Blogging for beginners workshop

DITCH THE TYPEWRITER AND GET BLOGGING.

Don't forget the workshop is on the 31st August 2011 at 7pm at the Aitkenvale library room.Ten dollar fee.

there is still time if you would like to come.

Learn about blogging and get yourself on the world wide web.

Non members are also welcome.

Michael Fitzgerald Clarke published.

Michael our resident poet has done it again with another poem being published. Obviously he is working hard.

Under a Bridge in Gloucestershire has just appeared in the August 22, 2011 post of the e-journal Dr. Hurley's Snake-oil Cure click on the Snake oil link to take you there.

Queensland Writers Centre

Hi Writers in Townsville

We’ve got exciting, free workshops aimed at writers curious about crime writing coming up in Townsville and Cairns on 17 and 18 September respectively. I hope you can make it, They’re free for Queensland Writers Centre members and $115 for non-members. Details below:

Crime fiction writer PM Newton is coming to North Queensland (Townsville - 17 Sept, Cairns - 18 Sept) to take you into the dark and suspenseful world of crime fiction.

PM Newton will introduce you to the seething underbelly of crime writing and arm you with the ammo that will give you the confidence to get started with a life of crime.

This workshop is designed for beginners interested in learning the basics of beginnings, plot, structure, setting, and suspense. This workshop is FREE to QWC members so book soon to avoid disappointment..

Bookings essential: phone (07)3842 9922 or visit the QWC website.

Just to reiterate: Wits is a member of QWC so anyone who is a paid up member of Wits for this year (2011) is FREE

Also: Writers should support these regional events. The more bums on seats the more workshops etc we will have up here.

Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Shortlist

2011 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist for the 2011 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards has been announced.

The Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards is one of the richest and most diverse literary awards programs in Australia, with a proud history of recognising, celebrating and supporting outstanding Australian writers on a national scale.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 6 September.

Wits Web help WRITERS DIGEST

Click this link or cut and pastehttp://www.writersdigestshop.com/

Writers Digest is a comprehensive site for all your writing needs.

Not only do they have a shop where you can purchase cheap books on the craft but they have a wonderful array of help. From Dictionaries, to composing your first query letter and more.

check out the site and you might want to subscribe.

You are never too old to learn. You can only get better with Writers Digest help.

Shaun's mini workshop

10 minutes turned into a very informative half an hour. Shaun took us through his process of researching his Sci-Fi novel and how history can still be relevant today.

It was fascinating to learn his main character is based on the the Duke of Wellington. A stalwart character who never lost a battle. The topography of some of Shaun's battles are from real locations, ie. the hills, the sea, the battle lines etc.

Why not borrow from history?

We quizzed him on the need for foreign languages in Sci-fi, and Shaun explained that he uses Nouns in this way, but the day to day language is English. Also a fact that he has created a whole new world so why use the word earth for dirt. He has refrained from 'earth' and used soil, sods, dirt etc. Makes sense!

Thanks Shaun for an interesting insight into your thought processes.

Wits web help: writing meter

If you are looking for a gadget/widget to show the world how your writing is coming along then check this out.

gadget link It is a good way to keep track and quite easy to install. Just follow the instructions from the link and best of all it can be personalised ie. 80000 words, 10000 words or just 500 what ever you want.
check it out.

Also here are two web sites that one our members found helpful
Bad Language click the link or cut and paste.

http://www.badlanguage.net/concentration-22-ways-to-stay-focused-on-writing

The artists way

http://www.theartistsway.com/tools/the-basic-tools

Shaun's mini workwhop 17th August

Shaun is a writer of war/fantasy/SF. His novel is complete and is in the dreaded editing stage.

This is Shaun's second workshop. The last one on weapons was amazing. Guns, spears, ammo, bombs,swords and bows and arrows. It just makes you want to go and write a fight scene.

Here is a run down of his up and coming mini workshop.

For WiTs; Mini workshop on researching for Zicastor.

A brief rundown of how I prepared for the writing of my novel Zicastor:

A quick overview on:-

What inspired me to write.

How I created my characters

What tools I used to get my story started and flowing.

How I researched weapons and tactics

And what I’ve done since finishing the novel.

Very happy to answer questions throughout

New writing Festival.

Check this out plus one more web site for indie authors


The Australasian Association of Independent Writers is pleased to announce the inaugural Festival of Independent Writers and Publishers to be held on the Gold Coast at the Robina Community Centre near the Robina library on 29 October 2011.

As part of this celebration of independent writers and publishers we also announce the inaugural open Short Story Writing Competition.

Entry fee: $7.50 for single entries, $18 for three.

1st prize: $200 voucher off your printing costs plus $100; 2nd prize: $200 voucher off your printing costs; highly commended certificates.

Word limit: 1500 words

Theme: open

Closing date: 30 September 2011

Enter by post or online

See website for details of the festival, how you can be involved and the writing competition: http://www.indieauthorsfestival.com

And:

Are you an independent writer or publisher? If so, why not combine a wonderful trip to the sunny Gold Coast with the chance to meet your fellow indie writers, publishers, printers and READERS?

The Australasian Association of Independent Writers is seeking sponsors and independent writers or publishers to take part in the inaugural Festival of Independent Writers and Publishers to be held on 29 October 2011 on the Gold Coast at Robina Community Centre next to the Robina library.

There are numerous ways you can become involved, so if you’d like to be part of this great initiative, please contact us at indiewriters@gmail.com.

For further information, check out our website: http://www.indieauthorsfestival.com.

Blogging for beginners.

The blogging workshop on the 31st August is filling up fast.

so...if you want a place, just email

witsnq {at} gmail {dot}com

and let us know. There is a small fee of ten dollars to cover handouts etc.

Our member gets published

Michael Fitzgerald-clarke has been appointed the Townsville Library Systems
Poet in Residence. An accolade and well deserved. Not content to sit on his laurels he has had a couple of publishing success of late.


"A Morning on Our Earth" in Bolts of Silk:
http://boltsofsilk.blogspot.com/2011/07/morning-on-our-earth-by-michael.html

"A Highly Political Poem; To Rally the GOP Minority in Asheville" in Dr. Hurley's Snake-Oil Cure (July 7 post):
http://snakeoilcure.com/

New merchandise to buy

Wits now has a Cafepress store. Just the thing to let people know you belong.
click here to buy some awesome stuff.

or
visit the link on the left any ol' time.