Local authors to hold poetry workshop

Local authors Ted Webb and Tamara Woods will host "Metaphor and Marketing," writing workshop Aug. 7 at the Monongalia Arts Center.

The two hour workshop, which begins at 1 p.m., will feature the amplification of poetry through metaphor and will offer marketing techniques amongst many other opportunities for aspiring authors to expand their knowledge and capabilities, according to Webb.

"We want to motivate people, inspire them, open doors and windows so that their writing can expand in new directions," Webb said. "We want to give people as much as we can with improved writing skills, and if they want to share their work and connect with other people, we are going to give them some of the newest tools and techniques to do that."

Co-founders of local literary community Morgantown Poets, Webb and Woods are both experienced authors and have had great success throughout the area.

Woods has written for several West Virginia newspapers and currently works for "IndyPosted."

Webb's writing has been selected for numerous publications such as "Appalachian Sand & Gravel," and will be featured by the Mountain Line "Poetry on the Move" Program.

The founders' enthusiasm for sparking creativity in their poetry workshop seems contagious.

They both emphasize the importance of workshops and the want to help young authors reach their goals.

"When you're starting out, it's important to get involved with as many workshops and readings as possible. You'll find that a lot of the same people come to events, so you learn who people are and their experiences in the industry," Woods said. "It makes your writing stronger in the end."

"Workshops are very helpful. You get new energy, new ideas and connect with new people. You come away from a workshop with that spark, that electricity, and that's what keeps you writing," Webb said.

Those interested in "Metaphor and Marketing" are urged to register as soon as possible since participants are registered on a first-come, first-served basis, and only 40 seats are available.

Registration forms must be received by July 30.

"This workshop could be a really excellent way to kick off your new year, get some new information, meet some new people and learn how to make your writing better," Woods said.

For more information about the workshop, contact Ted Webb at tedwebb@care2.com.