Library Workshop - Outlining Your Story

Saturday, April 13, 2019, we had a terrific time joining together as writers to discuss various ways of creating an outline for our stories. Below are a few slides from the presentation along with a couple snapshots. Libraries and librarians are the BEST. 

April Events

I am presenting at quite a few events this month. Below are two of them. Come on out and join me! I'd love to see you. 

Registration is now open for the Idaho Writers Conference (April 25-27) at https://bit.ly/2Fj4HlH. The conference features 15 workshop presenters and 12 main stage presenters.

I'll be teaching:

Revising with an Eye for YA - "The revision process is one of the most important steps in perfecting your overall story. Learn how to examine your manuscript from different angles, exploring and developing the intrinsic qualities that will captivate your audience from beginning to end."

Nampa Library Presentation

Today, at the Nampa Public Library, I met with fellow writers and discussed my "12-Step Writing Process." 

Here are a few of the slides I shared during the presentation:

Here are a few snapshots from the event:

If you'd like me to come and speak to your group, click on the "appearances" tab above for more information, or just click here.

I also offer one-on-one coaching for writers. If this is something that appeals to you, please contact me for more information at: margokelly1 @ outlook . com (without the spaces).

Happy writing!

Teen Bookfest by the Bay 2018

I was honored to be invited back to the incredible Teen Bookfest by the Bay last month in Corpus Christi, Texas. The organizers of this event do an absolutely fabulous job of spoiling the attending authors and running an exciting event for readers. Below are a few pictures from the fun weekend in February 2018. 

For more information about the annual event visit: http://www.teenbookfestbythebay.org/

School Visit - Corpus Christi

On February 16, 2018, I spoke with the spunky students of W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, thanks to their wonderful librarian, Analisa Lawhon! We talked about online safety, the latest online rages, and what it's like to be an author. 

I continue to be impressed with the young people around the country.

If you're interested in having me visit your school or organization, feel free to email me at margokelly1 @ outlook . com  (without the spaces) for more information.

School Visit - Portland, Texas

The fabulous librarian, Michelle Costilla, invited me to spend the day with the students of Gregory-Portland Junior High School in Portland, Texas, on February 15, 2018. We had a full day of six different presentations, talking about online safety and my book, Who R U Really?. All of the students were terrific and so much fun to be around.

If you're interested in having me visit your school or organization, feel free to email me at margokelly1 @ outlook . com  (without the spaces) for more information.

School Visit - San Antonio

On February 14, 2018, I had the pleasure of visiting Sippel Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas. What a pleasure! We had a great discussion about online safety, being an author, and reading great books. I had trouble choosing only a couple of pictures - - - so scroll on down for your viewing pleasure! 

If you're interested in having me visit your school or organization, feel free to email me at margokelly1 @ outlook . com  (without the spaces) for more information.

Teen B-Fest at Barnes & Noble

On September 23, 2017, I had the pleasure of teaching a class about writing at the Barnes & Noble in Boise, Idaho, and one of the best parts was having a friend from high school stop by. I hadn't seen her in all the years since high school, and she even brought pictures from back in the day. That was awesome - such a treat! After the writing workshop, I participated in a book signing with other local authors. Barnes & Noble has been a great supporter of authors, writers, and readers.

If you are interested in having me come and speak to your group, feel free to email me at margokelly1 @ outlook . com - (without the spaces included).

Upcoming Presentation at Barnes & Noble, Boise ID

I'm excited to be a part of B-Fest, the annual Teen Book Festival, at Barnes & Noble on September 23, 2017. I'll be giving a presentation at 5pm. There's no charge to attend, and it's open to everyone. Bring a friend, bring your creativity, and join the fun!

Book Review: IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU, WOULD I HAVE THIS LOOK ON MY FACE? by Alan Alda

When I was first offered an early copy of this book for review, I thought, sure! I mean come on -- it's Alan Alda -- it has to be entertaining, right?

Oh. My.

Entertaining is not a singularly correct word for this book. Alda's book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU... is engaging, educational, enlightening, and entertaining. For my complete review, scroll down.

