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Workshops for the 2010 Writers Conference
In addition to these one hour workshops on Saturday, there will be two-hour sessions for those interested on Friday afternoon that will consist of intense, personal and practical application for those willing to get involved directly in the writing process. These two-hour workshops will require a modest fee ($30) beyond the general registration fee of $75.
"That's the Idea!"- Slanting Common Topics to any Audience - Becca Anderson
Generating steady writing jobs through creative thinking and slanting topics to meet the needs of your client/edtior. This is based on doing an email newsletter for drycleaners to send to their customers which I did for over five years. It was a weekly email. This is a great practical idea about how to craft your writing so as not to bore people (There are many ways to talk about drycleaning wihtout boring people to death by actually talking about ... drycleaning.) Lots of examples and ideas will be used in this practical workshop.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "How to Get Published and Keep Getting Published" - John Barry
When you pitch an editor a story, there are some basic rules no one ever tells you, but every editor expects you to know. And these aren't just rules of conduct, they are rules for all writing--whether 150 words or 150,000. I will guide you through my rules for writing. If you apply them, you will get published and keep getting published.
"Using an Electronic Library for Research" - John Barry
If you are writing about the Bible, Christianity, the ancient world, or theology, Logos Bible Software will save you time. When you freelance or work directly for a publisher, time is everything. You don't have time to shuffle through pages in books or to spend hours fact-checking. If you are a freelancer on your own time, time is money. If you are on company time, time means hitting the deadline or losing your job. If you want to learn how to research as quickly as possible and do your prep work anywhere (on the iPhone, on a PC, or on a Mac), come learn about Logos Bible Software. If will change the way you write.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Basics in Dealing with an Agent" - Terry Burns
An experienced agent shares essentials for working with an agent, avoiding pitfalls and learning how to deal with the primary issues. Workshop Level: Beginner and Intermediate Writers.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Writing Boot Camp: The Basics for a Beginner" - Andrea Chevalier
You know God is calling you to start writing, but you have no idea where to start. This workshop will teach you the essentials to get started in Christian publishing, such as writing resources, networking, and organizing your time. Workshop Level: Beginner
"Organize to Write" - Andrea & Gary Chevalier
Do you feel disheveled when you sit down to write? Do you believe that your writing needs more organization? Does your desk inspire feelings of chaos, rather than peace? If so, then come to learn the basics in 5 essential areas of organization that will make your writing and your time more productive. Workshop Level: Beginner.
DINNER ADDRESS - "The Redemptive Power of Humor" - Dr. Robert Darden
Dr. Darden will share the exciting stories of how Jesus used humor. His most recent book published by Abingdon Press is titled Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor. You will not want to miss this entertaining and inspiration message on Christian humor and it's redemptive power.
"The Writer's Journey" - Robert Darden
What is the "spine" of your narrative? How do you know if a story-fiction or non-fiction-is going to satisfy the reader? "The Writer's Journey" is an approach to creating narrative. It's based on Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" giving both first-time writers and writing professionals another tool in their story-telling arsenals.
"Tips for Shooting Digital Photographs for Publication" - Mary Landon Darden
What should we look for when taking photos for a magazine article, book or other type of print or online media? What photos and characteristics will help enhance the story, catch the reader's eye and how can a writer learn to take those wonderful photos? Begin or expand your journey into print or online media illustration through digital photography with easy steps for even the totally inexperienced photographer-to-be. Dr. Darden's new book deals with higher education and is titled Beyond 2020: Envisioning the Future of Universities in America published by the American Council on Education and Rowman and Littlefield.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "They Never Lived; They Never Died, But Characters Can Seem Immortal" - Pamela Dowd
It's time to get into characer with this practical, interactive two-hour workshop. And maybe, just maybe, discover something new about yourself along the way. After all, just like our character's lives, our private landscapes are filled with complications, important decisions, and unexpected challenges. Left in the Lord's hands, these experiences inform our fiction. In this workshop, Pamela Dowd will introduce several interactive quizzes designed to get your ideas flowing, provide you with a multipage worksheet for tracking your character data, teach you how to find your character in a photo, "build" a fictional home and town, develop your character's faith stance and detailed personal background. Arrive with a character in mind you'd like to explore or grow and leave with your creativity sparked and brimming with fresh inspiration, as Pamela helps you explore ways to nail what makes characters memorable and realistic.
"Ten Lessons for Fiction Writers" - Pamela Dowd
Want to write a novel, but you're not sure where to start? Pamela Dowd wrote her first million words the easy way. She didn't know the rules. What she learned as a new writer, all writers learn repeatedly. They're not secrets among the seasoned. And even wannabe writers will recognize some. But taken together these rank in the top ten list of things beginning fiction writers must understand to decrease frustration and increase sales. Pamela will offer ten tips to send you down the path to publication. Learn the basics about plotting, setting hooks, point of view, crafting scenes, avoiding cliches, narrative vs. dialogue usage, finding and thwarting your character's greatest desires, meeting an editor's needs, and submitting your work. Come to this workshop if you're looking for seasoned advice from a published novelist. Includes a handout containing some of the best resources and website links designed to help you grow your craft.
"Revision and Self-Editing" - Pamela Dowd
Serious writers aren't easily pleased with their work. It's a constant challenge to stay focused while knocking on the door of a deadline, either self-imposed or actual. In this workshop, Pamela examines why professional writers who sell to nationally recognized publishers begin with critiqued and carefully rewritten manuscripts, not merely written. As Philip Gerard, author of Creative Nonficition says, "There are no great writers, only great re-writers--so goes the axiom. Revision is both an art and a process...."
