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# Margie Lawson

Changing Your Writing World

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## Posts

- [Empowering Characters Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/empowering-characters-emotions-2/) - Want to add a psychological punch to your writing and editing? Want to learn how to capture the full range of body language on the page? Want to turn your work into a page-turner by powering up emotion and hooking the reader viscerally? Look forward to learning: The EDITS System -- You'll do a deep
- [Killing It with Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/killing-it-with-conflict/) - Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. We’ve heard it, we know it, we’ve gotta have it, but too often, agents, editors, critique partners, and editors scream, “Where is the conflict? We need to feel the tension” And worse. “There is no conflict in this story.” Even now, I hear heads thunking. I hear the cries of, “Why?” and
- [Killing It with Conflict - Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/killing-it-with-conflict-intensive/) - Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict, conflict, conflict builds tension. We've heard the tension-refrain at conferences, in workshops and in books. We know we must have tension. Tension on every page. So, we wrote stories filled with murders, thefts, lost hope, arguments, sword fights, gun battles, chase scenes. You name it, we threw all kinds of conflict
- [Battling the Basics](https://www.margielawson.com/battling-the-basics/) - A mechanic doesn’t pop the hood for the first time and immediately know what’s wrong with the car. A pilot doesn’t slide into the cockpit without logging the required hours of training. A master author doesn’t magically hit the bestseller lists. A master author knows the basics. And there are a lot of basics to
- [Lights! Camera! Tension!](https://www.margielawson.com/lights-camera-tension/) - Tension belongs: In every bookIn every sceneOn every page Without it, who cares? The whole story falls flat. In this class, we’ll drill deep to find exactly what creates tension in a scene or a character and we’ll learn dozens of ways to make sure you’ll use Margie’s orange highlighter at all the right moments.
- [The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/the-eight-crafts-of-writing/) - Do you want a structured overview of the writing craft(s)? Are you interested in learning the psychology of storytelling? What about getting a storytelling edge by learning the secrets of reader engagement? The Writing Jungle Jane is an aspiring writer, who, like everyone else before her, parachutes straight into the writing jungle. And, like everybody
- [Mind Map](https://www.margielawson.com/mind-map/) - Mind-mapping: Using the Way We Think to Create Story Are you a pantster or a plotter? Or some combination of both ends of the spectrum? Most of us fall somewhere in the middle but, regardless, mind-mapping can launch your planning abilities into the stratosphere! A mind map is a simple tool that utilizes the way
- [Master Emotive Storytelling and showing](https://www.margielawson.com/master-emotive-storytelling/) - Previously titled Master Emotive Storytelling How to combine showing action with effective telling The Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing workshop is for fiction writers who want to decipher the contradictions in the old ‘show don’t tell’ mantra so they can avoid author intrusion and maximize evocative actions and sensory details. Both showing and telling are
- [A Deep Editing Guide to Make your Openings Pop!](https://www.margielawson.com/deep-editing-to-make-your-openings-pop/) - This class is about openings. All your openings, not just the first opening in your book. The opening of your first chapter needs to carry powerful content, and powerful structure and style. The opening of every scene and every chapter needs to hook the reader with content and structure and style too. This course covers:
- [Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, & More](https://www.margielawson.com/deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-more/) - DEEP EDITING is for the writer who wants to psychologically impact the subconscious of the reader. For the writer who wants to learn fresh editing techniques. For the writer who wants to edit for hook-the-reader power. Participants will: Learn the EDITS System and take it deeper. See the interplay of patterns on the page and analyze what’s needed to
- [Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/) - Today it seems like conspiracies and conspiracy theories are everywhere. Do you want to add shadowy organizations and secret plots to your writing? Why not look at real conspiracies from history to feed your own dark designs? Come join historian Hugh Gordon as he shows which conspiracies can be proven, and others that remain in
- [Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/advanced-craft/) - You know the feeling – when you start a book and immediately suspend disbelief to fall into the story world. As authors, we know that this isn’t easy to do. It takes more than a good scene. It takes a maestro of craft to pull it off. This is a writing master class. If you’re
- [Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/create-compelling-characters/) - Depending on who you ask, there are 2, 4, 7, 9 or 13 different plots for a writer to use. Regardless of who you believe, with a finite number of plots, you'd better find a way to make your story stand out among the masses. And there is no better way to draw your readers
- [Not Your Mama's Character Descriptions](https://www.margielawson.com/not-your-mamas-character-descriptions/) - This power-packed class provides writers with hands-on tools for making character descriptions fresh and deep and powerful. But there's something else. Something really amazing about all the courses I teach. You'll learn lots of my deep editing tips and techniques. The same ones my Immersion Master Class grads use that boost their sales and boost
- [Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts](https://www.margielawson.com/visceral-rules-beyond-hammering-hearts/) - This class is all about adding emotion to your scenes. If you have a scene that carries a strong emotional stimulus, you usually need to give your POV character a visceral response. You don’t want to write them in a clichéd way. You want to write them fresh, with just the right amount of power. This
- [How to Write Believable Alternate History Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/how-to-write-believable-alternate-history-fiction/) - Have you ever imagined how history could have turned out differently? What would the world have looked like if the Nazis had won the Second World War, the South had won the American Civil War, or the US had lost the Cold War? Alternate histories challenge and inspire us to think about what might have
- [Law and Order Regency Style](https://www.margielawson.com/law-and-order-regency-style/) - As a historical fiction author, I have researched for years on legal issues my characters have encountered in their stories. In talking to readers of historical fiction, particularly regency romance, I’ve learned that many people have questions about some of the issues addressed in novels, as well as misunderstandings about inheritance and marriage laws (yes,
- [Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues/) - Learn how to write body language and dialogue cues from a kinesics specialist. Writers will learn how to write fresh: Body Language Basics: facial messages, lips, eyes, chin, full facial expression, flicker-face, gestures, posture, hierarchical zones . . . Body Language Clusters Avoidance and deception cues Vibes – beyond spidey senses and hair-raising Turning Points
- [Write Backstory With Confidence](https://www.margielawson.com/write-backstory-with-confidence/) - How to weave the past in without information dump telling Does your character or location have a fascinating history, but you’re unsure of the best way to express it? The Write Backstory With Confidence workshop is for fiction writers who want to avoid information dumps and use backstory to provide character motivation that resonates with readers.
- [Master Story Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/master-story-point-of-view/) - Recognize and write the POV that suits your story Choose and use the right Point of View to showcase the emotional drama and intrigue in your story. Industry professionals are quickly put off by head-hopping borne of poor POV mastery, or POV that doesn’t make the most of the story structure. The voice of the
- [Make 'em Laugh - How to Write a Comedy Screenplay](https://www.margielawson.com/make-em-laugh-how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay/) - So, you have an idea for a comedy screenplay? Are you in the middle of one? Have you completed several? Make ‘em Laugh is a class for both experienced and beginning writers. If you’d like to learn about nuances of feature-length comedy films and apply them to your own funny ideas, then you’ve found the
- [Stacking the Stakes](https://www.margielawson.com/stacking-the-stakes/) - You’ve put your heart, soul and every drop of blood into your characters, and the story they have to tell. Now it's time to raise the stakes!
