Seminars/Workshops

 

1- Narration and Perspective

Narration is the core of storytelling. While the possibilities are numerous, each comes with its own rules, benefits and drawbacks. In this seminar, we will examine the aspects of the more common forms and combinations.

 

 

2- Language: narrative voice and character personality

Language is the main material of expression; words are the tools of the writer. In this seminar we will study how to use vocabulary and sentence structure to build style and tone and give personality to both anchored narrators and characters.

 

3- Description: Show versus Tell 

A writer should not tell the reader how to feel, the descriptions should bring about those emotions naturally. In this seminar we will 1) look at ways words spark responses and how to use the senses to their fullest extent, and 2) how to fit description within the narrative.

     

4- Weaving life into the Story: Pace and Structure

Quiet river flow? Or Action-packed? In this seminar we will learn how to structure the text to either accelerate or slow the pace of a story, and how to blend action, dialogue and description to make it come alive.

 

5- Close narration: Give your reader ‘the feels’

Make your readers live the story and connect to your characters by improving how you relay thoughts and emotions. Make inner monologues more convincing.

Where we take a closer look at: A) 1st person narration and Stream of Consciousness; B) 3rd person subjective narration and Free Indirect Speech.

 

6- Verbs and narrative time

The Narrative NOW of your story, whether it is in the Past or the Present, affects your choice of verb tenses. In this seminar we will discuss what each decision entails, how to stay consistent throughout a story, and how to use the different forms more effectively.
 

7- Character Development

Not only are characters the catalyst of a story, they should connect with readers to bring them into it. In this seminar, we will study the roles within a plot and explore the ways a writer can create and give life to relatable characters.

 

 

INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION LECTURES

The Basics of Writing

Like any art form, Creative Writing has a technical side. Along with a brief overview of the concepts covered in the seminars, this lecture means to inform the amateur writer of things to watch for and avoid as he starts honing his craft.  

 

So You’ve Written a Book – On Editing and Navigating the Publishing Industry

Writing a book is only half the battle. This lecture will go over editing tips for your manuscript, explore the possible avenues existing in the publishing world today, and explain the submission process.