April 2, 2011 Spring, Texas Click Here For Location
WORKSHOP & PRESENTATION by Kimberly Ivey *** FREE
"Unearthing Bodies: Digging Deep To Uncover the Psychology of Creating Characters"
Do writers create story characters from their imaginations, or from real people they encounter in every day life? Forget what you previously thought. Everything you need to know about creating characters--protagonists AND antagonists-- is within YOU. In this fast-paced, mini-workshop presented by award-winning author and writing teacher, Kimberly Ivey, you will learn how the psychology of the writer is directly connected to his or her ability to create successful story characters. Dig deep into the psyche of all your story's major players--the good, the bad and the ugly--and learn how to unearth memorable, compelling story people readers will be talking about for years.
BIO
Kimberly Ivey Wuttke began writing professionally more than 25 years ago. Since then, hundreds of her nonfiction magazine articles, captioned news photographs, poetry, short stories and personal essays have appeared in both print and electronic publications throughout the U.S. and Canada . She is the author of ten print and/or digital books in the children’s, romance, historical, and paranormal genres.
Kimberly served several years on the chapter board of a national writer’s organization—one of those terms as President—and has chaired literacy fundraisers, mentored and tutored aspiring writers (several are now published). She has presented writing workshops at conferences and to local writing groups and has won national and local awards for her work, most notably, the Reviewer's Choice Award in 2010 for Ride The Wild Wind.
A writing instructor for ten years, she's taught her acclaimed novel, short story, and creative writing classes at the College of the Mainland campus in League City since 2004.
She lives in the Houston area with her husband, children and several spoiled and demanding pets. Kimberly is also a Certified Master/Teacher of Usui Reiki--a Japanese healing energy modality.
Website and Blog: www.kimberlyivey.blogspot.com
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Join me for Week 2 of SPRING INTO ACTION
So how has it been going for you? Getting some good writing in? Eating those veggies? Exercising?
It's time for WEEK 2 of SPRING INTO ACTION.
Here's the scoop: do *at least 3 of the following five (see below) each day. I usually am lucky to get in 3, so you're welcome to follow my slacker approach to spring. :-))))
Then, pop in once a day to comment on your progress.
At the end of the thirty days, I'll toss the names of everone who's commented during that month in a bowl and draw 5 winners for my e-books. Contemp, western, erotic, etc. I'll let the winner pick their favorite category.
It's that simple.
Just commit to at least 3 per day of the following: (like I said, I usually am lucky to get 2 of the 5)
* Write, revise, edit, or proofread, 5 sentences, lines, paragraphs, pages per day on your new work or work in progress. Come on. It's easy. You pick one.
* 5 minutes of power exercise, either walking, jogging or dancing in place, isometric exercises at your desk, jumping jacks, push-ups, or whatever gets your blood pumping. Just five minutes is all that's needed, although you might want to do more.
* 5 servings of fresh fruits and/or vegetables daily. Me, personally--I don't like fruit because it's so sweet, but I love veggies! So....five servings. Cucumbers. Salads. Carrots. Radishes. Baby Spinach. Cauliflower. Green beans. Celery sticks. Tomatoes. Apples. Bananas. Grapes. Berries. Melon. (Please avoid potatoes and corn as potatoes are a starch (bread substitute) and corn is a grain). Yep, you heard it here. Corn is NOT a vegetable.
* 5 minutes of prayer or meditation -- whatever makes you happy. Just five little old minutes of quiet reflection.
* 5 minutes of journaling about how great you are. Yes, this is the time to get stuck on yourself. What do you like about yourself? What makes you unique? Special. Great! Write a love letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself at a younger age. An older age. Don't hold back. Talk yourself up in your journal. Don't you know that you have to have a great relationship with yourself, first, in order to have good relations with other people? We often treat others kinder than ourselves. Now is the time to be kind to YOU.
That's it, kiddies. Just choose a minimum of 3 of the 5 and get started...
Let's SPRING INTO ACTION starting NOW!
It's time for WEEK 2 of SPRING INTO ACTION.
Here's the scoop: do *at least 3 of the following five (see below) each day. I usually am lucky to get in 3, so you're welcome to follow my slacker approach to spring. :-))))
Then, pop in once a day to comment on your progress.
At the end of the thirty days, I'll toss the names of everone who's commented during that month in a bowl and draw 5 winners for my e-books. Contemp, western, erotic, etc. I'll let the winner pick their favorite category.
