Tauranga Writers

Sunday Focus September 2023
2023-09-17 14:00 - 16:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
Creating Convincing Characters | Anne Cleary
What makes a well-rounded, believable character who your readers will love to love (or to hate!)? Come along and hear some tips, tricks, and techniques to make your characters pop off the page.
Anne writes novels and short stories and is keenly interested in the intricacies of human character and what makes people tick. She has won numerous competitions and features in magazines and anthologies, including Mindfood, Seven Deadly Sins, Guilty Pleasures and The Four Seasons Project.
In 2017, Anne won the Franklin Writers’ National Short Story Competition, and in 2021 came second as well as Highly Commended. She was awarded second place in the 2022 Short Stories Unlimited (Australian) competition and Highly Commended in the 2022 Graeme Lay Short Story Comp.
A committee member of Tauranga Writers, Anne also compiles the weekly newsletter Writing Matters.
Sunday, 17th September 2023, 2:00-4:00 pm
Greerton Library
$15 ($10 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please, as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings.
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com.
Sunday Focus Sessions are usually held every third Sunday (except for this one in October) in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm.
Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus May 2023
2023-05-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
Thematic Storytelling | Threads of the Crazy Quilt
A Thematic Framework helps a writer develop the kinds of questions that allow for the creation of a larger picture or a more focused and interesting story. Learn about using a Thematic Framework to consider how our Natural, Cultural and Built heritage links to People, Places and Events, enabling us to tell stories rich in detail.
Debbie McCauley (Tangata Tiriti) is an indie publisher who enjoys being part of the entire creative process, from conception, research, writing and editing, to organising the translation of her work and overseeing illustration, book design, printing, marketing and distribution.
Bring a pen or pencil so if something sparks your memory you can write it down on a provided worksheet.
Sunday 21st May 2023, 2:00-4:00 pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com.
Sunday Focus Sessions are usually held every third Sunday (except for this one in October) in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm.
Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus April 2023
2023-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
Planning a Writing Project
Planning a Writing Project
Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right. (Henry Ford)
Understand your writing journey. Get inspired. Get focused. Get it done!
From ground zero through to successfully publishing five books in four years, Rachel has got it done.
Wherever you are in your writing journey, come along for support and encouragement.
Sunday 16th April 2023, 2:00-4:00 pm
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com.
Sunday Focus Sessions are usually held every third Sunday (except for this one in October) in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm.
Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus March 2023
2023-03-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
An Afternoon with Katherine Mansfield
This year marks the centenary of Katherine Mansfield’s death (14 October 1888 – 9 January 1923)
Come along to Greerton Library this Sunday to hear award-winning author Carol Garden talk about the life and work of Katherine Mansfield. Carol will explore the woman behind the legend, her love-hate relationship with New Zealand and the enduring legacy of her writing.
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com.
Sunday Focus Sessions are usually held every third Sunday (except for this one in October) in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm.
Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus October
2022-10-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
Creative Conversations: 'Diversity—Differently Normal'

Creative Conversations
3rd of 3 Panel Series
Four writers from diverse sections of our society share experiences of writing about themselves and their communities.
What obstacles have they encountered and has their narrative been a tool in breaking down divisions in society?
Sunday 30th October 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Gate Pa
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
As the library closes at 1:30 pm, ENTRY is through the SIDE door across from the parking area.
Books will be available for purchase, and afternoon tea supplied
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com.
Sunday Focus Sessions are usually held every third Sunday (except for this one in October) in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm.
Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus September
2022-09-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, 3112, New Zealand
Piper Mejia - Metaphors in Urban Fantasy
This session explores the role monsters play in modern urban fantasy as a reflection of modern thinking of inclusion, diversity, and equity. Monsters are a metaphor for the human condition: vampires are our quest for immortality, zombies are our rejection of a meaningless life and werewolves are our internal struggle of good vs evil.
Right from the beginning authors have used monsters to hold up a mirror to the worst of human behaviour; our lack of compassion, empathy, and unwillingness to take responsibility for our actions. Yet, modern writers have changed the narrative point of view, and given monsters a voice of their own to explore their humanity.
Piper’s short fiction has appeared in a range of publications and a collection of her short stories, The Better Sister, was published in July 2020. Her YA novel The Dispossessed was published in 2021.
Sunday 21st August 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com. Sunday Focus Sessions are held every third Sunday in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm. Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus August
2022-08-21 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
Seeing the World Through Our Characters’ Eyes
Sharon will be exploring point-of-view, and all the techniques to make our readers see from inside our characters’ heads. This includes show not tell, filtering, action beats and dialogue, head-hopping, internal thought/dialogue, and more.
A multi-award nominated author of YA fantasy fiction books, and President of Tauranga Writers, Sharon needs little introduction.
Always an avid reader, she came to realise she had a story that needed telling, and Medar, Tyrelia, Golden City, Realm Trilogy — came into being.
Sunday 21st August 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
For information about Tauranga Writers see our website, join our Facebook page, or contact taurangawritersnz@gmail.com. Sunday Focus Sessions are held every third Sunday in the Heremanuhiri Room at Greerton Library from 2-4pm. Work in Progress meetings are held on the first Thursday at the Wesley Methodist Church on 13th Avenue from 7-9pm.

