NOLA STARs2009 Written In The Stars Writers' Conference Workshops
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
· Jennifer Blake “How To Avoid Plagiarism While Using Research”
In this workshop, Jennifer explains what is acceptable and what is not when embellishing your fiction with facts from copyrighted sources.
To learn more about Jennifer, visit her website
· Robin Caroll “Characterization for Effect”
Writers hear all the time that characters are essential to a successful story. But how to create full-flavored, three-dimensional characters? This workshop will take you from the importance of naming your characters, to archetypes, through GMCs for your primary characters and interviewing them.
To learn more about Robin, visit her website
· Beth Cornelison “Perfect People Are Boring”
Drawing on memorable characters from classic romances, Beth shows how their flaws set up story conflict and internal conflict and also how the plot points forced the character to make choices and learn from mistakes.
Through these tests in the characters' growth arc, they learned and changed enough by the end of the story to make a sacrifice for love they wouldn't have been able to make at the start of the book or movie.
Through this sacrifice, they earn their happily ever after. I will explain these concepts, showing how to apply these techniques to build stronger plots and memorable characters. In addition I’ll give examples from popular romance books and movies and leave time for Q and A.
To learn more about Beth, visit her website
· Connie Cox (with Elizabeth Hadwin) "Selling Your Novel: A Bookseller’s Perspective”
To learn more about Connie, visit her website
· Winnie Griggs (with an editor & agent TBA) “Honing Your Pitch”
This workshop will cover the following areas:
4 In-depth discussion of the 7 elements of a pitch
4 Sample pitches crafted from published novels to illustrate the above points
4 Discuss what to do to prepare for the appointment
4 Discuss what to do during the appointment, including a sample list of questions you should be prepared to answer as well as questions you may want to ask
4 Discuss what to do once the pitch is over
To learn more about Winnie, visit her website
· Elizabeth Hoyt “Stalking the Wild Agent”
Agents are elusive beasts and at the same time critical to a writing career. How can the aspiring author capture one of her own? This workshop will discuss ferreting out information about the reputation of individual agents, narrowing your list of possible agents, querying, what you should ask interested agents, and the etiquette of hiring your dream agent.
To learn more about
· Elle James & Delilah Devlin “Plotting Bootcamp”
Learn a methodical approach to harness your creativity in order to produce an in-depth plot for your next novel. Sound scary? It is—when you’re staring at an empty page without a compass and a map to guide you through the novelistic jungle. Your DIs will lead you through activities that will help strengthen your abilities and prepare you for war with the blank page. Bring your mental muscles and be ready for training!
To learn more about Elle, visit her website
To learn more about Delilah, visit her website
· Karen King “Humor, Heat and Hooks: The Building Blocks of a Page Turner”
This workshop is all about pacing and how to write a page-turner. Using a three prong attack to engaging the reader’s interest, Karen will cover various tricks used to keep up the pace.
To learn more about Karen, visit her website
· Jade Lee “Worldbuilding - The Setting as a Character”
Paranormals, fantasies, even historical romances all require the creation of a new world. The most common problems occur when the world is either too complicated or too simplistic. The environment your characters walk through should add texture, mood, even complication to the romance. Magic, for example, complicates a world, but it needs its limitations, explanations, and dangers. Is your magic unique enough? And when the setting is as far out as
To learn more about Jade, visit her website
· Allison Pittman “Playing Ping-Pong With A Hammer: Strategies for Writing Effective Dialogue”
Ineffective dialogue has been likened to a lethargic ping-pong match. This presentation plays on that metaphor to illustrate effective methods for writing dialogue. First, there will be a presentation of four key points to writing character-impacting dialogue:
§ Step up to the Table: (Setting the Scene) The author needs to determine a venue for each conversation.
§ Keep Your Eye on the Ball: (Actions and Words) The phrase “Actions speak louder than words” doesn’t always apply to well-written fiction.
§ Choose Your Paddle: (Distinguish those Voices) Each character needs to sound distinctly different from the others.
§ Make the Cheap Shot: (Speak to Win) Each participant in conversation should have a goal.
Once the participants have gone through the instructional notes, the workshop will become more interactive. They will be presented with an effective excerpt of dialogue for analysis and discussion of the four key elements.
To learn more about Allison, visit her website
· Ramona Richards “
If you’ve ever thought, “I can write better than that!” then this workshop is for you. A lot of people have great ideas and start a book, but never finish. Some even enter “book in a month” contests, then stall out after only a few chapters. This workshop will provide readers interested in writing as well as experienced authors the guidelines necessary for finishing the first draft of a novel in 30 days or less.
To learn more about Ramona, visit her website
· Renee Ryan “Subtext: What Lies Beneath the Surface”
This workshop will focus on SUBTEXT or what lies beneath the surface of every scene. I will expand on the premise that the scene is never about what the scene is about. I will give solid, concrete tools to the workshop attendees to use so that they can consciously create a strong subtext in every scene they write. They will learn how to use word choice, strong verbs, concrete nouns, body language and setting to create the subtext of their novel. By consciously creating a deliberate subtext the attendees’ stories will be stronger and have more depth.
To learn more about Renee, visit her website
· Terry Spear “Happy Hookers”
Slow starts and sleepy endings to scenes and chapters can ruin a manuscript's chance of being published. Conversely, solid hooks can make the sale - as workshop instructor Terry Spear demonstrates. What author wouldn't be thrilled to hear someone say, "I couldn't put the book down"? Strong hooks are a vital ingredient in strong writing. In this work, she'll talk about how to captivate readers with great openings, scene hooks, chapter cliff hangers, mid-scene hooks, and intriguing back cover blurbs. Further, she will discuss hooking with the query letter and synopsis.
To learn more about Terry, visit her website
· Sara Thacker “Voice - What Is It & How Do You Improve Yours”
We all have a unique Author's Voice. We may not use it or ever develop it beyond SMS or emails, but you do have a unique voice. Voice is the way you phrase life in your own words. Sometimes we try to copy another author’s voice. That makes your unique voice get smaller and smaller. This causes others to hear is a cross cut between the person you're emulating and your own voice.
How do you develop your own voice? Write! Read and analyze what you read.
This workshop will focus on analyzing voice of published authors and doing a group exercise that will allow authors to strengthen their unique voice.
To learn more about Sara, visit her website
Questions? Contact our Conference Coordinator.
