Board of Directors
Shawn Langwell, President
Judy Baker, Vice President
Marilyn Lanier, Vice President
Jeane Slone, Vice President
Malena Eljumaily, Treasurer
Crissi Langwell, Secretary
Roger Lubeck, Immediate Past President
Joelle Burnette, Website Editor
Tina Deason, Contests
Tommie Whitener, Vault Master, Policies & Procedures
Adele Layton, Member at Large
Chairs and Editors
Les Bernstein, Poetry Anthology Editor
Skye Blaine, Newsletter Poetry Editor
Fran Claggett-Holland, Poetry Anthology Editor
Robin Gabbert, Writers Salon
Pamela Heck, Volunteer Coordinator, 2022 Sonoma County Writers Conference
Marie Judson, Critique Groups
Jeanne Jusaitis, Author Support
Marilyn Lanier, Speaker Chair
Crissi Langwell, Newsletter Editor, Social Media, and 2020 & 2021 Prose Anthology Editor
Shawn Langwell, 2021 Prose Anthology Editor
Roger Lubeck, Membership Chair
Linda L. Reid, Writers Circle & Poetry Anthology Liaison
Jeane Slone, Author Launch
Deborah Taylor-French, Author Support
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GENERAL MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
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Every third Saturday, Redwood Writers general meeting will be held 1-2:30 p.m.at:
Finley Center
2060 W. College Ave
Santa Rosa.
Masks are required by all, regardless of vaccination status per CDC rules.
If you are unable to attend or still feel uncomfortable attending in person, we will be streaming the meeting via Zoom.
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A NOTE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
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Dear Redwood Members,
Lub-Dub. Lub-Dub. Lub-Dub.
From The Tell Tale Heart, to Psycho and Jaws, to The Titanic, Gone with The Wind and Dirty Dancing audiences love stories that make our hearts beat a little faster. Ones which build tension, suspense, mystery, intrigue and which move us emotionally. Stories that cause us to grip the arm of our seat or our neighbor’s arm. Like the scene in Jaws where the great white edges closer to a small dinghy. We hear the Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum thump of background music. The massive shark thrashes its tail, the Ba-Dum, Ba-Dum picks up then—center screen—we see its razor-sharp teeth chomp down on the small dinghy as it were going to bite our own heads off. And we love it!
Other stories tease us for three hours as the romance builds then rip our hearts out, causing us to weep uncontrollably like the final scene of Titanic when Rose tosses the Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace into the ocean. And, once again, we love it.
Some of the greatest books and movies of all time are such because the writers, actors, and directors have mastered the art of grabbing us by the heart. They understand the power of emotional appeal and know how to milk it as a means to hook audiences and readers.
Last month those who registered were treated to a phenomenal presentation by Jordan Rosenfeld entitled, "How to Evoke Emotion In Every Scene." She taught us excellent examples of how to increase the depth and weight of our writing by building an emotional connection between characters, setting, and readers. If you missed it, you missed out. In my opinion, it was one of the best and most practical presentations we have had.
As we enter the “love” month of February and St. Valentine’s Day, let us remember to listen to the lub-dub of our own heart and do our best to write in ways that better connect to our readers. And to support each other.
To that end, on February 19, we will celebrate over a 16 authors with our annual Author Launch.
It is free for all members and guests. Invite your friends and those who may want to write a book someday, or those who have a book and now want to know how to get to published.
These authors, some first time, have fulfilled their ambition of publishing a book. What better way to believe it’s possible than to come celebrate their success?
See you on the 19th.
Until then,
Just. Keep. Writing.
Shawn Langwell
Redwood Writers President
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Our next board meeting is on Tuesday, February 8, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Board meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted, and are open to any member in good standing. If you would like to attend a board meeting, contact: president@redwoodwriters.org to receive an invitation.
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An easy way to support Redwood Writers...
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
- President's Message
- Upcoming Events
- February General Meeting
- Homegrown Poetry
- Submit to the 2022 Poetry Anthology
- Writing Exercise
- Redwood Writers Salon
- Author Support Group
- Member News & Events
- New Members
- Editor's Note
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendars for this month's upcoming events! Keep reading the newsletter for more details about each event.
Feb. 8: Board Meeting
Feb. 19: Author Support Group
Feb. 19: Author Launch
Feb. 26: Salon
Feb. 28: Submission deadline for poetry anthology
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NOTE: If you are reading this newsletter through your email, it may be clipped at the end. If you don't reach the editor's note, be sure to click "view entire message" at the bottom of this newsletter.
