Wednesday 22 May 2019

Coffs Harbour Grassroots Writers’ Weekend 17 – 19 May: a fantastic success!


The 2019 Grassroots Writers’ Weekend hosted by the Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group was held from the 17 to 19 May 2019 and attracted more than 90 participants from far and wide. All were inspired, excited and enhanced their writing skills with more than 20 workshops to choose from over two and a half days. Numbers were limited to ensure that class sizes provided a practical,  hands-on experience.

Held at the centrally-located Coffs Harbour Community Village where workshop rooms surround a peaceful, grassed courtyard (complete with two Tawny Frogmouths perched in the shady Poinciana tree), it provided a comfortable environment for mingling, networking and just contemplation over a cup of tea and the morning and afternoon teas cooked by the Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group helpers (and creative cooks from the Nambucca Valley Writers’ Group).

An opening barbecue was held on the Friday night generously provided by the Bonville Sawtell Lions Club. The candle-lit formal dinner on Saturday night (complete with numerous raffle prizes) was held at the Park Beach Surf Club with a full moon dramatically illuminating the sea.

There were sessions on memoir and life writing; writing for children and young adults; murder mystery and historical fiction; flash fiction, short stories, blogs and competitions; writing craft such as perfecting your dialogue, structure and setting; using humour and imagery; making your characters and their relationships real; and techniques for effectively starting and finishing your manuscript (plans of actions and review).

Presenters included Roby Aiken, Wendy Haynes, Desley Polmear, Greg Barron, Graeme Gibson, Penelope Pratley, Gill Goater, Rosalie Skinner, Carrolline Rhodes, Laurel Cohn, Michael Burlace, Leonie Harrison, Wendy Laharnar, Elizabeth Bond, Yvonne Kachel, Leonie Henschke, Lisa Milner, and Fiona McDonald. Links to the bios.

Interesting conversation groups on everything from writing about sex to defamation and travel writing were moderated by Kim Hodges, Lorraine Penn, Yvonne Kachel and Rosalie Skinner.

We will be passing on information gathered from our appraisal sheets. Thank you to all for the positive feedback. We look forward to seeing you all next year. With suggestions for workshops and ideas shared with 2020 host, Port Macquarie.

Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group would like to acknowledge the fantastic work of our organising committee project managed by Lorraine Penn with Juliana Garaty, Roger Harris, Rosalie Skinner, Leonie Henschke, Yvonne Kachel, Julie Trachtenberg, Suzanne Tainsh, Rhonda Rand and Danielle Babb. Help was also greatly appreciated at the venue given by John Skinner, Michael Trachtenberg, Darrell Garaty and Michael Burlace.

We also thank our generous sponsors:
Port Macquarie Writers Inc. have very generously taken on the mantle to host the 2020 Grassroots Writers’ Weekend so follow us on Facebook sites…..


And check  this website for details.

Monday 22 April 2019

Saturday Night Dinner Event Grassroots weekend

              
              
              
Coffs Harbour Writer’s Group is delighted to be hosting the annual 2019 Grassroots Writer’s Weekend Event from 17th to 19th May.
As part of the activities we host the annual Saturday night dinner event.
We would like to invite you and your partner/friend to attend the evening meal to be held at Park Beach Surf Club, 23 Surf Club Road, Coffs Harbour. www.surfclubcoffsharbour.com.au
When:     Saturday night 18th May at 6.30pm to 11pm
Cost:       $35 per head includes two-course meal prepared by Chef Matt Donovan overlooking the stunning Park Beach with its panoramic views.
               This is a perfect opportunity to relax and mix with other writers and their guests, whilst enjoying a delicious meal and some general trivia.
How to book your ticket: 
Contact Juliana Garaty on 0404236762 or Email: jgaraty1946@gmail.com

Welcome to Grassroots 2019


We would like to invite you to the 2019 Grassroots Writers’ Weekend hosted by Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group at the Coffs Harbour Community Village from the 17 to 19 May 2019. It is a fabulous weekend of hands-on, practical workshops held each year in our region. Starting on Friday afternoon and finishing on Sunday afternoon, the ‘doing’ sessions and conversations are available to everyone from school students to seniors, everyone who loves storytelling. Places are limited so please make your bookings early.

