Learn to work with the material already in your story to make it stronger and more vibrant.
Description:
In writing, there are many different techniques that are rarely discussed together. Foreshadowing, parallel threads, theme, tone, character building, and more. In this seminar, these topics are discussed from the viewpoint of strengthening the story as a whole, taking a story that feels loose and directionless and working with the material that's already there to make it strong and vibrant.
Cartoonist, Author, and Hugo-Award-winning podcaster Howard Tayler opens the hood on the engines of funny.
Description:
Perhaps your friends think you're funny in person, but it's not coming through in your writing. Or maybe your friends don't think you're funny, and you feel like writing humor is hopeless. Regardless, this thing you're writing needs to be funny, and right now it's not. Howard will talk about how to figure out what's wrong, and how to go about fixing it. He'll briefly cover some of the latest science, and then drill down on how it translates into technique. Will this session be funny? Maybe! Okay, possibly. But you'll definitely be funnier for having attended it.
Learn to create broad story arcs that play out slowly over the course of a book (or series) that readers will love, and get tips for avoiding the dreaded "Will this EVER end?" scenario!
Explore what happens when the hero doesn't make it to the end of the story, and discover how to handle this scenario in a way that is still satisfying to the reader.
Writer's Craft: Dialogue, it is not just people talking!
Summary:
Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake as he gives you some insights on how to craft dialogue that will not only sound realistic, but be relevant to your story.
Description:
Dialogue - that is, well written dialogue in fiction - is one of the hardest things to master. That's because dialogue in fiction is not really people talking to each other. It is conversation with drama that also needs to move the plot of the story while giving the reader insight into the inner workings of your characters. Sounds like a lot? It is. Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake as he gives you some insights on how to craft dialogue that will not only sound realistic, but be relevant to your story.
Learn how to finish your story in a way that results in happy readers, discover ways to leave them wanting more without driving them crazy, and get advice on what NOT to do!
Learn how to keep characters important in the face of world-changing events, discover ways to present an epic tale that readers can relate to, and get tips for crafting truly epic storylines.