“I’ve been a naughty, little bird.” # “That’s what storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again.” – Walt Disney.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on December 21st in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Carol Phillips heads WMO. WMO’s blog.
December is Open Mic. Theme: holiday. Time limit: 6 minutes. Type: poetry, prose, mime. Sign-up sheet on the day.
The 2020 WMO theme is “Inspiration.” Together we’ll inspire each other to writing greatness (or, at least, mediocrity).
January is “Setting Goals.” How do you set goals? How do you manage them? How do you track them? Are you overly ambitious or underwhelming in your perceived efforts? (Rick is always overly ambitious.) Come talk about goals and goal setting and excuses you will use.
February is “Five Focal Points.” Goals check, and then we’ll recap 5 critical inspiration sources, which every writer needs to capitalize upon: prompts (using them to your advantage), genre (understand the requirements), experimentation (shake things up and leave your comfort zone, POV (are you using the best one?), and a surprise.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*thru 01/12/20. The NC Poetry Society is accepting submissions for 11 contests that comprise the adult portion of the 2020 Pinesong Awards.
*11/16. 1-4 p.m. “The Peace of Wild Things: Writing About Nature” - Orange County Main Library with Pam Baggett.
*NOW-to-12/31. University of Iowa (UoI) International Writing Program (IWP) Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) writing course. ß Good stuff, and it is free.
*12/14. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. (see below)
*01/01. Deadline. Greensboro Bound. Huge literary festival with an open submission process.
*02/01. Deadline. Know a student? Have Mom, Pop, Aunt Lily check out the NC Poetry Society student awards.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program Spring classes available by November 22nd.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
*Ongoing. Have Lee County Arts Council display your poetry in Sanford. Email Leecountyarts@gmail.com with the subject: “The Art of Poetry” program for details.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
Bonus #1: And if you didn’t get enough at the slush pile reading, read this Twelve Terrible Ways To Open A Story.
Bonus #2: Five tips for performing at an open mic. How to prep for an open mic.
WMO is a free gathering of writers in Chatham and Lee counties, NC for monthly discussions about craft and business of writing, as well notices of opportunities and literary events in the area. WMO is sponsored by the North Carolina Writers' Network.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Writers' Morning Out November 16, 2019
“We write to taste life twice: in the moment and in
retrospect.” – Anais Nin.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (November 16) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (November 16) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO.
November’s presentation is
“Book Meta-Data: How to Maximize its Creation?” Rick Bylina will
interpret the forest of terms (log-line, TV-Guide synopsis, elevator
pitch, query letter plot summary, back-of-book blurb, synopsis (100,
200, 500 words) surrounding meta-data and why it is important for the
writer to control it and use it to their advantage.
December is Holiday Open Mic. Theme: holiday. Time limit: six minutes. Type: poetry, prose, mime. Sign-up sheet on the day of the open mic.
January is, are you kidding me? January already! Get your yearly goals, objectives, and excuses lined up.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*11/01-30. NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth (NANOWRIMO).
Dolly Sickles is the Municipal Liaison (ML) in Chatham Co. Maia
Schuster and Carol Phillips are co-ML’s for the Chapel Hill region.
Carol hosts weekly write-in’s at CCCC on Tuesdays and a Thank God It’s
Over at The Root Cellar on Dec. 1.
*thru 01/12/20. The NC Poetry Society is accepting submissions for 11 contests that comprise the adult portion of the 2020 Pinesong Awards.
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*11/13. 6-8 p.m. “What Sustains Us: Poets on Nature” - Orange County Main Library with Pam Baggett.
*thru 01/12/20. The NC Poetry Society is accepting submissions for 11 contests that comprise the adult portion of the 2020 Pinesong Awards.
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*11/13. 6-8 p.m. “What Sustains Us: Poets on Nature” - Orange County Main Library with Pam Baggett.
*11/14. 6:30-8:30 p.m. CCCC First Annual Creative Writing Expo. See flyer above.
*11/15. CCCC Open Mic. Details are forthcoming.
*11/15. CCCC Open Mic. Details are forthcoming.
*11/15. Deadline. Mentorship by a distinguished NC poet. Part of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.
*11/16. 1-4 p.m. “The Peace of Wild Things: Writing About Nature” - Orange County Main Library with Pam Baggett.
