Resources
See the NaperWriMo wiki page on Finding your writer's voice and the NaperWriMo blog post about the Octobe 31st event. Although our first workshop is now history, the attendee response and interest from some who were not able to attend make it likely that we will hold another one of these events in January (nanomail me your e-mail address so I can keep you informed).
Preparation
All participants: please make sure I have your e-mail addresses so we can get information to you in a timely fashion without having to nanomail you one by one.
Also, please start clipping out images that might lead to story ideas (but don't start thinking of story ideas just yet!). If you want to do this online, keep track of the image URLs and I'll send you a picture engine to use to capture them (I'll print out the results to bring to the workshop).
What to bring
- yourself! Please be on time: 1:30 pm. I'll be on-hand by 1 pm this Sunday.
- 10-20 picture images (clipped out or printed from online sources; PG-13 or better rating. Or you can use the online engine to note these and I'll print them out)
- writing implement and paper or laptop (whichever you prefer)
- extension cords + power strip (optional)
- snacks (optional)
Where to go
Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library inside the Eola Commnity Center building in Aurora.
Oct 31st Workshop Participants
12 Attended
- NewMexicoKid
- KatherineWriting
- FinbarrMcG
- marthajoy
- AmaranthMuse
- Cee-Bee
- drahkar
- RobinM
- iamthecreativewriter
- anrea
- juliette06
- Patton Pooch
4 indicated interest but didn't attend
- PearlyQueen
- Fates Temptation
- b-writer
- deathbypenz
Only available Oct 23
- dreamhigher
- barbg
IMPORTANT NOTE: October 23rd session has been cancelled (never received e-mail from barbg)
Original Post
Wikipedia defines Writer's Voice this way:
Writer's voice is the literary term used to describe the individual writing style of an author. Voice was generally considered to be a combination of a writer's use of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or across several works). Voice can be thought of in terms of the uniqueness of a musical voice. As a trumpet has a different voice than a tuba or a violin has a different voice than a cello, so the words of one author have a different sound than the words of another. One author may have a voice that is light and fast paced while another may have a dark voice.
This summer I attended an excellent workshop at DucKon 19, the science fiction convention in DuPage county: Finding Your Voice: Fan Mail From The Future, presented by Jennifer Stevenson. A two hour workshop, this one was fascinating from the get go and very intense.
The main exercise involved rapidly writing a series of short, short stories (writing time severely constrained), with very little time (15 seconds) in between each story. Participants were organized into small groups which afterwards picked out things they noticed and liked (positive feedback only; thus the "fan mail" reference). There were other parts to the workshop, but this was the main one of note. Impressively, each of us emerged from the workshop feeling like we had a much better understanding of our writer's voice.
We are now thinking of adding a workshop (still need to find a venue and to decide whether to go ahead with this). Unlike other workshops, this one will require people to sign up/commit ahead of time so we can make the decision about whether to move forward and where to hold it.
Jennifer limited her workshop to fifteen people; this seems like an appropriate upper limit (though maybe we can stretch it a little if there is interest). I think we will repeat this offering in January, when we kick-off the Journey (our year-round writing group).
Disclaimer: even though I experienced her workshop and took detailed notes, I don't believe what we will be holding is the equivalent of what she did (she is, after all, an experienced professional writer). That being said, I am confident that between Katherine (who did this a year ago) and myself we can make this a worthwhile workshop for all participants.
Bottom Line
We're currently looking at 1:30-3:30 pm, Sunday, October 31st (this should hopefully be an early enough ending for people to go handle trick-or-treaters). Please indicate in your replies in this thread whether you are interested and whether you can commit to attending this session(two separate questions).
I'll keep a list based on order of responses (in case we need to make a waitlist). Note that there are already some names on the list (from the Journey). Those able to commit will be placed ahead of those who are possible/maybe attending.
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67,456 / 50,000
Oct 31, 2010 - 20 15
I've updated the original post with a link to the wiki page with live links from the handout and a reference to the new blog article about the workshop today.
Participants can find their table's pictures online.
--Tim
----------51,134 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2010 - 15 29
Great! Be sure to bring (each) about 10-20 clipped out images; see you both then!
--Tim
Turns out Pearly Queen is coming too. Will make sure we both have the images, thank you for reminding me! See you then~ ----------
Well, no backing out now. First NaNo, here I come!
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2010 - 15 17
Great! Be sure to bring (each) about 10-20 clipped out images; see you both then!
--Tim
----------51,134 / 50,000
Oct 30, 2010 - 15 09
Anrea and myself are coming! Not sure about Pearly Queen (my mom)--I think she has stuff to do. So maybe put her down as possible? But 'Rea and I are definitely coming :3
----------Well, no backing out now. First NaNo, here I come!
