February...
TITLE: Magic, Monsters, and Amour: Creating
a Believable Paranormal World
DATE: February 4 – February 29, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Marilynn Byerly
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: February 1, 2008
Course Description:
Are vampires, fairies, and space aliens real? If you create the
right background for your paranormal romance, they will be to a
reader. I'll show you how to create a fantasy or paranormal
background from scratch and how to make it utterly believable.
Topics covered include:
WEEK ONE
What goes into creating magical worlds, future planets, monsters and
aliens.
The three methods of worldbuilding--their advantages and
disadvantages.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
WEEK TWO
Worldbuilding questions and resources to build the perfect science
fiction or fantasy world.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
WEEK THREE
How to organize your worldbuilding information.
What not to do in building your world-- kitchen sink worldbuilding,
world borrowing, and genre mixing.
How to work around these problems.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
WEEK FOUR
Building the perfect alien or magical character. A detailed
discussion of ghosts, aliens, psychics, witches, vampires, etc.
Putting your worldbuilding on the page: A detailed discussion of the
amount of detail needed in various types of novels, flaws in scene
logic, and the creation of a fresh version of a vampire and other
overused monsters.
How to avoid science fiction hazards, magic messes, and info
dumping.
A detailed examination of how I created a complete fantasy world.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Bio:
Marilynn Byerly's two passions are writing and teaching. With a BA
and MA in English with an emphasis on fictional structure and
literary analysis, she has taught writing, judged numerous national
and regional writing contests, reviewed books, and written articles
on writing which have appeared in trade publications, national
magazines, and writing websites. Her articles have also been used as
part of the course work for writing and publishing programs at major
universities. She has acted as a book doctor for established
authors and a NY Times bestseller.
Her romance, fantasy, and suspense novels, and
short stories have won major awards including the National Readers
Choice Award, the Sapphire, and the Write Touch. She has also been
named an outstanding achiever in romance by a major romance
magazine.
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March...
TITLE: The First Chapter: How to pull readers into
your novel in the first chapter and keep them reading
DATE: March 3 – March 28, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Marilynn Byerly
LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: March 2, 2008
Course Description:
Drawing a reader into the first chapter of your novel is more than
an exciting beginning, more than a “cute meet,” more than a sexy
hero and a feisty heroine. Step by step, I’ll show you the craft
needed to draw the reader into your novel and make her eager to keep
reading. I'll also show you how to set up the goals for the main
characters and for the novel.
To get the most out of this course, you should already have a good
idea about the plot and characters in your novel.
Topics covered include:
Course work, articles, and questions will be given through a
Yahoogroups' listserv. Your assignments will remain private between
you and Marilynn, though.
WEEK ONE:
You will receive an article on planning the first chapter.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Assignment: Answer a series of questions to figure out where your
novel will begin, its first hook, and the hero and heroine's
emotional and plot goals. The assignment is optional and will be
turned into Marilynn, not shared on the listserv.
WEEK TWO:
Optional: Turn in last week's assignment for feedback.
You will receive a second article on fleshing out those goals and
characters.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Assignment: Write the first scene or scenes of your novel that show
the characters' goals, etc. The assignment is optional and will be
turned into Marilynn, not shared on the listserv.
WEEK THREE:
Optional: Turn in your first chapter or that first scene or scenes.
The assignment is optional and will be turned into Marilynn, not
shared on the listserv.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
WEEK FOUR:
Marilynn will return your chapter with a critique.
You will receive a summation of the information.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Bio:
Marilynn Byerly's two passions are writing and teaching. With a BA
and MA in English with an emphasis on fictional structure and
literary analysis, she has taught writing, judged numerous national
and regional writing contests, reviewed books, and written articles
on writing which have appeared in trade publications, national
magazines, and writing websites. Her articles have also been used as
part of the course work for writing and publishing programs at major
universities. She has acted as a book doctor for established authors
and a NY Times bestseller.
Her romance, fantasy, and suspense novels, and short stories have
won major awards including the National Readers Choice Award, the
Sapphire, and the Write Touch. She has also been named an
outstanding achiever in romance by a major romance magazine
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TITLE: Regency Miscellany: The Fascinating world
of England in the early 19th century (1798-1822)
DATE: March 3 – April 4, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Mayer
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: March 2, 2008
Course Description:
Though some of the basics of the period, England in the early 19th
century (1789-1822), will be covered, new material will also be
presented as well as a new perspective on some older material. The
workshop will also include the use of Google books. Questions are
welcome as are suggestions as to what subjects would be of most
interest.
