Writer’s Forum in Petaluma

The new date for my talk is 7/15/20

Mark your Zoom calendars for 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15th for this free event brought to you by Aqus Community Foundation, Writers Forum and Marlene Cullen.

Writing Dialogue for Fiction and Memoir

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81835086804

Writer and instructor Stacey Dennick will present tips on how to write dynamic, characterizing dialogue. She’ll also cover the common pitfalls that lead to stilted, dull dialogue. Learn the three tasks all dialogue must accomplish; how to reveal more about your characters though dialogue. How to avoid stalling your story with dialogue; preventing “talking head” syndrome; recreating dialogue for memoir; dodging info dumps; best practices for dialogue tags (so the reader knows who’s saying what), and more. There will be time for Q & A.

Stacey Dennick teaches creative writing in Santa Rosa through Santa Rosa Junior College’s Older Adult Program. She holds an MFA in Writing from the University of San Francisco. Her published works include news pieces for KRCB North Bay Public Media, technical and humorous stories in print and online. She’s currently working on her first novel.

Happy New Year!

Dock another minute from my 15 minutes of fame, because Dave Templeton mentioned yours truly (and included my photo) in his thoughtful Argus Courier write-up of the upcoming  Writer’s Forum speaker series.  I’m one of six writers presenting monthly talks on various aspects of the writing life. The presentations are free, thanks to Copperfield’s Books, and Write Spot instructor Marleen Cullen. Those of you who need a writing nudge might want to try her Jumpstart Writing Workshops. In the meanwhile, save Thursday, April 16, 2020. The presentation starts at 6:30pm and will end at 8:30. My talk is entitled “Writing Dialogue: Best Practices & Common Errors.”
I hope to see you then,
Stacey
UPDATE: presentation rescheduled for 7/15/20

Posted January 2, 2020.

Writers Forum announces 2020 line-up of presenters: Since we’re spreading the word on the Woman’s Club’s speaker series, let’s continue on that theme, with the 2020 line-up of speakers at this year’s Write Spot Writers Forum, held the third Thursday of every month, February through August, at Copperfield’s Books in Petaluma.

The series begins on February 20 with an appearance by the Argus-Courier’s Community Editor David Templeton, taking the microphone to talk about the art and adventure of playwriting, followed on March 19 by Joan Gelfland, author of “You Can Be a Winning Writer: The 4 C’s of Successful Authors.”

April 16: Stacey Dennick, a creative writing teacher through Santa Rosa Junior College’s Older Adult Program will address “Writing Dialogue, with Attention to Setting and Action.”

May 21: Nicole Zimmerman, a journalist and travel writer, and the 2019 recipient of the Discovered Awards for Emerging Visual and Literary Artists.

June 18: Brenda Knight, author and publisher. She’s shepherded the works of such authors as Paolo Coelho, Marianne Williamson and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was named Publisher of the Year in 2014 by the American Library Association, and wrote “Wild Women and Books,” “Women Who Love Books Too Much,” “The Grateful Table,” “Be a Good in the World” and “Women of the Beat Generation.” J

July 16: Kara Vernor, writer of fiction and essays, whose flash fiction chapbook, “Because I Wanted to Write You a Pop Song,” is now available from Split Lip Press.

Forum link on The Write Spot Blog: https://www.thewritespot.us/forum.php

“Ardor in the Alley” classics and monsters by Stacey Alysa Dennick

A winner in Copperfield’s Books fall 2009 writing contest. The challenge, mix classics and monsters (as in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) in 300 words or less.

 

Ardor in the Alley

A shoddy carriage pulled by a swaybacked nag trotted past Madame Bovary and Leon.

“Must we go out?” She asked. They had but six more hours before she had to return to her tedious husband.

“Emma, my love,” Leon said, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “A man needs fuel to feed his passion.” His eyes glinted in the dark of the alley as he bent to kiss her.

A booted foot rang out on the cobblestones, compelling them to draw apart.

The man approached, silhouetted against the low moon, his cloak billowing behind him, although there was no wind. Emma shuddered and drew her own cape tighter.

Suddenly the stranger stood by Leon, his eyes preternaturally bright. His full mouth lifted into a smile, revealing fangs as sharp as lion’s claws. Emma’s mouth fell open, but no sound came out. Her treacherous legs could barely support her. Leon tilted his head back slowly as if in invitation. The stranger pulled him close and sank in his wicked teeth. Leon moaned. The stranger’s answering groans mingled with a hideous slurping, sucking sound.

Jealousy burned hot in Emma’s breast. A banshee’s shriek escaped her lips. In one smooth movement she pulled a knife from her boot and slashed it against the stranger’s hamstrings. She might be small, but she knew where to strike. He staggered back, dropping Leon. Emma plunged the blade again and again, until she and the stranger were both soaked in blood. Only then did she turn to Leon. The stranger laughed, his wounds had completely healed.

“Such enchanting fire,” he said, grabbing Emma and drawing her to his chest. “I shall take you as my companion.”

 

© 2012 Stacey Alysa Dennick, all rights reserved.