Workshops
Workshops for the 2013 Writers Conference
In addition to the one hour workshops on Saturday, there will be a series of pre-conference two-hour sessions for those interested on Friday afternoon that will consist of intense, personal and practical applications for those willing to get involved directly in the writing process. These two-hour workshops will require a modest fee ($45) beyond the general registration fee of $90.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Survive Your Way To Publication" - Terry Burns
Publication is not a selection process but a survival process. Terry walks the author through the entire pitch and submission process; how to do a proposal and what each portion is and what it does. How to pass the various tests and make it into the 15% of submissions that are actually in the running. This workshop is presented in a Q & A format that goes along with his new book on the same subject.
Workshop - "Editor and Agent Pet Peeves" - Terry Burns
Are there things that can rub an editor or an agent the wrong way and effect the success of a submission? You bet there are, and Terry has collected a number of them in a program designed to help the writer avoid some of the pitfalls they may not even see coming.
Workshop -"Writing to Reach the Unbeliever" - Terry Burns
Jesus used fiction to make some of his most important points. They were called parables. Terry talks about using fiction in order to spread God's word and about the difference between writing for the Christian market and writing in hopes of reaching an unbeliever. Too often people say they are writing a "crossover book" but I believe a crossover book is an accident. Books are written 180 degrees different for the maximum effect in the two markets so the writer should choose one and hope he or she can make people from the other market read it as well. Too often a book intentionally written for both markets ends up in that no-man's-land with too much faith content for the mainstream market and not enough to interest the Christian market. Terry will talk about these differences and how to reach the desired audience.
Workshop - "Song Writing Boot Camp - Don Burton
If you've always wanted to write a song about someone or something but you never have, this workshop is just for you. Writing a great song is easier than you think. The secret is that there is no secret. The only difference is that some people do it and others do not. This workshop is about changing the paradigm and making the mental shift to "doing it", so that you can really write the song you have wanted to write. This workshop is about how to begin writing songs, easily, effortlessly and courageously. in this workshop you will learn how to write good lyrics. You will learn about Western Musical Culture; what all songs have in common; the anatomy of a "hit" song; writing "killer" choruses; developing memorable verses, thought-provoking verses; examine the anatomy of pop songs; learn songwriting techniques; discuss the business of songwriting.
Workshop - "Editorial Makeover" - Ken Camp
Tired of having editors perform major surgery on your writing? find out how to be your own editor. Learn seven steps you can take to tighten flabby writing and seven blemishes you can remove easily.
Workshop - "Discover the Denominational Market" - Ken Camp
Learn about opportunities to write for Baptist media. find out how the changing landscape in print journalism could create new avenues for aspiring writers to be published--whether electronically or in print.
Workshop: "Writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul" - Kristen Clark
Kristen Clark shares her love of Christ and personal life lessons by encouraging others through inspirational speeches, radio interviews, webinar and CD programs, and short stories. In this hands-on session, attendees will discover the basic elements of inspirational short stories, and will learn how and where to get those stories published. Items covered in this session will include:
- how to find compilation book projects
- the benefits of getting published in a compilation book
- what editors look for when deciding which inspirational short stories to publish, and
- what writers need to know before publishing their stories in compilation books
Workshop: "Believable Characters, Realistic Conflict, Personality Types" - Lawrence J. Clark
Fiction writers have been long familiar with the use of character sketches and worksheets that help identify the age, race, education level, and other aspects of their characters. While these exercises hold some value, they often result in the creation of stale, stereotypical characters and do not provide an in-depth look at the "why" of a character's personality. In this informative and interactive workshop, Lawrence J. Clark will explain four basic personality types and the strengths and weaknesses of each, then help attendees learn how to develop characters with specific traits and write scenes containing realistic and believable action, dialogue, and conflict.
Workshop: "Writing for Newspapers" - Morgan Tarpley & Terri Lacher
Discover from experienced journalists, photographers, and news writers how to break into print through newspapers. Learn what you should do and how you can do it. Your questions will be welcomed and carefully answered in the workshop on dealing with newspaper opportunities and adventures.
Workshop: "High Impact Bible Study for Effective Speaking Preparation and Writing Research" - Victor Dela Cruz
Writing and speaking that produce change happens when we apply the truth of God's Word to people's lilves. Today in ministry, we must be prepared to share the truth of Scripture to a culture that has gone digital. This interactive workshop will demonstrate the use of Logos Bible Software for effective speaking preparation, writing research, and personal Bible study. What normally takes five to 10 hours of flipping through paper books looking for biblical answers and insight can be done in seconds--and the depth of study is unparalleled! Logos 4 gives you access to your entire biblical library wherever you are because it is compatible with Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone and Android. This ease of use and power of Logos will be clearly taught and demonstrated.
