An itch to write. A story’s percolating. But…?
How to lay it down for readers?
So, we read more, write more … usually lots of pages or recordings of notes, tabs of sticky notes, etc. … ‘Tis time for classes to pull it all together so that our story follows the remarkable tradition of Aristotle in snagging reader attention for a grand story journey be it Fiction or Nonfiction:
Beginning. Middle. End. A Good Story.
Premise Polly. Plotting Penny Publishing Paula
The Beginning The Middle The End
These three guideposts – on this site plus my newsletter and in Writing Circles and Workshops — will do just that. Guide. Premise Polly will point out tips and strategies to open strong. Plotting Penny, my “scruffy sailor,” will pick up the halyards of the Middle to offer suggestions for “building to better” and then Publishing Paula anchors the “wrap up” for a strong and satisfying ending.
CARMEN GOLDTHWAITE – WRITING TEACHER
WRITERS’ CIRCLES (top);
TEACHING WRITERS’ CIRCLES – since 2009 + Conferences & Workshops & University classes since 1998.
Author Carmen Goldthwaite
Texas Dames: Sassy and Savvy Women Throughout Lone Star History, women who cracked ceilings when sky and culture were the only ones.
Texas Ranch Women: Three Centuries of Mettle and Moxie. They took the seeds of land and nature and brought about “feeding America” when the pickings were slim. From indigenous folk to early emigrants, to settlers and community builders and later, community change agents.
So, Who’s Carmen?
“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.)
Carmen: Author – Teacher – Storyteller
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 streamed 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 when we stalled: “SIT. 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, Midwestern University students and faculty, scholastic and more.
Scheduling Storytelling Events Now for 2026 – 2027. Contact Carmen to find out more or schedule a LOCAL event.“
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.