September 2024 Newsletter
Hello Writers!
Welcome back to the newsletter!
This month we highlight MVWG Board Member, Scott Blanke. Here’s what he has to say, “I'll never know why a retired surgeon, who previously wrote some medical newspaper and journal pieces, thought he could be a writer. But with my ego, I decided to try. I have written and had published a humorous Oz novel, a medical murder mystery, several short stories, and flash fiction pieces. I always type my work, because I can't read my own handwriting.”
Now that you’ve met all of our board members, we want to learn about you! Send your bio to mvwguild@gmail.com and we will feature you in an upcoming newsletter!
Read on for your monthly motivation, news, writing prompt, and events.
Motivation
Critique groups can be a great source of motivation! They give writers a deadline to complete a portion of their work and allow them to share their work with others. We currently have several in-person critique groups and one zoom group. With our growing membership, we are considering creating an asynchronous critique group. This group would be open to all MVWG members. If you are interested and would like more information, please send an email to mvwguild@gmail.com.
We are also starting a new in-person critique group that will meet in the evenings. Our first informal meeting will be Monday, October 28 at Java Vino. Check out the Guild Events section for more information.
Send your motivational memes, tips, tricks, and resources to mvwguild@gmail.com
Victory! News from the Guild
This month, we have TWO exciting announcements from Wisconsin Writers Association.
David Nash was featured on a recent Chapter Break in the Midwest Writers Room podcast. Check it out at https://wiwrite.org/podcast.
Kristen Nyholm received an honorable mention for the piece she submitted to the 2024 Jade Ring Contest in the category What Wisconsin Means to Me. Her piece will be published in the next issue of Creative Wisconsin Magazine. Congratulations to all those who placed and received honorable mentions.
Have a victory you want to share? Let us know!
Writing Prompt
The 1-Minute Writer: 396 Microprompts to Spark Creativity and Recharge Your Writing, by Leigh Medeiros
1-Minute Prompt:
You’re a CIA operative who has to plant a listening device nearby. You must choose someplace inconspicuous or your cover will be blown. Write about where you discreetly hide the device.
5-Minute Prompt:
The folks from the TV show Antiques Roadshow are in town. There’s one item in your environment that can fetch a pretty penny at auction. What item could it be? What do the appraisers say about it when you show them? Write the scene where they help you uncover the true history of this unlikely valuable item.
10-Minute Prompt:
A genie has granted you the opportunity to keep one thing in your environment without any consequence, even if it’s something that currently belongs to someone else. Write about your decision-making process. Consider, if what you choose belongs to someone else now, whether you’ll have any feelings of guilt or remorse later.
20-Minute Prompt:
A doctor holds an x-ray up to the light. It seems to indicate that the patient has swallowed a foreign object. Pick an item in your environment and make it the object seen in the scan. Do you choose something that’s, um, easy to pass, or something that requires emergency surgery? Write a scene between the ER doctor and patient as they discuss the next steps. Include the patient’s explanation as to why he or she swallowed the object in the first place.
Guild Events
New Critique Group Social
When: Monday, October 28, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Java Vino
What: We are starting a new evening, in person critique group! If you’re interested in joining, stop by JavaVino between 5-7 p.m. on October 28 for more information, to sign up, and to meet other possible members.
Save the Date: November 2
An afternoon writing retreat, featuring writing time, workshops on how to critique and tips and motivation for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and an opportunity to read and get feedback on your work!
Help us plan more events by completing the member survey!