Meeting Highlights for July 10, 2014

In attendance: Andrew, Pam Gonzalez, Bernardo Gonzalez, Judy

Personal Sharing: Andrew shared that he got a new apartment. Pam and Bernardo shared they just celebrated 7 years of marriage on July 7th.

Business:  Judy discussed a course she is taking that Andrew had shared with the group via email. The course was offered on Groupon and is called "Write Story Books for Children". Judy showed us the course using her laptop and heartily recommends it. The course is regularly offered for $500 but through Groupon, it was being offered for $19.95. The website address of the course is www.writestorybooksforchildren.com.

Pam passed around a handout that was an article about the pros for authors utilizing Google+ to promote themselves and their books.

Judy suggested we check our emails, as she has been sending us regular updates.

Andrew read two poems he's written: "Three Pots" and "The Pot of Beauty". He also did some illustration work to go with the poems.

Bernardo read more of "Red & Fred" which lead to a group discussion about using description in writing.

The group had a discussion about not force-rhyming poems when writing.

The group ended the meeting shortly after 8:00 p.m. with several members saying they were going to look again at the course "Write Story Books for Children".

PG

Meeting Highlights June 26, 2014

Member’s Present:  Bernardo, Cathy, Jackie, Judy, Luneil, Pam, Suzy

Guests:  Katherine Flotz, Kathryn Page Camp

Kathryn Page Camp, a retired lawyer and full-time writer, read the first chapter of her middle grade novel Desert Jewels.  Her novel tells the story of Emi, a young Japanese American schoolgirl growing up in California during World War II. Kathryn has authored two non-fiction books that are published but this is her first time writing for a younger audience. Writers in Wonderland and In God We Trust are both available on Amazon.com

Lora Mercado was our guest speaker. She started getting signs from heaven after her infant son passed away. This prompted her to collect stories from other people who had similar experiences. She published her first book Our Angels Await in March 2013. Since then Lora has published several cookbooks and other books and magazines featuring art and photography both online and in print format. She went through the process of self-publishing and offered information and resources from getting started to promoting yourself and your work by networking and free book offers. Her handouts included links to writing software, book cover designers, writing podcasts, websites and blogs, and even where to get ISBN numbers. See more about Lora on our Author/Guest Speaker Page.

Members discussed a retreat. Suzy offered to have an all-day working meeting at her house in Demotte on August 16^th. Members can work on current projects, get some computer help, and/or some inspiration and thorough critique from each other.

Next meeting is at 6:30 on July 10 at the Sip Coffee House in Crown Point, IN.

JSH

Meeting Highlights May 8, 2014

Members present:  Bernardo, Jackie, Judy, Luneil, Pam, Sharon, Suzy 

Members met at Sip Coffee House in Crown Point. Jackie discussed a guest speaker she would like to have at the next meeting. Lora Panero Mercado graduated high school with Jackie. She is a writer, photographer, and a wedding officiant, among other things. She has recently self-published several books and is willing to discuss her journey and offer advice to those who are interested in publishing e-books as well as the printed version.

Judy played the movie she created of the 2014 PoPP Awards Assembly that was held this past April in Crown Point. Four area elementary schools participated. Katherine Flotz and Judy organized and oversaw the annual contest again this year and produced a poetry book of the winning poems. Judy’s grandson took photos of the event.

Sharon still plans on writing a science fiction/fantasy series but needs to do a lot of research beforehand and during the writing process. She brought in Where I Come From. The book and CD contains songs and poems from children around the world.

Suzy read her poem Mommy’s Day.

Judy and Pam talked about having a writer’s retreat.

Next Meeting is scheduled for June 26th, Sip Coffee House in Crown Point, at 6:30 p.m.

JSH

Meeting Highlights April 10, 2014

Members Present: Andrew, Jackie, Suzy

Happy Spring!

Members met at Books A Million at Southlake Mall in Hobart. Jackie asked Andrew and Suzy to work on their bios and send them in for the blog. The group discussed possible guest speakers.

Jackie read a rhyming short story/picture book she is working on about a missing pet titled Where is Chewy?

Andrew read Jigsaw, a reflective poem about life, which was written for an older audience.

Suzy shared the first chapter of Zoey and the Kid. This story is inspired by true events and told from her dog’s perspective.

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 8^th, 2014. We will meet at Sip Coffee House, 9 North Court Street, in Crown Point, IN.

JSH

Meeting Highlights March 13, 2014

Members present: Andrew, Bernardo, Jackie, Joan, Luneil, Pam, Suzy

Jackie brought in board books for the group to review. She encouraged Andrew and Suzy to write up their bios and email them to her. Members then discussed other possible meeting places.

Luneil read her New Year Anticipation and asked for feedback from the group. In her poem she made some reflections on the past year and talked about plans and changes she would like to make for 2014. Members suggested only minor edits. Joan encouraged Luneil to look for places to submit it.

