Welcome!
Carolina Romance Writers was founded in 1984 with the purpose of bringing together local published authors and future writers of romance novels, offering support, guidance, and aid in successfully landing a publishing contract and honing our craft.
CHAPTER MEETINGS
September 10, 2016
Morning Session
Critiquing as a Chapter: The Care and Feeding of Critters
Critiquing with your peers is one of the fastest ways to improve your skills as a writer and to polish a work in progress (WIP). It can help you hone your craft; get you that knowledgeable, unbiased feedback your mother (probably) can't give you; and develop your ability to analytically look at your own work. And it's a great excuse to come out of your writing cave!
But critters require care and feeding to thrive. Finding the partner or group that works best for you is a process that should be undertaken thoughtfully. What sort of critter are you looking for? A specific genre or subgenre? Face-to-face? Online? And it requires honest self-assessment. How fast do you write? How often, when, and where can you meet? How much time do you have to read/critique? Above all, critiquing requires trust and respect. It's about being constructive, not critical. And the best critter relationships, like any relationship, are the ones formed on shared interests, ongoing commitment, and mutual support. Afternoon SessionStay to share YOUR work with fellow writers in small group break-out sessions.
WHAT TO BRING (five paper copies of one of the following):
* Manuscript pages (2-5 pages; please include a paragraph of setup if not the first page/chapter) * The oh-so-important first line or first page of a story * A summary of the plot hole that's driving you crazy * A short synopsis, query, or blurb * That GMC problem that's making your character too stupid to live or your romance go clunk * Or anything else from your WIP that your chapter mates can comment on or brainstorm over Everyone should have something to bring! |
Marta Bliese
Marta Bliese is a mother on the edge who writes fiction to escape it all. At various times, she's been a user interface designer, a firefighter, and a cocktail waitress. Between her semi-nomadic childhood and her tenure as a military spouse, she's lived a lot of cool places -- including four years in Heidelberg, Germany. She's always been drawn to complex, psychologically-interesting characters. She finds inspiration for her writing in the human condition: ordinary folks in extraordinary circumstances, historical figures, and especially real-life heroes, like the men and women serving in the armed forces. Her first loves include Hobbits and NFL football. She firmly believes even evil overlords and pro quarterbacks can choose to become better people. |
CRW Chapter Meeting LocationCRW meets every first Saturday of the month. Our meetings are held at Texas Land & Cattle, 7779 Lyles Lane, Concord, NC, 28027. Click here for directions.
Meeting schedule:
Guest Policy: Guests are welcome to attend one meeting for free. The second time attending a meeting is allowed with a fee of $10 being paid upon arrival. After that, guests must join RWA and CRW to attend meetings. Former CRW members in good standing with RWA are welcome to attend one meeting a year to determine rejoining the chapter with a $10 fee being paid upon arrival. |
It's a great time to join
Carolina Romance Writers! Join Now! |
CURRENT ONLINE WORKSHOPS
September 2016
WORKSHOP: The Road to Publication: Queries, Synopses, and More!
INSTRUCTOR: Chanel Cleeton
DATE: September 6 - 30, 2016
TYPE: Full Month (4 Week-long) classes, consisting of at least 2 lessons per week
COST: $15 for CRW and HCRW members, all others $25
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Once you’ve completed and polished your manuscript, the next step is to choose your path to publication. If you’re interested in traditionally publishing, you’ll need to evaluate whether you want to query an agent to represent you or if you’d rather submit directly to publishers open to unrepresented submissions. Either way, you’ll need to learn how to “pitch” your book, writing a compelling query that will catch an agent or publisher’s attention and land you a manuscript request. In addition to hooking them with your manuscript, you’ll want to create an author platform that demonstrates your commitment to pursuing a career as an author as well as your ability to market your book and your brand. This workshop will provide tips for writing a compelling query, tackling the dreaded synopsis, offer strategies for querying agents and submitting to publishers, discuss building a social media platform prior to publication, provide tips for transitioning to writing on deadline for a publisher, discuss dealing with a manuscript that doesn’t sell, and more!
INSTRUCTOR BIO: Chanel Cleeton writes contemporary romances, women’s fiction, and thrillers. She is both traditionally and self-published and is the author of the International School series published by Harlequin HQN, the Capital Confessions series published by Penguin/Intermix, the Assassins series, and the Wild Aces series published by Penguin/Berkley. Chanel enjoys sharing her passion for publishing with other writers through teaching workshops, speaking at conferences, and writing articles for industry publications. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book. Chanel loves to travel and spend time with her fighter pilot husband and three pups. She is represented by Kevan Lyon at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Chanel's latest releases are: Fly with Me May 3, 2016 and Into the Blue July 5, 2016
For more information, please email: workshops@carolinaromancewriters.com
INSTRUCTOR: Chanel Cleeton
DATE: September 6 - 30, 2016
TYPE: Full Month (4 Week-long) classes, consisting of at least 2 lessons per week
COST: $15 for CRW and HCRW members, all others $25
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Once you’ve completed and polished your manuscript, the next step is to choose your path to publication. If you’re interested in traditionally publishing, you’ll need to evaluate whether you want to query an agent to represent you or if you’d rather submit directly to publishers open to unrepresented submissions. Either way, you’ll need to learn how to “pitch” your book, writing a compelling query that will catch an agent or publisher’s attention and land you a manuscript request. In addition to hooking them with your manuscript, you’ll want to create an author platform that demonstrates your commitment to pursuing a career as an author as well as your ability to market your book and your brand. This workshop will provide tips for writing a compelling query, tackling the dreaded synopsis, offer strategies for querying agents and submitting to publishers, discuss building a social media platform prior to publication, provide tips for transitioning to writing on deadline for a publisher, discuss dealing with a manuscript that doesn’t sell, and more!
INSTRUCTOR BIO: Chanel Cleeton writes contemporary romances, women’s fiction, and thrillers. She is both traditionally and self-published and is the author of the International School series published by Harlequin HQN, the Capital Confessions series published by Penguin/Intermix, the Assassins series, and the Wild Aces series published by Penguin/Berkley. Chanel enjoys sharing her passion for publishing with other writers through teaching workshops, speaking at conferences, and writing articles for industry publications. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book. Chanel loves to travel and spend time with her fighter pilot husband and three pups. She is represented by Kevan Lyon at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Chanel's latest releases are: Fly with Me May 3, 2016 and Into the Blue July 5, 2016
For more information, please email: workshops@carolinaromancewriters.com
