Due to health and safety concerns around COVID-19, Word Up is hosting events online until further notice. Please enjoy these previous Zoom events. Check our Upcoming Events page for live, online readings and Open Mics and sign up for our newsletter to receive official event invites.
Two panellists shared their work, Trudee Romanek, Bright Daybreak, and Danielle Kostrich, We Must Have More Men. Both have written well researched, insightful plays based on world wars. You’ll not only learn about some of the people Barrie’s streets are named for, but gain a deeper insight into the hearts and minds of the soldiers who fought for our freedom.
There is no better time than to be told scary stories, with Halloween just around the corner! Our two horror authors were joined by a live audience at the Barrie Public Library, and on Zoom. Two audience members walked away with books from David Demchuk after winning the draw. Visit…
Writers Panel This was our first In-person event since the pandemic and at our new location: the Barrie Public Library! Masks were required. We hosted a reading by our authors, with a general writers panel. The audience on Zoom and in person came with questions and a few generously shared…
Characters with Disabilities in Fiction If we want our stories to be well-rounded, it’s important to include disability along with other types of diverse characters. Since some of our greatest real life heroes are not able-bodied, like Rick Hanson and Terry Fox, we can aim to develop thoughtful stories that…
LGBTQ In Writing
We humans categorize each other as a way to describe and assign differences, including differences of race, ethnicity, social class, disability, gender, and sexual orientation. With regard to LGBTQ, we’ll discuss these categories respectfully in terms of who our writers are and how to create well developed characters to avoid perpetuating stereotypes? Join us for an enlightening panel and come with your questions.
Pacing and Writing Action Scenes Panel
Pacing affects the mood of your story, helps develop ideas and themes, and allows your readers to connect to the characters and the events that surround them. How does a writer determine the speed the story needs, or how quickly to distribute the information needed to move your story along? Join our panelists with your questions to gain their insights and methodologies.
March 11th | How to Build Suspense Building the right amount of tension in your novel or short story can be tricky. Do you show the conflict on the opening line? When do you throw in your red herrings and how many is too many? Join our experienced, award winning…
Creating a Romantic Element: Keeping the Sexual Tension Heated
Writing romance not your thing, but you have to write a scene for your story or book? Join three experienced romance writers for tips on how to make your writing more steamy.
Ready to give 2020 a hard kick? Start the New Year off with a solid plan to write that book or develop your writing skills. Word Up is changing things up this year. Join us on Zoom for a Panel with three skilled writing instructors and mentors who offer methods to stay motivated and techniques for better writing.
Enjoy the work of writer and publisher MichaelMirolla and poet Cornelia Hoogland as they share their work.
Cornelia Hoogland is the award winning poet of Trailer Park Elegy and Woods Wolf Girl. Cosmic Bowling is a collaborative work of Ted Goodden’s ceramic sculptures and Cornelia Hoogland’s poems.
Mirolla is a multi award winning author and serves as editor-in-chief of Guernica Editions. His latest novella, The Last News Vendor, claimed first place in the Readers View Awards.
