Hey Writers! You don't have to travel to Edmonds WA this year for the writers' conference--though we will miss you. This year the WOTS (Write on the Sound) conference is on-line. Our EPIC Board members, Laura Moe and Mindy Halleck are teaching workshops. 
Laura is teaching, Make It to the Finish Line. Nearly 90% of people say they’d love to write a book, but only 5% actually finish. In this session she will address the numerous barriers that prevent many prospective novelists and memoirists from realizing their lifelong dreams of writing a book. She will also discuss long-term benefits of finishing a project, present strategies for participants to complete their manuscripts, and provide insights about publishing options. Laura spent most of her working life as a librarian and English teacher in Ohio, and moved to Seattle where she writes full-time and is an active member of SCBWI and EPIC Group Writers. Moe is the author of Breakfast with Neruda (Simon & Schuster/Merit Press, 2016), Blue Valentines (2019), and The Language of The Son (2019). www.lauramoebooks.com

Mindy Halleck will be teaching a class titled,
MERMAIDS, MAIDENS or MYSTICS— 8 Female Archetypes Every Writer Should Know.
Sign up quick! Right now Mindy's creating a workbook that you will get in class that will serve as your guide to creating complex female characters. 
​Mindy is an award-winning author, motivational speaker and writing instructor. Halleck’s debut novel, Return to Sender, was released to 5-Star reviews, a Reader’s Choice award and selected as one of Kirkus Review’s Top Twenty Indie Novels of 2015. She has won short-story writing contests and is a frequent guest lecturer in University of Washington’s fiction writing classes, as well as other Puget Sound area colleges. In addition to being a writer, Halleck is a happily married, globe-trotting beachcomber and three-time cancer survivor who credits part of her healing journey(s) to the art of writing. www.mindyhalleck.com
JOIN US! Sign up now.  https://www.writeonthesound.com/registration-information2/

Sound Tracks
For some writers, the only thing more intimidating than the blank page is a silent soundtrack to their wordsmithing. In a very unscientific finding, I would say that about half of my writer friends write to some sort of musical sounds—cosmic white noise, whales crooning, the buzz of nature, Tibetan singing bowls—whatever it takes for us to be enveloped in our own creative world.
 
It seems even best-selling professionals constantly seek ways to maintain the most direct route to their writing passion.  We all want to reach in deep and get our best version of personal truth and beauty on the page. For many of us, music helps channel the necessary mood to write or revise well.
 
In a recent webinar, author/presenter James L. Rubart presented his idea on how struggling writers can find the true heart of their work: name your three favorite movies and find the theme that unites them. If they’re truly your favorite movies, they probably have a common theme that spoke to you.  That’s the theme of your own life—that will be your best place to write from.
 
So, back to music. Movies have soundtracks, a good percentage of which are instrumental. If the movie’s theme speaks to you, chances are the sound track will, too. It will lift you to the same places the movie itself does. So, as part of  finding the most direct route to your writing passions, why not download the soundtracks of your favorite movies to write by?
 
I’ve got a very long way to go before being an accomplished writer myself, but this technique works for me when the sounds of nature through my window aren’t quite enough to help me reach in deep.  Happy writing!
 
BIO:
After nearly twenty-two years as a professional firefighter, Laura Kemp has turned to writing despite her discovery that it’s more daunting to craft good fiction than it is to run into burning buildings.
 
 

​How many times do we say to ourselves, and each other, “That would make a great story!” The best lesson I’ve learned about writing is observation. And it wasn’t until I started and finally finished my first novel last year that I realized that the key is opening up to every sense and what those senses are experiencing. Right there. Flat out a treasure trove of story telling fodder. Many (many) years ago I decided I wanted to write a novel. Bought books on the craft, became overwhelmed, put books away. Finally four years ago I said, “I’m doing it!” I started by going to my first writing conference and surrounding myself with amazing writers and teachers, and now friends. With the inspiration from that first conference and the small stash of books on writing, I began. Just started writing with no outline or plan. Put on some good tunes and went at it. Joined a critique group, kept going to conferences, and finally turned my manuscript over to an editor. I’m at the point now of publication. Which way to go - self publishing or try for traditional? What I’m saying is that it’s a wonderful journey. And if you love what you’re doing then do it, and do it your way. What’s comfortable for you. I’ve attended and will continue to acquire writing skills from workshops, conferences, writer friends, life itself – and making sure my muse is paying attention.
Side note: I’ve decided to try an outline for my next book. I can now see the value in that if I want to complete my series in record time.
Diane is an artist, former art gallery owner, world traveler, and soon to be published author. Her poetry and short stories have been published in four consecutive issues of the annual literary review, Inside Passages, in southeast Alaska. Diane joined the EPIC Writers board last year.