It's that simple.
Just commit to at least 3 per day of the following: (like I said, I usually am lucky to get 2 of the 5)
* Write, revise, edit, or proofread, 5 sentences, lines, paragraphs, pages per day on your new work or work in progress. Come on. It's easy. You pick one.
* 5 minutes of power exercise, either walking, jogging or dancing in place, isometric exercises at your desk, jumping jacks, push-ups, or whatever gets your blood pumping. Just five minutes is all that's needed, although you might want to do more.
* 5 servings of fresh fruits and/or vegetables daily. Me, personally--I don't like fruit because it's so sweet, but I love veggies! So....five servings. Cucumbers. Salads. Carrots. Radishes. Baby Spinach. Cauliflower. Green beans. Celery sticks. Tomatoes. Apples. Bananas. Grapes. Berries. Melon. (Please avoid potatoes and corn as potatoes are a starch (bread substitute) and corn is a grain). Yep, you heard it here. Corn is NOT a vegetable.
* 5 minutes of prayer or meditation -- whatever makes you happy. Just five little old minutes of quiet reflection.
* 5 minutes of journaling about how great you are. Yes, this is the time to get stuck on yourself. What do you like about yourself? What makes you unique? Special. Great! Write a love letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself at a younger age. An older age. Don't hold back. Talk yourself up in your journal. Don't you know that you have to have a great relationship with yourself, first, in order to have good relations with other people? We often treat others kinder than ourselves. Now is the time to be kind to YOU.
That's it, kiddies. Just choose a minimum of 3 of the 5 and get started...
Let's SPRING INTO ACTION starting NOW!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
It's SPRING INTO ACTION at E-Klectics March 20 -- April 19
Hi Everyone!
Hope you're having a wonderful first day of Spring! Change has been in the air recently, and there's a reason. A new season is upon us. The winter doldrums are past. It's time for the earth (and its inhabitants) to begin anew. For writers, this time of the year heralds a new beginning as well. It's time to focus, get out of that wintry rut, and start some feel good, look good, and write darned good routines.
Today is the first OFFICIAL day of SPRING INTO ACTION here at E-Klectics, which will run continuously for the next thirty days.
Here's the dealio: Do *at least 3 of the following five, each day.
Then, pop in once a day to comment on your progress.
At the end of the thirty days, I'll toss the names of everone who's commented in a bowl and draw 5 winners for my e-books. Contemp, western, erotic, etc. I'll let the winner pick their favorite category.
It's that simple.
Just commit to at least 3 per day of the following:
* Write, revise, edit, or proofread, 5 sentences, lines, paragraphs, pages per day on your new work or work in progress. Come on. It's easy. You pick one.
* 5 minutes of power exercise, either walking, jogging or dancing in place, isometric exercises at your desk, jumping jacks, push-ups, or whatever gets your blood pumping. Just five minutes is all that's needed, although you might want to do more.
* 5 servings of fresh fruits and/or vegetables daily. Me, personally--I don't like fruit because it's so sweet, but I love veggies! So....five servings. Cucumbers. Salads. Carrots. Radishes. Baby Spinach. Cauliflower. Green beans. Celery sticks. Tomatoes. Apples. Bananas. Grapes. Berries. Melon. (Please avoid potatoes and corn as potatoes are a starch (bread substitute) and corn is a grain). Yep, you heard it here. Corn is NOT a vegetable.
* 5 minutes of prayer or meditation -- whatever makes you happy. Just five little old minutes of quiet reflection.
* 5 minutes of journaling about how great you are. Yes, this is the time to get stuck on yourself. What do you like about yourself? What makes you unique? Special. Great! Write a love letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself at a younger age. An older age. Don't hold back. Talk yourself up in your journal. Don't you know that you have to have a great relationship with yourself, first, in order to have good relations with other people? We often treat others kinder than ourselves. Now is the time to be kind to YOU.
That's it, kiddies. Just choose a minimum of 3 of the 5 and get started...
Let's SPRING INTO ACTION starting NOW!
Hope you're having a wonderful first day of Spring! Change has been in the air recently, and there's a reason. A new season is upon us. The winter doldrums are past. It's time for the earth (and its inhabitants) to begin anew. For writers, this time of the year heralds a new beginning as well. It's time to focus, get out of that wintry rut, and start some feel good, look good, and write darned good routines.
