April 12, 2023
Dear members of the San Francisco Peninsula Branch of the CWC,
Newsblast Update April 12, 2023!
Find our website at https://cwc-sfpeninsula.org
Members submit news to: newsletter@sfpeninsulawriters.com
Next Meeting: Sat, Apr 15, 2023, 10am-12pm
Our next meeting at the Sequoia Yacht Club will help us learn “How to Write Intimacy Scenes: Avoiding the Corny, the Porn-y, and the Clinical When Writing Sex” (presented by Betsy Graziani Fasbinder who is a therapist, an award winning author and the host of the amazing podcast The Morning Glory Project. More information and registration here.
Presidents Message:
I don’t know about you, but all this rain has affected my writing energy. It used to be that cold, wet weather was an excellent way to curl up with my computer, grab some hot chocolate and settle in.
That was before these atmospheric rivers—rain and wind for days.
My chickens are looking forlorn from the door in the coop. The trees have sodden leaves, and we have pools of water on our lawn.
For days.
I had hoped the rain was an excuse not to work outside, stay and work at home and take advantage of the extended days.
So how do I harness the energy I need to revisit my historical fiction project I put away months ago? Where do I dig deep to rework the beginning? Where is my protagonist Regina going? To France or the US?
I take a breath and look outside once again.
OK…I’m going to take back control and create a plan.
I’m putting on my rubber boots and an oversized raincoat and walking around the block. The cold, wet weather is bracing and feels lovely. I have new energy and love the damp rain on my face. Hell, I’ll take a second walk.
Finally energized, I’m back inside, dried off, and ready to hit the keys. This routine is new for me as long as this weather hangs around.
Onward to Regina and her new life.
Geri Spieler
Writers Helping Writers: Palo Alto & San Mateo
Join two time award-winning novelist Laurel Anne Hill on Thursday evening, April 20, 6:30-7:30 PM, at Rinconada Library in Palo Alto, where you will learn how to develop your POV, or point of view. Join us! It’s free!
On April 13, David Strom will present at the San Mateo Public Library an informative session about a comic book geek’s open mic journey with numerous tips and tricks on how to get people to really listen to you when reading your writings in front of an audience.
We’re looking for presenters for our Writers Helping Writers. If you’d like to present, send an email to vp@sfpeninsulawriters.com.
Looking for a Critique Group?
Thanks to Miera Rao, our Critique Group Matchmaker, you can find a group, join a group, and even form a group!
One of our critique group members says, “My experience with writing groups has been one of mutual support not only to better the quality of my writing, but also the quantity. It is a wonderful and caring way to be accountable and makes the writing process more enjoyable.”
Miera’s work on this project is truly a modeling of our purpose of Writers Helping Writers. Thank you Miera! You’re making a difference!
New for Members on Facebook!
Chapter members can now join our Private Facebook Group called "CWC-SF Peninsula Members Group" in order to communicate with each other about writing-related topics.
There are two simple steps to be added:
Email Megan McDonald at memcdonald@aya.yale.edu requesting access.
Megan will generate a link that you can click in order to enter our group’s page.
The link will expire 2 days after being sent, so watch out for the email response from Megan.
See you on Facebook!
Side Chats will be created soon for select genres (e.g., Poetry, Memoir, Lit Fiction, etc.)
Megan McDonald
Writer’s Block?
Just Shut Up and Write!! with us. Join us Tuesdays at 9:30 am for 1.5 hours of solid writing time and get to know some of the other members in our club as well as make some quiet time to write. Check us out!
New Volunteers!
Pat Obuchowski and Peter Wicher have stepped forward to rotate writing your bi-monthly newsblasts. We appreciate kudos any time!
Member News
Our members have been so busy! Check news about our award winning authors: Geri Spieler, on the Newsstand.
Join us and help us celebrate Ida Lewenstein at her Book Launch Party on April 29. Sure to be fun!
Women’s National Book Association
The Women's National Book Association - SF Chapter celebrates its Twentieth Anniversary of Pitch-O-Rama via Zoom on Sat, April 29, 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. At Pitch-O-Rama, up to 100 writers will get to pitch to agents, book professionals, and publishers. To find out more and register go here.
Got News?
Submit your news to newsletter@sfpeninsulawriters.com. News Submission Guides.
Got Questions?
Many questions are answered in our website FAQs.
Want to add your own profile to our Member profiles? Send a short bio (<100 words), a link to a ‘more information’ web site if you have one, and a resizable JPEG image to webmaster@sfpeninsulawriters.com.
Pat Obuchowski
California Writers Club
San Francisco / Peninsula Branch