Willamette Writers Conference 2013 Registration Open!

WillieFinalTurq2WbHow exciting! It’s that time of year again, and the buzz is starting about the Willamette Writers Conference. This year’s theme is “Fresh Brewed,” and it’s all about the brews that Portland has to offer and those certain beverages that get the creative juices flowing…or help us drown our sorrows when they don’t. Which is even more reason why Portland is the perfect writing town!

Included this year (and one that I’m really looking forward to) is a workshop that builds over the course of three days. John Ellis, of Portland Internet Design, will be teaching a Web Warrior series of classes. Whether you’re going the traditional route or self-publishing, these classes are all about learning how to get your writing on the web…successfully. John will focus on SEO writing mechanics, increasing site performance, using keywords, and mastering Google+. And yes, he fully expects you to bring your iPad, laptop or smart phone for some hands-on learning.

Other classes include those from popular workshop leaders like Jessica Morrell, Cynthia Whitcomb, Danny Manus, and Larry Brooks, as well as new faces like Seth Jaret, Jennifer Lauck, and Debra Gwartney.

And the consultants will be there in full force! On the film side, there’s Luke Ryan, Jacqueline Gault, and Marc Manus. For those of you interested in literary agents and editors, there’s Annie Bomke, Linda Epstein, Angela Rinaldi, and John Cusick.

The keynote speaker at the Saturday Night Gala this year is Kelly Willams Brown, the author of Adulting and a conference success story. Lunch speakers include Dennis Stovall of Ooligan Press, screenwriter and director Gordy Hoffman, and author Jennifer Lauck.

FiLMLaB was a huge success this year. The competition had over 50 entries, and not only will the winning script be made into a movie, but it will also be shown during the FiLMLaB event after the Friday Night Reception. Judges for this year include Erik Bork (writer/editor of Band of Brothers), Stacy Chattaway (Executive Director of Development at LAIKA Entertainment), Zach Cox (Manager at Circle of Confusion – Walking Dead), Mary Cybriwsky (Manager/Producer at Scooty Woop Entertainment), and Luke Ryan (Executive Vice President at Disruption Entertainment). Even better, a new opportunity has just opened up. A Northwest production company that features short films in many of its projects wants to see vetted scripts from FiLMLaB, so those from the semi-finalists and finalists (both this year’s and last’s) will be passed on to them.

So come and get inspired! The conference is three days of learning about the craft of writing, getting excited about writing, practicing writing, seeing great accomplishments in writing, talking about writing, and then… Yep. Writing some more.

Do it! You know you want to.

 

Jungle Red Writers – Why didn’t I know about this before?

How fun is this?

Some of my favorite authors (especially Hallie Ephron, who teaches and speaks at the Willamette Writers Conference) who get together and blog about books and Downton Abbey and food (lobster bisque recipe, anyone?) It’s super entertaining. They took their name from the nail polish in the play The Women by Clare Boothe Luce. Although maybe the nail polish was only in the movie? Not sure. Doesn’t matter. I like it that they get as distracted from writing as I do. It’s a comfort. Much like lobster bisque.

In other news, this is NOT one of the websites down today because of the SOPA – Protect IP Act protest. Nor is mine. But WordPress is. Tried to look up some information on a Plug-In and got sent to a scary black screen. I was about to panic and slam the screen closed all while busting out an exorcism chant, then realized all was well. Watched a little video, sent my letter to Congress… Basically feeling very proactive. Not that I’m against protection and internet safety and all, I’m just thinking that bills that haven’t been around very long and get the rushy-rushy treatment are a little dodgy. (And I’m really glad that I finally managed to work the word “dodgy” into a post. Also now have the Schoolhouse Rock song “I’m Just a Bill” stuck in my head.) Seems like something this important could get a bit more time spent on it and a little more input.

In the meantime, enjoy Jungle Red Writers. And, apparently, “I’m Just a Bill.” Ruminate a bit on how our government works…

 

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My New Favorite Artist Scott FitzGerald

So the artist Scott FitzGerald is not really a new favorite artist. I’ve owned a couple of his pieces for over a year now. Well. Not really a couple of pieces. One. One piece. But I have my eye on another…  Afternoon Light is closest to the one I own. The colors are more muted in this one. Maybe mine’s earlier in the day… Tee hee.

He recently had a Retrospective Exhibition in September and put the website up, and that’s when I first saw his etchings. Which are amazing. That’s my real next goal. I have one of the paintings, now I need one of those insanely detailed etchings.

He’s nearly impossible to find on the Internet because of that damn name. Anytime you look up anything close to Scott FitzGerald, naturally F. Scott Fitzgerald comes up.

And then if you try adding “etchings” or “paintings” it doesn’t help, because then you get a bunch of images of F. Scott Fitzgerald. He’s not a bad looking guy, even if it does look like he used a tube of Brylcreem a day. It’s just not what I wanted. (Which they still make. The Brylcreem, I mean. I kid you not. Check it out here. Isn’t that enough to make you want to buy some?)

But I digress. This are all reasons why I decided that the real Scott FitzGerald needed a little promo from me. (Even if it is on a blog that very few people enjoy…)

I love him because he completely reminds me of those Romantic artists from the 19th century. Casper David Frederich and all that.

And the etchings are almost Steampunk, wot? OK. Not really. But maybe some strange, quirky, 1940’s California Steampunk… The Rocketeer, right? There was even an airship, for goodness sake. Done. I’m calling it. Steampunk. Enjoy.

etching by artist Scott FitzGerald