Biz Buzz: So you want to be an author?

A new event in the Brainerd lakes area offers tips and directions from writers who have made that daunting journey from idea to publication. The first Minnesota Authors' Weekend is planned for next Friday and Saturday at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

Keynote speakers will be authors Douglas Wood, Mary Casanova and Will Weaver. Subjects include pathways to publication. The event is free and open to the public. Sessions, with book signings, will be in the Norway Center.

Sessions start at 7 p.m. Friday with "An Evening with Douglas Wood." Reception, book sale and signing follows at 8 p.m. The Saturday, April 11 sessions include ideas on things aspiring writers may overlook as they seek publication, how to compete with other media for attention and personal journeys on how authors were able to reach publication. Sessions include writing fiction for the young adult market.

April 11 sessions for aspiring writers include:

9 a.m. Douglas Wood - Children's Session: "Earth Songs & Earth Stories"

10:30 a.m. Will Weaver - "Pathway(s) to Publication - But First Comes the Writing" Many aspiring writers think too much about literary success and not enough about sentence-by-sentence writing. Successful writing begins with mastering fiction technique. Weaver will share tips on making your fiction (or nonfiction) the "can't-put-down-type" that will catch an editor's eye. He'll also discuss the pathway from fiction to film.

10:30 a.m. Mary Casanova - "No Less than Stars." Casanova recounts the individuals who made a difference in her path to becoming a published author. She challenges her audience to do their best work possible and to remember that they make a difference-one student, one reader at a time.

1:30 p.m. Weaver - "Keeping Kids Reading: Tips on Writing for Young Adults." Weaver shares his experiences writing for young adults and especially for reluctant readers. The novel has to compete with the Internet and video games - which makes young adult fiction even more challenging to write. He will focus the current state of YA publishing, and detail his outreach to boys via his "Motornovels" series.

1:30 p.m. Casanova - "Writing the Historical Novel." From inspiration to research to revision, Casanova shares her process in turning nuggets of history into compelling stories for young readers.

O Design, an event decor planning business owned by PJ Overvold, Pequot Lakes, opened last November. Overvold works out of her home as a free-lance planner working with events for two people or 400 from small dinner parties to weddings. Last year, Overvold said she worked with an event for 390 people.

Overvold has linen and vase rentals and works on birthday parties and corporate events. In this economy, Overvold said people may think having an event planner may actually keep costs down as a planner comes up with economical and efficient ways to achieve the party or wedding vision.

O Design works with three different companies for linen rentals to cover low, medium and higher price ranges. Overvold was an interior decorator for 10 years and then worked as an event planner later. She offers to assist or do the whole thing. She works hourly or with an event package.

Overvold said she always wanted to do a dinner party for two on a beach or a floating raft. As a cost saver, a couple could have a romantic dinner here and save on hotel costs and travel. Overvold said there are many ways to create the look or vision people have for an event and stay within a budget.

"What I'm trying to do is make their dreams become a reality and keep the costs down," Overvold said.

RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.