Events and Speakers, General

October 2021 Speaker

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BIO:

     Carol Heizer is an eight-time published author whose books have sold in the U.S. and overseas. She was a columnist for Today’s Woman magazine and is currently a columnist for Hood County News in Granbury.
     In addition to her writing, she was president of Alpha Consulting in Louisville, KY who specialized in training seminars to business, industry, teacher training sessions, and the military. She is also a public speaker who has served as mediator in neighborhood conflicts.
     Her current project is a collection of novellas, hopefully due out in 2022.

OCT. GWB meeting topic:

 
     Since Carol believes there are not enough pleasant surprises in life, she has decided to surprise her writing colleagues with a surprise of her own. Plan to attend the October 25th meeting of Granbury Writers Bloc and enjoy a surprise evening of entertainment and energy. Be ready to think outside the box. Also, please bring a pen or pencil. 
     In addition, since Carol will supply materials, she needs to know how many will be attending. If you do not contact Gary Christenson via email (no verbal, “Hey I’ll be there,” when you see him),  we will assume you are not coming and will not have materials prepared for you. We are certain you understand this situation. Thanks for your help! And Blessings!
General

New Meeting Location for September and October

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The “Sleepy Hollow” performing arts group has arrived in Granbury. They are using our regular meeting place at Langdon Center.
NEW Location:  The Neely House at 304 E. Rucker at the end of Rucker Street in Lambert Branch Park.
 
This change applies to this Monday, the Sept. 13 critique, the regular meeting on Sept. 27 (elect officers and critique), and both meetings in October. We expect to be back at Langdon Center in November.
 
Meetings start at 6 p.m. with snacks.
Events and Speakers, General

August 23, 2021 Meeting with Laura Drake

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Our August 23 meeting features Laura Drake, a New York published author of women’s fiction and romance.

Meeting at: Langdon Center, 308 E. Pearl St., Granbury, 6:00 p.m.

Topic: Balancing Backstory from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

Events and Speakers, General

Summer Workshop

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GRANBURY WRITERS’ BLOC

presents

 ELIMINATING THE MYSTERY FROM

MYSTERY WRITING

 

People read more mysteries and thrillers than any other genre except romance. This workshop will teach you how to write your mystery. Topics include:

 

  • What makes a compelling story?
  • Brainstorming a page-turning plot.
  • Writing a killer opening chapter.
  • The difference between a mystery and a thriller.
  • Maximizing suspense and conflict

WHEN: Saturday, June 12, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

WHERE: Langdon Center Concert Hall, 308 E Bridge St, Granbury, TX 76048

COST: $20.00 or Free for Granbury Writers’ Bloc members

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:    https://granburywritersbloc.com/

Events and Speakers, General

April 2021 Speaker – Joy Massenburge

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Blurb for “Speak Up, I Can’t Hear You!”

Have you ever thought about creating an audiobook? Want to know the ins and outs? Wish you knew someone who has been there and done that?
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Joy is just that person, and will give an inspirational talk, sharing her mistakes, how to endure the learning curve and bloopers to finish strong. She will also be giving us handouts on the setup equipment and software and its pricing.
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Get your questions ready!
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Learn more about Joy and her work at https://www.joykmassenburge.com/

 

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY:

Joy K. Massenburge is the author of A Cry for Independence and A Heart Surrendered, African American Romance. She crafts the love stories of pastors and their kids. She was born the sixth child of a pastor. She married a football player turned pastor…they raised pastor’s kids; a son and two daughters.

As a pastor’s wife, she found her voice speaking at marriage and women’s conferences and retreats throughout Texas. She filled her speaking material with her poems, short stories, and devotions. She added narrator to her professional portfolio when she debuted in Michelle Stimpson’s “MAMA B: A Time to Speak,” audible book. She is also a contributing author for Our Daily Bread: Oh, Freedom edition.

She serves on the board of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also the founding president of their ACFW-East Texas Writers.

She resides near Tyler, Texas. You can find her curled up on her back-porch swing reading a good book with her grandchildren, caretaking for two donkeys and a dog, or filling her five-acre country home with fifty-plus people for a Blue Bell ice cream party.

