Welcome to the June newsletter! |
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Hi Writers! For my reading this year I have been alternating between fiction and non-fiction. I've just finished the disturbing but masterfully written The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood and now I'm halfway through James Altucher's Skip The Line. Community, Altucher says, is the Number One contributor to success in your chosen field, no matter what field you choose. He says the key is in "Connecting with like-minded people who are not toxic and care about each other's success." This is what I love about being a writer. For years I struggled to find my 'people' as a visual artist, so I have made the effort to cultivate and nurture my friendships with other writers. Attending and joining the committee of the GCWA, editing the newsletter, contributing, attending workshops and retreats, even presenting workshops has given me far more than I could have wished for. Giving back to the community is such a wonderful way to receive! The GCWA needs new committee members to help keep this wonderful association going strong into its next quarter century. Come and join us - you never know what great things it will bring to your writing and your life. Christine Betts Newsletter Editor |
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President's Report
I have been a bit delayed with my President’s Report for this month, but for very good reason. I was away at the Rainforest Writers Retreat (RWR). A little while back, you might remember the team of Charmaine Clancy and Christine Titheradge from RWR shared with us information about the getaway and the anthologies they have put together. Well, I am very pleased to report that I attended this year and enjoyed every minute of it. I was also accompanied by a couple of writer friends, fellow committee members, which made it even more special. When I am promoting our Gold Coast Writers’ Association, I can honestly tell people that we have a lot of fun. We enjoy coming together, everyone is chatty and supportive, and we celebrate each other’s success. The RWR is a writing family very much like our own. In June we have Charmaine joining us for a workshop on Writing Humour. This is one not to be missed, I promise you. Please take the time while Charmaine is with us to ask about the RWR 2023.
One of the best things to come from my writing getaway is that I have been inspired all over again. Taking notes during our recent workshops on short story writing and getting prompted over the GCWA socials, I have already submitted two short stories this week. I hope other members and guests have given it a go as well and decided to pen a short story or two for submission.
I look forward to seeing everyone again back at our home, Burleigh Waters Community Centre on 18 June starting at midday. Until then, keep writing. Kellie M Cox President Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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Please note the LOCATION FOR JUNE GCWA MEETING! |
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Our next meeting is on This Saturday 18 June 2022 at Burleigh Waters Community Centre Christine Avenue, Burleigh Waters
Time: 12pm to 3pm. |
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Order of Events from 12pm - 12:00 Start
- 12:05 Introduction
- 12:15 Guest Speaker: Kylie Chan
- 13:00 Afternoon Tea: Pre-packed refreshments provided or BYO
- 13:45 Workshop: Using Humour in your Writing
- 15:00 Close
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| From I.T. to Best Selling Australian Author ‘Fantasy author Kylie Chan will talk about her journey from being an information technology consultant in Asia to a best-selling Australian author. She will discuss the changing landscape of traditional and indie publishing, and her own journey from being a purely traditionally published author to success with a combination of traditional and self-publishing digitally and in print.’ Read More... |
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| Using Humour in your Writing Find out why humour is a magical ingredient for creative writing and how to apply it in this activity-based workshop. Charmaine Clancy is an Australian author and educator. Her works include novels for kids and teens, including the best-selling, My Zombie Dog. Charmaine also writes short stories for grown-ups and is published in various anthologies. Read more... |
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| Want to make a difference and have fun? The Committee of the Gold Coast Writers' Association would love to welcome new Committee members. Have a chat with any of the current committee members and let us know if you would like to join us or email Kellie at gcwa.president@gmail.com - Expand your circle of writer friends
- Give back to the Gold Coast Writing Community.
- Grow as a Writer and public speaker.
- Great addition to your Writer Bio.
