Archives

Novel Writing Workshop Rescheduled to Nov 3

The Novel Writing Workshop that was scheduled at the Hoffman Center this Saturday (9/15) has been canceled due to low registration numbers.

HOWEVER, the one-day workshop IS being RESCHEDULED for Saturday, November 3rd. This coincides with NaNoWriMo! National Novel Writing Month is a free national event, in which writers try to write a novel in one month, between the days of November 1 and November 30. http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/about/hownanoworks.

You don’t have to enter NaNoWriMo to take Holly Lorincz’s workshop, but what a fun way to start out the month of November!

If you are interested in the November 3, Novel Writing Workshop, 10-3 pm at the Hoffman Center in Manzanita, please pre-register at hollylorincz@gmail.com.

Judges Announced for the next North Coast Squid

The Manzanita Writer’s Series coordinators are happy to announce the continued collaboration with the North Coast Citizen to publish a second annual literary magazine.

The North Coast Squid showcases work of writers and artists who live on the north coast or have a strong connection to the area.   The second magazine will publish in February 2013 in time for the February Manzanita Writer’s Series event.

Three outside judges have just agreed to read and judge all submissions. Erica Bauermeister, author of The School of Essential Ingredients, and Joy for Beginners, will judge fiction entries.  Matt Love, author of Gimme Refuge: The Education of a Caretaker, and Sometimes a Great Movie: Paul Newman, Ken Kesey and the Filming of the Great Oregon Novel among others, will judge nonfiction. David Biespiel, poet, poetry columnist for the Oregonian, and founder of the Attic Institute in Portland, will judge poetry.

“Not too long ago I came across Squid. I read most of it during one sitting and was incredibly impressed with the writing, art and design,” says award-winning author/editor Matt Love.  “I think it’s so important for writers of all ages to see their work in print, and I tip my hat to the folks who run the Manzanita Writers Series. I don’t know of another series that puts forth this kind of effort to see local writers find an audience.”

Writing will be accepted in three categories: poetry, fiction, narrative non-fiction (which includes memoir).   “This past year, even with a very short turn-around time, over fifty writers submitted 120 pieces,” says Kathie Hightower, one of the cofounders of the Manzanita Writers Series. “We hope to see the numbers of writers submitting work increase this year.”

“We’re also looking for art and photography submissions to accompany literary content for the publication,” adds cofounder Vera Wildauer. Art categories include black and white photos and line drawings. Art and photos will be selected by the North Coast Squid’s editorial team.

Submissions for consideration are due November 30, 2012. Writers can submit one piece in each prose category, three pieces for poetry category. Artists may submit three images each of black and white photos or line drawings (scanned and in jpg form.)

Click here for the full submission guidelines.

Writers and artists can find copies of the first Squid (cover pictured above) available for sale in many coastal retail outlets. Fifty percent of the $2 cover price goes to the Hoffman Center to help with operational costs that provide programs like the Manzanita Writers’ Series.

Novel Writing Class Set for September 15

Holly Lorincz will lead a one-day workshop on Novel Writing, Saturday, Sep. 15, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hoffman Center in Manzanita.

“Writing a Novel: Let’s Get Started” will detail and illustrate basic concepts to be considered as the writer begins to write. A guided brainstorming session will focus on understanding audience needs and wants; universally loved themes, conflicts and character types; developing compelling story and character arcs; scene placement; and the author’s message.

“The intent of this class is to help the writer create marketable art,” said Lorincz.

The workshop is designed for writers, 18 and older, considering or just beginning the process of writing a novel. Students younger than 18 must be approved by the instructor.

Interested writers can register by contacting Lorincz at hollylorincz@gmail.com or 503-868-1139. Tuition for the class is $65 at the door, or $60 if paid in advance. Send checks payable to the “Hoffman Center” to Novel Writing Workshop, c/o Hoffman Center, PO Box 678, Manzanita, OR 97130. Lorincz recently finished her first novel. Excerpts and a screenplay adaptation can be found on her website — http://www.hollylorincz.wordpress.com/

Strong Voices Workshop Publishes Literary Magazine

The ‘Strong Voices’ writing workshop for young adults has published a literary magazine of selected writings.  The workshop, held in July 2012, focused on honing voice and message with the guidance of local writer/teacher Holly Lorincz.

