March 2023 eWriteabout Newsletter

Where writers come
together to create.

eWriteabout
March 2023

The Gold Coast Writers' Association is a not-for-profit organisation.

Our mission is to encourage and support writers from all genres, age groups, and levels of experience, to grow, learn, and excel in their craft. We meet each 3rd Saturday of the month. Our website has all the details.

GCWA newsletter March 2023

Hi Writers!

What now? You've finished the book and not sure what the next step is. The first step should be asking yourself how you can make it better. Have you checked for filter words? Is your dialogue sparkling? Have you read the draft aloud to see if it flows?

Feedback is the breakfast of champions, according to US author Ken Blanchard. Have you asked friends or Beta readers for feedback? This could be as simple as posting an excerpt on a social media platform and asking for honest feedback. There are plenty of critique groups on Facebook. It takes courage to put your work out there for people to critique.

Stephen King famously received more than 80 rejections for his novel Carrie. I set myself a 'rejection target' last year and chalked up a few 'No Thankyous.' I figure if I'm not hearing no occasionally, I'm not pushing myself. If you have a novel right now that is fit for human consumption, you could submit to Publishable, an opportunity created by the Queensland Writers Centre. I'll be entering my latest manuscript. As opaque as the publishing journey feels sometimes, it's great to know there are well-beaten paths if we choose to take them.

Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor

President's Report

Hello everyone, and welcome to March!

I would like to wish our members a belated happy International Women's Day from the GCWA committee. On Wednesday, I had a fantastic evening with my fellow GCWA committee members Judy, Kellie and Selena at the International Women's Day Women Who Write event at Broadbeach Library. The panel featured authors Holly Wainwright, Dami Im, and Dinuka McKenzie, who discussed their latest books and shared their inspirational stories.

Our libraries here on the Gold Coast host many exciting events throughout the year. For information, click here

March Meeting

Come and join us on Saturday, March 18, for our monthly meeting. Our guest speaker is author, athlete and former opera singer JC Lesley. JC is a writer with a disability, and in her presentation, she will point out some mistakes authors commonly make when writing characters with a disability, the stereotypes, and how to avoid them.
This month, USA Today bestselling romance author Sofia Aves returns to our stage to present her workshop, Character Scars. Participants will learn to how delve into the backstory of their characters to create a relatable and flawed persona your reader can love.

Writing Fridays

Writing Fridays takes place at Elanora Library from 10am-3pm, and at Helensvale Library from 10am-4pm and Writing Sundays, at the Southport Library from 10-3pm. Writers at all stages of their creative journey are welcome to come together at these sessions to enjoy dedicated writing time, guided by the Pomodoro Technique.
What to bring:
-Your work in progress, computer, notebook, pens, pencil–whatever you use to create stories.
-BYO refreshments (tea and coffee provided)
For more information, click here: Writing Fridays

Kate Kelsen

President
Create, Inspire, Connect.

The GCWA March Meeting

Saturday 18 March 2023
at
Mudgeeraba School of Arts Memorial Hall

62-64 Railway St, Mudgeeraba

Time: 12pm to 3pm.

The best parking is in the supermarket carpark behind the venue. Members and visitors are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early to complete the entry process so we can start on time. If you have flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and get better quickly.

Entry prices are: Members: $5.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is acceptable)
Visitors: $10.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is accepted)

Order of Events from 12pm

12:00 Start
12:05 Opening and News
12:15 Speaker: JC Lesley - Writing Authentic Characters
13:00 Afternoon Tea: Refreshments provided or BYO
13:45 Workshop: Sofia Aves - Writing Character Scars
15:00 Close

March Speaker - JC Lesley

Our March guest speaker is author, athlete and former opera singer JC Lesley. JC is a writer with disability, and in her presentation will point out some of the mistakes authors commonly make when including characters with disability, and the stereotypes and how to avoid them.

In between procrastinating over the second draft of her novel about a blind investigator and her police / guide dog Spike, and sitting on health committees as a consumer rep, JC Lesley competes nationally in blind archery. Before she went blind she had an international operatic career with the Australian and Frankfurt Operas. Read more...

March Speaker - Sophia Aves

Character scars allow us to delve into the backstory of your characters and flesh them out into a relatable and flawed persona your reader can love. By creating a world behind each character, you will find that they react more naturally to differing circumstances on the page as your work through your manuscript. Character scars is applicable for non-written characters or already developed ones to add depth to your manuscript.

USA Today bestselling author Sofia Aves writes fast-paced police romances, sizzling military units, steamy cowboys with a Montana backdrop and the occasional cheeky god. Married to a veteran, she often tackles topics of PTSD and reintegration and has a soft spot for all who work in uniform. Read more...

When the Time Comes – Stories from the end of life
Robina Library Wednesday, 22 March 2023, 5 – 6pm
Runaway Bay Library Thursday, 23 March 2023, 5 – 6pm

Join doctor and nurse co-authors GCWA member, Magnolia Cardona and Ebony Lewis, as they relaunch their book When the Time Comes: Stories from the end of life. The curated collection of personal experiences and stories explores the social, cultural and individual influences on the dying wishes of older adults.

