Wayne asks that you bring a three-sentence description of a plot, whether an idea or something you’re working on, as well as three sentences (maximum) about each of the central characters. Wayne is the Whidbey Island Writers Association MFA program director, as well as author of a children’s book as well as adult short stories and a novel.
Meeting take place at Seattle Pacific University, Demeray Hall, Room 150. Registration is at 6:45 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. For more information; including session descriptions, directions, and fees please visit our website monthly meeting page.
Kim Baker, our assistant regional adviser, asked her some questions about her writing process. Read up on them here.That's because April 26 marks the official release date of Karen Cushman's latest, ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN (Clarion), about a girl, her goose, and their magical transformation in a gritty London world.Kim Baker, our assistant regional adviser, writes about middle-grade fiction at Wagging Tales. She first met Karen last summer, and asked her some questions about her writing process. Read up on them here. 2. What was your favorite period word or phrase that you got to include in the book?You can read the whole thing here.
I pick gallimaufry though beslubbered, dampnified, and gorbellied come close.
Mini-Session: CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY IN FICTION with Margaret Nevinski.
When we write outside our own ethnic culture, how can we provide an authentic experience for young readers? Or can we? Cultural authenticity in our fiction involves complex issues of cultural appropriation, relationship to a culture, authorial choices, and emotional truth. Margaret confronted this issue in books she wrote for the school market, including REMEMBERING MINIDOKA and RUBY BRIDGES. She has an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she worked on middle-grade fiction. Come add your voice to the discussion of how we, as writers for children and teens, can strive for cultural authenticity in our work.
Main Program: 10 YEARS IN THE BIZ: A PRACTICALLY PERFECT PERSPECTIVE ON PUBLISHING with Erik Brooks.
Ten years ago, in April of 2000, Erik’s first book was published. One heartbreaking publisher bankruptcy, six publishers, 15 books (even one written by a MINOR celebrity) later, Erik shares his trajectory of experience from a want-to-be illustrator to full-time published author/illustrator. And he is still learning every day. Erik wrote and illustrated THE PRACTICALLY PERFECT PAJAMAS, OCATAVIUS BLOOM AND THE HOUSE OF DOOM, and SLOW DAYS, FAST FRIENDS. He has also illustrated many books written by others.
The Most Creative award went to Lida Enche for her Cookies with Attitude. Click that link to see how she did it (and try it yourself!).
The Second Place winner was Holly Cupala for her Peppermint Snowball Cookies. Click that link for a delicious picture AND the recipe!
Finally, the First Place winner went to Chadwick Gillenwater, aka Professor Watermelon. And here is his winning recipe:
Molasses Cream Pies (Aprox. 15 cookie pies)
Cookie:
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 tsps baking soda
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix oil, sugar, molasses, and egg. Beat well. Mix together flour, soda, spices, and salt. Add to first mixture. Mix well. Chill. Form walnut sized balls and roll them in granulated sugar. Place on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Butter Cream Center:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good
spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To assemble:
Wait till cookies are cool. Sandwich the cookies with rounded spoonfuls of the butter cream. Use enough so that the butter cream comes out to the edges. Roll the butter cream edges in your choice of sprinkles.
So, bring some treats, some books, some holiday cheer, and your notebook, and join us at the Professional Series Meeting on Tuesday, December 8th. See you there!
Program 1: THE ABCS OF CRAFTING A CAREER IN YA, with Lisa Schroeder, Liz Gallagher, and Jen Bradbury. Lisa, Liz, and Jen share their journey on writing successful YA, focusing on the importance of craft, wisdom about agents and editors, and the differences between a commercial and literary approach. Lisa is the author of FAR FROM YOU and I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME; Liz is the author of THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE; and Jen is the author of SHIFT.
Program 2: SINGING IN THE RAIN: ONE SEATTLE WRITER TALKS ABOUT HOW TO TUNE YOUR VOICE, with Jolie Stekly. We hear it over and over from editors and agents, “I’m looking for a strong voice.” And not only that, but “I know it when I see it.” But what does that mean? How do you know you have it? And how can you make yours stronger? In this interactive and rollicking session, Jolie will use music to define and discuss what voice is, and how to tap more clearly into yours so that you can make your writing sing and strike a chord with readers. Come prepared to warm and stretch your own vocal abilities, but Jolie promises she won’t make anyone stand up and belt out a tune.
Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University - Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. Get Map and Directions here. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. To see the complete meeting line-up, please visit our Monthly Meetings page.
