February 22 - How to Get Started
You’ve got lots of ideas but can’t figure out how to turn them
into the book, story or article you want to write. Learn some
techniques for planning your work, as well as the basic
techniques for improving your writing skills. The Factors of
Writing will be discussed and employed in creative exercises.
March 15 - Create Exciting Characters
Whether your goal is fiction or non fiction, you’ll benefit from
learning the techniques that generations of fiction writers have
used to breathe life into the people they write about, so that
readers can truly experience them. You’ll learn how to develop
believable characters and let them speak - and act- for
themselves.
April 12 - How to Open Your Story
You can’t just “begin.”Your opening sets the tone, pace, point
of view and announces the subject of your work – and determines
whether or not your readers will keep reading. Learn the tasks
of an opening and how to apply them to your writings.
May 10 - Plot, Action & Turning Points
Plots contain beginnings, middles and endings. Each has a
particular job to do. Learn what they are and how to strengthen
your writings and keep readers riveted by using them effectively
June 14 - Give Readers the Info They Need
Let your readers live out the story you’re writing by making
them part of the action - through building better scenes and
enlivening them with sensory description.
July 12 -
What Viewpoint Shall You Use?
Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, you are
telling a story. Telling it effectively depends on choosing the
best point of view. Learn the choices, and which will work best
for you.
August 16 - Selling Your Work
Every magazine and publishing house has a unique personality.
Learn how to discover what that is and how to chose those that
are right for your work and how to effectively query each of
them
September 13 - Writing Dialogue
Dialogue is the workhorse of both fiction and nonfiction.
Learn the six functions of dialogue and how to employ them
in every line of dialogue you write. (We’ll practice this
through exercises.)
October 11 - Creating Tension & Conflict
There is no better way to convey conflict or to heighten the
tension of a scene than through dialogue. This seminar will
focus on conveying your characters/protagonists’ desires,
intentions, fears and conflicts by putting the right words in
their mouths.
November 8 - Setting the Mood for the Scene
For readers to experience any scene you write about, you must
create the setting - through telling descriptions and
dramatizing through dialogue. Each scene should accomplish
several goals. Learn to enrich your scenes by adding more
elements to them
December 7 - MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION
Making sure you have included all the elements that will make
your work one of lasting interest to readers and turn them into
loyal fans.. We will review these elements and discuss how to
write a satisfying ending.
________________________________________
Location:.
Bayshore Menonite, Myrtle & Bayshore Drive, Sarasota (across from Jungle
Gardens).
There is a large parking lot, so you'll have easy access.
Use north entrance of the building.
Time:
10 am - 3 pm, with an hour off for lunch.
These will probably fill up
quickly, so register soon.
Individual seminars are $50.00
- Fee for the entire 2006
series is $600.
Discounts when you sign up for three or more at a time. Call or email for multiple-seminar
discounts.
I look forward to more stimulating seminars with a fun group
of writers. Join us if you can.
Patrika Vaughn
941-351-2050
or PvScribe@aol.com