One Day Mercer County Writers Conference

... to Writing Success XIX

Shadow Writing

19th Annual One Day Mercer County Writers Conference

John B. Olson
Featured Speaker, 2010

John B. Olson is a novelist, scientist, software engineer, and entrepreneur who lives with his wife Amy and two children in San Leandro, CA. John earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the UW Madison and did postdoctoral research at UC San Francisco. His books have won several awards, including a Christy Award, two Christy finalists, ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year, ACFW Suspense Book of the Year, a Silver Angel award, and placement on the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age.

2010 Workshop Leaders

Roland Barkesdale-Hall currently serves as president of JAH Kente International, Washington, D.C. He is author of several books for both adults and children. In 2009 he was awarded the Blue, Gold and Black: Color of Achievement Award from the University of Pittsburgh.

Gloria Clover, conference director, writer, and seeker, encourages writers to ask questions, seek answers, press on toward the prize ... in both writing career and spiritual living. Her novella The Remaking of Moe McKenna is found in a Barbour Publishing anthology, Race to the Altar.

Hana Haatainen Caye is a full-time writer and voice over talent living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in dozens of magazines, websites and anthologies. "Because conservatives can be green, too, Hana's new passion is blogging as the Green Grandma (http://thegreengrandma.blogspot.com), where old-fashioned ways combine with 21st century common sense."

Michele Huey serves up a cup of inspiration with God, Me & a Cup of Tea, her award-winning weekly newspaper column and daily radio program. Her work has been published in numerous anthologies and national publications. She is a writing mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. ChristianFictionMentors.com, and The Writing Academy.

Liana Laverentz is the author of three contemporary romances with The Wild Rose Press, Thin Ice, Jake’s Return, and Ashton’s Secret.Leaf Award winner, a 2008 EPPIE winner for best contemporary romance. Jake’s Return is a 2008 Golden Leaf Award winner. Liana is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, The Polka Dot Banner, and Pennwriters, Inc. She’s also a moderator at The Bookspa Yahoo Loop.

Christine Doreian Michaels is member of several poetry organizations in Pittsburgh and is published locally by Taproots, The Exchange, Mad Women in the Attic, Pittsburgh Post Gazette and nationally/internationally in Songs for the Living Tradition, Sandburg/Livesay Anthology, Only the Sea Keeps, along these rivers, Labyrinth Pathways and Fission of Form.

Liane Ellison Norman won the Wisteria Prize for 2006, awarded by Paper Journey Press, for her poem “What There’d Been.” Her poems have been published in the North American Review, Kestrel, Grasslimb, Rune, Voices From the Attic, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and Pittsburgh City Paper, on newversenews.com and on the Pittsburgh Opera website.

Matt Snyder is a reporter for The Herald in Sharon, a circulation 20,000 daily newspaper that serves Mercer County and Brookfield, Ohio. A 2005 graduate from Westminster College, he has a bachelor of arts in English. He lives in Mercer, and when he's not toiling over newsprint for a pittance, he can be found nerding it up at Bell's Comics and Trading Cards, Grove City.

Audrey Stallsmith is the author of the Thyme Will Tell series of mysteries from WaterBrook Press and The Body They May Kill from Thomas Nelson. Her work has also appeared in a variety of periodicals, including Woman's World, Birds & Blooms, and Moody Magazine. She writes articles on plant folklore for her website, thymewilltell.com, and on apologetics for inklingsoftruth.com.

Shirley S. Stevens leads a Christian writers group, The First Word, in Sewickley, and is a member of the The Squirrel Hill Writers Workshop and The Pittsburgh Poetry Society. Past president of The St. Davids Christian Writers Conference, she continues to serve on their board. Shirley has recently had poetry published in Along These Rivers, Fission and Form, and Common Wealth.

Marjie Stewart teaches English and manages the Writers' Center at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She earned her PhD in English Composition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2009. Her dissertation studies the connections between teaching composition and creative writing at the college level. She is a well-known Pittsburgh playwright, and was recently invited to join SPEC, a prestigious playwrights' critique group. Linda Turner has published articles and poetry, her poetry has won various contests including 3rd place for serious at St David’s her first year and honorable mention out of 169 for a ByLine Free Verse competition. She offers encouraging talks on life experiences and hymn histories at ladies and youth/children’s meetings.

Bobbi Updegraff is the author of six Church Choir Mysteries with Guideposts Books, and she was featured in their compilation Prayers for Every Need. Her optimism spills over into all she does. She is a writer, speaker, teacher, and mission mobilizer.