Today is the first OFFICIAL day of SPRING INTO ACTION here at E-Klectics, which will run continuously for the next thirty days.
Here's the dealio: Do *at least 3 of the following five, each day.
Then, pop in once a day to comment on your progress.
At the end of the thirty days, I'll toss the names of everone who's commented in a bowl and draw 5 winners for my e-books. Contemp, western, erotic, etc. I'll let the winner pick their favorite category.
It's that simple.
Just commit to at least 3 per day of the following:
* Write, revise, edit, or proofread, 5 sentences, lines, paragraphs, pages per day on your new work or work in progress. Come on. It's easy. You pick one.
* 5 minutes of power exercise, either walking, jogging or dancing in place, isometric exercises at your desk, jumping jacks, push-ups, or whatever gets your blood pumping. Just five minutes is all that's needed, although you might want to do more.
* 5 servings of fresh fruits and/or vegetables daily. Me, personally--I don't like fruit because it's so sweet, but I love veggies! So....five servings. Cucumbers. Salads. Carrots. Radishes. Baby Spinach. Cauliflower. Green beans. Celery sticks. Tomatoes. Apples. Bananas. Grapes. Berries. Melon. (Please avoid potatoes and corn as potatoes are a starch (bread substitute) and corn is a grain). Yep, you heard it here. Corn is NOT a vegetable.
* 5 minutes of prayer or meditation -- whatever makes you happy. Just five little old minutes of quiet reflection.
* 5 minutes of journaling about how great you are. Yes, this is the time to get stuck on yourself. What do you like about yourself? What makes you unique? Special. Great! Write a love letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself at a younger age. An older age. Don't hold back. Talk yourself up in your journal. Don't you know that you have to have a great relationship with yourself, first, in order to have good relations with other people? We often treat others kinder than ourselves. Now is the time to be kind to YOU.
That's it, kiddies. Just choose a minimum of 3 of the 5 and get started...
Let's SPRING INTO ACTION starting NOW!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thinking of Going Indie?
The following post is no way is meant to encourage or discourage anyone from taking advantage of indie publishing. And for the record, I never suggest my writing students go indie first. Okay, okay. Settle down and read on.
Instead, I suggest my students try traditional, royalty paying publishers first and then work their way up the ladder to bigger and better opportunities.
Now, that doesn't mean I don't approve of indie (self-publishing). Oh, quite the contrary. I currently have back listed titles whose contracts have or will be ending soon and I've seriously entertained the idea of indie pubbing them at some point in the future. I like to have choices, but then I'm a free spirit, a bit of a rogue, and have the tenacity of a pit bull on steroids. But I digress....
So about going Indie--- Indie pubbing can be an avenue of publication for any author, new, seasoned, published or unpubbed. Today we DO have many choices and every author has to decide what is best for their product. Still, it makes good sense to learn about the business of writing, working with publishers and actually being an author before jumping off into the deep end without a having lifeguard present, don't you think?
That's why I always suggest the traditional route first. There's nothing like first hand experience to really prepare you for the eye opening reality of what you're getting into. Only when you've worked with editors, agents, and other authors do you really get the full scope of what publishing is, and is not.
I suppose what I fear might happen with the current explosion of indie titles is that readers will be barraged with manure. Now, this is where everyone who'se indie pubbed gets their knickers in a bunch, but as my dad used to say, "You can get glad again in the same pants you got mad in. "
(Don't read any further if you are having knicker problems. If thy knickers offend thee, pluck your wedgie first and then continue reading. )
Of course, among the mud and manure, you're also going to have indie gems, too--brilliant gems that were never picked up my NY publishing houses for whatever reason and really should have been tomorrow's blockbusters.
But as I said, I fear the market will be flooded with everyone who ever wrote a book (or thinks what they have IS a book), and some of those books should never see the light of day. Trust me. I still have a couple of those types of books in boxes that will never be published because they are not publishable. I know this. And I do not want to humiliate myself among my peers (whom, I kinda like most of the time when they're not pissing me off or I'm not pissing them off). And I certainly don't want to alienate, or at the most, strike fear in the hearts of any future editors or agents. In other words, I don't want them to read a piece of slop and judge my writing based on that. I am a professional and I want to be thought of as such.
