October Announcements
From My Writerly World
LITQUAKE 20 in 20
Penngrove Market
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019
6:30–9:30 PM
I'll be a featured writer at the Penngrove Reading Series this month — it's part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Litquake, San Francisco's literary festival. At 6:30 PM, I'll host a free 1-hour Shut Up & Write!™ session. Starting at 8 PM, hear authors including M.J. Arcangelini, Stefan Kiesbye, Hilary Zaid, and yours truly. Open Mic to follow.
TRAVEL TALES
The Sitting Room
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019
7–8:30 PM
Join me at the Sitting Room to hear stories from around the world. I will read a travel essay from... Brazil? Australia? I haven't yet decided. Each storyteller is allotted 15 minutes.
"DISCOVERED" EXHIBITION
Museum of Sonoma County
Opening Reception
Friday, Nov. 22, 2019
5:00 PM
I'm one of 10 recipients of the Discovered Awards for Emerging Visual and Literary Artists produced by Creative Sonoma. In addition to a $2500 stipend and a professional catalog including excerp
ts of the written work and visual images, there will be readings and an exhibit November 22, 2019 – February 2, 2020.
This grant program is made possible, in part, with funds from Community Foundation Sonoma County and the National Endowment for the Arts. New York Times bestselling author Ellen Sussman was the lead juror on the literary panel.
SHUT UP & WRITE!™
JavAmore Cafe
Tuesdays (ongoing)
9:30–10:30 AM
Drop in for an hour of writing at this weekly session. We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about it, come and get some writing done.
RSVP at Meetup. It's free! Please arrive 15 minutes early for intros & to order food/drink.
AWA WORKSHOPS
In June I traveled to Boston to participate in a 40-hour workshop leadership training with Amherst Writers & Artists. I am now an AWA Affiliate, certified to facilitate workshops in the AWA method as described in Writing Alone & With Others by Pat Schneider. AWA defines a writer simply as "someone who writes." The philosophy: every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn craft, and develop their unique voice.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, and let me know if you're interested!
Musings on the Writing Life ~ adapted from paper–pencil–pen
The first time I asked my wife for feedback on an essay draft, more than ten years ago, she responded: “It’s sweet, but kind of naive.” Well, at least I could count on her honesty, I thought. Then, after attending to my bruised ego, I realized she was right.
Writing is a solo endeavor. The words are our own. During the painstaking process of revision, however, our work often benefits from others' reflections. Receiving critique isn’t easy, but it teaches one to risk exposure, clarify problems, and recognize when it’s necessary to return to the page.
Now Kristen is my first reader and my greatest champion. In addition, I exchange critical feedback on a regular basis with fellow writer-friend S. Isabel Choi before submitting to publications for consideration. I rely on their enthusiasm when the writing works, and I trust them to tell me the truth when it doesn’t.
Contact me at www.nicolerzimmerman.com