tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60222669226561505732024-03-05T14:52:56.320-08:00OREGON COAST WRITERS FOCUS GROUPOREGON COAST WRITERS FOCUS GROUP
A critiquing Experience
Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-29875021905525117572015-09-02T01:08:00.000-07:002015-09-23T15:50:35.438-07:00SEPTEMBER MEETINGYes, we're still here. Our September Focus meeting has been changed to <strong><u>October 4</u></strong> at Mariah's house. <br />
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Note : If you are presently working on a novel and want to know more about us, send an email to mariahnp@earthlink.net, Mariah Matthews, Subject "Blog OCWFG". The number of novels (called projects) in our critiquing circle is limited to 6. Currently we have 3, with room for three additional writers and projects. Writers of any age or gender are welcome to inquire about our group, but please note that we don't critique poetry, short stories, plays, or personal memoirs. Only novels! Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-15712519744181312312015-05-21T14:52:00.001-07:002015-09-02T01:12:06.692-07:00MAY MEETING The May meeting will be on Sunday, the 31st, at the usual time and
location. Hope all members can be present. <br />
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-33079694033707862942015-04-24T16:56:00.002-07:002015-04-24T16:57:49.838-07:00APRIL MEETING The April meeting will be on Sunday, the 26th, at the usual time and location. Hope all members can be present. There's possibly a surprise in store. :) <br />
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Note : If you are working on a novel and want to know more about us, send an email to mariahnp@earthlink.net, Mariah Matthews, Subject "Blog OCWFG". The number of novels (called projects) in our critiquing circle is limited to 6. Currently we have 3. Room for three more. Novelists of any age or gender are welcome to inquire about our group. Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-9186431278064237692015-03-20T14:23:00.001-07:002015-04-24T16:57:14.310-07:00MARCH 2015 MEETING NOTICE<h3>
The February meeting was successful, but we were saddened by the loss of our dear friend and fellow member, Karleene Morrow, author of DESTINIES and FICTION WRITING - How To Write Your First Novel. Karleene was so much a part of us that it's hard to go on without her. She will always be with us in the spirit of love and friendship and in the wonderful examples and knowledge of the art of writing that she brought with her to our meetings. </h3>
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Our March meeting will be on Sunday, the 29th from10:30 AM-4:30 PM at
Mariah's condo. </h3>
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-13537258870598689322014-12-24T01:03:00.000-08:002015-03-20T14:26:26.783-07:00JANUARY 2015 MEETING Our first meeting of 2015 will be held on 25 January, 10:30 AM-4:30 PM at Mariah's condo Three readers for sure. Hope to get off to a grand start. <br />
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-36978321538402226392014-11-07T23:42:00.000-08:002014-12-24T01:04:11.326-08:00NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 MEETING COMBINED. Notice to members: <br />
Our next meeting will be Sunday, December 7th. Same place, same time. <br />
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-62195279727148705242014-09-08T17:38:00.001-07:002014-11-07T23:49:05.070-08:00SEPTEMBER 2014 MEETING NOTICE Notice to members: Our next critiquing meeting will be Sunday, September 28. Hope to see you then. <br />
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-85625610997057982922013-12-18T17:24:00.001-08:002013-12-22T14:25:43.914-08:00OREGON COAST WRITERS FOCUS GROUP <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Members of OCWFG enjoying another December luncheon. What’s the
secret to a happy life? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We know..., focus on </span>what you
like to do, learn to do it as well as you’re able, and find kindred souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span> </div>
Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-40552573849648573242013-12-16T00:41:00.000-08:002013-12-18T16:59:27.695-08:00DECEMBER MEETING NOTICE<h3>
DECEMBER FOCUS MEETING: Sunday, the 29th. </h3>
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On the 15th we enjoyed a Christmas Luncheon at Port Dock One on the Bayfront. A fine time was enjoyed by those present. </h3>
Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-16921187406533669812013-07-15T13:44:00.000-07:002013-07-15T13:44:02.804-07:00HANK OF TWIN RIVERS, Journey of Change <span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_51e45d5f2e2303d92121986">
Happy to help Marge (M.C. Arvanitis) launch her first YA novel, number one in her HANK OF TWIN RIVERS series. HANK OF TWIN RIVERS is the story of a young Iowa boy who, in 1855, crosses the wide Missouri River with his father and uncle and discovers a<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> world of strange places where people are either friendly or they aren't. Iowa it's not, and he soon learns--sometimes the hard way--to stand on his own with rugged men and women who are blazing trails to the West and Southwest in the vast plains beyond the Missouri River.Good luck with HANK, Marge..., great work, that's what we're about. </span></div>
</span>Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-80412097270625217042012-02-08T23:12:00.000-08:002012-02-08T23:59:39.629-08:00Another OCWFG member published<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvRv23rPbSfNzlzH8CqJgWliPevHUrCriY3sc8K-aIBBi4DxitgaJ-3ngehCyWcfEiR2g2mVZYUTt_CefoY3SFdzubcj9FzLl9tilv_pJpcZD-Rja0hc7orUAA79mevigB4oFIbooV7sj/s1600/ELPandaPawscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvRv23rPbSfNzlzH8CqJgWliPevHUrCriY3sc8K-aIBBi4DxitgaJ-3ngehCyWcfEiR2g2mVZYUTt_CefoY3SFdzubcj9FzLl9tilv_pJpcZD-Rja0hc7orUAA79mevigB4oFIbooV7sj/s400/ELPandaPawscover.jpg" width="281" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations to member Marge
Arvanitis, retired pre-school educator. Her chapter-book
for elementary children, The Legend of ELPanda Paws, (e-book edition) is now available on Smashwords, Barns and Noble, and soon Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">www.barnesandnoble.com</span></a> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span>A<span style="font-size: medium;">lso see <a href="http://mcarvanitiswriter.blogspot.com/">http://mcarvanitiswriter.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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<br />Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-14409684300187406072011-10-31T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-31T23:43:01.602-07:00OCWFG GUIDELINES<b><span style="font-size: small;"> Critiquing the "Focus Way" </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1. <u>MEMBERSHIP</u>: The group was founded for the purpose of critiquing and is limited to no more than six members at a session. A prospective member is asked to attend a meeting and present her or his <em>work in progress<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></em><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">. Current members discuss this at the next meeting and if all are in agreement, the prospective member is then invited to be an active member of the critiquing group. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">2. <u>THE PROJECT</u>: Each member is expected to have a work in progress, which is called the <strong>Project<span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">. A Project may be removed from the table by its author at any time and a new one submitted. Members who are "between projects" may still attend the meetings and critique. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3. <u>INTENT</u>: There are no membership fees. This is a meeting of friends who understand the need of an author to have his or her work heard and critiqued by compassionate writers within the community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4. <u>MEETINGS</u>: Meetings are held at a member's house on the last Sunday of each month unless otherwise decided at a previous meeting. Hours, which are amenable to change, are generally from l0:30 AM to 4 PM, with lunch break at noon. Members bring their lunch. A "kitty" is provided for coffee or tea and snacks.
