Events

And it doesn’t matter what you’re working on. The workshop is open to all writers, though it emphasizes writing for publication. Nick Belardes (author of Random Obsessions and Lords: Part One) is starting up the Random Writers Workshop, a weekly lecture and discussion on writing for publication, which will be held at Russo’s Books in the Marketplace. The workshop will focus on topics like creativity and imagination, narrative, dialogue, novel outlines, poetry, short story, creative nonfiction, draft cleanup, style and voice, as well as ongoing discussions on how to query publishers via letters, emails, social networking and more. The Random Writers Workshop (Cost is $8) will be held on Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (we will move back to Thur in the new year) and will feature a discussion on narrative as well as a discussion on why writers should write for publication. It will also feature a reading from Belardes on narrative from a special guest published author who offers his/her expertise to the workshop. “Who better to ask advice than those who are professionals? These are published writers, editors and professionals in the field. We can’t bring them to class. But with today’s technology, it’s easy to ask a question and get a response that can help students become better writers. These are professionals speaking directly to the Random Writers Workshop.” Prior to the discussion any writer is welcome to bring a journal, paper and pen, or a laptop computer between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. simply to write. “I recently went to a writing group in San Francisco where all the group did was write for an hour. No discussion. Just writing. People loved it. So I want to have a weekly hour set aside at Russo’s Books where people can feel like they can come and work on a project, or just let their minds wander. It’s all about being active about creativity,” Belardes said. Future classes will feature a sign-up list for students to read up to five minutes of their work, which will be discussed in a dialogue format within the workshop. “Yes, the main portion of the Random Writers Workshop is the lecture, discussion and sharing time,” Belardes said. “I’ll be sharing my writings too. I want writers to know that Bakersfield can be a literary force in the Central Valley. But it takes hard work, passion, and often times, great discussions on writing.” NICK BELARDES has worked as a creative writer in animation for the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. He has taught at Bakersfield College and the Art Institute of Las Vegas. He was written for TV and film, as well as news for television, magazines and newspapers. He’s the author of a fictional account of the Lords of Bakersfield, Lords: Part One, and his current book of oddities, Random Obsessions, which has recently been talked about on television in Fresno and San Francisco, and featured on radio and newspapers throughout the Central Valley and in the Southland. He wrote the first literary novel on Twitter (Small Places) and is currently working on three books: The Odd Valley (trivia), City of Dirt (Essays) and A Serendipitous Garden of Lies (YA series). What: Random Writers Workshop 6:30 pm: Write for an hour! Cost: free 7:30 pm: Random Writers Workshop. Cost: $8 CONTACT: nickbelardes@yahoo.com or Thomas Robinson at Russo’s Books at 661.665.1643 or russosbooks@gmail.com, for more details.