New work on view now!
Art & writing news
Hello, friends!
Somehow time has run away on me. I meant to be offering updates here once or twice a month, but April flew by in a blink, and I missed it completely. Alas. If you following me on Instagram, you know I’ve been very quiet over there, too, lately. It’s not because I haven’t been making art to share— actually I’m nearly the finishing line of a 100 day project and I haven’t missed a day!—but rather I’m choosing to be more intentional about how I spend my time.
Way back in December, I started using the ScreenZen app to break my bad habit of staring at my phone every two seconds, and it has worked like a charm! I actually stopped using Instagram on my phone altogether, which has been a huge boost to my mental state. Thanks to ScreenZen, I now only check email on my phone once or twice a day instead of doing so reflexively every time I pick it up, and I often don’t look at Facebook on my phone at all. Little by little, I’m starting to feel like I’m using my phone more than the apps on my phone are using me, and that is a good feeling.
Still, there’s a place for social media and email in my life—I’m here, aren’t I?! I do love keeping in touch with friends and family around the world, so I won’t be going off the grid completely any time soon, I just might not be as responsive to messages as I once was. So if you reach out to me and don’t hear back for a few days, please don’t take offense!
Read on to learn about a new painting that is on display now and for information about a writing workshop coming up later this year.
Cheers!
Art News
I’m happy to share that I have a painting on display at ArtsWorcester from May 9 through June 16 in the ViewFinder exhibit. This is my first acceptance to a juried show at ArtsWorcester, and I am so excited to be included.
I created this painting from a photograph I took in 2022. There was an early snowfall that December, and my husband and I took our dog Amelia her best friend Bobby (the poodle, a resident of the farm) for a snowshoe on conservation land behind the farm. The grounds of Donker Farm are managed by the Greater Worcester Land Trust, and the public is welcome to enjoy the trail network, although the house, barn, and yard, are a private residence. Luckily for me, the owner, Elisabeth, is a good friend, so my hubby and I get to visit often. Elisabeth is an amazing artist and an inspiration to me. I was a bit nervous to paint a scene of her home, as I wasn’t sure I could do it justice, but I was very happy with the end result. Although, full disclosure, this was my second attempt, and Elisabeth did point out that while this one is overall better, Bobby was cuter in the first try. Next time, I’m sure I’ll manage to put all the pieces together.
As you can see from the photo below, I took some liberties with the lighting and the arrangement of the dogs, but I kept most of the farm-yard clutter, in the spirit of urban sketching and showing the world as I see it.
Writing News
I’m happy to announce that I’ll be running a three-part series at the Morse Institute Library in Natick, MA in the fall, so mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details!
"Plan, Write, Revise: A Three-Part Workshop Series for NaNoWriMo Success"
Are you ready to take on the challenge of writing a novel or memoir in just 30 days? This three-part workshop series is designed to equip writers with the tools and strategies they need to tackle National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with confidence. Led by novelist Diane V. Mulligan, whose award-winning second novel, The Latecomers Fan Club, began as a NaNoWriMo novel way back in 2009, this series will guide participants through the process of preparing and writing their novels and will culminate in a plan for post-NaNoWriMo revisions. While the three workshop sessions are designed to build upon one another, each workshop does stand alone so that writers can join us for one, two, or all three. Whether you're a seasoned writer or embarking on your first novel-writing adventure, this workshop series will provide you with the support and guidance you need to succeed in NaNoWriMo and beyond.
Workshop 1: Preparation and Planning
October 3, 2024
In the first workshop, participants will learn essential strategies for preparing to write a novel during NaNoWriMo. Topics covered will include:
Generating and refining novel ideas
Developing compelling characters and settings
Outlining and plotting your novel
Setting realistic writing goals and creating a writing schedule
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a solid plan in place for starting their NaNoWriMo journey.
Workshop 2: "Writing Sprint: NaNoWriMo Kickoff"
November 7, 2024
In the second workshop, participants will dive into the challenge of NaNoWriMo. Through a series of writing sprints, participants will have the opportunity to make significant progress on their novels in a supportive and motivating environment. Workshop activities will include:
Timed writing sprints to boost word count
Tips and tricks for overcoming writer's block and staying motivated
Peer feedback and encouragement
By the end of this workshop, participants will be well on their way to reaching their NaNoWriMo goals.
Workshop 3: "Revision Strategies and Beyond"
December 3, 2024
In the final workshop, participants will shift their focus from drafting to revising as they prepare to transition from NaNoWriMo to the next phase of their writing journey. Topics covered will include:
Strategies for revising and polishing a first draft
Seeking feedback from beta readers and critique partners
Developing a revision plan and timeline
Exploring options for publication and next steps
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a clear roadmap for revising their NaNoWriMo novels and taking their writing to the next level.