South Coast Writers Conference Offers Songwriting Workshops, Jan. 28

Songwriter Chuck Pyle will offer songwriting workshops at the South Coast Writers Conference in Gold Beach. The annual South Coast Writers Conference brings together a collection of writers from the Northwest to share, explore and celebrate the many facets of writ­ing. The conference, co-sponsored by Southwestern Oregon Community College and Gold Beach Visitors Center is held on Presidents’ Day weekend, February 14 and 15. Admired as a sly humorist and an innovative guitarist, Songwriter Chuck Pyle sees what’s best about America, writing songs about love lost and love found, forgetful cowboys, heroic highway patrolmen, and brain stems gone “critical”. His music has made him a favorite of Bill & Melinda Gates who have had him play at their home in Seattle. Endorsed by Martin Guitar, with songs recorded by John Denver & Jerry Jeff Walker, Chuck Pyle’s Songwriting Method is about compressing long thoughts, elaborating life experiences, and super-coloring descriptions by turning common words into evocative ones. It’s for people who don’t know the first thing about writing a song but who are willing to write a melody by clapping their hands and singing words to it. Registration for each 90-minute workshops is $20.00. Other writing workshops are still available at the conference. Several renowned writers serve as workshop instructors, addressing a variety of genres including fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction for writers of varying styles. This year’s group of presenters includes Keynote Speaker, Melissa Hart; Robert Arellano; Bill Cameron; Tanya Chernov; Heidi Connolly; Kelly Davio; Tawna Fenske; Kim Cooper Findling; Stefanie Freele; and songwriter, Chuck Pyle. Friday, February 14, will feature a 6-hour seminar with Tanya Chernov and Kelly Davio, “Sane Writers Writing the Insane: Keeping the Darkness On the Page.” Four 90-minute workshops are offered on Saturday, Feb. 15, with five options for each session. Cost for the Friday seminar is $55; the cost for a full day of Saturday workshops is $60 (before Jan. 31, $70 after). Pre-registration is required for both the Friday and Saturday workshops. Register today to get the workshops you want. For more information or to request a brochure, those interested can contact Southwestern’s Gold Beach Center at 541-247-2741 or scwc@socc.edu. Complete information is also available on the conference website at www.socc.edu/scwriters.