Month: November 2015

They Came, They Slammed, They Conquered

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Slam2015 - MCcrowd
MC Charles Threat beginning the night

On Wednesday, November 18th, Glendale Community College held its annual prose and poetry slam. Thirty writers and performers braved post rush hour traffic, a slight nip in the air, and the temptations brought on by baked goods and complimentary bottles of water. In doing so, these writers and performers put on an impressive display of the creative work being done at GCC and in the West Valley as a whole.  From parody songs about Donald Trump’s political candidacy to poems that eulogized lost friends and love ones, the night was filled with laughter, chills, and an appreciation for language.

By the end of the night, three winners were crowned:

  • First Prize: Jimmie Gathings
  • Second Prize: Jamie Heath
  • Third Prize: Tristan Marshall

Congratulations to Jimmie, Jamie, and Tristan.

Slam2015 - Jimmie
Charles congratulating Jimmie Gathings

Heartfelt thank yous go out to all of our readers, audience members, judges, our Master of Ceremonies: Charles Threat, Midnight Metaphors, and all faculty and students who helped organize and make the slam the wonderful night it was.

As the Fall semester comes to a close, do not forget to come to our annual White Elephant Exchange on Wednesday, December 9th from 7 to 9PM. We will be holding it on GCC Main in MA142. Come celebrate the holiday season and the end of another great semester with your fellow writers.

This Wednesday: Slam at GCC!!

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November 18th at 7PM. In GCC Main’s SU 104E

November is the month for GCC’s annual Poetry and Prose Slam.  The prize is Cold Hard Cash! This year, the slam will take place on GCC’s main campus in SU 104E. It begins at 7:00 p.m on November 18th.

Things to Know:

  • Registration forms must be submitted by the day and time of the event
  • Registration forms can be found at the English Department lobby in the 05 building on GCC Main, in 05-122, or via email at david.nelson@gccaz.edu
  • Enter short stories, poetry, drama, essay, song lyrics, non-fiction, or other types of creative writing
  • Arrive five to ten minutes early to sign up to read
  • Three minute time limit to read/perform each piece
  • Contestants may read/perform up to three pieces (once per round)
  • Each piece will be judged on the quality of writing/performance
  • There will be prizes for first, second, and third place
  • All decisions of the judges are judicious, righteous, and final

Questions?  Please email kimberly.mathes@gccaz.edu.

MCCCD Creative Writing Competition Now Open!

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MCCCD Competition 2015

The district wide Creative Writing Competition is open for entries. The winning entries go onto the national competition hosted by the League of Innovation. At both levels the winning students will win cash awards and be published. At the district level we publish a very nice paperback book of all first through third place entries. Everyone at GCC encourages you to enter!

The categories:

  • Poetry – 67 lines
  • Fiction – 3,000 words
  • Essay – 2,000 words
  • One-Act Play/Script – 3,000 words including stage direction and production notes.

Submit online at: https://mcli.maricopa.edu/arts/creative-writing

Entries now close at 10:50PM on Friday, December 4, 2015.

 

Saturday Workshop Series: When is a Novel NOT a Novel?

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14 November 2015–When Is A Novel NOT a Novel?

When it’s a novel in short stories – that is to say, when it’s a short story sequence.

Gary Lawrence
Gary Lawrence

A short story sequence is two or more short stories that share at least one important narrative element – plot, setting, character, or theme. Short story sequences are not new; but they are experiencing a resurgence today as “novels in short stories.”

As “novels in short stories,” short story sequences are unique, because they blend the best attribute of a short story (its autonomy) with the best attribute of a novel (its unity). Imagine, if you will, a novel where every chapter stands both on its own AND as an integral part of the overall story arc. The sum is therefore often more than its parts. Louise Erdrich’s 1984 classic Love Medicine and Phil Klay’s Redeployment (2014 National Book Award winner) are two of many successful modern examples.

This workshop will define the short story sequence form; analyze a modern short story sequence written by the workshop leader; and give student writers time and guidance to explore this “sequencing” option in whatever they write: stories, novels, CNF, and/or poetry.

After a 30-year management career in the aerospace industry, Gary Lawrence now teaches composition and creative writing at GCC and Cochise College. His short stories have appeared in Short Story America print anthologies (Volumes II and III) and Four Chambers literary magazine (Volume I). He self-published his short story collection Baffled in 2013. He was also interviewed by NPR in 2014.

Gary has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BA in English fromRockford College. He is originally from Rockford IL and lives today in Sierra Vista AZ with his wife Linda and their Yorkie Poo Rocky.

Join our GCC CRW community for an inspiring and informative workshop on an aspect of creative writing. Topics this year include characterization and more!

The workshops are facilitated by our CRW faculty and talented community writers. These workshops are free and open to the public.