Friday, May 24, 2013

Ultra Flash Fiction

A reminder:

This is a fun contest!  ULTRA FLASH FICTION

Rules:  This contest is open to any NCWN member in Chatham or Lee Counties, or to any member of the Pittsboro Writers’ Morning Out.

Submission guidelines:
Any subject any style not to exceed 300 words, including the title.
Only words of one syllable allowed.  (Contractions pronounced as one syllable are OK.  Exp:  I’m, I’d, I’ve, can’t, won’t, don’t, Also, possessives pronounced as one syllable:  Joe’s, Ann’s, Kate’s etc)

Yes, it can be done.  You can write a story in 300 words, but you must make every word count. This is our fourth annual UFF contest. All our previous participants have agreed that this is difficult, but a great writing exercise! It will require some craftsmanship.  Give it a try!

On our blog, at www.pittsboro-wmo.blogsppot.com go back to August 4, 2012 to see last year’s winning entry.

This will be a blind judging.  Your name should not appear on the story page.  Include a cover page with name, title, word count and email address.  Send MS and cover page as attachments in doc or docx or txt format to:  amanning@richkwok.com   
Due date:  June 15, 2013.

Note:
The winning entry will be posted to our blog. By submitting an entry, you are granting us one-time reprint rights.  This is necessary so we can legally post the winning story to the blog.
If you do not wish a winning entry to be so posted, just let us know.



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Writing about the natural world

Catherine Bollinger is teaching a a short workshop on writing about the natural world. 

This workshop takes advantage of the gardens and trails at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill to practice observation skills and brief writing exercises. Catherine Bollinger will share tips on ways to add specificity to accounts of the natural world by honing observation skills and using all senses to translate sensory information into vivid prose

Saturday, July 13, 10:00 AM

Contact Catherine at piedmontgardener.com for more information.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Writers' Morning Out


Pittsboro Writers’ Morning Out meets Saturday, May 11, 1:00 PM
at Davenport & Winkleperry, 18A East Salisbury in Pittsboro.
All writers, all genre are invited.

Critique groups: Our two critique groups have merged. We have limited space still available.  If you are interested in participating in a group, contact the facilitator:
Group 1:  Meets 2nd and 4th Saturday at 10:30 AM. Carol Phillips   calsea@gmail.com
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Thursday, May 2, 2013

A Poem for the Day


                                                    MYSTERY OF THE MOUNTAINS
                                                
The majesty of the mountains mirrors the sanctity of the soul
Its hills and vales, peaks and ravines rolling randomly over time,
Arching here, sinking there, speaking their silent voice of stillness

Their universal and unmistakable mission of grandeur and gratitude.
To a Force, a Power, a Presence that powerfully touches every man

Speak O Mountain Man, and tell me the secrets of nature’s self that
Lie hidden in the caves and caverns of your quiet and ageless hills.

While the rivers run slowly and surely over the rocks and rills of valleys below.
While winds blow and snows slip slowly down the hill to heal our land,
Tell me what secrets lie hidden within your very soul.  And the Ancient Of  Days answered in fire and thunder.

Rod Randolph