More re Reading at Skirball Cultural Center for UCLA Extension's Writers' Program

These two photos were taken when I was reviewing my piece for the Reading at Skirball Cultural Center for the Writers' Program of UCLA Extension. Each reader had 5 minutes, which makes for a difficult selection. 

I read from a chapter of my third novel, and I'll post that piece in my blog sometime - "The Incident."

The readers in order of appearance were: Barbara Abercrombie, Harry Youtt, Mike Buckley, Shawna Kenney, Liz Gonzalez, Laurel Ann Bogen, Nancy Spiller, Ian Randall Wilson, Rachel Kann, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Peter Serchuk, Colette Sartor, Suzanne Lummis, and Lou Matthews, with Linda Venis as moderator.

The readers shared poetry and excerpts of personal essays and fiction. One and one-half hours flew!

Photo shoot before the literary reading

As always it was fun, and I have to thank Linda Venis and the staff of the Writers' Program for hosting the annual publication party.

Read also

• Photos of Cecilia Brainard
• Creative Writing: The Importance of Sensual Writing
• Syrian Revolutionary Poem & Destruction of Khalid bin Walid Mosque
• Creative Writing: Journal Writing and my Pink Lock and Key Diary
• Creative Writing: Your Writing Work Space (In My Case, Where My Cats Hang Out)

Tags: literature, writing, reading, Writers' Program, UCLA Extension

This is all for now,
Cecilia

Invitation: June 11, 2015 Writers' Program 22nd Annual Publication Party

 I'll be reading in this event, which is free and open to the public.

Participants are instructors of UCLA Extension's Writers Program. It's around a two-hour program. Join us if you can!

Writers’ Program 22^nd Annual Publication Party

Thursday June 11, 2015

7:00pm – 9:30pm (Doors open at 7pm; readings begin at 7:30pm)

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., just off the 405 Freeway and Mulholland Drive.  Once inside the complex, drive north to the NORTH LOT. This is in Los Angeles, California.

The Essential Beginnings: An Introductory Creative Writing Workshop

If you sign up before Jan. 23, you get a $30 discount!

The Essential Beginnings: An Introductory Creative Writing Workshop at the Writers Program, UCLA Extension - Class starts Feb. 23-Mar 29, 6 mtgs. taught by Cecilia Brainard, call 310-825-9971.
The Thursday class meets in 1010 Westwood Blvd, one block from UCLA proper.

The class will make a life-altering Christmas gift!

Course Description: Many aspire to write creatively, but few know how to get started. A supportive workshop for those who wish to write for personal or professional satisfaction, this course provides many fundamental techniques--from journal writing to imaginative in-class exercises--all geared to motivate and cultivate the beginning creative writer. Topics include writing from observation and experience, creating dynamic characters, developing points of view, and writing dialogue. By the course's completion, you have in hand a series of short sketches or a draft of a story.

Creative Writing Class - Coming up!

I'm teaching Essential Beginnings of Creative Writing at the Writers Program, UCLA Extension Nov. 4-Dec.15, please call 310-825-9415 for more information. This is a good beginning class that covers the real basics: character, character development, tension, plot, conflict, etc.

Writers Faire UCLA - Sunday, August 28

I'm a panelist in the Writers Faire which will be held this Sunday, August 28, at the Young Hall Courtyard at UCLA. I'll be in the "Getting Started as a Writer Panel" from 11-11:40 a.m., Court of Sciences 24, along with Barbara Abercrombie, Michael Buckley and Rachel Kann (chair).

The Writers Faire is free and open to the public. It is an opportunity for those interested in writing to get some ideas about the craft of writing, to familiarize themselves with the Writers Program at UCLA Extension, as well as get an idea of what the teachers are like.

It's a very fun and exciting literary event. I hope to see you there. More information follows:


The UCLA Extension Writers' Program presents its annual Writers Faire, with 24 free mini-workshops and panel discussions on such topics as "Writing Your First Novel" and "Conquering the Dreaded Second Act." Attendees can learn more about the program, register for fall courses at a 10% discount and grab lunch from three gourmet food trucks. UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., L.A. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. Free. (310) 825-9415. www2.uclaextension.edu/writers.

visit - www.uclaextension.edu/writers
read - blog
join - www.facebook.com/writersprogram
follow – Writers’ Program on Twitter

Writers Program of UCLA Extension - Eve La Salle Caram and Cecilia Brainard

A Lovely Message from Linda Venis:

Hi Ladies,

I thought you’d get a kick out of seeing your cute photo together at the Publication Party!