*11/30. Deadline. Poems for the Heron Clan Volume VII. Send WORD DOC to Katherine James.
*12/01. 5-8 p.m. Joyful Jewel Holiday Party. Music and Readings. “Rick Bylina and poetry! Are you kidding me?”
*02/01. Deadline. Know a student? Have Mom, Pop, Aunt Lily check out the NC Poetry Society student awards.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib. Forensic Toxicology Expert.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program Spring classes available in mid-November.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
*Ongoing. Have your poetry put on display in Sanford by the Lee County Arts Council. Email Leecountyarts@gmail.com with the subject: “The Art of Poetry” program for details.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
Bonus #1: And if you didn’t get enough at the slush pile reading, read this Twelve Terrible Ways To Open A Story.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Writer’s Morning Out: Saturday, October 19, 2019
PLEASE READ THE UPDATED (and hopefully clearer instructions) FOR THE SLUSH PILE READING.
“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.” – Leonard Elmore.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (October 19) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting. T
he NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO.
October is Slush Pile Reading. Get gut reactions to the opening of your Work-in-Progress (WIP) from three guest panelists. The format for the entry page is one typed, double-spaced page, any genre in TIMES NEW ROMAN, font size 12. DO NOT include any identifying information on the entry page. Include Identifying information on one second page for the Reader’s benefit. Staple the identifying information to one entry page. Hand all copies of the entry as you enter the meeting to the Reader. The Reader sets the order and ensures the judges have anonymous copies. Won’t to go first or maybe last? I hear Bonnie takes bribes.
The Reader (Bonnie Olsen) will present your entry aloud while the judges read along silently. The judges pretend to be editors at a prestigious publishing house. It is Friday afternoon and each judge is staring at a large pile of unsolicited manuscripts. This is the slush-pile. It could be that a true Best Seller is in there. It can also be true that there are only pages of garbage. The editors can’t take a chance—they have to look at all of it. But the editors would really rather be at Happy Hour, so they read the slush-pile with a definite bias. They are looking for a quick reason to reject whatever they are reading. As the Reader reads each entry aloud, any judge that is bored, finds something incorrect, or simply dislikes the entry will raise a hand, signifying he or she would toss the entry on the floor if alone. And they are free to mark-up the copy if they so choose.
When the Reader is finished reading an entry, each judge will explain what they think is incorrect. If no one objects, they will also discuss what are the really good things in that entry that they like. Remember, there’s no crying during the slush pile reading.
The judges are: Ron Voigts, CCCC instructor and author of a fourteen self-published books; Dolly Sickles, CCCC instructor and author of romance and children’s literature; Ashley Memory, CCCC instructor and author of fiction, poetry, and short fiction.
November’s presentation is “Book Meta-Data: How to Maximize its Creation?” Rick Bylina will interpret the forest of terms (log-line, TV-Guide synopsis, elevator pitch, query letter plot summary, back-of-book blurb, synopsis (100, 200, 500 words) surrounding meta-data and why it is important for the writer to control it.
December is Holiday Open Mic. Theme: holiday. Time limit: six minutes. Type: poetry, prose, mime. Sign-up sheet on the day of the open mic.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*10/05. 2-4 p.m. Judy Hogan reads from her new books (memoir, poetry, Penny Weaver Mystery) at The Joyful Jewel.
*10/06. 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Lorax Poets - Reading their latest poems at The Joyful Jewel.
*10/07. 6-8 p.m. Panel Discussion: In Conversation with NC Publishers. Chapel Hill Lib. Room B.
*10/12. 1-4 p.m. Nice Girls Don’t Say That, poetry workshop by Pam Baggett. Chapel Hill Library, Meeting Room A.
*10/15-17. 1-4 p.m. Writing Workshop led by Dasan Ahanu. See attached flyer (CW Workshop).
*10/16-19. West End Poetry Festival. In/Around Carrboro & Chapel Hill.
*10/27. 2-6 p.m. Press 53’s Celebration of Poetry & Short Fiction. Open Mic and Quiet Mile. Winston-Salem.
*10/31. Deadline. Flash Fiction Contest sponsored by The Raleigh Review.
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*11/15. Deadline. Mentorship by a distinguished NC poet. Part of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.