- [Fairies: The Old Gods](https://www.margielawson.com/fairies-the-old-gods/) - In England, before the Norman Conquest of 1066, fairies were called elves. Fairy is a word borrowed from French. Walt Disney would have you believe that fairies are sweet little creatures with wings and wands, helpful entities like Tinkerbell and the Tooth Fairy. Walt was wrong. In many lands people believe it's not wise to
- [Plot Your Reliable Story Compass](https://www.margielawson.com/plot-your-reliable-story-compass/) - This course is for fiction authors who want to find the true purpose of their story and write a compelling novel, so they can avoid a plot-hole wilderness.
- [Creating Anthologies Easily The Smart Way](https://www.margielawson.com/creating-anthologies/) - Anthologies are the "hot" item lately, giving authors a chance to collaborate and create amazing themed books. The writing side is usually pretty easy for an author, but what about all the details? A partnership can be a real problem if the business side isn't addressed. This class, taught by an author/editor who has published
- [Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/power-up-your-setting/) - You’ve got your plot. You know your characters. You’ve filled your stories with goals and obstacles and conflicts, and oh boy, are the stakes running high. You’ve written a book that will surely jump off the shelves. BUT No matter how much you love your story, characters, and world, surprisingly, not everyone always feels the
- [Make Endings Pop! Deep Editing Style](https://www.margielawson.com/make-endings-pop-deep-editing-style/) - Don't settle for nice! Don't settle for anything less than Wow!
- [From Blah to Beats: Giving Your Chapters a Pulse](https://www.margielawson.com/from-blah-to-beats-giving-your-chapters-a-pulse/) - You know the theory, read the books, have taken the classes, but still get critique groups/partners, agents, or editors saying: “Something’s off.” “The chapter doesn’t work.” “The scenes don’t come alive” “The conflict is bland.” “The story is too small.” And you thunk! Your head your heart, all your hard work. Heck, you’ve poured your
- [Intro to Screenwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/intro-to-screenwriting/) - Are you an author of a book that you'd like to turn into a movie? Do you have an idea for the next big movie, but you don't know where to start? If you're interested in learning the art of how to write a screenplay, you're in the right place. Wally and Betty will teach YOU
- [The Fiction Writer's Future](https://www.margielawson.com/the-fiction-writers-future/) - The Fiction Writer's Future! Stay ahead of the curve. Join Kathleen Baldwin for a frank discussion about shifts in publishing, the AI intrusion, how readers are changing, what to expect in the future, and how to reach and keep YOUR readers in this changing marketplace. ★AI—the giant robot in the room. How is AI changing
- [Story Structure Safari](https://www.margielawson.com/story-structure-safari-2/) - Beautiful words and exciting scenes aren't enough to propel the reader through a novel. Stories need a plan, a focus, a solid structure from beginning to end. In this 30-day course, you will explore the story structure elements, transformational character arcs, and plot that make up powerful, bestselling stories. You will learn how to analyze
- [Virtues, Vices and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/virtues-vices-and-plots/) - Characters are like people. Each of us has "good" traits, like courage and resilience and intelligence, but we also have traits that get us into trouble like foolhardiness, stubbornness, and too smart for our own good. Same with our characters. We create strong traits, on both sides of the spectrum, and watch as our characters
- [How to Speak Legalese: Deciphering Literary Contracts](https://www.margielawson.com/how-to-speak-legalese-understanding-literary-contracts/) - In this course we will dive into the dizzying world of literary contracts. You’ll learn what is typically in a literary contract, such as an author-agent agreement or a publishing contract, and what the most common clauses really mean. You’ll learn what to watch out for, when to try to change things, and when to
- [Navigating the Tightrope between Historical Fact and Historical Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/navigating-the-tightrope-between-historical-fact-and-historical-fiction/) - There are so many questions when you begin (or get in the middle of!) writing historical fiction. What should I research? When should I research? How much research should I put in the book? Why don’t my characters feel historical? Why does my prose seem to clash with my story? Writing good historical fiction means
- [Just-for-You Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/) - A just-for-you-intensive writing mentorship
- [World Genesis: World Building 101](https://www.margielawson.com/world-genesis-world-building-101/) - Whether your manuscript is Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Steampunk, a mash-up, or something in-between, worldbuilding is a key element to a successful and immersive story. In this four-week course you will go over the various aspects to building a solid world, from where and when the story is set to the characters that populate
- [Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors](https://www.margielawson.com/defeat-self-defeating-behaviors-2/) - Allow Writing Productivity and Creativity to Soar Need to gain control of your writing life? The time is now. The change is you. BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! You'll get a 40 minute phone, Skype, or Viber session with Margie between January 15 and February 15. You'll focus on making what you learn in this course work
- [Creating a Constellation of Characters to Inhabit Your Story or Series](https://www.margielawson.com/creating-a-constellation-of-characters-to-inhabit-your-story-or-series/) - Lackluster, one-size-fits-all characters aren’t enough to keep readers turning those pages and anticipating future books. You need a well-rounded cast of complex, riveting characters to inhabit your story—a constellation of supporting characters to showcase the protagonist Star. In this month-long class, the Constellation lessons will guide you through: Internal and External Character Development Character Relationships
- [Diving Deep into Deep Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/) - Let’s Go Deep!! TV, Movies, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, so much information right when we want it, no wonder authors, agents, editors, and readers want the same immediacy from stories. No wonder readers crave Deep Point-of-View. And I mean deep!! No longer willing to sit back, relax, wade through pages of prose and wandering
- [Writing Flash Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-flash-fiction/) - Have you ever thought of writing flash fiction, but didn’t, because you didn’t know where to start? Writing short can be tricky – you have to make every word count to convey a compelling, complete story in 100-1500 words. Laura will teach you how, helping you decide what to write about, how to develop standout
- [Memoir - For Your Children's Children](https://www.margielawson.com/memoirs-for-your-childrens-children/) - Ever thought about writing your OWN story? Memoirs and autobiographies are the perfect way to connect with your family, to tell your story your way, and to create a lasting memory of who you are. In this class, we’ll: Explore the difference between an autobiography and a memoir Use themes to discover and organize memories
- [Anatomy of Trope](https://www.margielawson.com/anatomy-of-trope/) - Everyone says, "write to trope," or "put tropes in your book," but what does that even mean? In this two-week tropes masterclass, Becca Syme (MATL) will teach the psychology of tropes, the way to deconstruct and construct them, and the way to include (or enhance) them in your fiction. This masterclass includes written lectures, writing
- [The Art and Science of Historical Research](https://www.margielawson.com/the-art-and-science-of-historical-research/) - When writing historical fiction, the research aspect can be overwhelming. Do you dread it— find it dry and boring— or do you love it--but get caught up in the unique “finds” and neglect the more obvious points? Most likely it is a combination of both. I see historical research as both science (systemized knowledge) and
- [Biz Smarts for Writers](https://www.margielawson.com/biz-smarts-for-writers/) - Are you running your writing like a business? A better question may be “Should you run your writing like a business?” The answer is: YES!! It’s not hard. Really! But most writers don’t think they need to be a business, mostly because so few of us make appreciable money at it. But it’s possible that utilizing
- [Your First 5 Pages: Reader Glue](https://www.margielawson.com/your-first-5-pages-reader-glue/) - We all know what it’s like to pick up a book and be sucked into the fictional world. You sense that you can trust the author and suspend disbelief to go on a journey. But how do your favorite authors do that? In this class you will have lessons and homework. You will get input
- [Writing Action Scenes](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-action-scenes/) - Do you want to kick your book’s impact into high gear? Grab your reader’s attention and never let it go? Create a pace for your story that thrills your reader to the end and has them one-clicking the next book? Create great action scenes! This month long course, applicable to writers at any stage in
- [Two-Week Intensive on Building the Compelling Scene](https://www.margielawson.com/two-week-intensive-on-building-the-compelling-scene/) - In this Two-Week Intensive on Building the Compelling Scene, you'll learn how to edit your own scenes and take them from okay to amazing.