It was my own struggle with the pain from my childhood—followed by my ultimate decision to write my story—that made me understand the life-changing power of personal narrative.
I’d tried to write Hippie Boy for more than a decade. But the emotions bottled inside me were so painful that I cried every time I opened my computer to write and decided it was easier just to keep the hurt safely tucked away. Then, in late January 2004, I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an incurable degenerative eye disease that is slowly stealing my eyesight. In my quest to save my vision, I sought treatment from a doctor in San Francisco who focuses on whole body health. He kicked off my appointment by asking me to tell him about my childhood. Within minutes, I was sobbing. That’s when the doctor said two life-changing things to me.
He said, “Do you realize that you are carrying a huge negative energy charge inside of you over something that has happened more than twenty years ago and you’re still giving your former stepdad and those circumstances your power?”
 
The idea that I was still letting my ex-stepfather take my power and voice all these years later was troubling. But that was nothing compared to the doctor’s next words. He said, “If you don’t think that carrying this inside of you is impacting your physical health, you’re crazy.”
The doctor then told me about a groundbreaking study that had been done called ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences), which documents a direct correlation between emotional trauma in childhood and disease in adults. He also talked about epigenetics — environmental factors such as emotional trauma and stress which turn on genes that trigger disease.
 
When it hit me that holding onto the anguish from all those years ago could actually be causing me to go blind, it was a huge wake up call. It was hard, but I finally sat down and wrote my story and by the time I was done, I had found my voice and power around it and was no longer a victim of my past.
Over the last eight years, I’ve helped more than 2,000 students of every age find healing and empowerment by writing the deeply personal stories they need to tell.
 
This is what I cover in my Write Your Memoir workshop — which includes everything from story structure to the narrative writing techniques necessary to bring stories to life. And it’s why I care so much about personal story-telling.  www.IngridRicks.com
To REGISTER for Ingrid's June 2020 Workshop, click here 

 It is huge step for a writer to put themselves out there. It builds self-confidence and is an opportunity to engage with other writers. By entering contests, it is an education in self-discipline, teaches us how work within the constraints of a deadline, contests rules and applications. If we win a writing contest it can help get our name out and potentially assist in getting our work published. It can boost our author platform with speaking opportunities, social media and cash prizes.
There are thousands of writing contests that vary in cost. Other contests are offered free, such as through public libraries. As with anything that requires you to spend money, it would be prudent to research the organization sponsoring the contest to rule out the possibility of a scam.  There are a number of writing conferences that sponsor contests. In Edmonds the Write on the Sound writers’ conference (WOTS) is presented the first full weekend in October. It is an affordable conference that focuses on the craft of writing. They sponsor a writing contest annually with a separate theme.
Each year EPIC is proud to sponsor its Annual Writing Contest for Adults and Student Authors (grades 8 through 12) in Prose and Poetry categories. First place awards receive $100 in Adult/Student and Poetry categories and $50 in Second Place Awards.
The right writing contest can inform you how you measure up against other’s in the competition and what you need to learn. But taking full advantage of writing contest opportunities is work, so be prepared. Don’t be afraid to get out there and submit to the right contests!
 
Vanessa Arpin lives in Edmonds Washington. She is currently working on a middle grade novel that received recognition at the Mendocino  Writer’s Conference in 2017. In 2019 she received honorable mention at Write on the Sound for her non-fiction essay, The Perfect Lemon. She is active in a local writers group and is on the board of EPIC. When she isn’t writing she is using her storytelling skills with her six young granddaughters.

Most journeys begin with the first step, possibly a step into the unknown or a leisurely stroll down familiar streets. A poet’s journey, on the other hand, begins with the first observation. Poets tend to walk in lockstep with the old adage, “look before you leap,” and if you should find yourself tumbling through space, be sure to capture your observations of those experiences using concise, powerful language that invokes descriptive images.
For the past four years, a group of poets have been meeting at the Edmonds Library on the second Tuesday of the month to create, critique, improve, and share their poetic observations. This monthly gathering is free and is sponsored by the cooperative efforts of  EPIC Group Writers and Sno-Isle Libraries. All are welcome.
 
The poetry group is comprised of curious individuals who share diverse thoughts  highlighted by different life experiences. The outcome of our gatherings consistently produce thought-provoking poems that sometimes elicit tears, laughter, or on rare occasions, a few good-natured, but heated, disagreements.      
 
As poets we see, smell, touch, and feel our way through life. Somethings that we encounter are experienced at the surface, some are ethereal, and some hide in the  deep, dark crevices of our underpinnings.
 
We observe, digest and express. A life ignored is a life lost. A life observed is a life lived. For us, poetry is a journey best spent in the company of fellow travelers. 



​Gerald Bigelow was published in the Arizona Centennial Anthology and in Between the Lines. He is a board member for EPIC Group Writers and chairs a monthly poetry group, and edited and contributed to Soundings from the Salish Sea (A Pacific Northwest Poetry Anthology).
 
In 2019, Bigelow was selected to read his poetry with the Washington State Poet Laureate. He helped establish a bi-monthly Poet’s Corner featurette in My Edmonds News to show case the work of local poets. Bigelow has a new book of poetry on Amazon
Titled, Memories Looking Through a Screen Door.