 

General

January 2021 Short Story Winners

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From the January 2021 writing challenge, the top three stories are:

First Place – Odors by JJ Rushmore

Second Place – Beholder by Tom Howard (Withheld by author’s request)

Third Place – Red Wigglers by Diane J. Windsor

General

February Meeting – GWB

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Throughout 2021, Granbury Writers’ Bloc meets the fourth Monday of each month at the Langdon Center, 308 E. Pearl St., one block east of Granbury’s historic square.  Gordon House (meet there in February) and the Langdon Center have a kitchen and bathrooms. You may park in the parking lot on the east of the complex, or nearby public parking areas.

February Meeting is this Monday – February 22, 2021.

Kathryn McClatchy is our speaker on social media:

Blurb:
Social media platforms and best practices change almost constantly. New apps, new uses, new rules, new upgrades… no wonder writers are confused, and many opt out because they just want to write their stories.  Unfortunately, those who opt out also miss out on useful research tools, growing audiences, and free advertising.
Whether you are new to social media, need to update your skills, or want specific best practices for authors, this is the session for you.
Join Kathryn McClatchy as she presents current info on hashtag usage and Twitter best practices. The second half of her time will be spent allowing you to get on Twitter, practicing what you’ve learned and asking questions as they come up. Make sure you have Twitter loaded/updated on your favorite device. If time allows, Kathryn will also explain how the hashtag info applies to other social media platforms.

 

Bio:
Kathryn McClatchy has written for newspapers and magazines; worked in advertising,  marketing, and market research; and taught high school and college Composition, Rhetoric, and Literature.
In June of 2006 she suffered the first of many strokes. It changed the course of her life and was the impetus to begin writing fiction and speaking out on behalf of stroke survivors and service dog partners.
In 2012, Kathryn launched UNLEASHING THE NEXT CHAPTER to encourage, educate, enlighten, and entertain through public speaking, group seminars and workshops, private professional coaching, blogging, and small group coaching. Additionally, she teaches and manage social media for individuals, non-profits, and small businesses as well as writing content and copy. In 2019, she also launched an online community for working writers, also under the umbrella of Unleashing the Next Chapter. In her spare time, Kathryn writes mystery and creative nonfiction.
Learn more about Kathryn at www.KathrynMcClatchy.com.

 

 

General

January 2021 Meeting – Note new time and location!

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Join us for our GWB January meeting! During the pandemic, we will continue to offer a choice of either meeting in person with social distancing, or via ZOOM.
Throughout 2021, Granbury Writers’ Bloc meets the fourth Monday of each month at the Langdon Center, 308 E. Pearl St., one block east of Granbury’s historic square. In January, we’ll meet at the Gordon House—the main house at Langdon Center. Gordon House and the Langdon Center have a kitchen and bathrooms. You may park in the parking lot on the east of the complex, or nearby public parking areas (see attached map).
Our meeting format is new for 2021! We will alternate our format by holding critique-format sessions each odd month and, in even months, we will offer an invited speaker’s presentation. Kathryn is lining up awesome speakers for 2021! Our new meeting times are:
6:00-6:15 pm:  Doors open. Snacks available
6:15-6:45 pm:  Member-led presentations and/or discussions
6:45-7:00 pm:  Brief business meeting and break
7:00- 8:30 pm: Critique sessions in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November)
         or in even months
7:00-8:30 pm: Invited speaker from 7:00-8:00 with optional Q &A  and discussion from 8:00-8:30 pm (February, April, August, October)
(Note: The GWB Summer Workshop will be held in June and our Christmas party in December—specific locations, dates, times TBD.)
During the first 30 minutes of each meeting (6:15-6:45 pm), we ask that members volunteer to open the meeting by leading a discussion and/or offering a mini-presentation on relevant topics, e.g. the craft of writing, marketing strategies, publication opportunities, etc. A sign-up sheet will be available for members to volunteer and/or to suggest topics of interest for upcoming meetings. For those not able to attend the in-person meetings, please contact any GWB Board member to suggest topics or volunteer to conduct a discussion or provide an opening presentation.
We hope to see you in January, in person or on ZOOM! The ZOOM link will be sent at a later date.

Writers' workshop and writing group