‘Laughter loosens the Grip of Perfection.’
Have Fun Writing
How about a MEMOIR?
A Personal story just waiting to be told?
Wait no longer…at Saturday’s Memoir Writing Workshop we’ll sort through your questions, learn the best writing for your style and your story. And write. And then…Have Fun Writing
Let’s Get Started Saturday
APRIL 18, 10 am to 3 pm
REGISTER NOW FOR OUR ONLINE MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP
(Max. 8 for the Semi-annual Personal Story)
These workshops are small to provide personal attention to folks embarked on discovery: remembering and writing. Join today. Develop your writing legs for a soul-satisfying journey.
Meet Carmen’s Teaching Triplets
Premise Polly…
Where your story begins.
The Spark. The idea. The starting point.
Plotting Penny –
Where your story takes shape.
The Middle Journey. The twists, turns and direction
Publishing Paula.
Where your story becomes real.
The finish line – your story. Ready to set sail on publishing’s waters.
WHY the cartoon figures? A two-fold purpose. Writing’s fun. Or at least I hope it is for myself and those I get to teach. Basically? These characters are to provoke a grin, dislodge that crimp or cramp in writing called “writers’ block” AND to draw attention in teaching materials to what’s most important.
So, Who’s Carmen?
Author – Teacher – Storyteller
To discover what I don’t know yet is a motivating cause to write.
7th Generation Texan, a contributor to my writing interests
Discovery began at age 9. In the Alice, Texas, public library. I read Alice in the Editor’s Chair and knew my life goal. To be a newspaper woman.
IN TIME I did. For years.
It led to magazine writing – fiction and nonfiction – and writing for corporate executives and politicians – and book writing.
And that’s not all. Along the way I found another love: teaching writing to those who have an insistent itch to write. I promise you. That itch won’t go away.
“Carmen is one of those rare instructors who knows the nuts and bolts of writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and also has the skill to teach that knowledge. A gifted writer and storyteller, she combines her teaching experience with knowledge and good humor, but never lets her students wander far off the trail of good writing.”
(Carol Henderson, Rancher and Author of It’ll Rain Someday…Always Does.)
Writing Teacher
(Top and l. to r:) A Writing Circle in my living room; Making a point in discussion; Speaking at writers’ conferences; a workshop; at universities and at libraries and churches.
WRITERS’ CIRCLES – since 2009
Author
Following publication of my two Texas women’s history books, The call of a novel wooed me down a path of historical research, the study of creative writing and getting to know my character and much more. A story percolated up from a family tale that drifted like smoke curling around the card tables throughout family life, stories my mother recounted over canasta and bridge. I call this historical novel Whispering Spirits.
“She’s” not yet published but preening for a slot on an editor or agent’s dance card.
We can write anywhere, any time. Just takes a moment, get comfortable, then a pen/pencil, tablet/keyboard. As my favorite “J” prof at TCU said: “TYPE.”
STORYTELLING
“Thank you for coming. I could tell people really enjoyed the stories you told.”Debbie, Pittsburg Peach Festival (upper left).
Pictured are events from Dallas and Fort Worth women’s organizations; from civic events like the Peach festival at Pitsburg, TX and gatherings of history lovers from UTA Library/Archives and Brownwood/Howard Payne historians, scholastic and more.
GIFTS FOR TEXANA LOVERS & FOR THE WRITER IN YOUR LIFE…
Whether about history or writing, Carmen welcomes the opportunity to ‘pass it on.’
Scheduling Storytelling Events Now for 2026 – 2027. Contact Carmen to find out more or schedule an event, preferably “local.”
This year began with an opportunity to tell Texas Women’s stories to the Tarrant County Salvation Army Auxiliary. A wonderful crowd, warm and engaged! Thank you, ladies.