Workshops, Conferences Can Help Writers Hit Next Level

Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight likes to say that one of the first things that people learn how to do is write - and then they go on to other things.

But some people never do learn to write, at least as well as they want to. That’s why there are so many opportunities for rookie writers to attend workshops, seminars and the like.

One such workshop is the 1996 Writer’s Workshop, which is sponsored by Clark College of Vancouver, Wash. Set for Saturday, April 13, the one-day event features a series of morning skills sessions in poetry or fiction, a lunch reading by poet Sandra McPherson and afternoon workshops in fiction or poetry. Registration is $35.

For further information, call (360) 992-2637.

If you’re tired of the cold weather, you might be interested in attending the 10th Annual First Coast Writer’s Festival in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 12-13. The price of the conference, which offers two full days of workshops with professional writers, is $75. For information, call (904) 633-8243.

Closer to home, the Seattle chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will hold its Fifth Annual Spring Conference on April 20 at Seattle Pacific University. The all-day program will include sessions both for writers and illustrators. For information, call (206) 932-3157.

Another family affair

Spokane authors Mitch and Kathy Finley have revised and expanded their book “Building Christian Families” (Thomas More, 176 pages, $10.95 paperback). In the book, the Finleys discuss “the roles of family as community, servant church and foundation for the home church.”

The word redefined

Lance Olsen, Idaho’s Writer-in-Residence, will hold a “televisual” literary reading at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Idaho College of Law Courtroom. Olsen will be joined by writers Matt Baldwin, Abby Bandurraga, Trevor Dodge, Brandon Hall, Eric Isaacson and Shawn Rider. The reading will blend live readings with slides and taped music.

The reader board

Woman’s Words, a monthly meeting of area women writers, will hold its April reading at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

, DataTimes