Dozens of writers gathered at the Lockhart-Taylor Center on April 16 to hear from professionals on how they could hone their craft.
The eighth annual Carolinas Writers Conference, sponsored by the Anson County Writers Club, had workshops for writers of poetry, essays, nonfiction and more.
“You are, I designate you, from this moment on, a writer,” author Robert Macomber said. “For the rest of your life: ‘I’m a writer.’”
Macomber, a historical maritime novelist known for his “Honor Series,” stressed the importance of identifying as a writer, saying that writers, whether published or not, need to introduce themselves as such and maintain a friendly and professional demeanor.
He advised attendees to know their audience and write for them, then become an expert on their story and aspects of it that they could do talks on. He encouraged them to speak at local events and on public radio and TV stations about their work.
Authors need a set time to write, he said, so Macomber urged them to make “office hours” that they could write in, working out an agreement with their families if necessary in order to preserve that time and to bring them into the process.
“Your family is one of your best publicists, so bring them in and let them have fun,” Macomber said.
North Carolina Poet Laureate Shelby Stephenson entertained the audience during lunch with Hank Williams songs and readings of his poetry. He also led a discussion on poetry, encouraging workshop participants to read their own poetry to the group.
Chris Roerden, an editor who also has several writing credits, explained what editors look for — and don’t — and how to avoid making common mistakes. She provided the classes with good and bad examples of writing, pointing out their strengths and flaws.
She also warned them away from “Tom Swiftese,” using the popular Tom Swift series as an example of a case of overly used adverbs, pulling the often punny examples such as “‘This salad dressing has too much vinegar,’ Tom said acidly.’”
Terry Roueche, a playwright and former newspaper reporter, told his students not only how to write a good play, but how to market it in order to be sold and performed.
Kay McSpadden, a columnist for the Charlotte Observer, taught her classes on how to craft well-written and engaging essays and short stories.
Michelle Buckman, author of several books, including Amazon’s best-selling “Rachel’s Contrition,” focused on how authors should layer their characters and introduce clever plot twists designed to keep audiences engaged and prevent them from becoming bored by too easily guessing a story’s ending.
Karen MacMurray, a retired librarian and author and active member of the Anson County Writers Club, talked about the importance of social media. MacMurray gave her audience tips on how to use the various forms of social media to engage with audiences and promote authors’ work, pointing out several free marketing opportunities.
Amy Clipston, author of the “Kauffman Amish Bakery” and “Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel” series, instructed the writers on how to keep deadlines, providing them with tips and tricks ranging from how to create a story outline and making sure the authors are organized.
The Anson County Writers Club meets at 3 p.m. the fourth Sunday of each month, except for July and December, at the Anson County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is located at 107 E. Wade St., Wadesboro.
To learn more about the club, visit www.ansoncountywritersclub.org.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.
