Online Magical Realism Workshop

From Tamara Kaye Sellman, Director of MRCentral.net: I have slated two more Internet-based workshops for magical realist writers through mid-June 2008. These workshops are especially geared toward the international writer or the writer who cannot attend a regular live chat session because of a full schedule, but who still wants to learn and to interact with other students through email.Now's the time to get signed up!

I take the summer off from teaching and client work to focus on my own writing, so I won't be offering these again until October 2008.Feel free to link to this blog or send this info on to anyone you might know who'd be interested in these workshops. I always appreciate your referrals.Registration is simple: contact me directly to reserve your place and, on the day after registration deadline, I'll be in touch regarding enrollment, how to pay, and procedures for joining the workshop.

Thanks,

Tamara Kaye Sellman,

MRCentral.net

email: magicalrealismmaven@hotmail.com

phone: 206.618.7348 (cell; messages okay)

or send a postcard to:

Tamara Kaye Sellman

Writer's Rainbow Literary Services
321 High School Road NE, Ste D3, PMB 204Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Beginning to See the Light!

Hi Guys,

I've been doing a lot of work and soul searching since graduating in January. I'm working on a book of poetry with my dad based on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. It's slow-going but amazing. Not only does he have a lot to tell, he is also so smart and well-read and historically knowledgeable that I am learning a lot about history, foreign policy and even writing (He's a Hemingway enthusiast) in the research stage.

I have also been busy developing and transforming my second genre, copywriting, into "a hobby that pays." I have discovered that while I don't have much experience in business, I devour business and marketing blogs (the cool ones) and am a natural and intuitive guide for helping people develop their small businesses. I have been helping friends and family do just that by working with them on branding, marketing, copywriting and copyediting for their entrepreneurial ventures. Since these guys are my "guinea pigs" in a way, I don't feel comfortable charging for my services (yet), and have been doing a lot of bartering. A good practice in funky economic times, and something I have the luxury to do at the moment due to lack of children, mortgage, or car payments!

I continue to lead a writing workshop, San Juan Writers, in Old San Juan. That too, is slow going, especially in terms of attracting new "clients," especially since the primary language in PR is Spanish, but I am very excited about where it is headed. It is a 3-hr workshop meeting Wednesday nights. I provide writing exercises, or prompts, and we write in response to these prompts in the workshop. People write in English or Spanish, or Spanglish! and read what they have written to the group if they are so inclined.
We respond to new work only with "what we like" "what we remember" and "what is strong," focusing on what's working, instead of what's not working, since the pieces are raw and unedited. I am considering opening up a new workshop for those who wish to work more on craft and manuscripts (as opposed to just exercising their creativity in general).

And, FYI, I just started a new blog, Creative Kindling, and would love to hear from you there if my topics (business and work, art, publishing, music etc.....) interest you.

All are welcome!

Cheers and happy writing ;)

Carmen

The Big Read

Are you "fired up" about reading? You may be interested in participating in New Haven's Big Read, which is a lead up to the International Arts and Ideas Festival. This year's Big Read is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

According to an article in the Sunday New Haven Register, "Last year, the reading of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and its attendant events drew 14,000 readers and more than 50 community partners to the project. This year, the partnerships number closer to 60, with more than 100 events exploring the themes of "censorship, conformity, and the importance of books and reading" with an additional 19 towns in the area participating.

Photography Show by John Briggs

John Briggs will present his show "Cloud and Stone," which will be on display at the Jasper Rand Art Museum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield Westfield Anthnaeum on the Green, Westfield, Mass. during the month of May, beginning May 3. There are over 70 photographs which offer some contemplative moments with clouds and stones, John's escape from the yammer of the human condition. The gallery at the Westfield Athenaeum on the green is a lovely old space.You might be interested to look at some pictures from past exhibits, and five from the new one, on http://www.jpbriggs.com/

Good luck, John. Online images are brillant.