Learn to create & sustain riveting story tension for an entire novel. Discover the difference between the type of tension that thrills readers VS the type that just wears them down.
Writer's Craft: The Hero’s Journey – Creating a Character Driven Story
Summary:
Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake as he gives you some tools to create dynamic stories that will make your readers cheer for the character’s triumphs and commiserate their losses.
Description:
All great stories need both a hero and a villain. Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake as he presents his class, "Heroes and Villains – Creating a Character Driven Story." This class will give you the tools you need to create both sides of this opposing force. You will learn to create each in a dynamic way that will capture the hearts of your readers, making them cheer for their triumphs and commiserate their losses.
Learn how to effectively and properly use Point of View (POV) from Geoffrey Girard, MA in Creative Writing and author of more than sixty speculative stories.
Description:
Narrative Point of View is the most important element of storytelling. The decision of “Who” is telling your story sets the Tone, drives the Plot, and has full control over your readers’ experience. But choosing between First, Second or Third person is only the start. POV options include fascinating questions of When, Why and How and include a fuller range of your POVs’ true identity. A workshop led by Geoffrey Girard, who has an MA in Creative Writing and has sold more than sixty speculative stories; most recently CAIN’S BLOOD and the Stoker- nominated PROJECT CAIN to Simon & Schuster.
Explore the meaning behind the old writer's adage "Show, Don't Tell," discover ways to make your writing more powerful, & learn when you're better off just telling the reader what they need to know.
It's vital that you start the story in the right place if you want to hook a reader. Join us & we'll teach you how to choose the perfect starting point.
Writers have lives??!? Sure enough, they do. Learn what writers' lives are like, how they balance their professional efforts, & what the few remaining sane ones do to stay that way.
We all have our favorite stories -- stories that inspire us or make us think. Learn from some successful writers which stories they love, and why -- & why they think you should read them, too.
Is there such a thing as writer's block? If so, what is it exactly, & how can it affect you? Learn what the pros think & how they keep writing even when ideas & inspiration seem to dry up.
Writer's Life: Writer's & Mental Health—You're Not Alone
Summary:
Many writers struggle with mental health issues. Learn how some authors (including a mental health professional & authors who've experienced these issues first hand) cope with these challenges.
Drop in and hang out with the authors from the Gen Con Writer's Symposium. It's a great chance to ask questions, get advice, and learn more about your favorite writers.