Events 2016

2016 meetings

Date	Time	Library	What
January 23, 2016	Noon-4 pm	Woodridge	General meeting: workshop on novel editing
February 27, 2016	11:30 am-3:30 pm	Glen Ellyn	General meeting: workshops: Submitting to magazines: Great! You finished a story. Now what? Well, its time to put your writing to work and get paid! Maybe. On Feb 27th, come prepared to learn how to submit anything from a poem to a novela to magazines. Learn the lingo, what to keep an eye out for, where to research markets, how to format your submission, and patience. (Jenny Johnson) Personalities: A quick introduction to several popular psychology theories on personalities and motivations designed to help authors write compelling characters. Theories covered include the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC Leadership Profile, and Enneagram of Personality. (Sarah Johnson and Tanasha Martin)
March 5, 2016	1-4 pm	Glen Ellyn	Shakespeare Reader’s  Theatre: Come out and read-through A Midsummer Night’s Dream with us. Bring your tablet or use one of the books at the library.
March 19, 2016	Noon-4 pm	Woodridge	General meeting:Workshop #1: Melinda Borucki (Willow Sanders) You wrote your book – now what? As wonderful as your manuscript is its not going to sell itself. Learn what you should be doing now – before even sending it to publish- as well as what to do after. Should you self publish or publish traditionally? On all platforms? Ebook or paperback? And what’s the fuss with Indies and Amazon? Bring your questions for “Navigating Book Marketing II” presented by Melinda BoruckiWorkshop #2:  Learn how to write swoon-worthy heroes, plot your romance novel, and add romantic elements to any genre of fiction. With Suzanne Evans, Associate Editor with Entangled Publishing
April 23, 2016	Noon-4 pm	Woodridge	Workshop #1: Brian Cable and Sam McAdams – Writing Humor Workshop: Looking to add a little humor into your writing? Learn the guys who take their humor seriously, as they provide a variety of techniques and methods for making your readers laugh, including comic timing, the use of exaggeration, and the lost art of the straight man.Workshop #2: Showing vs. Telling – Melinda Borucki and Awnna Marie Evans Show, don’t tell. Most writers have heard this at some point, whether from a teacher, in writing books or from your fellow writer. But what does this writing advice mean, in practical terms? Do you always have to show? When is it okay to tell?We’ll look and discuss these issues plus put showing vs telling into practice with a brief exercise.
May 8, 2016	1-4 pm	Glen Ellyn	What is Shakespeare Reader’s Theatre? The works of William Shakespeare are beautifully written, but many aren’t aware of how much fun they are to read and to act. Everyone old enough to read Shakespeare is welcome to join us—everyone present will have at least some part in the work (and maybe two or three ). No experience or preparation is needed (though it can be helpful to watch some free performances of the plays beforehand). We’re there to have fun, stretch ourselves a little, and enjoy the Bard’s great work. We’ll be doing As You Like It and some paper copies of the script will be available.
May 21, 2016	11:30 am-3:30 pm	Glen Ellyn	General meeting; Workshop on how to write effective fighting scenes by Brian Pelczarski. 2nd workshop: Workshop: More than Vehicles: Create depth in your novel by treating horses as characters rather than just props. BySarah Johnson
June 4, 2016	1:30-4:30 pm	Woodridge	Writer’s Voice Workshop.  Spaces are limited. This free program will help you understand what your writer’s voice is, the unique quality about your wriitng that draws readers to seek it out.
June 18, 2016	11:30 am-3:30 pm	Glen Ellyn	Workshop on how to write effective fighting scenes by Brian Pelczarski. Workshop on Flash Fiction by Melinda Borucki Author Rita Chhablani will then talk about her book Despite Odd: Tales of Choices, focusing on the writing process and her publication experiences.Rita Chhablani alternates her time between India and Chicago. She has written lead articles for reputed Indian and International newspapers. Being a popular yoga teacher she has authored the book ” The Joys of Yoga.” At the College of Dupage, Chicago while doing creative writing courses, she and her American author friends founded a highly active all women critique group. She is also a dedicated member of a Writers Group in Pune. Having worked for UNICEF, the cause of education for girls is very dear to her heart. She devotes a lot of time in teaching English to girls.
September 17, 2016	11:30 am-3:30 pm	Glen Ellyn	General meeting Come out to the general meeting of the Journey. Bring your own lunch and something to write on/with (for any writing exercises). The agenda: * 11:30-12:30: lunch and round table discussion * 12:30-1:30 pm: workshop: How to write a good short story (Todd Hogan) * 1:30-2:30 pm workshop: A Discovery Workshop: Go beyond the mechanics of writing and discover the true writer within you. Be sure to bring writing materials. (Debra Kollar) * 2:30-3:30 pm story walls (TBD) OR a discussion for Anthology 12 authors
January 14, 2017	11:30 am-3:30 pm	Glen Ellyn	General meeting
February ??, 2017	Noon-4 pm	Woodridge	General meeting

In 2016:

• Woodridge: 3 general meetings, 1 Writer’s Voice workshop
• Glen Ellyn: 4 general meetings, 1 Shakespeare Reader’s Theatre

From our Google Calendar

Also see our events page for details

Writing Journey general meetings

The Writing Journey is the year-round writing group associated with the Naperville region of National Novel Writing Month that serves the cities and suburbs west of Chicago. As an a la carte writing group, it encourages participants to share their knowledge and experiences through collaborative workshops and writing-related Paths which can cover writing, editing, critiquing, short story anthologies, poetry, social activities and more. All of its events and activities are free; everyone is welcome. There are monthly meetings January through June and in September; check the schedule at writingjourney.org/events for logistics and details on topics. The primary workshop topic for January 2016 is the start of the Editing Path that encourages participants to complete the editing of their novel first draft.

Shakespeare Reader’s Theatre – March 5, 2016

The works of William Shakespeare are beautifully written but many aren’t aware of how much fun they are to read and to act. The Writing Journey, the writing group associated with the Naperville region of National Novel Writing Month, has scheduled a session in the beautiful 2nd floor atrium of the Glen Ellyn Public Library for folks to come out to read-through (no memorization required!) one of Shakespeare’s works. Everyone old enough to read Shakespeare is welcome to join us–everyone present will have at least some part in the work (and maybe two or three parts 😉 ). No experience or preparation is needed though it can be helpful to watch some of the free performances of the plays beforehand. To see the play selected for this reading, please see writingjourney.org/events

What do you need to bring? A book or e-book (many are available online or free) of the Shakespeare play we will be performing. If you have a tablet or e-book reader, this works very well. The library also has many Shakespeare books that can be checked out.

What should you expect? Reading Shakespeare and acting out scenes is a lot of fun (and sometimes funny). This is a great way to spend an afternoon stretching your boundaries a little and making new friends. Recharge your creative batteries by trying something that Joss Whedon does with his friends.

The Writing Journey Writer’s Voice Workshop – June 4, 2016

Your writer’s voice is the distinctive quality of your writing that characterizes it in the minds of those who read your works. Readers fall in love with their favorite authors’ writing voice and seek out their books. Becoming aware of your own writing voice is a helpful step towards mastering the craft of writing. This free three-hour workshop held at the Woodridge Public Library is designed to help you understand what your writer’s voice is. Registration is required; participation is limited to 18 people. Participants should bring paper and pen and/or their laptop computer as there will be writing exercises. A second session may be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.