Upcoming events: 2011 Asia Creative Writing Conference

Creating Interactive Language Classrooms through Creativity, Exploration, and Self Identity in the Asian Context”
Politeknik Negeri Jember, Jember, Indonesia
31 March – 1 April 2011 (Thursday – Friday)

The entire conference has several goals, which have significant impacts on the development of creative writing in English language teaching (ELT) and literature. Among others, such goals include:

• to build a scholarly platform for language teachers to promote creative writing in language classrooms;
• to share expertise in teaching creative writing from different perspectives, resources, and contexts;
• to enhance a solid awareness of how local cultures and self identities can be introduced to language classrooms through creative writing;
• to explore unique ideas or thoughts about creative writing instruction;
• to build a good awareness of how self expression or self discovery can be realized through creative writing;
• to build a solid awareness of how a wide range of rhetorical and linguistic inputs and resources can be introduced to language students through creative writing;
• to help language teachers gain a better understanding of creative writing in language teaching and learning; and
• to build and expand professional network or connection among language teachers in the Asian region.

more information at official website: http://2011asiacwc.polije.ac.id/

Writer - Very Basic Tips for you #1

Writers often forget the very basics. Let us remind you.

1. Use a dictionary. You may not know the meaning of every word
2. Use a thesaurus
3. Pay attention to punctuation
4. Get someone else to proofread
5. Space out the lines
6. Read it once finished
7. Got writer's block? Stop writing. Come back later and check
8. Never write when under stress
9. Take your time in writing
10. Spell-check

Galle Literary Festival - where writers meet

Here's a site that give background to the festival:

Intimate literary lunches and dinners that have become one of the Festival`s trademark:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/galle-literary-festival-intimate-encounters-at-the-galle-fort.html

But if you are interested in the festival itself.... here is the official site

www.galleliteraryfestival.com

Briefing a Copywriter

Sometimes you would not know where to start with when hiring a copywriter.

Here are some tips for you know when you brief your copywriter on your work or project.

1. Mention the Target Audience - who is your audience or end customer? Where do they live?
2. Length of content you require / ask for advice on the length
3. Give some benchmark works if you know of any
4. Mention that you require original work
5. Allocate someone at your workplace, if not you, to work with the copywriter.
6. Set a timeline for drafts.
7. Keep those involved copied in emails.
8. Give the copy writer any samples, hardcopy or softcopy that you would have
9. Keep in touch. Be available, at least via email or phone when he/she needs to inquire about a topic.