After much thought, Phil and I have decided to suspend the Inkspots Writing Group until further notice.

Attendance has been down. Writers who had their work critiqued stopped coming to the group once they got what they wanted. Interest was waning. And frankly Phil and I have been super busy.

We'll revisit the idea again in the fall. Until then, keep writing!!

Phil and Joanne

What freelancer writers do on their day off

This is a little video of my sister and I shopping at the Christmas tree stores. Phil suggested I share it with you. Yes, freelance writers don't get out often.

Inkspots Meeting 2009 Schedule

Meeting dates subject to change. To be sure you're getting the updated meeting information, check the blog or get on our mailing list.

Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of the month @ 7 PM at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford Plaza.

January 20
February 17
March 17
April 21
May 19
June 16
July 21
August 18
September 15
October 20
November 17
December TBA

Meeting updates

Hi, all! Just quick update!!

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 21, 2008 @ B&N in Pittsford, 7 pm. We'll be looking at Maggie's story and I'll send it as soon as I get it.

November meeting is Tuesday, November 18, same bat place, same bat time.

Our December meeting will NOT be at Barnes and Noble. They don't have any groups meeting in December, so at our October meeting we'll decide if we want to cancel the December meeting OR plan to meet at a restaurant or something.

Thanks!!
Joanne

May meeting

Hey all, just a reminder that we meet on Tuesday, May 20th at 7 pm. We're giving Steve some feedback on his piece.

If you are a regular attender and didn't get the material, let me know. If you're new to the group and will be visiting us for the first time, let me know and we'll get the material to you, too!

See you soon!!
Keep writing!!!
Joanne

February Meeting

Hello everyone. This is a reminder that our group will meet on Tuesday, February 19th at 7:00 PM at the Barnes & Noble in Pittsford.

I am really looking forward to the group, since I had to miss the January gathering (my son's band concert), and since we did not meet in December.

Joanne and I are planning to meet and set out a list of "topics" to cover for this year. But at the same time, I welcome ideas from all of you. In fact, I implore you--send topics you would like to see covered.

On the 19th, we will begin the group with a writing exercise, discuss a topic, and perhaps share/critque work.

What's great about the group is that we are all actively working on material. (Or, at least, this is what we should be doing--actively working on material).

At this point I would like to request you email me topics for future discussions, and short samples of your writing (if you are so inclined).

I look forward to seeing all of you! (Happy Valentine's Day!)

--Phillip Tomasso III
a.k.a. Thomas Phillips

December meeting CANCELLED

I've decided to cancel the December meeting of the Inkspots Writing group. I've heard from a few regular members who won't be there, and I'm starting to feel the holiday frenzy myself, so let's cancel the December meeting and meet again Tuesday, January 15th, 7 pm at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford Plaza.

For the January meeting, we'll be setting goals for the new year, with a system of accountability that will help us better track our progress. And I'd still like to talk about writing our memoirs or personal experiences. I'll send a meeting reminder.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you an abundance of joy, peace and love. :)

Speaking for myself: Merry Christmas!

Joanne

Phillip Tomasso III signs contract with Whitaker House

Just a quick note to let you all know that Phil has signed a contract with Whitaker House publishers for his novel, Surrender. The novel is scheduled to be released next summer, and the publisher has optioned the first rights for Phil's next two novels.

Phil will be writing for Whitaker House under the pen name Thomas Phillips. For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/authorthomasphillips.

Congrats, Phil!!

November meeting reminder

Don't forget that our next meeting is Tuesday, November 20 at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford. We'll be doing some more writing aerobics, which was a lot of fun last month.

See you then!

Joanne

Vote for Suzan Tessier's story

New Ink Spots & Coffee Grounds Writing Group member Suzan Tessier has a story in the webzine AOIFE'S KISS. Read "The Last To Know!", and then vote for it as this month's favorite.

September meeting recap

If you missed the September meeting last night, you missed a reading of Mick's play, The Passing, and an indepth discussion of luxury apartments and Christmas elves as we reviewed Robin's short story. It was a casual, great meeting. Lots of discussion.

Next month's meeting will be dedicated entirely to writing aerobics! Bring something to write with and something to write on. The meeting will be October 16 (the 3rd Tuesday of the month) at 7 pm.

Joanne

Kelly Klepfer, from the website NovelJourney, recently "interviewed" me. The Q&A is up today at the NovelJourney website.

In the interview, I mention a column I wrote called Mind Reading Mommy, that you might want to check out if you're a mom whose kids are driving you nuts. You are not alone.

Erma Bomeck Writers' Workshop

[NOTE: This conference sold out in 7 days, a new record!]

This just in - registration for the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop begins September 10! This is a great conference. And with Garrison Keillor as a keynote speaker? You can't go wrong!

