New site feature!

I probably shouldn't have thrown all these posts out at once, so I'm dealing this one until Sunday. We've now added a page listing on the right column, and our first page will include author links and bios and other tidbits of information on upcoming speakers - so you don't have to search for them!

I hope you enjoy this and if you have any other page ideas, please let us know (in the comments below would be great, or via email to fwastpete).

Keep on writing!

Social Media and Webrings by Billie Noakes

Billie Noakes, storyteller and writer, shared with the group on how to use social media and what take advantage of in your quest for creating an online presence. Billie focused on Facebook, the number 1 social media site, and touched on other topics as well.

Her mention of networking meetings and Chamber of Commerce get-togethers reminded me of an FWA writer up in Pasco who sold her books at a farmer's market. What an interesting idea. (Now if only I wrote about gardening! But her's was not that kind of book - I think it was fiction.)

There are a lot of ideas out there that show that there's no one way to do things, and Billie's look into getting a following was both informative and enlightening. She showed several things via her laptop to those who stayed after.

Thank you, Billie! I've got to get back to my fan page and update it!

From Intention to Bookshelf - Janet Connor shares her soul

Janet Conner, author of Writing Down Your Soul, spoke on the realities of hard work required to get you from an idea for a book to having it published, on March 10. An engaging speaker, Ms. Conner shared how her own journey worked and was insightful and funny as well as touching on hardships.

One thing that struck a chord with me was how you can touch into an energy that can help you in your life. I know this may sound preachy, so I'm not going to go into it, other than to say you can check out her website for more information on her workshops.

I think the main thing is, keep a positive attitude and love what you are doing. You will hit bumps on the road and get gifts of help from unexpected sources. It reminds me of a saying I read in someone's office: If you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life.

How true!
Thanks and my apologies for getting these speaker reviews up so late. I will stay up to date now, I think!

Poetry and Lark

Lark Underwood, former president of the Tampa Writers Alliance, spoke on April 14th, the night prior to the traditional tax deadline (but not this year), about all things poetic; read some of her poetry, and invited others to share theirs.

The evening was fun-filled and enjoyable, and was marked by the first use of a small amplifier with microphone. This was so well-received that we decided to use it going forward.

Lark captured the excitement and emotion that good poetry emits and shared her expertise with the attendees in an engaging way.

Thank you, Lark!