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Grist for the Muse #19 -- April 2005	michael
	Apr 03, 2005 14:09 PDT

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GRIST FOR THE MUSE #19 – APRIL 2005
_THE MONTHLY CREATIVE WRITING RESOURCE THAT GETS YOU WRITING AND KEEPS YOU WRITING._Central Ohio area, including book signings, writing classes, writer’s groups, writer’s conferences, poetry readings, and more. To subscribe click on this link: http://www.nitasweeney.com/id4.html

COLUMBUS STATE’S THIRD ANNUAL WRITERS CONFERENCE

The Columbus State Community College's Department of Communication Skills
will conduct its third annual writers conference on Friday, April 29, and
Saturday, April 30, 2005, in Nestor Hall on the college's main campus, 550
East Spring Street, in downtown Columbus. Free parking is available. Cost is
$60; $20 for students with ID. The fee includes a light buffet Friday
evening and a continental breakfast and buffet lunch on Saturday.

The event kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with a light after-work buffet and
music by The Greg Winter Trio, with a poetry reading by Columbus poet Rose
M. Smith. Four initial workshop sessions will be followed at 8 p.m. with the
keynote address by award-winning poet David Citino, poet laureate of The
Ohio State University and a past president of the board of Thurber House.

On both Friday and Saturday, there will be small-group sessions on topics
such as screenwriting, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, writing for
the web, marketing strategies, and working with agents. Presenters include
not only Columbus State faculty, but also successful Ohio writers as well as
Jennifer DeChiara, a New York City-based literary agent. The conference will
include a discussion by a panel of small-press publishers Saturday. Each
small press will also have extensive offerings at its respective book table.

We would be glad to send a conference brochure, which includes a
registration form, to anyone interested in attending. Contact Clay Cormany,
Adjunct Instructor, Dept. of Communication Skills, at ccor-@cscc.edu.

WRITING EXERCISES

1. Tell your story. What do you have to say? Write something about yourself this month. It can be your most embarrassing moment, a recurring dream you have, or a quirk about yourself that makes you one-of-a-kind. Be self-indulgent this month, whine, brag, criticize and appreciate… you!

2. April is National Poetry month, so take a crack at writing a poem. Any poem will do, rhymed or unrhymed. It can be about any subject, and it doesn’t even have to be good. If you have trouble coming up with a subject, use one or all of the words in the Quick Topics below to create your work of poetic brilliance. Then send your completed work to mu-@flashwriting.com. You might be published in next month’s issue.

QUICK TOPICS

· Vanishing act

· Take root

· Mass

· Waterbug

· Dull

· Kitchen sink

· Bermuda blue

· Unstoppable

· Biggest

· Deeper

· Undies

· Eyes of the sun

STORY STARTERS

· I was alone…

· What’s a parent to believe?

· Why he’s at risk…

· When we find…

· It started, of course, with the…

· Since the death of…

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION

BARNES & NOBLE AT EASTON TOWN CENTER— FICTION WRITER’S GROUP

April 14, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. - Mezzanine: Fiction Writers Group:
CREATIVE THINKING FOR CREATIVE FICTION

This session focuses on adapting creative writing techniques, often used by R&D and Marketing departments, for writing imaginative, exciting fiction. These activities will help you shatter writers block and keep you writing with energy and an exciting new perspective.

The Fiction Writers Group is a facilitated writing group that meets at Barnes & Noble at Easton Town Center on the SECOND Thursday of each month at 7:00pm and is hosted by writer and teacher Michael Wilson. A book will be given away to one lucky attendee. This event is free of charge!

_CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES AT UPPER ARLINGTON LIFELONG LEARNING_

IF YOU THINK IT, YOU CAN WRITE IT II (NEW CLASS!)

This sequel introduces all new techniques for generating story, article and poetry ideas; breaking through writer’s block; and solving your writing problems. The techniques featured include: BruteThink, Forced Analogies, your Hall of Fame, and of course more fun with random words. This class provides a hands-on exploration of the creative process and how it can be used to improve your writing in many facets. Last quarter’s If You Think It, You Can Write It is not a pre-requisite and returning students are welcome to enroll. A workbook is included in the fee.