Bio:
Nancy Mayer has been studying the Regency world for more than a
decade and always finding more and more interesting facets to be
uncovered.
Nancy was invited to give a talk on Regency Marriage at the
BeauMonde Convention in 2005 and expanded the talk into a work
shop on getting into and out of Marriage Across the ages which was
presented by HHRW chapter. She has given other workshops for both
BeauMonde and HHRW including Regency 101, WHO's who and what's
what of Regency England, Errors to Avoid in writing a Regency,
Food in the Regency,.
Nancy owns many books on the Regency period as well as some
published in the years from 1800-1824. She also owns a dance book
and several newspapers.
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April...
TITLE: A Twelve-Step Program for Writing Success
DATE: April 7 – May 3, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Patricia Kay
LEVEL: Beginner and Intermediate
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: April 5, 2008
Course Description:
Want desperately to sell? To keep selling? To avoid second-book
syndrome? Patricia Kay has designed a 12-step program for writers
covering the following topics:
Topics covered include:
Find your own unique voice – what the heck is voice, anyway? Is it
something we can learn?
Learn how to create characters we care about – make your characters
memorable.
But would he really? Motivation is the key.
Write smart – avoid those pitfalls that doom your career from the
start.
Make point of view work for you – whose point of view should you
use? What is psychic distance? Is head hopping necessary?
It’s all in the details – what makes a book feel more mainstream . .
. and why?
Be fearless – if you always play it safe, you’ll never stand out
from the crowd.
Deliver on your promises – don’t bite off more than you can chew . .
. and what to do when you do.
Omit needless words – be specific
Making something out of nothing – learn how the most successful
writers do it.
When things go wrong – what do you do?
Etiquette for writers – live by the Golden Rule for Writers
Bio:
Patricia Kay is the bestselling author of more than 46 novels of
romance and women’s fiction. A RITA nominee for her first mainstream
romance for Berkley, she has written for five different publishers
and has been published in eighteen countries. A former writing
teacher at the University of Houston, she now teaches various
writing classes online. To learn more about her, go to her website
at www.patriciakay.com.
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TITLE: Bigger Than Botox: Practical Instructions
for when your book needs more than a face lift
DATE: April 20 – April 25, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Robyn DeHart
COST: $10 Outreach Member/Others $20
Deadline to receive application and payment: April 23, 2008
Course Description:
You've finished a book, maybe even more than one, but you still find
yourself feeling like there's something missing. Maybe your critique
group is harping on your convoluted plot and you're getting
rejections that say they just don't feel connected to your
characters. These are problems your spell checker and thesaurus
can't fix. It could be time for major surgery. This workshop will
unveil three levels of revisions that will take your book from an
unhealthy, flabby mess, to a tightly woven, character-driven
cohesive book that will make it look like you knew what you were
doing all along.
Bio:
Robyn DeHart spent seven years writing before breaking into the
seemingly impenetrable historical market. She’s now sold four to
Avon, including her exciting Ladies’ Amateur Sleuth Society series.
The first two in this series were released in 2006, and the third,
Tempted at Every Turn will hit stores in August 2007. A
self-proclaimed craft junkie, Robyn is a popular writing instructor,
having presented workshops on-line, at several RWA chapters and
three times at RWA’s National Conference.
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May...
TITLE: Everything You Need to Know About
Publishing
DATE: May 5 – May 16, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Maya Reynolds
LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
COST: $10 Outreach Member/Others $20
Deadline to receive application and payment: May 2, 2008
Course Description:
“Everything You Need To Know About Publishing” focuses on the
information that all writers should learn about the publishing
industry before attempting to market a manuscript.
Goal:
This workshop is designed to teach a writer specific information
about the three arms of the industry: Publishers, agents and
booksellers. Maya will talk about publishing trends, including
speculation about the future. You’ll learn the things you should
know before submitting a query letter.
Topics covered include:
1) Who are the major players in publishing?
2) When should I target a New York publisher, an independent
publisher or an online publisher?
3) Publishing terms I need to know.
4) Why would I want an agent, and what do I need to know about them?
5) Do I need a blog or a website?
6) What do I need to know about the five Internet giants?
7) Trends to be aware of in publishing.
8) What about contracts?
9) How does selling books differ than selling any other commodity?
10) Explain POD to me.