This conference fills up reeeeally fast, so if you want to go don't dilly dally.

Here's the info from the press release:

The 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will be held April 3-5, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio. Online registration will open Sept. 10, 2007 at noon EST. The 2006 workshop sold out in 12 days, so please reserve your spot early.

The 2008 workshop registration fee is $350, which includes all sessions and meals (three dinners, two lunches, two breakfasts). Keynote speakers include Garrison Keillor, Martha Bolton, Mike Peters, Connie Schultz, Aaron Yonda and Matt Sloan.

Take a look at the complete speaker list and schedule.
SPEAKERS: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html
SCHEDULE: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008Schedule.html

We've asked some of our favorite instructors to give all-new sessions, so returning attendees shouldn't get much repetition from the 2006 workshop.

2008 workshop sessions include:

HUMOR WRITING
* How to develop and use humorous anecdotes
* Raising your humor writing IQ
* How to take your humor writing from amusing to amazing
* Humor writing: What works and what doesn't
* Are you SURE you want to be a humor columnist?
* How to write humorous greeting cards

HUMAN INTEREST WRITING
* Shaping your life experience for the page
* How to touch readers' hearts with your words

MOTIVATION
* How to survive and thrive throughout the creative process
* Networking for writers

FREELANCE WRITING
* Freelance writing for the greeting card industry
* The renegade writer's guide to breaking into magazines

MARKETING
* Podcasting for writers
* Using online video to market your books and yourself
* How to create an Amazon.com bestseller

BOOK PUBLISHING
* Book proposals and literary agents
* How to choose the right self-publishing company

Set your watches for Sept. 10 at noon. I Hope to see you in April!

You can read our August newsletter at:
http://www.humorwriters.org/EBWW080107.html

It includes:
* CAN YOU LEARN TO BE FUNNY?
* WHITEHOUSE HOPEFULS TURN UP THE HUMOR
* GIVING SITCOMS A FIGHTING CHANCE
* WELCOME BACK, POTTER

as well as markets, contests, who's publishing what and this month's featured writer. You can read it all at: http://www.humorwriters.org/EBWW080107.html

Kathryn Shay talks to writers

A special thanks to author Kathryn Shay for taking time to talk to the group last night about getting into the game - and staying there. In addition to sharing the story of her publishing journey, she offered a few bits of practical advice:

1) "Read in the genre youwant to write. Read and read and read."

2) Be persistent. She showed us a stack of her rejection letters, which might have deterred a less persistent writer. Kathryn now as 4 million books in print.

3) Be business savvy. Understand that success doesn't necessarily bring more success.

4) Be prepared for feedback, both good and bad. "Anyone can say anything about your book and you can't do anything about it," and that's even more true in the digital age.

5) Be cognizent of the market. Understand that the business had highs and lows, and that what's selling this year isn't necessarily what will be selling next year. Write about what you like, "write the book of your heart" but understand not everyone's going to want to buy the book of your heart.

6) The world of publishing is extremely competitive.

For more information about Kathryn Shay, visit http://kathrynshay.com/.

Resources for Writers

Please let us know if you have any other suggestions to add!
(Special thanks to Shelley Weinstein for taking the time to get this list started!!)

INSPIRATIONAL/MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS

Art of Dramatic Writing............... Lajos Egri
Art of Fiction................................ John Gardner
Aspects of the Novel................... E.M. Forster
Bird by Bird.................................. Anne Lamott
Elements of Style........................ Strunk & White
Forest For the Trees................... Betsy Lerner
Hero With a Thousand Faces..... Joseph Campbell
If You Want to Write.................... Brenda Ueland
On Becoming a Novelist............. John Gardner
On Writing................................... Stephen King
On Writing Well........................... William Zinsser
Reading Like a Writer................. Francine Prose
Room to Write............................. Bonnie Goldberg
Stein on Writing........................... Sol Stein
Story............................................ Robert McKee
The Artist's Way.......................... Julie Cameron
The Writing Life........................... Annie Dillard
Writer's Journey.......................... Chris Vogler
Writing Creative Nonfiction......... ed. Forche & Gerard
Writing Down the Bones............. Natalie Goldberg
Writing to Change the World...... Mary Pipher
Zen in the Art of Writing............... Ray Bradbury


MARKET GUIDES

The Writers’ Market

Christian Writers' Market Guide 2007: The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer (Christian Writers' Market Guide)

Meeting Reminder: speaker Kathryn Shay

Just a quick reminder that author Kathryn Shay will be speaking at tonight's meeting at Barnes and Noble in Pittsford Plaza. Kathyrn will be signing books from 6-7 and then speaking to the group at 7.