CLASS #: 442897 A

TIME: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday

DATE: April 16

LOCATION: Lower Lvl Conference Room, UA Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd

COST: $45.00(Resident), $49.50(Non-Resident)

DEADLINE: April 13

THE 15-MINUTE WRITER (NEW CLASS!)

Be a part of creating Michael’s next book. _The 15-Minute Writer_ teaches you how to find the time to write and to break down the writing process into manageable tasks that can be completed in just 15 minutes a day. This class provides you with the basic tools to develop the skills you need to become a successful writer and focuses on turning these skills into marketable writing. Learn about the seven elements of creative writing and delve into the writing process from initial idea through publication. This basic class is a great place for beginners to get the resources they need to get started writing today. A workbook is included in the fee.

CLASS #: 442898 A

TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday

DATE: May 17 – June 7, 4 sessions

LOCATION: Rm 104, UA Senior Center Bldg #1, 1945 Ridgeview Road

COST: $45.00(R), $49.50(NR)

DEADLINE: May 10

There are three ways to register for classes at UA Lifelong Learning:

· Register online using your MASTERCARD or VISA, click the following link: https://parks.uaoh.net/VSIWEBTRAC.HTML

· Fill out a registration form here: http://www.ua-ohio.net/parksrec/lifelong/registration.pdf and mail it to or drop it off (with a check or money order) at Lifelong Learning & Leisure, 3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221

· Call (614) 583-5333 between 9:30am and 3:30pm weekdays to register using your VISA or MASTERCARD

MUSE REVIEWS

_THINKERTOYS_ by Michael Michalko_; _Ten Speed Press, 245 pages. Paperback; 1991; ISBN: 0898154081.

This book is touted as a “Handbook of Business Creativity” but business is far from its only application. Many of these techniques can be directly applied to solving your writing problems, help you work around writers block, and generate new ideas for you to explore within your writing. This book introduces the audience to over thirty different creativity techniques: describes it, tells you how to use it, and uses practical examples to show you how it has been used.

This book also includes many practical exercises designed to help you get in touch with your creative side and use it actively in your life. Using lots of illustrations and a “Blueprint” section, each creativity technique is explained in simple steps, so you can use it immediately. Whether you read this book from cover-to-cover, or hop around from technique-to-technique, this book is sure to spark your creative muse and help you write better.

RATING: **** (Buy on sale/discounted)

ABOUT RATINGS: ***** -- Well Worth it at Full Retail Price; **** — Buy on Sale/Discounted; *** — Buy Used; ** — Borrow It from the Library; * — Waste of a Good Tree

**********************************************************************

TO SUBSCRIBE: If someone you know would like to check out _Grist for the Muse_ have
and possibly subscribe to it, go to the web at this URL: http://www.topica.com/lists/Grist_for_the_Muse

Or SUBSCRIBE via email by sending a BLANK email to: Grist_for_the_-@topica.com
OR – If you do not want to join Topica, send an email to gri-@flashwriting.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the header. Make sure that I am added to your address book or your “safe” list.

SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS: Please feel free to e-mail me with ideas, suggestions, questions,
or smart alecky remarks. I love to get feedback, and I do give all comments serious consideration. Send them to gri-@flashwriting.com

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Please click here: http://topica.com/help/unsub.html.bWt3aWxz
Or send a BLANK email to: Grist_for_the_M-@topica.com

SUBMISSIONS: Do you have an event you want to promote? Do you want to see yourself in print? Send me a short article or writing exercise ideas. I can’t pay you anything yet, but maybe someday soon. Please send an e-mail with date, time, place, cost and contact information to gri-@flashwriting.com with SUBMISSION in the subject line. Editor reserves the right to revise submissions.

