Virginia Romance Writers Conferences and Workshops

     Whether you realize it or not, there is a poet inside every romance writer. Any alliteration, prose with a certain seductive rhythm, movements between a couple that are in sync, all have a kind of poetic license. Why is poetry important and how can it be used in a novel? Chesapeake Romance Writer member Phyllis Johnson has been thinking poetic thoughts for many years and that coupled with her tendency to write romantic stories has led her to pen many types of poems. Anything from sensual to inspirational, her poems come out in gushes with common themes. Basically she writes whatever the Muse lays on her. In 2007, she published two books of poetry under contract with Community Press in Virginia Beach.
     HOT and Bothered By It, a midlife humorous poetry book was the first to be published. With that book in mind, VRW’s own Cathy Maxwell has dubbed her the “Dr. Seuss for women.” Folks say it is the perfect birthday gift for women’s milestone birthdays.
     With a more sober topic, her second book, Being Frank with Anne, is a poetic interpretation of Anne Frank’s diary. There will be a packaged CD of the abridged version and seven free downloadable lesson plans to complement the book available at the publisher’s website.
     To address a workshop for VRW, Phyllis brings with her years of photojournalism experience in national and local magazines (including Woman’s World, Tidewater Teacher, Romance Writer’s Report and numerous others) She has written for newspapers, published romantic short stories and has written five years of weekly humor columns.
Her idea for CRW to pen mermaid stories led the group to publish two anthologies. She has written romantic comedy as Cara Preston with co-writer Spike Fremont (a pen name for an English teacher she met online.) She is co-writing a book of inspirational poems with poetry guru Pete Freas. Meanwhile, her two poetry books in print are keeping her busy with book signings and book talks.
     She enjoys sharing this love for poetry with others and is happy to be coming to VRW for their monthly meeting.
     Her workshop will cover how poetry can be used in a novel and how it can enrich your next book. She'll discuss what inspires it - whether it be scents, music, visual sights or taste. What kind of poems are out there? What kind of characters would like poetry and how can you weave it into a story? Phyllis will discuss the conception of a poetry collection and the steps taken to have it published. She has had two collections of romantic poetry published online under the pen name Cara Preston (unfortunately that particular e-publisher is now defunct) and other romantic poems published by Dorchester magazines.