Love,
Linda
Linda Venis, PhD
Director, Department of the Artsrogra
Program Director, Writers' Pm

CLICK BELOW
https://www3.uclaextension.edu/unexNewsletter/2011/June/writers.cfm?utm_source=unex&utm_medium=email&utm_content=writers_title&utm_campaign=job%2311561sp11

UCLA Extension's Publication Party 2011- Eve Caram & Cecilia Brainard

Here's a picture of Eve Caram (author of the newly released Corpus Trio)and myself. This and the other publication pictures are courtesy of Mae Respecio (thank you Mae!).This was taken at the 18th Annual Writers' Program Publication Party of UCLA Extension. The readers were: Barbara Abercrombie, Francesca Lia Block, Laurel Ann Bogen, Michael Buckley, Rick Bursky, Eve La Salle Caram, Samantha Dunn, Linzi Glass, Daniel M. Jaffe,Rachel Kann, Stefan Kiesbye, Edan Lepucki,Suzanne Lummis, Leon Martell, Lou Mathews, Colette Sartor, Steve Sohmer, and myself (Cecilia Manguerra Brainard).

The May 12 event was held once again at the Skirball Cultural Center, 27011 North Sepulveda Blvd., with it's lovely auditorium and patio.



I have to say that this year had the best program ever. The readers had great selections and were particularly considerate at staying within their designated 5 minutes. This event allows me to meet the new younger teachers, such as Michael Buckley who it turns out teaches at the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA). I had taught for CSSSA for around 5 summers, along with Traci Gourdine. It was wonderful to listen to Mike's work and to get caught up on with CSSSA news.

I was also particularly delighted to hear selections from Barbara Abercrombie's collection, Cherished, presented by Samantha Dunn and Linzi Glass. Cherished was/is Amazon.com's Number 1 bestselling book on Pet Loss/Grief. I myself have a story in it, about my beloved cat, Kiki. I was torn between sharing that story or from my own third short story collection; I opted to read from Vigan and Other Stories. (Fortunately I'll have the opportunity to read about Kiki this Thursday at Flintridge Books, 1010 Foothill Blvd, La Canada at 7:30 p.m. along with Barbara, Bob Goldman, Monica Holloway, Samantha Dunn, and Melissa Cistaro.)

As always, the poets, Suzanne Lummis and Laurel Ann Bogen, are always delightful to listen to; they are indeed master performers and great poets.

Daniel Jaffe was there, and I made sure I bought a copy of his new novel. I was proud to listen to Eve La Salle Caram, friend and mentor of many years. It was also a pleasure to see Lou Mathews again. Lou and I go back a number of years when we both won the California Arts Council Fellowship in Fiction at the same time. He has been ending the program in the past years, and Lou is gracious and acknowledges Linda Venis and the staff for all their hard work in putting this wonderful program.

What the reading does is help create a literary community. I know it makes me feel connected to these writers. These events feel like a reunion, in fact. Most of all, it makes me feel proud to be be teaching with these talented writers. The work presented is always fine and impressive.

The Writers Program took a video of the event, which will be in the writers' webpage in their site. As soon as it's available, I'll link to it.


All for now, stay tuned,
Cecilia

YOU ARE INVITED -WRITERS PROGRAM BOOK PARTY, THURS, MAY 12

I'll be Teaching a Creative Writing Workshop, begins April 7, 2011

Hi, Thursday, April 7, 2011, I start teaching a six-week class, The Essential Beginnings: An Introductory Creative Writing Workshiop, at the Writers Program, UCLA Extension. Call 310-206-0951 for more information. Here's the Syllabus. I hope you can join us.

SYLLABUS
THE ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS:
AN INTRODUCTORY CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP

Instructor: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard; www.ceciliabrainard.com

Brainard's email: Cbrainard@aol.com; note in subject "UCLA-X Student"

For administrative matters, call Mae Respicio at 310-206-0951

Course Description: Many aspire to write creatively, but few know how to get started. A supportive workshop for those who wish to write for personal or professional satisfaction, this course provides many fundamental techniques--from journal writing to imaginative in-class exercises--all geared to motivate and cultivate the beginning creative writer. Topics include writing from observation and experience, creating dynamic characters, developing points of view, and writing dialogue. By the course's completion, you have in hand a series of short sketches or a draft of a story.

Class Calendar: This is a six-week class. Class starts Thursday, 04/07/2011, ends 05/12/2011

Grading: Grading will be based on attendance, class participation, and homework.

