Our next meeting will be September 20 at the Brookpark Station Cafe in Lewisburg. We will start at 6:30 PM this week.

You have three ways to read the Susquehanna Valley Independent Writers blog; By web browser, by email and by RSS. I suspect most SVIW visitors use their web browser, but that means you have to remember to visit. Email and RSS bring the site to you via subscription services.

Most people are comfortable with email, so at the very least, I encourage group members to click the “Subscribe to Susquehanna Valley Independent Writers by Email” link on the right side of this web page. Enter your email address when prompted and submit it. You’ll receive a confirmation email that you must acknowledge by following the instructions in the email.

That’s it. You’ll receive one email a day with new or updated posts to SVIW. If we don’t post anything new, you don’t get an email.

If you’re a bit more technology aware, you’ll want to subscribe to SVIW with an RSS reader. RSS technically stands for Really Simple Syndication, but you can think of it as syndicated web pages. RSS allows you to consolidate your web reading lists into a central place so you spend less time browsing and more time reading.

To subscribe to RSS, click any one of the orange icons on this page, such as the Subscribe in a reader link on the right side of the page. If you need a better explanation of RSS, check out the video “RSS in Plain English” by Common Craft.

If you have questions, post them in the comments.

I’ve never been much for writing  contests. Every time I see a contest advertised, I want to know why I should pay someone else to read my work when I already have ample opportunity to write for  low (no) pay.  The promise of fame and fortune when my work wins among the thousands of entrants has not convinced me to write for prize money. I don’t play the lottery either.

I’m not opposed to writing contests. Eventually, I would like to find the courage to win a contest – I love to compete.  Maybe this list of “No Entry Fee Fiction Contests” by C. Hope Clark will convince me to take a chance. At the very least, maybe you can find a good contest to enter. I know several of you do enjoy writing contests.

Clark’s list includes some interesting contests from the American Kennel Club and Highlights for Children. She offers this advice:

“The thing about no entry fee contests is they can pay in gift certificates and peanuts, or they can pay big. The big ones, as you can imagine, receive a slew of entries. In other words, only consider your best work, because lots of others are sending their second best.”

See the complete article and list at writersweekly.com.

Starting September 6, we now meet on Thursday night at the Brookpark Station Cafe. Don’t forget to arrive a bit early so you can grab some food and drink prior to the start of the meeting. See you there.

Our next meeting night  is August 8, at 7:00 pm. We meet at the Brookpark Station Cafe in Lewisburg. The format is simple. I prompt you. You write without editing. Some of  us read our work – No critique allowed.

Group News

Do you have a bag of writing  prompts you want to share with the group? If so, let me know. I’m looking for a group member who is interested in providing a prompt a week via this web page.

Last group meeting, I asked, “What writing resources do you turn to on a regular basis?” Here’s what we said:

• Susquehanna Valley Independent Writers – A support group focused on free writing. Hear a prompt and write what comes to mind. Read it if you wish. Read more about us.
• Writer’s Digest – Several group members subscribe to the magazine that provides tips, interviews, prompts and more. Visit www.writersdigest.com for more resources. Check out the their list of 101 best writing web sites.
• WritersWeekly.com – A freelance writing resource that offers weekly success stories, tips, paying markets, and freelance jobs. The whispers and warning section lists the editors and publications who refuse to pay their writers. Everything is online at www.writersweekly.com.
• Voices in head & magical gnomes – Private resources that are not accepting new members.

What are your favorite resources? Where and who do you turn to when you need write about, talk about, or read about writing? Leave your response in the comments.

Bob Derr, author of Burke’s Tour, has two book signings coming up.

• Borders at the Lycoming Mall in Muncy, PA.
  Saturday, August 11 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

• Evangelical Community Hospital Gift in Lewisburg, PA.
  Friday, September 14, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

About Burke’s Tour:

“He has a very specific purpose to teach the people around him a valuable spiritual lesson through his illness,” psychic Steve Mucci said. “His soul knows the light and is very wise…”

Burke P. Derr dreamed of helping others and finding a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), and “Burke’s Tour” details how his namesake teddy bear, nicknamed the Ambassador of Love, is touring the United States and world countries in helping to make that dream come true.

Author Bob Derr, Burke’s Dad, tells an inspirational story of his son’s miraculous life and how people, businesses, and organizations are working together to complement his son’s legacy.

Don’t forget – Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 25. I’ll see you at the Brookpark Station Cafe in Lewisburg.

Treat yourself to a challenge today, and write a complete story using 55 words. Don’t forget to include a character, plot,  and setting. No theme, just write.
What can you do in 55 words? Feel free to share your story in the comments.

Reminder: The next group meeting is July 11 at the Brookpark Station Cafe. More info.