- [Intensive on Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/intensive-on-point-of-view/) - This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, from the basics of knowing which POV you are in, to the more in-depth technique of using POV to build stronger reader/character relationships and create intense emotion. Hands-on homework will have students diving deep into their scenes to create more memorable moments in their character’s head.
- [Clans of Scotland](https://www.margielawson.com/clans-of-scotland/) - Want to write a novel set in Scotland? A New York Times bestseller?? How about a series? Scottish stories are wildly popular after the successful novels of Diana Gabaldon: Outlander, Fly in Amber, Voyager, followed by six more huge books which tell the adventures and trials of Jamie Fraser and Claire. Gabaldon placed her
- [Killing People and Other Writerly Pursuits](https://www.margielawson.com/killing-people-and-other-writerly-pursuits/) - So you have a character you're just dying to kill. Maybe he is a real villain and deserves to die. Or, instead, she is a sweet child and everybody cries when she slips away in the middle of the night. Regardless, there's a right place, time and reason to get rid of that character and
- [Submissions that Sell](https://www.margielawson.com/submissions-that-sell/) - Your writing is amazing. You’ve edited your manuscript until the reflection alone will blind. Congratulations! But without an equally shiny submission, those agents/editors will never know about you, and that you could have been their next great author. This course will teach you what you need to know to make a professional submission that will
- [Surfing through Story Structure and Character Development: An Introductory Class](https://www.margielawson.com/surfing-through-story-structure-and-character-development/) - Crafted words and exciting scenes aren't enough for a novel. Stories need a solid story structure and character development from beginning to end.
- [Magic & Witchcraft](https://www.margielawson.com/magic-witchcraft/) - Magic is distinguished from religion in that a magical practitioner usually acts for the benefit of one person whereas a priest acts for the benefit of a group or society. The word ‘magic’ comes from Old Persian, and we are familiar with the Latin spelling magus or French mage. In this course you'll find out
- [Diving Deep into Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/diving-deep-into-developmental-edits/) - Your words shine and each line glisten. But you’re still getting rejections! Pantsers and plotters, at some point you’re going to have to step back from the words, the lines, and even the paragraphs, and look at the big picture issues. Diving deep into developmental edits is an intense fourteen lecture course for those writers
- [Secrets of Old Castles, Kings and Knights](https://www.margielawson.com/secrets-of-old-castles-kings-and-knights/) - This course concentrates on the castles of Britain and the people who inhabited them: kings & knights, lords and ladies, their servitors and dependants.
- [Editing Magic](https://www.margielawson.com/editing-magic/) - Sample edit, feedback, and coaching from a professional editor. Lessons cover preparing, responding to, finding, and choosing an editor. Interactive feedback gives you technical fine points and recommendations as well as critique and encouragement. Class members follow each other’s work and learn together.
- [Writer's Block Can Kiss My...](https://www.margielawson.com/writers-block-can-kiss-my/) - By Jenn Windrow Writer's block The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. Before 2020, I had a hard-core writing routine. I woke up, took care of my motherly duties for my kids and fur babies, plopped my butt in my chair and wrote. I wrote
- [Crack That Back: Story Alignment with Tropes](https://www.margielawson.com/crack-that-back-story-alignment-with-tropes/) - I went through a period, not long ago, where I was getting major headaches on a regular basis. Because I couldn’t find the cause, I went looking for any advice I could to get rid of them. A friend happened to ask if I’d changed anything about my environment recently and I told her I’d
- [Warlords, Druids & Dragons](https://www.margielawson.com/warlords-druids-dragons/) - Where is the road to a New York Times bestseller? Let me point you in the right direction—write a fantasy! Different sources of fantasy have inspired a torrent of novels and films. I’m sure you’re familiar with Rowling’s Harry Potter novels or G.R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. Or perhaps you’ve read Guy Gavriel Kay’s The
- [Joe W. Zarek's The Devil Pulls the Strings Wins Twelve Awards](https://www.margielawson.com/joe-w-zareks-the-devil-pulls-the-strings-wins-twelve-awards/) - Congratulations to Joe Zarek for winning twelve awards with his The Devil Pulls the Strings and was considered for a bunch more awards, and being recognized on Saturday at Chanticleer's Tenth Annual Author's Conference and International Books Awards Ceremony. During Chanticleer's Tenth Annual Author's Conference and International Book Awards Ceremony during 23 - 26 Jun
- [Dana J. Summers](https://www.margielawson.com/dana-j-summers/) - Congratulations to Dana Summers for multiple award winning books. Drawn and Buried Freddie Award for best hard boiled mystery Sleuthfest Mystery Writers of AmericaFirst place Royal Palm Award for best suspense novel. Florida Writers Association Check it out on Amazon! Dark and the Dead Finalist Royal Palm Award for best suspense novel Check it out
- [Foundational Fantasy](https://www.margielawson.com/foundational-fantasy/) - Fantasy stories can take you into other worlds where you can fight pirates, soar on the back of a dragon, or go on a quest. There could be magic, adventure, romance, daring deeds, and great beats. Over the course of four weeks, we'll go in-depth on how to build a compelling fantasy story including worldbuilding, magical
- [Deconstructing a Bestseller](https://www.margielawson.com/deconstructing-a-bestseller/) - Whether you’re writing science fiction, fantasy, mystery or romance, deconstructing the newest bestsellers in your genre is a tried-and-true strategy.
- [Motivation—the WHY of the story](https://www.margielawson.com/motivation-the-why-of-the-story/) - By translating human motivations into character motivations, we can create believable, non-cardboard characters that readers love.
- [Concept to Completion in 28 Days Flat](https://www.margielawson.com/concept-to-completion-in-28-days-flat/) - Follow the lead of writing rockstars like J.K. Rowling, E.L. Stein, and John Grisham as bestselling author, Julie Anne Lindsey, walks you through the creation of an outline that will move your story from concept to completion in 28 days flat. What You Will Learn: Maximize your writing timeAvoiding plot holes & other pitfallsWork now so
- [The Time Margie Told Me I Sucked](https://www.margielawson.com/the-time-margie-told-me-i-sucked/) - Early on, you want to know what a coach, critique group, or editor thinks of your writing, but maybe not too much right away. Maybe in snippets, punctuated in between with doses of chocolate.