This event will include a Q&A component, so come along with your relative or friend to ask your burning questions, or just to listen. Book here for Robina and here for Runaway Bay. If you would prefer to attend virtually here are the Zoom links:

Wednesday 22 March, 5-6PM Qld time
Meeting URL: https://bond.zoom.us/j/96733852209
Meeting ID: 967 3385 2209
Passcode: 857012

Thursday 23 March, 5-6PM Qld Time
Meeting URL https://bond.zoom.us/j/92049221064
Meeting ID: 920 4922 1064
Passcode: 208529

The Ten Penners are a collective of children's story writers. We are all members of the Gold Coast Writers Association. We met for our March meeting on the 4th of March. We meet monthly and new members are welcome from July 2023.
Our March meeting was as chatty and fun-filled as ever. We also did a writing exercise based on Furious Fiction. The cover reveal for our new anthology is not far away. Our launch for Backyard Beasts and Curious Capers will be held at the 17th of June meeting of GCWA. Stay tuned for more details!

Jill Smith
Co-ordinator The Ten Penners
Adults writing for children, a sub-group of Gold Coast Writers Association

Angela and David Photography believe every image is its own unique story, a moment in time, consisting of both large and small emotions which are shared between all present, employing technical expertise, years of experience, a flexible approach, excellent communication skills, teamwork with clients and an affordable rate.

Angela and David Photography act within a social justice, inclusion, and equality-based framework and have a solid ethical framework within their business and share those values with their partners. They strive to capture creative, high-quality images that draw attention to the natural actions and responses of the participants as well as, brand, personal and event awareness with their images.

In January, Angela and David volunteered their time to create author images for 16 lucky GCWA members. Contact Angela and David on on 0487921064 or head to their website to enquire about their packages.

What's On at the Gold Coast Writers' Association

Writing Fridays at Elanora Library

All writers welcome
Every Friday 10-3pm
Book 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

Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer brilliant workshops and author talks.

Writing Sunday - 19 March and 2 April - Southport Library

If you can't make it to Elanora for Writing Friday, Writing Sunday might be for you! Writing Sunday is a volunteer led space for writers of all levels to come and work on their own projects. This is a great chance for busy weekday people to connect with your local writing community and finish writing your story.

Writing Sundays is a Queensland Writers centre initiative, following the Pomodoro Technique of 25-minute blocks and 5-minute breaks. Every third 'Pomodoro', there is a 15-minute break to relax and recharge, while having a lunch break too. The idea behind the method is to train the mind into working effectively to reach smaller targets, improving the overall writing time and productivity.

Writing Sunday is every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Book now or drop in on the day.

Ben's Book Club with Ben Hobson and Chris Hammer
Tuesday, 28 March 2023, 6.30 – 7.30pm

Meet brilliant authors each month at Ben's Book Club.

The March book club will be run a bit differently as Chris Hammer steps into the hot seat and interviews Ben who has brought out a fantastic Australian thriller called The Death of John Lacey. Join Chris and Ben for a great evening talking about this western set in the goldfields of Ballarat. A powerful story of greed, power and violence, Ben has written an evocative page turner that is sure to encourage great discussion.

Read your copy here first and join in the conversation.

Writers' Block - Introduction to Crime Writing with Helen Goltz
Saturday, 6 May 2023, 10am – 12.15pm

Helensvale Library, 62 Sir John Overall Drive

Inspired to write your own crime novel?
Learn about the different elements that go into writing a page-turning crime story. Acquire techniques to flesh out your story idea, create multi-dimensional characters readers care about, craft dialogue, buildpace, heighten suspense and compose a satisfying ending.

Helen is postgraduate qualified with majors in Literature, Communications and Media, and lives in Brisbane with her fellow-journalist husband, Chris, and Boxer dog, Hastings. She is published by Next Chapter, Wild Hearts Romance, and Atlas Productions and co-authors the Grave Tales series. Book Now...

Join our own Steve Treffrey at the Gold Coast Seniors Expo on Thursday April 20, 9am-1pm, at the Southport Community Centre, Lawson Street. All welcome, entry is free. Come and say hello! For more information email Steve on gcwa.publicitycoordinator@gmail.com

Write and Sip - Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:30 PM hosted at The Brooklyn Wine and Tapas Bar in Varsity Lakes.

Somerset Storyfest will present their own take on the Write and Sip concept as part of this year's festival. Like the popular GCWA events, this will be a twist on the Paint and Sip concept, participants learn to write a Flash Fiction story [up to around 500 words) using story templates.

Dr Caroline Graham, Journalism lecturer, joins the team from the Gold Coast Writers Association to present this exciting new element to the Somerset Storyfest programme. Ticket includes welcome drink and nibbles. Book now...

SOMERSET STORYFEST 2023
28, 29, 30 MARCH 2023

“…a festival of storytelling for the whole family."

Following in the footsteps of literary tradition, Storyfest is the writers’ festival for the Gold Coast, the cornerstone of which is its annual three day event held in March.

Offering over 130 events to the wider community, Storyfest has secured its place on the Gold Coast’s cultural calendar! Read more...

The GCWA will present a Write and Sip event in partnership with Somerset Storyfest at The Brooklyn Wine and Tapas Bar in Varsity Lakes, Wednesday 29 March 2023, 05:30 PM See you there! Book now.