The aim of this weekend is to provide affordable, practical workshops for the beginning, the aspiring, and the published writer. It’s only $25 for the whole weekend with a barbecue and dinner optional paid extras.

Participants will also have the opportunity to have manuscripts and story pitches assessed for an additional fee by well-known editor and manuscript development consultant, Laurel Cohn.

Monday 11 March 2019

Workshops filling up!

Workshops for the Grassroots Weekend are filling up fast. 
'Not Just Poetry' is already fully booked. 
Please give second and third preferences when booking. Registrations close 8 May. 
And don't forget to register now for the fabulous Grassroots Writers' Dinner on Saturday night 18 May at the Park Beach Surf Club. 
A great opportunity to mix with other writers, enjoy some general trivia and have a delicious meal. All for just $35 a ticket. 
Partners/friends welcome. 
Book here.

How to book your ticket: Contact Julianna Garaty on 0404236762 or jgaraty1946@gmail.com

Paying for the weekend of workshops and optional barbecue and dinner: Indicate your preferred method of payment in your email or phone contact with Julianna.

Direct credit can be made to our bank account:
Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group Inc
BSB: 533000
Account no: 46423
Note: Make sure your name is in the required field

Gill Goater


Gill Goater
Gill’s been involved in writing for many years. She’s especially interested in modern poetry and the breadth of human experiences poets write about. She facilitates a poetry group in Port Macquarie and is a member of a writers group where she presents occasional workshops. Gill’s work has been published in anthologies, magazines, on ABC regional radio and in her book Occupied by Gods.






Not Just Poetry  Facilitator  Gill Goater

The techniques poets use will be helpful for anyone who’d like 
to lift their poetry or prose to a higher level. In this workshop
we’ll look first at how to create lively imagery followed by a written
 exercise using a template to write a poem or evocative prose piece.

Roby Aiken


Roby Aiken
Roby Aiken is the author of The Traders Series, an epic fantasy trilogy. She has written many short stories, and is currently working on a suspense thriller set in the Australian Outback. She has been a member of the Nambucca Valley Writers’ Group for twenty years, and is proudly their current President. 













Kick Start your Writing:
Facilitator: Roby Aiken
Roby Aiken takes you through a practical guide to make sure your writing resolutions for 2019 stick! Roby has a number of published works and speaks from the experience of knowing what works!
Where do you begin? How do you start? Do you schedule your writing time? Are you a plotter or a ‘pantser’? How many words do you write each day? How many do you need for your WIP? 
This discussion will look at these questions and more, and will help both experienced writers and new writers find out how others write and what works for them. 

Greg Barron


Greg Barron
Crime, terrorism, history, international politics and the wide open spaces of outback Australia are all passionate interests of author Greg Barron. He has lived in North America, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. His books, published by HarperCollins Australia and Stories of Oz Publishing, are gutsy page turners that tell the truth about the world, then and now. Rotten Gods was long listed for the prestigious Ned Kelly awards, and has been lauded as "one of the most sophisticated geopolitical thrillers ever written." Savage Tide was described by ABC Radio reviewer Rob Minshull as: "Both supremely intelligent and written at breathtaking pace."

Camp Leichhardt is the first of his Australian Stories , and was serialised in 2016 to wide acclaim. Rotten Gods, Savage Tide, Voodoo Dawn and Lethal Sky all feature Marika Hartmann, the Australian intelligence agent who won the hearts of readers all over the world.



Writing Historical Fiction


Facilitator: Greg Barron
Make your historical fiction ring true with tips from widely published author, Greg Barron. The authenticity of historical fiction depends on your knowledge and use of historical detail but also your characterisation, your creation of setting and use of language. You must build the world of your characters and make the period and the characters come alive

Elizabeth Bond


Elizabeth Bond
Elizabeth Bond is the copywriter behind Whirlybird Words, and she’s on a mission to grow innovative business in regional Australia, one word at a time.
As a self-confessed word nerd and marketing junkie, she enjoys crafting engaging, strategic and search-engine-optimisation (SEO)-friendly content that helps businesses genuinely connect with their ideal customers. 
She’s been writing professionally since 2003, and has qualifications in media, journalism, marketing and training. She lives on a property by the beach with her two dogs (office managers) in the spectacular Nambucca Valley, NSW.




