We inform, support, encourage & promote writers
“You look ravishing tonight,” Marco breathed into the dark-haired beauty’s ear as he led her to the dance floor. The exotic sound of a tango filled the room and the couple embraced in a passionate dance. While the first paragraph of this essay evokes romance and seduction, the emotion that a reader wants from…
Several of our members are putting up rock-star numbers in the annual writing marathon known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo to its fans). The goal is to write 50,000 words of fiction before the clock strikes December. It’s more than a random number and a personal goal. NaNoWriMo is a community event. You can…
It arrived in your email box yesterday. You’ve read it 20 times since then, and still can’t believe someone would say such hurtful things about your story. Receiving a bad review is not lethal, but it sure can gut your confidence like a fisherman with a striped bass. First, if bad reviews send you into…
“It seems like yesterday when we sent Junior off to kindergarten, and now he’s starting college!” “There, there, Marge, think of the bright side. Now we can put a hot tub in his room.” Like parents sending their child off to college, writers must release their work for scrutiny and possible publication. Not unlike parents,…
Quite by accident, I had the radio on this morning when author Erin Morgenstern came on The Diane Rehm Show on NPR. Erin’s debut novel, The Night Circus, is a sensation that’s drawing comparisons to Harry Potter, but for adults. Here’s what they had to say about it on the radio show’s website: It’s the…
Is your work-in-progress a screenplay? Take advantage of the Bluecat Screenwriting Workshop coming to Wichita in October, sponsored by the Tallgrass Film Festival. First Ten Pages Workshop Up to seven writers are accepted to submit the first 10 pages of their screenplays to the group before the workshop day. At the workshop, the pages are…
“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. “–E.L. Doctorow At the August meeting of the Kansas Writers Association, several members jokingly referred to their writing experience as “hearing voices.” Although schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, most writers have regular occurring bouts of voices in their heads. Fellow KWA member B.D. Tharp talks about “the…
Our 2012 Scene Conference is taking shape fast! We’re thrilled to have landed author William Bernhardt as our keynote speaker for the event, which is set for March 16-17. William’s bestselling novels explore politics, power, ambition, crime, and the law. He’s written more than 20 books and teaches several writing workshops and seminars of his…
We’re putting out the call: our annual Prose and Poetry Competition is accepting submissions! Win a little cash, earn some cred, and get feedback on your writing. We have several categories in adult and youth divisions. Winners will be published in an anthology, and awards will be presented at our annual Scene Conference in March….
Doubt is one size fits all. It comes in many sizes, shapes and colors. Kind of like a Snuggie. It covers and envelops our bodies and spirits and hearts, squeezing out all imagination. Doubt is just another word for fear, and that can be paralyzing. Think back to when you submitted your writing for the…