Next Tulare-Kings Writers Meeting

Creating Fictional Characters will be the subject of a mini-workshop at the meeting of Tulare-Kings Writers this Sat. June 17th at 10 AM in the Blue Room at the Visalia Library. 

Gloria Getman will lead the discussion of the three essential components of creating a character readers will care about. Participants are asked to bring a sketch of one of their own fictional characters to share with the group.

If you’ve never considered writing fiction before, this will be a good place to start. You will be able to draw on the experience of other writers who have created fascinating characters in the world of fiction. A handout will be available to help you bring your character to life. Experienced scribblers will enjoy sharing their favorite character.

Gloria Getman, author of two Deena Powers mysteries: Lottie’s Legacy and Birds of a Feather as well as three short stories in the anthology, Leaves From the Valley Oak. She is an active member of San Joaquin Sisters in Crime and current leader of T-K-W.

Writing a Memoir or Autobiography

Newell G. Bringhurst gave us some great insight about crafting an autobiography or memoir. He said that both words were used interchangeably about book written about one's own life. Generally an autobiography is written in chronological order and written in first person.

Memoir is written by the author and is more a kind of remembrance, certain aspects of his or her life--an emotional experience that stand out. It will contain some autobiographical elements..

Bringhurst feels that all biographies and even fiction, contain some relationship to the author's life.
He used biographies he wrote as examples:
Brigham Young, Fawn McKay Brodie, and The Mormon Quest for the Presidency.

He's told bits and pieces of his life story through essays.

He recommended reading autobiographies including the following:
Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, Eldridge Cleaver, and also the Memoir--Hillbilly by Vance.

He suggested the following book for directions:

Breathe Life into Your Life Story by Dawn and Morris Thurston. Some of the suggestions contained in it:

• Show a vivid picture for the reader to see, hear and smell what you're describing.
• Avoid expository writing.
• Zoom in on a specific dramatic incident from your past--sad, healing, poignant, etc.
• Use dialogue. Recall conversations, take literary license.
• Use dramatic tension to move the story along. Write it like fiction.

Ways to jog your memory:

• Draw a floor plan of your home.
• Draw a map of your home town
• List 5-10 life changing events, turning points
• Radio and TVE programs you enjoyed

As a group we discussed local writers who have written memoirs and autobiographies. 

CRAFTING ONES AUTOBIOGRAPHY OR MEMOIR

“Crafting Ones Autobiography or Memoir”

20 May 2017 Presentation to Tulare Kings Writers from 10 -12.

Visalia Library, Oak Street, Blue Room (upstairs)

by Newell G. Bringhurst*

 My presentation will focus on the process of composing one’s life story, be it an autobiography or memoir. My presentation will be divided into three main sections:  First, I will briefly describe my own fascination with the genre of autobiography/memoir—both from my own reading  of life stories written by accomplished authors, of note;  but also from the perspective of my own feeble efforts to relate my own life story—as inconsequential as that may seem. 

Secondly, I will offer suggestions/guidelines on the best way to undertake the challenging task of  describing one’s life experiences. Finally, time will be left for members of the audience to “brainstorm” concerning the craft and challenges of crafting their own readable autobiography/memoir.

*Newell G. Bringhurst is a retired professor of history and Political Science from College of the Sequoias, where he taught for 25 years.  He is the author/editor of  thirteen books, exploring various aspects of American history of race, religion, politics, and Tulare County history. 

Ronn Couillard's Visit to Tulare-Kings Writers Group

You missed a great meeting. We learned a lot about Mr. Couillard, his life, and how his investigation and prosecution of the Coin Dealer's Murderer turned into a book.

Mr. Couillard was a prosecuting attorney and the ADA for Tulare County as well as a Superior Court Judge. In these capacities he observed many interesting cases and unusual characters. His hobby was making many notes about both.

He joined the Exeter Writer's Group, and his notes became a book. He confessed to being a two-finger typist.

He found a publisher through an article in the newspaper about another author who wrote a book about something that happened in Tulare County. As a computer novice, he was stumped by some of the requests by the publisher who was interested in his books.