Which brings me to my next thought... e-book authors struggled for years to overcome the stigma of e-publishing among peers and other industry professionals. They weren't thought of as "real" authors. Snort. In fact, in one pro organization (one whom I shall not name for fear of being bitch slapped with a red stiletto)....sorry, I couldn't resist....
Where was I....ah yes, it wasn't long ago that a certain organization didn't give the same respect to e-pubbed authors as print ones, although these e-pubs were with royalty paying publishers, were making more than traditional print authors with major houses, or were making 6 figures a year from their e-books (it's twoooooo, it's twoooooo,). But they still did not garner the respect or acceptance of their peers for many years.
So, I include the link below to the article with a caveat: be aware that there are things you can and should do if you go the indie route of publishing. First of all, make sure you have a sound, edited product and that you know what you've got, not um..."It's science fiction with dinosaurs and angsty teens who are vampires." Hmmmm. You mean as in "Jurassic Park meets Twilight?" (Sheesh. Who do you think's gonna win when they rumble in the meadow? I'm bettin' ten bucks on Barney, myself.)
Seriously, know your genre. Know your audience. Know your market. Know your limitations. Know your goals--not just how to set them but how to get where you want to go.
Indie is not for everyone, but neither is a root canal. Only you can decide.
Kimberly
7 Reasons Self-Published E-Books Fail
http://www.ninc.com/blog/index.php/archives/self-published-ebooks
Instead, I suggest my students try traditional, royalty paying publishers first and then work their way up the ladder to bigger and better opportunities.
Now, that doesn't mean I don't approve of indie (self-publishing). Oh, quite the contrary. I currently have back listed titles whose contracts have or will be ending soon and I've seriously entertained the idea of indie pubbing them at some point in the future. I like to have choices, but then I'm a free spirit, a bit of a rogue, and have the tenacity of a pit bull on steroids. But I digress....
So about going Indie--- Indie pubbing can be an avenue of publication for any author, new, seasoned, published or unpubbed. Today we DO have many choices and every author has to decide what is best for their product. Still, it makes good sense to learn about the business of writing, working with publishers and actually being an author before jumping off into the deep end without a having lifeguard present, don't you think?
That's why I always suggest the traditional route first. There's nothing like first hand experience to really prepare you for the eye opening reality of what you're getting into. Only when you've worked with editors, agents, and other authors do you really get the full scope of what publishing is, and is not.
I suppose what I fear might happen with the current explosion of indie titles is that readers will be barraged with manure. Now, this is where everyone who'se indie pubbed gets their knickers in a bunch, but as my dad used to say, "You can get glad again in the same pants you got mad in. "
(Don't read any further if you are having knicker problems. If thy knickers offend thee, pluck your wedgie first and then continue reading. )
Of course, among the mud and manure, you're also going to have indie gems, too--brilliant gems that were never picked up my NY publishing houses for whatever reason and really should have been tomorrow's blockbusters.
But as I said, I fear the market will be flooded with everyone who ever wrote a book (or thinks what they have IS a book), and some of those books should never see the light of day. Trust me. I still have a couple of those types of books in boxes that will never be published because they are not publishable. I know this. And I do not want to humiliate myself among my peers (whom, I kinda like most of the time when they're not pissing me off or I'm not pissing them off). And I certainly don't want to alienate, or at the most, strike fear in the hearts of any future editors or agents. In other words, I don't want them to read a piece of slop and judge my writing based on that. I am a professional and I want to be thought of as such.
Which brings me to my next thought... e-book authors struggled for years to overcome the stigma of e-publishing among peers and other industry professionals. They weren't thought of as "real" authors. Snort. In fact, in one pro organization (one whom I shall not name for fear of being bitch slapped with a red stiletto)....sorry, I couldn't resist....
Where was I....ah yes, it wasn't long ago that a certain organization didn't give the same respect to e-pubbed authors as print ones, although these e-pubs were with royalty paying publishers, were making more than traditional print authors with major houses, or were making 6 figures a year from their e-books (it's twoooooo, it's twoooooo,). But they still did not garner the respect or acceptance of their peers for many years.
So, I include the link below to the article with a caveat: be aware that there are things you can and should do if you go the indie route of publishing. First of all, make sure you have a sound, edited product and that you know what you've got, not um..."It's science fiction with dinosaurs and angsty teens who are vampires." Hmmmm. You mean as in "Jurassic Park meets Twilight?" (Sheesh. Who do you think's gonna win when they rumble in the meadow? I'm bettin' ten bucks on Barney, myself.)