A handful of writers, ranging from 12 to 20 sat in a hot room, smelling the Pacific Ocean steaming under a July sun.  Instead of swimming, they hoisted cheap pens, covering page after page of spiral notebooks with ink, spilling a wide range of emotions and ideas into the open.  The outcome?  A truly inspired collection of writing.  Click here to read the work of some of those students.

Photo:  Teacher Holly Lorincz (center of back row) and writers from the Strong Voices workshop.

 

Register Now for Matt Love Workshop

August 25 is fast approaching and the workshop is filling up. We will cap it at 15. There are a few slots left so register now.

Award-winning author Matt Love will conduct an all-day “En Plein Air” writing workshop at Lower Nehalem Community Trust’s Alder Creek Farm in Nehalem. Here’s your chance to study with a master, to spend a day that will combine lecture with observation, writing and workshopping your words.

“Constructing metaphors from nature is one of the most empowering creative exercises an aspiring writer can undertake,” says Matt Love. In this unique writing workshop, Oregon Coast author and teacher Love will lead participants through a hands-on, reflective process in the beautiful setting of Alder Creek Farm that will culminate in the creation of a personal metaphor that merges several literary and visual genres.

Matt Love grew up in Oregon City and is the publisher of Nestucca Spit Press. He is author/editor of many books to include Gimme Refuge: The Education of a Caretaker, Love & The Green Lady, Meditations on the Yaquina Bay Bridge, Oregon’s Crown Jewel of Socialism and The Teaching Maxims of Karl Love. In 2009, Love won the Oregon Literary Arts’ Stewart H. Holbrook Literary Legacy Award for his contributions to Oregon history and literature. His latest book is Sometimes a Great Movie: Paul Newman, Ken Kesey and the Filming of the Great Oregon Novel.

Love lives in South Beach and teaches English, photography, creative writing and journalism at Newport High School. He’s currently working on a novel about teaching high school.

Alder Creek Farm is a 54-acre conservation site preserved as open space by the Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT). You’ll have a chance to wander the property for your observations, with views of the bay, an estuary, permaculture gardens, lots of wildlife, often a herd of elk.

The workshop will run from 9:30am to 3pm. The fee is $95, $85 for LNCT members, and includes a box lunch from Manzanita’s bread & ocean. There is space for 15 participants. For a registration form, go here, or email Tela Skinner at mactela@nehalemtel.net or vwildauer@gmail.com

This workshop is a collaboration between the Hoffman Center’s Manzanita Writers’ Series and the Lower Nehalem Community Trust .

 

Every Writer’s a Nature Writer, According to Matt Love

Award-winning author Matt Love will conduct an all-day “En Plein Air” writing workshop at Lower Nehalem Community Trust’s Alder Creek Farm in Nehalem, Oregon on Saturday August 25. Here’s your chance to study with a master, to spend a day that will combine lecture with observation, writing and workshopping your words.“Constructing metaphors from nature is one of the most empowering creative exercises an aspiring writer can undertake,” says Matt Love. In this unique writing workshop, Oregon Coast author and teacher Love will lead participants through a hands-on, reflective process in the beautiful setting of Alder Creek Farm that will culminate in the creation of a personal metaphor that merges several literary and visual genres.

Many of us are familiar with En Plein Air Art Workshops…but how does an En Plein Air Writing Workshop compare? To share more details about the workshop in advance, we interviewed Matt Love. Here are his responses to our questions.

Q: What do you mean about “merging several literary and visual genres?” Will there be more than writing involved?

A: In the workshop, we will write, sketch, color, collect, document, collage, and perhaps even photograph (I’ll bring the cameras). I like fusing image with text and see what results.

Q: What’s the idea for the day …how do you see it flowing?

A: We will practice constructing metaphors from abstract objects, and then turn to nature to build one that helps us make sense of ourselves and our world.

We’ll be moving about the farm, individually, with partners, then regrouping to write and share our discoveries.

Q: Why do you think it’s important for a writer to get out in nature? What can it inspire?

A: Getting into nature has always inspired me to answer every important question I have ever asked. There are no institutions, paradigms, texts, politicians, or rules. You just go into the desert, mountains, forest or beach…and ask. These places answer in a way a city cannot. I’ve lived in big cities and now I live on the Oregon Coast and visit the beach three times a day. I know what I’m talking about.

Q: For writers who don’t necessarily think of themselves as “nature writers” what will they get out of this kind of workshop to inform all of their writing?

