This workshop will include breathing exercises to loosen up presentation nerves, joint story telling exercises using emotions and music to capture the passion of your story and interactive presentations.

Facilitator:        Yvonne Kachel

When:              7th September

Time:               1.30pm to 3.30pm

Where:             Cavanbah Hall, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour

Cost:                $7.50 for members and $15.00 for non-members

Make Your Readers Care!

Characters drive your story. Creating real characters makes your reader turn the page.

This interactive workshop, for the aspiring or emerging writer of fiction or memoir, looks at techniques for creating characters that will live on in your readers’ minds after they close the book.

We use some basic psychological insights to discover how you can create memorable characters that leap off the page and hook your readers from the beginning.

We draw on examples from modern fiction, memoir and film to see how the experts did it!

When:                          1^st June, 2016

Time:                           1.30pm to 3.30pm

Where:                        Cavanbah Hall, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour

Cost:                            $7.50 for members and $15.00 for non-members

Creating Compelling Characters Workshop

Our writers’ group is proud to be involved as one of the Peer Panel Discussion and Q&A participants for the upcoming Creative Industries Forum 24th May at the Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey. Attached is a copy of the event program.

Creative Industries Forum Program

The Coffs Harbour Writers’ is now, as at 29 February 2016, registered as an incorporated association in New South Wales under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009

It was with great pleasure to have had the opportunity of attending the Official Book Launch ‘Girl on the Edge’ by local author Kim Hodges.

Girl of the Edge is Kim’s first memoir book and it certainly won’t be her last.

Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight officially launched this outstanding book on 13th February, at Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club.

For further information go to: http://www.kimhodges.id.au

Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group has an established core of dedicated writers, some published, some writing memoirs, some poetry and screenplays, others into science fiction, romance and young adult, and whatever they are interested in that day! It’s a very encouraging setting for anyone who loves to craft the written word for any media.

After more than five years’ meeting every month at the Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club, 30 year old Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group has a new home for gatherings! Cavanbah Hall, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, on the first Wednesday of the month from 10 am to 12 noon commencing 3^rd February 2016 and afterwards for lunch in the nearby scrumptious Chill Out Café in the Community Village. It’s a lovely new venue with lots of space for inspiration and group work. Invited guest speakers also bring in other skills and ideas and links to community groups.

Social Coffee Gatherings are held in between on the third Thursday of the month at 10.00 am at local cafes and members’ homes.

New members and guests are welcome at all times. Just come along and have a look and maybe take part in our readings or in a skills workshop held bi monthly on meeting days after lunch.

Calling all plotters out there!

You might not be plotting the next challenge for political leadership but as a writer you do want to have an engaging plot for your next story. You want the reader to keep turning the pages! So if plotting is your thing (or your challenge) come along to the next Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group Workshop, Planning your Plot, 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm Wednesday, 7 October, Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club. Facilitated by local author, Rosalie Skinner, this workshop will teach you the essential elements of plotting, how to avoid plot distractions, how to develop characters and advance your story. Rosalie says: “Every genre has guidelines. Following them will ensure your story follows the rules. Recognising each element will simplify your writing process and help create clear, compulsive storytelling.”

Planning Your Plot

Facilitator: Local author, Rosalie Skinner

When: Wednesday 7th October, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm

Where: Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club

Cost: $7.50 Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group members and $15.00 non-members

More information and reservations: Leonie on 0412668315

Rosalie can be contacted through Rosalie Skinner or her blog Ramblings from Lady Rosalie http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com.au

Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group Sub Committee Members for this year’s 2015 Grassroots Writers Weekend met 12th September with Nambucca Valley Writers’ Group President, Diane Curran and her organising committee to officially hand over relevant documents supplied via a USB stick.

Diarise next year’s event 1 to 3 April, 2016 at Valla Beach Resort. www.vallabeachtouristpark.com.au If you are planning on staying in one of the wonderful cabins, it is wise to make your booking now.

Learn how to engage your audience!

Are you one of those people who tremble at the knees when called to stand up and speak to a group, avoid all party tributes or even giving the results at a Sports Club gathering? Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group has come to the rescue with a fantastic workshop on Presentation Skills facilitated by Yvonne Kachel next Wednesday 5 August, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm at the Coffs Harbour Ex Services Club. The Writers’ Group likes to give its writers additional confidence in reading out stories at meetings but the skills are applicable to all individuals and occasions when getting up on your feet is required. Yvonne Kachel has had a wealth of experience as a senior public servant in the Community Services’ sector and regularly taught presentation and communication skills to staff members. She is also a very talented (and amusing) writer. To book, ring 0412668315 or just come along and bring your friends! $7.50 Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group members $15 non members

Event: Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group Workshop: Presenting your Story – Presentation Skills for every occasion

Facilitator: Yvonne Kachel from Coffs Harbour Writers’ Group

When: Wednesday 5th August, 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm

Where: Coffs Harbour CeX Club, Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour

Cost: $7.50 members and $15.00 non-members

Bookings: Ring or text 0412668315