- [Prose Statistics — An Objective View on Writing Quality](https://www.margielawson.com/prose-statistics-an-objective-view-on-writing-quality/) - Did you ever wonder how much you should polish your prose? How many fresh lines you should write and how many rhetorical devices and power words you should use?
- [So You Want To Write A Screenplay](https://www.margielawson.com/so-you-want-to-write-a-screenplay/) - If you want to learn how to write a screenplay, Wally and Betty are here to clear up some of the questions you may have in advance.
- [It's All About Character, Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/) - This course will teach writers how to find and use character-themed words specific to their heroes, heroines, and even villains. Every word in your novel should serve two purposes: to move the plot forward and give greater insight into the characters. Using character-themed words will grab your reader’s attention and hold it throughout the novel.
- [Two-Week Intensive on Show, Not Tell!](https://www.margielawson.com/two-week-intensive-on-show-not-tell/) - How many times have you heard this…and not quite known how to do it? Or gotten this comment back in a critique? This most basic of writing concepts can also be one of the most difficult to master in the beginning. Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump as she leads an interactive workshop
- [Swag for Authors, Publishing Professionals, & other Creatives](https://www.margielawson.com/swag-for-authors-publishing-professionals-other-creatives/) - Do you want to engage your target audience (readers, bloggers, book reviewers, authors, clients, and customers)? Do you want them to remember your name and/or brand? Do you want their friends to check out your books and services? Giving quality swag away to these influencers is a proven way to increase word of mouth sales
- [Clans of Ireland Beyond the Pale](https://www.margielawson.com/clans-of-ireland-beyond-the-pale/) - Ever heard that expression ‘beyond the pale’? Someone behaves dreadfully and someone else says, ‘tsk, tsk, that’s beyond the pale’. The English administration in Ireland coined that phrase about the ‘wild’ Irish. Wild? Why and what was the Pale? Ireland has clans too, not just Scotland. Clan comes from clann, the Gaelic word for children
- [Essentials of Science Fiction and Fantasy](https://www.margielawson.com/essentials-of-science-fiction-and-fantasy/) - Whether your characters are soaring through space on a ship or through the sky on the back of a dragon, this four-week course will go over the basic elements of Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories. What We’ll Cover: The main elements of Fantasy and Sci-Fi stories including creating dynamic characters, a compelling plot, and stand-out settingsEstablishing
- [Intensive on Fixing your Plot](https://www.margielawson.com/intensive-on-fixing-your-plot/) - This class covers the basics of Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, but also helps you develop a powerful plot that creates a strong, memorable novel. Participants will take an idea, or an existing plot, and develop a strong outline that gives them a ready-to-write book. Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review
- [“No One Gets Me!”: Writing Believable YA Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/no-one-gets-me/) - What makes a novel young adult? Is it just the age of the protagonist? It’s so much more! This course will demystify the teen world and help you write believable characters—one your young readers can relate to and root for. Learn the keys to crafting a novel solidly in YA, which goes far beyond the
- [Author Alchemy - Tech Hacks for the Computer Illiterate, the Savvy, and Everyone In Between](https://www.margielawson.com/author-alchemy-tech-hacks-for-the-computer-illiterate-the-savvy-and-everyone-in-between/) - Self-editing is hard, even on a good day when you have all your spoons and are ready to jump into your manuscript with a handful of highlighters and a prayer. Using some Author Alchemy you can make the tools you use every single day work for you. Macros, or written command built into Word to
- [Intensive on Scene and Sequel](https://www.margielawson.com/intensive-on-scene-and-sequel/) - Scenes are the building blocks of your book, and sequels are the glue that bring those scenes together. The trouble is knowing how to create an effective sequel that keeps the pacing and tension running, but also gives the characters and readers a little room to breathe. Learn the best balance of Scene and Sequel
- [Writing Steampunk from Aether to Zeppelin](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-steampunk-from-aether-to-zeppelin/) - Are you still trying to figure out Steampunk? Do you have an idea for a Steampunk story but aren't sure what to start? Are you in the middle of a Steampunk manuscript and need a little help? Whether you just want to learn what all the buzz is about or have specific spots you need to work on, "Writing
- [Viking Age Britain: Conquerors & Clans](https://www.margielawson.com/viking-age-britain-conquerors-clans/) - ‘From the fury of the northmen, Oh Lord, deliver us.’ The vikings (aka northmen) burst on the scene in Britain in the late 8th century. In 793 the ‘heathen destroyed God's church on Lindisfarne by rapine and slaughter’. In that year ‘immense whirlwinds and flashes of lightning, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the
- [Flying Write](https://www.margielawson.com/flying-write/) - Want to make your writing soar? Do you want to add airplanes and aviation to your writing, but can’t tell the difference between a Cessna 172 and a Boeing 747? Do you want to learn about classic aviation stories and their plots, characters, and settings? Come join historian and airplane geek Hugh Gordon as he
- [Writing Action Scenes That Don’t Cramp Your Style](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-action-scenes-that-dont-cramp-your-style/) - When it comes time to write an action scene, style matters. Different styles of action require different conditions, such as: PaceDurationStakesRisksOutcomes All these conditions combine to meet specific reader expectations. The nine of the most common types of action scenes with examples (books and movies) Escape—the characters seek to free themselves from capture or confinement,
- [Fantastic Castles and Horrible Hovels](https://www.margielawson.com/fantastic-castles-and-horrible-hovels/) - Castles cover the landscape of Europe. Many have lasted because they are built of stone, but it takes some imagination to see how they looked when they were the homes of the wealthy and powerful. Wherefore this course. A castle was a fortified structure, the home and administrative centre of a magnate (great man) or
- [Limited Point of View: Why it will make you a better  writer](https://www.margielawson.com/limited-point-of-view-why-it-will-make-you-a-better-writer/) - The average attention span of readers is decreasing (just 8 seconds online, according to research by San Jose University), which is why it’s so important for authors to engage them the moment they step onto the page, so as to speak. Point of View (POV) is one of the techniques we can use to immerse
- [Yearning for Tension: 5 days, 5 ways to unlock your story’s conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/yearning-for-tension/) - Raise your hand if you’ve heard tension on every page. If you know you must have conflict and obstacles. Dollars-to-donuts, every hand is waving as high and hard as the girl in the back of the room who knows the answer and never gets picked. But, with little risk of winding up in a donut-induced
- [Off with Their Heads!](https://www.margielawson.com/off-with-their-heads/) - capital letter (n.) late 14c.; see capital (adj.). So called because it is at the "head" of a sentence or word.—etymonline.com Have you noticed that there is a Proliferation of Uppercase letters being tacked on Willy-nilly to all sorts of Words for no logical Reason? As an Editor, I run into this problem a lot. It’s almost
- [Don’t Overlook the Big Picture](https://www.margielawson.com/dont-overlook-the-big-picture/) - I’ve been writing historical fiction for a long time, so you’d think by now I would have learned. But when I am at the beginning of a new project my tendency is still to start researching the fun stuff—the nitty-gritty details. After all, those details often bring great inspiration for story as well as fun
- [In the Face of the Sun featured in Buzz Books 2022 Great Reads Spring/Summer List](https://www.margielawson.com/in-the-face-of-the-sun-featured-in-buzz-books-2022-great-reads-spring-summer-list/) - Congratulations to 6-time Immersion Grad, Denny S. Bryce for being featured in this set of excerpts of upcoming novels. You can download a copy of the previews here. This list was also featured in The Washington Post. Denny is a fiction author of historical and women’s fiction. A public relations professional, she spent more than
- [The Safari Plotline: Distilling Your Story into a Single Sentence](https://www.margielawson.com/the-safari-plotline/) - Lisa Miller teaches us how to create a super-powered single sentence to distill the essence of our story's plot.