Workshop: "Listening to the Calling" - Cindy Anne Duncan
Cindy Anne Duncan will open her workshop, saying, "A writer breathes and the story begins." Listen to a calling, a whisper, a photo, a feeling, a dream. They will call you ever so gently like a soft summer rain, or they may come at you like a roaring thunderstorm with the evening skies dazzling with lightning. listen to your callling and answer it, one word at a time, one sentence at a time, one breath at a time; the rest will flow and will take you on an adventure of a lifetime.
In her workshop, you will learn just how important your everyday surroundings, from moments of serendipity, to dreams dreamed, music heard, photos seen, birds building a nest, a child playing in the water, and numerous things that lead you to write.
So many people tell her that they have an idea for a book and want to write it. There it is; that slow summer rain; that evening thunderstorm; calling you to express it. Answer the call. She firmly believes it is in you to write. You will learn how to begin and what you need to continue.
You will also learn how to find good qauotes to enrich your writing. You will learn how to use your favorite quotes. here is one that Cindy Anne believes speaks to those who do not listen or write--"Regret is the only wound from which the soul never recovers." (Unknown)
Ms. Duncan loves music and has frequently used music therapy as a social worker. She will demonstrate using music in writing. so get ready to enter the rain; to feel it; to dance in it; to speak it; and to write it in her workshop. This is where your book, your article, your journal, your story can begin. Cindy Anne says, "So come on with me, and feel the rain upon your skin, only you can let it in!" She experiences, and wants you to experience, what Natasha Bedingfield says in her lyrics,
"Feel the Rain upon your Skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"
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. This will be a "hands-on" workshop for those who want to begin journaling or those who are experienced in keeping a journal. Workshop Level: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced
Workshopm - "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.
TWO-HOUR WORKSHOP: "Working with a Ghost Writer" - Don Piper
A workshop for writers who desire to work with a "Ghost Writer" to develop their ideas and stories. Don worked with Writer Cecil Murphey on more than one project in his career. His initial best-selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven was a volume that resulted from working with this creative genius who has worked with several best-selling authors--Dr. Ben Carson, Virginia Garberding, Salome Thomas-El, Shaun Alexander, Matt Loehr, Liz Allison, Franklin Graham and Bishop Eddie Long. Don Pipe has worked with Murphey on more than three books.
Workshop: "Writing Out of Your Pain" - Don Piper
This workshop is designed to help writers develop and produce something out of their struggles, suffering, failures and pains good things. Insights into dealing with Job-like situations that can be turned into constructive, positive and productive literary and artistic contributions that can become a blessing and benefit to others.
Keynote Address: "Still To Be Announced" - Don Piper
An inspirational, motivational talk using the story of Joseph as an example of a dream received, the dreamer refined, the dream redefined, and finally, the dream realized in relationship to writing.
Workshop - "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.
Workshop - "Sharing Your Faith: Writing Daily Devotionals" - Jim Stafford
The focus of this two-part workshop is to help you develop the essentials for good devotional writing. Discover where and how to start writing meditations. Learn the significance of being Bible-based (Part 1) and authentic (Part 2) as you share your faith through your writing. Sample and compare several leading daily devotionals to see how they differ and receive a market list. This workshop is designed for both beginning and intermediate writers. Even experienced and advanced writers can benefit from Jim Stafford's ideas and suggestions.
"GETTING STARTED WRITING POETRY" - Dr. Donn Taylor
Do you want to write poetry but don't know where to start? This session provides several specific aiming points to get you from the blank page to the completed first draft. The same fundamentals can be used to evaluate your draft after it is complete. Although oriented toward the beginning poet, the discussion also presents fruitful concepts for those more experienced.
"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. An experienced poet and a scholarly of poetry and writing will provide participants in this session valuable resources for creative expression.
Workshop - "Secrets My Editors Taught Me" - Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate, author of eighteen novels, both for Penguin Putnam in American Booksellers Association and Bethany House in Christian Booksellers Association, opens her writer's toolkit and shares tips for refining character, plot, setting, and structure to maximize your changes of selling fiction. Regardless of your genre, these tips will help you refine your novel and remove roadblocks that could be standing between you and a sale. Q&A at the end to address your specific areas of concern.