Lowcountry RWA Programs
For 2008 programs, CLICK HERE
For 2009 programs, CLICK HERE
In general, the LRWA programs are presented on the fourth Saturday of each month following a chapter meeting (members only) held 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m and a Lunch/Networking session from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. All programs, unless otherwise posted, start at 1:00 p.m. The lunch session and speaker program are open to the public. All interested and aspiring writers are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Directions to Coosaw Creek Country Club:
From I-26, take the Ashley Phosphate exit 209 and go west (AWAY from the mall; left coming from Charleston, right coming from Columbia) onto Ashley Phosphate Rd (signal). Continue appx 4 miles, then turn right on Dorchester Rd (signal). Go appx 1 mile, then turn right on Club Course Dr (signal). Continue until you get to the gate house, tell the guard you are with the “writers group”, then continue a bit further till you see the club on the right. Park and ask where the writers meeting is being held. It’s usually in the Blue Room.
Directions to Logans Roadhouse Restaurant:
From I-26, take exit 199 (Rt 17A) toward Summerville. At the second light, turn right into Azalea Square shopping center. Logans is on the left, just before the movie theater.
For additional information, please check the monthly schedule below or contact our Programs Director.
2008 Program Schedule:
SEPTEMBER, 2008 — Bert Goolsby - “Writing Short Pieces and the Importance of Rewriting”
Location: New Orleans Restaurant, 121 Alexander Road, West Columbia, SC 29169 803-794-5112
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio:
A member of the legal profession and resident of Columbia, Bert Goolsby is the author of two novels, Her Own Law and Harpers Joy. In addition, he has written numerous short stories and articles.
Workshop Blurb:
Whether writing long or short pieces the only good writing is rewriting. This workshop will give you advice for strengthening your resume with short pieces of fiction and non-fiction as well as demonstrating why the old adage is true: the only good writing is rewriting.
OCTOBER 25, 2008 - - William Murray - “Using Myers-Briggs for Character Development”
Location: Coosaw Creek Country Club, Blue Room (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
NOVEMBER 22, 2008 - Chris Bailey - “Selling Techniques”
Location: Coosaw Creek Country Club, Blue Room (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio:
Currently a full-time fiction writer, Chris Bailey has experienced both rejection and acceptance. Prodigality, a short story from a novel in progress, was published in 2006 by Coffee House Fiction. Two completed manuscripts rest in peace. Before she began the transition to fiction, her non-fiction writing appeared in The Upper Room, in numerous U.S. newspapers, and in mailboxes all over the country. She earned a degree in journalism from The University of Alabama, and lives with her husband in Columbia.
Workshop Blurb:
Your fiction must hook readers, reel them in and land them. This hands-on workshop, based on David Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer, will allow you to check the strength of your plot with a five-point exercise that applies to works in progress as well as new story ideas.
DECEMBER, 2009 - Annual LRWA Christmas/Hanukkah party
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
2009 Program Schedule:
JANUARY 24, 2009 - C.J. Lyons -”Chasing the Muse: 4 Secrets to Writing Success”
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions, see above)
Time: Lunch, networking, and general meeting at 11:30; workshop is at 1:00 p.m.
Speaker bio: Award winning medical suspense author CJ Lyons is a physician trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She has assisted police and prosecutors with cases involving child abuse, rape, homicide and Munchausen by Proxy and has worked in several trauma centers, on the Navajo reservation, as a crisis counselor, victim’s advocate, as well as a flight physician for Life Flight. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Her writing has appeared in Romantic Times BookReviews, CrimeSpree and Spinetingler. Her debut novel, LIFELINES, came out from Berkley in March, 2008. Contact her at http://www.cjlyons.net
Workshop blurb: What is this thing called voice that editors are always looking for? How do you “find” it, how do you protect and cherish it, and most of all how do you use it as a driving force to get past plotting problems, writers’ block or any other obstacles in your way to a finished manuscript? If you’re interested in the answers to any of these questions, join award winning author CJ Lyons as she discusses all of the above with an emphasis on how to find your own unique style and individual voice. She’ll share with you the four secrets of success that she has learned as well as tips from many outstanding authors and screenwriters. With CHASING THE MUSE, she’ll give you the tools you need to go from blank page to a finished work of fiction, including ways to pitch, to market, to avoid writers’ block and to deepen plot and character through the use of theme.
FEBRUARY 28, 2009 - Keena Kincaid - “Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development”
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions, see above)
Time: Lunch, networking, and general meeting at 11:30; workshop is at 1:00 p.m.
Speaker bio: Keena has two books contracted with The Wild Rose Press and has a third under review. Her website is http://keenakincaid.com. You can email her at keena@keenakincaid.com. She can also be found on Facebook, Myspace, and Bebo.
Workshop blurb: “Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development” leads participants through fun, inventive exercises that will help them root out their characters’ deep, dark secrets and desires. The goal is to give writers a better understanding of how secrets affect a character’s words and actions, and then how to use these insights to propel the plot forward in a logical, engaging manner.
MARCH 28, 2009 - Annual LRWA Luncheon
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
APRIL 25, 2009 -
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
MAY 30, 2009 -
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
JUNE 27, 2009 - Dr. Christina Sinisi- “Psychological Aspects of Attraction”
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
JULY 25, 2009 -
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
AUGUST 22, 2009 - Al Chaput–”The First Five Hundred Words”
Location: Coosaw Creek Country Club, Blue Room (for directions, see above)
Time: Lunch, networking, and general meeting at 11:30; workshop is at 1:00 p.m.
Speaker bio: Al has finaled in the Single Title Contemporary, Women’s Fiction and Mainstream categories of numerous RWA contests and placed first in a half dozen. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. He and his wife live in coastal South Carolina
Workshop blurb: The opening scene in your current novel is nothing less than the most important writing you have ever done. It can make or break a sale. This workshop offers concrete tips on how to focus and improve your FIRST FIVE HUNDRED WORDS
SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 - CJ Lyons–”Break Free From the Slush Pile”
Location: Coosaw Creek Country Club, Blue Room (for directions, see above)
Time: Lunch, networking, and general meeting at 11:30; workshop is at 1:00 p.m.
Speaker bio: Award winning medical suspense author CJ Lyons is a physician trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She has assisted police and prosecutors with cases involving child abuse, rape, homicide and Munchausen by Proxy and has worked in several trauma centers, on the Navajo reservation, as a crisis counselor, victim’s advocate, as well as a flight physician for Life Flight. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Her writing has appeared in Romantic Times BookReviews, CrimeSpree and Spinetingler. Her debut novel, LIFELINES, came out from Berkley in March, 2008. Her next novel, Contact her at http://www.cjlyons.net
Workshop blurb: This workshop focuses on queries, hooks and pitches. By the end, you will have a polished query letter, blurb and feedback on your opening page.
OCTOBER 24, 2009 -
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
NOVEMBER 21, 2009 -
Location: Logans Roadhouse Restaurant, Azalea Square, Summerville (for directions see above)
Time: Meeting 11:30am, Lunch, Workshop 1:00pm
Speaker Bio: To Be Announced
Workshop Blurb: To Be Announced
DECEMBER 19, 2009 - Annual LRWA Christmas/Hanukkah party
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Click to email the Programs Director