My writing has been a learning process and a labor of love. It has taken time and effort to develop my skills.
Below is a list of meetings, conferences, workshops, and online classes I have attended or completed. Some were local, some were in Comfort, TX, (20 miles away) some were in Austin or San Antonio, TX, (70 miles away) one was in Abilene, TX, (175 miles) and some were online.
Now you know I’m not much of a traveler.
But in this cursed or blessed computer age we live in, learning is available to anybody who has a computer. As I work to keep my skills current, I’ve been rewarded with encouragement, inspiration, and friendship at every turn!
Jan. 19, 2012 - I spoke at the Heart of Texas Writers group in Brady, TX, about writing, contesting and publishing poetry.
July 28, 2011 - Book signing for my chapbook, Selected Published Poems, at "Art in the Garden" event at The Herb Farm in Fredericksburg, TX.
June 25, 2011 - Attended Christian Writers Group of San Antonio Summer Saturday Seminar with author, Steven James.
May 05, 2011 - I spoke at San Antonio Writers Guild about how/where to sell small pieces, particulary poetry, for money.
April 02, 2011 - I was a featured poetry reader at Forrest Fest Preview Party in Austin, TX.
Feb. 08, 2011 – Attended 3rd Annual Johnson City Library Writer’s Event with poet Scott Wiggerman, true crime author Suzy Spencer, and YA author April Lurie.
Jan. 02, 2011 – Completed working through poetry book The Art and Craft of Poetry by Michael Bugeja with local poetry group.
Oct., 05 2010 – Completed working through poetry book Poemcrazy by Susan Wooldridge with local poetry group.
Sept. 23, 2010 – I spoke at Abilene Writers Guild monthly meeting, “30 Ways to Write Poetry Without Losing Your Reader (or Your Lover!)"
Sept. 18, 2010 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX 2010 Editor’s Day Conference in San Antonio with editor Julie Ham from Charlesbridge, editor Sarah Schumway from HarperCollins, and author Carmen Tafolla.
July 16-17, 2010 – Attended Christian Writer’s Group of San Antonio workshop: “Hearts and Craft” with author Janice Hanna Thompson.
July 13, 2010 – Attended FISD Community Ed class with author Dena Dyer on “Join the World of Social Media.”
July 06, 2010 – Attended Community Ed class with author Dena Dyer on “Book Proposal Blitz.”
May 11, 2010 – Attended Johnson City Writers Event with nonfiction author Bill Minutaglio, children’s author Bethany Hegedus, and author Greg Garrett.
Mar. 25, 2010 – Completed six week poetry class through FISD Community Ed with Certified Poetry Therapist Lianne Mercer: “Our Poetry Connection: Making Poems, Inviting Meaning”
Feb. 7, 2010 – Heard author Cecil Murphey speak in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Oct. 2, 2009 – Completed online poetry course through Women on Writing with poet Melanie Faith “Poetic Explorations in Memory, Love & Longing, Loss, and The Natural World & Awakening.”
Aug. 4, 2009 – Became a founding member of Johnson City Writers, Johnson City, Texas.
July 3, 2009 – Completed 4-week online poetry course, “Poetic Passion: Image, Story, Line, & Language” with instructor poet Melanie Faith through Women on Writing Classes & Workshops.
June 18, 2009 – Attended writer’s workshop in Johnson City, TX, with authors Diana Lopez, Mark G. Mitchell, and Tweed Scott.
Aug. 7, 2008 – Attended FISD Community Ed class, “The Organized Writer,” taught by author Dena Dyer.
July 24, 2008 – Attended FISD Community Ed class, “The 15 Minute Writer.” taught by author Dena Dyer.
July 19-20, 2008 – Attended “Time to Write” retreat at The Haven River Inn sponsored by Lambs Tale Ministries with author Jane Rubietta and author/editor Chris Tiegreen.
July 17, 2008 – Attended “Writing Personal Essays” class taught be Dena Dyer through Community Ed.
Apr. 26, 2008 – Attended Austin SCBWI Conference “Write Deep in the Heart of Texas” with editor, Deborah Wayshak, Candlewick, editor Alvina Lang, Little Brown, and agent Erin Murphy.
Mar. 15, 2008 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX San Antonio meeting, editor Madeline Smoot speaker, “Working with the Small Press.”
Jan. 12, 2008 – Attended Austin SCBWI meeting to hear author/poet Jane Ann Peddicord.
Nov. 9-11, 2007 – Attended Children's writers workshop in Boerne for Writers Master Class with author Jane Yolen.
Jan. 17, 2007 – Completed Kerrville Independent School District on-line course: "Creating a Sense of Place" with instructor/author Eva Shaw.
Nov. 11, 2006 – Attended SCBWI–SWTX conference in San Antonio, “Wise Words, Perfect Pictures: And How to Get Them Published!” with agent, Jennifer Jager from the Andrea Brown Literary Agency; Lauren Velevis, editor with HarperCollins and Allyssa Eisner Henkin, editor with Simon & Schuster.
