|
GENERAL PROGRAMS 2007 |
|
General Meeting Location: John Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. |
|
January 2007
February 2007 Wednesday, February 7 TWA featured our annual presentation by the Carrollwood Players doing a creative reading of the winning scripts from the entries from the previous years writing competition. As usual, it was a great evening with the authors present to hear their words come to life. March 2007 Wednesday, March 7 The general meeting was converted into a Members Party. Would you believe that at last count 327 people had invaded TWA's Party Central (Sandra Kischuk's home) ready to party the night away. Why, we had members, membersguests, wanna -be members and their guests, and a few men in dresses wh0 hadno members. People were crammed into all open spaces in the house overflowing out into the back garden and then out onto the front lawn... rollicking, drinking fermented malt and hops juice and the end result of crushed grapes... wolfing down Jim Young's Chili and gobs of food brought by other members. Oh yes, the food flowed freely, sometimes even off the plates and onto the floor, or other folks clothes. Several local authors were spotted smiling and munching on whatever food was in front of them. We did get a call from Norman Mailer, he was unable to make it. ANd at one point, many of those in the family room were convinced that the ghost of Ernest Hemingway was actually in the room with them. Turned out to be TWA VP Michael Pleasant wearing a sheet he'd found in the laundry wolfing down his 14th bowl of Chili with shrimp and corn chips mixed in. One of the biggest thrills of the evening was when the horde of party-goers in the back garden initiated doing the 'wave' which quickly spread throughout the house and into the front lawn, then across the street to a neighbor's house whose residents were out on their lawn trying to figure out what the heck was going on across the street. Last we heard, the 'wave' had just crossed Waters Street headed for Raymond James Stadium. Unfortunately, because of the density of bodies in the various rooms, those in Sandra's house participating in the 'wave' managed to break several pieces of furniture, antique plates, lamps and even mangled the cat as they jumped up with raised arms. But, what the heck, that's what insurance is for. Boy, if you missed this party, you REALLY MISSED this party. April 2007 Wednesday, April 4 A session with Author EUGENE ORLANDO who advocated BUILDING YOUR PLOT ON ROCK, NOT SAND. THE OBJECTIVE...To establish your novel on solid rock, build it with strong layers of plotting and description. Too many beginning novelists fail to plot adequately before penning their creation. In this workshop, Eugene covered the elements that weave a good plot, plot structure, and plot revision. Filling in your plot with good description will cement your story into a cohesive, interesting story. With these two writing techniques in place, your novel will stand on a solid rock foundation and grow into a viable piece of literature. May 2007 Wednesday, May 2 Author and Self Publisher Neal Schupbach presented 42 Tips for Self-Publishing,things he learned that can save other writers time and money. Along with Neal, we met Billy Ashby of A and A printing who printed Neal's book. Flying the Canyons of the Sky. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Neal graduated in December of 1980 from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Life Sciences. He enlisted in the United States Navy during February of the following year and earned his commission at the Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. In June of 1981 Ensign Schupbach entered flight training and received the “Wings of Gold” in May of 1982. Schupbach flew antisubmarine missions in the P-3C Orion aircraft against the Soviet nuclear submarine threat during the height of the Cold War. These missions took him to eastern Africa, Diego Garcia, the Philippines, Japan and Alaska. He departed the Navy after serving in Key West, Florida. His civilian travels found him in the occupied city of Berlin, Germany from 1987 through 1991, where he experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall coupled with the disintegration of Communist rule in Europe. Since that time he has flown jumbo jets throughout Asia, the Persian Gulf and Third World locations. Flying the Canyons of the Sky: Navigation of an Aviator’s Soul is his first book. June 2007 Wednesday, June 6 Retired, 33-year sheriff’s department deputy, Candace Sugarek answered questions about the putting the pieces of the property crime puzzle together and the intrigue of working as an undercover narcotics deputy. Starting her career when female officers were rare, Candace used her gender to advantage in getting the “bad guys” to confess to crimes. How? Talking with Candace was a treat...and I'm already thinking about what a super character I could base on her information. July 2007 JULY 4th... Fireworks... No TWA meeting.
