What the Library has to Offer Writers in October and November

Tulare-Kings Writers October meeting will be held Saturday, November 21, at 10 A.M. in the Blue Room of the Visalia Library, 200 W. Oak Avenue, in Visalia. Our speaker will be Rebecca Kemp, Librarian II who will update us on what the library has to offer writers in October and November. 

Tulare-Kings Writers at Taste of the Arts

Instead of a regular meeting, members of Tulare-Kings Writers, had a booth at the Taste of the Arts Festival in Visalia.

President Gloria Getman reported that the day was perfect.

Krista Lynn Shared Much Valuable Information

If you missed the last meeting, you truly missed out.

Krista Lynn shared many valuable tips about editing and much, much more.

She talked about self-publishing and how many people are going that route because many publishers are not editing or promoting. If you must do both, you might as well publish yourself.

Ways to punch up your writing:

List your characters, make sure the names aren't too similar.

Think about the setting, what is it like? You need to know where your characters are.

And your character, what kind of things do they do, do they talk a certain way, are they successful?

Go back through the manuscript and add things about the characters.

Characters must be up against conflict--have problems reaching their goals.

What does the character look like? What does he/she really want?

Pull out little characteristics--be consistent with mannerisms.

Self-edit.

Use power words.

Get rid of work like, it, that, just--and any word you use too often.

Read your manuscript out loud.

Instead of said, us something the character does instead for a dialogue tag.

Not too much back story.

She share much, much more.

Head on over to her webpage:

www.kristallynn.com

www.kristallynndesigns.com

Krista Lynn and our fearless leader, Gloria Getman.

Krista Lynn, Our Next Speaker, Saturday, September 16

The meeting is at 10 a.m., upstairs in the Blue Room of the big Library on Oak St., in Visalia.

Krista has a lot to offer us as writers. She'll be talking about editing our own work, her own writing, and her graphics business.

She will also answer any question we might have on those subjects.

 www.kristallynndesigns.com

It’s no mystery why Krista Lynn writes about the high desert ofwww.kristallynn.com Arizona. She grew up on a gold mine about 60 miles north of Phoenix. The closest neighbor was 6 miles or so down the Agua Fria River, or another 20 miles by dirt road. 

The magic and spirit of a rugged, isolated landscape where mysteries are carried on the wind, and whispered in your sleep are the multi-colored threads woven into her series.

Before embarking on the writer’s path, Krista taught physical geography and GIS courses at CSUF and Fresno City College a GIS program to assist agricultural research. She lives in California with her husband and a menagerie of dogs, goats and one spoiled horse while continuing to write the Canyon Trilogy and an anthology of cozy mysteries.

Blood Stones: The Haunting of Sunset Canyon   

Within Sunset Canyon, deep in the Arizona desert, the love a young woman feels for her mysterious lover grows deeper every year, though her heart stopped beating over a century ago - stilled by the one she loves. What magic could cause this? What ancient Indian witchcraft could hold her and make her part of The Haunting of Sunset Canyon?

When Darcy Peel left Dry Creek, Arizona, to go to graduate school, she thought she had left for good. She never thought she would come back to the small high-desert community nestled in the shadow of Prospector’s Mountain or that she’d have to go into the legendary red rock gorge known in Indian lore as the “Canyon that Sees the Sun.” But, now she is compelled to return and find her sister who is lost in the canyon—like her father and brother before her. 

Research documents and a little leather-covered book that her sister sent before she disappeared, offer clues and brings back memories and dreams of a young woman trapped in the canyon. On the trail to the truth, Darcy meets Alan Brandt, a young deputy with ties to her family’s past and possessing hidden abilities that link him to stories of ghost warriors. Can she trust him to help find her sister as he promises? Or is she being trapped by the mountain’s magic - seduced by her attraction to a man with an uncanny connection to the deadly legends?

Buy Links:

Amazon    

 

Reviews:

“Wow! That’s exactly what I thought when I finished reading the wonderful book by debut author Krista Lynn, Blood Stones: The Haunting of Sunset Canyon, Volume One. This story line is one that will keep readers engrossed from the first page all the way through to the very last!”
           Tracy A. Fisher for Readers’ Favorite

“Blood Stones: The Haunting of Sunset Canyon, Volume 1 is well-written, finely plotted, and a joy to read. I’m looking forward to the next book in this supernatural series. Blood Stones is most highly recommended.”
          Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite

“Krista Lynn's story of love, lies and mystical happenings in the high desert of Arizona is a journey to more than the mines beyond Phoenix. It's a journey inside Native American folklore, legends and beliefs. The advantage to a longer novel, like Blood Stones is that you really get to know the characters well and if it's written with talent by the time you finish the book, you miss the characters who've kept you company for the last 10 days. Such is the case with Blood Stones and I'm looking forward to the next novel in this fascinating series. Well done, Ms. Lynn.”                                                                    Kim Hornsby for “Kimmy’s Korner” book reviews.

Herbs for Writers

At our next meeting, Kathy Stevens will do a hands-on presentation on Herbs for Writers.  

She will share her version of a 1700’s recipe that was used to freshen colonial minds and help them stay focused on paperwork.  This recipe was usually stored in a decorative glass jar on their desk.  As needed, they shook the jar, removed the lid, and enjoyed the lively scent.  Peppermint, Spearmint, lavender, rosemary, and thyme are the herbs we will be using. 

She will have the herbs and some background on them.  You will do the mixing.  She’ll provide some zip lock bags for you to use.  You may want to bring a 4 oz. glass jar with a lid to store your treasure or you can wait until you get home to find one.  This recipe, which Kathy named Refresh Mint, retains its aroma much longer if stored in a glass jar.

Saturday, August 19^th, 10 a.m., the Blue Room in the Visalia Library, Oak St.,

You don’t want to miss this one!

Focus on Poetry/Next Tulare-Kings Writers Meeting

Sylvia Ross will lead a FOCUS ON POETRY at the Tulare-Kings Writers meeting this Sat., July 15th at 10:00 at the Tulare County Library in Visalia -  upstairs in the Blue Room.

Sylvia is planning on an informal discussion of the different styles of poetry, followed by sharing of favorite poems. Do you have a few poems tucked away in a desk drawer? Bring them to read and share. OR if you’re not a poet, bring a favorite poem written by another author.

Sylvia’s work has been featured in numerous poetry anthologies. In addition, she published a book of short works, poems and drawings entitled Acorns and Abalone. This talented lady has also written three historical novels: Acts of Kindness, Acts of Contrition,, East of the Great Valley, and Ilsa Rohe. under the pseudonym Stephenson Ross.

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.