*12/01. 5-8 p.m. Joyful Jewel Holiday Party. Music and Readings. “Rick Bylina and poetry! Are you kidding me?”
*02/01. Deadline. Know a student? Have Mom, Pop, Aunt Lily check out the NC Poetry Society student awards.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib. Forensic Toxicology Expert.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
Bonus #1: If you know how to work Final Draft software, contact Rick Bylina. Another writer needs you!
“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.” – Leonard Elmore.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (October 19) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting. T
he NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO.
October is Slush Pile Reading. Get gut reactions to the opening of your Work-in-Progress (WIP) from three guest panelists. The format for the entry page is one typed, double-spaced page, any genre in TIMES NEW ROMAN, font size 12. DO NOT include any identifying information on the entry page. Include Identifying information on one second page for the Reader’s benefit. Staple the identifying information to one entry page. Hand all copies of the entry as you enter the meeting to the Reader. The Reader sets the order and ensures the judges have anonymous copies. Won’t to go first or maybe last? I hear Bonnie takes bribes.
The Reader (Bonnie Olsen) will present your entry aloud while the judges read along silently. The judges pretend to be editors at a prestigious publishing house. It is Friday afternoon and each judge is staring at a large pile of unsolicited manuscripts. This is the slush-pile. It could be that a true Best Seller is in there. It can also be true that there are only pages of garbage. The editors can’t take a chance—they have to look at all of it. But the editors would really rather be at Happy Hour, so they read the slush-pile with a definite bias. They are looking for a quick reason to reject whatever they are reading. As the Reader reads each entry aloud, any judge that is bored, finds something incorrect, or simply dislikes the entry will raise a hand, signifying he or she would toss the entry on the floor if alone. And they are free to mark-up the copy if they so choose.
When the Reader is finished reading an entry, each judge will explain what they think is incorrect. If no one objects, they will also discuss what are the really good things in that entry that they like. Remember, there’s no crying during the slush pile reading.
The judges are: Ron Voigts, CCCC instructor and author of a fourteen self-published books; Dolly Sickles, CCCC instructor and author of romance and children’s literature; Ashley Memory, CCCC instructor and author of fiction, poetry, and short fiction.
November’s presentation is “Book Meta-Data: How to Maximize its Creation?” Rick Bylina will interpret the forest of terms (log-line, TV-Guide synopsis, elevator pitch, query letter plot summary, back-of-book blurb, synopsis (100, 200, 500 words) surrounding meta-data and why it is important for the writer to control it.
December is Holiday Open Mic. Theme: holiday. Time limit: six minutes. Type: poetry, prose, mime. Sign-up sheet on the day of the open mic.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*10/05. 2-4 p.m. Judy Hogan reads from her new books (memoir, poetry, Penny Weaver Mystery) at The Joyful Jewel.
*10/06. 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Lorax Poets - Reading their latest poems at The Joyful Jewel.
*10/07. 6-8 p.m. Panel Discussion: In Conversation with NC Publishers. Chapel Hill Lib. Room B.
*10/12. 1-4 p.m. Nice Girls Don’t Say That, poetry workshop by Pam Baggett. Chapel Hill Library, Meeting Room A.
*10/15-17. 1-4 p.m. Writing Workshop led by Dasan Ahanu. See attached flyer (CW Workshop).
*10/16-19. West End Poetry Festival. In/Around Carrboro & Chapel Hill.
*10/27. 2-6 p.m. Press 53’s Celebration of Poetry & Short Fiction. Open Mic and Quiet Mile. Winston-Salem.
*10/31. Deadline. Flash Fiction Contest sponsored by The Raleigh Review.
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*11/15. Deadline. Mentorship by a distinguished NC poet. Part of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.
*12/01. 5-8 p.m. Joyful Jewel Holiday Party. Music and Readings. “Rick Bylina and poetry! Are you kidding me?”
*02/01. Deadline. Know a student? Have Mom, Pop, Aunt Lily check out the NC Poetry Society student awards.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib. Forensic Toxicology Expert.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
Bonus #1: If you know how to work Final Draft software, contact Rick Bylina. Another writer needs you!
