May 22, 2010

Morning speaker: Alison Hentges

Our morning speaker is Alison Hentges, a charter member of Saguaro Romance Writers, who, under the names Georgina Devon and Amber Kaye, has published over 25 books. Her most recent book, Betrayal, is a continuation of the St. Simon brothers' series set in Regency England. Alison's belief that reading should always be a good time is apparent in the pages of her books, where you'll find lots of wit and sensuality, and even the occasional sigh or tear.

Alison has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with a concentration in History. Her interest in England began when she was stationed at RAF Woodbridge, near Ipswich in East Anglia while in the U.S. Air Force. While there, she met a handsome pilot who flew fighter aircraft for the U.S., and after a year of dating she asked him when he was going to marry her. After a year and a half of marriage they added a daughter to the family. Now that their little girl has grown up and gained a husband of her own, Alison and her husband are on their own again except for two dogs and a cockatiel named Bubbie. They make their home in Tucson.

Afternoon speaker: Laurie Schnebly Campbell

Laurie Schnebly Campbell, our afternoon speaker, loves giving workshops for writer groups about "Psychology for Creating Characters," "Making Rejection WORK For You," "Building A Happy Relationship For Your Characters (And Yourself)" and other issues that draw on her background as a counseling therapist and romance writer. But giving workshops -- for students from London and Los Angeles to New Zealand and New York -- is just one of her interests. During weekdays, she writes and produces videos, brochures and commercials (some of which feature her voice) for a Phoenix advertising agency.

Her first romance novel was nominated by Romantic Times as the year's "Best First Series Romance," and her second beat out Nora Roberts for "Best Special Edition of the Year." After six books for Special Edition, she turned her attention to writing non-fiction -- using her research into the nine personality types to help writers create plausible, likable people with realistic flaws. Her other favorite activities include playing with her husband and son, recording for the blind, counseling at a mental health center, traveling to Sedona (the Arizona red-rock town named for her great-grandmother, Sedona Schnebly) and working with other writers.

Both authors will speak to us about plot -- how to make the narrative choices that will lead to strong plots and thereby convince your reader that not only is something happening, but that something's going to happen and it all matters intensely. The program will help you craft fiction others will want to read.

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