website
and we'll send you a link.
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Meet-a-Member-Teresa G.S.Taylor
Twenty-two years ago I moved to Charlotte with my husband and daughter after his retirement from the USAF, but I'm originally from Paterson, New Jersey.
I attended NC A&T University and the University of West Florida majoring in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I worked for the Department of Defense as a teacher, an assistant director of the Eglin AFB Child Development Center and then as the Director and Train the Trainer for the Family Child Care program across the Air Force child development program. I retired from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in June, last serving as the Family Advocate for Idlewild Elementary School. I love writing as it is like therapy for me; it gives me a sense of peace and the ability to say what I'm thinking in a safe environment. I am a playwright with my latest community production titled, Who's Talking? I write for all ages.
When and where do I write the best?
I don't have a specific time to write, just whenever the notion hits me, which oftentimes is in the middle of my sleep. I keep a journal which I usually write in in the morning during my quiet time, but when I'm ready to work on a script or other writing projects I'm in my home office at the computer with the music playing.
I really like to write with pen and a notebook, but in recent years I use the computer most often, but I always print even though it's saved and copied on a jump drive; I'm not very trusting of technology; I learned the hard way.
Favorite advice about writing?
Be true to yourself; write what's in your heart and you'll never go wrong.
A favorite writing resource (book, website, etc.)
Best writing advice you've received and actually taken?
Trust yourself and write what's in your heart; let your imagination be your friend. Don't overthink your writing, and don't be so critical of yourself.
One thing I would like help with?
Reaching young people who are interested in writing in any genre to give them opportunities to hone their writing skills and share their work.
Would You like to fill out a profile for Meet-A-Member? Contact us here for the questions.
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This Fall Our Workshops are in Cyberspace!
Save Your Seat for:
The Poet Witnesses: Writing Documentary Poetry
There is still time to register for this workshop
on Saturday, October 24, 10 am to noon. Jaki Shelton Green the current North Carolina Poet Laureate will facilitate this the discussion; The Poet Witnesses: Writing Documentary Poetry.
Shelton Green comes to us via Zoom and will focus on the idea of the poet as historian and researcher and expand on the definition of documentary poetry.
Learn more about Jaki Shelton Green ONLINE
Jaki Shelton Green
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CWC Leadership Team for 2020-2021
President:
Caroline Kane Kenna
Vice President of Nomination: Anshu Gupta
Vice President of Membership: Axel Dahlberg
Secretary: Tiffany Grantham
Treasurer: John McGillicuddy
Immediate Past President: Debra S. Wallin
Programming Chairs: Angela Haigler & David Collins
Contest Chairs:Mack Staton & Darrell Horwitz
Membership Chair: Axel Dahlberg
Membership Co-Chair: Blair Peery
Critique Groups Coordinator: Jennifer Hurlburt
Newsletter Editor:Teresa Taylor
Webmaster & Tech Guru (software support): Debra Wallin
Open Mic Night Coordinators: Hope Smyth & Debra Wallin
Workshop Coordinator: Anshu Gupta
CWC-North Liaison: Sandra Phillips
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Polish Your Shorts and Submit!
LAST CALL for Entries
open through October 20, 2020, for your best 500-word short fiction. Winning voices will be announced and celebrated during the December general meeting.
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Celebrate your new book and when prose and poetry projects you've labored over are published and/or win contests!
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for 2021
- In January, take a deep dive into scene writing. Novelist Sarah Creech, author of The Whole Way Home and Season of the Dragonflies, is your instructor for this four-session seminar via Zoom.
- In February, CWC North hosts a Zoom session with playwriting presentation featuring Boston playwright and Novelist Elizabeth Searle.
Stay Tuned for More
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November 10-14 -- Writingest State Online Conference. Registration is Open Sign up Here
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New Library programs are being added regularly. Please click on CML Calendar
to check out these on-going virtual events.
