Back to School
Every fall when school begins again, I get the itch to learn something new. How about you? Does the smell of new pencils inspire you to take a class? I believe in classes. I don’t know of any authors who have become proficient writers without the input of a great teacher. Look to your local community ed, college, or literary center to see what classes are offered. Talk to the people in your writing group and ask if any of the members would be interested in doing a short presentation about writing. Visit your local librarian and tell her you would like to attend a writing class. New legislation has created funding for libraries to offer free classes on a variety of subjects. You can mention my name to the librarian as a possible teacher, or I would be happy...
Read MoreAnthology Seeking Testimonies
LOVE LETTERS FROM THE HEART ANTHOLOGY http://www.pixnpens.com/ — Have you ever longed to share your heart – your testimony – with someone, but couldn’t work up the nerve to do so? Well, now is your chance. We are currently compiling testimonies – in letter format – for Love Letters from the Heart, to be released February 2012. The testimonies should be 1,000 words or less, written in the form of a letter to someone you want to share the Gospel and/or your testimony with. The letters will be universal letters, and won’t have names connected to them, but anyone who contributes to the book will have their name and brief bio listed in the back of the book. If the writer chooses to share which testimony is their own, they are...
Read MoreThemed Writing Contest – Diligence
Here’s a new writing contest sponsored by Funds for Writers. This contest is in its tenth year and I know it is reputable. You can choose to enter your piece in the no entry fee category or pay $5.00 per entry for a chance at the maximum $400 prize. Themed contests make great writing prompts. When you think of diligence, it might bring to mind a personal relationship, a child, career, or even a manuscript. If you have weathered a difficult time in your life and have come out of it wiser, stronger and empowered, you need to write that story and send it into this contest. THE ANNUAL FUNDSFORWRITERS CONTEST IS OPEN The 10th Annual FundsforWriters Essay Contest seeks nonfiction submissions. First prize $400. Five additional cash prizes. Zero entry fee and $5...
Read MoreWriting in the Pines – Don’t You Owe it to Yourself?
The information about my new writing retreat is now available on my website. Please follow this link to view the information — https://angelaffoster.com/writing-in-the-pines-retreat-september-23-24-2011 Our host will be Carolyn Tuckner of Pine Needle Quilting Company in Pine City, just one hour north of the Twin Cities on I35. We will begin our retreat Friday afternoon, September 23rd and continue through Saturday, September 24th. Our focus will be on scene and character building. This retreat is a multi-genre class suitable for fiction and nonfiction writers. We will have class time, writing time and sharing time with plenty of writing prompts to keep you writing. We will enjoy s’mores by the campfire Friday evening (if the weather cooperates) and...
Read MoreFamily Circle Fiction Contest
FAMILY CIRCLE FICTION CONTEST http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/fiction/2011-family-circle-fiction-contest-rules/ — NO ENTRY FEE Deadline September 9, 2011. Limit 2,500 words. Can submit up to two entries. Must be a legal resident of the US and 21 years of age or older. One grand prize is $750, a gift certificate to one mediabistro.com course, one year membership mediabistro.com and more. Second place $250 and membership. Third place $250 and membership. The grand prize may include publication in Family Circle. Runners-up may be published at the Family Circle website. This entry is from www.fundsforwriters.com Thanks, Hope Clark.
Read MoreForeshadowing in Your First Pages
This post is a continuation of how to write effective first pages. Today’s subject is especially intriguing—foreshadowing. So what is it? Foreshadowing entices, hinting at the story you intend to tell. Below is an excerpt from the first paragraph of my chapter The Man in the Moon, from my memoir Falling Away (note the foreshadowing in bold): Theresa has her father’s new Lincoln—a white boat of a car with leather seats, an 8-track tape player and windows that open and close with a push of a button. Theresa is the new girl in our junior class. She’s tall with dark curly hair that hangs in a mop to her shoulders. Her nice clothes can’t hide the fact that she doesn’t have a flat stomach or lean legs like all the girls want, but she has a driver’s...
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