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2009 Workshops

Workshop Schedule

8:15-8:45 – Registration and Fellowship
9:00-9:50 – Announcements, Worship, and Keynote
10:00-10:50 – Workshop 1
11:00-11:50 – Workshop 2
12:00-12:50 – Workshop 3 or lunch
1:00-1:50 – Workshop 4 or lunch
2:00-3:00 – Workshop 5
3:10-4:30 – Awards Ceremony, Closing Remarks

Workshop Descriptions

2010 WORKSHOPS

Fiction

Writing Bigger—John Olson
We’ll focus how to develop a compelling high concept. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, developing a compelling high concept is the number one, important concept you’ll have to master if you want to sell your manuscript.

Writing the Big Picture—John Olson
We’ll analyze the structure of story, uncovering layer by layer all the elements you’ll need to understand if you want to give your readers the ride of their lives. W

riting in the Shadows Parts 1 and 2—John Olson
We’ll discuss techniques for making your prose strong and evocative, by analyzing “before and after” writing samples illustrative of each technique.

Non-fiction

Basics of Journalism—Matt Snyder
In a fast-paced world, people rely on quality writers to bring them information from their local communities. Not everyone has time to attend school board meetings, ribbon-cuttings for new businesses, or every local basketball game, but they are interested in these goings on all the same. A reporter’s craft is to give people this information in an easily read story that front-loads the most important pieces of information. This basic course on news writing will focus on the inverted-pyramid style of journalism, crafting a solid lede, and writing to a broad audience.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Researching and Writing a Photographic History--Roland Barkesdale-Hall
Explore with a writer of the famed Arcadia Images of America Series how step-by-step to solicit community involvement, find vintage photographs, gather oral history and create the memorable photographic history.

Homework Sells—Bobbi Updegraff
Tips and techniques for researching market matches, and crafting an article that sells, paying particular attention to the magazine’s personality and readership.

The Business of Writing: Ways to make money as a freelance writer—Hana Haatainen Caye
Running a freelance writing business can be more profitable than you may think. In this workshop we¹ll cover the various types of business and creative writing opportunities that exist for writers who see beyond their fiction and poetry and want to find a way to make a living, or simply earn some extra cash, through the written word. Examples will include: press releases, advertising copy, magazine articles, on hold message scripts, sales letters, web page writing, search engine optimized writing, newsletters, and more.

Connecting With Denominational Magazines—Bobbi Updegraff
Tips on finding your niche in the denominational market.

Poetry

Nested Meditation—Shirley Stevens
Nested Meditations, originated by Kevin Anderson in 2003, combine poetry and prose. The writer employs word play and imagery to create a layered or “nested” format. Anderson suggests that these meditations awaken a sense of the sacred in the ordinary. We will examine models and create our own examples in this workshop. Reading examples aloud, we will explore how circling back through the meditation leads to new opportunities for reflection.

Wordweaving—Christine Doreian Michaels
This presentation will introduce you to some of the possibilities for weaving poems together for personal use, to present poems with more texture to an audience, or for group presentation, especially around a theme. Examples from two to multiple voices will be discussed, including a description of a performance group called Tea-Time Ladies which presented in the Pittsburgh area from 1991 to 2000. The talk will be more effective if prospective members e-mail a free-verse nature poem (at least four lines) to me at: christine.michaels4@gmail.com The latter is not mandatory and it needs your permission to use your poem in class, but it will be more fun if I can illustrate the process with our own material and we can read it aloud.

Intense Critique Group—Liane Norman
For feedback and insight into your own poems, Liane Norman offers a workshop on poetry critique. Open to the first ten participants to register. Bring 11 copies of one of your poems to discuss.

Sijo—Shirley Stevens
The Sijo, a Korean form of lyric poetry, is related to the Japanese haiku. The three lines of this form are longer than the haiku, since a haiku contains only 17 syllables whereas a sijo contains between 44 and 46 syllables. This lyrical form was originally a short son. Although it is centuries old, the form has been rediscovered by modern poets. It also has elements of Biblical verse, particularly the psalms. Writers who try this form, which may be written in three or six lines, will learn the discipline of compressing thoughts. The final line adds a twist of surprise.

Craft

Beginners—Gloria Clover
First writers conference? Working on your first book? Just thinking about doing some writing? She’ll share some of the basics of the business to get you started and heading in the right direction.

The Power of Blogging: Using your writing to influence the world—Hana Haatainen Caye
Have you thought about blogging but just weren’t sure where to begin? Or did you wonder, “Who would care what I have to say?” It’s amazing how many people across the globe will visit your blog, provided you know how to drive visitors to your site. We’ll talk about how to optimize your blog for the search engines so you can reach the widest audience possible with your thoughts. We’ll also address the money-making opportunities that exist with a well-written blog.

