It’s been a while…well nearly a year since I’ve been to the Gulf Coast Writer’s Association due to many factors.  Sleeping, procrastination, work, hell even forgetting.  But today I was up early (despite getting home really late after work) and ready to feel the warm atmosphere of older more experienced writers.

Now me and my girlfriend attended the meeting and it was a blessing to experience.  Not only were many members who I haven’t seen in a while still a part of the group but actually there were some new members.

The guest speaker for the meeting is Richelle Putnam and she was as entertaining as informative.  She spoke professionally from a place of passion that made her message appealing.  She spoke about several elements that can help writers become successful.  The story itself should have as much personality as the characters that it contains.

Four topics that were discussed

• Infusing personality into the story
• Creating characters audiences can root for
• Story must have a beginning, middle, and end
• Don’t give it all away at once

Also, she detailed the difference between plot and story.

After her lecture I bought her latest book The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty and have requested an interview with her later on.  Hopefully, we can get it together and get it done.