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Writer’s Morning Out, September 21, 2019
“The
old Summer’s-end melancholy nips at my heels. No time to languish; time
to write.” ― RTB.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each
month (September 21) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO..
September’s presentation is “Why Consider Small Press Publishing” by Ross White, executive director, Bull City Press,
an independent publisher of poetry, fiction, & nonfiction. Topics include how to order a chapbook & what editors are looking
for. White, a published poet, has been with BCP since 2006 and teaches
grammar & poetry at UNC—Chapel Hill.
October is Slush Pile Reading. Get gut reactions to the opening of your Work-in-Progress (WIP) from three guest panelists. You present FOUR copies of one typed, double-spaced page, any genre in TIMES NEW ROMAN, font size 12 to the Reader upon entering the meeting. DO NOT include any identifying information on the first page only on the second. Hand your best piece in (4 copies, 1 page of entry, 1 page of identifiers) as you enter the meeting to the Reader.
The Reader will present your entry aloud while the judges read along silently. The judges pretend to be editors at a prestigious publishing house. It is Friday afternoon and each judge is staring at a large pile of unsolicited manuscripts. This is the slush-pile. It could be that a true Best Seller is in there. It can also be true that there are only pages of garbage. The editors can’t take a chance—they have to look at all of it. But the editors would really rather be at Happy Hour, so they read the slush-pile with a definite bias. They are looking for a quick reason to reject whatever they are reading. As the Reader reads each entry aloud, any judge that is bored, finds something incorrect, or simply dislikes the entry will raise a hand, signifying he or she would toss the entry on the floor if alone.
When the Reader is finished reading an entry, each judge will explain what they think is incorrect. If no one objects, they will also discuss what are the really good things in that entry that they like. Remember, there’s no crying during the slush pile reading.
November’s presentation is
“Book Meta-Data: How to Maximize its Creation?” Rick Bylina will
interpret the forest of terms (log-line, TV-Guide synopsis, elevator
pitch, query letter plot summary, back-of-book blurb, synopsis (100,
200, 500 words) surrounding meta-data and why it is important for the
writer to control it.
December is Holiday Open Mic. Theme: holiday. Time limit: six minutes. Type: poetry, prose, mime. Sign-up sheet on the day of the open mic.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*09/14. 10 a.m. NC Poetry Society Fall Meeting at Weymouth Center, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines.
*09/17-21. All day. On The Same Page Literary Festival, downtown West Jefferson, NC.
*09/17. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free Flash Fiction Workshop with Ashley Memory at Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street.
*09/25. 6:30-8 p.m. Grieve the Write Way by Dori Dupre. The Joyful Jewel, 44-A Hillsboro St., Pittsboro.
*10/02. 7 p.m. Launch of Aphrodite’s Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica after Midlife by Stella Fosse at Flyleaf in Durham.
*10/15-17. 1-4 p.m. Writing Workshop led by Dasan Ahanu. See flyer below
*10/31. Flash Fiction Contest sponsored by The Raleigh Review.
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*11/08. Start of NCWN 2019 Fall Conference, November 8-10, in Asheville. Which means, register now!
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib. Forensic Toxicology Expert.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, August 17, 2019
2019 Ultra Flash Fiction Winner
Life’s a Tale You Write as You Go.
By Judith Stanton
Or so said Gran, the old witch. Who knew what she saw, what lay in the way; the then, the now, the what would be.
For me, who loved her, and the tall pole beans she grew out back, and the wild red rose in her front yard where the red oaks soared high as the house.
I lived there all my life, a child so young, so lost, nine,ten, and no one there but me to hear and Gran’s son in his bare shirt and jeans.
Paul, his name was Paul.
He lived his life inn a spare room off the porch.
“I don’t want to live like this,” he once growled at me.
I was a child and did not know what to say.
“She locked me up and kept me here,” he said.
Chills crept down my spine, but man, you can’t make these things up. My Gran could not have been a witch, could not have locked him up.
Then one day at the crack of dawn, Mom and Dad loomed at the foot of my bed, heads sunk in a new dark place, and said, “Paul’s dead.”
“What?” I asked, in shock and doubt.
Paul dead? He talked to me, had been my friend.
“And how?”
“And why?”
They could not say.
But that I learned he took Gran’s old Ford truck and all the wrongs he’d held close to his chest and broke through the barbed wire fence and rolled down the slope to the pond.