From the Publisher

Alda is an acclaimed actor, star of M*A*S*H, writer, and director, whose many years of interviewing guests on PBS’ Scientific American Frontiers led him on a quest to develop ways to help us learn how to communicate better. In his new book, Alda reflects on moments of miscommunication in his own life, and teaches us ways to build empathy, use improv games, storytelling, develop a mind-reading ability, and more, all in an effort to improve the way we relate and talk to others.
     
With his trademark humor and frankness, Alda digs into the heart of what it means to be a true communicator: being able to read another person so well, you know what they’re thinking and feeling and are able to be in sync with them. Alda has seen this kind of engagement facilitate real communication in a wide range of settings: within families, between lovers, at the office, between doctors and patients, and between scientists and the rest of us.

“Sit back and enjoy Alan’s scientific journey of communication”--Barbara Walters

“A distinguished actor and communication expert shows how to avoid "the snags of misunderstanding" that plague verbal interactions between human beings…. A sharp and informative guide to communication.”—Kirkus Reviews


About the Author

Alan Alda has earned international recognition as an actor, writer, and director. He has won seven Emmy Awards, received three Tony nominations, is an inductee of the Television Hall of Fame, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Aviator. Alda played Hawkeye Pierce on the classic television series M*A*S*H, and his films include Crimes and Misdemeanors, Everyone Says I Love You, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Bridge of Spies, and many more. Alda is an active member of the science community, having hosted the award-winning series Scientific American Frontiers for eleven years and founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. Alda is the author of two bestselling books, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned and Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself.



My Review

Alan Alda's book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU... is engaging, educational, enlightening, and entertaining.

Most importantly, it answers the question: What should I buy as a gift for everyone I know?

Seriously. 

I will be buying multiple copies of this book to give as gifts for Father's Day, Graduations, Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Weddings, and every other possible occasion that needs a gift given. Simply because the book, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU..., will be a terrific tool for parents, students, public speakers, psychologists, and anyone else who needs to communicate well, which is all of us!

Alda's content focused quite a bit on the perspective of scientists and their need to communicate well, and the content fell a bit short when it dealt with business professionals and their needs. However, Zig Ziglar will always be the master of business and sales communication skills. So if you want to improve in that specific area, turn to Ziglar's books.

With that said, I've read a LOT of books and I've attended a LOT of seminars on how to improve my communication skills and this book by Alda is absolutely fabulous. I kid you not when I say that I will be buying multiple copies for people I know.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Here's an example of one of the exercises in the book:

[Thank you to FSB Associates for providing me with a copy of this book for review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]

Storymakers Conference 2017

Whew! Two writers' conferences in two weekends! What was I thinking? Well, honestly, I was thinking it would be AWESOME!! And it was. But my brain is tired. So many ideas bouncing around in there. ;)

This was my first time attending the Storymakers Conference in Provo, Utah, and it was AH-MAZING!

Nearly ten different class choices were offered every hour on every topic imaginable - for TWO days! How is a person supposed to choose? It was hard. But it was worth it.

Some of my favorites included:
Frank Cole talking about being a writing juggernaut
Rosalyn Eves teaching about rhetorical devices
Michelle Frey explaining her perspective as an acquisitions editor
Jennifer A. Nielsen exploring the psychology of characterization
Camille Andros showing how to write picture books
Rosalyn Eves explaining the Objective Correlative

Yes, Rosalyn Eves was such a fabulous teacher, I attended two of her classes!



I also had the pleasure of sharing my presentation "Infuse Tension into Your Writing" with attendees.

 

I signed books with people like James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, Ally Condie and more. ;) I even got James Dashner to write encouraging words to my critique partner Melissa.

The surprise benefit of attending was meeting great people like LJ, Karen, and Shane.

Plus, Ally Condie gave a keynote address. Jennifer A. Nielson gave a lunch-time talk that was so inspiring, 750 attendees rose to their feet, giving a standing ovation. And James Dashner was a hoot throughout the entire conference.

If you've never attended this conference, I would encourage you to add it to your calendar for next year: May 3-5, 2018.