Workshop Details – |
* All workshops are geared for both Plotters and Pantsers (seat-of-the-pants writers)
Number of attendees: Unlimited as long as there is a moderator who can take questions in a large crowd with a second microphone
Attendee writing level: Suited for new writers, published authors, plotters and pantsers
Attendees receive: Handouts/worksheets created for working on their own story so they apply what they learn immediately (*Note – will supply worksheets for up to 100)
Fee: Dianna does not charge a fee. (expenses reimbursed)
Extras – Door prizes provided
Audio/Visual required – Overhead projector or LCD preferred, but not necessary unless attendee number is over 100; microphone necessary for more than 50 attendees
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ONE HOUR Break Into Fiction® Workshops: |
Power Openings – Find out why an editor/agent will boot a story on the first page…and how to take them to that important fifth page. What does every opening need? What doesn’t belong in the opening? How can you weave in back story and make it necessary to the opening?
Power Pacing – Find out what makes a book a ‘page-turner’ without explosions on every page while keeping tension high and emotional depth engaging. A book is a collection of scenes linked so tightly no one scene can be removed. How do you make every scene that important?
The Power of Romantic Elements for Any Story – Whether you write thrillers, suspense, fantasy, mystery or any other genre, the romantic element in the story adds character development, conflict and the emotional tension readers crave. Find out how to include a romantic element without turning the story into a romance and while also supporting the central plot. *This workshop was first taught at a Writers Digest conference in New York and the response has been so strong we’re adding it to our permanent schedule.
Troubleshooting Plot Holes
Plotters and Pansters both struggle with common story issues. Even the best writers discover plot holes either during the writing process or the revision process. But not everyone wrestles with the same challenges. Learn how to locate these weak spots and strengthen your story when revising.
Special program developed for Published Author Tracts – please email to discuss these one-hour workshops or panels.
Set up to Twist Points
The backbone of every story are the three major twist points, but how do you know that your twist points are strong enough to carry the story to a powerful ending? Bring a new story idea to work on and come prepared to challenge your characters.
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TWO HOUR Break Into Fiction® Workshops –
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*NOTE – any two of the one-hour programs can be combined to be used as a two-hour workshop.
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TWO HOUR Power Writing – Super Power Openings & Analyze This: Scene Survival Test |
SUPER POWER OPENINGS
Can you sell your book based on your opening alone? Agents, editors and thousands of readers are going to decide to choose your book based on your opening. Is yours ready? Bring the first 150 words of your story to test its strength.
ANALYZE THIS: SCENE SURVIVAL TEST: Test the Strength of Your Scene
Submissions live or die by the strength of scenes. Are your scenes loaded with key elements or bloated with filler? Bring a scene from your story and come prepared to test its strength.
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TWO HOUR Power Writing – Active Settings & How Many Hooks Are Enough
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ACTIVE SETTINGS
Setting can bog down pacing. Give your setting an active role in your story. Use Deep POV to spin boring descriptions into engaging prose. Bring a brief passage/excerpt [approximately 100 words] of setting from your manuscript for deep analysis.
HOW MANY HOOKS ARE ENOUGH?
Whether you’re a plotter or seat-of-the-pants writer, the simplest way to avoid a sagging middle is to understand how to continually build hooks into your story. So how many hooks are enough? Knowing the answer to that question can be the difference between a compelling story and one that drags.
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ONE DAY Break Into Fiction® Power Writing: |
| FIVE KEY ELEMENTS of Character-Driven Plotting® |
(Note: this is not the 2 Day plotting retreat)
Five KEY Elements – Character, Conflict, Set up to Twist Points, Power Openings and Power Pacing – are at the heart of every powerful story. Spend a day learning how to up the stakes at every twist in your story and build a page-turning novel.
Attendees receive worksheets for applying what they learn immediately to their own stories and time to fill in the worksheets intermittently throughout the day.
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TWO DAY Break Into Fiction® Power Plotting Retreat in 2010: |
WRITE AT SEA: BREAK INTO FICTION
April 30 - May 3, 2010
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For More Info and Registration visit www.WriteAtSea.com |
*Due to Dianna’s writing schedule, she will only be joining Mary once in 2010 to teach this 2 Day Power Plotting Retreat…but it’s on a cruise. 
Private Hands-On Retreat with limited seating (this workshop is not conducive to large groups or chapter meetings due to the amount of time and the cost):
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Power Plot YOUR Book in 2 Days – |
This is an intensive hands-on program where Dianna and Mary take you through their innovative Character-Driven Plotting™ Program with 11 Templates that will change the way you think about plotting. Go to www.BreakIntoFiction.com and read what past attendees – both plotters and pantsers – are saying about this highly successful retreat. There were only a few seats available in December. Click on www.WriteAtSea.com for all the details.
Email questions to Dianna’s assistant Cassondra -
Too often, getting published means an immediate drain on what tiny amount of free time you had available. The first thing to go is reading for pleasure. The next one is taking workshops. I think the two most important things you can do for your writing is to write constantly and to continue learning through reading and workshops. Knowledge is food for your brain and reading provides rest for your muse. Treat yourself and your muse whenever you have the chance.
Dianna |
