In addition we'll have a number of well-known writers plus many other experienced and entertaining teachers.

WRITER'S WEEKEND...SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY:

7:00 p.m. An informal gathering to get acquainted, relax and unwind.

 

SATURDAY: 8:00 a.m.

BREAKFAST

8:45-9:45

Nonfiction Basics

Explore ways to organize nonfiction work. Learn about effective writing and putting fiction skills to work for you. Review research and editing. Learn about "work-for-hire" and how to match an editor's style and format.

Writing for the Fun of It!

Take a leap. Choose to be wildly creative. Combine words into phrases that could lead to a discovery of something hidden in your memory or buried under the mundane. We will, of course, write in class -- with special prompts.

How to be Published in Ten Steps.

A great place to start for beginners and those who want a refresher course.

Fiction, Fiction, Fiction

What makes a story outstanding? What makes characters memorable? We’ll examine several plotting methods, character charts, and have fun finding what works for you, so your stories will have the ring of truth wrapped in fiction. Bring a large tote bag: Jane is the queen of handouts.

11:15-12:15

Words! Words! Words!

Let's play with words. The right word, aptly written, can enhance any piece of writing. Just as a lazy or common word or phrase could scuttle the best manuscript. In this workshop, we will use various short exercises to experiment with the POWER and JOY of choosing the right word to spice up, make clear, or cause our writing to take flight.

More Fab Fiction

12:30 p.m.

LUNCH

1:30-2:30

How to Write Memoirs the World Just Might Want to Read

Write your story and make it shine

1:30-2:30

The Essence of the Story

How to condense ideas down to what really matters

2:45-3:30

Discover Your Writing Personality

This is based on an article I had in Writer's Digest. Members identify their key strengths and weaknesses and learn how to maximize their strengths and improve their weaknesses.

2:45-3:30

Web Sites Made Easy

Tools that can help writers develop and maintain their own

3:30-5:30  

Just for Fun.

Write, critique, relax, play, walk on the beach, or take a photo-hike with our professional photographers. Or indulge in our bonus session:

5:30 p.m.

DINNER

Marion Duckworth has been writing for publication since 1978. After 11 years as a stateside missionary under the auspices of Village Missions, she wrote her first article. Terrified of rejection, she received an acceptance letter that began, "Where have you been all my life?" Encouraged, Marion continued to sell articles to a variety of periodicals. Her first book, The Greening of Mrs. Duckworth was released in 1980. She has published 16 more books, hundreds of articles, as well as Christian education material and has spoken at church retreats, conferences and other events. Many related to what she had to say and asked for help with their own problems. So she and her husband, John, established Abiding Ministry-a free counseling service. In 2000, John suffered a stroke and Marion cared for him until his death in 2004. A year or so ago, she resumed her writing and speaking career. Her latest book, Naked on God's Doorstep was released in November. She also works as a book doctor and editor and invites conferees to let her help them. She serves as a consultant/mentor at the OCW summer conference.

Gail Denham . . . has sold articles and photos to magazines, book publishers, calendar companies, and newspapers for over 20 years. Credits include Guideposts, Northwest Living, Horse Illustrated, Cat World, Reminisce, Harcourt & Brace, Harper & Row, Country, and many more. In the last 25 years, over 300 of Denham's stories have appeared in at least 85 different markets. She has taught short story, poetry, and photo workshops at many Northwest writing conferences, has conducted writing workshops for elementary and secondary schools and for community colleges. Gail also has worked as a manuscript editor, and was Editorial Consultant and contributor to Zoomer & Co., a "Bookazine" publication.

Birdie Etchison, Co-director. Birdie has written a variety of books, including juvenile, nonfiction and fiction. She has been included in several anthologies, and also writes articles and short stories. Her books include: Sagebrush Christmas, Oregon Breeze. Her novel, Oregon, was an alternate selection for the Crossings Book Club and Wal-Mart brought out Homespun Christmas in hardback. Besides teaching at various conferences, she worked as an instructor for Writer's Digest Schools for over 22 years. She is currently working on Mountain Music, a story about Audrye, who is rebuilding her life after the devastating death of her husband.

Tracie Heskett has published six curriculum books on writing effectively (6 Trait writing) and four on Nonfiction Reading Comprehension. She is currently working on writing a teacher's guide for the writing strand of a reading program published by Pearson Learning Group. Tracie has written a Bible study on the book of Philippians and self-published two poetry chapbooks and a cookbook. Her poetry has been published in a Guideposts anthology. She has also taught workshops at writing conferences. She lives in Vancouver with her husband.

Jane LaMunyon is the author of fiction, nonfiction books, two anthologies, and a weekly book review for her local paper. She is a judge for local and national writing contests, speak at writing conference workshops, schools, women’s groups and retreats, covering a variety of topics. She partnered with another author, teaching weekly writing classes for a Los Angeles area community program, and is currently in her third year teaching a writing class in Oregon.

Patricia H. Rushford . . . Co-director. Pat has book sales totaling over a million copies. She has written numerous articles and authored over 40 books, including What Kids Need Most in a Mom, Have You Hugged Your Teenager Today, and It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Kid: Healing for Broken Children. Her mysteries include She Who Watches (4th in the McAllister Files) and As Good as Dead, (3rd in the Angel Delaney Mysteries) and Sins of the Mother (a romantic suspense) Pat is well known for her award winning Jennie McGrady Mysteries for teens and her new mystery series, Max & Me for middle grade readers. Patricia is a registered nurse and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling. In addition, she conducts writer's workshops for adults and children and has appeared on numerous radio and television talk shows across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at www.patriciarushford.com

THE FACILITIES

The Ocean Park Methodist Retreat Center & Camp is located on 85 wonderful, wooded acres on the sand dunes on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington. The facilities are comfortable and include dining and recreation halls and an inspiring view of the Pacific Ocean.