- [Scene and Sequel, Super Powered Writing Tool](https://www.margielawson.com/scene-and-sequel-super-powered-writing-tool/) - Scene and Sequel--Plotting Super Power Would you like your next book to be optioned for film or TV?Does your plot pack a powerful emotional punch?Want the secret to eliminating sagging middles?Is your plot dilly-dallying on an escalator? Or strapped to a thrilling roller coaster? PLEASE NOTE: This is an in-depth, interactive, Intermediate to Advanced level class. Never write a dull scene again! Scene & Sequel is like a plotting machine--it shifts reader emotions into high gear and keeps your fans turning the pages. Professor
- [Three Worldbuilding Tips for Realistic Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/three-worldbuilding-tips-for-realistic-fiction/) - Every story needs a fleshed-out world—even ones set in a realistic one. Here are three tips to help round out your contemporary world.
- [Stefan Emunds Maps Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/stefan-emunds-maps-storytelling/) - Congratulations to Stefan Emunds for the exciting reception on Amazon of his book, The Eight Crafts of Writing! The Eight Crafts of Writing is listed as "the first book on writing that you need." Intended to be a road map through the jungle of the crafts used in writing, Stefan has created an accessible overview
- [Nail that First Line!](https://www.margielawson.com/nail-that-first-line/) - A first line is a promise to the reader, telling them what kind of book this is. What your voice is like. A good first line will pull a reader into a story.
- [What If Hitler Had Won? Musing About Alternate History](https://www.margielawson.com/what-if-hitler-had-won/) - Alternate history uses the past and twists it to imagine what might have been. Sometimes this can be merely thought-provoking, or it can be the stuff of nightmares.
- [Lori Wilde's "The Wedding Veil" breaks Hallmark Viewing Record](https://www.margielawson.com/lori-wildes-the-wedding-veil-breaks-hallmark-viewing-record/) - A Hallmark movie by Immersion Grad Lori Wilde was aired January 8th and it outperformed all the Hallmark movies of 2021 in terms of live viewers, according to ShowBuzzDaily's numbers. It had over 3.394 million live viewers! The next two movies in the series will air in February: The Wedding Veil Unveiled - February 12,
- [Piper Huguley's Cover Release for By Her Own Design](https://www.margielawson.com/piper-huguleys-cover-release-for-by-her-own-design/) - Piper says: I wanted to have Black fashion designer Ann Lowe depicted as a determined woman, facing the world on her own terms who created the life that she always dreamed of and that's what the fabulous team at William Morrow Books gave to me! Congratulations, Piper! It looks fantastic! You can see more of
- [Trapped With the Undercover Prince hits Deanna's World Top 10 Reads List](https://www.margielawson.com/trapped-with-the-undercover-prince-hits-deannas-world-top-10-reads-list/) - Congratulations to Julie Rowe, Immersion Grad and LWA instructor! Deanna says, "Amazing. Amazing. Amazing." You can read the full review here. Check out Julie's classes that cover topics from thrillers to action to swag! She also has a special 6 week mentoring program. She specializes in helping authors find their voice. Full-time author and workshop
- [Welcome to the LWA Coffeehouse](https://www.margielawson.com/welcome-to-the-lwa-coffee-house/) - The LWA Coffeehouse is available for all LWA students and visiting writers - free!
- [Stripping Your Crutch Words to Excavate Your Voice](https://www.margielawson.com/stripping-your-crutch-words/) - When we clean out crutch words to polish our stories, that's when our voices can shine through.
- [Richard the Lionheart & The Crusades](https://www.margielawson.com/richard-the-lionheart-the-crusades/) - Course description coming soon! Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review
- [The Power of Similes – Ideas for Writing Fresh](https://www.margielawson.com/the-power-of-similes-ideas-for-writing-fresh/) - Becky Rawnsley shows the power of using similes to create fresh writing with tips and examples.
- [What Size Are Your Sighs?](https://www.margielawson.com/what-size-are-your-sighs/) - In real life, a sigh always means something. It carries a psychological message. But writers often plop a plain sigh on the page without sharing that all-critical subtext.
- [How to Begin, or Begin Again: Starting or Restarting Your Writing Journey](https://www.margielawson.com/how-to-begin-or-begin-again-starting-or-restarting-your-writing-journey/) - I’m blessed to exist as a writer for film and television, as well as novels, comic books, graphic novels, and more. One of the most common questions I get asked is how to write more consistently, or begin writing again after stalling out. I have good news and bad news: The answer is simple, but
- [Is It REALLY About Finding the Time?](https://www.margielawson.com/is-it-really-about-finding-the-time/) - Tonight, I have to go and talk to a local writer’s group about time management for writers. It occurred to me as I printed out my handouts that many writers that I have met—and spoken to on this very topic—return again and again for the same lecture. It’s not because they weren’t paying attention the
- [The Psychology of Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/the-psychology-of-storytelling/) - Life is a string of experiences. Stories are virtual experiences, presented in a string of scenes. Who experiences? The mind does. Hence, writers need to know the psychology of experiencing and apply that to stories. Janus, the Two-faced God We experience two worlds, the internal and external world. We are Janus, the two-faced god, who
- [What's in a Name?](https://www.margielawson.com/whats-in-a-name/) - How do you feel about naming characters? It’s NOT drudgery. It’s all about finding out your character’s backstory and using that to find the right name. The first thing that authors need to consider is: Names are language. In fact, it is special branch of linguistics called onomastics. Here is just a sample: Neologisms A
- [Create Page-Turning Tension](https://www.margielawson.com/create-page-turning-tension/) - How to hook and retain readers by exploiting uncertainty Have you been told your character isn’t engaging or that ‘special something’ is missing from your story? The Create Page-Turning Tension workshop is for fiction writers who want to hook readers and compel them to keep turning pages all the way to the end. Uncertainty is
- [The Words of Historical Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/the-words-of-historical-fiction/) - There are so many moving parts when writing historical fiction. Not only are there the normal things—like character development and story structure—but there is all the historical research needed in order to put the reader firmly in a different time and place. What is often forgotten? The words themselves. The use of language in historical
- [How Withholding Too Much Information Kills Story Tension](https://www.margielawson.com/how-withholding-too-much-information-kills-story-tension/) - Regardless of the length or genre of a story, creating tension is essential to holding readers' attentions. But what is the best way to add more tension to a story? Often I see aspiring authors withholding information in an effort to be vague and cryptic, which only serves to frustrate readers instead of engage them.
