Part 3: Three Writers’ Conferences: Marshall Writers’ Guild
The Marshall (M0) Writers’ Guild holds an unusual form of annual meeting, one that features a guest writer. Other small local groups may want to consider MWG’s model.
I learned this by serving as the guest writer at the 2013 meeting. I presented a two-hour morning workshop on turning an idea into a book, fiction or nonfiction. Before beginning, I surveyed the twenty or so writers to find out what they’re working on. A surprising number are writing memoirs or history, so I drew most of my examples from my nonfiction work. Participants commented and asked questions as we went along.
Such informal workshops work well at meetings where offering sessions on multiple topics simply isn’t feasible.
After a booksigning and a potluck lunch, this guest writer met individually with several writers to discuss their works in progress. That’s an unusual item on the schedule, but a major reason to meet is to have the opportunity to talk about your lonely occupation with objective peers.
Meanwhile the other writers listened as the brave ones read aloud portions of their manuscripts.
We vacated the hall by 2 p.m., but we’d had a full day. I enjoyed it.
—Carolyn Mulford
Carolyn was an ideal speaker for our annual workshop. She was so easy to work with in the planning stage and her talk encouraged and inspired each of the participants. Plus, we love reading her books and we look forward to Show Me the Deadly Deer.
That pretty well describes our workshop. I benefited much from your address. Thank you, Carolyn
I bought the new mystery, Show Me the Murder, and my husband and I both liked it! Obviously Carolyn knows what she is talking about when she discusses writing. It was fun to
read the book after she talked about researching and structuring the manuscript.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I gave an old friend in an assisted living resident a copy for her birthday. She found the cover and title so shocking she put the book in a drawer where no visitor can see it. I’m sorry people live in such a narrow world. For now, she’s rereading The Feedsack Dress instead.