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Fine Lines Summer Camp is Underway!

David Martin kicked off the 2011 Fine Lines Summer Camp at Beveridge Middle school Monday morning. This is a record year for attendance with participants ranging in age from elementary students to adults. The day began with David’s opening speech and Christina Allred (gifted facilitator with OPS), a cellist, who played while over 130 campers listened and wrote.

After the opening session, groups convened to their rooms where they wrote with their camp leaders. Then they all returned to the auditorium where David gave several homework assignments including:

  1. 1. List ten adjectives to describe good writing.
  2. 2. Describe what makes you a writer.
  3. List what you learned about writing today! (Metaphor, Mozart effect, etc.)

Then several campers shared their own writing in an open mic. session. There were some amazing writers at the microphone today!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Flag Day. Participants have been invited to show up in red, white and blue clothing. Teddy Roosevelt will be there in the morning to start off day two of Fine Lines Writing Camp!

 

“Thank you Fine Lines!” An open letter

Dear Fine Lines:

I would love to share information regarding Fine Lines with anyone and everyone who is interested. Let me tell you my story of the first time I was published in this publication.

I was divorced, alone, sad, and at the Southpointe Mall in Lincoln, Nebraska, shopping for a new shower curtain at Bed Bath and Beyond. It was rainy; the selection of shower curtains was overwhelming, and I really didn’t care anyway. So I went to Barnes and Noble and got a cup of coffee. I walked over to the magazine section, and Fine Lines was sitting there on the shelf, with my name (Dorothy Apley) on the front cover, listed with the other writers whose works were included in that issue.
Continue reading ““Thank you Fine Lines!” An open letter”

Exciting Opportunity for Retired Teachers! Visit China!!!

The Chinese American Cultural Bridge Center (CACBC), a non-profit organization promoting cultural exchange since 1992, regularly leads tours to China for educators (teachers/librarians/principals), retired educators, and student groups.  CACBC specializes in taking educators and plans two tours for this summer, which both family and friends can attend.  Deadline for both: May 25, 2011 or till it’s filled.

Continue reading “Exciting Opportunity for Retired Teachers! Visit China!!!”

Pricing Update!

WriteLife, LLC will be increasing the retail price of Fine Lines from $11.95 to $15.95 as of May 1, 2011. The increase was necessary due to increased printing costs and market influences.  If you want to order any copies of Fine Lines at the current price, please place your order before May 1.
All my best,

Cindy Grady
Managing Director
WriteLife, LLC

Toll Free: 877-974-8354
PH: 402-932-7866

Summer Camp 2011!

2011 Summer Camp form

2011 Summer Camp for Creative Writers

Grades 4-12, College, and Adults

Where: Beveridge Magnet Middle School

When: June 13-17, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Open the attached form for more information.

We look forward to seeing you this summer! Write on!

2011 Summer Camp form

Ocean by Jackie Byers

Ocean

by Jackie Byers

There is a certain shape in me
That dreads the sea,
so I go down to the shore.
Once more I stride the grit
study the wind tossed foam
taste cold salt sea spray
And try
To drive the demon away.

He retreats a bit
But lurks beneath
The awe of boundless beauty
The thrill of perfect power
Purifying
Peace instilling
But never still.
Potential for disaster
Life unbridled, rampant, raging.
A wet blue heaven wrapped around earth
Nourishing teeming life
Gnawing at the granite edges
beginning and ending of all.

Words by Christine Janak

Welcome to National Poetry Month! Enjoy poems from Fine Lines and feel free to write and share your own!

Words

by Christine Janak

A violent hurricane of words
Shook the house.

They seeped through the cracks in the ceiling
And crawled under the doors.

They slithered up the staircase
And bled through the walls.

Thousands of fire-red ants
Seared pinholes into my flesh.

Words were thrown
Like crumpled tissues into a waste-bin.

I sat on my bedroom floor
With my knees crushed against my chest
As truth gobbled me up like a Sunday feast.

Words

Words

Christine Janak

A violent hurricane of words
Shook the house.

They seeped through the cracks in the ceiling
And crawled under the doors.

They slithered up the staircase
And bled through the walls.

Thousands of fire-red ants
Seared pinholes into my flesh.

Words were thrown
Like crumpled tissues into a waste-bin.

I sat on my bedroom floor
With my knees crushed against my chest

As truth gobbled me up like a Sunday feast.