ST. GEORGE — Everyone has a story to tell. For some, the start of a new year brings a renewed effort to propel a book idea from thought to paper. Beginning the process may seem daunting, but there is a large pool of local writers eager to help.

“The Institute for Continued Learning is the best kept secret in town,” says Dr. Warren Stucki who will soon head up the program and also teaches a class called “Creative Writing: Your First Novel.”

Students can benefit from Stucki’s experience as the author of 10 novels – eight published by Sunstone Press and the last two by Austin Macauley Publishers.

Stucki has a familiar story when it comes to his first attempts to be published. Larger publishing houses wouldn’t look at his work without an agent, and agents wanted to represent people who had already been published. He found a way out of this loop by sending query letters to independent and boutique companies.

“Smaller publishing houses will accept query letters without an agent,” Stucki said. “A lot of them prefer not to bother with an agent.”

The road to getting a book from conception to the query stage can be long and full of literary potholes. Stucki’s class helps students navigate through many of them by addressing topics such as how to create memorable characters, crafting clever plots and writing dialog.

Stucki said one of the biggest bugaboos he sees with writers involves mistakes with point of view. He believes knowing the rules and following them are essential to winning over prospective publishers.

“When you submit your work, they can tell if you know the rules and you’re breaking them because you feel the creative urge to do so, or if you’re just stumbling along and you don’t know what the rules are,” he said.

Writers looking to tell their own personal story can take advantage of another ICL class called “Writing Your Life Story.” Taught by Marilyn W. Richardson, author of numerous young adult novels, the class is designed to bring personal stories to life. Richardson said writers often face self-doubt, an obstacle she tries to help her students overcome.

“Take baby steps, write something you remember from your first day of school or your first kiss,” Richardson said. “You don’t have to know how you will format your story – just start to write.”

ICL classes are underway on the Utah Tech University campus but prospective students can still join the program. Click here to do so.

Write On – St. George

When it comes to the nuts and bolts of writing, everyone could use a little help. This is typically what editors do, but a manuscript needs to be in fairly good shape before a project gets to that stage. That’s where groups like Write On – St. George, formally known as the Heritage Writers Guild, can help.

In addition to monthly board and chapter meetings, Write On – St. George offers weekly Writers Improvement Groups, which enable writers to receive feedback on their writing. Write On – St. George President Denis Feehan says writers bring five pages of their work to the meetings for other writers to critique.

“You will become a much stronger and much happier writer if you network with folks who also write,” Feehan said.

Each year the group holds a Winter Writer’s Conference. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Center for the Arts in Kayenta. Feehan said the conference will cover topics from how to write evocative fiction, to elevator pitches and how to launch a book. A number of published authors will share their expertise and inspiration.

Dorothy Allred Solomon, an adjunct professor at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, is completing her Ph.D. and will give a speech titled “Writing Your Life.” Solomon has plenty of experience to draw on as the author of five books including “In My Father’s House” and “Daughter of the Saints:  Growing up in Polygamy.” Solomon believes when writers share their work with each other, everyone is enriched.

“We writers are such insular people. But writing brings us together,” Solomon said. “It builds trust, it creates safety and we open doors for each other.”

Cost of the conference is $45 for Write On – St. George members and $50 for non-members.

For ticket information, inquire at [email protected]

Cedar City writers

Cedar City is home to a number of successful writers, many of whom are happy to share their experiences and knowledge with other writers. The Cedar City Arts Council has given mini-grants to authors and poets and has held readings for local authors. The organization also sponsors a literary group, which is led by Mary Anne Andersen.

The group meets at Main Street Books in Cedar City every other month and switches between discussing fiction and non-fiction. Cedar City Arts Council Vice President Sara Penny believes writers who have a support community benefit greatly from feedback about their work.

“Part of any art form is the response,” Penny said. “We all benefit from new ideas and perspectives. Writers with good editors are more successful.”

The next meeting for the Literary Group will focus on a book titled “Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on March 6 at Main Street Books in Cedar City.

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