Hello Writers!

Welcome back to the newsletter!

As the new Social Media and Communication Coordinator I wanted to introduce myself, I am Jonathan Lamb. I am a member of the Rewrites group and focus on being a playwright. Locally I am also a performer, director, and choreographer. I look forward to helping MVWG become more interactive and informative.

In other news, two of our critique groups are accepting new members! Red Pen Society meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at Viterbo University. Tuesday Edition meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. on Zoom. If you know someone who would like to join, please have them contact us at mvwguild@gmail.com.

Keep reading for your monthly Motivation, News from the Guild, Writing Prompt, and Guild Events!

Motivation

In honor of Andrea Gibson, poet laureate and activist who passed away July 15, here is the first stanza of their poem, “What Sucks About The Afterlife,” published in their book, ‘You Better Be Lightning.”

On Earth, everyone loved butterflies,

but I trusted the caterpillars more.

I trusted the ones who knew

they were not done growing.

On Earth, I was a work in progress,

was comforted in the knowing

that I had a million mistakes

still in me to learn from.

Listen to Andrea read the whole poem at https://youtu.be/92kaGsA6dRs.

If you’d like to learn more about Andrea, check out their substack at https://andreagibson.substack.com/.

Send your motivational memes, tips, tricks, and resources to mvwguild@gmail.com

Victory! News from the Guild

Congratulations to Tracy Schuldt Helixon of ReWrites on her newest book! The Book of Roisins is a middle grade novel about an Irish-American girl who travels through time to meet the grandmothers who came before her. From the Irish Potato Famine, to a World War II hospital train, to Sally Ride’s space shuttle launch and more, Roisin is about to learn just what she’s made of as she embarks on a grand adventure.

Have a victory you want to share? Let us know!

Writing Prompt

Atlas Obscura has a wonderful podcast that has been of great inspiration to me. It’s like you get to travel to all parts of the world in just 15 minutes. It is an audio guide to the world’s strange and wondrous places. They’ll take you to an incredible destination and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Looking to set your story in a different location? Want one of your characters to have a quirky interest they can talk about? Let this podcast and website be your spark of creativity. You can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Guild Events

Summer Member Social

When: Wednesday, August 6th, 5-8 p.m.

Where: Onalaska (address will be shared when you register)

What: Join us for pizza and a social! Bring your own beverage and an appetizer or dessert to share. Guests who are interested in joining the guild are welcome!

Apple Blossom Ladies Auxiliary Presents Minnesota Derby Murders

When: August 15 & 16 at 630pm, August 17th at 2pm

Where: Wieser Pavillion, La Crescent, MN

What: Written by ReWrites member, Jonathan Lamb, a silly night of zany characters all set at the You Betcha Hobby Horse Track. What happens after the track owner is found dead from unexplainable circumstances? Join us to find out who killed Herbie Olsen.

How: Tickets can be purchased at the La Crescent Area Healthy Community Partnership office or through Appleseed Community Theatre Venmo.

Help us plan more events by completing the member survey!