Drowned and dead, and not one word to me, his friend.
Life is a tale, Paul’s voice said in my head.
You get to end it when it’s time.
As for Gran, who’d locked him up, she cried.
.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Writers' Morning Out, August 17, 2019
“Write
drunk; edit sober.” ― Hemingway never said it. He wrote sober in the
a.m.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (August 17)
in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro, sober or not. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO. .
August’s presentation is “The Year of Living Dangerously with Short Fiction.” CCCC instructor Ashley Memory, who published 17 short stories last year in various anthologies and lit mags (and forthcoming in O’Henry, Third Wednesday, and Gyroscope Review)
profitably, says that there’s never been a better time to write
stories. “You can succeed, too!” Also at this meeting, the winner of
July’s UFF Contest will be announced and submission read.
September’s presentation is “Why Consider Small Press Publishing” by Ross White, executive director, Bull City Press,
an independent publisher of poetry, fiction, & nonfiction. Topics
include how to order a chapbook & what editors are looking
for. White, a published poet, has been with BCP since 2006 and teaches
grammar & poetry at UNC—Chapel Hill.
October is Slush Pile Reading. 3 guest panelists—gut reactions to your WIP. There’s no crying in SPR. Details coming.
November’s presentation is “Book Meta-Data: How to Maximize its Creation?” Details coming.
December is Holiday Open Mic. Bring a writing piece; you might get caramels. Details coming.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know. (Must be the summertime doldrums.)
*07/27. 1-4 p.m. Poetry Workshop with Pam Baggett. Register with her. Chapel Hill Lib. Meeting Room C.
*08/16. 7 p.m. Book reading from Good Buddy by author Dori Dupre at the Joyful Jewel.
*08/23. 2-4 p.m. Story Telling for Women—Tales of the Heart by Judith Valerie at the Joyful Jewel.
*08/29. 7 p.m. Reading of Stanly Has a Lynching by M. Lynette Hartsell at Durham Public Library – Southwest.
*09/07. 2 p.m. Reading/Launch of Molten Mud Murder by Sara Johnson at McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*09/25. 6:30-8 p.m. Grieve the Write Way by Dori Dupre.
*10/31. Flash Fiction Contest sponsored by The Raleigh Review.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--2 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
Congratulations: Ruth
Moose was interviewed on NPR WUNC Friday July 12 at noon on the State
of Things show. She also has a poem in the current issue on the stands
in Carolina Woman.
Remember: Don’t forget. The NCWN offers critiquing and editing services. See their website.
Bonus #1: The Calico Paw Books, an indie bookstore, in Henderson is looking for authors for readings/events.
Bonus #2: Independent booksellers’ #1 pick for August is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Writers' Morning Out, July 20, 2019
“Anyone
who says writing is easy isn’t doing it.” ― Amy Joy.
WMO meets at 1
p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (July 20) in the http://greekkouzina.com/ backroom in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning heads WMO.
July’s presentation is
“Setting up Style Guides”. A nice segue from Judith Stanton’s “Style
Sheet” presentation and on the heels of June’s presentation, Carol
Phillips will demonstrate how an electronic style sheet in your
authoring system can make your on-page writing set-up flow like warm
honey. Bee armed with questions.
August’s presentation is “The Year of Living Dangerously with Short Fiction.” CCCC instructor Ashley Memory, who published 17 short stories last year in various anthologies and lit mags (and forthcoming in O’Henry, Third Wednesday, and Gyroscope Review)
profitably, says that there’s never been a better time to write
stories. “You can succeed, too!” Also at this meeting, the winner of
July’s UFF Contest (see below) will be announced and submission read.
September’s presentation is “Why Consider Small Press Publishing” by Ross White, Bull City Press
(BCP) executive director. Topics include how to order a chapbook and
what editors are looking for. White, a published poet, has been with
BCP since 2006 and teaches grammar and poetry at UNC—Chapel Hill.
Writing-related Timely Events. Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*07/01-31. The WMO Ultra Flash Fiction (UFF) Contest. Write a monosyllabic 300-Word Story. See rules below.
*07/12. 9:30 a.m. Flash Fiction Writing. The Joyful Jewel. Ashley Memory. (Bring your fastest, flashiest pen!)
