DATE: January 19, 2019 Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

GUEST SPEAKER: Michael J. Carlson

 PROGRAM: Hurting Your Characters

Program: How does a broken rib feel? Can a character really walk on a broken ankle? What are the symptoms of asphyxiation, and how long will your character remain conscious? What really happens to a character in the vacuum of space? The answers may surprise you. Many writers (thankfully) have no experience to the very wounds, injuries, and trauma they must describe from their character’s perspective.

 Now, you can finally separate facts from fiction. This talk explores the most common injuries writers inflict on their characters from the character’s point of view. Stop searching obscure medical texts or waiting outside emergency departments to interview trauma victims.

 Speaker:Michael J. Carlson writes novels, short stories, and non-fiction reference books. He also maintains an active schedule, giving workshops on writing software, story structure, and accurately writing injures from the character’s point of view. He lives in Melbourne, Florida, with more computers than any sane person should have. For more information, check out mjcarlson.com.  Please note that at the request of the speaker, no photographs of him before, during, or after the meeting are allowed.

DATE:  SATURDAY, January 19, 2019

TIME:11:30:Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation

PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487; Get Directions Here

COST: $25 for MWA members; $30 for non-members. Prepayment by January 16 is strongly urged.

RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT:   To reserve and pay online: Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT – If you signup for a meeting via PayPal in error, do NOT dispute the charge with PayPal. Instead, please contact our Treasurer via email ASAP at harriet@ottenheimer.com and she will refund your payment less PayPal’s transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. If you do dispute the charge, be aware that you will be liable for any penalties back-charged to the FMWA Chapter by PayPal (minimum $20.00 per disputed transaction). Thanks for your cooperation!

To reserve and pay via mail: 

Step 1–Email harriet@ottenheimer.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot. In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number. 

Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.” 

Step3-Mail your payment to FMWA Treasurer, 2301 S. Ocean Dr. #2005, Hollywood, FL 33019

Please make your online reservation by January 16, or mail your check at least 3 days prior to that date so that you will be included on the reservation list, and we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only as space allows.

Next Meeting Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019

DATE: December 15, 2018, Florida Chapter, Mystery Writers of America Luncheon Meeting

GUEST SPEAKER: Michael Joy (starring as the pirate gift giver)

PROGRAM: Happy Holidays, FMWA Chapter!

Program: It’s our annual Holiday Party, come to have fun. For this month only, you may invite a guest (or two) for $25! Our luncheon will be a holiday-themed meal, and you’ll be able to enjoy a complimentary glass of red or white wine with it. We’ll also be holding our Pirate Gift Exchange. If you’d like to participate, bring a present with a value of no more than $25 (no books, please – we’re writers, we have plenty of them already!). Gifts should be placed in a gift bag only to speed up the opening process! Guests who want to participate in the gift exchange should bring a present, as well.

Holiday Costume Contest! Attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite holiday attire! It can be outrageously tacky or sublimely elegant, as long as it fits the holiday season. A winner will be picked for best costume and win a $50 certificate for Murder On The Beach Bookstore!

TIME: 11:30: Mingling; 12:00: Lunch; 12:30: Business Meeting; 1:00: Presentation

PLACE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton, 661 NW 53rd Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487

COST: $25 for MWA members; $25 for non-members-THIS MONTH ONLY FOR THE PARTY. Prepayment by December 12 is strongly urged.

RESERVATIONS/PREPAYMENT: To reserve and pay online: Scroll down to the “Sign up for Luncheon Meeting” box and fill in your information, then click the “Pay Now” button and follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT – if you sign up for a meeting via PayPal in error, do NOT dispute the charge with PayPal. Instead, please contact our Treasurer via email ASAP at harriet@ottenheimer.com and she will refund your payment less PayPal’s transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. If you do dispute the charge, be aware that you will be liable for any penalties back-charged to the FMWA Chapter by PayPal (minimum $20.00 per disputed transaction). Thanks for your cooperation!

To reserve and pay via mail:
Step 1–Email harriet@ottenheimer.com with the subject line “FMWA Meeting” to reserve a spot. In the body of the email, please include your name, the name of any guest you have invited, your email address, and telephone number.
Step 2– Write your check or money order payable to “Mystery Writers of America/Florida Chapter.”
Step 3-Mail your payment to FMWA Treasurer, 2301 S. Ocean Dr. #2005, Hollywood, FL 33019

Please make your online reservation by DECEMBER 12 or mail your check at least 3 days prior to that date so that you will be included on the reservation list, and we can provide the hotel with an accurate headcount! Walk-ins are accommodated only if space allows.

Next Meeting Date: SATURDAY, January 19, 2019