In Full Swing Mode

It’s that time of year when conferences, festivals and other parties are bountiful. Last weekend, I attended the FWA Conference and took some interesting workshops. The workshops which were the most helpful (to me):

• Let’s Write Prose! I found out how writing to a prompt can help. Mary K Swanson also gave some good feedback.
• How to Structure Your Fiction – learnt a lot about character development from Janice Decker. I had to tweet afterwards an expression she used “Control is an illusion.” (If I wrote that preceding sentence awkwardly, I do apologize…maybe next workshop, I’ll get some tips on sentence construction).
• The Fiction Con – Michael Wiley gave me a lot of ideas on book structure. I’m going for a hybrid approach: I’m laying out my chapters and thinking what the chapter should be about. I’m not exactly writing an outline but wants to follow that chart 1^st plot, introduce 2^nd plot etc.
• Mincing, Chopping and Otherwise Processing Words – well I did buy some new software to help organize my writing. More importantly, Michael Carlson gave some great formatting tips which I can even use in my day job.

Therefore, my plan is to implement as much as possible to complete my novel for #ThreeBooksInThreeMonths.  My goal is only one novel and 5,000 words per week. I haven’t been meeting my word count yet but as mentioned above I’ve bought new software called Manuscript to assist me with organizing my flow.  Why such a low a goal, you may ask? I wanted an attainable goal (so I can have a sense of accomplishment) plus the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is here. I frequently volunteer and also attend some shows. I’ve attended one so far, a delightful French comedy called Josephine Single & Fabulous. Some of my other picks are:

• Italian Movies
• The Last Hit
• Broche Del Oro
• Krissy Belle
• BreakThrough

 I picked these based on the synopsis and may add in some more. It's just that time of year and I want a piece of it all so I'm diving right in or as my titled aptly stated going in full swing mode.

my poem for the week

A poem that reads like a movie:

POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.

Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.

Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

###

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

October Already?

Time's a flying! It's October already. My writing this year has been blaise. I know that I spent time trying to be social (promote), go to poetry readings (promote) but haven't been writing much. I've missed some contest deadlines (and I keep telling myself "there's always next year"). Then there are upcoming conferences and events which has my interest. I heard Jamie talking about #ThreeBooksInThreeMonths and I decided then "I'm in" as this would inspire me to write. I set a goal of 5000 words per week and have some ideas in mind what I want to write (and finish):
A collection of short stories (this is the main focus for the 3 months) - started Tuesday by handwriting and typed last night - 347 words
Some essay - started last night because needed to write some stuff off my chest blocking main focus - 1966 words
current poetry project - I hope to finish by February next year (and then I will enter all the contests); I don't my verse being rushed, it can be terse but must develop to my liking like an inkling of me on paper so I take my time, I keep my eye on next year while remembering the deadlines past in this year.
So, thanks Angelique for letting me join in this journey!

###

MY POEM FOR THE WEEK

Time flies. Yes. It's a favorite topic of mine as I explored it in so many different ways. Leave me a comment and tell me which you resonates with you:

I am so tempted to explain what inspired me to write those poems but I'll let you figure it out. Let me know which resonates with you.

###

POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Reading with the Magician’s Daughter, Meryl Stratford, October 14 at 7:30 pm

Broward College, South Campus

7200 Pines Boulevard

Southern Breezeway, Building 68

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.
Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

###

POETRY CONTESTS

IT’S SO MARGATE! Poetry contest: create apoem about Margate that starts or ends with the line “IT’S SO MARGATE!” Maximum word count is 100 words. Submit entries October 1-31, 2013 to Margate Library, 5810 Park Drive, Margate, FL 33063 Attention: Maribel Pelayo. For more information, call 954-357-7500.

YellowJacket Press Eighth Annual Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets
October 1-December 1, 2013
For details, go to http://www.yellowjacketpress.org

###

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/