Pen In Hand Writing Resolutions

How are your writing goals and resolutions going so far this year? Is it time to take the pen in hand (or keyboard to fingertips) and get to it? Or are things moving along as planned?


The Winter 2013 issue of Pen In Hand features my article, “Write Yourself a Lucky 2013,” in which I give some advice on keeping your resolutions attainable. Here’s a sample from the story.

“The important thing to remember when it comes to setting your goals and resolutions for the new year is to keep them within your control. I don't mean to limit yourself to what you hope to accomplish -- we should all strive to reach further and to break barriers. What I mean is that we should define our goals and resolutions in a way that is within our own immediate control.”

For example, resolve to write a certain number of pages each month, not to “finish a novel.” Resolve to keep submitting to agents, not to “get an agent.” Concrete goals that are within your control will allow you to be the one who makes or breaks them.

Read the article—and many other great material—in the latest issue of the Maryland Writers’ Association’s Pen In Hand.

www.marylandwriters.org/PenInHand/2013-Winter.pdf

Tanner on Technology, Tonight at Ukazoo

Technology, and its unending demand for our attention, may seem a black hole that threatens to suck up all of our time and energy. But technology can be an ally in our efforts to reach readers and other writers. What should a writer know about technology?

Ron Tanner, who knew nothing about technology 7 years ago and now runs his own online media company (wordrocketmedia.com), will share his insights and experience as a writer who struggled to learn and adapt to the demands of technology in the 21st century.

Ron Tanner's awards for writing include a Faulkner Society gold medal, a Pushcart Prize, a New Letters Award, a Best of the Web Award, and many others. He has won fellowships from the Copernicus Society, Sewanee Writers Conference, and the National Park Service, to name a few, and his stories and essays have appeared in dozens of literary magazines, including The Iowa Review, West Branch, and the Massachusetts Review. He is the author of A Bed of Nails (stories), Kiss Me Stranger (illustrated novel), and From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story (memoir). He teaches writing at Loyola University, and directs the Marshall Islands Story Project (mistories.org).

Directions to Ukazoo Books: To reach Ukazoo Books by car, take I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) toward Towson. Take exit 27A for Dulaney Valley Rd/MD-146 S toward Towson. Dulaney Plaza will be on your right after approximately half a mile.

The event is free for Maryland Writers Association members or first time attendees, or $5 for the general public.

Learn more at www.MarylandWriters.org.

Anthology or Individual Book?

This Thursday, for some, Sunrise will be in the evening. That’s because the Maryland Writers’ Association will present a panel discussion and reading to residents of Sunrise of Columbia. The event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sunrise of Columbia, 6500 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD.

Five poets published in the anthology Life in Me like Grass on Fire who have also had their own books published will participate (myself included). We will read from our work, and discuss the differences between having your own book published and having your work published in an anthology with other authors.

Learn more at the Maryland Writers Association website.
http://marylandwriters.org/meetings.html

Learn more about this and other events on the Tracks book tour at http://www.tracksnovel.com/appearances.html.

Maryland Writers conference Serves Writers This Weekend

For 21 years, the Maryland Writers’ Association has served local writers of all levels—from novice to expert—with the Annual Maryland Writers’ Conference.


The big event for 2009 takes place on Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights.


Keynote speaker Robert L. Booth is one of many professional, successful writers planning to spend the day helping writers reach their own goals. Booth was managing editor for National Geographic and has recently retired after a 35-year career with the magazine.


Other speakers include Kevin Bolk, David E. Booth, A. C. Crispin, Michael Downs, Joya Fields, Eric D. Goodman, Gary L. Lester, Vicki Meade, Ally Peltier, Angela Render, Cynthia Blake Sanders, Linda Shertzer, Christine Stewart, David Warfield, Elissa Brent Weissman, Richard White, Gregg Wilhelm and Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison.


Topics range from writing for children to the various aspects of writing adult fiction (literary, genre, commercial), from the business side of writing to the creative side, finding a publisher, avoiding scams, polishing your work, resurrecting your poetry and organizing your work station. There’s a little something for everyone.


Literary agents and editors on hand include Brian Michael Lawrence, Dan Patrell, Allisa D. Davis, Chelsea Gilmore, Carla Jablonski, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Andrea Barzvi, Jenny Brent, and Jennifer Sinsheimer.


Join local and national experts and established writers at the 21st annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference. You’ll have the opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come write your own success story.


Visit www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2009list.html for a full list of sessions, speakers, agents, and editors.


To register, or for more information, visit the conference website at www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html.


Or, if you don’t find time to register but still want to attend, just show up! The Maryland Writers’ Association will make room for walk-ins.


In addition to the conference, there will be a Writers’ Banquet on Friday, May 8 at the same location from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Join fellow writers for a buffet dinner and join a discussion with Brian Michael Lawrence, editor-in-chief and director for Style magazine, and Dan Patrell, editor of Maryland Life magazine, on the current state of magazine publishing and what it means for writers.


Though the Banquet is presented in conjunction with our Annual Writers’ Conference, you do not have to be registered for the Conference to attend.


Learn more about the conference and the banquet at
www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html