Punchy Paranormals and Fabulous Fantasy-
a "How-to" Session with John Vornholt
by Jude Johnson
The whole fantastic realm of shape-shifters, vampires, werewolves, trolls...
things that go bump in the world of altered reality are a specialty of our speaker at
February's forum. On Sunday, February 17, John Vornholt will share his experiences
and offer a fascinating look at one of the most popular genres in fiction: what used
to be simply called "science fiction," which now encompasses paranormals such
as ESP, inhuman creatures, magic, and fantasy.
What are the parameters of writing in this genre? How do you decide what's
realistic for a reader in a fantasy world, and how do you create an alternative
universe? What makes for heart-stopping suspense that could apply to other genres?
John's credentials as a best-selling Star Trek novelist rank him in the uppermost tier
of the science fiction convention world and certainly prove he knows how to keep
readers engaged in "space, the final frontier." But his creativity acknowledges no
boundaries: he's written non-fiction as a freelance author, screenplays, and books
for young adults and children. He has created a kingdom of trolls and expanded the adventures of a number of
television series' characters long
after the shows were off the air
such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer,
Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and
The Secret World of Alex Mack.
Visit http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/v/john-vornholt/ for a
comprehensive list of his books.
Join us at the Sheraton Four
Points Conference Center on
February 17th and explore writing
not only outside the box, but out
of this world. As always, you can
either call in your reservations to
546-9382 OR email forums@ssa-az.org by the Wednesday prior (in
this case, February 13th).
Giving a Good Fright: Deborah LeBlanc
by Jude Johnson
What really scares you? Ghosts, the dark, that big ugly dog down the
street-everyone has something that they hesitate to confront. Writing
horror doesn't necessarily mean gore and guts; according to the Horror
Writers' Association, it's the suspense and fear, the heightened awareness
and racing heartbeat that qualifies a story as horror.
Deborah LeBlanc is an award-winning author from Lafayette,
Louisiana who knows exactly how to elicit gut-tightening fear in her
The Write Word
Punchy Paranormals and Fabulous Fantasy-a
"How-to" Session with John Vornholt
readers. She's a licensed death scene
investigator and an active member of
two national paranormal investigation
teams. She's a ghost hunter and loves
to explore haunted places. On Sunday,
March 16th, she's going to share the
excitement of writing scary stories-
writing horror.
But Deborah isn't solely concerned with creaking doors and shouting,
"Boo!" In 2004, she created the
LeBlanc Literacy Challenge,
an annual national campaign
designed to encourage more
people to read. She will also share
her experiences on becoming
involved in this project, and how
we, as writers, can help promote
literacy in our community.
You can read more about
Deborah LeBlanc, watch her
book trailers, and read about
her books on her website: www.deborahleblanc.com and on her
My Space page: http://www.myspace.com/deborahleblanc.
Join us at the Sheraton Four
Points Conference Center on
March 16th. As always, you can
either call in your reservations to
546-9382 OR email forums@ssa-az.org by the Wednesday prior (in
this case, March 12th).
Readers Theater for Plays and Other Scripts
Beginning in February, SSA is sponsoring a monthly Readers Theater and
is seeking submissions from members only of plays and simple movie and
television scripts.
A Readers Theater is a performance platform where actors read stage
directions and dialogue from scripts to a live audience. There are no sets,
costumes, or props. It is an opportunity for writers to have their characters
come to life and speak the lines written for them. It is a development process
that allows the audience to respond to the essentials of the writer's story and
characters.
Plays and scripts of varying lengths will be read in this series. Full-length
scripts (up to 120 minutes in length), One-act pieces (20-60 minutes) and 10
minute plays will make up a monthly performance of approximately 2 hours in
duration. SSA members may submit any of the above to be considered for the
Readers Theater.
Writers will be paid a modest honorarium based on the length of the script
and have an opportunity to receive feedback from the audience.
The Readers Theater will take place on the last Sunday of every month on
the stage in the hall of St. Frances Cabrini Church, 3201 E. Presidio.
Admission
is $ 10.00 per person for the performances and complimentary refreshments.
Proceeds benefit SSA and the church's work with families in need.
All genre's are welcome, but submitted scripts must be appropriate for a
general audience. That means scripts with obscene language, overt sexual
content, or violence will not be accepted for readings.
SSA Treasurer and professional playwright, Carol Costa, will oversee this
endeavor. Other SSA members with experience in live theater will help read
and evaluate the submitted scripts.
To have your script considered for the Readers Theater, please send one copy
to: SSA, Readers Theater, P.O. Box 30355, Tucson, AZ 85751. Scripts will not
be returned unless a return envelope with sufficient postage is included with the
submission. Electronic submissions will not be accepted at this time.
For questions regarding the SSA Readers Theater contact Carol Costa:
phone-326-4146 or e-mail: ccstarlit@aol.com.
The Readers Theater is an opportunity for all members to learn more about
plotting, character development, and dialogue. We hope that members will
attend performances and bring their friends.
Website Creation by Non-Techies
by Jude Johnson
Have you wanted to have a website to promote your writing but felt
intimidated? Do you feel too confused by Websites For Dummies? You aren't
alone. So bring your laptop Sunday, April 27, from 11AM to no later than
3:30 PM at the Four Points Sheraton Conference Center - SSA is sponsoring
a one-day workshop!
Practical information for non-tech-savvy writers will be shared by authors
who aren't computer whizzes yet maintain their own websites. The program
will include:
- Two hours of practical information WITH HANDOUTS explaining
domain names, where to host, available software, to hire or not to hire
a web designer, getting your site into search engines, setting up Paypal,
etc.
- 30 minute break with box lunches.
- Two hours of very basic practice making a webpage using:
- HTML layout,
- how to put pictures or slide shows onto your page,
- linking to other pages and/or websites.
The cost: $30 per person for the 4.5 hour workshop. (Considering many
web designers charge at least $50 per hour, this is a real GONGA, neighbor.)
Registration forms will be available at the Sunday Forums February 17 and
March 16, as well as in this edition of The Write Word. Or you can email Jude Johnson: judejb@comcast.net.