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| | | Every Friday 10am to 3pm - All writers welcomeBook now Gold Coast Libraries, Queensland Writers Centre, and Gold Coast Writers' Association have teamed up to offer Gold Coast writers a space to cultivate their habit of writing and connect with other writers in the community. Following the Pomodoro Technique, Writing Fridays is a free, volunteer-led program for local writers at all levels. Check the GCWA Facebook page for updates. GCCC Library website - Helensvale Library |
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| Allie Reynolds - Author Series - GC Libraries Join best-selling author and Gold Coast local, Allie Reynolds, who is back to launch her new thriller, The Bay. Set in the beaches of Sydney, secrets, surf and disappearances set the scene for The Bay, which is set to be a page turner. Allie will be live at our Broadbeach Library for an in-conversation chat to launch and talk about her new book. You will get the opportunity to meet Allie in person and get insight into her motivation behind the novel and hear about her writing journey. Allie is a professional snowboarder turned writer and wrote some of her best-selling debut novel Shiver from one of our libraries! Fans of thrillers won't want to miss this event. Copies of the book will be for sale at the event for signing by Allie.
Thursday, 23 June 2022, 1 – 2pm Broadbeach Library 61 Sunshine Boulevard, Mermaid Waters 4218 |
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| In World Building, author and interior architect Pamela Jeffs will show you how architectural principles can be applied to inform world building in fiction. Learn how to layer richness into any story setting using concrete, real-world design philosophies and storytelling methodology. Read More.... World Building with Pamela Jeffs Saturday, 2 July 2022, 10am – 12.15pm Library: Helensvale Library Address: 62 Sir John Overall Drive Helensvale QLD 4212 in the Library Meeting Room |
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| Online Writer's Workshop - Finding Your Voice with Marija Peričić Sunday, 26 June 2022, 10.30am – 4.30pm Explore what makes up voice in writing, and practice strategies to develop your unique writer's voice. What makes up voice? What’s the relationship between character and voice? How can you find your own voice? Participants will be guided through group discussions, textual analysis, and writing exercises that will support them in finding and continuing to develop their own writer’s voice. Read More... |
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| WRITERS WORKSHOP – WRITING FLAWED CHARACTERS Finding time and inspiration can be a challenge for many writers. This year our annual Writers Workshop entitled Writing Flawed Characters is led by local crime writer Lea Scott. Characters with flaws, with room to grow and change, are the strongest and most appealing. During this 90-minute workshop you will learn how to help your readers understand not only who your characters are but what made them that way. Read More... Date: Sunday 10 July 2022 Time: 9.30am – 11.00am (morning tea will be served from 9.00am) Venue: The Verandah Room, Maleny Community Centre, 23 Maple Street, Maleny Ticket Price: $20 (A small booking fee applies) ONLINE BOOKINGS HERE Tickets can be bought in person at Rosetta Books, Maple Street Maleny. |
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| The Ten Penners wish to announce the title of our next anthology... Backyard Beasts and Curious Capers. This book will be launched at the October meeting of The Gold Coast Writers Association. Hope you can join us! Pre-orders are available by contacting Jill by email at smith.jillwrites@gmail.com The Ten Penners would love two new members! Do you write for Children and interested in joining us in this anthology adventure. If this sounds like you, call me on 0403275334 (not on Tuesdays or Thursdays) or email me at smith.jillwrites@gmail.com |
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Join us! Become a Member of the Gold Coast Writers' Association Somerset Storyfest are thrilled to offer members of the Gold Coast Writers Association free membership to Storyfest for 2022! Any members joining or renewing their GCWA membership in 2022, Storyfest's membership programme includes the following benefits: - 1x piece of Storyfest merchandise. Your choice of a hat, drink bottle or coffee cup - Exclusive preview to our annual festival programme - Early bird tickets to all events all year - 10% discount on tickets all year, including catered events - 10% discount at the festival bookshop | |
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More GCWA membership information here... |
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| Try your hand at writing a Fantasy story in 500 words for RightLeftWrite! Right Left Write is run in conjunction with the QWC weekly newsletter, Pen & Pixel. Each month a new prompt, word or theme is announced, then it’s over to you to create a short story of up to 500 words and right, left, write. Queensland Writers Centre members can enter for free and non-members can enter for a $5 fee. Read more... |
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| An arts podcast from totallylitpodcast Website: https://totallylitpodcast.podbean.com The monthly podcast celebrating reading, writing and creating literature. Join your host Ky Garvey as she chats with readers, writers, illustrators & all types of creators of books and stories. Be inspired to read, write, create, ignite! |
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| Come and join us on the GCWA Facebook page and members, be sure to join the Gold Coast Writers’ Association Members group. |
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