Secrets to Finding the Right Agent—Michele Huey
You’ve finished your baby—your first book. What now? Since most publishers consider only agent-submitted manuscripts, finding an agent is the first step to seeing your book in print. This workshop will walk you through the steps of finding—and securing—the right agent for you. You’ll learn how to research literary agencies, properly prepare your query, and keep track of your submissions. Bring a copy of Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide (a current one would be best, but any copy will do), highlighters, and sticky tabs. This is a hands-on workshop!

Getting the Word Out: Newsletter Publication—Roland Barkesdale-Hall
For the novice to those with more experience publication management tips are offered from content to design. Create newsletters for church, family, or organization.

The ABCs of Children’s Picture Books—Roland Barkesdale-Hall
Learn from the creator of the Brother Barksdale Series how to write and tell a children’s story—from characters who grab to plots that keep children reading.

Writer’s Life

Read Like a Writer—Linda Turner
We’ll discuss why a writer needs to be a reader, why writers should read their own genre and others, and how writers discover ways authors make their characters and plot compelling, give their readers a “worry factor” and a satisfying ending. We’ll see how authors thread information, themes and symbolism throughout their work and discover ways we can do the same. You’ll be given examples, checklists and opportunities to “Read like a Writer.” Bring a favorite book for us to discuss, if you want.

Self-Discipline for Disciples—Audrey Stallsmith
Beginning a book was always fun for me. But, once the thrill of inspiration wore off, finishing seemed like too much slogging work. So I always started over again when a new brainstorm broke over my head. I never got published until I learned perseverance. And I never progressed in my spiritual life until I learned to persist through the thrill-less parts of that as well! In this class, we will discuss how to finish what you start, both in writing and righteousness.

The Benefits of Networking and Writers Groups—Liana Laverentz
Writing is a solitary occupation, despite the Internet and all the other electronic ways we have of “connecting.” Still, nothing beats a real conversation. Joining writers groups and networking in-person can provide invaluable inspiration and contacts to help you navigate the confusing world of getting published. Workshops, conferences, and writers group meetings are great places to meet agents, editors, and fellow writers, some of whom may become friends for a lifetime. You can also find critique partners, collaborators, someone to brainstorm with, or just someone to hang out with who understands the writer’s life a whole lot better than your regular friends and family do. Learn what groups are available, along with tips for coming out of your shy self and meeting others.

Be a Professional Writer(or Look Just Like One)—Marjie Stewart
You’ve been working hard, honing your skills, learning more about your craft by attending conferences like this. What are some of the things you need to change in your non-writing life to show the commitment you have made to your craft and your career? This workshop will look at everything from your schedule to your social life to make sure you’re sending out the message that you’re a real pro.

Jumpstart Success with a Good Mentor—Michele Huey
What do Jack London, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, and John Knowles have in common? (Besides being famous American writers, of course.) Answer: They all were mentored by other, more established writers. Ambrose Bierce mentored both London and Hemingway, Bret Harte mentored Mark Twain, and Thorton Wilder mentored Knowles.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the difference between mentoring and editing, how to respond to your mentor’s feedback, how to be an effective mentor, and how to find a mentoring program that will benefit you. Bring along a sample of your work—from your fiction or nonfiction book, an article, or, if you’re a poet, a poem or two (prose: 1,500-word limit, double-spaced; poetry: 30 lines maximum). You’ll be paired up with another writer who will act as your mentor (and vice versa) for this workshop. Learn how a mentor can help you become the writer you’ve always dreamed of becoming.

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Contests

All entries must be postmarked and mailed to Audrey Stallsmith at 87 Pines Road East, Hadley, PA 16130 by April 3, 2010. There is no charge if you have registered for the conference. Envelopes and entries should be clearly marked CONTEST. You should include a cover sheet with your name, pertinent info., entry categories, and manuscript titles. A piece title, not your name, should identify each separate ms. You may enter as many categories as you’d like, but enter each category only once. The poetry contest is the exception: enter either beginning or advanced, but not both.

Poetry Contests

Beginning Poetry: Any poetic style, 1-3 poems, total of 40 lines or less in all poems together. This is for Newbies, not humble poets—if you’ve placed in this category before, don’t play again.

Light Verse: 1-3 poems, total of 40 lines or less in all poems together. Make us laugh.

Advanced Poetry: If you have placed in the Beginner's Poetry contest in years past, it is time to enter here. Any type of poetry. 1-3 poems, 40 lines or less.

Fiction Contests

Story Beginning: No more than four pages, double-spaced, of your best adult fiction in any genre.

Short Short: 1500 words or less. Complete story; slice-of-life. Double-spaced. Any genre.

Children’s Story: A picture book or a story for a magazine, complete in four, double-spaced pages.

Non-fiction Contests

Devotional: 250 words or less, one Christian thought, including Scripture and prayer.

Favorite Moment in Your Life: Two pages double-spaced, share from your heart.

