Clarion UCSD Write-a-Thon -- Writer Page

Victoria Griesdoorn

Clarion Write-a-Thon Writer

Victoria Griesdoorn

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Excerpt

The two meet in the same place every year. A silent conference, fueled only by niceties.

He plucks the weeds while she asks how he is. He replaces the flowers that have gone beyond wilting. As he cleans the writing, she starts to edge towards the path again. They will meet here again next year, at the same time.

She says her goodbyes and makes her way to the waiting car. He stands up to prepare for the long walk home.

Bio

Victoria Griesdoorn writes the blundering beginnings of her first story when she is 15 years old. The masterpiece is stowed where nobody would ever find it again.

Fourteen years later, a woman walks into Victoria's imagination. The woman has a story to tell. And she won't go away.

The beginnings of this short are written in a dinky hotel room, but it will take months before the entire story takes shape. From then on the flood gates are open; characters pouring in and no way to detect the muse in charge of the faucet.

Victoria slogs away writing content for what is to become her research thesis. All she really wants to do is play in the sandbox that vaguely resembles a novella. But there is no time. If any writing is done, it should be for the thesis! Until Clarion hands her the solution.

The Clarion Write-a-Thon will be the opportunity for Victoria to write fiction without having to feel guilty about not writing her thesis. After all, she's working for charity too! During her six weeks she'll focus her effort on writing a longer piece of fiction for the very first time.

Writing Description

Victoria writes fantasy. Not the one with swords, the one that is eerily like normalcy, but not quite. As a scientist she feels she should write science fiction, but is very close to giving up the fickle hope.

Write-a-Thon Goals

Victoria's goal for the Clarion Write-a-Thon is to, for the first time, write a longer piece of fiction; beginning to end.

Because she's never written anything longer than a short story, her challenge will be to develop a rhythm to her writing and complete a whole project for the duration.

Victoria will work towards completing a novella of around 40,000 words.

Public Fundraising Goal

Every donation counts and any contribution is greatly appreciated. It goes without saying. But not really. As cheesy as it sounds, it's the stone-cold truth. We're here to support the Clarion Foundation and any support is help much needed and deeply treasured.

Did you hear the 'but' coming?

Hoping to provide that bit of extra incentive for you to step up, I have decided to host an additional giveaway for my personal sponsors on top of the prizes Clarion is making available. If you haven't seen the Clarion-sponsored prizes, they are worth taking a look at here.

By donating to me personally, you not only give the Clarion Foundation the support it deserves and hand me a great motivation to make my own writing goal, you could also be the recipient of the following additional sponsor rewards:

$5 or more.
You will be allocated 1 (one) virtual raffle ticket which will be included in a prize draw that includes some great prizes indeed. From all corners of the Twittersphere I was able to solicit donations of prizes ranging from excellent books to FREE copies of the writer's software Scrivener. A list of available raffle prizes can be found here. When donating, please let me know your preference of prize.

$10 or more.
Mention in the e-book resulting from this Write-a-Thon.

$25 or more.
Free copy of the resulting e-book before the release date. Also, previous reward.

$50 or more.
'Name that character!'
You suggest a name for a character in the story. I might not be able to use all of them, but I guarantee to incorporate at least three and aim for more. Names that are within reason have more chance to be chosen. Naming the characters is at my discretion and your suggestion can be used for any type of character; hero, villain or super diabolical Martian. Also, previous rewards.

$100 or more.
'Ready... Action!'
If you get drawn from the hat, you can read the start and end credits for the audio version of the resulting novella (access to recording equipment permitting). Also, previous rewards.

$200 or more. (First 10 sponsors)
'For the gamblers!'
If I'm the top donations-earner and you get drawn from the hat, I'll offer up my grand prize to you. Yep, you heard it. You could be in the race for a brand-spanking new iPad 2! Also, previous rewards.

Note: (1) The same person can't win more than one of the $50 or above rewards. (2) Reward winners will be drawn top-down so that lower tiered-prizes don't exclude anyone from winning the grand prize. (3) The grand prize is limited to the first 10 sponsors to maintain exclusivity. If 10 sponsors are reached, the grand prize giveaway will be marked as "closed." (4) Participating in this additional giveaway in no way excludes you from winning any of the Clarion-sponsored prizes. (5) All participants in this giveaway will be contacted via the e-mail address you provided during the donation process.

Every donation is worth it -- no matter how small -- because of the good it does. On behalf of the Clarion Foundation, I would like to thank you whole-heartedly for all your support. And have fun during the Clarion UCSD Write-a-Thon 2011!

Website

http://www.lunalouise.com

Blog

http://www.lunalouise.com

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