*07/17. 2:30 p.m. Author’s Tea with Judy Hogan and friends. Eva Perry Library in Apex.
*07/27. 1-4 p.m. Poetry Workshop with Pam Baggett. Register with her. Chapel Hill Lib. Meeting Room C.
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Have one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. 5 minute yaks.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 1:30-3 p.m. Triangle Sisters-in-Crime Meeting. Open to public. Durham S. Reg. Lib. No July meeting.
*2nd Sun. 3-5 p.m. “Featured Poets/Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--6 p.m. The Root Cellar. ßchange
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Creative Fiction Writing and Critique Group. Check Pittsboro Meet-ups for times and locations.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College. Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Dates vary. Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check often for performances/programs.
*Dates vary. Redbud Writing Project. Writing courses for an adult education writing school in Chapel Hill.
Ultra Flash Fiction (UFF) Contest Rules: Open to NCWN members or WMO members living in Chatham/Lee Counties. Submission guidelines:
Any subject. Can’t exceed 300 words, including the title. Only one
syllable words allowed. (Contractions pronounced as one syllable are
okay. E.g., 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.). Your name
shouldn’t appear on the story page. Include a cover page with name,
title, word count & email address. Send MS & cover page as .doc
or .txt attachments to: amanningusa@gmail.com by July 31st. There is blind judging.
By submitting an entry, you are assumed to be 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. Tenth yearly contest. Use your wordsmithing skills to
make every word count.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Wrioters' Morning Out June 15, 2019
“The
pen is the tongue of the mind.” ― Miguel de Cervantes.
WMO meets at 1
p.m. on the third Saturday of each month (June 15) in the backroom of http://greekkouzina.com/ in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning is WMO Head Brain. .
June’s feature presentation is
“Getting the Most out of Your Computer”. While pen and journal may be a
writer’s best friends, computers are flashy colleagues who contribute
to our writing success. Come join Ralph Earle to learn how to become a
Word Processing wizard, track submissions, make the internet work for
you, and more. Ralph is a published poet and CCCC instructor with
extensive computer knowledge from his career at IBM.
July’s feature presentation is
“Setting up Style Guides”. A nice segue from Judith Stanton’s “Style
Sheet” presentation and on the heels of June’s presentation, Carol
Phillips will demonstrate how an electronic style sheet in your
authoring system can make your on-page writing set-up flow like warm
honey. Bee armed with questions.
August’s feature presentation is
“An Overview of the World of Short Fiction”. Presenter TBA. Also at
this meeting, the winner of July’s UFF Contest (see below) will be
announced, submission read, and piece published on the blog.
*06/02. 3-5 p.m. Quarterly Poetry Readings open mic. The Joyful Jewel. Hosted by Lorax Poets.
*06/04. 6 p.m. Pittsboro Critique Group. The Root Cellar. “Meet, greet, and exchange ideas.” (Be one with the word.)
*06/08. 1:30 p.m. Triangle Sisters in Crime. Durham South Regional Library. Speaker: author & screenwriter Eryk Pruitt.
*06/17. 2-3 p.m. How to Read a Short Story. The Joyful Jewel. An author talk with the entertaining Ruth Moose.
*06/20. 7 p.m. Nature Writing in Your Own Backyard , an online class for first 40 registrants.
*06/26. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Write Way—Writing Through Grief. The Joyful Jewel. Dori Dupre.
*06/30. Deadline. Sally Buckner Emerging Writers’ Fellowship. I’m too old; it’s for ages 21-35. Get ‘em young.
*07/01-31. The WMO Ultra Flash Fiction (UFF) Contest. Write a monosyllabic 300-Word Story. Details coming.
*07/12. 8:30 p.m. Flash Fiction Writing. The Joyful Jewel. Ashley Memory. (Bring your flashlight.)
*For more about writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Got one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. Five minute yaks. Questions? caren@windstream.net .
*2nd Thurs. 7-8:30 p.m. “Featured Poets and Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books. Pre-poetic pontificating--6 p.m. The Root Cellar.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village.
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College — Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Ongoing. Performances and programs at the Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check back often.
Bonus #1: Book Launch Checklist: A Marketing Timeline for Authors by Debbie Macomber. Got book? Need plan? Read.