Sunday Focus July
2022-07-24 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
Creative Conversations Panel Discussion
CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS
2nd of 3 PANEL SERIES
‘Sharing Stories – Spreading the Word’
Come along and hear how books find their readers. We’ve lined up a bookseller, a publisher,
a self-published author, and a book buyer for libraries to share their insights.
Bring your own refreshments for this one as we won’t have time for a tea break.
Sunday 24 July 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
The Village Cinema (in the Historic Village), 17th Ave, Tauranga
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings
With thanks to Creative BOP for supporting this event.

Sunday Focus June
2022-06-19 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
How to Write a Winning Memoir with Bestselling Author and Lecturer John Wareham
A presentation of hard-won, inside secrets by bestselling writer and lecturer John Wareham. He will share how to apply his nifty, five-step formula to create an engaging memoir that readers will delight in remembering you by.
John ‘s memoir ‘Exposed, a Schooldays Memoir’ was featured at an Auckland Writers Festival and characterised by New York literary professor Charles DeFanti as a Kiwi ‘Catcher in the Rye’. The New York Times said, ‘John possesses the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth.’
His non-fiction, fiction and poetry have been published by Scribner, Harpers, MacMillan and Welcome Rain.
John has a beguiling way with words— Intrigued?
Join other Tauranga Writers for a great afternoon of listening and learning.
Sunday 19th June 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Books will be available for purchase, and afternoon tea supplied
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings

Sunday Focus May
2022-05-15 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
Creative Conversations Panel Discussion: To Navigate our Future we Must First Understand our Past
Don’t miss our first panel discussion in our Creative Conversations series.
To navigate our future, we must first understand our past.
This is an invitation to hear how four Bay of Plenty writers and storytellers make history come alive.
And whose books and oral presentations make history relevant.
Find out how they weave their magic in fiction, non-fiction, and oral storytelling.

Sunday 15 May 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
The authors may bring their books for purchase
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings

Many thanks to Creative BOP for supporting this event.

Sunday Focus April
2022-04-24 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
POETRY BOOT CAMP
Jenny is a word wizard with a magic spell for writers: ”No hocus pocus. Simply focus”.
Focus on the idea. Focus on the observation. Focus on the emotion. Focus on the words.
Though Jenny doesn’t shirk the serious, it’s the sheer fun of playing with words that she likes best – if you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.
Don’t miss this opportunity
Bring a pen and paper.
And a poem of your own if you wish for critique
Please note: this session will be held 24th April as the 17th is Easter weekend)
Sunday 24 April 2022, 2:00-4:00pm
Greerton Library
$10 ($5 for Tauranga Writers members)
Cash only please as EFTPOS is not available at these meetings

Sunday Focus March
2022-03-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual event, online via Microsoft Teams, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand
Jack Remiel Cottrell: A Journey into Flash Fiction
Jack is a writer of flash fiction and micro-fiction. He credits these with keeping him sane through trying times and fighting with Facebook’s ad manager. Jack has been published in numerous anthologies and online magazines, and his novella-in-flash ‘Latter Day Saints’ was published in 2018 by Ad Hoc Press. His flash fiction collection was awarded the Wallace Prize for Best Manuscript in the University of Auckland Master of Creative Writing class of 2020.
As a rugby referee, Jack knows how to pack a lot into a small space, whether a story or an extremely organised sports bag. ‘Fiercely intelligent, poignant and endlessly surprising’ is some of the feedback for his latest book Ten Acceptable Acts of Arson.

In this insightful session, Jack will introduce us to the key elements of successful flash fiction with a series of exercises.
This will be an online meeting. Please email us for the link to join the meeting.

Sunday Focus February
2022-02-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual event, online via Microsoft Teams, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand
Jacqui Greaves: An Approach to Short Story Writing
A guided session to get you underway with your story idea.
Homework to bring on the day
Jot down a story idea, just two sentences. Don’t overthink it. Note it down, then put it aside. Don’t bring a well-developed idea or half written story!
Jacqui is a writer of erotica, fantasy, science fiction and historical fiction and loves mixing the genres together in weird and wonderful ways. Her foray into the world of fiction writing is a passion that has given her an outlet for her wacky imagination. Jacqui has published a novel, two novellas, several short stories, and numerous scientific papers. Her life has been a rich and fantastic adventure; to amazing places, meeting wonderful people and doing incredible things. Info on Jacqui’s books can be found on www.jacquigreaves-author.com

Sunday Focus November
2021-11-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual event, online via Microsoft Teams, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand
By Design: A Creative Journey Lynne Hansen in conversation with Lee Murray
Lynne Hansen is a horror artist who specializes in book covers. She loves creating art that tells a story and that helps connect publishers, authors, and readers. Her art has appeared on the cover of the legendary Weird Tales Magazine, and her clients include Cemetery Dance Publications, Thunderstorm Books and Raw Dog Screaming Press. She has illustrated works by New York Times bestselling authors including Jonathan Maberry, George Romero, and Christopher Golden. Her art has been commissioned and collected throughout the United States and overseas. For more information, visit LynneHansenArt.com.

