7th Annual MMWG Writers Conference

375 Apple Tree Drive,Ionia MI 48846

05 November, 2022

Description

Whether you are just starting out and don’t call yourself “a writer” (yet!), or you’ve published, you’ll take away something you can use, plus connect with other writers from West Michigan and beyond. The cost is by donation to help underwrite expenses. Our goal is to make this conference affordable for all! Lunch is on your own -- bring one or dine out. We'll have a list of suggestions. For more information, visit Mid-Michigan Word Gatherers on Facebook. The day's sessions are: Editing from Page to Stage: Tips on Preparing an Oral Reading for Spoken Word — Mary FoxIn this short workshop, participants will work on some techniques for preparing a short reading of a poem. Tips will include selecting poems for an audience, using voice and tone to create mood and improve understanding of the reading, staging tips, and more. Participants may bring a poem of their own to work with or use one of the sample poems. Mary Fox, a Detroit-born poet, currently resides Portland, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University (BA) and Central Michigan University (MS). In 2016 she published Waiting for Rain, a poetry chapbook, with Finishing Line Press, and in 2018, she co-edited Promptly Speaking, the fourth Writing at the Ledges anthology. Her 2019 chapbook is Reading Lessons (Finishing Line Press). Mary worked with the Lansing Poetry Club as the coordinator of the Ritzenhein Emerging Poet Chapbook Contest in its first four years, but has given up that role to pursue other interests. She loves to do oral presentations of poetry in the Lansing Area. Currently she is working on a third chapbook of poetry, a YouTube channel of spoken word poems, and a collection of short memoirs. How to Fight Writer’s Block (& Win!): The 4 Tools of a Creative Warrior — Allison SpoonerAllison Spooner is a published author with two books of flash fiction, stories published in anthologies, and a novel looking for a home. But once upon a time, she was stuck in a pretty horrible creative rut. She couldn't find ideas, couldn't write, and seriously started to doubt her identity as a writer. Then, over the course of a few years, Allison discovered a few things that brought her back to her creative life. She created the Creative Warrior brand to help others fight for their creativity when things get tough … because no one wants to be stuck. In this presentation, we'll explore the 4 tools every Warrior needs to fight writer's block-and win! 1. Prompts 2. Structure 3. Yoga/Movement 4. Community We'll explore how to easily fit these tools into your life, rather than rearrange your life to accommodate them, and even do a quick creativity session where we'll get a prompt, do just a little movement, and then CREATE! Today, Allison Spooner is a leader in her creative community, sits on the board of The Artist's Umbrella as their Chief Growth Officer, is a certified yoga instructor, and teaches workshops on how to use flash fiction and the Warrior tools to fight writer’s block or write through trauma, and workshops on how to use yoga to feel more creative. She is the founder of The Creative Warrior brand, YouTube channel, and group on Facebook. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeWarriorClub  Facebook/Creative Warrior: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeWarrior21/  Facebook/Author: https://www.facebook.com/authorallisonspooner/  Capturing Moments through Memoir — Kristine E. BrickeyWriting captures memories, stores moments, and releases emotions surrounding times in our lives. Whether for personal reflection or possible publication, writing memoir is a powerful tool for pushing your writing in new and interesting directions. Get ready to write the old fashioned way, with pen/pencil on paper, as you explore emotions and remembrances through Memoir. A lifetime teacher and writer, Kristine E. Brickey was born and raised in Michigan. The author of Flowers for Rodney, They Said She Was Crazy, and Thor, the Mighty Friesian, she is proud of producing her latest novel, F*CK It, I’m 50! after six years of hard work. Through her characters and life experiences, Brickey’s fiction unflinchingly faces tough topics. When not writing, she can be found riding her Mustang, hanging with her rescue donkeys and dogs, or relaxing with her husband. Learn more at her website: www.kristineebrickey.com. The Trouble with Characters — Cheryl MeyerThis session uses a character’s wants, desires … their troubles … to move a short story forward. Prompts will be provided. Cheryl Meyer is a Central Michigan University alum (BS and MA), with a creative writing focus for the MA. She teaches composition and creative writing at Montcalm Community College, composition at Mid Michigan College, and creative writing and watercolor painting at Art Reach in Mount Pleasant. An artist and writer, Cheryl’s show of her paintings ran at Art Reach this past July, and she is looking forward to her flash fiction piece appearing in Up North Literary Journal.