Bonus #2: Average Cost of an Indie Publishing a Book. Selling a service but some good general information.
Bonus #3: Do You need A Moral Arc in Literature? Intriguing blog entry. (I say, “Yes.”)
Bonus #3: Do You need A Moral Arc in Literature? Intriguing blog entry. (I say, “Yes.”)
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Writers' Morning Out, May 18, 2019
“There
is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and
bleed.” ― Ernest Hemingway.
WMO meets at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of
each month (May 18) in the backroom of http://greekkouzina.com/ in Pittsboro. Come early for lunch, literary gossip, and then the meeting.
The NCWN sponsors WMO. Al Manning is WMO Head Brain.
May’s feature presentation is
“So You Want To Self-Publish Your Book And You Don’t Know Squat” by
Rick Bylina. An umbrella presentation on how to get started with copious
references to additional resources. A Chatham County author, Rick has
self-published seven books. If you have a pre-meeting specific question,
email Rick.
June’s feature presentation is
“Getting the Most out of Your Computer”. While pen and journal may be a
writer’s best friends, computers are flashy colleagues who contribute
to our writing success. Come join Ralph Earle to learn how to become a
Word Processing wizard, track submissions, make the internet work for
you, and more. Ralph is a published poet and CCCC instructor with
extensive computer knowledge from his career at IBM.
July’s feature presentation is a secret, but sometime this fall (September or October) someone will magically appear from a local small press to talk about—small press publishing. Come armed with questions.
*May. Best new book chosen by the indy booksellers: The Guest Book by Sarah Blake. Time to read.
*05/05. 2-4 p.m. A Poetry Reading in the Round Carrboro Town Hall Board Room, 301 W. Main St.
*05/08. All day. Writing from the Reader’s Perspective, Duke University.
*05/12. 2 p.m. Reading of Friday Calls by author E. Vernon F. Glenn at McIntyre’s Fine Books.
*05/16-19. Greensboro Bound Literary Festival. Free workshops, craft talk, and conversations with writers.
*05/18. Triangle Sisters in Crime 5th Writing Day. Register now. Must be good; five writers sent this to me.
*05/19. Coffeehouse Discussion Group. Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. Gray Rhinehart, moderator.
*05/20. Deadline. New Letters Writing Contests. Multi-genre pieces not to exceed 8,000 words.
*05/28. Deadline. Linda Flowers Literary Award. Sponsored by NC Humanities Council.
*06/02. 3-5 p.m. Quarterly Poetry Readings open mic at The Joyful Jewel. Hosted by Lorax Poets.
*06/16. 2 p.m. How to Read a Short Story, an author talk with the entertaining Ruth Moose at The Joyful Jewel.
*06/30. Deadline. Sally Buckner Emerging Writers’ Fellowship. I’m too old; it’s for ages 21-35. Get ‘em young.
*For more about ongoing writing-related contests and events, See the NCWN website .
Writing-related Ongoing Events (monthly unless otherwise noted). Got one? Let Rick Bylina know.
*1st Thurs. 6-8 p.m. “Take Five Poetry and Prose Open Mic.” Karma Boutique and Coffee Bar in Sanford. Five minute yaks. Questions?: caren@windstream.net .
*2nd Thurs. 7-8:30 p.m. “Featured Poets and Open Mic.” Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill. Pre-poetic pontificating begins at 6 p.m. at The Root Cellar.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books.
*2nd Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. “Prompt Writing”. Flyleaf Books.
*3rd Thurs. 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Pop-Up Poetry”. Pittsboro Center for the Arts, Poetry gabbing and learning.
*4th Sun. 2 p.m. “NC Poetry Society Poetry Series” McIntyre’s Fine Books, Fearrington Village. Selected poetry, poems, or poets discussions. Questions?: cpsy711@gmail.com .
*Dates vary. Central Carolina Community College —Creative Writing Program writing workshops and courses.
*Ongoing. Performances and programs at the Pittsboro Center For The Arts and Sweet Bee Theater. Check back often.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Poem: The Day After Christmas
The Day After Christmas
Twas the morning after Christmas
And all through the house
The children were sleeping
All quiet as a mouse.
