Literature & Writing   

Learn how to write a meaningful obituary that honors a loved one's life and legacy. With more than 35 years of experience as a newspaper reporter, Lori Szepelak will share her expertise and discuss how obituaries have evolved over the decades. Participants will learn the essential elements of an effective obituary and receive a comprehensive handout featuring an outline, sample obituary, and key considerations for crafting a lasting tribute.

Are you aspiring to become an author? Do you possess a compelling, inspiring, or thought-provoking narrative that has been held back from being shared due to the daunting prospect of writing a book? Join author Lori Szepelak as she guides you through the steps she employed to self-publish three books through Balboa Press, a division of Hay House. If you are prepared to embrace the challenge and have the financial means, perhaps it is the opportune moment to embark on the journey of writing your own New York Times best-seller. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their book ideas and receive constructive feedback. It is never too late to share your story if you feel compelled to do so.

One of the first lessons Lori Szepelak learned from her first newspaper editor more than 40 years ago was simple: "There is a story around every corner, and it is your job to find it!" Throughout her career as a reporter, she took that message to heart and sought out human interest stories that would resonate with readers. In this program, she will discuss her passion for uncovering compelling stories and how connections always led her to intriguing individuals, places, and events. Currently residing at OTOW, she serves as the "editor" of her neighborhood newsletter and will share insights for those aspiring to create their own newsletter, which promises to foster a sense of community among neighbors.

Are you ready to relax and open your heart and mind to what is possible from messages on "The Other Side"? Join author Lori Szepelak as she describes the way automatic writing with her mother's assistance from The Other Side assisted her in writing her third book. Participants will be asked to bring a journal or writing pad and pen or pencil as we listen to quieting music - allowing any messages to flow.

Are you aspiring to become an author? Do you possess a compelling, inspiring, or thought-provoking narrative that has been held back from being shared due to the daunting prospect of writing a book? Join author Lori Szepelak as she guides you through the steps she employed to self-publish three books through Balboa Press, a division of Hay House. If you are prepared to embrace the challenge and have the financial means, perhaps it is the opportune moment to embark on the journey of writing your own New York Times best-seller. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their book ideas and receive constructive feedback. It is never too late to share your story if you feel compelled to do so.

Learn how to write a meaningful obituary that honors a loved one's life and legacy. With more than 35 years of experience as a newspaper reporter, Lori Szepelak will share her expertise and discuss how obituaries have evolved over the decades. Participants will learn the essential elements of an effective obituary and receive a comprehensive handout featuring an outline, sample obituary, and key considerations for crafting a lasting tribute.

For those wishing to share their values, wisdom, and experiences with their loved ones - a legacy letter is a wonderful way to touch the hearts of those closest to you. Through a simple writing exercise, learn how to create a heartfelt letter that will be cherished by others for years to come. The process may also be a healing exercise for the writer since it will be necessary to reflect and analysis one's life.

This workshop is designed for those who enjoy writing short fiction or woulf like to try their hand at it. Led by published writers, each session will include a facilitated discussion of one or more of the critical ingredients of fiction writing along with the opportunity to share, review and discuss individual group members' writing. The workshop is based on the concept that feedback from peers can contribute to a writers' confidence and creativity. The goal is to build writing skills and help one another to strengthen things like story lines and character development.

If you enjoy writing and have a creative, bent our monthly meetings will inspire you to dig deeper. You will spend time with other writers, some published, some not, all whom, regardless of their level of experience, want to exchange ideas with other writers, and by doing so, improve their own craft.  As an example, we will work on character development, story content, writing convincing dialog and the importance of Show-don't tell.