Seriously, know your genre. Know your audience. Know your market. Know your limitations. Know your goals--not just how to set them but how to get where you want to go.
Indie is not for everyone, but neither is a root canal. Only you can decide.
Kimberly
7 Reasons Self-Published E-Books Fail
http://www.ninc.com/blog/index.php/archives/self-published-ebooks
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Enroll Now For INTRODUCTION TO WRITING THE NOVEL in League City, Texas
Introduction To Writing The Novel
Taught by multipublished, award winning author, Kimberly Ivey Wuttke.
For more information on this class, or to register, please call the North County Learning Center (College of the Mainland campus) in League City, Texas at 281-332-1800. Please read the course description below.
Introduction to Writing The Novel begins Tuesday 3/8/11 and runs through 04/19/11 6:30 – 9:00 PM at the Clear Springs High School Campus on Palomino Lane (3/4 mile west of the Learning Center. Phone: 281-332-1800 for directions and information.
Instructor: Kimberly Ivey Wuttke
E-mail: kimberlyivey2@aol.com or kimberlyauthor@aol.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Whether you’re thinking about writing a novel, or desire to infuse new life into an unfinished project, this introductory class is for you. In this workshop, students will learn how to plot a story, develop a fiction outline (synopsis) and commit to writing the first fifty pages of their novel. *Individuals with an existing work in progress will be encouraged to review and revise the first three chapters and synopsis. Instructor will work closely with each student and offer personal guidance and feedback. Lecture topics include story ideas, an overview of fiction genres, novel form, chapters, story structure, plotting, characterization and conflict. In-class writing exercises and take home assignments will relate specifically to each student’s novel. In order to gain the most from this class, enrollees should already have a grasp of composition and basic fiction techniques. Bring your own writing materials—pen, paper and/or lap top and be prepared to write. This is an intensive, hands on course. Beginning the first night of class, instructor will accept up to fifteen typed, double spaced manuscript pages per student for personalized critique, and eight pages per week thereafter through class five. Taught by a published author with 25+ years publishing experience. MAX CLASS SIZE 12. 1.5 CEU’s. * This course meets the criteria established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. If you would like a certificate, please ask the college to provide one upon completion.
Class Meets Mar. 8, 22, 29 Apr. 5, 12, 19 2011
*There will be no class Tuesday March 15th due to the spring break holiday.
Taught by multipublished, award winning author, Kimberly Ivey Wuttke.
For more information on this class, or to register, please call the North County Learning Center (College of the Mainland campus) in League City, Texas at 281-332-1800. Please read the course description below.
Introduction to Writing The Novel begins Tuesday 3/8/11 and runs through 04/19/11 6:30 – 9:00 PM at the Clear Springs High School Campus on Palomino Lane (3/4 mile west of the Learning Center. Phone: 281-332-1800 for directions and information.
Instructor: Kimberly Ivey Wuttke
E-mail: kimberlyivey2@aol.com or kimberlyauthor@aol.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Whether you’re thinking about writing a novel, or desire to infuse new life into an unfinished project, this introductory class is for you. In this workshop, students will learn how to plot a story, develop a fiction outline (synopsis) and commit to writing the first fifty pages of their novel. *Individuals with an existing work in progress will be encouraged to review and revise the first three chapters and synopsis. Instructor will work closely with each student and offer personal guidance and feedback. Lecture topics include story ideas, an overview of fiction genres, novel form, chapters, story structure, plotting, characterization and conflict. In-class writing exercises and take home assignments will relate specifically to each student’s novel. In order to gain the most from this class, enrollees should already have a grasp of composition and basic fiction techniques. Bring your own writing materials—pen, paper and/or lap top and be prepared to write. This is an intensive, hands on course. Beginning the first night of class, instructor will accept up to fifteen typed, double spaced manuscript pages per student for personalized critique, and eight pages per week thereafter through class five. Taught by a published author with 25+ years publishing experience. MAX CLASS SIZE 12. 1.5 CEU’s. * This course meets the criteria established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. If you would like a certificate, please ask the college to provide one upon completion.
Class Meets Mar. 8, 22, 29 Apr. 5, 12, 19 2011
*There will be no class Tuesday March 15th due to the spring break holiday.
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