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2022 Author Launch
Celebrate the success of 16 Bay Area authors at the annual Redwood Writers Author Launch event. Listen to excerpts from new books published by our members since last January, and meet local authors online on Zoom. This event will be moderated by Jeane Slone.
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Saturday, February 19
1 p.m.
Online only via Zoom
Free to attend!
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Masks are required by all, regardless of vaccination status to attend this meeting, per CDC.
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February's General Meeting Agenda
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- Zoom meeting room opens at 12:45 p.m. for open conversation
- Meeting starts at 1 p.m.
- Author Launch, moderated by Jeane Slone
- Chair announcements
- Member announcements
- Adjourn at 2:30 p.m. (may be slightly later)
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HOMEGROWN POETRY IS NOW ACCEPTING YOUR POEM SUBMISSIONS!
Please submit poems to: poetrynewseditor@redwoodwriters.org. Submission guidelines: single-spaced, Times or Times New Roman, 12 point font, no all caps, please. Poems are reviewed by a team of poets. We will acknowledge receipt of your work, and let you know if your poem is going to be included, or if we are requesting minor edits prior to inclusion.
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Snow Angel
by Joan Goodreau
With tuque and scarf wrapped round
so only nose and eyes show
my daughter tramps through snow
the way she did thirty years ago
to flap her arms and legs in
arcs of powder crystals.
A bright imprint blinds me
where I see my tiny daughter
splayed on white blankness
emptiness that makes me cry
“Watch out you don’t know what’s coming.”
Then cover these words
with my mitts because
I see her grown and safe
hear an echo of laughter
the future has happened
finished over
with the
snow angel
guarding still.
____
Joan Goodreau's recent works are Where to Now?, Strangers Together: How My Son’s Autism Changed My Life, and Another Secret Shared. Joan is a Pushcart nominee and an alumnus of the Hedgebrook Writing Residency Program. Her work has appeared in numerous reviews and anthologies in North America.
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SUBMIT TO THE 2022 POETRY ANTHOLOGY
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Dear poets,
We are happy to announce Crossroads, the 2022 Redwood Writers' Poetry Anthology. The cover is a painting by Christine MacDonald. Please write whatever inspires you. Most of all, enjoy the process. With sincere appreciation and anticipation.
Thank you, Les and Fran
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Submission guidelines:
- This is a blind submission. Please leave your name off your poem(s)
- Open only to Redwood Writers members
- Submit up to 5 poems, all in one document, plus a 50-word bio
- Every poem must have a title
- Braided poems (a poem written by two authors) will be accepted
- All poems must be original and unpublished
- Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt font, left-justified in a Word Doc or PDF
- Deadline Feb. 28, 9 p.m.
See all guidelines and how to submit by clicking the button below:
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Fran Claggett-Holland – After a career of high school and university teaching, Fran traveled widely as an educational consultant, writing books for teachers and students along the way. After moving to Sonoma County, she taught memoir and poetry for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SSU. She recently published her fourth book of poems. Fran has edited or co-edited five prior poetry anthologies for Redwood Writers.
Les Bernstein’s poetry has been published in journals, presses and anthologies in the U.S. and internationally. Her chapbooks, Borderland, Naked Little Creatures and Amid the Din, are published by Finishing Line Press. She won the 2014 Nazim Hikmet award and was a 2015 Pushcart Prize nominee. Her new book, Loose Magic, is available on Finishing Line Press. Les has served as editor for four prior Redwood Writers anthologies.
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Each month, the Redwood Writer will feature an exercise to help inspire your writing. This can be an exercise you do on your own, or you can send your 300-word (or less) piece to editor@redwoodwriters.org for possible publication in the newsletter.
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WRITING EMOTIONS
At our January meeting, Jordan Rosenfeld explained ways to add emotions for a character or scene. Find her website at jordanrosenfeld.net.
Here are a four exercises that focus on writing emotions.
1. Nicknames. Give a character a nickname and then describe the primary behaviors and emotions that will drive that character. For example, for a fantasy character named Wolf Boy - he reacts to scent - smells and tastes - the smell of blood drives him into a lust or killing rage. The sound of a howling wind drives him to long for the security of the pack.
2. Favorite song becomes an Earworm. Give a character a favorite song that adds to the character or scene and then give him/her an Earworm from that song (i.e., a song or lyric heard/sung constantly in his/her head). Describe the emotions associate with that song and the emotions caused by not being able to stop singing (hearing) the song.
3. First Kiss. Remember your first (passionate) kiss? Who was the person and what was the situation or scene? Describe the emotions or feelings you had before, during, and after the moments of the kiss.