Marketing for Writers
Facilitator: Elizabeth Bond
Does marketing your work make you tremble? Whether you’re self-published or have a publishing contract, you’ll need more than just a great book.
Having a personal profile helps engage your audience, expand your network and makes you appealing to publishers.
Filled with practical tips, this dynamic workshop will cover: your audience, personal brand, online profiles, social media, networking and more.
With the power of technology, it’s time to start building yours now!    

Michael Burlace



Michael Burlace
Michael Burlace is a newspaper sub editor who is learning fiction writing as he goes. He teaches others to write, edit and rewrite so their work flows and draws the reader along. This method liberates writers from their pesky inner critic and allows them to drop habits that interfere with good writing.
His workshops are fun and full of useful tools and techniques for writing, editing, publishing and promoting works.











Engaging your Reader
Facilitator: Michael Burlace

The most important character in your book is the reader.
How do you get that person to stay in the story all the way from the title to the final lines that wrap it up neatly?
Editor and writer, Michael Burlace, will look at how to carry a reader along with you and what turns them off!
Bring some of your writing. Also bring a novel you've read and love re-reading.

Laurel Cohn


Laurel Cohn 
Laurel Cohn is an editor passionate about the power of stories to communicate. As a developmental editor she has been helping writers since the 1980s prepare their work for publication. She spent five years with one of Australia’s top literary agents and four years as Consultant Editor to the NSW Writers’ Centre before turning freelance. She works with individual writers, publishers and self-publishers, and is a popular workshop presenter. She has a PhD in Literary and Cultural Studies. www.laurelcohn.com.au










Nail your Story and your Pitch
Facilitator: Laurel Cohn
In a world of communications dominated by headlines and key words, it is crucial to pitch your project to others concisely. You may be required to give a verbal pitch as well as one in writing or asked for a one-liner or for an extended synopsis. The key to a successful pitch is a clear and fundamental understanding of what it is you are writing and where it fits in the publishing world. This is relevant whether you are just starting out on a story idea of whether you are well under way.  Sounds easy in theory, but in practice, encapsulating your writing project in one sentence, a short blurb or even a 500 word synopsis can feel more difficult than writing a book-length work. This workshop offers tips and tools to help frame your work for different publishing opportunities, and shows how synopsis writing can help you develop your ideas from an early stage. Whether you are applying for a mentorship or grant, entering a pitching competition, submitting work to an agent or publisher, self-publishing, or just beginning your writing journey, your ability to pitch your work well and appropriately plays a crucial role in success.




Graeme Gibson


Graeme Gibson
Graeme Gibson has a background in adult learning, principally in the environmental and   community services sectors. His approach to learning is that that people learn from and with each other, not just from a teacher. He also works as a group facilitator and mediator, getting close to people’s core concerns. Most of his writing is non-fiction with a focus on nature, community, politics and their intersection. He has published essays, contributed to and edited a number of short story collections, and self-published Beyond Fear and Loathing: Local politics at work. This account of local politics and community activism is based on personal experience.
Graeme has been presenting writing workshops, including life story and writing about place, since 2013. These have been mostly in regional areas – he likes to get around. Another interest is Little Literature, poetry or prose responding to or interpreting art, place or events, real or imagined. Graeme and his partner relocated to the NSW northern rivers in early 2016.







Writing from Life 1: Memoir, Biography, Personal Essay - wherever your creative non-fiction takes you
Facilitator: Graeme Gibson
  • Starting/overcoming any blocks
  • Consider voice – active/ passive
  • Openings – finding a hook
  • Contrast narrative (facts) with plot (story)
  • Using sensory language
Bring an idea or an empty slate and see what happens.

NOTE: Writing from Life 1 and Writing from Life 2 workshops are independent sessions not repeats.



Writing from Life 2: Memoir, Biography, Personal Essay – wherever your creative non-fiction takes you
Facilitator: Graeme Gibson
Show, Don’t (Just) Tell Participants should be familiar with the term “Show, don’t tell,” before the workshop: if not, Google it. Bring an idea or an empty slate and see what happens.