Opinion Piece: Feel free to share your thoughts in 1000 words or less. Double-spaced. Target a newspaper op ed space.

(Contest entries should be double-spaced.)

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2009 WINNERS:

Advanced Poetry
26 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Brain Freeze by Daniel Bates
Ritual by Joe Stierheim
Self Portrait by Rachel by Marjorie Wonner
3.Gift for a Beach Walker by Kay Haggart Mills
2.When the Ice Storm Came by Mary Koepke
1.Casting a Line by Marjorie Wonner

Beginning Poetry
15 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Metamorphosis by Emma Westerman
3. Modressty by Walter Fillmann
2. Naomi's Cry by Gloria O'Donnell
1. Dance of Age by Jean Croyle 1. Imagine--Glory by Sharon Haynes

Childhood Memory
20 entries

Honorable Mentions:
The Day I Almost Died by Helen Zanone
Pop-Can Prank Gone Awry by Daniel Bates
3. The Last Homecoming Queen by Cherie Reilly
2. My Tooth Fairy Experiment by Mary Hickey
1. The Year We Couldn't Afford Christmas by Michele Huey

Children's Story
8 entries

3. Amy's Chickens by LuAnne Shaffer
2. Last Summer by Cherie Reilly

Devotional
22 Entries

Honorable Mentions:
Each Day -- Give Thanks by Tina Andree
Time Remembered by Marion Gorman
Water of the Word by Sandra Tucker Deligiannis
3. Give Others a Chance by Diane Harrison
2. Father Love by Emma Westerman

Dialogue
14 entries

3.After the Sacrifice by Mary Hickey
2.Heart Remembers by Michele Huey
1. Bus Stop by Hana Haatainen Caye

Interview
8 entries

Honorable Mentions:
Longest Nightmare by Sharon Haynes
Testimonial: Christians Battling Homosexuality by Bethany Criswell
2. Predicted Blindness, Unexpected Sight by Hana Haatainen Caye

Light Verse
18 entries

Honorable Mentions:
At the Beach by Sandra Tucker Deligiannis
Ode to a Kiss by Michele Huey
3. Three Limericks by Jack Wonner
2. Done? by Michele Huey
1. Poor Man Lazarus by Mary Hickey

Story Beginning
18 entries

3. The Heart Remembers by Michele Huey
2. Majorie Sunshine by Hana Haatainen Caye
1. Scarlet Letter Opener by Linda Au
1. Fear Not by Melody Lee

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Critiques

Everyone who registers for the conference is entitled to one FREE critique of 6 or less double-spaced, (size 12, clear font), pages of a manuscript. Additional critiques may be purchased for the following fees:

10 additional pages for $10.00
25 additional pages for $22.00
50 additional pages for $43.00

REMEMBER: Do not send contest entries with manuscripts to be critiqued, or vice versa.

Include this fee with your registration. However, manuscripts for critique that are 6 pages in length are to be sent to Evelyn Minshull at 125 Channel Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013. Send manuscripts of greater length to Gloria Clover at 26 Everbreeze Drive, Hadley, PA 16130. All persons who send (or bring) manuscripts after April 17, 2010 must include a SASE for the return of your ms. after the conference.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

At this educational and inspirational writing conference, your questions are welcomed. The staff comes to serve you.

Coffee and donuts will be available in the fellowship hall during Registration.

Lunch will consist of a hot meal or a salad bar, beverage and dessert. It will be served in two shifts. You may skip lunch to attend a fifth workshop without change in conference fee.

A bookstore will be set up for your participation. Bring your published works. Price your books clearly. Present your books on commission during Registration to the bookstore.

Emmanuel Christian Church, 4495 Greenville-Sandy Lake Road, Stoneboro, PA, 16153 is off Route 358 east, exiting Interstate 79 at exit 130. It is a one floor facility.

Send registration form to: Gloria Clover, 26 Everbreeze Drive, Hadley, PA 16130. Contact her at 724-253-2635 or gloworm@certainty.net.

We do not accept credit cards or paypal. There will be no refunds after April 17.

Cost includes choice of 23 workshops, a catered lunch, the critique of one manuscript (no more than 6 pages), and the opportunity to enter 8 writing contests. For additional cost, you may submit additional pages of a manuscript for critique. You may skip lunch to participate in a 5th workshop. The cost of conference remains the same.

We ask you to honor your lunch choice. You will not be held to these workshop choices; the registration process helps us to estimate the size of the classroom needed for each workshop, and helps your workshop leaders prepare their handouts, so please be as accurate as possible.

TESTIMONY TABLE

In lieu of a freebie table that gets harder to stock each year (publishers are putting their guidelines online), we would like to begin a table for article writers and poets to share their published work. You can bring originals for show and/or copies for conferees to take with them.

Printable Registration Form