See you there!
Joanne

Small Press Night Author Showcase

On Thursday, August 30th starting at 7:00 PM, I will be signing copies of my Rochester-based mystery novels (Mind Play, Tenth House, Third Ring and Johnny Blade) at the Barnes & Noble at The Mall at Greece Ridge Center, along with about 30 other local, small press authors.

The official B&N Events release reads:

Barnes & Noble in Greece is pleased to host its fourth annual Small Press Night for local small press and self-published authors. With more than 30 participating authors last year, this year promises to be just as exciting. Please contact Rebecca Budinger, Community Relations Manager, at 585.227.4020 for more information.

Hope to see you there ....

--Phillip Tomasso III

July 17 Meeting Update

Greetings! If you missed the 7/17 meeting, here's a quick recap:

We talked a bit about networking and I shared some of the things writers can use to connect with other writers, people in the industry, and their readers. A summary (because I rambled for a while):

Business cards
You can order free business cards from Vista Print. Include at the very least your name, the words “writer”, an email address and, if you have one, your website. Be cautious about giving out your home address. Also save the cards you collect at various events. Write on the back one note about the person who gave you the card so you’ll remember them later on.

Thank You Notes
Send a “charming note” a day or week to someone whose work you admire, a person you appreciate, a teacher who encouraged you, someone who did something nice for you, etc.

Online Presence
Have a presence on the web through a blog or website. You can blog about your writing, about your school, sports, whatever you want. If nothing else, it’ll help hone your writing skills. Check out Blogger or Wordpress to get started.

Online networking groups
If you have a MySpace, Facebook or ShoutLife page you can connect with other people who share your interests (ex: sci-fi, romance writing). A lot of writers use MySpace as a marketing tool to promote their books. You can also try LinkedIn, which links business professionals, to connect with other writers, editors, agents, etc.

Local Writing Groups
Consider meeting with other writers in person at a writing group or by taking a class at Writers & Books. We all agreed that having to share our goals and then update the group in person was very motivating, even if we didn't exactly reach our goals.

Online writing groups
Online writing groups can also be extremely beneficial because you connect with writers and industry people from all over the world. An example: The Writers’ View, which is a group for working Christian writers, editors and industry professionals. The group is led by a panel of agents, editors, publishers, and writers. One place you can find groups is by searching on Yahoo Groups or asking other writers what groups they've found helpful.

Mailing List
Start building your mailing list now, before you have a book to sell. Send a monthly writing update, link to a column or something you’ve written, etc. Check out YourMailingListProvider or Constant Contact, for example.


We welcomed a couple of new members.

We updated our goals and gave Austin some feedback on his fiction story, Spiritborn. (Great job, Austin!) Tom wasn't with us so we'll give him feedback next month.

A few of us talked about maybe meeting more than once a month, maybe just to get together and spur each other on. If that's something you're interested in, let me know.

Our next meeting will be August 21, 7 PM @ Barnes and Noble.

That's all the news!
Until next month,
Joanne

Writing Exercise (June 19, 2007)

On June 19th, Ink Spots & Coffee Grounds held their first writers group meeting. At this meeting we completed a two part writing exercise, to loosen up the creative juices. My goal is to post the exercises here on our blog each month. This way if you are not able to attend the monthly meeting, you will still have something to work on.

For this particular exercise you need to read and complete "Part 1" BEFORE reading and completing "Part 2." (In other words ... Do Not Read Part 2 Until You Complete Part 1 :-)

PART 1:

Think about one thing in your home. It can be anything. A chair, a vase, a painting, a cat ... now describe that object in as much detail as possible without revealing what it actually is.

Take about ten minutes to complete Part 1.

Done? Okay. Now for Part 2 ... you didn't peek, did you?

PART 2:

Using dialog, carry on what you believe might be an actual conversation between you and this object you just described in Part 1. (If you picked a chair, for example, what would you and the chair talk about if the chair could talk?)

Okay--until next time ...

God bless,

Phillip Tomasso III

First meeting recap

Many thanks to everyone who came out for the first Ink Spots writing group meeting! Phil and I were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just us and two friends.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, JULY 17. Not "next week" as I kept saying. If you couldn't join us for the first meeting, please feel free to come in JULY.

Right now the meetings are divided into two parts; first, we meet and discuss a writing or publishing topic, or will have a speaker share something about publishing. After the break, we regroup and talk about our own projects, share goals, and critique two or three projects from group members who are looking for feedback.

Just to be clear: you don't need to come for the whole night. If you're only interested in coming to sit in on the discussion about self-publishing or writing a proposal or whatever topic we're focusing on that night, but aren't interested in getting up close and personal with other folks' writing, that's completely fine. Come for the discussion and leave at the break.

Again, thanks to Barnes & Noble and to Penelope for all of their help! And thanks to everyone who expressed interest but couldn't come. Please continue to keep in touch with us!

Joanne