News, Updates, Events!
Grab my Galentine's Day novella for free, join me for an in-person writing event, or paint-along with with me in my new YouTube video.
Hello, friends!
Lots of exciting updates for you today—a giveaway, upcoming events, and art news. I’ve organized them for quick skimming. Happy February!
Diane
Writing News
First, freebie alert: For a limited time, you can grab two sweet novellas by my writing alter-ego, Adele Adair. These are Kindle-exclusive e-books. If you read with Kindle or the Kindle app, check them out on Amazon.
Upcoming In-Person Events
Fiction Writing Workshop, Morse Institute Library, Natick, MA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 7:00 - 8:30
In the words of novelist Rebecca Makkai, “You are not owed a reader. You earn every reader over and over.” Whether you write short stories, novels, or narrative nonfiction, this workshop will help you unlock three elements of storytelling that keep readers coming back for more. Through a series of exercises, we will practice using the sorts of questions readers pose to strengthen our plot and consider the organization of story elements for maximum reader engagement. This workshop is suitable for all writers, from those just beginning to write stories to those with complete manuscripts. Click here to register.
Poetry Workshop, Morse Institute Library, Natick MA
Kick off National Poetry Month with a workshop designed to help you develop a daily poetry practice.
April 4, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Are you looking for a way to become more observant and present in your life? Writing poetry can help you capture the moments as they pass and create an artful record of your days. In this workshop, we will discuss strategies to silence inner critics so we can get words on the page, and you'll learn five exercises for generating poems. These exercises are infinitely repeatable and will help you through the days when inspiration feels hard to find. Armed with some concrete strategies, you'll be ready to launch your own daily poetry practice. Mark your calendar! I’ll let you know when registration begins.
The 19th Annual Monadnock Pastoral Poetry Retreat
April 19-21, 2024
Join us for a weekend writing retreat in beautiful Southern New Hampshire at the Barbara C. Harris Center in Greenfield, NH. Participants meet in small workshop groups to develop their craft. Options are available for poetry, fiction, and personal narrative. There are readings throughout the weekend and time to relax and enjoy the lovely setting. Registration is now underway. Click here to learn more and sign up.
Studio News
I’ve been sketching daily, mostly exercises and studies in my sketchbook as I wait for the weather to warm up so I can get back outside. One of my goals for 2024 is to upload two YouTube videos a month. My latest is a paint-along. If you want to learn some watercolor techniques, check it out!