Our first meeting of the new year was a great success! According to Wendy Knepp, Board Advisor, an even 50 people attended, slightly more than usual. 

.

Membership

George Gurney, immediate past Vice President of the Guild, opened the meeting with a review of last year’s success: 90 paid memberships and 10 great programs. We also supported the Library by underwriting a Screenwriter’s Workshop. As of today, we have 57 paid members, a fabulous start to the new year.

There are many benefits to Guild membership! For a nominal annual membership fee of $20, members are entitled to

• Submit their work for consideration at the Guild’s online literary magazine, Straitjackets.
• Have their books featured on our website’s Member Books page.
• Support and publicity for member events such as book signings and book fairs
• 20% discount on all new books at Cameron Books, Hemet
• The satisfaction of knowing you are helping to support the creative writing community in the San Jacinto Valley.

.

Financial Report

Marj Charlier, Treasurer, updated us with a summary of annual income and expenses for 2018. We are a well-run, fiscally conservative organization with minimal dues and minimal expenses, and we appreciate Marj’s stewardship.

.

Writer’s Corner

Every month, Jim Hitt shares his knowledge of writing in this regular Guild feature. At this meeting, we learned about words to limit or avoid (click here to see the handout.)

.

Interrobangs Critique Group

Valerie Eitzen spoke about the writers’ critique group, Interrobangs, which meets in Hemet every Tuesday morning. For more information, please visit their Facebook Group Page.

,

Hemet Library Comic Con

,.

At the Guild meeting, Michelle Bassett, DVWG Member-at-Large, told us about the Guild’s participation at Hemet Library’s Comic Con on January 12, 2019. (She is in both photos above at far right.) George and I sat in for a while, talking with visitors about the Guild. Later in the day, Michelle stepped up when needed to fill a spot on an author panel. She had fun, the audience was enthusiastic, and the Guild was well represented. The Library was very appreciative.

.

Member Accomplishments

You’ve all been busy! Several of you completed NaNoWriMo, having accomplished 50,000 words during the writing marathon last November. I’d like more of us to enjoy the satisfaction of that accomplishment in 2019, and it’s very doable. For tips, here’s an audiofile on Dropbox captured by Wendy Knepp, featuring Lynne Spreen speaking last October with the Interrobangs group about how to do NaNoWriMo. A shorter version is available here on YouTube.

.

Dickens Festival, Riverside

Lynette Tucker reminded us about the City of Riverside’s Dickens Festival on February 23 and 24, 2019. Here’s the link for more information.

.

January Program: Crafting Reflection and Takeaway in Memoir, presented by Sandy Schuster-Hubbard

Our expert speaker was Sandy Schuster-Hubbard. Sandy, who is the Vice President of the Guild in addition to a memoirist, hit a home run according to all accounts. Taking notes, reporter Michelle Bassett, said, “Everyone loved the presentation and the exercises. People contributed and read their responses out loud, sharing some really good ideas.” George told me folks were eagerly talking with each other about the program right up until our time ended at 11:30. Great job, Sandy! Thanks to you and all who participated.

This is what is special about our Guild: interaction, enthusiasm, and participation. We are a team. We are a community.

.

Next Month’s Program

Websites for Writers: A panel of writer/practitioners will discuss Websites

As authors we are often asked if we have a website. How do we decide if we need or even want one? 

This session will be moderated by George Gurney who will introduce three members of our Guild forming a panel to discuss the in’s and out’s of having a website as an author.

Michelle Bassett, Victor Swatsek, and Seamus O’Connor (above) have long-standing author websites, or are building same. They will share their own personal experience of building, or having built, a website to highlight their work. In the case of Michelle, she has had a business website for many years, and is just now exploring all the issues involved with creating an author website.

Takeaways from this meeting:

• Do I need a website?
• How do I choose the one that’s best for me?
• How do I determine my cost options?
• What are my long range goals for having a website?

Come and learn all you can from these authors and their experiences. See you Saturday, February 23, 2019.

This blog post was prepared by Lynne Spreen, President of the DVWG. Lynne writes women’s fiction with romantic themes. You may access her website here and her books here.