He'd written the book in Word Perfect and it wasn't completely compatible with Word, so he had to transfer it and make lots of changes.

The book is now titled, Murder in Visalia--The Coin Dealer Killer. It will be available in October at Costco and all the usual places.

For those of you who'd like to come to one of these meetings, mark your calendar for the third Saturday of every month.

The Coin Dealer Murder

At our next meeting, Ronn Couillard will be our speaker.

Governor George Deukmejian appointed Ronn to the Tulare County Superior Court in 1987. He served there until his recent retirement. Our speaker will be Ronn Couillard

Upon graduation from Downey High School, Ronn Couillard joined the United States Marine Corps.  After active duty, he continued service in the Marine Reserve.  Ronn was graduated from Compton College, California State University at Los Angeles, and Southwestern University School of Law.  

He served as Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County and then entered private law practice.  Ronn taught criminal law and criminal procedure at Western State University College of Law. He authored the textbook California Criminal Procedures and other legal publications.  

Ronn became Assistant District Attorney for Tulare County. In this position he oversaw all criminal filings and trials, and personally prosecuted selected high-profile cases.

He will tell us about his involvement in the Coin Dealer Murder.

When: Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.

Where: Blue Room, Tulare County Library, Oak St., Visalia

Next Meeting for Tulare-Kings Writers

When: Saturday, March 18

Time: 10 a.m.

Where: The Blue Room, big Visalia Library, Oak St., Visalia
(The Blue Room is upstairs, you can take the elevator or stairs.)

Topic: TIPS FOR WRITERS

Multi-published author, Marilyn Meredith, will go over some often overlooked tips that will make your writing better whether you write fiction or non-fiction. Handouts will be available

Marilyn is the author of two mystery series, the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series written as Marilyn Meredith, and the Rocky Bluff P.D. series written under the name F.M. Meredith. She was an instructor for Writers Digest School for 10 years, taught writing in various other venues, and given presentations and served on panels for many writing and mystery conferences.

Her webpage is:

http://fictionforyou.com/

Blog:

http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

She is also on Facebook and Twitter under her own name.

New Publisher Information

Pace Press seeking new voices in mystery, fantasy and science fiction

FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 20 — Fresno-based publishing company Linden Publishing has launched a new fiction imprint, Pace Press, dedicated to publishing genre fiction, and the company is now accepting submissions from new fiction authors.

Linden Publishing, established in 1977, is a traditional book publisher that distributes its books worldwide. Linden has previously publishing only nonfiction. Linden’s new fiction imprint, Pace Press, launched this month with the publication of a contemporary fantasy novel, “Memortality,” by Cambria author Stephen H. Provost. Pace Press’ next release is “Fractured Justice,” a mystery novel set in Fresno, written by retired judge and Fresno attorney James A. Ardaiz, which will be released in October.

Pace Press is interested in developing new authors and is accepting submissions from both experienced and first-time authors. However, please note that Pace Press accepts manuscripts for publication on a selective basis, and not all submissions will be accepted for publication.

Pace Press is seeking submissions in the following genres: mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, historical, western, supernatural/paranormal, or cross-genre with elements of any of these genres.

Authors interested in submitting to Pace Press are asked to submit a query letter containing the following:

—Full contact information, including your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

—Title and genre.

—Brief story synopsis.

—Brief author bio.

—Manuscript wood count.

—List of three to four similar books published in the last five years.

—Author promotional platform: Please describe your ability to collaborate with us in promoting your book through book signings, author events, your personal and professional networks, your online platform, and any other ways you can be involved in the promotion of your novel.

—Previously published work: If you have published other books, include sales data for each title.

—Sample of manuscript: A sample of the first three to four chapters or the first 50 pages of your manuscript. If you are sending your sample as an email attachment, please submit in Microsoft Word format or PDF. Suggested manuscript total length: 30,000 words minimum to 90,000 words.

Queries may be sent via email to kent@lindenpub.com or mailed to:

Kent Sorsky
Pace Press/Linden Publishing
2006 S Mary St
Fresno, CA 93721

If Pace Press is interested in knowing more about your novel after receiving your query, we will request a copy of the completed manuscript for further consideration.

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