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Michael Wilson has been teaching creative writing classes and facilitating writer’s groups for almost a decade and was an award-winning Contributing Editor for The Writer’s Block at Suite101.com. He has a BA (with Honors) in English from Ohio University, and has been a featured guest speaker at the Thurber House, the Maumee Valley Writer’s Conference and the Columbus Writer’s Conference. He is also the publisher and editor of _Grist for the Muse_ a free monthly creative writing e-newsletter. His first book: _Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1000 Words Long_, was published in October 2004. You can get additional information about him at www.flashwriting.com.

_COPYRIGHT 2005 MICHAEL L. WILSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED._

Michael L. Wilson
Author of Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long

Buy it at www.flashwriting.com

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<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Grist for the Muse #19 – April 2005 The monthly creative writing resource that gets you writing and keeps you writing.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></H1>
<o:p> </o:p>
<TT>There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.</TT> <TT>--Maya Angelou</TT>
<TT><o:p></o:p></TT> 
<DIV style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 3pt dotted; mso-element: para-border-div">
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Musings<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Many of you had comments about last month’s column about Sarge. I think everyone can relate to having that one unruly pet: The cat that bites anyone who tries to pet it; The sheltie that you just can’t get to stop barking at men; The Great Dane with explosive flatulence which drives you from the room despite buying a variety of expensive bands of dog food designed to prevent just such a thing. <o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Sarge returned from his two-week stay at Doggie Boot Camp, but while he was away, and I have to admit, Kristen and I were enjoying the peace and quiet in the house. No more dogs constantly barking and growling competing for attention. You could leave a room to pour yourself a glass of water without worrying that the HoneyBaked Ham would be snatched from the table or that the TiVo remote was chewed to pieces, in that short amount of time. The kids didn’t have to worry about getting their clothes muddy before heading off to school. <o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">In my heart, I believed that Sarge would be the dog to break this trainer. I was convinced that Sarge would be the dog that would drive him to a career in fast food management. Sarge was so stubborn and so rambunctious, I just couldn’t imagine a reality where this wouldn’t be so… but I was, as I so often am, wrong this time too.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Craig Richardson has made Sarge a new dog in just 2 weeks. Don’t get me wrong, he is still the same dog in many ways. Sarge still jumps on you if he gets excited. He’ll still chase a cat that hisses and runs from him, and he still can’t resist checking out an abandoned dinner plate on the edge of the dining room table, but he’s a lot better. Sarge doesn’t get the look in his eye that I like to refer to as the “F-U” look anymore. He now takes us seriously when we say the word “no.”<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">The training is simple. You use a training or “choker” collar on the dog, you teach him the word “no” and a few simple commands: sit, down, heel and go back. If the dog doesn’t do what you ask it to do in less than two seconds, you grab the leash and give it a quick pull and release or “pop.” Even if he does eventually decide to lay down 4 seconds after you told him to, you have to “pop” him anyway. Anything short of total obedience is punished. It is hard to get used to, at first I was quite reluctant to yank on the leash very hard… but if I didn’t pull it hard, Sarge didn’t take me seriously and I’d have to do it two or three times, until he finally listened to the command that I gave him.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Again, what does this have to do with writing? Simple. Before you can learn to write well, you must have discipline. You must learn to obey the word “no” without question or your conscience will nag you because you didn’t write today; All because you couldn’t say no to the ringing phone, to the dinner dishes in the sink, or the latest episode of Desperate Housewives or a couple of games of March Madness. Write so you can get it out of the way and enjoy the rest of your life.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">I live in this world as well. I have many days where I tell myself that I can write later, when things are less hectic. I don’t have to get up at 7am to write on weekends, because I have the whole day on Saturday to write. I decide do it at 8am, but that becomes I’ll do it after I plant these flowers, which becomes after I hang those birdhouses, which becomes after I vacuum the living room, play soccer with the kids, and take back the library books. The guilt and resistance to writing grows as the day goes on. I promise to write after dinner, but the kids need baths and to be read a story and tucked into bed, and when the moment to write finally arrives, I wonder where the day went, and I’m too tired to even think about picking up a pen.