4. Uncommon emotions. Identify 3-5 uncommon emotional/behavioral adjectives, for example words like alysm, angsty, chrysalism, jouska, rubatosis. Define the term. Identify common behaviors and feelings that are descriptive of that emotion or condition. Now describe a situation that causes that state. Angsty = showing, or expressing anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity. “Joel wiped the hot sweat from his forehead. He felt angsty around small hairless dogs.”
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FEBRUARY REDWOOD WRITERS’ SALON
MONTH of VALENTINES ~ ROMANCE is our THEME
MEETING SATURDAY, February 26th, FROM 1:30 - 3 p.m. VIA ZOOM
(or in person IF Omicron situation and County Rules Permit by then)
We are inviting RW members to attend and read from their works in progress or published pieces; first 12 to register read, 5-minute limit per reader. Read to us your stories and poems about your own experience with love and romance or whatever you’d like to share. We also welcome all listeners.
Salon is a good place to practice your reading skills, try out the sound of a new piece, or just enjoy the company and talents of your fellow writers. Come join us!
If we’re live, we’ll again have a potluck at Robin’s house. Directions or the Zoom link will be sent in the week before the Saturday meeting.
Email Salon host Robin Gabbert: robinpoetry@gmail.com to let her know you’d like to attend or respond on the RW website.
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AUTHOR SUPPORT GROUP
Feb. 19, noon - 1 p.m.
(via Zoom before the general meeting)
Please join us online via Zoom on Feb. 19 at noon to chat about writing, listen to the challenges of others, and share resources. All levels of writers can benefit from participating. Published authors enjoy this group as well as beginning writers. This is a forum where you pick the topics and questions to be discussed. Discuss the challenges of writing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction. Find new ways to handle rejection, writers' block, or to start a critique group.
The Author Support Group's purposes are to help those who want assistance getting unstuck, want new resources, or need guidance in choosing options.
Be sure to register in advance to receive the link to this free online gathering.
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If you have news to share about your writing, an award, an appearance, or other writing-related news, send a 100-word or less announcement to editor@redwoodwriters.org. Photos encouraged. Deadline for consideration in next month’s newsletter is the 15th of this month.
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Natasha Yim's book on list of best STEM books for K-12
Natasha Yim’s picture book Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum was selected for the National Science Teaching Association's (NSTA) 2022 list of best STEM books for K-12. This list—selected by volunteer educators and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council—provides recommendations about the best trade books with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
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Author Spotlight
Judy Baker, Book Marketing Mentor is inviting authors who have published a book to sign up for an interview, Author Spotlight. We do it over Zoom in 30 minutes. Here is the link to sign up: schedule.bookmarketingmentor.com/spotlight.
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Sonoma County Literary Update
Have you heard about the Sonoma County Literary Update? Published by Jo-Anne Rosen and Terry Ehret, this free online publication is sent out once a month as a service to writers and those interested in writing-related news and events. For submission guidelines, visit socolitupdate.com.
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New CWC Events Page
All CWC branch speaker meetings have now been added to the Event page on CWC's website at: calwriters.org/events. Because many of the 22 branches are still holding their speaker meetings online, this link is a handy tool to attend meetings all over the state. While you're there, be sure to check out many of the other interesting pages and posts on the CWC website.
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CRITIQUE GROUP COORDINATION
Marie Judson keeps an ongoing list of RW members interested in joining or creating a writing group. If you would like to find a critique group, or add more members to an existing group, send your genre(s) and contact information to mariejudson@gmail.com. You'll receive an email with the subject line, "Writers seeking writing groups." You can then either reply to all or select specific writers to contact. This has been an ongoing free service for Redwood Writers members for nine years.
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Please give a warm welcome to two of our newest members!
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I love anything that excites the senses, the smell of fresh herbs from the garden, a simple meal prepared with love, the impossible green of new grass in the twilight, all of which can be immortalized by capturing them in words.
Amy Pane spent much of her life in the wilds of Northern Mendocino. Living close to the land, with the inherent isolation led her to words as haven. She uses words as a means of escape and time travel as well as a way to intimately connect with and communicate time, place and emotion. She is currently immersed in writing poetry and memoir. Her great desire is to create a world and write a fantasy novel.
