Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

Mark Your Calendars: Xtreme Critique Weekend Is Coming Soon

Are you struggling with whether or not your chapters are engaging, tight, and well-paced? Do you sense that your articles or essays lack umph? Or have you come up with a brilliant nonfiction book idea but can't seem to convey your enthusiasm in a written proposal?

If you're nodding at all, then you're likely in need of the constructive feedback and direction that our Xtreme Critique Weekend offers. By participating in five targeted critiquing sesssions and bouncing thoughts and ideas off of caring peers and professionals during meals and social gatherings, you'll leave the weekend equipped and ready to ramp your writing to a more publishable level.

Here are the details.

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Posted by Judy on March 22, 2007
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Lecture on Police Procedures in Ligonier

Learn Police Procedures for Writers at CSI: Rector

Are you working on writing a mystery? If you'd like to learn more about crime scene investigation and police procedures for writers, come to the next Ligonier Valley Writers program on Sunday afternoon, March 25, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Church in Rector.

The speaker will be retired police officer and LVW board member Ed Kelemen, who has 23 years of experience in law enforcement. He will discuss the most common mistakes writers make when writing about police and investigative procedures and give advice on how to correct them. The talk is free and open to the public.

"There are too many master criminals in today's literature. For every whodunit, there are a thousand smoking-gun solutions," Ed says. "But remember, most criminals are stupid."

Ed has received numerous citations and awards during his career, including the Variety Club Award for service above and beyond the call of duty. He was one of the founding members of the Allegheny County Police Bomb Squad and has taught police procedures and investigative techniques at numerous locations, including the Allegheny County Police and Fire Academy and the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA.

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Posted by Judy on March 20, 2007
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Women Authors Speak Event, March 24

In Honor of Women’s History Month
When: Saturday March 24, 2007
Time: 8 a.m.—Noon
Includes: Lunch Buffet & Mixer following Program

Where: SoHo, Located on the North Shore in the Springhill Suites (Marriott)
203 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA

Sessions:

"Breaking Through the Fear of Reaching For Your Dreams: Writer's Block and Other Bricks in the Water Bucket of Life" -- Nancy Mramor Ph.D. , Author of "Spiritual Fitness" and an Educational, Health and Clinical Psychologist, a Spiritual Fitness Coach and Speaker.

"The Art and Craft of Poetry" -- Dessie Bey, Author of "“Snappin’ Out! in more ways than one” and Founding Member and Assistant Director of the Langston Hughes Poetry Society of Pittsburgh and on the Board of Directors of UMOJA African Arts Company.

“The Amazon Whisperer: How to Use the Online Giant's Tools to Promote Your Book” -- Joyce Faulkner, Author of "In the Shadow of Suribachi" and "For Shrieking Out Loud", Ghostwriter, Publisher and Speaker.

PANEL DISCUSSION INCLUDING:

“How to Publish Your Book” — Pat McGrath Avery — CEO Red Engine Press/ River Road Press, Author

“Ghost Writing” — Barbara Killmeyer — Ghostwriter, Freelance Writer

“Word Power: The Four Top Tools for Crafting Powerful Prose” - Sandra Gould Ford - Novelist, Conference Producer, Publisher of Literary and Arts Magazine

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Posted by Judy on March 11, 2007
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Nancy Martin's "Writing Is Murder" Workshop

Nancy Martin, author of the popular Blackbird Sisters Mysteries, is conducting a workshop for mystery writers.

During the workshop, Martin will share how to:
• Create dynamic, spirited characters
• Write dialogue that snaps and crackles your story forward
• Build a believable "real" world for your characters
• Tune-up your writer's voice
Plus you'll learn how to plot, subplot, and set the hooks that will have your readers dangling from the cliffhangers.

Martin's workshop is an interactive, lively work session designed for the serious mystery writer. You'll learn how to kill off a victim, plant a red herring, elude the cops and solve the mystery -- all in a way that will delight readers, agents, and publishers.

For those of you who have never heard Nancy Martin speak, I promise you you'll leave feeling inspired, motivated, and headed in a positive direction.

Here are the workshop details:

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Posted by Judy on March 05, 2007
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