For our August Writing Show, James River Writers travels the Commonwealth in search of stories short and long.
Virginia has mountains, valleys, cities, small towns, beaches, rivers, and enough history to inspire any type of legendary character, not to mention the everyday places and people with which we interact. All this informs stories that range from the current Loving film detailing the fight for inter-racial marriage rights to every child’s favorite, Misty of Chincoteague–and that’s just the Eastern Shore. Add in novels such as Bridge to Teribithia, The Wettest County in the World, Roots, Flowers in the Attic, and Gods and Generals, best sellers that have all been adapted into hit films, and its clear that Virginia works as a setting for almost any type of fiction.
As playwrights, authors, and screenwriters, how do we write Virginia into our fiction?
How do Virginia locations influence our settings?
With travel and writing tips, our panelists share personal experiences about including the state in their research, production, and work.
Because Virginia is also for lovers of the written word.
$12 members | $15 non-members | $5 students
Social: 6pm | Show: 6:45pm
Wednesday, August 26th
FIREHOUSE THEATRE
1609 West Broad Street (free parking at Lowe’s)
Panelists –
Kathleen Grissom was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, and is now happily rooted in southern Virginia. Her first novel, The Kitchen House, became a New York Times bestseller and has been published in over fourteen countries. Her second novel, A Glory Over Everything, will be released in April of 2016.
April Marcell is the CEO of Gibson&WhitePictures and has studied at Hollins University, earning a B.A. in Theatre and Film. April has had numerous plays produced, including her musical, God’s Eye, produced at New Millennium Studios. Another musical play, At the Table, was produced in Roanoke, VA, at Patrick Henry High School.
April’s feature film, No Weapon Shall Prosper, was picked up by Maverick Entertainment Group and is distributed worldwide. Her comedic short play, Out of Gas, was produced at Mill Mountain Theatre and is now a feature film which will be soon released in 2015.
Gibson&WhitePictures specializes in writing, directing, and producing films and plays, and film editing,. The company also gives classes for various theatrical and film needs. Gibson&WhitePictures also houses Bitty Entertainment, which acts as a casting agent for various film and theatrical projects.
Andy Edmunds, Director of the Virginia Film Office, is a Virginia native and an accomplished musician and songwriter. After studying music at VCU in the mid 80s, Edmunds produced a music video of one of his songs that was broadcast on MTV. This experience introduced him to the film production industry where he ultimately settled in as a location scout until landing a job at the Virginia Film Office in 1997. Andy finds his experience and interests are perfectly suited for this non-traditional area of economic development, and he appreciates the opportunity he has to give back to the state he knows and loves through an enthusiastic approach to attracting clients and delivering creative solutions. During his time with the Film Office, Andy has worked with the most notable filmmakers of our time including Terrence Malick, Ridley Scott, Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg to name a few.
Moderator Karen A. Chase
Karen is the author of “Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log,” winner of seven independent publishing awards. Her historical novel about the Declaration of Independence is represented by Rebecca Gradinger of Fletcher&Co Literary in New York. She pens a monthly column “Will Travel for Words” for ShelfPleasure.com. Originally from Calgary, Canada, Karen lives in Richmond and is on the board of James River Writers.