Joint Book Launch at BookLore

Marilyn Kleiber and M.J. Moores held a joint book launch at Booklore on Saturday, April 27th, coincidentally (not) Canadian Independent Bookstore Day.

Booklore, Orangeville's number one Independent Bookstore.

This display of books at BookLore consists solely of local authors.

M.J. Moores launched "Final Year". Marilyn Kleiber read from "The Healers" the second book in a series she is writing under the nom de plume J.M. Tibbott.

M.J. Moores and Marilyn Kleiber, authors extraordinaire.

Book Launch at BookLore in Orangeville

Come one, come all. To the launch of Harry Posner's third novel, Auroch Unbound. This one's completely different (as are they all, as it turns out), being a story touched by romance, magic mazes, hybrid creatures, and a seriously skewed narrator. The myth of Theseus updated, if you will...The event is free. Come and hear some readings from the book, get a book signed, ask pointed questions, drink a glass of wine and hobnob with the literati! Altogether not a bad way to spend a Wednesday evening.

HWG Meeting March 5, 2017

Discussion surrounded the upcoming Open Mic Night (name to be confirmed) on April 20th at the Orangeville Public Library. Harry Posner will be the M.C. while Diane Bator will be our featured speaker. An official email account has been sent up for the Headwaters Writers' Guild (hwg5.writers@gmail.com) to be used as a contact email and for registration for the upcoming event. Four members in attendance verbally registered for the event; they will be sent a confirmation email.

Diane is now working at Theatre Orangeville. She informed us that they are now selling tickets for A Literary Pairing - a fundraiser for their New Play Development Fun - organized by Nancy Frater, owner of BookLore in Orangeville. This 2-night event consisting of five authors takes place on Tuesday, March 28th and Tuesday, May 16th, beginning at 7pm at The Opera House. Tickets are $25 for one night or $40 for both. Diane will forward a poster when she has it.

As leader this week, Nancy encouraged us to consider why we write as a prompt (or to take another prompt from the bag).

Why do you write? Have you always wanted to write? When did you discover that writing was important to you? Do you call yourself a writer? Natalie Goldberg suggests that if you write you should call yourself a writer.

How did you become a writer? What steps did you take? Did you join a writing group, and did that help you? Did anybody mentor you?

When did you start writing? Did you have any challenges and what were they? Some people start pieces and then never finish them. What problem do you have? Do you have a solution?

What do you prefer to write? Do you believe that writing is your calling or purpose? Do you write for the money or do you do it for the joy of it? Do you journal to discover who you really are? What motivates you? What hinders you?

Have you read a book that helped your writing?

Do you record your dreams as prompts for your writing? Many authors glean ideas from their dreams? What methods do you use?

If you stopped writing, what would help you start again?

All are encouraged to share their writing from the above and other prompts on this blog.

Five members brought two books for the Blind Book Exchange. Ten members were in attendance so every member got to take a wrapped book home to read and, we hope, review on this blog.

The next meeting is Sunday, March 19th.

Judy will be leading.

October 30, 2016, Meeting

On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 7:00pm, Clare McCarthy will be launching two new books at BookLore in Orangeville. Please come out and support him.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2016, from 6:30pm-9:00pm there will be an Open Mic Night for authors and poets at Euphoria Cafe in Orangeville.

Writing Prompts:

FICTION

1)  Pick two radically different genres of fiction (for example: science fiction and western!). Write an outline, or the beginning, of a story that includes elements of both genres.

2)  Pick 2 or 3 people you have seen featured in the news or on social media lately and use them as the basis for characters for a fictional short story.

3)  If you had an evil twin, what sort of mischief do you suppose the two of you could get up to?

4)  If a cosmic ray managed to penetrate the atmosphere and reduce you to a smoking ruin, what sort of superhero do you think would rise from the ashes of your past life?

5)  The phone rings and a mysterious voice whispers, “It is done!”

6)  Pick a common household item (examples: a hairbrush, a key, a dishcloth), but don’t tell us what it is. Make it a character in a short piece of fiction and ask the group members to try and guess what it is when you read your work aloud to everyone at the end of the meeting.

NON FICTION

7) Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper about an issue of importance to you.

 8) What would you like your life to be like in 5 years?

9)  Tell us about the most memorable Halloween you ever had.

10)  Write a letter of advice to someone who is just starting out in a hobby or craft in which you have some expertise (eg. sewing, carpentry, gardening, masonry...whatever).

The final meeting of 2016 is on Sunday, November 13, 1:30pm in the meeting room at the Meridian Credit Union, 190 Broadway, Orangeville.

Double Book Launch for Clare McCarthy!

Book Launch Diane Bator's novel The Bookstore Lady

Finally word from Nancy at BookLore!
On Saturday, March 22, I will be at BookLore to sign copies of The Bookstore Lady and do a reading starting at 1pm. The second book in my Wild Blue Mysteries series is due for release as an e-book this spring as well.

Author Event, Orangeville

In partnership with BookLore, Theatre Orangeville will be hosting an afternoon with three Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Award winners - Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole and Dan Needles. Moderator: Bernadette Hardaker

When: Sunday, February 10, 2013, at 1:30pm

Where: Theatre Orangeville, 87 Broadway Avenue, Orangeville

Cost: $20 (includes complimentary wine & cheese and book signing reception to follow).