Leonie Harrison


Leonie Harrison
Leonie writes mainly short stories and flash fiction across a range of genres with a number of publications to her credit. She has also had success in the competition sphere with several winning and highly recommended entries. Leonie enjoys sharing her love of writing and encouraging others to create their best work.   













Writing for Competitions Facilitator: Leonie Harrison
Writing competitions can be an adrenaline rush for your writing or they can leave you feeling like the proverbial deer in the headlights. Should I? Shouldn’t I? Join Leonie, serial competitor, as she guides and skills you through the maze of writing competitions for short story and flash fiction and explains how competitions can help to hone your writing skills. Key points include: why enter; the challenge of writing to a deadline and strict criteria such as word length and key words/phrases/themes; free versus paid entry and keeping track of your entries.

Wendy Haynes


Wendy Haynes
Wendy Haynes has been learning the craft of writing for over ten years and has completed a Diploma in Creative Writing at Southern Cross University. Her writing focuses on middle-grade fantasy and contemporary stories for children, picture books, and YA.
Her first picture book Hayden’s Bedtime was published in March 2019, and she is working on a children’s fantasy series, with Book One due out in August 2019.
She believes that having a regular writing practice, and understanding the device at your disposal, is the key to not only completing a story but in building the skills required to produce a worthy manuscript.
She was a judge for the Port Writer’s In-house competition for the creative non-fiction category in 2018, and one of the judges of the fiction category in 2019.
Wendy won first prize for her short story Going Nowhere, at Port Writers In-house competition 2018, and enjoys helping and motivating writers and has developed a mentorship program to help writers tell stories. Armed with a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, she conducts writing workshops on and offline through her business. http://writingforkeeps.com.au/
Being part of a writing community Wendy has volunteered for both roles of the President and Treasurer of Port Writers Inc., a not for profit local writing group, bringing writing workshops, presentations and writing exercises to the group.


From the Writer’s Toolbox – Skills and Devices to Engage the Reader
Scenes up close!
Facilitator: Wendy Haynes
Pull apart the elements of what makes a scene effective, using a selection of techniques, in this interactive workshop. You will build a picture to engage the reader, look at applying strong Point of View (POV), add dialogue that is only recognisable to a particular character, select a character type and determine why it is important, and embed effective character moments to keep the reader turning the page. Participants can send a scene to Wendy for comment prior to session (writingforkeeps24@gmail.com by 20th April)

Leonie Henschke


Leonie Henschke
Leonie Henschke is a freelance journalist and writer with a background in book publishing, newspapers and magazines.
She was Managing Editor of Angus & Robertson Publishers based in Sydney and London and worked closely with well-known Australian writers including Peter Carey, Frank Moorhouse and Michael Leunig.  Leonie also managed the extensive Australiana backlist that included works by Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, Miles Franklin, Thea Astley, C.J. Dennis, and Xavier Herbert.
She began her career as a feature writer, sub-editor and editor with Sir Frank Packer’s Australian Consolidated Press after a degree in English and politics from the University of Sydney. She was on the staff of a number of the company’s newspapers and magazines.
Following her time with Angus & Robertson Publishing, Leonie was Managing Director of UNE (University of New England) Partnerships, using her communication skills in the management of corporate education and training, both within Australia and overseas.
 Now living on the beautiful north coast she continues to write and undertake workshops for writers, manuscript assessments and guidance on publishing options. She is also active in the creative industries networking with local, state and federal governments for arts funding and support.



Writing like a Journalist
Facilitator: Leonie Henschke
Learn how to think like a journalist in your approach to blogs, publicity, short articles for newsletters and magazines and even your family Christmas letters and emails!
Number one tip: always put the most important information in the first line.