Required Reading:
Fundamentals of Creative Writing, by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Anvil 2009 (distributed by PALH; available in Kindle Amazon.com)
Suggested Reading:
Points of View: Anthology of Short Stories, ed. Moffett & McElheny, New American Library
Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular, by Rust Hills, Bantam
The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White, Macmillan Publishing
The Art of Fiction, by John Gardner, Vintage
On Writing and the Novel: Essays by Paul Scott, ed. Shelley C. Reese, William Morrow
Aspects of the Novel, by E.M. Forster, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
The Right-Brain Experience, by Marilee Zdeneck, McGraw-Hill
The International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses, ed. Fulton and Ferber, Dustbooks
Writers Market, by Writers Digest Books, F&W Publications When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, University of Michigan Press,1999; available from Amazon.com
Magdalena, by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Plain View Press; available from Amazon.com

Weekly Schedule:
1. Introductions; Understanding the right brain/left brain theory; Setting & Scene
2. Character; Conflict
3. Dialogue; Point of View
4. Plot
5. Voice, tension; Business of Writing
6. Final Project

Upcoming Readings from Growing Up Filipino II

Upcoming Readings from Growing Up Filipino II:
CECILIA Brainard will read on Wed, June 9, 7-9-30 at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program along with 17 other writers/instructors, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd, LA, RSVP writers@uclaextension.edu or call 310-794-1846;
AMALIA Bueno, Oscar Penaranda, Rebecca Saxton, Geronimo Tagatac will read at the FAHNs Conference, July 21-13 in Seattle, WA, contact joan.may.cordova@post.harvard.edu

Cecilia Brainard's Upcoming Literary Events

April 23, Friday, 2010 - Philippine Expressions is hosting its Annual Authors' Night and Cecilia Brainard will be there to sign Finding God and Growing Up Filipino II***
$10.00 Seats are limited. RSVP necessary. Reply by April 22.
Free parking. email or call (310) 514-9139

April 24 & 25, 2010 - Cecilia will be signing her books at the LA Times Festival of Books, UCLA, Philippine Expressions Booth, Zone D, Booth #427: April 24- 3-5 p.m.; April 25 - 3-4 p.m. I hope to see some of you there!


May 5, 2010, 7 p.m. - LA Central Library ALOUD event - MIGUEL SYJUCO
(Illustrado) In conversation with novelist Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
Reservations suggested - tel: 213-228-7025; 630 W. Fifth St., LA, CA 90071


Wednesday, June 9, 7-9:30 pm - Cecilia will be reading along with other instructors at UCLA Extension Publication Party 2010
Doors Open at 7 p.m.
Readings begin at 7:30 p.m.; Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd.

Introduction to Fiction Writing, 9 Week Class UCLA

I'm teaching an Introduction to Fiction Writing at the Writers' Program at UCLA Extension, beginning September 30 and ending December 16, 2009. Contact 310-825-9416 if you're interested.

Course Description:

It has been said that all of us have locked inside at least one good story to tell. This course is designed to tap into that story--and others--in a positive atmosphere. Through lectures on craft, short writing exercises, assignments, and discussion of student work, apprentice fiction writers learn the nuts and bolts of fiction writing, such as plot, conflict, characterization, dialogue, narrative voice, and point-of-view. This course focuses on short fiction but includes principles that students use in X 462.71 Novel Writing I: Writing the First Novel. The course goal is to draft one short story or a chapter of a novel. This course is a prerequisite for students who are continuing in either the short- or long-fiction sequence.

Writers Sketchbook at UCLA Extension

I thought I'd write a bit about the class I'm teaching now at UCLA Extension's Writers Program. It's called the Writers Sketchbook and it's the second time I'm teaching this class. It's a six-week class that focuses on what I call sensual writing - that is writing so that your readers can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel as they read your work. Readers should be able to imagine the scene you have created, experience what you are trying to express, take that journey along with you or your characters.

The class is an opportunity for students to fine tune their work, or to gather drafts. Many times, first drafts are skeletal and lack the type of sensual writing I'm talking about. Writers can flesh-out the "skeleton" to enrich their work.

Many people don't realize that it's not easy to create a sense of place or to describe a person. Today we focused on taste, and we read a food article from LA Times that went on about salt-roasting lobster, pork, etc. For our in-class exercise I had my students write about some food they hated or loved. What I was teaching them is the matter of Point of View - that is, there is no one way to describe a place or face or smell or taste or feeling - it's dependent on who the narrator is. We got excellent results.

The students are also trained to pay attention to details and to be specific.

I also have a good group of students!