Oct. 21, 2006 – Attended SCBWI-Austin 2007 "Follow Me" Fall Conference with Bruce Coville (author), Sara Crowe (agent), Esther Hershenhorn (author), and Lynne Polvino (editor, Clarion). Critique with Lynne Polvino.
July 8, 2006 – Attended Austin SCBWI meeting with author Dianna Hutts Aston.
July 7, 2006 – Completed author Anastasia Suen’s online class, “Writing Poetry for Children.”
Feb. 13, 2006 – Completed FISD Community Ed. Class, “So You Want to Write a Novel,” taught by Donald Manusos.
Nov. 12, 2005 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX “Dreams Do Come True” Conference with Arianne Lewin (Hyperion) and Rick Riordan (author). Critique with Robyn Conley (the Book Doctor), Larry Rosler (Boyds Mills Press).
Oct. 8, 2005 – Attended SCBWI Austin “Follow Me” Fall Conference with Melanie Cecka (Bloomsbury), Mark McVeigh, (Dutton), and Stephen Fraser (Literary Agent). Critique with Stephen Fraser.
Aug. 1–3, 2005 – Attended “Writing That Changes Lives” writers seminar at The Haven River Inn in Comfort, TX, sponsored by Lambs Tale Ministries with authors Jane Rubietta and Lynn Austin.
Apr. 6, 2005 – Completed Creative Writing class with author Kristi Gedeon through FISD Community Ed.
Mar. 5, 2005 – Attended Austin SCBWI workshop with children’s author Lisa Wheeler, “Picture Books From Beginning to End: The Rules, The Rhymes & The Reasons.”
Jan. 22, 2005 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX workshop: “Sharpening Your Skills: Improve your Wonderful Writing and Impressive Illustrating” with author Kristi Holl and illustrator Joy Fisher Hein.
Nov. 6, 2004 – Attended San Antonio Writers Guild Seminar with Dr. Marian Martinello – “Search for Stories: A Model for Humanities Detective Work” (researching historical fiction).
Nov. 4, 2004 – Attended SAWG meeting with author Rick Riordan, speaker.
Oct. 16, 2004 – Attended Austin SCBWI Fall Conference “Follow Me.”
Sept. 18, 2004 – Attended Austin SCBWI meeting, author Jane Peddicord, children’s poetry.
Sept. 11, 2004 – Attended SWTX-SCBWI meeting, author Peggy Caravantes, “Nuts & Bolts of Submitting.”
Aug. 4, 5, 6, 2004 – Attended The Haven River Inn in Comfort “Words for Writers: Rest, Write, Renew” with authors Jane Rubietta and Lynn Austin sponsored by Lambs Tale Ministries.
July 1, 2004 – Attended SAWG meeting with speaker, poet Wendy Barker.
May 6, 2004 – Attended SAWG meeting with speaker Karin Ireland, children’s picture book author, speaker.
Mar. 19, 2004 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX meeting San Antonio – children’s picture book biography author/illustrator Don Brown speaker.
Sept. 13, 2003 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX workshop with Hannah Rogers, assistant editor with Houghton-Mifflin.
Aug. 16, 2003 – Attended Austin SCBWI “Standing Room Only” workshop with author Kathi Appelt.
July 2003 – Completed Ed 2 Go on-line course, “Keys to Effective Editing”, taught by Jacquelyn Landis.
May 31, 2003 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX “Editing Excellence” clinic.
May 17, 2003 – Attended Austin SCBWI “Editor’s Spring Fling” conference; critique with editor Yolanda Leroy, Charlesbridge Publishing.
Apr. 25, 26, 27, 2003 – Attended local poetry retreat/seminar at Way of the Wolf taught by poet and author Lianne Mercer.
Apr. 2003 – Completed Ed 2 Go on-line course, “Pleasures of Poetry”, taught by poet Melody Gough.
Mar. 2003 – Attended SCBWI-SWTX Critique Clinic.
Jan. 25, 2003 – Attended SAWG workshop “Working with Agents” featuring Evan Fogelman and Helen Brown from the Evan Fogelman Literary Agency.
Nov, 2002 – Attended Hi-Lo Workshop in San Antonio taught by Kathleen Muldoon, sponsored by SCBWI-SWTX.
Oct. 30-Nov. 20, 2002 – Completed Creative Writing Class II taught by Kristi Gedeon through FISD Community Ed.
Sept., 18-Oct. 16, 2002 – Completed Creative Writing Class taught by Kristi Gedeon through FISD Community Ed.
June, 19, 20, 21,2002 – Attended writer’s seminar at The Haven River Inn in Comfort, TX, sponsored by Lamb's Tale Ministries lead by authors Jane Rubietta and Nancy Groom.
July 26, 2001 – Became founding member of local women’s writers group, Hill Country Women of Words.
June, 27, 28, 29, 2001 – Attended writer’s seminar at The Haven River Inn in Comfort, TX, sponsored by Lamb's Tale Ministries and lead by authors Jane Rubietta and Nancy Groom.
*** SCBWI-SWTX – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators South West Texas
in San Antonio, Texas
Austin SCBWI – Austin, Texas, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
SAWG – San Antonio Writers Guild, San Antonio, Texas
