Write On

y carpet layer squinted up at me from behind a roll of wall-to-wall plush and said, "You're writing a novel? That's cool. I've been working on mine for 10 years. It's an archetypal exploration of Southern nihilistic eating habits. I call it Ribs Nevermore."

Memphis is crawling with writers. Romance writers. Mystery writers. Throw a rock into a crowded room and it'll bounce off a writer. Or their mother. Or their neighbor who's working on a book about his Appalachian ancestors which he plans to self-publish. And although countless writers dream of producing critically respected, highbrow literature, many others want to strike gold with a son-of-Grisham blockbuster -- or what's better known as commercial fiction. Maybe it's your dream, too.

See if this sounds familiar. You're walking the dog one rainy night when a great story idea hits you. The plot's suspenseful, the ending twists like an angry anaconda, and the villain is so real you can hear him snarl. Your heart pounds as you visualize book tours and movie deals. Standing in the drizzly glow of the street light, a realization comes to you. This is the book you've always wanted to write.

You race back to the house and flick on the computer, ready to create. But where do you start when you want to write a book that will sell?

The first thing experienced writers will tell you is, "Thousands of good books get written every year that don't get published." You understand, but still want to try. So you stay up late each night sweating out clever dialogue and tense action scenes. Problem is, as the pages mound beside your computer, the story isn't the way you pictured it. It's flat, slow, and God forgive you, it's boring. The word "amateur" floats through your mind.

Before you throw your hands up in despair, realize that being a successful writer requires persistence and a knowledge of the craft and how the publishing industry works. And in Memphis, there are several resources for fledgling authors, from writing groups and workshops to open-call readings and college courses.

* Although Sisters in Crime was formed in 1987 to raise public awareness of women's contributions to the mystery field, everyone -- male, female, writer or reader -- interested in the genre is welcome.

Sisters in Crime meets at 10:15 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Germantown library. Programs have covered such subjects as forensics, criminal psychology, and police procedures. In addition to these meetings, Sisters in Crime hosts an annual conference, which draws about 50 participants from the tri-state area. Past conferences have included workshops on writing techniques conducted by such mystery authors as D.J. Donaldson, Charles Wilson, and Charlene Harris, and this year's Bootcamp for Writers is structured to cover basics for beginning writers (see sidebar).

* River City Romance Writers meets at 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday of the month on the ground floor of Baptist East. Programs emphasizing the craft of writing are often conducted by such well-known authors as Sandra Chastain, Elizabeth Sinclair, and Patricia Potter. Friendly and supportive, this sharply focused group is interested in turning a hobby into a paycheck.

"The basic craft of fiction transfers into any genre," says Carolyn McSparren, president of River City Romance Writers and founder of the local chapter of Sisters in Crime. "We've worked hard on the fundamentals -- from mythic story structure to professional manuscript preparation. We're also wired into the publishing industry."

Duel on the Delta, the group's sixth annual conference, has grown yearly in attendance and reputation. Last year's attendance topped out at 200 participants from 18 states. Past speakers have included best-selling authors Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney. This year's conference will host four literary agents and five editors from such publishers as Bantam Doubleday/Dell, Ballantine, Pocket Books, and Harlequin.

* Mid South Writers' Association holds its meetings at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church, with programs emphasizing short and literary fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. It's a relaxed atmosphere, with critiquing at every other meeting.

* University of Memphis offers courses tailored to fiction through their Continuing Education Program. Published author Martha Shields and award-winning novelist Deborah Dixon will conduct an eight-week program titled "Writing Genre Fiction" beginning February 1st. Elements of character development, plot, and story structure used in such popular genres as suspense, westerns, and romance will be covered.

* Rhodes College, through their Meeman's Center for Lifelong Learning, is developing an evening creative writing course for adults beginning February 16th and running through March 30th. Taught by Rhodes English professor Marshall Boswell, the program's goal is to encourage writers by providing a supportive forum where they can refine existing manuscripts, read and discuss established authors' works, and build on existing writing skills. Catalogs will be available in November.

* La Montagne Restaurant, located near the U of M, provides a weekly forum for poets and fiction and nonfiction writers. Participants gather every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in a private room to read portions of their work. "The feed-back is gentle and helpful," says owner Rob Sangster. "I'm always pleased by the high level of creativity in the group."

* Best-selling authors use locally based Gryphon Books to gather research materials for their million-dollar manuscripts. Gryphon Books' semi-annual catalog includes new, used, and out-of-print books on such varied topics as Victorian serial killers, cowboy slang, and covert electronic surveillance. Authors find Gryphon Books' service invaluable. In addition, its library of "how to write fiction" has essential books not available through bookstores.

Of course, there's still the chance that you could do all of the above and never publish a word. Or, you could be like McSparren of Sisters in Crime and River City Romance Writers. After five years of seriously focused writing, she's had four manuscripts accepted within two years by Harlequin Super Romance and her second book, If Wishes Were Horses, will be released in January.

'97 and '98 Conferences

* November 8, 1997: Sisters in Crime -- Boot Camp for Writers in the reception room at Creations by Barbara, 2828 Stage Center Cove, Bartlett

Mystery authors Jean Hager, Cecilia Tishy, and Carolyn McSparren speak on the mechanics of mystery writing. Private investigator, D.J. Douglas, covers criminal investigation techniques. Editor Susan Sachs of Nashville's Dowling Press reveals what editors look for in new authors.

Fee: $40 includes lunch

Reception Friday night at Little Professor Book Center

Contact Phyllis Appleby 377-0143

* May 9, 1998, Mid-South Writers Association -- Spring Festival at Holiday Inn Midtown

Contests for prose and poetry with an evening awards banquet and prize money. Five conference speakers ranging from poetry, fiction/nonfiction, playwrights, and publishing

Fee: $7 for conference, $17.50 for banquet

Contact: Michael Denington 377-8250

* March 20 and 21, 1998, River City Romance Writers -- Duel on the Delta Conference at the Adam's Mark Hotel

18 workshops designated by three tracks: Beginning Writers, Advanced Writers, and Publishing/Market forums hosted by editors

Keynote speakers: Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Pamela Morsi

Limited agent/editor appointments

Fee: $135 includes lunch and dinner

Reception Friday evening. Contact Kathleen Hodges at 726-9683 or kwhodges@aol.com

* Other writers resources:

Literary Evening at La Montagne Restaurant 3550 Park Ave

Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the private dining room. Reading and critiquing of poetry and prose. Listeners welcomed. No charge.

Contact La Montagne at 458-1060

Gryphon Books For Writers -- P.O. Box 172342, Memphis, TN 38187

Free catalog. Contact Amelia Bomar or Judy Clough at 762-0162 for special requests of hard-to-find materials or e-mail at Gryphonbks@aol.com