Point of View

photo courtesy of herr_hartman


The topic of point of view at our monthly meeting of Saturday Writers got me to thinking about my preference for writing in 1st person. I like the immediacy (is that a word?) it gives me. It allows me to be the character. For me it is easier, because I don't have to worry about inappropriate POV shifts. I just ask myself WWMCD (what would my character do?) If my character's not seeing it or feeling it, I know not to put it to paper.

However, I've noticed that I like to read a combination of 1st and 3rd person, and it depends on the genre. If I'm reading romance (which I don't usually do) or cozy mysteries, I prefer first person. I prefer to "be" the character or at least see the story from the protagonists POV.

But if I'm reading a suspense, thriller or historical, I prefer third person. And I really like multiple POV's. I feel like it gives me a 360 degree view of the story.

And I've even read a couple that switch back and forth between 1st and 3rd. Most of those are pretty clunky, but Harlan Coben does it in a couple of his novels and does an excellent job at creating a story so smooth you never notice it. He's also a great story weaver, but that's another whole topic. He's my writing hero. And I just discovered him last year, and already I've read all his books. So, Harlan if you stop by and read this, get to cracking on that next book. I'm waiting.

What's your favorite POV to write and does it differ from your favorite POV to read?

Poetry Contest

courtesy of sbpoet

One-page Poem Contest

In honor of April being poetry month,

Saturday Writers is announcing our 7th annual poetry contest!

Submission Guidelines:

1) Any style, any subject, any form. Wow us in one page. (One poem per single-spaced page.)
2) No identification should appear on the entry. Attach a separate coversheet with title, name, address, e-mail, and phone number.
3) Two copies of each entry! (Each judge needs a copy.)
4) Entry fee: $5 per poem, maximum of three entries.
5) Poems must be unpublished at the time of submission, original work of the contestant.
6) Deadline: March 16, 2009 postmark.
7) Prizes: 1st place - $100, 2nd place - $50, 3rd place - $25. Top 10 entries receive a certificate.
8) Winners will be announced on the website by April 30, 2009. Certificates and cash prizes will be mailed in early May.
9) Mail entries flat, not folded, to:

Louella Turner
Saturday Writers One-page Poem Contest Coordinator
2731 Cumberland Landing
St. Charles, MO 63303

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT send by certified mail!

10) Checks payable to: Saturday Writers.

Contest is open to members of Saturday Writers and non-members. Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top ten only) may be given the opportunity to have their stories included (one time rights) in the Saturday Writers literary collection, published the following year.

For a list of winners, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Or check out our website after April 30: http://www.saturdaywriters.org/.

Decision of judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Poems will not be returned. Submissions paid for by checks which are returned by the bank will be immediately disqualified.

Looking for a speaker for a writing conference??

Street in Quebec City



Hey, didn't mean to leave the lights off for so long.

October has been crazy. First part of the month, I went on a cruise to see the fall colors in New England and Canada. Instead of seeing colors, we out ran a hurricane (yeah in New England--who would have thunk?) Then our scenic cruising day on the St. Lawrence, it was so foggy we could barely see over the side of the ship. What gives with that?

But the gem of Quebec City was waiting for us. What a treat! If you've never been there, it is so worth the visit. It's not for the faint of heart. There are hills and winding streets, but around every corner, there's a neat little shop or cafe. I can't wait to go back.

The last part of the month I've was busy getting Saturday Writers annual fall workshop lined up. It was this past Saturday. We had a magnificent day. The weather was outstanding. Our speakers were awesome, and it's over. And the best part if next year someone else gets to plan it :)

If you're planning a workshop or conference I've got some names you might want to try. Krista Goering from The Krista Goering Literary Agency was our agent. She did a presentation in the morning and took pitches in the afternoon. She is a delightful woman, very friendly and outgoing. I would highly recommend her.

In the afternoon we had an editor panel that consisted of Anna Genoese, a freelance editor, Dr. Susan Swartwout from Southeast Missouri State University and Rebecca French Smith from Missouri Life magazine. All of these ladies did a great job and again and recommendation from me is in order.

My thanks to all our great speakers for taking the time from their schedule to spend the day with us and share their expertise.

On a side note, my writing friends have convinced me to set the current novel aside for the month while I take Sissy on another adventure. That's what I'm going to do. I've been at this one for almost a year now and it seems like I've read it a thousand times, probably because I have. Plus I need a break because I have this huge new plot line in my head and it keeps distracting me. Once I get it on paper, I think I will be better able to go back finalize my first one.

