Some books take painfully long years to write — some as long as 20 years. Allie Pleiter wants to help the Gulf Coast Writers Association cut through all that.

Already a writer of over 60 books with over 1.5 million copies sold worldwide, she’ll be explaining how to overcome writer’s block and other obstacles to creating novels, poems, screenplays and–yes–even corporate speeches at this month’s get-together of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Southwest Florida’s 28-year-old meeting ground for writers, editors and their associates.

The meeting will be held at Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge/Peace Community Church, 17671 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach, Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. Pleiter’s hour-long workshop at the meeting will be remotely via Zoom. General admission is free for first-time visitors; $5 for subsequent visits, payable via PayPal; and free for members.

Pleiter asks, “Do you feel like you can never find the time to write? Have you been chipping away at the same manuscript forever without much progress? Do you need a system that can get you to typing ‘The End’ with success and satisfaction? Wrangling a fickle muse to meet a deadline–or just to get rid of that looming blank page–is a life-skill for everyone who wants to get serious about their writing.”

Pleiter’s solution is The Chunky Method, a productivity and time-management system for both aspiring and working writers, enabling them to set goals and deadlines that reflect their personal writing style and speed–and smart ways to write faster when needed. “With The Chunky Method, you will finish that book–and within your deadline,” she said.

“All of us Gulf Coast writers have been hard hit by life lately,” said Mary Charles, GCWA vice president. “Some are still recovering our homes and our lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian last September. Allie Pleiter’s Chunky Method can help us get past the big storm hurdle that may have stood in the way of our writing.”

Founded in 1995, the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc. provides a forum for fellowship, education and information for writers, editors and associates. Based in Fort Myers, the organization attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida.

At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing, and marketing.

Participants at GCWA meetings also have the opportunity to read their works. The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction and nonfiction to children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essay and screenplay. Members include full-time writers as well as corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, working or retired. GCWA’s website is gulfwriters.org.