Tag Archives: CCW meeting

January Meeting

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Great Beginnings: Hank Phillippi Ryan – January 13 at 7:00 pm.

You know the great opening lines: Ishmael, Manderley, the last camel. Why do those work? And how can you create one for your own novel?  And then–what about that crucial first paragraph? And a first page that will entice editors and enchant readers? How can you set the proper expectations for the story to come—and make every word work?  

This workshop, led by award-winning thriller writer Hank Phillippi Ryan, will dissect and analyze acclaimed first lines and opening paragraphs, and reveal the writing secrets these brilliant examples offer. If you are brave enough–please bring your own first line! 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 12 thrillers, winning five Agathas and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and 37 EMMYs for TV investigative reporting. THE MURDER LIST (2019) won the Anthony Award for Best Novel, and is an Agatha, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee. Her newest psychological standalone is THE FIRST TO LIE. The Publishers Weekly starred review says “Stellar. Ryan could win her sixth Agatha with this one.”

More information can be found at her website.

October Meeting

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Our next meeting, “Poisons as Murder Weapons” will be on October 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

Dwayne Clayden combines his knowledge and experience as a police officer and paramedic to write crime thrillers. He is the best-selling author of the Brad Coulter Series. The 5th book in the series will be released in 2021. His new series, Speargrass-Opiod is available for pre-order from Kindle.

He is a popular speaker at conferences and to writing groups presenting on realistic police, medical and paramedic procedures. And we’re honoured to have him. Check out his website.

Dwayne’s books are available from: Kobo and Amazon. 

As a reminder, due to COVID-19 and the need to maintain physical distancing, CCW will not be having in-person meetings until further notice. Instead we will be going on-line. Members will be emailed the Zoom link to join the meeting each month. If you’d like to check us out before joining, you can attend one meeting for free. Please email treasurer@capitalcrimewriters.com for the link.

CCW April 2015 Meeting: Elections & PIZZA!

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Got a taste for blood (and pizza)? Feeling bloody-minded? Then why not join us!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday April 8, 2015 in the Honeywell Room at Ottawa City Hall.  It begins at 6:45.  Pizza will be served.  The 2015-2016 election for the CCW Executive will then take place.  PLEASE COME TO THIS MEETING IF YOU ARE FREE.  If you are interested in putting your name forward for any of the executive positions, please email Michael Murphy president@capitalcrimewriters.com.   The CCW executive needs new blood.  We welcome fresh blood to the executive.

Our yearly book exchange also takes place.  Bring a couple of mysteries you have read to the meeting, leave them on the table and go home with something new to read.

Time permitting, we will have a round the table discussion of what we are currently reading.  Go home with suggestions from CCW members of what to read next, from Ottawa’s most discerning mystery readers

IF YOU ARE COMING TO THIS MEETING, PLEASE REPLY TO Michael Murphy
president@capitalcrimewriters.com  so he knows how much pizza to bring.

FINAL REMINDER: Entries for the “Audrey” short story contest close on April 1st. No fooling.

February 11th, 2014 WORKSHOP

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GOAL! MOTIVATION AND CONFLICT: THE FOUNDATION OF COMMERCIAL FICTION

Next meeting, February 11th, 2014, Ottawa City Hall, Honeywell Room.

Madeline McBride will present this workshop.  Writers , are your characters’ goals and conflict strong enough to carry the story?  This interactive craft workshop will help you describe what your characters want, the stakes, and what’s stopping them from reaching their goals.
In an exercise using a simple template, you’ll identify your hero/heroine’s internal and external goals, motivations, consequences/stakes and conflict (GMCC).  Those willing to share will have the opportunity to  get feedback on their work-in-progress GMCC’s.  The resulting comprehensive  GMCC  sentences, one for each character can be key elements of pitches
This workshop is based on Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict, arguably an essential craft resource for writers of commercial fiction genres such as mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, romance etc.
Madeline McBride (Presenter) is currently President of Ottawa Romance Writers Association, writes as Madelle Morgan.  She’s completed six books, although three were for practice as she honed her craft!  She won or placed  in several writing contests.