Writing Unleashed with Laura M. Harkins

YA Fest at the Easton Area Public Library in Pennsylvania kicks off on Saturday, August 4th. I'm super excited for more than one reason. First, I have the ENTIRE day off from work. Woohoo! Second, I get to take a mini road trip with my writing buddy, Alex . Road trips always promise laughter, good music, and unforgettable memories. Top that off with two crazy writers, and I'm bound to love every minute. Third, I get to immerse myself in a free writing event and meet new writer friends. Hanging with like-minded folk helps the creative juju start moving, especially when you need a kick in the pants to get the words on the page. I also enjoy surrounding myself with other writers because it makes conversation a bit easier, especially when you don't have to pick and choose what you say for fear that a non-writer won't have a clue what you're talking about or share your insane passion for the written word and story telling.  So, for the rest of week when I'm n...

Keeping with my DIY education, I’ve scheduled and registered several writing workshops and conferences for the upcoming months.  I am staggering the registration for all of these events, avoiding as much monetary strain.  The only thing keeping me from wussing out:  it beats spending $30,000+ a year for grad school. Writing With Authority April 1- May 2, 2011 A month long online writing workshop through Pennwriters with  Seton Hill University creative writing faculty Jason Jack Miller and Heidi Ruby Miller.  I'll learn to analyze my writing, spot passive voice, and practice using strong action verbs.      Philadelphia Stories Novel Workshop   April 16, 2011 A one day (9-5) novel workshop in Center City led by published author Elizabeth Mosier.  I'll learn strategies to bulldoze through mental blocks and strenthen my writing process.  I look forward to focusing on the opening and closing paragraphs of my mystery nov...

studiokatdesigns.blogspot.com News Winding down from last night’s love high and wine buzz, I thought some positive literary news would keep you moving through the week, well, at least until Wednesday.  No bankrupt bookstores and E-reader sales today. The Author Bio Are you struggling to decide what to include in your author’s bio?  Edan Lepucki debates whether an author should stick with their academic and literary accomplishments or include life experiences in her article “MFA Grads and Former Acrobats: Approaches to the Author Bio” .  She includes several “out-of-the-box” author bios. Including life experiences portrays a more human author as opposed to just presenting the two-dimensional list of education and publication credentials.  A sex worker generates more intrigue for me than a graduate from Columbia’s MFA program.  It gives aspiring authors encouragement and confidence to know they don’t need an expensive education to write something wor...

authorculture.blogspot.com Everyday I wake up I think I should find a 9-5 job.  One offering set hours, easy work and a steady paycheck, instead of writing.  Little thoughts start popping in my head: “Your writing stinks.”  “You can’t make people laugh.” “Nobody enjoys reading your work.”  “You’re wasting your time.”  “Few writers succeed.” These thoughts work hard to deter me from what makes me happy.  Feelings of loserdom overwhelm me because I haven't published or made any money.  That pesky issue of money again.  Education seems to be the answer.  Enrolling in a MFA program sounds magical, unfortunately, my education coffers are depleted.     Then, the self-doubting sneaks out of my head and into my writing.    Looking back over my blog posts, I noticed all the disparaging remarks I made about my work.  Ugh.  I’m so concerned about people reading my blog; it never occurred to me I stepped ...