Calendar of Upcoming Events - 2006-2007 Fall Program (Events are for ARWA members only & to be held at the Old Y, unless otherwise noted)
Date	Time	Program
13 January 2007 Saturday	10:00-3:30	Career Plan Development for Writers with CJ Carmichael and Brenda Collins If your wish is to become an author, the New Year is a great time to develop a career plan to steer your writing toward that goal. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, Brenda Collins and CJ Carmichael will step participants through the development of their own unique career plan. The workshop will help each writer define their writing dream in concrete terms and then look closely at the issues, constraints, and other factors that lie between having the dream and achieving the reality. The formal session will be finished by 3:30 pm. However the speakers will be available for informal discussion for an additional hour following. There will be one hour for lunch so bring your own bag lunch or visit one of the nearby restaurants. This workshop is open to other writing groups, so come early to ensure you have a good seat!
25 January 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:30pm	Point of View with Grace Panko A general meeting will also be held.
10 February 2007 Saturday	10:00-3:00	Asking, Brainstorming, Connecting—back to the basics. ARWA Saturday Plot-Building Brainstorming Session I wonder how many of us believe that writing is a solitary pastime? Yes, we generally do the actual putting words on the page/computer alone. Sometimes we go to great lengths to be alone. (Just the word—alone—sends shivers down my spine.) Ah, but what we write about, who we write about, how we write about it—those things require connections. Connections with ourselves, people of our past, present and future, our audience and our peers.How else can we ever hope to communicate anything unless we do communicate? Why not come to the next ARWA Brainstorming session? We’ve rented the Common Room at the Old Y just for you. Bring any ideas you would like to discuss and develop, maybe a back blurb or even a short premise. Try it out on the most understanding and creative audience you’re ever likely to have. Many the idea has been born through simple conversation and exchange with others. Don’t think about it—come out and see for yourself. Hope to see you there! Bring your own lunch - and after we will have a dessert potluck!
22 February 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:30pm	Villains with Barry Yzereef A general meeting will also be held.
10 March 2007 Saturday	10:00-3:00	Building a Character's World with Darlene Maynard
22 March 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:30pm	Character Development with Marie Jakober Marie Jakober is coming to ARWA this month! As an award winning, multi-published author in Science Fiction and Fantasy, Ms. Jakober is a gifted storyteller with an excellent hold on characterization that she is willing to share with us. Here’s what she says about her own work: All of my work is, in one way or another, about power. Who has it and why? Who doesn't have it and why? What happens to people and societies when power relationships become seriously unequal? How are power structures and power relationships created, how are they maintained, how are they changed? What ideas and myths form their foundations? What are the connections between power and religion? Power and sexuality? Power and ethics? Power and the use of violence? And here’s what others say about her work: “Marie Jakober knows her history and brings to life a cast of heroic and unforgettable characters.” James McPherson, Pulitzer Prize winner. “The Black Chalice is the work of a major talent: intelligently conceived, beautifully written, powerfully absorbing and deeply moving.” SF Site “Fascinating and well plotted, with lively characters, good momentum, and suspense throughout.” Kirkus Reviews on Only Call Us Faithful. So mark it on your calendar, and come on out to listen and learn!! A general meeting will also be held.
14 April 2007 Saturday	10:00-3:00	Wrestling with Conflict facilitated by Grace Panko
26 April 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:00pm	What is a Scene with June Baxter What’s a Scene and Why Should You Care Anyway? Good question. Come to our next Thursday night talk and find out the “what” and the “why for” as researched and developed by June Baxter. Discover the 10 Character questions that every scene should answer. Learn how to add depth and emotion to your characters and your plot. This is a chance to improve your craft and become a better, more effective writer. A general meeting will also be held.
12 May 2007 Saturday	10:00-3:00	20th Anniversary Celebration
24 May 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:30pm	Theme with Diana Scott A general meeting will also be held. There are so many different ways to discover and develop the themes in your novel. Themes can be motifs, recurring patterns, outlooks, messages, morals—any number of deliberate elements that make your manuscript more than just a story; indeed, that makes it a novel with something to say. Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook I’d like to pose a question to you, ARWA members:Are you writing, learning, sweating over the right words, right characters, right plot, outline, synopsis, getting up at dawn or staying up until dawn because you DON’T have something to say? There are lots of easier ways to make money, let’s face it. I think we all have something to say, just as we are each individuals with our own quirks and ideas and inspirations. But the hard part is recognizing this “something” that is trying to get out and onto the page. The something that is called "Theme." Diana Scott, long-time active member of ARWA, has generously agreed to give us her take on how to access the hidden story that you want to tell. Here’s her outline of what we’ll learn and discuss: "Using The Thorn Birds, Pride and Prejudice, and the movie Rocky, I'll discuss theme in story. Is it necessary? Is it important? The reason I'm giving this talk is because about six months ago I struggled with a story I've had in my mind for over 25 years. I had worked out the plot, characters etc. to within an inch of their lives, but as I worked my way through the first draft it just wasn't...gelling. I kept asking myself (and answering) what my story was "about" to clear things in my own mind... but it wasn't until I could answer what my story was "ABOUT," and could describe my story in one word, that I finally saw the light." See you there, ARWAnians! Thursday night, May 24, 7 p.m.
28 June 2007 Thursday	7:00-9:30pm	Annual General Meeting The business of the evening will be short - a run-down of the year gone by, a couple of policy changes, an election to welcome in the new Board, a preview of the programs for the fall and a chance to make a commitment for your summer's writing work. Then we party! Potluck dessert table and friends. A great way to kick off the summer and show your support for the organization. Hope to see you there!