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Memoir Author Tamim Ansary Discusses Writer’s Block

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Tamim Ansary will present “Why Do We Write?” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.

He will explain why writing is hard, why we do it anyway, what to do when the piece refuses to be written, and what’s the best that can happen?

Tamim Ansary is the author of the celebrated memoir, West of Kabul, East of New York, and writes fiction, non-fiction, history, and essays on politics, and a wide range of other subjects. He teaches through the Osher Institute, and runs a workshop on memoir writing.

Sign-in is from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm, luncheon 12:00 pm to 12:45, including a short business meeting, and speaker from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests.

Reservations are required, and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, April 6. To reserve, contact Robin at [email protected], leave a message at 925-933-9670, or sign up via PayPal: click “buy now” on the Mt. Diablo website, http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/next-program/. Add $2 transaction fee. Expect confirmation only if you e-mail your reservation.

The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/

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Contra Costa County Middle and High School Writing & Art Contest!

ANNOUNCING
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center’s

19th Annual
ART & WRITING CHALLENGE

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Topic: “Cherish these natural wonders”
   
President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
 
Today, as we face global warming and climate change, these words are more pressing than ever before.
 
How can our art help us as we raise our voice to stop climate change and the environmental destruction of our planet? Using your unique, artistic voice, create a visual and/or literary interpretation of cherishing and protecting the natural wonders and resources of our planet.
 
NEW PRIZES THIS YEAR INCLUDE GRAND PRIZES 
AND IN EACH SEPARATE CATEGORY!

WINNERS WILL ALSO BE RECOGNIZED
AT AN AWARDS DINNER!
Three Categories
1) Essay  2) Creative Writing – poem, story or play or 3) Art – any medium including sculpture, photography and video.
 
Contest Rules
Open to all Contra Costa County middle and high school students.
 
VERY IMPORTANT !!!:  For all entries: Include a cover sheet with your NAME, HOME ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL, SCHOOL, GRADE, TEACHER (or teacher who informed you of the contest), TEACHER’S PHONE and EMAIL, ENTRY CATEGORY and TITLE OF WORK.   Please print! Cover sheet available below.
 
Entries will be judged on: 1) Composition; 2) Originality 3) Depth of thought, and 4) Relationship to topic.
 
WRITING ENTRIES are to be a maximum of 750 words (middle school) or 1,000 (high school): typed, double-spaced, with numbered pages.  Please have a teacher review your writing before submitting.  Send the document as a .doc or.docx email attachment to [email protected] with the subject line “Art & Writing Contest 2016”.                                                                            
  
ART ENTRIES, mail or arrange for delivery by contacting the Center. Firmly attach the cover sheet on the back of the artwork.  Arrangements will be made for art to be returned after the Awards Dinner.  For video entries, please send as an email attachment or mail in a DVD. 
 
Mail to:  Mt.  Diablo Peace & Justice Center 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or contact the office to arrange for delivery: (925) 933-7850 or [email protected].
 
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:  Friday, April 22, 2016 
 
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center reserves the right to reprint and exhibit all entries.
Visit www.creatingpeacefulschools.weebly.com for the required forms to submit with your writing/art.

 Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center

55 Eckley Lane,  Walnut Creek, California 94596

(925) 933-7850  www.ourpeacecenter.org is a tax deductible 501(c)(3) organization
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The Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing Workshop/SF Bay Area

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C.S.Lakin will present a workshop on “The fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing” at the next luncheon meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, California.

Ms. Lakin will discuss the following common flaws: overwriting, weak construction, POV violations, telling instead of showing, too much backstory, and description deficiencies and excesses.
C.S.Lakin is the author of twenty-two fiction and non-fiction books and is an award-winning blogger at LiveWriteThrive. She works full-time as a writing coach and book copyeditor, and is passionate about helping writers see success.
Check-in is from 8:30 to 9:00 am. The workshop is from 9:00am to 12:00pm, followed by a luncheon. The cost is $40 for CWC members, $50 for guests.

Reservations are required, and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, March 9th. Contact Robin Gigoux at [email protected], or phone 925-933-9670. Expect confirmation only if you e-mail your reservation.

The California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch web address is: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.com/
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