August 2007 Wednesday, August 1 Marcia Freespirit of local JimSam Inc. Book Publishing talked about what it takes to self-publish, and the advantages of working with a publisher “in your own backyard.” She also spoke about that often neglected part of getting your book to market…your marketing plan. JimSam Inc. is a full service contract publishing company. Authors retain the full rights to their written works of art when utilizing the company’s publishing, marketing, and distribution services. “We ensure that the look, feel and format of the end product are all in alignment with the creator's expectations. We welcome inquiries from authors that promote our mission and vision. JimSam Inc.'s commitment is to become an internationally recognized contract publishing house that specifically caters to books, promotions, seminars and educational programs seeking to improve relationships and empower women.” About Marcia Freespirit: Recently nominated a finalist for the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2007 Business Woman of the Year. As an author, publisher and business leader, Marcia has led organizations to experience tremendous growth, while increasing profits and improving services to thousands of clients. Dedicated to helping others reach beyond their goals, she encourages authors and businesses to set their sights beyond expectations. Through her own experiences of physical and emotional abuse, failed relationships and personal tragedy, Marcia is able to pull from a wealth of experience and strength. She is remarkably able to relate to people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. Her own story of surviving pain and crisis is shared in her memoir, "Gladwoman" Check it out at www.JimSamInc.com September 2007 Wednesday, September 5 Molli Nickell, former publisher, and now teacher, speaker, and author, presented GET PUBLISHED NOW. Most, if not all, writers experience anxiety about the process of marketing their manuscripts to agents/editors/publishers or self-publishing companies. In truth, that’s a major understatement. Writers feel panic, stress, nausea (and the need for chocolate) when they realize that they must learn a new set of skills in order to successfully market their manuscript. Molli has taught marketing for writers at UCLA and through the Learning Annex in Southern California, run a publishing company, and reviewed THOUSANDS of query letters and book proposals. She has also published over 1000 articles in general interest magazines including Designer/Writer and Better Homes and Gardens, as well as authoring five non-fiction books. Think she might know what a publisher is looking for? Molli will address techniques writers can use to make the mental shift from creative writer to creative sales person, which alleviates much of their stress regarding selling their work. Her hand-out resource sheet contains helpful information about the market and the four vital sales tools—queries, cover letters, an enticing first page, and the synopsis. Mollie’s most recent book, "The Guerrillas of Goodness Handbook," was published by Workman. She comes to us through referral of member, Sue LaNeve. RETURN TO TOP October 2007 Wednesday, October 3 TWA's Fall Party at President Sandra's Party Central (her house) was another roaring success with forty or so members and friends milling about, conversing, telling tales and swallowing delicious goodies. The night ended with everyone raising their glasses and voices in a rousing chorus of "The Whiffenpoof Song" (???) riiiight Be on the lookout for next springs Annual Spring Party to be held sometime in the spring of '08. November 2007 Wednesday, November 7 MARK E. LEIB is Performance Critic for the Tampa and Sarasota Weekly Planet and for WUSF-FM Radio teaches drama-related courses at the University of South Florida and Eckerd College. He received the CBS Foundation Prize in Playwriting and four awards for his theater criticism from the Society of Professional Journalists. What makes a script and presentation memorable? Those at the meeting heard what Mark will shared with us. RETURN TO TOP December 2007 Wednesday, December 5 Author of five New York Times best sellers, and one of the nation's best-known sports authors, PETER GOLENBOCK, gave insights into his unique, behind the scenes sports writing. His best-known books include The Bronx Zoo (New York Yankee pitcher Sparky Lyle), BUMS: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Personal Fouls (a look at college basketball corruption), American Zoom (a history of NASCAR), and Wild, High and Tight (a biography of Yankee manager Billy Martin). Other best-sellers are Balls with Graig Nettles, Number 1 with Billy Martin; and The Forever Boys, a look at major league baseball from the eyes of retired ballplayers. In The Last Lap, Golenbock profiles the men who lost their lives on the NASCAR race circuit His latest book, Seven, an intimate and sometimes outrageous biography of Mickey Mantle, is currently available at Inkwood Books (Tampa’s only full-service independent book store) RETURN TO TOP |
 |
TAMPA WRITERS ALLIANCE
Date and time last modified: 4/09/08 7:45am by Sandra Kischuk |