Bio:
Maya Reynolds is the former Vice President for Operations for a
Dallas corporation with more than 1,200 employees. She approached
her writing career in the same way she did her former business
career. She learned everything there was to learn about the
publishing industry. Her debut novel BAD GIRL was released in trade
paperback in September 2007 by NAL, a division of Penguin. She is
currently writing a sequel titled BAD BOY.
Maya is a founder of Passionate Ink, the RWA chapter for erotic
romance. Her blog on writing and the publishing industry can be
found at:
http://www.mayreynoldswriter.blogspot.com
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TITLE: Structuring Your Manuscript for More Impact
DATE: May 5 – May 30, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Terry Spear
LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: May 2, 2008
Course Description:
Have you just started your mss and you're at a loss already? Have
you finished the mss and need help structuring it so that it has the
kind of impact that will compel readers, agents, and editors to keep
reading?
Whether you're a plotter who sets up the whole mss from start to
finish, or a pantser who writes from the seat-of-the-pants, from the
writer who is just beginning, to the one who has finished a mss and
needs some help, this workshop is for you! We'll discuss the major
components of a mss-the Scene and Sequel, what makes them work and
how to make they better. I'll give examples and work with you on how
to improve your own mss. Afterward, you should be able to identify
what makes your story catch the reader's interest and what needs to
be reworked to do a better job.
Please join Terry Spear, the online presenter of Happy Hookers and
3-D Characterizations, for a workshop on Structuring Your Manuscript
for More Impact!
Bio:
Terry Spear has published in many genres, including romantic
suspense, contemporary, paranormal, and under the name Terry Lee
Wilde, young adult paranormal and fantasy romances. She's the author
of Winning The Highlander's Heart (Vintage), The Vampire...In My
Dreams (Samhain)and the anthology shorts: Seducing The Huntress,
Vampiric Calling, and Goddess In Training. Another novel, Heart of
the Wolf, is due out Spring, 2008 (Sourcebooks). She also writes
nonfiction for numerous genealogy, WWII, teen, and family magazines,
and has had romantic fiction published in magazines. Currently, she
has 3 paranormals under consideration and is working on another,
Allure of the Wolf. Her websites:
www.terryspear.com
www.terrywildeteenbooks.com
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TITLE: Is That Hollywood Calling?
DATE: May 5 – June 6, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Carroll
LEVEL: Intermediate
COST: $20 Outreach Member/Others $30
Deadline to receive application and payment: May 2, 2008
Course Description:
Just because we can write books doesn't mean we can write
screenplays. Based on my popular 8 part newsletter article Is That
Hollywood Calling? is a quick and dirty course on the differences
between writing books and writing scripts. And how writing a
screenplay can help improve your novel writing.
Introduction
The Basics of Screenwriting (assignment)
Show don’t tell (assignment)
The polish (assignment)
Queries
Contests
Meetings/pitches/conferences
After you sell
Do’s and don’ts list
Bio:
Cindy Carroll joined Romance Writers of America in 1992. Since
then she has served as vice-president and treasurer for her local
chapter as well as contest coordinator for her local chapter’s
contest. She has given an online workshop for the Hearts Through
History Chapter on writing queries. She has four complete yet to be
published novels and was working on her fifth when an idea for a
teleplay grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go, prompting her to join
ScriptScene, RWA’s screenwriting chapter. Since turning to
screenwriting she has garnered a request for a horror script from a
production company after her first query. She also received
honourable mention in the Television/Movie script category in the
76th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.
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June...
TITLE: Agent Quest: Insider Secrets to Make this
Conference THE ONE
DATE: June 16 – June 27, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Kit Frazier
LEVEL: Beginner and Intermediate
COST: $10 Outreach Member/Others $20
Deadline to receive application and payment: June 14, 2008
Course Description:
This class is an interactive To Do List from agents, editors and
bestselling authors on how to get your foot in the door and what to
do with your foot once you’re in.
INCLUDES: Agent Tips from Super Agents Jenny Bent,
Andrea Somberg, Celeste Fine, Kelly Harms, Jessica Faust and Donald
Maas
Editor Tips from Wonder Editors Jennifer Enderlin
(St. Martin’s), Lucia Macro (Avon) and Kate Duffy (Kensington)
Topics covered include:
WEEK ONE:
-
The One Thing You MUST Do Right Now!