A: I consider every writer a nature writer. It is all around us, although many people never notice it. Nature is us. Noticing is the first step and that’s what this workshop is all about.

Q: Why hold this workshop at Alder Creek Farm?

A: Alder Creek Farm is one of the most inspiring places in Oregon. Concerned citizens came together and bought a damaged piece of estuary and restored it to holistic watershed function. It’s the model for so many good things.

Q: For an en plein air writing workshop, should attendees show up with pen and journal…or are laptops okay too?

A: Laptops will work back at the barn, but we’ll be moving across farm so people should bring paper and pen.

Q: How has nature affected your writing and your writing life?

A: It’s all in my book “Gimme Refuge: The Education in Caretaker.” I was lost as a human without connection to the land. I had no voice as a writer. I found the Oregon Coast and publicly owned beaches and everything changed. I don’t hold this out as a model for everyone, but it could work for some.

Q: You mentioned the following in a recent blog. Can you tell us your next project? I will also make a special announcement about my next Oregon literary venture that I’m sure will intrigue many, many Oregonians. A: It involves the legendary two-term Oregon Governor, Tom McCall. His centennial is next March. I’m going to do something that he would have loved.

Alder Creek Farm is a 54-acre conservation site preserved as open space by the Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT). You’ll have a chance to wander the property for your observations, with views of the bay, an estuary, permaculture gardens, lots of wildlife, often a herd of elk.

The workshop will run from 930am to 3pm. The fee is $95, $85 for LNCT members, and includes a box lunch. There is space for 15 participants. For a registration form, go here, or email Tela Skinner at mactela@nehalemtel.net or vwildauer@gmail.com.

This workshop is a collaboration between the Hoffman Center’s Manzanita Writers’ Series and the Lower Nehalem Community Trust .

 

Save the Date for Strong Voices Writing Camp July 16-20

Young writers are encouraged to sign up for a new opportunity this summer.  STRONG VOICES is a writing camp for 14 to 20 year olds led by an accomplished writing teacher, culminating with a publication of the camp’s best writing and an Open Mic night.  The camp runs Monday through Thursday, July 16th through July 19th, (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)  and culminates in an Open Mic for the community on Friday, July 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Camp Description:  Do you ever find yourself ignored, suppressed or construed as inappropriate? Do you write witty, insightful Facebook posts that lead to unforeseen arguments? Or hand in a serious essay only to have the teacher think you’re mocking the assignment? Or do you just want to practice writing well?  Then this camp is for you.   Teacher/writer Holly Lorincz wlll help you use persuasive essay and short story formats to consciously craft a message and unique personal voice while understanding your impact on the reader.

Camp will feature lectures, guided writing times, as well as instructor and small group feedback. Journals, handbooks and writing utensils will be provided. Upon request, work will be scored as a h.s. portfolio entry.  Writers must provide lunch, transportation and $65 fee.

To reserve your spot mail the Strong Voices registration form with your check to the Hoffman Center, PO Box 678, Manzanita, OR 97130

Scholarship Established for Local Writer

Summer in Words, an annual writing conference on the Oregon coast is now affiliated with the Hoffman Center in Manzanita. As part of this affiliation, funds are being raised so that Holly , a Hoffman Center instructor, can attend the conference. Additionally, a raffle sponsored by the conference will support the Hoffman Center, including their summer arts camp where Lorincz will be teaching writing to teens.

The amount for her scholarship is $265. If additional funds are raised SIW will also offer Lorincz a manuscript critique by a developmental editor. In addition, raffle items related to writing are being accepted, with a special interest in a local business offering a writer’s retreat lodging on the Oregon coast.

Holly Lorincz grew up on the Columbia River and now lives on the north Oregon coast. She taught high school language arts for 15 years at Neah-Kah-Nie High School while at the same time coaching an award-winning speech and debate team. She was the Oregon Speech Educator of the year in 2007 and has twice received Outstanding Educator awards from the National Federation of High Schools. She helped the speech team grow from zero to forty members in a school with 200 students, achieved three State Championships with seven of her competitors earning individual State Champion trophies, and served on the Oregon Speech & Debate State Committee Board for ten years.

