writing

Learn how to create a fictional case that readers won't be able to solve! Lesson One: Ineffective ways to create mystery - Learn commonly used methods that help prevent readers from solving a case - Understand why many readers dislike these methods - Learn how to catch them in...

What does “write what you know” actually mean? How do advances work? In this workshop, we’ll take apart 10 common writing and publishing myths and discuss what they actually mean. We’ll cover both writing and industry misunderstandings, discussing everything from picking apart what “show don’t...

Every writer knows that a story without compelling conflict is one readers will put down. But how do you decide which internal and external conflicts your characters should face both individually and together? In this course we'll discuss types of conflict, when different obstacles should be...

Do you have trouble with telling the reader the story instead of showing it? If so, join the crowd. This is one of the most common mistakes in writing. But there’s hope. In this two week workshop, I will Show you how to tell which mode you’re in Tell you how to fix the problem Show you how to...

Do you want to write a Romance novel, but you’re not sure where to start? If so, this book is for you. This introductory guide to writing romance explores the success of the genre, what readers expect from Romance novels, as well as how to woo those readers with your words.

A threshold is any point of entering. The line between here and there. Also called limen, it is any point or line or place between what is and what will be, or between what was and what is now, often that defining moment of no return. Thresholds are important in the structure of story and are...

Humans are first of all visual creatures, and symbols are basic powerful communication tools. The more consciously you use symbols, images, and codes in your stories, the more effective your message will be. Using appropriate visuals – in prose, poetry, plays, or scripts - will heighten the...

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to construct a thriller from beginning to end. Some of the topics covered are: What is a thriller and why are they so popular? The many different categories of thrillers Secrets of creating commercial story ideas Developing a ‘hot’ plot How to start your story...

Most people are familiar with Joseph Campbell's monomyth but have not heard of Maureen Murdock's Heroine's Journey. Murdock builds on the hero's journey and shows how it's different for the feminine. In this class, we will explore the nine steps as well as their similarities and differences to...

Ideas are awesome. But ideas aren’t stories. In this workshop, we’ll look at some techniques for figuring out how to turn your ideas into stories, and those stories into great novels. The focus on this workshop is on the pre-writing phase, where we’ll think about brainstorming and planning to...

Many writers want to take part in NaNoWriMo each year in November. There is no better way of getting into the later fall months than to delve into writing a brand new book that we can then revise in December and January. I have participated in 20 years of NaNoWriMo’s so far. This will be my...

Are you seeking a coach and mentor who listens? Doesn't squash your writing style? And who provides positive, constructive feedback to meet your goals? As a certified coach with a background in education and over a decade of working with writers, my goal is to offer you an individualized...

There are all types of mystery niches in which to write stories: amateur detective, police procedural, government agency, spies, private detectives, capers, cozies, romantic suspense. Even paranormal mysteries. Any one of them could be a comedic mystery. Why? Because comedy is in the...

Every novel has common parts of scenes, such as moving the plot forward, revealing character, motivation, inner/external conflict, etc. These universal necessities will make up the first part of the workshop and be fleshed out and explained. In addition, romance has some specific things...

In this class, a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance explores how to write romance hot enough to burn the pixels off the screen. She discusses the creation of characters with the kind of intense sensuality needed in erotic romance; building a believable erotic attraction that...

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What best sells your next book? The ending of your previous book! A satisfying ending ties together all the pieces of your novel - the character arcs, the relationship arcs, the plot, the carefully...

This class focuses specifically on the middle of your story, the bulk of the action that takes place after the set-up and builds up until you reach your “disembarking point” and the book’s ending. How do you crank up conflict and emotion without writing yourself into a corner? How do you...

Your opening chapters are a book’s first date with a reader! They’re going to make decisions on if this is the right match for them based on their first impressions. So how do we write engaging, enticing, informative first chapters that set up your story, your characters and keep readers...

The Getting Your Manuscript Ready series is a comprehensive look at all the moving parts that make your manuscript the best it can be. We'll break down Beginnings, Middles, and Ends, discuss their unique challenges - and how to fix them! - as you create a book that flows from start to finish...

Suspension of disbelief is the name of the game in Fantasy. How do you make your readers ignore everything they know to be true and live in YOUR world? One way is to make elements of your story, like the fight scenes, very believable. Join Rebecca as she shows you how to weave fantastic elements...