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 28, 2010 - 10 47
Just a not:e: see the updated post at the root of this thread; also, I still haven't heard from:
Please nanomail me your e-mail address (don't post it in the thread) so I can send you instructions.
--Tim
----------67,456 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2010 - 20 41
Patricia Quesada Lastiri
iamthecreativewriter
Send me a NaNoMail with your e-mail address (don't post your e-mail address in the forum; use NaNoMail) and I'll send you all the prep information and logistics.
--Tim
----------24,394 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2010 - 20 26
Hi, I am all ready and registered for november...How can I register for the workshop this sunday?
----------Patricia Quesada Lastiri
iamthecreativewriter
Patricia
I´ve made up my mind to be who I am
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2010 - 10 54
RobinM
Thanks, Robin. I've e-mailed you the workshop logistics and prep information.
--Tim
----------50,846 / 50,000
Oct 26, 2010 - 09 32
I would like to attend. Sending my email separately.
RobinM
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2010 - 21 42
Great! Please NaNoMail me (don't post) your e-mail address so I can send you all of the prep information.
Also, I still need e-mail addresses/confirmation from the following participants:
# drahkar
# Fates Temptation
# b-writer
# Patton Pooch
--Tim
----------50,762 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2010 - 21 27
That sounds cool. I could probably attend.
----------2009-A Change of Hart
2010-The Nefarious Tales of Evanlyn Rose and Jather Andreas Waxley
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 23, 2010 - 21 22
Gentle reminder:
Please send me your e-mail addresses (use NaNoMail to NewMexicoKid) so I can send out the logistics and preparation information soon.
Thank you.
--Tim
----------67,456 / 50,000
Oct 21, 2010 - 12 09
Oct 31 participants: please send me your e-mail addresses (you can NaNoMail them to NewMexicoKid; don't post them in this thread) so I can send you prep information.
Unfortunately, I've decided to cancel the small Oct 23rd session (never heard back from barbg). There will be another workshop in January. NaNoMail me your e-mail address if you want to be kept informed.
----------67,456 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2010 - 11 34
Thanks for letting me know.
All participants: please make sure (via nanomail; do NOT post your e-mail addresses here in this thread) I have your e-mail address so I can send you information on preparing for the workshop.
Thanks,
------------Tim
8,828 / 50,000
Oct 20, 2010 - 07 53
Yes I would like to attend! Sounds great.
----------The future begins today - not tomorrow. Pope John Paul II
Press on! Press on! Pooch Patton
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2010 - 12 06
PREPARATION
I suggest that all participants send me their e-mail addresses (if I don't have them) so we can get information to you in a timely fashion without having to nanomail you one by one ;-). When you e-mail me, please note your NaNo handle.
Also, please start clipping out images that might lead to story ideas (but don't start thinking of story ideas just yet!). If you want to do this online, keep track of the image URLs and I'll send you a picture engine to use to capture them.
Looks like we have critical mass to say October 31st is definite. I've even found a venue location that I will send to the registered participants.
Anyone else interested in joining us?
Note for those interested in Oct 23; I will hold a separate very small session for those who can't make it on the 31st.
--Tim
----------50,352 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2010 - 11 48
I could make October 31.
----------Barbara Binns w/a B. A. Binns
It can happen!! PULL, my 2008 NaNo Novel, bought by New York & now available at your favorite local and online bookstore
visit me on twitter @barbarabinns and Facebook: barbara binns
http://www.babinns.com
0 / 50,000
Oct 19, 2010 - 10 18
Sorry. I can only make it on October 23. Hope that also works for some others. Barb - Hoffman Estates
13,798 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2010 - 12 27
Yes, I am interested! So glad NaNo is almost here. I can do either day, the earlier the better, especially on the 31st. The kids somehow think I should be standing around in a witch hat, not tucked away talking to myself and typing.
51,706 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2010 - 12 19
I'm interested in the workshop on the 31st, although not sure if I can go. Definitely cannot attend the one on the 23rd, though.
----------101,608 / 50,000
Oct 18, 2010 - 07 39
I can go with either day.
----------NaNoWriMo region: Ferndale, MI | Naperville, IL
Genres: Urban contemporary; fantasy, sci-fi; speculative; historical
67,456 / 50,000
Oct 17, 2010 - 07 06
Sorry about the incorrect subject heading (now corrected). The proposed workshop is for Sunday, October 31st (not Oct 23rd).
Edit/update If you are available Oct 23 1-3 pm, please note that in your response. The current preference is for Oct 31st, 1:30-3:30 pm, but maybe we could hit both weekends if there are enough people interested.
--Tim
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