- [To Trope or Not To Trope?](https://www.margielawson.com/to-trope-or-not-to-trope/) - Let’s be honest, y’all. Tropes have a bad reputation among fiction writers. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the word “trope” leveled at something like a weakness. “Oh, but she’s just writing to trope…” we hear, like putting tropes into your work is a bad thing. But let’s look at this from
- [Vanessa Riley featured in New York Times Book Review](https://www.margielawson.com/vanessa-riley-featured-in-new-york-times-book-review/) - Vanessa's Island Queen is featured in the New York Times! Check it out! ISLAND QUEEN is a historical fiction novel based on the compelling life of Dorothy "Doll" Kirwan Thomas who rose from slavery to become the wealthiest woman landowner in the early 1800's Caribbean. Take a breath. Let those facts sink in. From slavery
- [4 Things to Understand Before Signing that Literary Agent Agreement](https://www.margielawson.com/4-things-to-understand-before-signing-that-literary-agent-agreement/) - The day has finally arrived! After slogging through manuscripts, enduring the seemingly unending cycle of query and rejection, you did it—your dream agent has tendered an offer of representation. Celebrate! There are plenty of articles and blog posts out there that tell you what kinds of questions to ask your agent to determine if you
- [What Does Your Book Research Look Like?](https://www.margielawson.com/what-does-your-book-research-look-like/) - Most authors must do some book research to write a believable, compelling story. Historical authors might look up old newspaper articles, visit museums, or collect antique books from secondhand bookstores. Paranormal and fantasy authors may read up on mythology and magic or seek eyewitness‖ accounts of alien, ghost, or paranormal creature sightings. Romance suspense authors
- [WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES](https://www.margielawson.com/wild-women-and-the-blues/) - UPDATE: Wild Women and the Blues is an Amazon #1 Bestseller! Margie Immersion Grad Denny S. Bryce is excited about her debut historical fiction, Wild Women and the Blues coming from Kensington Books on March 30, 2021! Ordinary People meets Chicago the musical as played out in the city's Black Belt, Wild Women and the Blues is a mainstream
- [Kennedy Ryan Series Optioned for TV](https://www.margielawson.com/kennedy-ryan-series-optioned-for-tv/) - Variety has announced that two of Kennedy Ryan's series have been optioned for TV. All the King's Men and Hoops are being developed for two limited series! Kennedy says: we are still in the early stages of developing the two series, HOOPS and All the King's Men. We're assembling a creative team comprised of the right director,
- [“Been There, Done That”](https://www.margielawson.com/been-there-done-that/) - As I sat in the workshop I had paid hundreds of dollars for, one of my fellow attendees raised his hand and asked the famous instructor how many screenplays they had written. The instructor answered, “Oh, I’ve never written a screenplay…but if I wanted to, I could.” My jaw dropped. I wanted to shout out,
- [Some Dos and Don'ts for Pitches and Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/some-dos-and-donts-for-pitches-and-blurbs/) - You know what a pitch is, you know what a blurb is, you know they’re important. Here are a few helpful dos and don’ts to make writing each of them a little easier. Character names A pitch usually doesn’t have the room to use the fabulous names of your main characters. The character’s role or
- [Laura Drake has news!](https://www.margielawson.com/laura-drake-has-news/) - She just sold two Women's Fiction stories to Story Plant! The first, The Road to Me, will release March, 2022.
- [The Power of the Monologue](https://www.margielawson.com/the-power-of-the-monologue/) - Writing great dialogue is about so much more than the words the characters are speaking. When done right, it manipulates emotions in both the book characters and the readers. As such, learning to write sparkly dialogue is something every author should spend time analyzing. When you do this, you’re going to discover there are techniques
- [12 Things to do Before You Publish Your Book](https://www.margielawson.com/12-things-to-do-before-you-publish-your-book/) - No matter your route to publication, traditional publisher or self-publishing, there are a lot of large and small tasks that must be accomplished before you hit publish on a book. This is not a complete list, it’s a quickie cheat sheet to give you an idea of the size, scope, and timelines required to publish
- [Creative Writing Weapons](https://www.margielawson.com/creative-writing-weapons/) - Course description coming soon... Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review
- [Five-Week First Draft](https://www.margielawson.com/five-week-first-draft/) - Course description coming soon... Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review
- [8 Signs You’d Excel at Ghostwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/8-signs-youd-excel-at-ghostwriting/) - Many writers find themselves spooked when considering ghostwriting as a freelancing path. Writers struggle to make informed decisions about ghostwriting because the publishing industry largely keeps the practice hidden. When I took my first ghostwriting job twelve years ago, there were no books or podcasts or courses on ghostwriting. I stumbled through crazy scenarios to
- [Lawson Writer's Academy: Your Smart Track for Writing Success!](https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-your-smart-track-for-writing-success/) - Welcome to Lawson Writer’s Academy Teachers' Blog! I'm so excited about the brilliant and caring teachers we have at LWA. Some are college professors. Some have Master of Fine Arts degrees. And some are authors with super-impressive track records for empowering writers and their writing craft. We've been hard at work pulling these talented instructors
- [Top 5 Ways to Banish Overused Words](https://www.margielawson.com/top-5-ways-to-banish-overused-words/) - Tips on finding and banishing overused words from your work from LWA Instructor Laura Drake.
- [What is Transmedia?](https://www.margielawson.com/what-is-transmedia/) - Kathleen Baldwin talks about the future of storytelling, transmedia, and how authors can ride the wave of change.