I'm gearing up for NaNoWriMo which starts November 1st. I'm not going to be as active on here, but will be trying to post my results daily and give the rest of you a little pep talk. You know, if I can write 50,008 words in a month so can you. So, freeze up a bunch of meals, buy scads of chocolate, wash up all the laundry and pull up a chair. The writing is about to begin. AND I can't wait.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Margo Dill Interview

Check out The Differently-Abled Writer for an interview with my friend Margo Dill.

Margo is the Past President of The Missouri Writers' Guild and a member of Saturday Writers.

She is a multi-talented writer, an awesome speaker and a great critiquer. If you need a freelance writer, editor or a speaker, give Margo a call.

Saturday Writers "Turn the Page" Workshop

Photo courtesy of: Kateyay

Saturday Writers Presents
Turn the Page Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008
Time: 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Location: St. Peters City Hall—Rm A
One St. Peters Centre Blvd.
St. Peters, MO 63376

Early Bird Registration ends Oct. 1st Members: $50.00; Non-Members $60.00

After October 1st: Members: $60.00; Non-Members $70.00

At Door: Everyone $ 75.00 (NO LUNCH PROVIDED)

LUNCH AND BEVERAGE PROVIDED FOR ADVANCED REGISTRANTS

Finished your novel or almost have it finished? Have new ideas for a smashing article? Well, turn the page and join us for an all-day workshop featuring Krista Goering, literary agent from Krista Goering Literary Agency LLC, Susan Swartwout, professor, director of the University Press and editor of Big Muddy, Rebecca French Smith, Managing Editor Missouri Life, and Anna Genoese, Consulting Editor for Tom Doherty Associates, LLC..

PUBLISHING 101 BY KRISTA:
* The book publishing industry in general and how it is changing
* How agents work
* What information is important in a query letter
* What not to do when querying an agent
* How to write a great nonfiction book proposal
* When it makes sense to self-publish
* How to promote/publicize your book

EDITOR IDOL:
Bring your first paragraph, manuscript formatted, of fiction or non-fiction work or 10 lines of poetry. Editors will read out loud, preserving your privacy, then comment on what they liked or didn't like, what hooked or didn't hook them. You can bring more than once piece (on a separate sheet of paper), but we’ll only take seconds if time permits.

5-MINUTE PITCH APPOINTMENTS WITH KRISTA, SUSAN OR REBECCA:
Sign up to pitch when you register. Appointment will be assigned and
given the day of the workshop. (Attendees only)

ADVANCE WRITTEN CRITIQUES:
Krista will do a limited number of written critiques for attendees for $25.00.
FICTION: First 10 manuscript pages OR query letter and synopsis.
NON-FICTION: Proposal (5 pages max) OR first 10 pages of manuscript.

Email to president@saturdaywriters.org with the documents in the body of email, or mail hard copy with registration. Attachments will be deleted.
Payment must follow with registration. No manuscripts will be sent to Krista until payment is received. No manuscripts accepted after October 1st

Questions: email president@saturdaywriters.org

For Registration form or to register via Paypal visit our webpage http://www.saturdaywriters.org/ and click on EVENTS.

Speaking of Queries

I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to hone my query letter. I've written it a time or two, but I want to polish it up as best I can. Susan McBride, our speaker from Saturday Writers sent me a link to a query article by Holly Lisle . Wow, not only is the article great, but her website is jampacked with information, and she offers a free class on outlining your plot.

P.S. Susan's new book The Debs just made its debut.

The Debs Video Trailer

Susan McBride's new book The Debs debuts on August 26th. Take a peek at her Video Trailer on YouTube.

It looks to be a great read and I can't wait.

Susan will be the guest speaker at Saturday Writers in St. Peters, MO on August 30th. See Saturday Writers for details.

I'm already coveting an autographed copy of The Debs, and I don't even have it yet.

Saturday Writers Short Story Contest

7th Annual Saturday Writers

Short Story Contest 2008

DEADLINE: Postmarked by September 15, 2008

ENTRY FEE: $5 per entry, maximum of three entries. Submissions without entry fee or
inadequate fee will be discarded or returned to contestant if SASE is provided.

PRIZES: 1st Place $100
2nd Place $50
3rd Place $25
4th Place – 10th certificates

Click here for guidelines Short Story Contest

Top ten winners may be given the opportunity to have a story included (one time rights) in Saturday Writers’ literary anthology, published the following year.

Contest is open to everyone, both members of Saturday Writers and non-members. For a list of winners, check our website: Saturday Writers after October 31, 2008.

Decision of the judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Winners will be announced in the Saturday Writers newsletter. Manuscripts will not be returned.

Visit Amazon to purchase our current Cuivre River Anthology.