Thursday, April 25, 2013
Are you exhausted by your own mind? Struggling with writer’s block? Dejected by rejection? Do you need encouragement and solutions? Learn from writers who have been there and come out the other side. Join us for this month’s Writing Show for a healthy dose of inspiration on how to cope, from storming through that first draft to facing the publication process.
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Thursday, March 28, 2013
When it comes to showing violence in your story, how much is too much? Whether you’re writing about a soldier on the battlefield or a shooting at a school, there’s a fine line between showing your reader what’s happening and being insensitive to those who suffer these experiences in the real world. At this month’s Writing Show, we’ll show you how to keep your story exciting without resorting to exploitation.
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One sure way to improve your writing is to read–a lot. You also need to read outside your comfort zone. If you plan to write fantasy, and fantasy is all you ever read, then your writing will never be more than a mirror.
Starting today, James River Writers will help you broaden your reading options with our first ever reading group on Goodreads.com. Each month we plan to select two books. One will be intended for adult readers with a second book focused on younger audiences. The books will feature some of our past and upcoming speakers from our annual Writers Conference and monthly Writing Show. Whenever possible, we plan to invite the writers and editors to join us in the discussion on the message boards. (more…)
A writer often faces a solo journey filled with uncertainty, self-doubt and even frustration. Sometimes the right words or necessary inspiration are not readily at her fingertips. Fortunately at James River Writers there are people who understand and are there to help, and one of those has been Anne Westrick. Anne has been an integral part of this organization for seven years. Her career at JRW went from volunteer to Conference Chair to her last role as Administrative Director, from which she resigned in January 2013.
Anne is a published author, wife, mother, and–as many people have testified–an invaluable contributor to this organization. “James River Writers has a great reputation in the Richmond community, and I think one of the reasons is because we have had Anne’s smiling face making each person who comes into contact with JRW feel valued and appreciated,” said Katharine Herndon, Executive Director of JRW.
During her lunch break, Anne graciously shared her thoughts about JRW and life in general. (more…)
Julie Geen
Moderator of the February Writing Show
How Screenwriting Helped My Novel
When I first started writing screenplays, I was pretty sure I was going to Hollywood. It took me three scripts and a near miss with selling one of them to finally accept that perhaps it wasn’t going to happen. But I don’t regret one single, delusional minute of those years. (more…)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Richmond International Film Festival partners with JRW to bring you an evening with screenwriters, directors and producers. Whether you’re a movie lover, aspiring screenwriter or a writer looking to recycle your unpublished novel, enjoy an opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn about the business and craft of getting a script produced.
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On Wednesday, February 6, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m Cherise Fisher, Principal of The Scribe’s Window and Editor in Residence at Chapter a Month, will be available through Twitter to talk about her experiences in editing and the world of publishing. (more…)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Advice from Kelly Justice on making a great impression with bookstores
The panelists will discuss:
For 10 years, James River Writers has offered a variety of ways for writers and readers in central Virginia to connect in person. In 2012, we have beefed up our virtual community by increasing our use of social media. (more…)
Jean Anderson, Richmond liaison for National Novel Writing Month, recently attended JRW’s Writers Wednesday and wanted to pass along information about the launch party for NaNoWriMo in the River City. (more…)