- [Magic & Witchcraft](https://www.margielawson.com/magic-witchcraft-2/) - Lawson Writer’s Academy The courses offered by the Lawson Writer’s Academy were a revelation to me—they are a guarantee of high-quality writing. The academy’s toolkit includes everything about writing craft, websites, marketing, and publishing. Wow. Everything to provide writers, newbies and seasoned, with inspiration, encouragement and knowledge. This is a smart home for writers. Writers
- [Six Tips for Building A Solid World](https://www.margielawson.com/six-tips-for-building-a-solid-world/) - If you're writing high fantasy, Sci-Fi, or something in that vein, solid worldbuilding is an absolute necessity. Even if your story is character-driven, you still need a fleshed-out world for them to adventure in. If your world isn’t established, it can pull the reader out of your story. However, you also don’t want your world to
- [Facebook Ads for Authors 2021](https://www.margielawson.com/facebook-ads-for-authors-2021/) - Facebook ads can be a fantastic way to drive traffic to books and increase sales, but there’s a lot that’s changing this year. Here’s a quick recap of what’s what and what authors can expect. The Backstory To start, let’s look at the context that is driving the big changes we’ll see in 2021. Facebook
- [Using Story Structure to Build a Novel Quarter by Quarter](https://www.margielawson.com/using-story-structure-to-build-a-novel-quarter-by-quarter/) - Writing a novel is like hiking up a mountain with a backpack loaded with rocks. Each rock is an essential part of your story. These include plot, characters, setting and much more. But working with them all together, in relation to the whole story, can become overwhelming. The Quarter Solution After I discovered four-part story
- [Help!! No One Wants What I Write!](https://www.margielawson.com/help-no-one-wants-what-i-write/) - I’m a firm believer in writing what you love, not what you think will sell. For example, I write in two genres that have fallen out of favor with the big New York publishing houses…paranormal romance (PNR) and urban fantasy (UF). And not just any urban fantasy. Mine has the dreaded V-word…vampires. But did I
- [How to Argue with Your Editor](https://www.margielawson.com/how-to-argue-with-your-editor/) - There may come a time—there will come a time. You and your editor have locked horns over some point of grammar or word choice or plot development. She insists that what you are doing is wrong, awkward, unprofessional, or not beneficial. You insist that this is how you want it. Where do you go from here? This
- [The Bane of Backstory](https://www.margielawson.com/the-bane-of-backstory/) - No character was born the moment the book starts – just like humans, characters have history: joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, good times and bad times. The sum of our experiences make us what WE are and, ultimately, determine the choices we make. Characters are exactly the same. Backstory makes characters “breathe” – to
- [The Stakes Have Never Been Higher](https://www.margielawson.com/the-stakes-have-never-been-higher/) - Travel bans, social distancing, lost hugs, work, communication. Hospitals overflow, and, first-liners are overwhelmed and overworked. High fevers. Intubation. Death. If we did not know better, the last couple of years could be the stuff of a big-screen blockbuster. A movie some may not believe. But all too real, we worry. We struggle. We celebrate
- [6 Week Author Mentoring Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/6-week-author-mentoring-intensive/) - Are you looking for guidance and direction for your writing career? Have you written your book, but don’t know what to do next? Not sure how to promote your books with social media? Interested in self-publishing, but aren’t sure where to start or how much it costs? Julie’s Author Mentoring Intensive is for you! This
- [Intensive on Revision](https://www.margielawson.com/intensive-on-revision/) - A mini-version of the longer month-long Revision class. Online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class covers plot, character, and show, not tell, but offers less homework and feedback than the
- [Being Superwoman: How to do it all without Losing your Mind](https://www.margielawson.com/being-superwoman-how-to-do-it-all-without-losing-your-mind/) - The kids are screaming, your spouse reminds you that you need milk, your boss is texting you, you have a big deadline at work tomorrow that makes your head hurt, your friends is having drama, and you have to finish drafting this scene tonight. Sound familiar? Whether you’re trying to balance a job with writing,
- [Establish a Ghostwriting Business and (Finally!) Monetize Your Talent](https://www.margielawson.com/establish-a-ghostwriting-business-and-finally-monetize-your-talent/) - Despite ghostwriting’s deep historical roots and thriving modern practice in the publishing industry, ghostwriting is still largely cloaked in secrecy. Writers often weigh the allure of additional income, creative freedom, and a chance to grow their craft in a risk-free environment against what literary purists believe is an exercise in deception. Art may be a
- [The Psychology of Black Characters - historical version](https://www.margielawson.com/the-psychology-of-black-characters-historical-version/) - At Point Comfort in 1619, more than a dozen enslaved Black men were bought to the shores of Virginia and the history of Blackness in the United States was established. There are three distinct time periods to think about and I will address them, depending upon what you are writing about: 1619-1800, 1800-1865, 1865-1950. 1619-1800—Enslavement
- [Critique Groups: Pods of Destruction or Allies for Success](https://www.margielawson.com/critique-groups-pods-of-destruction-or-allies-for-success/) - A critique group can make or break your writing. And here's the rub--your group might not even realize the damage they are inflicting. Bestselling author Kathleen Baldwin will give you the tools you need to build a Healthy Supportive Critique Group geared for mutual success. We will practice Kathleen's prove critique methods, and as a result, some of the members
- [The Truth About Writing Life and Money](https://www.margielawson.com/the-truth-about-writing-life-and-money/) - Are you wondering what career path to follow, Indy or Traditional? Would you like to know how much money authors really make, but Google shows you a hundred different numbers? Confused about how much to invest promoting your novel, on skill-development, or making an audiobook? Do you feel like you spend hours on your writing career
- [Pintip Dunn Is Winning Awards!](https://www.margielawson.com/pintip-dunn-is-winning-awards/) - NYT bestselling author Pintip Dunn’s MALICE was recently recognized on ALA’s Hal Clement Notable Young Adult Boon List for best science fiction! Malice is about a girl who finds out that a boy in her class will invent a virus that wipes out half the world... ten years from now. She must decide if she
- [Lynette Finch Chosen Judges' Favorite in Ink & Insights 2020](https://www.margielawson.com/lynette-finch-chosen-judges-favorite-in-ink-insights-2020/) - Margie Lawson has just guided me to my first win in a writing competition. Two immersions, several Fab 30s, including one coming up, and every other course Margie offers and finally I might have nailed story structure, writing fresh, and pacing because I have just come in second in the 2020 Ink and Insights writing
- [Hexes and O's](https://www.margielawson.com/hexes-and-os/) - On November 4th, the manuscript I took to my first Immersion with Margie will be out in the world of published books.
