0 - 2012 - 49 Writers, Inc.

Ela: 49 Writers Weekly Round-up

January 20, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Today: Resolve to Write events, when we gather to share our writing resolve for the new year. We’ll kick off the fun with our first-ever Resolve to Write for young writers: join WYAK hosts F Magazine publisher Teeka Ballas and ASD senior Lauren Heyano for an informal discussion on how to get started (and stay motivated), how to fine-tune your work, and how to get your writing into print. Young writers of all ages are welcome: today, Friday, January 20, 4-5 pm, Teen Underground, Loussac Library. The Anchorage event for members and volunteers will be tonight, January 20, at 7 pm. If you haven’t received your email invitation, contact us at 49writers@gmail.com. Not a member or volunteer yet? Visit www.49writingcenter.org to sign up today! Unfortunately, the Eagle River event has been canceled due to lack of response. In Homer, the Resolve to Write event (open to all writers) is on January 24 at 6 pm at the Homer Library; we hear there will be plenty of snacks for those who come straight from work. Registration is brisk for our spring term, which begins February 2. From our “Publish and Promote” series to plot, poetry, submissions, and more, we’ve got something for everyone. Make 2012 the year you get serious about writing! Sign up today. Our spring line-up includes our first course taught in Palmer, Writing Your Place (begins February 2) and a Fiction Apprenticeship with novelist Mattox Roesch. Open to three participants, the Fiction Apprenticeship is an individualized option for writers who need to dive into greater depth and detail on their work. Interested applicants should send 20 page of a fiction project and a brief statement of goals for their work to apprenticeship@49writingcenter.org by January 31. One change to the spring course schedule: Copyright Basics with John McKay will be on February 18 rather than March 24. For a comprehensive calendar of literary events throughout Alaska, visit http://www.alaskalitevents.com/. Tonight, Friday January 20, 7pm, Ray Troll and Dr Kirk Johnson will be presenting and […]

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Andromeda: Keeping (brief!) notes

January 19, 2012 / By 49 Writers

What an amazing time I had at the writers’ conference in Aspen, Colorado in 2002, studying with Ted Conover, a writer I’d admired for years,, who had so much to teach us. About that time, I remember…very little. And how exciting to have attended the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference, two times– or was it three?

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Vivian Faith Prescott: The Dunce Chair

January 18, 2012 / By 49 Writers

At five years old I was sent to the dunce chair. Back in the day, my kindergarten teacher didn’t call it a “time-out” chair— it was a place for dummies. I’m not sure if I wore a pointy dunce hat or not, but I wouldn’t doubt it. It was the first week of kindergarten, which

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Deb: Rabbit Trails

January 17, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Loafing is the most productive part of a writer’s life. ~James Norman Hall We’ve been dumped on this winter, record-breaking snows that challenge plow crews, threaten roofs, and evoke an all-around readiness to be done with winter even though it’s only half-spent. I hate driving on icy roads but love to walk in fresh snow.

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Faces of 49 Writers: Board Treasurer Eric Larson

January 16, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Less than two years ago, I trudged up the hill from my apartment and stepped into the 49 Writers’ “Raven Place” house on L Street. They put me to work scraping paint from the door jam. Kneeling on the porch, I elbowed a scraper through layers of red and white paint to create swirling patterns

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Ela: 49 Writers Weekly Round-up

January 13, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Thanks to all who turned out for our first 2012 Synergies, “Poemgrass: a Poet and a Banjo,” with special thanks to poet Peggy Shumaker and musician Robin Child as well as volunteer coordinators Jeremy Pataky and Susanna Mishler. Coming up: statewide Resolve to Write events, when we gather to share our writing resolve for the

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Andromeda/Your Turn: Make them laugh, make them cry — if only writers knew how!

January 12, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Today, I was working on a creative nonfiction essay about lachrymosity, a.k.a. tearfulness, including my own increasing, often unexpected susceptibility to brief bursts of emotion. While I won’t necessarily well up during a sad song or movie and rarely cried as a kid (not when pressured by bullies, not at funerals), I do find myself

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Vivian Faith Prescott: Good Writing and Good Luck

January 11, 2012 / By 49 Writers

Welcome to our January featured author, Vivian Faith Prescott, who helps us kick off the new year with this timely post. Many traditions around the world include rituals to ensure good luck in the coming year. The New Year is celebrated in Scotland with a four day party called Hogmanay, which includes bonfires and ritual

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Deb: Rhythm and Solitude

January 10, 2012 / By 49 Writers

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music the words make. ~Truman Capote, McCall’s, November 1967 Christmas Eve, one hundred miles from Anchorage, silent and still, a crisp, clear night pillowed with two feet of fresh snow, lit by a small string of lights hung on a small

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Submission Workshop: A Guest Post by Katey Schultz

January 9, 2012 / By 49 Writers

“But, is it done?” I often ask myself this question when I’m about to submit a short story or essay for publication. Sure, I’ve spell-checked. Even had a few good writing pals look over the draft. But have I pushed the writing to the edge in the best possible way? Have I surprised myself? Have

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