Friday, September 30, 2022

A MATTER OF CHARACTER AT MECHANICS INSTITUTE-NOVEMBER 12, 2022


MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY-SAN FRANCISCO

PRESENTS:


A Matter of Character: How To Create Enduring Fictional Characters

with Sheryl Bize-Boutte


Saturday, November 12, 2022 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm

This event is hosted in partnership with the San Francisco Writers Conference


This event will take place via Zoom. Please register via Eventbrite and the Zoom credentials will be sent to you a few days before the class starts.

REGISTER HERE:

MI Members $19
Public $29
Register now ›


Questions? Contact Taryn Edwards, tedwards@milibrary.org


If you're a fiction writer your characters need to come alive for your reader or audience. A good character is integral to the story – whether they are the protagonist, antagonist, or part of the supporting cast. In this workshop, you will discover what makes a good character, learn where to start in creating a character, and begin to develop a character in real-time.


Pushcart Prize nominee Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte is an Oakland multidisciplinary writer whose autobiographical and fictional short story collections, along with her lyrical and stunning poetry, artfully succeed in getting across deeper meanings about the politics of race and economics without breaking out of the narrative.  Her writing has been variously described as "rich in vivid imagery," "incredible," and "great contributions to literature." Her first novel, Betrayal on the Bayou, was published in June 2020 and a poetry collection she has written with her daughter Dr. Angela M. Boutte, titled No Poetry No Peace, was published in August 2020.  She is also a popular literary reader, presenter, storyteller, curator, and emcee for local events.


Writing can be solitary, and workshops like this are a treat! Sheryl's creativity encourages writers like me to innovate! One of her exercises in class gave me an idea that I've turned into a short story currently being submitted to contests and for publication. (Fingers crossed!) I liked Sheryl's unique approach, and the positive feedback she shared with each participant. She is a kind and helpful workshop leader. -E. Coyle Divers


For each class, we reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend your class, please email tedwards@milibrary.org at least 10 days prior to the class to receive a full refund. All fees must be paid at the time of registration.




Wednesday, September 21, 2022

AND GUESS WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?

SO GUESS WHAT ELSE HAPPENED...

So, I co-taught the "FunWith Flash Fiction" class this past summer with the 

wonderful Gini Grossenbacher (Elk Grove Writers and Artists)

and, as a part of the class Gini and I participated and wrote flash pieces along with the participants,

and then, on a fluke I entered my flash piece from the class in the 

Writer Advice Flash Fiction Contest

and, wow... my story

"Scrambled Girl" is a contest finalist!

And check this out:

Gini and I will be teaching the class again next summer!

Be sure to stay tuned for more information 

about 

FUN WITH FLASH FICTION

ELK GROVE WRITERS AND ARTISTS

JULY/AUGUST 2023

oh, and "Scrambled Girl" too!



NOW HAPPENING ON OCTOBER 4, 2022

 

POSTPONED FROM AN EARLIER DATE

NOW HAPPENING ON 

OCTOBER 4, 2022

AT


THE MONTCLAIR OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

 ON 

OCTOBER 4, 2022

6:00 PM-7:30 PM

I WILL BE PRESENTING A CLASS

 AS PART OF 

GRACE MARIE GRAFTON'S POETRY OF THE SENSES SERIES

FUN EXERCISES

 AND

 CRITIQUE FREE SHARING OF YOUR WONDERFUL WORK



MONTCLAIR OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
1687 MOUNTAIN BLVD.
OAKLAND, CA 94611
510-482-7810


Monday, September 19, 2022

BETRAYAL ON THE BAYOU IS AN AMAZON KINDLE BEST SELLER TODAY!

 BETRAYAL ON THE BAYOU 

IS AN AMAZON KINDLE BEST SELLER TODAY!


#40 in Historical French Fiction

#59 in Historical African Fiction

#193 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Kindle Store)