Spring Writers’ Workshop with Stan Williams

Spring Writers’ Workshop with Stan Williams, presented by Rochester Writers Stanley D. Williams, Ph.D. will present his daylong workshop titled The 18+ Secrets of Successful Story Structure Workshop for Screenwriters, Novelists, and other Writers of shorter works on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Oakland University. The spring writers’ workshop is a new event, presented by Rochester Writers. Dr. Williams is a Hollywood and novelist story consultant, and is the author of the classic story … [Read more...]

Rochester Writers’ Group and Events for 2014

Writing Groups, News, and 2014 Events The Freelance Marketplace Writers' Group meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Rochester Hills Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 7:30 p.m. We are not a critique group - we discuss the business of writing. Join us once, once in a while, or every time. It's free and open to new, working, and published writers, illustrators, and photographers. Author Ron Herron will be our guest moderator this month, Tuesday, January 21, for a general discussion on the … [Read more...]

First-Grade Philosophy

I had the absolute joy of speaking to 24 first graders this week about the writing process. Our talk centered around the fine art of revision, and how important it is to the quality of our work. The early learners were eager to point out mistakes, chime in details to add, and cut out ones that didn't sound right. This innocent visit to the world of six-year olds encouraged me to reflect on how in life we also need to take the time to revise ourselves, too. When writing, the first thing the … [Read more...]

Holiday Gift-giving Guide for the Writer on your Holiday Gift List

Book Suggestions: • Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg • Page by Page by Heather Sellers • Chapter by Chapter by Heather Sellers • What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter • Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter • Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher • The Art and Craft of Storytelling by Nancy Lamb • Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott • If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland • … [Read more...]

Should I write my book?

As a publisher we hear this questionoften here at Rochester Media. Our answer is usually, "If this is something you are passionate about then you should certainly try." There are staggering statistics that would discourage anyone from even attempting to write a book. There are those same statistics that would discourage someone from starting a business, from running a marathon, or from finishing their education. If we were to listen to statistics in order to make our choices in life, we will not … [Read more...]