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">You have to say no. Put a training collar around your neck that shocks you if you try to get up from your chair if you must, but do it. Writing is hard work, and in order to write you must make sacrifices and learn discipline.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Yes, I’m sure Sarge would love to shred one of Isaac’s Shrek slippers. They’re ugly, stuffed, and green, but the consequence is that he’d be yelled at and sent to his crate so we could relax and get a few hours of peace (after Isaac stopped crying of course). He’d be ostracized from the family for a few hours. And endure withering looks and bad feelings toward him for a while. The question is: Was it worth the momentary joy of shredding the slipper? Probably not. If you really want to write, is the bad feeling you get when you don’t write really worth it? I always feel better after I have written. I am more relaxed and can enjoy the other tasks and watch TV or surf the web guilt-free… as long as I did the writing today.<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">--Michael <o:p></o:p>
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<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Fiction Writing Critique Class Now Forming<o:p></o:p>
<P class=BodyText style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 3pt 0in 6pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">Are you ready to get serious about your fiction? Then sign up for the Fiction Writing Critique class where you will learn how to critique the work of others, and how to identify and fix the common problems with fiction and narrative non-fiction. Some of the other topics addressed within the class are; formatting your manuscript for publication, creating realistic dialog, the basics of good description, handling hooks, pacing and progression in your story, and more. But most of the lessons will be taught using student manuscripts as examples. The book used for the class (not included in the cost of the class) is Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile (Paperback, Fireside Books, $13.00, ISBN: 068485743X). This is a twelve hour class meeting in six 2-hour sessions that will meet every other Wednesday from 7 to 9pm at a location to be determined by those who enroll in the class. The cost is $70. If you are interested in registering, contact me at <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="mailto:mich-@wilson.us" target=_blank>mich-@wilson.us</A>. This class will begin either on April 13th or 20th, based on the preferences of the enrollees. If you are serious about getting published, then this class is for you! Deadline for registration is April 10th.<o:p></o:p>
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<H3 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Sign up for the Write(Now) Newsletter<o:p></o:p></H3>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Columbus</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>’s Third Annual Writers Conference<o:p></o:p>
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The <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Columbus</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Community College</st1:PlaceType>'s Department of Communication Skills will conduct its third annual writers conference on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, 2005, in Nestor Hall on the college's main campus, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">550 East Spring Street</st1:address></st1:Street>, in downtown <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:City>. Free parking is available. Cost is $60; $20 for students with ID. The fee includes a light buffet Friday evening and a continental breakfast and buffet lunch on Saturday. The event kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with a light after-work buffet and music by The Greg Winter Trio, with a poetry reading by <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:City> poet Rose M. Smith. Four initial workshop sessions will be followed at 8 p.m. with the keynote address by award-winning poet David Citino, poet laureate of The Ohio State University and a past president of the board of Thurber House. On both Friday and Saturday, there will be small-group sessions on topics such as screenwriting, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, writing for the web, marketing strategies, and working with agents. Presenters include not only <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Columbus</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> faculty, but also successful <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:State> writers as well as Jennifer DeChiara, a New York City-based literary agent. The conference will include a discussion by a panel of small-press publishers Saturday. Each small press will also have extensive offerings at its respective book table. We would be glad to send a conference brochure, which includes a registration form, to anyone interested in attending. Contact Clay Cormany, Adjunct Instructor, Dept. of Communication Skills, at <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://mbox.flashwriting.com/compose.php?to=ccormany@cscc.edu" target=_blank>ccor-@cscc.edu</A>.<o:p></o:p>
