Join us for a creative adventure in the heart of Tuscany, October 2-10, 2008, Cortona, Italy

Creative Writing Workshops

Discover the charm and personality of this beautiful region of Italy through the writing process. On this guided tour through the golden hills and vineyards, medieval towns and renowned art museums of Tuscany, the writer will find much inspiration. Professional writer and teacher Deb McKew will conduct the writing workshops. The format will include writing exercises and assignments related to the itinerary, lessons on craft and group responses. All materials will be provided. Digital camera recommended.

Space is limited. For more information and to download brochure and registration form, visit http://www.wordsinplay.net/tuscanyworkshop.html

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: I enjoyed writing during grade school and middle school, but it was in my high school journalism classes when I made the conscious decision to focus my future education to become a writer.

Q: How and when did you make this dream a reality?

A: I always wrote, but my dream truly became a reality when I wrote and published my first book, Value Meals on the Volga, Sharing our Heritage with New Generations in 2006.

Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your writing career?

A: The most important lesson I have learned is to listen to everyone’s advice.  People come into your life for a reason.  It may be for a short time or a long time. Being open to the experience is the key. Many people may offer you a tidbit of information which helps you to the next step in your writing career. If you have questions, there are many resources available. Some advice works for you and some advice works better for others.  However, the more you explore, the better your chances of success.  My writer’s critique group and my local and national NAWW contacts have been invaluable to me.

Continue Reading »

It is time to enter the Boomer Women Speak OCTOBER-NOVEMBER Writing Contest
Your Favorite Thanksgiving Memory

Prizes:

• The winner’s story is placed in the Our Voices section at Boomer Women Speak, and they will receive the following: $50.00 CASH!
• FREE membership or renewal for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, NABBW, the only association devoted to addressing issues concerning 38 million of the healthiest, wealthiest, and best educated generation of women to ever hit midlife, baby boomer women.
• Defying Gravity: A Celebration of Late Blooming Women by Prill Boyle
• What Happens Next by Chloe JonPaul
• Boom: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer - The Baby Boomer Woman by Mary Brown and Carol Orsborn, Ph.D.

Continue Reading »

I am looking for an experienced woman writer of non-fiction in Austin, Texas to collaborate on writing a book about recovery from traumatic brain injury?
Thank you. Contact Debbie at dougreit@gmail.com

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: That was so long ago. I guess it was probably when I got my first “A” on a paper titled, with amazing originality, “My Summer Vacation,” a firsthand account of a fourth-grader’s experiences at summer camp. Some of it was icky (missing Mom, ants, mosquitoes, bears eating brownies in our tent), and some of it was great (s’mores, swimming, canned chocolate milk, singing around the campfire). Our garbage disposal was a pig named “Sierra Sadie,” that took a special interest in me. It was the stuff of legend. After that, I was hooked.

Q: How and when did you make this dream a reality?

A: I did a lot of writing in college; but as I was a Drama major for the first year or two, I spent most of my free time learning lines for school plays. I was on my way to stardom, but reality intervened. It turned out, I wasn’t such a great actress. I tried many other jobs: model, chorus girl, sales clerk, PBX operator, teacher, ballet dancer, interior designer; but I wasn’t very good at those, either. At the age of 60, I began to write again in earnest. At this rate, I could be the Grandma Moses of writing. Turns out I’m not too bad at that, so I intend to keep doing it.

Continue Reading »