-
Pre
Conference Prep
-
Get
Your Bio, Baby
-
Brand Yourself
-
Pitch Perfect (Includes Winning Sample Pitches)
-
Query Quest (Includes Winning Sample Queries)
-
Research Like You Mean It
-
What Should You Look for in an Agent?
-
Do You Even Need an Agent?
-
How do You Know Which Agent to Approach?
-
Questions, Comments, and HELP!
WEEK TWO:
-
Five Questions You Must Ask Your Potential
Agent/Editor
-
Query Critique Volunteers
-
The Business of Getting an Editor/Agent
-
To Blog or Not to Blog
-
Pre-pub Publicity
-
The Least You Need to Do
-
Conference Strategy
-
What To Pack (Business Tips for Writing Babes)
-
Confidence Becomes You
-
Exit Strategy: The Five Things You Need to Do
Post-Conference
Bio:
Kit Frazier is an award-winning author, speaker and professional
journalist. Her first novel, Scoop, was a Mystery Guild Pick of the
Month and took the #1 spot on the Austin bestseller list.
Her second book, Dead Copy, hit the list one week
after it’s June release date and was named Barnes & Noble Author of
the Month. Kit is the two-time, first-place winner of the Writers’
League of Texas and Merritt awards and believes that the only
difference between a professional writer and a dabbler is that one
didn't quit.
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July
TITLE: Public Speaking for Writers
DATE: July 7 – July 18, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: April Kihlstrom
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $10 Outreach Member/Others $20
Deadline to receive application and payment: July 5, 2008
Course Description:
Does public speaking make your stomach clench and your skin go
cold? Do you panic at the thought? This 2 week online course will
show you simple techniques to make anyone a more relaxed and
effective speaker.
Topics will include handling interviews, offering
pitches at conferences and presenting workshops. Everything from
creating content for an effective presentation to how to dress to
handling those pesky physiological responses will be covered.
By the end of this class, you might actually be able
to enjoy getting up in front of a crowd—or at least know you'll be
okay.
Bio:
April Kihlstrom is the author of 31 published romance novels. She
has achieved the rank of ATM Bronze in Toastmasters, won speaking
contests, taught public speaking in California, been interviewed on
television and presented highly acclaimed workshops at both national
and regional conferences.
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August...
TITLE: The Big Question: How to Create a Powerful Novel from a
Few Ideas and One Big Question
DATE: August 4 – August 29, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Marilynn Byerly
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: August 1, 2008
Course Description:
Have you ever read a story then felt dissatisfied by it as you put
it down? All the story elements--plot, characters, romance, and
suspense--were there, but something was missing. That something is
often called depth or resonance, and it’s that element that turns an
ordinary story into one you couldn’t put down.
How do you create a story like that? It starts with the creation of
the story. I’ll show you how to take a simple plot idea, premise, or
character and turn it into a novel with resonance.
Topics covered include:
WEEK ONE:
You will receive an article on the big question.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Assignment: Decide on your big question, and its two sides. The
assignment is optional and will be turned into Marilynn, not shared
on the listserv.
WEEK TWO:
Optional: Turn in last week's assignment for feedback.
You will receive a second article on creating characters to answer
the big question.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Assignment: Decide on the characters you'll need to answer the big
question. The assignment is optional and will be turned into
Marilynn, not shared on the listserv.
WEEK THREE:
Optional: Turn in last week's assignment for feedback. The
assignment is optional and will be turned into Marilynn, not shared
on the listserv.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Assignment: Flesh out your characters. Give them background and
motivation.
WEEK FOUR:
You will receive an article on story arcs and a summation of the
information..
Assignment: Decide on the general plot and the different story arcs
you'll need to ask the big question.
Questions: Ask Marilynn questions on the group listserv or
privately.
Bio:
Marilynn Byerly's two passions are writing and teaching. With a BA
and MA in English with an emphasis on fictional structure and
literary analysis, she has taught writing, judged numerous national
and regional writing contests, reviewed books, and written articles
on writing which have appeared in trade publications, national
magazines, and writing websites. Her articles have also been used as
part of the course work for writing and publishing programs at major
universities. She has acted as a book doctor for established
authors.
Her romance, fantasy, and suspense novels, and short stories have
won major awards including the National Readers Choice Award, the
Sapphire, and the Write Touch. She has also been named an
outstanding achiever in romance by a major romance magazine
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September...