Two years ago, Holly was forced to leave teaching when she contracted mononucleosis. The underlying Epstein Barr Virus has morphed into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, leaving her to battle physical and mental fatigue — a language arts specialist with a virus attached to her communications and short-term memory. No longer able to teach, she redefined herself as a novelist. Sometimes able to write only a sentence a day, sometimes a paragraph, but she writes. She dabbles in short story and poetry, loves writing children’s books with her six year old Auggie, and recently finished her first fiction novel, Smart Mouth.

Her website is at http://hollylorincz.wordpress.com/

Funds can be sent via PayPal or mailed to Summer in Words, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 97282-1141. Contact Jessica Morrell at 503 287-2150 or jessicapage@spiritone.com for details about the scholarship or raffle. Donors will be included in the Summer in Words written program unless they wish to remain anonymous.

Summer in Words is an annual writing conference held on the Oregon Coast. Chelsea Cain is the keynote speaker joining a group of award-winning and stellar professionals for a weekend that will inspire writers at all levels. The theme for this year’s conference is Refinement, Resonance & Renewal. SIW provides aspiring and established writers the opportunity to hone their writing skills, hear inspiring advice, and network with fellow writers. Cost for all three days is $265.00; single day pricing is also available.

Both beginning and established writers are invited to attend the conference. SIW will also feature a raffle with proceeds going to Hoffman Center a facility that provides arts in Manzanita and Write Around Portland, an organization that helps people transform their lives through writing. The conference is located at the Hallmark Inn & Resort located in midtown Cannon Beach overlooking Haystack Rock. Cloud & Leaf Bookstore of Manzanita will be selling books at the event.

Visit any of the instructors’ websites or blogs:

Chelsea Cain http://chelseacain.com/

Sage Cohen http://pathofpossibility.com/

Jessica Glenn http://mindbuckmedia.com/contact.shtml

Cathy Lamb http://www.cathylamb.net/

Jessica Morrell: www.jessicamorrell.com

Naseem Rakha http://www.naseemrakha.com/

Bruce Holland Rogers http://www.shortshortshort.com/

The registration fee of $265 covers tuition for the three-day conference, Friday night’s reception, Saturday lunch and keynote, and light breakfasts each morning. Friday night’s Writer’s Reception and the Saturday lunch and keynote are $25.

About Summer in Words: Founded in 2008 by Jessica Morrell Summer in Words was created to provide writers with an intimate conference experience in an uplifting setting so that attendees are energized, enlightened, and inspired. Jessica Morrell is the author of five books for writers and Voices From the Street which is about homeless people in Portland, Oregon

LINKS TO PUBLICATIONS AND ARTICLES about Holly Lorincz:

Poetry http://hoffmanblog.org/http:/hoffmanblog.org/category/squid

Blog http://hollylorincz.blogspot.com/

Article http://www.upperleftedge.com/2012/05/14/5-reasons-chronic-illness-is-fabulous/

Poetry Award http://www.writersdigest.com/poetryawards

Educator Award http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=3917

http://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/article_c3a6f5d9-d495-53d2-ba56-f16b237d16b4.html

http://northcoastcitizen.com/pirate_pride/news/article_f32136c6-232f-11e0-bf69-001cc4c03286.html

 

Writers–Save the Date for Writing En Plein Air at the Alder Creek Farm

Matt Love to lead workshop at the Alder Creek Farm on August 25th

Award-winning author Matt Love will conduct an all-day “En Plein Air” writing workshop at Lower Nehalem Community Trust’s Alder Creek Farm in Nehalem. Here’s your chance to study with a master, to spend a day that will combine lecture with observation, writing and workshopping your words.

“Constructing metaphors from nature is one of the most empowering creative exercises an aspiring writer can undertake,” says Matt Love. In this unique writing workshop, Oregon Coast author and teacher Love will lead participants through a hands-on, reflective process in the beautiful setting of Alder Creek Farm that will culminate in the creation of a personal metaphor that merges several literary and visual genres.

Matt Love grew up in Oregon City and is the publisher of Nestucca Spit Press. He is author/editor of many books to include Gimme Refuge: The Education of a Caretaker, Love & The Green Lady, Meditations on the Yaquina Bay Bridge, Oregon’s Crown Jewel of Socialism and The Teaching Maxims of Karl Love. In 2009, Love won the Oregon Literary Arts’ Stewart H. Holbrook Literary Legacy Award for his contributions to Oregon history and literature. His latest book is Sometimes a Great Movie: Paul Newman, Ken Kesey and the Filming of the Great Oregon Novel.