Poetry in Pajamas
Wednesdays from noon to 1 pm,
Join in from wherever you are, for Poetry in Pajamas (or other comfortable attire). We will work on new poems and listen to others in the comfort of a virtual space. Contact Rob Smith and register with an email address and the meeting link will be sent on the day of the program.
Write Like You Mean It!
Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 am,
Please join from the comfort of your space to write and share our work. Register and a link will be sent on Thursday.
Writers Conversation Hour
Friday, from 7 to 8 pm
Hang out virtually with other writers to talk about resources, submission opportunities, and what you have been reading or writing. Contact Pam Turner and the meeting link will be sent on the day of the event.
Verse & Vino is Online
Thursday November 5.
Learn more here about this cyber-version of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation's annual fundraiser.
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More Opportunities
A Quiet Place
Randell Jones has set up a "Coming into Contact" page, "a quiet place" to share your writing during our social distancing. Think of it as an "open mic" where visitors can find a short personal story or reflection. He hopes you will contribute.
The Writers' Workshop of Asheville, Check out the contest guidelines and a list of the online classes offered at TWWOA
North Carolina Poetry Society: sign up for the monthly eMuse.
Listen to a podcast episode or three, CWC is please to be a sponsor of Season 7 of Charlotte Readers Podcast. Don't miss the Special Episode featuring our 2019 Poetry and Elizabeth Simpson Smith Short Story Contest winners.
 The Black Caucus of the American Library Association in partnership with Biblioboard is taking submissions for the best self-published eBooks by an African American author in the United States in the genre aspects of the Black Diaspora. Each genre prize winner shall receive:
- $500 award
- Formal recognition at the Black Caucus of ALA Literary Awards
- BCALA Literary Award Seal to use in marketing.
The deadline is February 28, 2021
If you have other suggestions please share them at
Contact Us on the website and we'll review them and post in the Newsletter and Facebook page if appropriate.
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Rowan Public Library Virtual Author Talk: John G. Hartness
Saturday, October 3rd @ 4 pm
Charlotte Horror/Fantasy author, and founder and publisher of Falstaff Books, John G. Hartness, talks vampires, monsters, and bringing the thrills and chills to Carolina readers, and answers your questions about writing and publishing! Register to participate in this free Zoom meeting by going to October Author Talk
For details and help to register contact Abby Hardison
at abigail.hardison@rowancountync.gov
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Rowan County Library-East
Wednesday, October 14th @ 4:00 p.m. Adult Virtual Writers' Club
Thursday, October 15th @ 4:00 p.m. Virtual Youth and Teen (11-17 yo) Writer' Club
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Rowan Public Library Virtual Author Talk: Blake Crouch
Thursday, November 19th @ 7:00 p.m. New York Times bestseller and NC native Blake Crouch will participate in a Q&A about writing, the speculative genre and what it's like to have Hollywood adapt your work. Free workshop; register at November Author Talk for the fun Zoom event.
For details and help to register contact Abby Hardison
at abigail.hardison@rowancountync.gov
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Member Partners
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A Footnote:
And speaking of celebrating our members, take a look at the new member/partner block above. Currently there are two members featured, but there's room for more.
The executive board welcomes the opportunity to partner with members and with other organizations that have compatible missions. If you fall into that category and would like to see your "business card" in the newsletter block and your information on the Member Resources page, let's exchange links and logos.
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DON'T FORGET!
OPEN MIC NIGHT via Zoom, October 16th 6:30 - 9 pm
 You must be a member and sign up ahead of time to read. If you just want to drop in, listen and cheer on your fellow writers, the Zoom link is in the announcement that was sent to members from the Wild Apricot email.
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Looking to curl up with a good book?
Try October's featured novels
A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen
My Dark Vanessa (teen book) by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Star Daughter by Octavia E. Butler
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October Trivia Answers
1. Gao Xingjian, author of Soul Mountain and the Other Shore
2. Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 3
3. Her first initial and her grandmother's name Kathleen
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Please "LIKE" our Facebook page to encourage discussion among fellow writers and keep up with the club offerings.
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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 individuals 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
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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