A Bridge Between Worlds: Revealing Character Arc Through Metaphor
As you grow, you see the world differently. Well, so do your characters. By tapping into the metaphors that make up your characters’ linguistic identity, we can use your narrative’s figurative language to subtly reflect their growth to readers. Using this method, we can show your characters’ motivations, personal interests, and evolution over the course of the story. In this class, we’ll look at examples from best-selling novels and workshop the Metaphor Arch with characters from our own novel to see how your prose can take a journey of its own.
We Got the Beat: The Art of the Scene
What is the difference between a narrative summary and a scene? What does it mean to “enter a scene too early” or “leave the scene too late”? And what on earth do editors mean when they say your scene didn’t “turn”? In this 1 ½ hour hands-on workshop, you’ll put pen to paper and learn the foundations of good scene writing and revision.
Intro to Screenwriting. Exit from Reality
From the software you need and the books you should read, to the formatting and unique style of a screenplay, this class will cover the fundamentals of developing your story into a screenplay. We’ll look at writing for film/video/television and short form motion pictures, along with how to get started as a screenwriter. This class will probably not help you get your raw story to a producer in time for the Oscars, or find a house in the Hollywood hills, but it should give you enough information to know if screenwriting is for you.
Kid Speak: Creating Dialogue for Middle Grade Characters
Dialog can be tricky, especially if it’s been a while since you were your character’s age. In this workshop, you’ll practice tapping into your inner-child to create unique dialogue for your young characters. Concrete examples will be examined. You’ll then have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to your own work in progress and share the results.
Revision Strategies: How to “Re-see” and Rework your Draft
Revision means re-seeing your work—seeing it differently, more clearly, or with renewed direction. In this one-hour class, we will discuss and practice strategies of re-“vision”—going deeper than surface edits to reshape your work.
The Magic is You: Developing a Spectacular Writing Voice
Get revved up for a brand new, totally revamped writing workshop from author Jenny Martin! In the class, you’ll learn how to level up your prose and write the kind of one-of-a-kind, unforgettable fiction that will not only garner requests, but linger in the hearts and minds of readers, long after the book has been closed. Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or just jumping into the query trenches, this workshop is for you. You’ll walk away inspired, ready to draft and revise the most engaging fiction you’ve ever written.
Dialogue: The Down and Dirty
This course is going to break down the art of dialogue, whether you’re writing a short funny exchange (“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”), a long intense scene (“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”), or romance (“You had me at hello.”). We’ll learn how the best movies and books use dialogue for character, plot, and emotional impact—and then we’ll put your newfound knowledge to work in your current draft. Those early to the craft will benefit from the basics, while seasoned writers will appreciate the more nuisance pointers. Bring along a chatty scene and a red pen.
The Big Picture: Mapping Out Your Novel with Story Grid Techniques
So you’ve written your 120,000-word masterpiece. Your writing group says your scenes are awesome, and when agents and editors read the first fifty pages of your manuscript, they request more. But in the end, your work ends up in their rejection pile. What happened? And how do you break through to the next level? Story Grid techniques can help. In this 1 ½ hour hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to map out a story you’ve already written so that you can revise with purpose.