Posts Tagged ‘writers workshop’

2011 OC Christian Writers Conference Fiction Writing Contest Winner ~ Veola Vazquez

April 6th, 2012 Lynne.Leite
Veola Vazquez

Can you imagine going to a writers conference and winning 3 different writing contests? Well that is exactly what happened to Veola Vazquez at last year’s OC Christian Writers Conference. We asked Veola what she has been up to since last year’s conference and here’s what she shared.

Winning the Fiction Writing contest at last year’s Orange County Christian Writer’s Conference was an amazing experience. The contests I entered last year were the first writing contests I’d ever participated in, so I expected my chance of winning to be minimal. To my surprise, I went home with three different awards. The most exciting was having the manuscript for my middle grade novel, The Penny Predicament, chosen for the Fiction Writing Award. At the time I entered the contest, my book was only 1/4 complete. But, the recognition of my writing put a fire under me and my book was finished within a month! Soon after the contest, I also submitted the manuscript to a contact I was referred to at the conference. Unfortunately, nothing came of it, but it didn’t quench my motivation. I attended weekly critique groups for months to edit and fine tune my work. I’ve recently resubmitted it and I’m currently playing the waiting game. I’m considering entering it in the Westbow contest this year, now that the work is finished. I’m currently working on the second book in the series, The Nickel Nuisance.

Are you looking for a writing contest to enter? A chance to be inspired? Take your writing to the next level? Why not join Veola and other writers at this year’s OC Christian Writers Conference! You’ll find intensive workshops, breakout sessions, rogue critiques, networking opportunities and more.

For more information about Veola Vazquez go to www.veolavazquez.com.

For more information about the OC Christian Writers Conference held May 18-20th in Newport Beach go to www.occwf.org.

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Turning Personal Experiences into Short Stories that Sell with B.J. Taylor

March 21st, 2012 Lynne.Leite

B.J. Taylor

Potential? You have it. I have it. Are you tapping into yours?
B.J. Taylor

Do you have a desire to inspire people through your own personal experiences and stories? Ever wonder what it takes to get these stories into bestselling books?  B.J. Taylor has been published in over 30 Chicken Soup for the Soul books and is eager to share her knowledge during her full day interactive workshop at the OC Christian Writers Conference on Friday, May 18th.

During this intensive workshop you will learn how to craft:

  • engaging openings
  • captivating middle scenes
  • satisfying endings

If you are looking for a workshop that is a balance of instruction and hands-on experience with the goal of fine tuning your personal story into something ready for publication, then this is the workshop for you.  B.J.’s instruction and guidance have helped many writers realize their dreams of becoming published authors.

B.J. is an expert on writers’ groups and knows how to make the most productive use of time in any workshop, whether for one hour or an all day intensive; participants will be sure to walk away with the skills and tools necessary to take their personal stories to the next level.

Here’s what others have said about her workshops:

  • Great class, very helpful. She gives detailed instructions that are useful and necessary to the newbie. I appreciated her teaching methods.
  • This workshop surprised me in that I hadn’t even given any thought to writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul. I realized that this could be a good “beginning place” to get published. Again, very good info and writing tips

Participants to B.J. Taylor’s interactive workshop on writing the personal experience short story will be limited to 10 people, so don’t wait to register – seats will fill up fast!

For more information on B.J. Taylor, go to www.bjtayloronline.com

For more information on the OC Christian Writers Conference held May 18-20th in Newport Beach, CA go to www.OCCWF.org.

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