“Everyone has one good book in them,” according to bestselling author John Grisham. The number of writers at lakeside with one or more books on the shelf and in process seems to prove Grisham’s point. How do they do it?
For more than a decade the annual Lake Chapala Writers Conference has provided the enthusiasm and nuts-and-bolts advice authors yearn for.
The presenters scheduled for this year’s conference – scheduled Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15 at the Danza del Sol Hotel – have been handpicked to keep the thoughts of local wordsmiths flowing onto pages. 
Writing coach Linda Joy Myers, author of “Don’t Call me Mother” and president of the National Association of Memoir Writers, will lead two group sessions to guide memoir writers on their way.
“Writing a memoir is a journey from snapshots of memory to a story that offers the reader powerful themes and mess
ages that are entertaining and life changing,” says Myers. She will help attendees discover themes and address the touchy issues of truth, secrets and lies. She believes that learning to weave light stories with dark ones creates a freeing and healing experience for the author and frames a great story for the reader.
Conference registrants can choose additional sessions with Myers to examine writing specifics, such as story structure and narrative arc. She’ll also help writers know what agents and publishers want.
Writers who prefer penning poetry, historical novels or mysteries will find sessions designed to help them on their way. Rachel McMillen, author of the Dan Conner mystery series will share insights in the basics. McMillen is known as an organized, clear instructor, plus she is full of useful hints to steer writes towards stronger verbs, more vibrant nouns and sizzling sentences.
Bestselling historical fiction writer Roberta Rich, author of “The Midwife of Venice” and “The Harem Midwife,” will conduct a workshop aimed at helping others get a hold, not only of her genre, but all types of fiction. She’ll focus on engaging readers.
Poet-laureate Dianne Hicks Morrow’s sessions “Anyone Can Write Poetry” and “The Poet’s Toolbox” will help participants hone the poetic craft.
Registrants with manuscripts in progress or already completed can schedule a private session with Sandi Gelles-Cole, a former New York acquisitions editor. Now a book doctor, Gelles-Cole can diagnose what ails books and suggest remedies designed for rapid recovery.
In his morning sessions writer and publisher Dennis Stovall, the 2014 winner of the Rittenhouse Lifetime Achievement Award, will guide writers toward appropriate publishers and tackle the freelance market.
Those who register by February 28 will pay the discounted early bird fee of 1,300 pesos. Those who wait to sign up between March 1 and the conference kick-off will pay 1,500 pesos. The price includes the lunch and coffee breaks on both days of sessions. Register at Diane Pearl Colecciones, Hacienda Realty or email registrar Victoria Schmidt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..