Sunday Focus October
2021-10-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual event, online via Microsoft Teams, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand
Dee Collins – Editor of focus magazine says:
As the editor of focus magazine, I’ve received hundreds of press releases, requests for me to interview people, feature a product, run an article, etc. The majority of these I ignore or send a quick ‘thanks, but no thanks’ response. Would you like to know what editors are looking for and how to have more success getting into the media?
I’ll share my top tips with you online via Tauranga Writers Sunday Focus
This month’s session will be online. Please email Taurangawritersnz@gmail.com if you’d like to receive further information and a link to the meeting.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.

Sunday Focus September
2021-09-19 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
General public $10;
Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.

SET FREE THE POET IN YOU!
2021-08-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Craniums, 28 Grey St, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

LINES & LYRICS
2021-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Mauao Performing Arts Centre, 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty 3116, Tauranga

Sunday Focus August
2021-08-15 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
General public $10;Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.

MONTHLY WORK-IN-PROGRESS
2021-08-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2021-07-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2021-06-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2021-05-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Wesley Community Centre, 100 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga, 3112, New Zealand
Come along and check us out. You can attend a couple of sessions before committing to joining.
Every first Thursday 7-9pm

Sunday Focus July - A touch of emotion
2021-07-18 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
Author Jacqui Greaves writes Erotica, Fantasy, Science Fiction and Science Fantasy, and loves nothing more than mixing genres in weird and wonderful ways. In this workshop, she presents techniques and strategies for lending depth to our characters, and adding emotion, passion, and pace to our fiction.
General public $10;
Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.

Book Launch: Mandy and the Moonballs by Gillian Cook
2021-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Tauranga Library, 91 Willow St, Tauranga
Gillian Cook is excited to share her book Mandy and the Moonballs with us at
Tauranga Library. Mandy, the doll, popped up in an op shop one day and
compelled Gillian to take her home; to help her finish her story about
a magical cicada that takes Mandy on a moonlit adventure. Along the way,
Mandy learns how to turn a heavy heart into a happy one.
Come along to Tauranga Library and share in a reading, some fun
activities, a chance to win a free book, and a cupcake or two.
Please let us know you’re coming along by registering at:
www.library.tauranga.govt.nz

Worldbuilding: a panel discussion
2021-06-20 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
Join our expert panel of speculative writers as they discuss how they create plausible engaging worlds for readers of all ages. Moderated by SpecFicNZ president Grace Bridges, with panelists, Karen Cossey, Sharon Manssen, and Jean Gilbert.
General public $10;
Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library

Creative Arts in the BOP
2021-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
ERIC HOLOWACZ, Local CBOP director, presents an overview of the breadth and diversity of our Bay of Plenty arts, culture, and heritage scene, including information on local creative and professional development opportunities.
General public $10;
Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.

Auckland Writers Festival
2021-05-11 - 2021-05-16 | Aotea Centre, Auckland CDB, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
THE FESTIVAL BRINGS THE WORLD TO AUCKLAND.

Every year we stage over 200 public events, gathering together 230 of the world’s best writers and thinkers with over 83,000 festival goers, to celebrate the world of books and ideas.
For the past 20 years the Festival has enriched the culture of our city and established itself as a major Australasian festival, characterised not only by the calibre of our guest authors but also by the enthusiasm and engagement of our audience and the warmth and welcome provided by Auckland as our setting.
The Festival brings the very best local and international writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists and public intellectuals together with audiences to explore ideas, share stories and experience brilliant conversations. We celebrate curiosity and a sense of intellectual adventure and our programme is driven by the desire to spark ideas, to get us talking and to give us a time and place to engage with the world.

2021 PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

Haiuku Workshop
2021-04-18 14:00 - 16:00 | The Village Cinema, The Village Cinema, Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga, 3112
JENNY FRASER, Papamoa poet, joins us to discuss the elements of haiku and senryu in this engaging practical workshop. Ideal for emerging and established poets, and writers wishing to tighten their prose.
General public $10;
Tauranga Writers financial members $5.
Refreshments free. Raffle and books on sale. Please bring cash for all transactions.
Sessions involve a practical component and Q&A.
Every third Sunday 2-4pm @ Greerton Library
Thank you to our expert presenters who have generously offered their time and expertise.