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<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Writing Exercises<o:p></o:p></H1>
1. Tell your story. What do you have to say? Write something about yourself this month. It can be your most embarrassing moment, a recurring dream you have, or a quirk about yourself that makes you one-of-a-kind. Be self-indulgent this month, whine, brag, criticize and appreciate… you!<o:p></o:p>
2. April is National Poetry month, so take a crack at writing a poem. Any poem will do, rhymed or unrhymed. It can be about any subject, and it doesn’t even have to be good. If you have trouble coming up with a subject, use one or all of the words in the Quick Topics below to create your work of poetic brilliance. Then send your completed work to <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="mailto:mu-@flashwriting.com" target=_blank>mu-@flashwriting.com</A>. You might be published in next month’s issue.<o:p></o:p>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Quick Topics<o:p></o:p></H2>
· Vanishing act<o:p></o:p>
· Take root<o:p></o:p>
· Mass<o:p></o:p>
· Waterbug<o:p></o:p>
· Dull<o:p></o:p>
· Kitchen sink<o:p></o:p>
· <st1:place w:st="on">Bermuda</st1:place> blue<o:p></o:p>
· Unstoppable<o:p></o:p>
· Biggest<o:p></o:p>
· Deeper<o:p></o:p>
· Undies<o:p></o:p>
· Eyes of the sun<o:p></o:p>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Story Starters<o:p></o:p></H2>
· I was alone…<o:p></o:p>
· What’s a parent to believe?<o:p></o:p>
· Why he’s at risk…<o:p></o:p>
· When we find…<o:p></o:p>
· It started, of course, with the…<o:p></o:p>
· Since the death of…<o:p></o:p>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Shameless Self Promotion<o:p></o:p></H1>
<H2 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">Barnes & Noble at Easton Town Center— Fiction Writer’s Group<o:p></o:p></H2>
<o:p> </o:p>
April 14, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. - Mezzanine: Fiction Writers Group: CREATIVE THINKING FOR CREATIVE FICTION <o:p></o:p>
This session focuses on adapting creative writing techniques, often used by R&D and Marketing departments, for writing imaginative, exciting fiction. These activities will help you shatter writers block and keep you writing with energy and an exciting new perspective.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The Fiction Writers Group is a facilitated writing group that meets at Barnes & Noble at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Easton</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Town</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> on the SECOND Thursday of each month at 7:00pm and is hosted by writer and teacher Michael Wilson. A book will be given away to one lucky attendee. This event is free of charge!<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Creative Writing Classes at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Upper Arlington</st1:City></st1:place> Lifelong Learning<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
IF YOU THINK IT, YOU CAN WRITE IT II (NEW CLASS!)<o:p></o:p>
This sequel introduces all new techniques for generating story, article and poetry ideas; breaking through writer’s block; and solving your writing problems. The techniques featured include: BruteThink, Forced Analogies, your Hall of Fame, and of course more fun with random words. This class provides a hands-on exploration of the creative process and how it can be used to improve your writing in many facets. Last quarter’s If You Think It, You Can Write It is not a pre-requisite and returning students are welcome to enroll. A workbook is included in the fee.<o:p></o:p>
CLASS #: 442897 A<o:p></o:p>
TIME: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Saturday<o:p></o:p>
DATE: April 16<o:p></o:p>
LOCATION: Lower Lvl Conference Room, UA <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Municipal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Services</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">3600 Tremont Rd</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p>
COST: $45.00(Resident), $49.50(Non-Resident)<o:p></o:p>
DEADLINE: April 13<o:p></o:p>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt"><o:p> </o:p></H1>
THE 15-MINUTE WRITER (NEW CLASS!)<o:p></o:p>
Be a part of creating Michael’s next book. The 15-Minute Writer teaches you how to find the time to write and to break down the writing process into manageable tasks that can be completed in just 15 minutes a day. This class provides you with the basic tools to develop the skills you need to become a successful writer and focuses on turning these skills into marketable writing. Learn about the seven elements of creative writing and delve into the writing process from initial idea through publication. This basic class is a great place for beginners to get the resources they need to get started writing today. A workbook is included in the fee. <o:p></o:p>
CLASS #: 442898 A<o:p></o:p>
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM, Tuesday<o:p></o:p>
DATE: May 17 – June 7, 4 sessions<o:p></o:p>
LOCATION: Rm 104, UA <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Senior</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Bldg #1, 1945 Ridgeview Road<o:p></o:p>
COST: $45.00(R), $49.50(NR)<o:p></o:p>
DEADLINE: May 10<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
