More Exciting News: Appearances, 2012 Classes & The Northwest Author Series

The Northwest Author Series Presents Emily Chenoweth

This Sunday, October 23rd, I will be hosting author Emily Chenoweth as part of the Northwest Author Series at the Wilsonville Public Library. Emily’s topic is a popular one with folks trying to decide whether to write their stories as memoir or fiction: Memoir of Fiction? Make the Most of your Choice

Here’s a description of what her talk will cover:

You’ve got a great story in mind—but how should you tell it? “Tell all the truth but tell it slant,” Emily Dickinson advised. Do you aim for a faithful description of events, or do you use your experiences as fodder for fiction? In either case, you must construct a story with narrative and emotional integrity. In this workshop, novelist and essayist Emily Chenoweth offers tips, examples, writing exercises, and supplemental readings to help you turn life into art.

And here’s a little more about her: Emily Chenoweth is a former fiction editor of Publishers Weekly and the author of the semi-autobiographical novel, Hello Goodbye, which was nominated for an Oregon Book Award and was named one of the top ten Northwest books of 2009 by The Oregonian. Her work has appeared in Tin House, Self, Bookforum, People, Plazm, and the anthology The Friend Who Got Away.

Hope To See You At the Chuckanut Writers Conference in Bellingham, Washington

Everything comes full circle, and I am very pleased to announce that I will be appearing at the Chuckanut Writer’s Conference in Bellingham, Washington on June 22nd and 23rd. I got my start teaching writing at Whatcom Community College, which resulted in publishing three years’ of my students work in an anthology before we moved to Wilsonville. I am thrilled to be returning to Bellingham as part of my Writer’s Workout tour. Special thanks to Lorraine Wilde for telling me about the conference. I am also thrilled to be working with Linda Howson again. She is the community education program coordinator at WCC and is also the conference chairperson. I’m also looking forward to working with Village Books in historic Fairhaven, which was one of my favorite haunts when my daughter Samantha was a baby. I can’t wait to hear more about the line-up and have a reunion with my former students. If you live in Northern, Washington state, I hope to see you there! More info coming to this link soon.

Upcoming Class Schedule: A Few Announcements

I am already being asked about my 2012 class schedule. I promise to have it posted soon. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few comments from recent students:

Writing & Publishing The Short Stuff

I’ve been looking around at various writer’s helps on the Internet (books, Web sites, and so forth), and I’ve noticed that it all leaves me feeling a bit daunted. Your materials, on the other hand, leave me feeling “I can do this!” You are very clear about the work that it takes — the diligence needed to improve as a writer, the process of finding the right places for submission, the never-give-up attitude — but I think that one of the most valuable things about your course is the can-do attitude it imparts to your students, at least to this one. Thanks again.  ~ Caroline W.

Christina’s class was a great refresher to help me improve the quality of my writing, and distinguish between the kinds of articles I can publish. She had an uncanny ability to give me the right suggestions to improve not only class assignments, but my future writing work. The success of her students is clearly a priority to her.  ~ Rhonda F.

Have you always dreamed of being a writer but then talked yourself out of it thinking “I can’t really do that.” Think again! This class is the perfect mix of practical information and inspiration that will get your pen moving. At the end of six weeks you will say “I am a writer.”  ~ Gwyneth W.

I love writing and I love my kids and I love how Christina helps us learn how to balance these two loves. She gives us her experience and knowledge in a well-organized, friendly and encouraging format. I firmly believe that this class has helped me uncover the writer that I really want to be.  ~ Kristin W.

Pitching Practice: Pitch Six Queries in Six Weeks Feedback

I really resisted taking this class. My queries have always been decent and I really didn’t think there was much I could do to improve them. Christina really helped me kick them up a notch! I gained a ton of confidence and really have developed a process as to what needs to be included in a query and the type of background knowledge and research that I should have in place before I pitch an idea.  ~ Krysty K.

This class gave me the resources, advice, know-how and, most of all, the kick-in-the-pants I needed to confidently fire up my querying machine. I’m excited about keeping up the momentum and putting what I’ve learned into action.  ~ Christa H.

Querying is a writing muscle that can’t be developed through simply imitating someone else’s work. It has to be gained through practice – proper practice. And like gaining strength in any muscle, learning how to query requires progressive intensity. Christina Katz understands this and has constructed an excellent class that builds, week upon week. Her coaching showed me how to exercise my way to a place of real strength. After years of weak queries, I’m finally hefting pitches with muscle.  ~ Lara K.

More information on Writing & Publishing the Short Stuff and Pitching Practice

Hope to work with you soon!