This week from the CALS Writing Circle: When getting that story published shouldn't be your goal, writing while sober, structuring your chapters, and why you should commit to writing a BAD novel for NaNoWriMo. Plus, how to use a long-form synopsis for planning, truth in memoir without compromising your loved ones, overcoming self-doubt, and November writing programs at CALS. We got you.
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Healing, Then Writing: Confronting Writer’s Block in the Early Years of Sobriety
"Since childhood, I’ve used writing to soothe my anxiety and depression, so, of course, my big prize for getting sober was crippling writer’s block, which grabbed me by the throat and filled me with a sense of doom. But I certainly didn’t believe in writer’s block."
How to Structure Your Novel Chapters
"Chapters are the all-important building blocks of a novel. But how exactly should a first-time novelist develop and structure them in a manuscript? And what makes for a successful chapter, anyway?" The Writer asked veteran authors to share their best advice.
National Novel Writing Month at CALS
Don’t Just Write a Novel This November. Write a Bad Novel.
"Writing a bad novel is a belief that something doesn’t have to be “productive” in order for it to be worthwhile. It is a belief that you being you is, in and of itself, a worthy thing. It’s faith that even if it never turns into anything but itself, it was worth the time and practice of writing the thing anyway." Writing that bad novel is good for you!
How to Use a Long-Form Synopsis to Plan Your Novel
"Unlike the 500–1000 word synopsis that often goes out to agents or editors with pitch packages, this one is meant to be messy. There’s no set format, length, number of named characters, or any of the things that tend to strike fear in the hearts of writers when creating that other type of synopsis. Instead, think of this type of synopsis as a brainstorming document."
Meghan J. Ward on Marriage, Motherhood, and Weighing the Truth in Memoir
Poem Not to Be Read at Your Wedding
Beth Ann Fennelly
You ask me for a poem about love
in place of a wedding present, trying to save me
money. For three nights I’ve lain
under glow-in-the-dark stars I’ve stuck to the ceiling
over my bed. I’ve listened to the songs
of the galaxy. Well, Carmen, I would rather
give you your third set of steak knives
than tell you what I know. Let me find you
some other, store-bought present. Don’t
make me warn you of stars, how they see us
from that distance as miniature and breakable
from the bride who tops the wedding cake
to the Mary on Pinto dashboards
holding her ripe, red heart in her hands.
Beth Ann Fennelly (born May 22, 1971) is an American poet and prose writer. She is the author of three poetry collections and was the Poet Laureate of Mississippi.
Invite the Vampires Inside (and Other Rules for Genre Writing)
CALS Writing Circle: Writer’s Lunch Generative Writing Studio Virtual
Thursday, November 17 12-1:30 pm
Having trouble finding the time to write? There's a lot going on; how will you squeeze your writing time into your busy schedule? Join us once a week on your lunch hour for some dedicated writing time. BYO work-in-progress or use the prompt provided. Come and go. Contact dmoore@cals.org. Register.
CALS Writing Circle: NaNoWriMo All Day Write-a-Thon Roberts Library in Library Square
401 President Clinton Ave
Room 124
Saturday, November 19 10am-4pm
Do you want to write a novel in November? Come write with us! We will be writing quietly together, with breaks for writing sprints, prompts, additional support, and plenty of encouragement. Come and go as you please. Potluck snack bar! Contact jjobe@cals.org.
CALS Writing Circle: NaNoWriMo Late Day Write-Ins Virtual
Sunday, November 20 2-6 pm
Do you NaNoWriMo? Come write with us! We will be writing quietly together, with breaks for writing sprints, prompts, additional support, and plenty of encouragement. Come and go as you please–eat as you need to! For more information, contact jjobe@cals.org. Register.
CALS Writing Circle: Memoir Writing for Seniors Virtual
Wednesday, November 30 10-11:30 am
This ongoing class meets once each week and takes attendees aged 55+ through the steps of writing their own life stories. Students are given tools and techniques to help learn to write regularly and productively. Everyone is welcome; no writing experience is required. Contact dmoore@cals.org. Register.
Write something awesome this week? Share it with us! email it to dmoore@cals.org