There are three ways to register for classes at UA Lifelong Learning:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
· Register online using your MASTERCARD or VISA, click the following link: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="https://parks.uaoh.net/VSIWEBTRAC.HTML" target=_blank>https://parks.uaoh.net/VSIWEBTRAC.HTML</A><o:p></o:p>
· Fill out a registration form here: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.ua-ohio.net/parksrec/lifelong/registration.pdf" target=_blank>http://www.ua-ohio.net/parksrec/lifelong/registration.pdf</A> and mail it to or drop it off (with a check or money order) at Lifelong Learning & Leisure, 3600 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221<o:p></o:p>
· Call (614) 583-5333 between 9:30am and 3:30pm weekdays to register using your VISA or MASTERCARD<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 3pt">MUSE REVIEWS<o:p></o:p></H1>
Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko; Ten Speed Press, 245 pages. Paperback; 1991; ISBN: 0898154081.
This book is touted as a “Handbook of Business Creativity” but business is far from its only application. Many of these techniques can be directly applied to solving your writing problems, help you work around writers block, and generate new ideas for you to explore within your writing. This book introduces the audience to over thirty different creativity techniques: describes it, tells you how to use it, and uses practical examples to show you how it has been used. 
This book also includes many practical exercises designed to help you get in touch with your creative side and use it actively in your life. Using lots of illustrations and a “Blueprint” section, each creativity technique is explained in simple steps, so you can use it immediately. Whether you read this book from cover-to-cover, or hop around from technique-to-technique, this book is sure to spark your creative muse and help you write better.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Rating: **** (Buy on sale/discounted)
About Ratings: ***** -- Well Worth it at Full Retail Price; **** — Buy on Sale/Discounted; *** — Buy Used; ** — Borrow It from the Library; * — Waste of a Good Tree
<o:p> </o:p>
**********************************************************************<o:p></o:p><PRE>TO SUBSCRIBE: If someone you know would like to check out Grist for the Muse have and possibly subscribe to it, go to the web at this URL: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" target=_blank name=OLE_LINK2></A><A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" target=_blank name=OLE_LINK1></A><A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.topica.com/lists/Grist_for_the_Muse" target=_blank>http://www.topica.com/lists/Grist_for_the_Muse</A><o:p></o:p></PRE><PRE>Or SUBSCRIBE via email by sending a BLANK email to: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="mailto:Grist_for_the_-@topica.com" target=_blank>Grist_for_the_-@topica.com</A> 
OR – If you do not want to join Topica, send an email to gri-@flashwriting.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the header. Make sure that I am added to your address book or your “safe” list. <o:p></o:p></PRE><PRE><o:p></o:p></PRE><PRE>SUGGESTIONS or COMMENTS: Please feel free to e-mail me with ideas, suggestions, questions, or smart alecky remarks. I love to get feedback, and I do give all comments serious consideration. Send them to gri-@flashwriting.com </PRE>
 TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Please click here: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://topica.com/help/unsub.html.bWt3aWxz" target=_blank>http://topica.com/help/unsub.html.bWt3aWxz</A> Or send a BLANK email to: <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="mailto:Grist_for_the_M-@topica.com" target=_blank>Grist_for_the_M-@topica.com</A> 
SUBMISSIONS: Do you have an event you want to promote? Do you want to see yourself in print? Send me a short article or writing exercise ideas. I can’t pay you anything yet, but maybe someday soon. Please send an e-mail with date, time, place, cost and contact information to gri-@flashwriting.com with SUBMISSION in the subject line. Editor reserves the right to revise submissions. 
ABOUT THE EDITOR: Michael Wilson has been teaching creative writing classes and facilitating writer’s groups for almost a decade and was an award-winning Contributing Editor for The Writer’s Block at Suite101.com. He has a BA (with Honors) in English from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and has been a featured guest speaker at the Thurber House, the Maumee Valley Writer’s Conference and the Columbus Writer’s Conference. He is also the publisher and editor of Grist for the Muse a free monthly creative writing e-newsletter. His first book: Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1000 Words Long, was published in October 2004. You can get additional information about him at <A style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.flashwriting.com/" target=_blank>www.flashwriting.com</A>. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Copyright 2005 Michael L. Wilson. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p> Michael L. Wilson Author of Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long Buy it at www.flashwriting.com

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