Join us Saturday, October 18 at 11AM

Block-Busting: Putting the Joy Back in Writing

In our September meeting, Kathleen Baldwin will encourage us to “Explore why you write–examine your hidden motivations. Get an honest look at what to expect as far as the money, realistic career expectations. Gain a clear picture of what a writing career entails, the ups and downs of the business, where to make extra cash in the business, and other key survival tactics.”

Let NTRWA energize you to keep working on your writing goals

Topics and Speakers for Fall

Upcoming regular meeting programs include:

September ~ Kathleen Baldwin: The Truth About the Writing Life and Money
October ~ Laurie Schnebly Campbell: Block-Busting: Putting the Joy Back in Writing
November ~ meeting status to be determined
December ~ Holiday Party status to be determined
Upcoming GetPublished! programs include:

September ~ Jennifer Looft: Staying on Track with Your Writing Goals During Trying Times
October ~ Amanda McMurrey: Crafting Attention-Getting Back Copy Blurbs
November ~ meeting status to be determined
December ~ none

For the health and safety of our membership,

NTRWA programming will be presented via Zoom

for the remainder of 2020. Thanks.

Join us Saturday, July 18th for

SOPHIE JORDAN

for

Beginnings: It Takes More Than Once Upon a Time… (Starting the journey by hooking the reader)

In this changing market and society, the opening of your book is more important than ever. How do writers win out over readers’ busy lives, the clamor of social media and addictive Netflix marathons? You have to hook the reader immediately.

Join Sophie as she leads you through tips to hook your readers right from the start – from the all-important first line, to the first few paragraphs, to the first chapter. Come prepared with your own first lines!

Zoom Meeting Link will be sent out closer to the meeting day.

Join us for Elizabeth Essex discussing:

Toolkit for Character is designed to help authors take their characters out of their imagination and put them on the pages of their manuscripts in six specific ways. Using examples from a wide variety of best-selling and well-loved books, this workshop will teach authors how to use their own voice and style to ‘reveal as they describe,’ and create characters readers will love and remember.

* * * * *

Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of critically acclaimed historical romance, including Reckless Brides and her new Highland Brides series. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and Seal of Excellence Award, and RWA’s prestigious RITA Award. The Reckless Brides Series has also made Top-Ten lists from Romantic Times, The Romance Reviews and Affaire de Coeur Magazine, and Desert Isle Keeper status at All About Romance. Her fifth book, A BREATH OF SCANDAL, was awarded Best Historical in the Reader’s Crown 2013.

When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, walking her beloved dogs, Ghillie and Brogue, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics and Art History, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.

Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable “Mr. Essex,” and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.

Award Winning Author of the Highland Brides Series
MAD, PLAID & DANGEROUS TO MARRY ~ AVAILABLE NOW!
MAD ABOUT THE MARQUESS ~ Available now!
MAD FOR LOVE ~ Available FREE!
Romance that’s mad, bad, and FABULOUS to read!

Join us Saturday May 16th at 11 am for

Sasha Summers

presenting

Your Story Bible: Creating a workable reference to keep your characters straight, your setting rich, and your story/series on track!

The GetPublished! program begins at 10 am.

Published… With Books! ~ a discussion about how to start your own publishing company with Jen FitzGerald

Both meetings will be presented via ZOOM. Invites / links will be sent directly to members and friends of NT via the usual channels.

VIRTUAL WRITE-IN SUNDAY MAY 17th FROM 3-6

Join us on ZOOM for a virtual write-in with your chapter mates. Write and / or edit with friends. We’ll have opportunities for sprints and we’ll share virtual snacks.

3:00 p.m.

Welcome, Check-In, and Set Goals:

Mtg ID:  575 079 1196

Mtg Password:  8sgL3u

Link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5750791196?pwd=SHlsbytyM1Q2UFlla1g0MGJqcjI4Zz09

4:30 p.m.

Check-In:

Mtg ID: 751 7276 2164

Mtg Password: 3PmvkL

Link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75172762164?pwd=aEFzcWlZRGRSZkFuaklDc2VSZGZVUT09

6:00 p.m.

Check-In and Wrap-up:

Mtg ID: 785 7663 9193

Mtg Password: 6gBes7

Link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78576639193?pwd=N0NVT2NhcjYvcnAyTjFQRDJJeTUzQT09

Hope to see you there!

Due to the COVID-19 and the encouraged social distancing as well as restaurant/bar closures, the Board has made the decision to take our meeting virtual.

We will be using ZOOM, for which you can create a free account. During the process, you will be invited to a test meeting. Please take a few minutes to do that in advance of Saturday.

Meeting information and registration information will be sent directly to anyone on our newsletter mailing list.

If you have any questions, please send an email to president @ ntrwa . org.

Thanks.

Jen

Diane K.Peterson, our March speaker, will take a look at the world of Romancelandia – its history and influences. Beginning with the origins of the romance novel, we will examine growth and changes in romancing publishing, highlighting significant milestones in the genre including the Trailblazers list presented at the 2019 RWA conference. Understanding the development of the genre helps us interpret the status of romance writing today.

Diane sees her role as a friend or advocate for romance readers. She works to build bridges among readers, authors and the books they both love.She has devoted her life to the promotion of reading in many forms. For many years she promoted literature to children and adolescents as a school library media specialist. She now works to promote the romance novel industry as an analyst, speaker, reviewer and writer.