New Special Focus on Fiction: short story, novel, screenwriting workshop series begins April 29th

“What another would have done as well, do not do it. What another would have said as well or written as well, do not say or write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself.” — André Gide

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor” – Anne Lamott

 “I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”   - Elmore Leonard

What if you could combine into your writing process through some beautiful technique the wisdom shared in the three quotes above? How can you pinpoint the perspective on your subject matter and the voice that exists nowhere but in yourself, and then translate that onto the page? At the same time, striving for perfection is the best way to never complete your manuscript. But how to figure out which are the parts that people skip reading? 

Beginning April 29th, I'll be offering a 6 wk writing series that will explore writing techniques that you can use to dig into your short story, novel, or screenplay. We will write stories, develop ideas, and expand novels in process. We'll also write in a supportive community, sharing tips about how to submit and publish your work along the way. Each week we'll cover new ideas and methods, focusing on a different key area of writing fiction each week: structure, plot, character, time, setting, and voice. Sign up for all 6 sessions or drop in depending on your schedule. In person and online.

2024 Monday Night Creative Writing Workshop Fiction Special Focus 

 6 workshops in this series: structure, plot, character, time, setting, and voice.

A fun and generative workshop especially for writers of fiction, short story, novel, and screen writing. Do you wish you wrote more? Want to feel a sense of community when you write? Want to start a book or finish a book? 

In-person and on zoom - sign up for the 6 wk series or drop in when your schedule works 

April 29 - June 10, 2024 (no workshop May 27) 6:30-8 pm 

Monday nights $160 or $30 drop in

This creative series is the most popular and longest-running workshop I offer. Craft, technique, and prompts for fiction of all forms. A kick in the butt for your writing life! Waiting for inspiration is also called procrastination. So don't wait - connect with a community and improve your fiction project and writing practice. Mondays from 6:30 to 8 pm. This series will fill up fast as I keep the size of the group intimate. Sign up by email to tangledrootswriting@gmail.com or call 530-386-3901.

What are the best open mics in the Tahoe Area?

Who knew this is what I look like reading a new poem of mine at the Iron Door in the Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley, when the stakes are an invitation to read on the main stage? Well, my performance impressed the judges and I got the opportunity to share my work at the 8th Sierra Poetry Festival.

Are you looking for an open mic in the area to perform your newest poem, your spoken word, your slam expression? Especially in April, National Poetry Month, we have more opportunities to share our work, but in the past couple of years, open mics are on the rise in Tahoe, Truckee, Reno, and Grass Valley/Nevada City. Here are a few that I recommend:

1. The Muse Exchange is an open mic at the Fern @ 235 Commercial St. in Nevada City every first Wednesday beginning this May 1. You can perform poetry, storytelling, and even comedy. Blast off is at 7 pm with doors opening at 6 pm. This open mic is hosted by Michael Clarity, MC extraordinaire, with DJ beats and visual art as well.

2. At Shim's Speakeasy on W 3rd Ave in Reno, NV you can share your poem on stage in an open mic hosted by Spoken Views Collective. The MC is Jesse Ziegler, Reno Poet Laureate himself. I love this scene at Shim's - super welcoming, fun and diverse. Their mission is to provide a platform and safe spaces for spoken word expression as well as build a community of spoken word artists and poets. 21+ 

3. Go to Incline Village this April 30th in the Prim Library for an open mic poetry night in celebration of national Poetry Month.This will be Incline Village Library and Prim Library, University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe second annual poetry night.  From 6:30-8:30 PM. Enjoy an evening of poetry, music, community gathering, and complimentary snacks. Register as a participant or an audience member! You can find tickets at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tahoe-poetry-night-tickets-837803210957

4. Once or twice a month, Dark Horse in Truckee hosts open mic, live music, talent shows and other eclectic performance. They call themselves "a place for crunchy dirtbags, local classics, academics, poets, philosophers, artists, angels, devils, mirrors, mystics, skeptics, rebels, those with money, those without, those lost, those found, leave your judgement at the door." this coffee shop is one of my go to places to work and write in an old town filled with creative people type of vibe.

5. The Kings Beach Library has an open mic "Poetry in the Afternoon" on May 18th from 2-4 pm. I love this simple announcement below - what more do we need?

I know many other open mics are happening out there - what's your favorite?

Truckee Arts Alliance interview in The Truckee Turntable: Spring into new collaborations

 

I was recently interviewed for the Truckee Turntable newsletter. You can read the entire interview and below I have an excerpt.

Did you know that Truckee has been designated as a special cultural district in California, one of just 14 such districts?

A High Sierra District, Truckee boasts world-class scenery and a rugged high alpine location that catalyzes and inspires art and culture.  Truckee’s rich history includes:  the Transcontinental Railroad, the infamous Donner Party, Charlie Chaplin performances, and the 1960 Winter Olympics.  The main features are Truckee’s historic downtown which is home to numerous galleries, workshops and events and Donner Summit which provides numerous trails and vista points highlighting our tremendous historic and cultural heritage.

TCD:  What advice do you have for aspiring writers looking to improve their skill or pursue a career in writing?

TERREY: Here are three tips I keep in mind. First, writers at all levels of experience can find that necessary yet elusive motivation by joining a writing community where they can share their work and goals in a safe environment. Second, even the best writers hire a writing coach or editor to improve the effect of their writing.  Finally, use calls for submissions as deadlines to get work done, but don’t look towards this kind of outside validation for the worth of your writing. I think each of us must nurture a faith that our writing is a worthwhile endeavor in itself.

TCD:  Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?

TERREY: Yes! I just wrapped up a three-part workshop series on how to get published that featured a collaboration with 8 guest authors that was so fun. Participants were able to hear these author stories and ask them questions about their own projects. Right now, I’m working with visual artists Troy Corliss and Sara Smith to offer creative writing as part of their Teen art classes funded by an Upstate California Creative Corps grant. And looking forward, I am coordinating a pop-up poetry event in Truckee as part of the Sierra Poetry Festival and the Nevada County Common Reads program. I’ll be reading poems with June Sylvester Saraceno at the Truckee Library on April 3.