WCCW Writers Conference

PLEASE NOTE: We have begun putting together the details for the 29th Annual White County Creative Writers Conference, to be held Saturday, August 31, 2024 in Searcy AR. We will update this page as these plans are finalized.


Another Great Conference is in the books!

The 28th Annual White County Creative Writers Conference was held on Saturday September 2, 2023.

And what a conference it was. Attendance was even higher than expected, and the session leaders were wonderful! And lunch was great too!

You can view pictures from the conference on our Facebook page.

Conference Pictures Part 1 | Conference Pictures Part 2

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S SPONSORS

The following sponsored contests, donated door prizes, contributed to the goodie bags or otherwise helped make this event a success. We sincerely appreciate them.

Solander Press

Scrivenings Press

BCC Freight Haulers

Razorback Auto Sales

Lindsey Pawn and Storage

Lindsey Plumbing

Penpoint Writers Group

Gin Creek Poets

Authors Anonymous 2.0

Harding English Department

Lindsey Breeding, Independent Mary Kay Consultant

Carol Hodges

Renee LaViness

WCCW Members

2023 RECAP: FEATURED SPEAKERS

WCCW Writers Conference featured speakerLINDA APPLE

Linda Apple is the author of nonfiction, women’s fiction, and children’s books. Book three of her Moonlight Mississippi Series, Lexi’s Choice was released in 2022. Sixteen of her stories have also been published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Her middle-grade early reader, BOWWOW! Book of Winston’s Words of Wisdom, was chosen by a Pennsylvania school district for their One-Book programs. It was also on the short list for the Benjamin Franklin award. Winston’s newly released book, Winston’s World: The Way He Sniffs It, was one of the books exhibited at UK’s London Book Fair in April.

Linda has served as president of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and the Ozark Creative Writers Conference. She also has the great honor of being chosen to be inducted into the 2023 Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame. Linda has taught writing workshops in the Midwest and southern portions of the United States, as well as Great Britain and Ireland. She is also a motivational speaker.

She is a firm believer in writing with the reader in mind and to leave them better after having read her books. She also encourages writers and readers alike to value their own stories and to share them. Her goal is to spread seeds of inspiration and give wings to all she has the privilege to mentor. She writes from her soul and speaks from her heart.

Linda lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband, children, thirteen grandchildren and her writing partner, Winston, a feisty Scottish Terrier. He barks, she types.

You may find out more about Linda at her website: lindaapple.com

WCCW Writers Conference featured speaker Clarissa WillisCLARISSA WILLIS

Clarissa Willis is an author, consultant, and professional developmental specialist. She provides workshops, keynote addresses, and customized professional development both nationally and internationally. In her spare time, she writes early childhood curricula, teacher resource books, and books for children.

Clarissa (Chrissy) Willis grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has lived all over the United States. Clarissa has an extensive background in early childhood education. She has been a writer since second grade when her story “O.T. Rich” was selected for the school newspaper.

Clarissa is excited to announce that her newest Children’s books Anderson the Ornithologist, and Fast as The Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony Express Rider are now available. She is the owner of two small businesses: Solander Press and C-W International Rights. Books from Solander Press have been nominated for Spur Awards, Ben Franklin Awards and recently the Will Rogers Medallion Awards. In the international community, she represents independently published authors and small publishing companies at International Book Fairs.

As someone who has reinvented herself multiple times in her career, Clarissa loves to talk about author branding and marketing. You can learn more about Clarissa at her website: clarissawillis.com


2023 RECAP: FEATURED SESSIONS

There were 5 sessions at this year’s conference, plus an afternoon read around. Our scheduled sessions included:

 WRITING LIFE: YOUR STORIES MATTER. (Linda Apple) What seems like the most mundane to us will one day be a treasure to others. All too often we do not realize the value of our stories. In this interactive session, we will discover our stories and explore imaginative ways to share them in order to benefit our readers now and long after we have graduated from this life.

WRITING FOR TODAY’S YOUNG READERS. (Linda Apple) Why write for children? What to write? How to write? Linda will address these questions and more on writing for our most important audience, children.

USING THE ELEMENTS TO SHARPEN CHARACTERIZATION. (Linda Apple) For another tool in your writer’s toolbox, try this unconventional approach to character development. As writers, we often put a little bit of ourselves into all of our characters which sometimes results in too much blending of personalities. By assigning an element such as earth, fire, air (wind), or water, to a character, the contrast is sharp. It also improves our understanding of how our characters interact with each other. So, what are the characteristics of each element? In this interactive session, Linda will show you how.

CREATIVE NON-FICTION. (Clarissa Willis) This interactive workshop helps writers turn their everyday experiences into fiction that sells. Writing non-fiction is more than writing about facts and history; it includes ‘pop-psychology’ books, self-help articles, and travel writing. Write what you know but write it with a twist! In addition, two formulas for writing non-fiction that sells will be presented.

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING. (Clarissa Willis) You have written your book, article, memoir, or non-fiction masterpiece, now what? The business of writing includes tips for everything from building your brand to marketing and exploring new revenue streams. Yes, it even includes what to do about taxes, business cards, and websites with a little inside look at social media as well.

AFTERNOON READ-AROUND. Our final session will be a group read-around. Bring anything you have written (one page) and share it with the group.