Plans are underway for two conferences this fall……
Dates and locations to be announce
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And it’s so true: I do love gathering writers.
From Run With It by Melissa Hart
Keep writing, keep dreaming, have heart
Category Archives: Claim Your Story conference updates
There is STILL time to register for Claim Your Story
Lithia Springs Resort, Ashland, Oregon
October 4, 9-5
- 1/2 day conference price also available, with or without the luncheon/ key note.
- Keynote/ luncheon only is also available
Image by Billy Tice, Austin, TX
Claim Your Story Writers Conference, October 4 at the Lithia Springs Resort in Ashland, is a day-long gathering that will deepen and spark your writing practice and help you sell your work in a crowded marketplace. Workshops will be taught by talented authors who are also distinguished writing teachers: Melissa Hart, Midge Raymond and Jessica Morrell.
Schedule:
- Brave on the Page, Jessica Morrell
- Everyday Book Marketing: Promoting Your Book During Your Regularly-Scheduled Life, Midge Raymond
- Keynote: Write the Story You Want to Read, Melissa Hart
- What’s in a Title, Jessica Morrell
- Scene in Story: The Critical Component, Melissa Hart
- Branding Discussion and Q & A
Keynote: Write the Story You Want to Read, Melissa Hart. This keynote, informed by a famous J.D. Salinger quote, asks you to claim the story you’ve always wanted to read by boldly sitting down to write it yourself. Hart will challenge you to consider the excuses we make for not writing and inspire you to make a literary life your top priority.
The Lithia Springs Resort in Ashland is an uplifting, charming setting. Conference attendees can tour the gardens and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
To register: Cost for the conference is $125 and includes a catered lunch and beverages. To register or for more information about the conference including the schedule, visit the conference website here at http://claimyourstory.com Payments can be mailed to Jessica Morrell, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 97282-1141. PayPal payments are also accepted.
For more information on the instructors visit:
Jessica Morrell, the conference coordinator, is the author of six books along with the upcoming White Heat and No Ordinary Days. She works as a developmental editor and is also the founder of Summer in Words Writing Conference in Cannon Beach, Oregon and Making it in Changing Times Writing Conference in Portland, Oregon.
Conference logo by Billy Tice of Austin, TX
Q & A With Midge Raymond
Q: What is your best writing tip?
A: My best writing tip is to Write Every Day — and by that I don’t necessarily mean sitting at the computer typing but being in that writerly zone in which you use every possible moment to think about your project. While in line at the post office, for example, think about your characters, think about a letter she might write, think about a time he got someone else’s mail. There are so many moments in which we’re not able to write, but we can still be thinking like writers.
Q: Is writer’s block real? If so, how do you tackle/circumvent it?
I think it’s real for some writers, and probably nonexistent for others. When I find myself getting stuck on a piece, I try a couple of strategies. One, I’ll simply switch to something else; as a short-story writer, I usually have several short stories in progress. If I want to stick with a particular piece but am not getting where I need to go with it, I’ll take a break and do something related to the project: research, freewriting — or I’ll simply take a walk and think about it away from the desk, which always helps.
Q: What’s your writing process?
A: It changes every day — I have no typical process because for me there’s no such thing as a typical day (which generally I think is a good thing!). For a while last winter, I got up before dawn to write; lately I’ve been writing in the afternoons at the library. It all just depends on when I can fit it into my schedule. One thing I’ve enjoyed a lot is getting away from my desk and writing in a notebook — being off the computer helps me get into a more creative mood.
Q: How do you make time to write?
It’s my biggest challenge! I make sure to take some time off every year to get away (out of town) to write — this is the best way to reconnect with my writing. I’ll also try to re-create this writing time at home, in my everyday life — a couple hours here, a Saturday there — whenever I can.
A: What are you working on next?
Right now I’m working on about six new short stories … all in various stages of development.
Midge Raymond on Naming Characters
Midge Raymond has excellent advice on naming your characters. You can find her blog here. Romeo and Juliet–classic examples. 
Midge will be teaching a workshop on marketing and will also take part in a panel on branding at Claim Your Story II, October 4.
Reminder: October 5 is the final day to receive room discount
If you’re attending the conference and don’t live in the Ashland area, please make your reservations at Lithia Springs Resort by Friday, October 5 to receive the discount.
The place is incredible–restful and lovely and filled with small thoughtful touches that make your stay more enjoyable. Jay and I are looking forward to our third stay there.
Be sure to mention “writer’s workshop” to receive your discounted rate.
Thanks,
Jessica
Registration is now open for Claim Your Story 2014
October 4, 2014
Lithia Springs Resort, Ashland, Oregon
And here’s a nugget for you:
“Stars were the first text, the first instance of gabbiness; connecting the stars, making a pattern out of them, was the first story, sacred to storytellers. But the moon was the first poem, in the lyric sense, an entity complete in itself, recognizable at a glance, one that played upon the emotions so strongly that the context of time and place hardly seemed to matter.” – Mary Ruefle 
Claim Your Story 2014
Please mark your calendars for Claim Your Story 2014.
Image by Billy Tice, Austin, Texas
Saturday, October 4
It will once again be held at the charming Lithia Springs Resort in Ashland, Oregon.
The schedule will be posted here soon along with ongoing writing inspiration so please check back.
Maya Angelou
Statement from Dr. Maya Angelou’s Family: 
Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.
Guy B. Johnson
Claim Your Story 