Midwest Writers Workshop 2012

The Midwest Writer's Workshop is coming up on July 26-28 here in Muncie, Indiana. It's not too late to register and it is one of the most acclaimed and well-praised writer's conferences around.

For more information, visit the website. And then click on the E-Pistle link to read through the newsletters which are full of information not only about the conference, but about writing, writers, tips, and more.

State Day: Indiana (2012)

By Ella Reff

The NLAPW state meeting was held June 8, 2012, at the E. B. and Bertha C. Ball Center in Muncie. Members and guests mingled as they enjoyed a continental breakfast.

Judith LaFourest, current Indianapolis branch president, reported on recent activities, including visits to the Booth Tarkington home, the Lilly home at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Scottish Rite Cathedral and the Vonnegut Library. NLAPW was honored in Washington, D. C. as one of several women’s organizations with a significant history by the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

Barb Kehoe of Muncie promoted the Midwest Writers Workshop July 26-28, which Jama Kehoe Bigger oversees. She explained the day’s favor of a potpourri jar as one to put in our homes to have the fragrance remind us to let our creative spirits emanate from our own selves.

Laurie Lunsford, interactive art specialist, shared her experiences of working in the Parkview Nursing Home with Alzheimer’s and psychiatric patients. Using her own creativity in art and poetry, she has instilled purpose in the long days of the residents. Paintings created by the individuals are on display at the Maring-Hunt Branch of the Muncie Public Library during June and July. We then created limericks, funny endings to silly songs, and short poems to rhyme with our names.

After the luncheon, Cathy Day presented a lecture “Getting Your Name in the Paper: How Mrs. Cole Porter Made Her Husband Famous.” She is a creative writing professor at Ball State University.

Gwen Lattimer, a teacher from Richmond, led twelve brave volunteers in various folk dances, including a spinoff of the Virginia reel and a Jewish circle dance. While most of our meeting activities are of a sedentary nature, we were up on our feet, chuckling as we tried to remember the sequences of steps. Do we do-si-do after or before the bow? Barb Kehoe was right on track, even in her high heels.

The day was concluded with a photo session on the majestic stairs of the historic center. It was a good day of sharing talents, renewing friendships, and relaxing in a lovely environment.

Just Released! Nurtured in Purple!

Ladies, 

I just want to share our excitement for Jude Urbanski's new book! Just released two days ago, Nurtured in Purple is the second in the Chronicles of Chanute Crossing series. 

According to Jude, this is the story of "One man. One woman. Bent on avenging personal vendettas. Another man. Another woman. Wanting only to be God's salt and light."

            

Find the book here 

Or you can order it here on Amazon

Congratulations to our very own Jude Urbanski!

Writer's Workshop and Retreat opportunity

"Write-by-the-Lake" 

A Writer's Workshop and Retreat 

sponsored by the Continuing Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin

This sounds like a great opportunity for writers! June 18-22 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm every day, writers can participate in one of the following courses:

Fiction
A World of Wonder: How Fairy Tales Can Invigorate Our Vision and Our Writing (Tim Storm)
Five Days to Your First Novel (Christopher Mohar)
Writing Rhyming Picture Books: A Logical Approach to Sweet Stories, Silly Verse, and Soothing Lullabies (JoAnn Early Macken)
The Bestselling Edge ... Tactics and Techniques for Writing a WOW! Novel (Kathy Steffen
Fiction in a Flash - The Art of the Very Short Story (Angela Rydell)


Fiction and Nonfiction
Reboot Your Writing: Lifting Your Project to High Concept Status (Laurie Scheer)

Fiction, Plays, Screenplays
Stage, Screen, or Story: Creating Characters That Write it for You (Gail Sterkel)

Master Class in Fiction

Creative Nonfiction
Anthologies and the Nonfiction Writer / How to get Essays Published (Amy Lou Jenkins)

Poetry
Nuts, Bolts, and Jackhammers: A Craft Workshop for Poets (Marilyn Taylor)

For more information, visit their website 

Upcoming event: Advancing Authentically

The Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) is hosting a free Woman in Leadership webinar series for Ball State and Muncie Community members. The next event is Wednesday, April 18th, 1PM at the Innovation Connector at the intersection of Jackson St. and White River Blvd. (www.innovationconnector.org for directions). Plan an hour for the event. This is not an at your desk event, you must join us in person.

The title of this webinar is Advancing Authentically. Is it possible to build a successful career without becoming someone you don't like? In this webinar, we will discuss how to advance your career while remaining true to yourself and your values, along with ways to stand out and be recognized for your unique skills and strengths.

Guest Speaker: Katherine Durham, CMO, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Standard Insurance Company. Feel free to bring your lunch. There is no charge for this event, but please RSVP to Kirsten Smith at kirstensmith@bsu.edu as space is limited. Men are welcome too.

Art Retreat with Ann Johnson

ART RETREAT!
with Ann Johnson
at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center
Thursdays, April 12-May 3, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cost: $50 per session (includes luncheon)

Come find your inner Rembrandt or Picasso--maybe an O'Keefe or Van Gogh is waiting! In this series, you will discuss and evaluate art; understand what a piece of art is all about, what it means and why it was made. Unique opportunity to explore Ann Johnson's WORLD OF ART, see your hidden talents come alive, join others for a delicious luncheon and stimulating dialogue. You will also have the opportunity to paint.

Note: Ann Johnson is founder of F. B. fogg and the above photo is one of her products.

State Day

The Muncie Branch of NLAPW will be hosting "State Day" this year. There are currently only 2 branches of NLAPW in our state of Indiana, and we take turns hosting this special event when we joint are members together for a special activity. We hold State Day only every two years, so this is indeed a very special occasion. We hope you will join us on JUNE 8, 2012, at the E.B. Ball House for this event. 


The program is still in the planning stages, but we will have a presentation by Cathy Day, author of The Circus in Winter, 

and interactive music led by Laurie Lunsford.