The stockings we had hung
By the fireplace with care
Now look forlorn
Cause there’s just nothing there.
Toys, blocks and legos
Were strewn on the floor
Totally surrounded
By wrapping paper galore.
I slumped on the sofa
My hangover was bad
As I tried to remember
How much fun we had.
Then out on the lawn
I heard such a clatter
I stumbled to my feet
To see what was the matter.
I spotted Santa getting out
Of a big limousine
The look on his face
Was the worst I had ever seen.
He looked at me sadly
With a shake of his head
“You ain’t gonna believe
What my GPS said.”
“Nothing in this world can
Make me get over my stress
Many presents I delivered
Were to the wrong address.”
“They want me to fix this
Now, today.
I’ve got news for them
I ain’t gonna play.”
“There’s a new outfit in town
That can take over my chore
You probably know it already
It’s called Amazon store.”
By Al Manning
By Al Manning
9/30/19
Monday, April 29, 2019
Poem: We Live Like This
WE LIVE LIKE THIS
A dozen years ago you bought
this isolated farm, enticing me to
come live with you on a lazy country road
sometimes an hour or two between
cars and trucks, the odd tractor
Now the bridge over Brooks Creek
Is blocked for repairs for the next
one hundred days detours anywhere
we try to go to town to stores to meetings
tonight tomorrow, none I come to learn
more confusing or elusive as I discover
than the pathways
to your guarded heart.
By: Judith Stanton
4/29/19
A dozen years ago you bought
this isolated farm, enticing me to
come live with you on a lazy country road
sometimes an hour or two between
cars and trucks, the odd tractor
Now the bridge over Brooks Creek
Is blocked for repairs for the next
one hundred days detours anywhere
we try to go to town to stores to meetings
tonight tomorrow, none I come to learn
more confusing or elusive as I discover
than the pathways
to your guarded heart.
By: Judith Stanton
4/29/19
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Poem: For my dear friend Sam, the cat
For my dear friend
Sam, the cat
I too am excited
that you are you
and I am me
and we are we
you kneading me
me needing you
you purring madly
me taking deep
relaxing breaths
as we curl up together
lifelong friends
the us in we
the we of us
By: Judith Stanton
4/2/19
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Poem: Storm struck
Storm struck
Late May, skies darkening
all afternoon. Only an hour
ago Doppler radar said
the storm would skirt us.
But no. Thunder rumbles
in the dark night. Far away
sheet lightning streaks the sky.
Rain falls heavy down and wind
whistles through the chimney,
rain shattering on tin dampers.
Storm struck this afternoon
I embark on my new life,
claiming custody of what I do,
what I know, who I am.
Embracing this thunderstorm
of change.
By: Judith Stanton
4/24/19
Friday, April 26, 2019
Poem: Spring Falls Down
Spring Falls Down
Spring, who cares?
Red clay mud reigns.
Mosquitoes reborn.
Hot, cold, make up your mind.
Yard work breaks my aching back.
Last fall’s leaves hide sneaky branches.
Pollen blizzard covers everything.
Birth of ticks, May flies, and blood sucking gnats.
“Basketball’s over. Get outside,” she bellows.
“Hose down the house, waterproof the deck, spread manure.”
Fishing season starts, casting with the fellows.
The grass greens. Birdies begin to sing.
Heating bills bow to cool breezes.
Lent ends. Chocolate is back.
Lay in hammock—unwind.
Give ’way garb I scorn.
Soft April rain.
Spring, I care.
“Mow the lawn. The grass is too high.
Trim the hedge.” I can only sigh.
By: Rick Bylina
4/26/19
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Poem: Death Came This Day
Death Came This Day
I
Death came this day
I felt it hovering
Amongst the leaves
Dried from winter's wind
Saw it in Megabyte’s
Unwanted meal and
In her collapsed legs
Heard it in her
Sigh of discontent
And her yelp as
I lifted her
She wagged her tail
And ambled along
Familiar byways
Death passed us by this day
2
Death came this day
Not Megabyte, but Bill
Too soon after
They married again
This second time
More honest than the first
A phoenix born
In ruins of their love
In her gentle grace
Death came this day
I felt its breath
In Kathi’s quiver
Embraced with Bill’s flame
Death came this day
By: Carol Phillips
4/25/19
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