In the excellent writer’s craft book, The Art of Character, by author David Corbett he writes, ‘describing your character kills her.’ I agree. Descriptions can suck the joy out of a reader’s experience, and reveal a writer’s limited imagination.
When describing female characters in particular, try to avoid a laundry list type of description; blonde, blue-eyed, long-legged, busty…Instead, or in addition, give some insight into who she actually is, her soul, heart, or essence.
Avoid the stereotypes. For example, “she’s attractive even without the makeup” or “stunning despite her age” or worse, “was good-looking 10 years ago” or any other worn-out, exhausted, condescending, and overused physical descriptor. If there is something about her presence that is significant to the story, or that makes her unique, then yes, please share, otherwise give your readers the gift of using their imagination.
When describing your characters consider their essence;
Sasha’s hair was as red hot as her temper. Tie the descriptor to a character attribute (temper).
Gabby’s eyes were emerald fire. That gives us an insight into her soul (passion, sexuality, enthusiasm, etc.).
Kendra’s hair was palm-oil slick, her skin celestial black, she moved across the room like a Nubian queen. This gives us insight as to color of character, attitude, and beauty.
All of those above examples create images in the reader’s imaginative mind.
When writing your character descriptions be creative, use metaphor or simile. Consider combining physical descriptors with movements and gestures, or using your characters action to reveal who they are. Be creative; give insights and essence statements so your readers can enjoy the journey of character discovery. 

Post by author, writing instructor, and EPIC board Member, Mindy Halleck 

​WELCOME TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR FOR EPIC GROUP WRITERS!
 






Dear Members and Other Readers,
​​As your president for another year, I want to welcome you to 2019, another year which holds much promise for our members and all writers. Last year several of our members published new books, poetry, blogs, and essays and I’m sure the new year will bring even greater successes.

I’d like to introduce our board. Please feel free to contact any one of us with your comments and suggestions:

President: Judith Works
VP for Membership: Susan Frederick
VP for Development: Laura Moe
Secretary: Mindy Halleck
Treasurer: Victoria Peters
Board Member: Gerald Bigelow
Board Member: Paddy Eger
Board Member: Nicole Chen
​Board Member: Kizzie E Jones
Board Member: Laura Kemp
Board Member: Vanessa Arpin
 
The Board of Directors will be meeting next week to plan our year. We have many exciting ideas but are always happy to consider your input. And when we list our planed programs and projects for the year, I do hope you will consider participating in them and even volunteering to help put them on – a great way to get to know your fellow writers.
 
Also, January is a time for membership renewal and for new members to join to support all area writers. Please do consider becoming part of the EPIC family by going to our website at EPICgroupwriters.org and clicking on the membership button.
 
Happy Writing!!
Judith

by Sandra Walker

Reading magazine interviews, an autobiography, or book on the writing life, an author's solitude is revealed. One lone writer with voluntary confinement savoring minutes of silent concentration while oblivious to time and mundane concerns. Out of this surrounded silence comes creative essence. The subconscious surfaces in quiet stillness and this beneficial state provides an expressway to productive work, for where focus goes, energy flows.

Yes, we writers need the discipline to settle into solitude, allowing interior time to percolate through thoughts. However, even when existing alone I find I'm engaged with character relationships, with the reader's perception, with an editor's view.

The poem, No Man is an Island, by John Donne (1624) remains a guide for writers. No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main.
So venture from an island into the active flow of the writers' community to enjoy involvement in becoming an established writer. The discipline to select classes, attend library programs, spend social time with authors, schedule conference days from the many sources available provides breadth to the writing life. The Northwest is abundantly rich with literary opportunities. Our EPIC Wall newsletter for Writers and Literary Lovers regularly lists the range of events to give timely information.

Anne Lamott's bestseller, Bird by Bird, in Part Three "Help Along the Way" states, "Being a writer guarantees that you will spend too much time alone and your mind will begin to warp. You may begin showing signs of schizophrenia..." And in characteristic Lamott fashion, she creates a very funny, long paragraph about imaginary fears that rise in an author's lonely, isolated mind.

EPIC erases the "warp" and stops the "schizophrenia." From our private nook we can be refreshed, revitalized by the fellowship in EPIC. Writing is serious business. But, our story needs contrasts to eliminate  a monotone style, which occurs when we feel drained and dull. To lighten the serious side, balance individual time with the benefits of lively social interactions, instructive classes, and supportive writing groups.

EPIC offers writing groups in a range of literary interests: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction, travel writing. We need knowledgeable partners who share constructive help, and we can share experiences plus creativity with fellow writers. Team members from your group will become the base for a book launch and book signing.

Balance the moments of peaceful solitude and solo performance with an active interaction arising from a chorus of authors. Belong to EPIC, an educational, social, and inspirational association for all writers.  

Come communicate with our expressive community in order to balance writing alone with being involved. Please join our expanding EPIC group. Hope to see you soon.     
www.epicgroupwriters.org