Tickets are available at the Theatre Orangeville box office.

For more information call 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295, www.theatreorangeville.ca

Meeting Minutes October 16, 2011

Congratulations to Jayne on the release of her novel "Murder in Hum Harbour." We had a wonderful time at BookLore Oct 15. It was a fabulous afternoon with her reading and answering questions. Missed out on winning the seaglass earrings, but I'm loving the book which had sold out by Sunday! Watch for the review in In The Hills this winter as well as a follow up in the Citizen.

Jayne was also our leader for the day. And gave Nancy a thank you note for the group: To the members of the Headwaters Writers Guild, Words can't express how much I appreciate your presence and support at yesterday's book launch. Thank you so much, Jayne Self.

Ashley was back for a visit with us and is planning to participate in NaNoWriMo again this year. NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writers Month held every year in November for more information, check out http://www.nanowrimo.org/. This is Ashley's forth or fifth year trying to meet the goal of 50,000 words. She also told us about a new version of NaNo called Script Frenzy. And that she is hoping to start a writing group of her own in Toronto geared for University students who are looking for a little moral support.

Pat told us all that our favourite bookstore lady, Nancy Frater of BookLore, received a lifetime achievement award at Authors & Armchairs a couple weeks ago. The group gave her a bottle of wine and handpainted wine glasses as an appreciation gift for all of her support of our writers.

Nancy has been in contact with Brian Henry regarding an upcoming workshop. The workshop will take place February 25, 2012. Our choices of courses are:
1) How to Make Yourself Write
2) Eighteen Secrets to Writing a page-turner
3) Writing with Style (which we needed more information on)
4) You  Can Write Great Dialogue
We were deadlocked between #1 and #2 so Nancy will touchbase with other members who normally attend the workshops and we will decide.

Nancy is interested in doing a series of workshops based on the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. We have talked to someone who offers the course through Continuing Education, but feel we could do the same thing for free as our own small group. If anyone is interested, please let us know.

Marilyn told us she has checked out The Next Big Writer.com and is impressed with what she's seen. For $50 per year, you can post work, enter contests and get feedback from impartial people. Both the contest submissions and the work you can post are between 1000-2000 words. Check it out at http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/

Readings:
Marilyn announced that she is "getting all poetic or something ridiculous" and read a poem she'd written.
Diane read a short story written for a Wynterblue Publishing contest called "She Needs to Lose Weight" which caters to the if-only world of if cake and soda were diet foods.
Danielle read part of her fantasy novel that was written as a journal entry.
Ashley had a wonderful poem written in french that she translated for us. It was called "The Drama Queen" and was about her former drama teacher from Westside who passed away this past September. A lovely tribute to her mentor.
Trina (our newest member! Welcome!) read about Trinity Church, the one in New York City that was a central meeting place during the days after 9/11. We loved hearing how being their moved her and put things into perspective.
Nancy read a poem called "Uninvited." Very moving.

On Gaining Confidence....
Jayne thanked us all for helping her become more confident and able to speak in public thanks to reading aloud in the group.
Trina said she'd put off coming to join us on a regular basis, but after reading such a personal poem and getting so much support and feedback, she feels stronger.
Danielle loves how we are all supportive and encouraging to each other.
Marilyn said that "It is amazing how we credit people with the judgements we don't have."

Prompts
Jayne had a bag full of slips of paper on which were written the names of emotions. We chose two slips. The first time, we wrote about the emotion without naming the emotion. Some words that were used were: Sympathy, Excitement, Shame, Fondness, Suspicious, Contentment, Worry, Happiness, Grief.
The second session, we had to start with the sentence: "Sam opened the door..." and use the second emotion without naming it. More emotions to describe: Love, Despair, Desire, Curiosity, Revenge, Sadness, Jealousy, Hope, Passion, Longing.

Some noteworthy dates:
Next meeting is October 30th. Clare (who was notably absent this week) will be leading.
Our Christmas luncheon is Dec 11, details TBA.

Keep Writing!!!

Local Orangeville Bookstore Celebrates

BookLore Celebrates its Coming-of-Age!

We're over 20, nearly 21 and to celebrate our coming-of-age we're having a party! Join us Saturday, October 16 from 9 am to 6 pm for a day of draws, prizes and a 20% discount on all in-stock books. Meet some of our authors and enjoy refreshments.

At 11 am, the local authors, illustrators and musicians involved with the Runley Read-Along book series will entertain.

Author Shelley Peterson will be reading and signing at 1 pm. Her latest book, Mystery at Saddle Creek, is the fifth in her horse series for teens.

At 2 pm, 2 local authors will be signing - Stacey Fokas with her cookbook, Freshalicious, and Mary Lazier with her book, Stars of Dufferin County.

Saved by a Poem

BookLore (121 First Street, Orangeville) presents Kim Rosen with Saved by a Poem: The Transformative Power of Words on November 5th. Enjoy an evening of poetry and music starting at 7:30pm. Admission $10.