The Book Worm

Mok Hill Conference Welcomes Writers
by
Antoinette May

Here’s a question for you:

How do you take the nucleus of a novel from draft to revisions? And then go on to make that novel practically perfect in every way?

Let me tell you, it isn’t easy, but Amy Franklin-Willis, head-liner of the upcoming eighth annual Gold Rush Writers Conference, has some mighty practical insights to share with conference attendees. The event will be held at the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill on May 3, 4 and 5.

“The novel is the marathon of the writing world,” Amy says, “and the task of writing one can seem impossibly daunting.”

Just ask the woman who wrote one. Amy received an Emerging Writer Grant from the Elizabeth George Foundation to complete “The Lost Saints of Tennessee,” a novel published by Atlantic Monthly Press. “Saints” became a Vanity Fair “Hot Type” Pick.

Besides being the conference keynote speaker, Amy will present a “master class” workshop limited to the first 15 signups.

“We’ll brainstorm about how to create time in your daily life to complete your writing and do exercises designed to help you focus the story,” she says. “No matter where you are in writing process, this workshop will give you the tools to complete your novel.”

Amy Franklin-Willis, a resident of Berkeley, is one of 11 professionally published writers who will present 17 workshops throughout the three-day conference.

According to yet another Amy—Amy Smith of Angels Camp— who will also lead a workshop, everyone has a story to tell. Amy Smith, who teaches both creative and professional writing at the University of the Pacific, asks the all-important question: should you use fact or fiction to tell your story?

“Do you want to write for personal satisfaction and to preserve precious family stories, without publication as a goal? Or would publishing a blog on the web be the right venue for your

material?”

Amy promises, “We’ll also look at the many methods available to share one’s work.” Whatever your goal, Amy Smith’s workshop will explore methods of crafting nonfiction stories to give them the stylistic appeal of fiction.

For conference attendees who want to go the distance and produce a book, Amy will offer strategies and discuss genres that blend with memoir such as travel literature, illness narratives, exposes, survival stories, and more.

She’ll also talk about the touchy question of just how creative the writer can get with nonfiction before it starts turning into fiction— and just why that distinction matters.

Amy’s own memoir, “All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey with Jane,” recounts a year spent traveling in six Latin American countries, learning Spanish and holding reading groups on Jane Austen. The book was highly praised by Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus.

Back by popular demand is Gold Rush favorite, Indigo Moor of Sacramento. A critically acclaimed poet, author and playwright, Indigo is a graduate member of the Artist’s Residency Institute for Teaching Arts and is enrolled in the Stonecoast MFA program where he is studying poetry, fiction and playwriting.

He was the recipient of the Vesle Fenstgermaker Prize for Emerging Writers and the Jack Kerouac Poetry Prize. Well, it just goes on and on that way for Indigo. He’s been published just about everywhere and won every prize there is to win.

“Most poets and authors love the idea of one day transitioning our work to stage and screen,” Indigo admits, “but how do we get there? My workshop will discuss the differences between singular (poetry and fiction) and collaborative (script-writing) arts. ?Through discussion, example, and brief writing exercises, attendees will leave with a better understanding of the tools at their disposal and how to use them.” Okay,

so you’re going to write a book. Whether it’s fiction or non fiction, you’ve got to have grabby characters who really come alive. According to Helen Bonner, “Quaint or feisty, wimpy or heroic, shy or super-sexed, characters drive your book. Who doesn’t remember Tom Sawyer, Scarlett O’Hara, 007 James Bond, or the girl with the dragon tattoo? “And what about protagonist and antagonists?” the Jackson novelist asks. “Who are today’s Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader?” Helen (Dr. Bonner) taught creative writing at Ohio University and Minnesota State University. Her debut novel, “Cry Dance,” received the 2012 Sharp Writ Award in the coveted general fiction category and was a runner up for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award. Helen has also published two popular memoirs. Most exciting, her new novel, “MsDeameanors” will published this month. “Bring a paragraph description of one of your characters,” she asks those attending her conference workshop. “Include dialog and action that shows, not tells, who they are.” The Gold Rush Writers Conference is part of the Calavaras Arts Council Literary League and is made possible by the Calaveras Arts Council, Friends of the Mokelumne Hill Library, the Mokelumne Hill Trust and Poet and Writers. The event is co- chairmaned by Ginger Griffin of Mokelumne Hill, Kathie Luke of Sonora and myself. Until April 1, an admission fee of $145 includes a picnic supper in a Victorian garden, dinner and brunch in addition to a choice of four out of 17 workshops. April 2nd the price goes up to $175. For additional information, check out www.goldrushwriters.com or call Kathie at 533-3685 or me at 286-1320. I look forward dishing with you all at the conference. (No one but another writer knows how good or bad the writing business can be) In the meantime, write on!

Pictures Amy Franklin-Willis Amy Smith Indigo Moor

Helen Bonner