Yvonne Kachel


Yvonne Kachel
Yvonne Kachel worked in both community and government sectors across NSW, Tasmania and the ACT at an executive management level before retiring to Coffs Harbour over five years ago. Yvonne has an Honours degree in Sociology, a Diploma in Agency and TESOL and has travelled extensively, speaking at International Conferences about her work. It is Yvonne’s hobbies that have drawn her to writing. With two years at Newcastle University pursuing drama, acting on the stage, playing in television commercials and back up advertisements for cinema, Yvonne also featured in videos and scenarios for the Medical Faculty. Yvonne has taught children’s drama and written plays for children that have been performed at the Jetty Theatre in Coffs Harbour. She enjoys writing short stories, especially humourous stories with quirky ends, as well as travel stories. Yvonne has nearly completed her first serious novel and is currently putting together a travelogue of her travels encompassing countries as Africa, Europe, Great Britain, South East Asia, China and Scandinavia. Yvonne has been a member of the Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group for several years and has contributed to their Anthology and website with some of her stories as well as presenting workshops. Yvonne now contributes to Nambucca Writers’ Group and enjoys all writing challenges as Mad Monologues, Furious Fiction and the occasional nonfiction serious writing.


Making your Characters Come to Life
Facilitator: Yvonne Kachel
Develop your character in words and then act out the character. It will allow you to see your character through the eyes of the reader and the group. It could be a murderer, a child, an aged person, a beautiful heroine, but as the writer you need to develop a character that is believable. You will be able to use humour, suspense,darkness and intrigue. Bring along a short paragraph about your character to work with.

Yvonne is a skilled actress and writer so be prepared for fun! 

Wendy Laharnar


Wendy Laharnar
Wendy Laharnar grew up in the central west, NSW, graduated from UNE, Armidale, with a BA in English Lit., Classical Lit (in translation), and History, both modern and ancient. She writes historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. Her medieval novel, The Unhewn Stone, won third prize in the 2013 International Digital Awards for best YA novel and short stories. Wendy lives on the South Coast of NSW with her husband and mini Schnauzer. When she is not writing, she creates with fabric and wool and enjoys travel and photography.









Igniting your Reader’s Curiosity
Facilitators: Wendy Laharnar and Rosalie Skinner
An action packed, practical session considering seven ways to ignite your reader’s curiosity so that he/she is drawn into your story and trapped! The group will work on examples that excite our unique creative spirit and have fun with lateral thinking.
Participants should bring along:
  • A 5 star rave review, written by you, of the novel you yearn to write.
Or
  • A list of first lines that sparked your curiosity.



A Plan of Writing Action for the Future
Facilitators: Rosalie Skinner and Wendy Laharnar
Keeping up our level of enthusiasm for writing is the objective after we leave a weekend such as Grassroots. What works for you? Critique groups, beta readers, writing sites and writing meet ups (online and face-to-face). We will be looking for what participants feel they need and if possible, create solutions from the Grassroots group.

Fiona McDonald


Fiona McDonald
Fiona McDonald is an Australian illustrator, author, publisher and doll maker. Based in Armidale,NSW, she has had eleven books published internationally, including an illustrated graphic novel for children, Ghost Doll and Jasper, and a bestselling history of street art, The Popular History of Graffiti: From the Ancient World to the Present. Fiona is also the co-founder of the independent children’s publisher, Christmas Press, and its two imprints, Second Look and Eagle Books. Her most recent titles include illustrations for the acclaimed picture books Two Fearsome Fairy Tales from France (retold by award-winning British author Adele Geras) and Two Selkie Stories from Scotland (retold by popular Australian author Kate Forsyth), both books published by Christmas Press. She is currently undertaking a Master of Arts in Creative Practice at the University of New England where she is working on a novella featuring Jenny Wren, the dolls’ dressmaker, from Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend.
http://www.fionamcdonaldart.com/ 




Writing for Young Adults

Facilitator: Fiona McDonald
Join noted children’s and young adult fiction author (and dragon lover), Fiona McDonald in a fantastical and fabulous exploration of what works for each age group.
·       a brief introduction to the world of YA fiction
·       some warm-up exercises in getting the right voice for the audience
·       plotting a novel opening to hook the reader 
·      general discussion at the end of the session

Lisa Milner


Lisa Milner
Lisa Milner is an academic, with a background of production in film, video, radio, theatre and writing. Based on the mid-north coast, she also works with local groups involved in producing a range of works. A member of the Nambucca Valley Writers’ Group, her books include Fighting Films: A History of the Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit and her recent biography of activist Freda Brown, Swimming against the Tide.











Real Life as a Basis for Fiction
Facilitator: Lisa Milner

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. This practical and inspiring workshop introduces you to ways that you can use real experience and research to bring inspiration and authenticity to your fiction.