Love lives in South Beach and teaches English, photography, creative writing and journalism at Newport High School. He’s currently working on a novel about teaching high school.

Alder Creek Farm is a 54-acre conservation site preserved as open space by the Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT). You’ll have a chance to wander the property for your observations, with views of the bay, an estuary, permaculture gardens, lots of wildlife, often a herd of elk.

The workshop will run from 930am to 3pm. The fee is $95, $85 for LNCT members, and includes a box lunch. There is space for 15 participants. Click here for a registration form,  or email Tela Skinner at mactela@nehalemtel.net or Vera Wildauer at vwildauer@gmail.com.

This workshop is a collaboration between the Hoffman Center’s Manzanita Writers’ Series and the Lower Nehalem Community Trust .

Summer in Words Writing Conference June 15-17

We wanted to pass a long a great opportunity for writers of all levels to learn from some of the best in their field…

Best-selling author Chelsea Cain will headline the roster for the 5th annual Summer In Words Writers Conference at the Hallmark Inn & Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon. A full weekend of workshops, lectures, panels and individual consults will inspire writers at all levels. The theme for this year’s conference is Refinement, Resonance & Renewal. SIW provides aspiring and established writers the opportunity to hone their writing skills, hear inspiring advice, and network with fellow writers. Cost for all three days is $265.00; single day pricing is also available.

This year’s conference kicks off Friday morning, June 15th with workshops taught by Jessica Morrell, Bruce Holland Rogers and Naseem Rakha. Friday’s workshops will be followed by a reception and book signing with books from Cloud & Leaf Bookstore and a talk by Sage Cohen. Saturday features workshops by Jessica Glenn, Sage Cohen, and Cathy Lamb and a luncheon and keynote by Chelsea Cain. Saturday night is Out Loud, a chance for participants to read from a work in process. Sunday morning includes a workshop by Jessica Morrell, Cathy Lamb describing her road to best sellerdom, and a Q & A on Risk It to Get Published.

Conference founder Jessica Morrell said, “We are excited to celebrate the fifth year of Summer in Words with such a stellar line up of speakers and workshops. I’m especially looking forward to Chelsea’s talk on how to murder for money. Of course, she’s talking about writing her thriller series. This year’s workshops and talks will give writers a big advantage in today’s ever-changing publishing landscape.”

Both beginning and established writers are invited to attend the conference. SIW will also feature a raffle with proceeds going to Write Around Portland, an organization that helps people transform their lives through writing and the Hoffman Center a facility that provides arts in Manzanita.

Cannon Beach, Oregon is vibrant community on Oregon’s coast known for its love of the arts and books. The Hallmark Inn & Resort is located in midtown and overlooks Haystack Rock. Discounted room rates are available for conference participants. Cloud & Leaf Bookstore will be selling books at the event.

Visit any of the instructors’ websites or blogs:

Chelsea Cain http://chelseacain.com/

Sage Cohen http://pathofpossibility.com

Jessica Glenn http://mindbuckmedia.com/contact.shtml

Cathy Lamb http://www.cathylamb.net/

Jessica Morrell: http://jessicamorrell.com/

Naseem Rakha http://www.naseemrakha.com

Bruce Holland Rogers http://www.shortshortshort.com

The registration fee of $265 covers tuition for the three-day conference, Friday night’s reception, Saturday lunch and keynote, and light breakfasts each morning. Friday night’s Writer’s Reception and the Saturday lunch and keynote are $25.

Contact Jessica Morrell at 503 287-2150 to arrange an interview with any of the presenters.

About Summer in Words: Founded in 2008 by Jessica Morrell Summer in Words was created to provide writers with an intimate conference experience in an uplifting setting so that attendees are energized, enlightened, and inspired. Jessica Morrell is the author of Thanks, But This isn’t for Us, Bullies, Bastards & Bitches, How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction, The Writer’s I Ching, Wisdom for the Writing Life, Voices From the Street, Between the Lines, Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing, and Writing Out the Storm.

For the complete schedule or any information or to register, contact conference coordinator Jessica Morrell at 503 287-2150 or jessicapage@spiritone.com or conference assistant Mary Drew at mary.drw@gmail.com

Registrations can be mailed to Summer in Words, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 97282-1141. Payment can also be sent through PayPal.

Website is http://summerinwords.wordpress.com