Suzy has a new blog http://www.suzysscribbles.com/ which she started in January. She plans to blog about writing her stories. Her first story Zilla Takes a Vacation is posted. Currently she is working on her second story. Zilla the Garden Gnome is going to try out her green thumb and plant a garden. Later Suzy discussed CreateSpace and Book Baby for self e-publishing. http://www.bookbaby.com/

Bernardo read about Red and Fred’s adventure with the sacred scrolls. The plot is action packed with them fighting off giant ants. He plans to read about the upside-down forest at the next meeting.

Pam is still working on her self-help books and plans to submit the first one to several publishers. Jackie wants her to consider taking pre-orders for her book since so many people are anxious to buy them. Pam then read Farm in a Jar which an informative article about how to grow sprouts in your kitchen.

Joan reported her personal memoir A Charmed Life is about 9,000 words and is ¾ finished. She plans to send it to at least 15 publishers.

Andrew read his rhyming poem Acceptance. It tells about how Oscar the Turtle helped two schools of fish get along.

Next meeting is scheduled for April 10.

JSH

Meeting Highlights February 21, 2014

Members present: Luneil, Andrew, Judy, Joan, Jackie

 

Judy passed out annual financial report and collected dues. Dues were ½ price for the month of February. We have decided to extend the discount through March. She also purchased the latest edition of Book Markets for Children’s Writers and Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers. Any member can borrow either book for a month at a time.

 

Judy passed out the recipe summary and a draft of the cookbook. Members discussed layout and what is still needed. We need to create recipes for more breakfasts, sandwiches, and side dishes among other things. Judy will work on a cover so please give her ideas. It was decided that we should have a meeting where we focus solely on the cookbook. Jackie will email the other members so they will have the latest information.

Judy will look into a fine arts grant for professional development so we can use designated funds to attend a workshop, conference or writer’s retreat in the near future.

Jackie passed out a list of sensory words and a list of sound words. Both lists can make writing more descriptive and powerful. Jackie is keeping a file folder on the information/handouts that have been passed out in previous meetings. She suggested that Andrew visit the links Sharon has on the Write-On Hoosier blog site.

Andrew showed some illustrations his co-worker drew for his picture book. Members discussed word and page count for picture/board books for 0-2 year olds. Jackie will bring in some examples next meeting.

Luneil and Joan will research additional meeting places. 

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 20. The place is to be determined.

Christmas Meeting / Party 12-12-13

Members Present: Bernardo, Jackie, Joan, Judy, Luneil, Pam, Suzy

Guest: Andrew Von Thaden

 

 

Suzy just remembered she is published! She wrote a journal article in the 90’s on Special Education and Computers. Jackie reminded Suzy that all the work she did at Purdue was also published, she just didn’t get credit. Suzy will work on a bio for the blog.

Jackie has some photos and poems in a book that is now on Amazon. Naturally Yours is a collection of poems and short stories about Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs. Proceeds are donated to Indiana Natural Resources Foundation's "Discovering The Outdoors" fund to enable school children to visit state parks to learn about nature and wildlife. Jackie talked to Joan about selling some books at The Center of Performing Arts in Munster since Joan has her book in the gift shop.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1493669400/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_E0-Osb0WZ8PA9ZF6

Jackie finally posted Bernardo’s bio and reminded members to send her any updates. Jackie brought in an old Family Flyer and some book drafts as well as a few made on Snapfish and Shutterfly to have concrete examples to show to our newer members and guests. Judy will bring some of her illustrated books to the next meeting.

Bernardo has been working on a newsletter for his unit entitled News from the Cobra Nest. It offers drills, support, and job leads among other things. He then read Memory Lane, a Christmas poem about gifts under the aluminum tree.

Nancy from Chapel Lawn talked about her daughter who wrote The House of Pendragon.  Debra Kemp has been a member of Indiana Writers’ Consortium in the past. Her book is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Recruit-House-Pendragon-Book-ebook/dp/B001FQ8UFA and you can see interviews on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSkC53ouc20

Suzy read Mrs. Walters’ Christmas based on her memories of past holidays.

Luneil read The Day I Slugged Santa, also (unfortunately ;) a true story.

Andrew read Oscar Makes a Friend, a picture board book geared at children age 0-2. He included rough illustrations to give us a visual of his idea. He then read Rainbow Canyon. This book is for older children but still features Oscar the Turtle as the main character.

Judy read Why do I write? which was a blog entry for the Indiana Writers’ Consortium. Judy will print out the cookbook and bring it to the next meeting. She will also make MHW business cards for each member. Please email the personal information you would like her to include on the back side of your cards.

Members enjoyed a wonderful meal, desserts, and presents.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Next Meeting will be January 9^th, 2014

See more pictures of our party on Facebook!https://www.facebook.com/groups/151402864933195/

JSH