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Screenwriting Basics and Beyond" - Mike Farris
If you are writing, or thinking of writing, your first screenplay, or even if you have written several screenplays, this class can give you the tools to become a better screenwriter. Topics range from formatting basics and screenwriting software to the three act structure. This hands-on workshop led by an experienced screenwriter, a successful author and noted attorney will help you with new ideas and insights into this important facet of Christian writing. Many major Hollywood studios now have faith-based arms and are looking for content. This session covers the nuts and bolts of screenplay format, including a discussion of various screenwriting software programs, a discussion of the three act structure; characters--both protagonist and antagonist; character arc; cinematic, or visual, storytelling; dialogue; exposition; the opening hook and the killer ending.
"Screenwriting: An Overview" - Mike Farris
Attorney Mike Farris works with Farris Literary Agency, Inc., representing fiction and non-fiction works and is also an experienced screenwriter. On the screenplay side of his work, he is an associate manager of AEI/Atchity Entertainment International in Beverly Hills, California. You can learn more about the Farris Agency at www.farrisliterary.com and can contact him at farris1@airmail.net or agent@farrisliterary.com . This is a condensed version of the longer, two-hour, pre-conference workshop.
"Working with a Small Press" - Miriam Hees
An owner and an experienced editor will present to those interested in getting published how to go about getting the attention of a small press. She will give practical information and examples of how to relate to and approach specialty, regional and other small presses.
"Working Side by Side with an Editor" - Anna Herrington
An experienced acquisitions editor will share how to work with an editor in producing a quality literary work. She will give practical, helpful suggestions on how to prepare manuscripts, what to do when publication proof becomeavailable.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Building a Writing Investment: Keeping a Journal" - Jerry Hopkins
A workshop with an experienced writer who has kept a journal since 1960. The essentials for a person to use a journal in one's professional life, personal life or in the classroom will be discussed. Included in the presentation will be examples of journals from the past and present, bibliographical information, philosophical background and reasons, practical sugggestions, and a "hands-on" experiment in journaling. The presenter will share an array of handouts, bibliographical resources, work sheets and related materials to enhance the journaling experience. An interesting display of published journals will be included in this workshop. Workshop Level: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced
"Biographies: Formula for Success" - Bill Keith
Everyone loves a good biography for it gives the reader a chance to probe deeply into the lives and experiences of others--their joys and sorrows, victories and defeats--and to watch their wonderful dreams unfold. The subjects for biographical writing may include such diverse individuals as the kings and patriarchs of the Old Testament to the once virtually unknown who become the well-known such as Mother Teresa, Eric Liddell or Sergeant York or any man or woman who has a human interest story that bears telling. During these sessions, we will raise pertinent questions such as the following: What criteria should be used to choose the subject for the biography? Will others be interested in that person's story? What makes a person's life interesting? What are the major events in that person's life? Will the story convey an important message to the reader? Does the story have historical importance? Is the story inspirational? We will also discuss ways to determine the biographical content and how to attract a publisher.
"So You Think You Can't Write a Book, Writing for the Non-Writer" - Viola Palmer
Not a Writer? Not sure you can write a book? The real question is, do you have a story to tell? If you do, then you can write an article, short story or even a book. There are resources to help you learn to write better and resources on how to become an author. The key is creating the story and getting it down on paper. The rest is a piece of cake.
"Writing for Newspapers: A Panel of Editors/Publishers" - D D Turner, Ana Walker and Other Editors/Publishers
A team of experienced editors/publishers/authors who have worked with newspapers for many years will present practical and useful information for those interested in writing and working with newspapers. This team of panelists represent experience with weekly, twice-weekly and daily newspapers for those interested in writing and working with this venue.
"Introduction to Social Media for Writers" - Lexie Smith
Facebook and Twitter and blogs? Oh, my! What's a writer to do with these? Come meet them and find out what they can do for you. Learn how they can work together to help you create an online presence, network, publicize and enhance your writing skills. This session is for experienced wrtiers needing a platform, novice writers wanting to develop the craft and anyone in between.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Getting Started Writing Poetry" I and II - Dr. Donn Taylor
Part I - This session provides fruitful methods for both beginners and more advanced writers, focusing on recognizing and using the basic elements that make poetry effective as well as methods of avoiding the most common problems.
Part II - This session focuses on shaping the basic elements of poetry into coherent poems and on using those elements to evaluate completed drafts. Time permitting, some attention will be given to approaches writers can use to make their poems different from most that editors will see.
"Writing Poetry Outside the Box" - Dr. Donn Taylor
Many poems written today have a sameness that makes one look much like another. What, then, can make a poem stand out in the flood of submissions each editor receives? This session describes and illustrates five techniques that will make your poems strikingly different from most that editors will see. These techniques will help novices and experienced poets alike.
"Broader Horizons in Poetic Technique" - Dr. Donn Taylor
Poetry is poetry because it communicates more intensely than ordinary language. As some have said, it "speaking in higher voltage." Designed for beginners and experienced poets alike, this session illustrates how the use of certain poetic structures and techniques can "raise the voltage" of your poetry while deepening its meaning.
"Plot Shots: Plotting Your Novel in Twelve Easy Snapshots" - Janice Thompson
In this hands-on class for fiction writers, multi-published Christian author Janice Thompson will give students a "photographic" approach to plotting their novels (any genre) in twelve easy "snapshots" (or steps). Students will plot a novel together using this approach.
"Bible Stories and Compelling Fiction" - Lenora Worth
The Bible is full of interesting, suspenseful stories that show a full range of emotions and conflicts. We will use examples of Bible stories to show how to create compelling inspirational fiction. We'll discuss plot, characters and how to keep the reader turning pages in both a romantic tale or a suspenseful story. We'll spend a little time writing our own short stories based on biblical ideas.
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