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">5. <u>READINGS</u>: Readings begin promptly at 11 AM. Unless otherwise requested, each writer reads his or her own material and everyone is guaranteed a fair amount of time. The Reader may give a brief explanation before, but is asked not to interrupt the story with explanations while reading and to wait for the critiquing to begin before commenting on any part of it. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br />
6. <u>THE CIRCLE</u>: There are no rules as to who reads first. The person to the reader's left begins the critiquing and this continues around the circle until all have had their say, after which the person to the left of the first reader reads, etc. The others listen, taking notes if necessary.
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7. <u>CRITIQUING</u>: This is a conversation between the Reader and the person who is critiquing, i.e., the Critiquer. After everyone has had a turn at critiquing, the floor is open for general discussion before moving to the next reader.
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">8. <u>RIGHTS OF THE CRITIQUER</u>: The Critiquer has the right to ask questions and to make appropriate comments about what's been read – beginning with what he or she likes – and to give an </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><em>opinion <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></em><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">as to what might improve the work, keeping in mind the genre and potential market, and the witer's style.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">9. <u>RIGHTS OF THE READER</u>: In all cases the choice as to whether or not to take the offered advice remains with the Reader. The Reader will try to refrain from making overlong reflections as to "why" her characters do what they do and to accept the critiquing with the same good grace in which it is given.
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">10. <u>RESPECT AMONG MEMBERS</u>: The Golden Rule applies. Respect each other's privacy and feelings. If there's a problem that can't be discussed with everyone take it to the Moderator. <br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span>Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-68808790674265284082011-07-19T00:40:00.000-07:002012-12-22T00:30:07.145-08:00CONGRATULATIONS, KARLEENE!<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP9Lmjkx1a9yOpbF8pHHgO-Oef1LSqeTNlCB3L5MY9BSKJHNAd5F0Yl9qEWUMCmJMufQhQHD83ZKeMlbZvrw_x8TyCGxVgMFyMFRcq1LVYoCX3dLJm856wABDaUVrgtLAMDM-8svRtuTF/s1600/Destinies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP9Lmjkx1a9yOpbF8pHHgO-Oef1LSqeTNlCB3L5MY9BSKJHNAd5F0Yl9qEWUMCmJMufQhQHD83ZKeMlbZvrw_x8TyCGxVgMFyMFRcq1LVYoCX3dLJm856wABDaUVrgtLAMDM-8svRtuTF/s200/Destinies.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia;"> </span><br />
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We are proud to announce that talented writer, and member of the OREGON COAST WRITERS FOCUS GROUP, Karleene Morrow, finished her novel DESTINIES and it has been e-published by Agate Beach Press. Available now at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. See Karleene's link on this blog. </div>
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Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-15745665954884614742011-04-07T23:48:00.000-07:002011-07-19T10:51:34.352-07:00GOOD NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Click on Karleene's webpage </strong></span><a href="http://www.karleenemorrow.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>http://www.karleenemorrow.com/</strong></span></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong> and watch the progress with her novel DESTINIES, which is now e-published by Agate Beach Press. </strong></span>Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022266922656150573.post-52159304463507088972011-03-25T11:15:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:39:53.957-07:00PATSY'S SUCCESS!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2JsC0n23FFNtamRSgbrFWd22IDUfzAo6BrqPKFgnvYFM0xCjsC_dxehqcNeJGK3ss5mOI5ulhjZr-BNadLRPVgxXWLYIpr_KGq6QxrHw9T0K-ZQqfzhNJzLCBML1f1L_pHk10SgKeB18/s1600/threads_epub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2JsC0n23FFNtamRSgbrFWd22IDUfzAo6BrqPKFgnvYFM0xCjsC_dxehqcNeJGK3ss5mOI5ulhjZr-BNadLRPVgxXWLYIpr_KGq6QxrHw9T0K-ZQqfzhNJzLCBML1f1L_pHk10SgKeB18/s320/threads_epub.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><h6 style="background: white; margin: 0in -1pt 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="messagebody2"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Finished! One of the sweetest words in any language, especially for friend Patsy, talented writer and member of the OREGON COAST WRITERS FOCUS GROUP. Her novel THREADS is now an e-book, published by Uncial Press. </span></span></span></span></h6><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See Uncial Press eBooks - </span><a href="http://www.uncialpress.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">www.uncialpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> - eBook publisher</span>Oregon Coast Writers Focus Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01738726925649526888noreply@blogger.com0