TITLE: Psychology For Creating Characters
DATE: September 14 – September 19, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Laurie Schnebly Campbell
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
COST: $10 Outreach Member/Others $20
Deadline to receive application and payment: September 11, 2008
Course Description:
This is a crash-bang course that takes you through five areas of
psychology which are guaranteed to bring your plausible, likable
characters into conflict with other plausible, likable characters.
In just one week, you'll learn to spot and use personality tools
that'll work for your characters...as well as for real-life people.
That's why one writer who took this class said afterwards, "You
saved my novel," while another author announced, "You saved my
marriage!"
Topics covered include:
MONDAY: Adler & Birth Order
TUESDAY: The Four Priorities
WEDNESDAY: The Three Types
THURSDAY: Nine Enneagrams
FRIDAY: The Jungian Scales
Bio:
Laurie Schnebly Campbell enjoys workshops that draw on her Master's
in Counseling and her experience as a romance novelist who beat Nora
Roberts for "Best Special Edition of the Year." Besides writing, she
also enjoys producing commercials for a Phoenix ad agency, teaching
a catechism class, narrating for Talking Books, and playing with her
husband and son. "People ask how I find time to do all that," Laurie
says, "and I tell them it's easy. I never clean my house!"
TITLE: The Unpub’s Guide to Finding an Agent
DATE: September 22 – October 3, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Beth Cornelison
LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: September 19, 2008
Course Description:
This workshop is a comprehensive look at ways an unpublished author
can increase their chances of signing with an agent. I'll discuss
what to look for in an agent, what an agent looks for in an author,
warning signs of agents to avoid, how to make a good impression,
what to expect from an agent, what an agent can and can't do for an
unpublished author, and how to maintain a professional relationship
with an agent once you sign with them. I'll include tips and advice
gleaned from my agent as well.
Bio:
Award-winning author Beth Cornelison received her degree in
public relations from the U of GA. After seriously pursuing
publication for four years (give or take), she signed with her
agent, Lucienne Diver of Spectrum Literary Agency, in 2001 and sold
her Golden Heart-finaling manuscript to Silhouette Intimate Moments
in 2004. Since that time she has published with Silhouette Romantic
Suspense, Samhain, and Five Star Press. When she isn't writing or
working at a local children's bookstore, Beth presents workshop
online and at conferences across the country. She is also the Vice
President and Conference coordinator for the NOLA STARS and
currently lives in Louisiana with her husband, one son, and three
cats.
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January...
TITLE: His Personality Ladder
DATE: January 7 – January 27, 2009
INSTRUCTOR: Laurie Schnebly Campbell
LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
COST: $15 Outreach Member/Others $25
Deadline to receive application and payment: January 4, 2009
Course Description:
If you've ever started cruising with a hero who insists on going
his own way, you need a map to keep up with him. And if your hero
cooperates all through the book, you need to make sure he's not
boring your readers.
You probably already know his psychological traits and enneagram
type -- if not, check with the instructor. That's because this class
takes up where those others leave off, following a hero through the
stages he'll cover throughout your book.
Whether you're starting with a brand new character, or tweaking some
you've already written, it helps to know what their journey will be.
Not the Vogler-style Hero's Journey, but your hero's individual
journey from Mr. NOT YET Right to Mr. VERY Right.
Every hero needs to move through five steps along that path,
comparable to climbing a ladder...although often with a few detours
here and there. Of course, every heroine has her own ladder to
climb, and in most novels the pair will move in parallel stages --
until the end, when they reach the ultimate triumph together.
There's even a ladder for the villain, although he rarely makes it
to the top.
Why use personality ladders? Recognizing the steps of a hero's (or
heroine's, or even a villain's) progress along the way from Page 1
to The End makes it easier to create the right roadblocks and rest
stops along the way...and to make sure each character's journey is
enhanced by that of their fellow climbers.
Topics Covered Include:
Before The Climb
First Step: Beginning
Second Step: Misdirection
Third Step: Recovery
Fourth Step: Challenge
Fifth Step: Growth
Reaching The Top
Bio:
Counselor and "Best 200 Books of the Century" winner Laurie Schnebly
Campbell has lost count of how many writers have enjoyed her classes
on "Psychology for Creating Characters" and "Creating Your Hero's
Fatal Flaw." For everyone from those classes who's asked for more
insights on personality development, she's created this advanced
course that builds on her psychology and enneagram workshops. Not
sure whether you qualify for the new class? Visit
www.BookLaurie.com and ask Laurie!
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