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Julie Levine, most recently was a parenting columnist at The Jewish News of Northern California. She’s currently pursuing her MFA from Pacific University’s Low Res MFA Program in creative non fiction. She’s also thrilled to be a a new empty nester, but don’t tell her kids that :)
Julie began her literary career on the business side of publishing, where she worked at St Martin’s Press, Harry A. Abrams and Chronicle Books. She went back to school in the late ’90s to get her MA in Literature, writing a thesis on the portrayal of Jewish women in literature written by Jewish American women writers versus their male counterparts. Julie then crossed over to the creative literary world writing articles and essays on parenting, cooking, family and social justice for various publications. For the past five years she’s been a parenting columnist for The Jewish News of Northern California. Currently, she’s pursuing her MFA in creative nonfiction from Pacific University’s Low Residency MFA Program.
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Redwood Writers are members of the California Writers Club (CWC). Redwood Writers is the largest of the 22 Branches in the CWC. Becoming a members of the Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club is a simple as 1, 2, 3.
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Go to the website: redwoodwriters.org/membership/join
- Complete the submission form. Include references to any publications.
- Pay the $65 new member fee.
Redwood Writers offers members the opportunity to:
- Attend the monthly meeting (3rd Sat. 1-3 p.m. at the Finley Center, Santa Rosa)
- Interact with other writers and sell books at the monthly meeting.
- Learn from professional speakers at monthly meetings.
- Publish fiction and memoir in the annual prose anthology.
- Publish poetry in the annual poetry anthology.
- Read their work at the club-sponsored Salon and Writers Circle.
- Present their work at local bookstores.
- Sell their work at the Sonoma Country Fair.
- Launch their new book at the Author Launch party.
- Attend workshops and conferences on the writing.
- Win writing contests with cash prizes and special recognition for winners.
- Advertise their expertise—graphic designer, editor, illustrator.
- Receive club news from our award-winning website and monthly newsletter.
- Submit stories, essays, and poetry to the Literary Review published by CWC.
- Receive the annual Literary Review from the California Writers Club and receive a triannual CWC Bulletin with state-wide events from CWC branches.
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Diana Pho
Improve Your Storytelling with Playwriting Techniques
March 19, 2022
at the Finley Center and on Zoom
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Dear friends,
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Charles Darwin:
“But I am very poorly today & very stupid & hate everybody & everything. One lives only to make blunders. I am going to write a little Book for Murray on orchids & today I hate them worse than everything…”
As a writer, have you ever read anything more relatable? Whenever I feel in the pits about my writing and need a little inspiration, this is one of the gems I pull out. It not only makes me smile, it also reminds me how even the most brilliant humans have had moments of self-doubt and frustration.
It is also a reminder to plow through the doubts and keep going.
This month, we are celebrating 16 authors at our annual Author Launch who plowed through their own doubts to finally publish their book. As you listen to each author read, take a moment to appreciate the months and years it took before that author held their book in their hands for the first time.
And then, apply it to your own journey.
Writing a book is not a quick process, and it’s hardly glamorous. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and sometimes tears. Some days you may even feel poorly, stupid, and hate everyone and everything.
Keep going.
Who knows, one of these years it might be you on the Author Launch platform, inspiring other writers to keep reaching for that dream.
Congratulations to all the authors who will inspire us at Author Launch on February 19!
A few other things you won’t want to miss this month:
- Time is almost up to submit your poems to this year’s poetry anthology. Deadline is Feb. 28.
- If you’re looking for a place to share your writing, why not attend a Salon? This month’s Salon is on Feb. 26.
- Do you have questions about writing, publishing, marketing, or any other writing-related topic? Check out our Author’s Support Group! Held via Zoom every month before the general meeting, this is a great opportunity for writers to get together and share what they know and learn what they don’t. This month’s Author Support Group is on February 19, starting at noon.
For information on all these events and more, scroll up!
Happy reading, and happy writing!
Crissi Langwell
Newsletter Editor
P.S. A mushy, gushy Happy Valentine's Day to my forever Valentine, Shawn. xoxo
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEWSLETTER!
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Want to be a part of the newsletter? Here's the cheat sheet to the different sections of this newsletter and the word count requirements:
- Writers Helping Writers - 300 words or less
- Other Articles or In Memoriam - 300 words or less
- Members News - 100 words or less
- What We're Reading - 100 words or less
- Homegrown Poetry - short poems work best
Please do your best to adhere to word count limits! Send your articles and news by the 15th of the month to the newsletter editor at editor@redwoodwriters.org. Send your poems by the 10th of the month to the poetry editor at poetrynewseditor@redwoodwriters.org. Submission guidelines may apply, read section for requirements.
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If you're interested in advertising in the Redwood Writer newsletter, contact the editor at editor@redwoodwriters.org for submission requirements and guidelines.
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Our mailing address is:
The Redwood Writer
P.O. Box 4687
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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