- [Vanessa Riley Signs Adjoa Andoh to Read Audio for Island Queen](https://www.margielawson.com/vanessa-riley-signs-adjoa-andoh-to-read-audio-for-island-queen/) - So excited!!! Lady Danbury, the fabulous Adjoa Andoh is going to read Island Queen for the audiobook! Island Queen is Vanessa's debut in Historical Fiction and retells the remarkable life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, entrepreneur, feminist, Royal mistress. Dorothy is a controversial woman who buys her freedom and that of her family and becomes one
- [Love me some Margie!](https://www.margielawson.com/love-me-some-margie/) - I've been fortunate enough to be part of two different Immersion classes with Margie and am so proud of how my writing has improved since then! Now I know how to amp up the tension and find the deep side of my characters and make my words mean something. Patiently and with great humor, Margie
- [Rebecca Hodge's Immersion Story](https://www.margielawson.com/rebecca-hodges-immersion-story/) - As a veteran of two Immersion classes (one at Margie's house-in-the-sky and one at Sullivan's Island, SC) as well as multiple Academy classes, I can't speak highly enough of everything I've learned from Margie. When I returned from my first Immersion, my writing group looked at me slack-jawed when I brought in pages, astounded at
- [Laura Drake's Immersion Story](https://www.margielawson.com/laura-drakes-immersion-story/) - I'll bet this name is not new to you (if it is, check her out!) she's been around for years. But have you taken any of her classes? Done a Fab 30? Been to an Immersion? If not, why? You can check out Lawson Writers Academy HERE. No, Margie doesn’t pay me for commercials. I’m
- [Profitable Facebook Ads](https://www.margielawson.com/profitable-facebook-ads/) - This is a masterclass on creating profitable Facebook Ads for authors who want to improve the ROI of their ads. Imagine spending a couple hundred dollars and making back thousands. Or knowing what your income will be month after month after month. Or building the advertising know-how and technical assets to make a viable bestseller
- [The Psychology of Black Characters - modern version](https://www.margielawson.com/the-psychology-of-black-characters-modern-version/) - Toward the end of the twentieth century, the modern Civil Rights era was launched and as Sam Cooke sang, “A Change Gone Come.” The change came and the psychology of Black people in the United States underwent a sea change. As we will see in this class in the first week, there were several reasons
- [Keep Sweet: How to write a romance that tingles but doesn't involve disrobing](https://www.margielawson.com/keep-sweet/) - There is nothing worse than an awkward sex scene. Many authors, who want to write romance feel pressured to include sex scenes in their stories, even if they aren't well suited to write Tab A into Slot B. That's why they should take this class, so they can write on the "sweet side." This class
- [Building from the Ground Up: Character Development & Story Structure](https://www.margielawson.com/building-from-the-ground-up-character-development-story-structure/) - This course will save you at least five years of struggling in your writing career. Whether you’re a fan thinking about taking up the pen for the first time, or a pro looking to take things to the next level, this course is for you. In Building from the Ground Up: Character Development & Story
- [Emotional Connections: Character Names and Psychologically Empowered Backstory - a Two Week Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/emotional-connections-character-names-and-psychologically-empowered-backstory-a-two-week-intensive/) - Kendrick Lamar said, "If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with a name." Twenty-first century audiences demand deep, emotional connections with characters. Authors have learned how to use writing techniques to foster these emotional connections, but authors who randomly name their characters are missing a prime opportunity to create more emotion, more
- [Go Graphic: Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels with Zap Pow Zing Power!](https://www.margielawson.com/go-graphic-creating-comic-books-and-graphic-novels-with-zap-pow-zing-power/) - Comic books and graphic novels are nothing new but, in today's publishing world, they've become a fantastic way to get your story out there. In fact, graphic novels have seen phenomenal growth – a sales surge of up to 15% -- in the last four or five years. Even better? You can write a graphic
- [Getting Serious about Writing a Series](https://www.margielawson.com/getting-serious-about-writing-a-series/) - Learn the musts of writing a series! In this course, you will design your series bible, create the eleven items it must include (listed below), and learn series-writing tips from award-winning authors, including Bella AndreRomily BernardLaura BradfordAllison BrennanDiana CosbyVicky DreilingAngie FoxAdrienne GiordanoDiana GroeCharlotte HubbardDarynda JonesKieran KramerC.J. LyonsShirley JumpBrenda NovakPamela PalmerRobin PeriniBonnie RamthunRenee RyanJeanne SteinJoan Swan
- [Warlords and Holy Men AD 400-1000](https://www.margielawson.com/warlords-and-holy-men-ad-400-1000/) - Scotland and Ireland loved their heroes in the Early Middle Ages. On many a winter night people sat round a central fire listening to stories from myths and legends--the mini series of the era. They battled their enemies and dodged wicked spells. They wooed and won fair maids. The greatest Gaelic epic celebrates a cattle
- [Celtic Mythology](https://www.margielawson.com/celtic-mythology/) - The ancient Celts believed that all things, animate and inanimate, possessed a spirit. Mountains, hills and trees were manly; rivers and meadows were feminine. The Celts knew that spirits watched their every move. So any action was carefully considered because of the effect it might have on their destiny. Ogham, the first Gaelic alphabet, was
- [Intensive on Dialogue](https://www.margielawson.com/intensive-on-dialogue/) - Want your book to be more powerful? Do you want your characters to do more than just talk on the page? Join multi-published, best-selling author Shirley Jump for an interactive workshop on making your dialogue leap off the page and actually work for your novel, not against it. Learn how dialogue can increase tension in
- [The Novel Brainmap](https://www.margielawson.com/the-novel-brainmap/) - Editors love books that are character driven and have layered plots. Learn how to create novels with plots created by the characters themselves, using Shirley Jump’s Brainmap Technique, giving a stronger, more powerful--and more emotional story. If you're stuck in your writing, needing inspiration or just want to learn more about developing characters and developing
- [Deep Revision](https://www.margielawson.com/deep-revision/) - A one-month online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class will cover four main components of revision: plot structure, character depth, conflict and motivation, and show, not tell. Class size is
- [Mastering POV](https://www.margielawson.com/mastering-pov/) - This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, which POV to use based on the book, characters, and their author goals, and how to take a blah POV and turn it into something deeper and more emotional. We will talk about the impact of narrative, and show how a few simple tweaks in language
- [Reach for the Kleenexes](https://www.margielawson.com/reach-for-the-kleenexes/) - Increasing the emotion in a novel is about a lot more than just adding a character death or a shocking family secret. Writers need to first create compelling characters who build a connection with the reader, then craft a plot that brings out the emotion, and develop strong backstory and motivations for the character’s actions.
- [The Rule of Six at Work](https://www.margielawson.com/the-rule-of-six-at-work/) - Capitalize on this technique marketing gurus have used for years to find the "thought not thought of yet" and avoid duplicating a plot line, character quirk or other idea already out there (that you may have seen subconsciously). Then learn how to use this technique to take your writing deeper and draw out more emotion,
- [Taking a Book from Good to Sold](https://www.margielawson.com/taking-a-book-from-good-to-sold/) - For first-time authors, the biggest hurdle to selling is learning how to craft a book that is better than good. Good wins contests. Good gets requests for partials. Good sometimes gets a revision request. But learning how to take “good” and turn it into “sellable” is the key to success. New writers may not see
- [Writing the Romance Novel](https://www.margielawson.com/writing-the-romance-novel/) - Romance novels comprise nearly half the mass market paperback sales, according to Romance Writers of America. If you are interested in becoming a part of this happily ever after industry, or just want to learn how to add a love story to your mystery, thriller or other genre novel, take a germ of an idea
- [Plotting with Paper Bags](https://www.margielawson.com/plotting-with-paper-bags/) - Stuck on your plot? Trying to figure out unique twists for your story? This fun, interactive class, using three paper bags, gives you all kinds of ideas to apply to your work. Learn how to interchange setting, character and plot events to create a truly unique story! Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review
- [Conflict: It's Not an Argument](https://www.margielawson.com/conflict-its-not-an-argument/) - Are you struggling to increase the conflict and tension in your scenes? Is your book feeling flat, or editors and readers are saying there isn’t enough conflict? This interactive workshop will cover the difference between conflict and tension, how to create conflicts that aren’t just arguments, and developing conflict from your characters. Conflict is what
- [Where Do I Begin?](https://www.margielawson.com/where-do-i-begin/) - Once upon a time…. Beginning a book is often fraught with a series of questions and decisions. How do you know if you have enough of an idea for a whole book? Where do you start your story? Is it best to start with character or plot? Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump
- [Words that Sell Books](https://www.margielawson.com/words-that-sell-books/) - Back cover copy. Synopses. Query letters. They are all used to sell your books, to readers and to editors and agents. But they’re not the easiest things to write, not if you want to create compelling, must-read marketing materials. No one likes writing these things--but they can be easier to do with this simple method
- [Digging Deep into the Deep EDITS System](https://www.margielawson.com/digging-deep-into-the-deep-edits-system/) - Prerequisites: Empowering Characters’ EmotionsDeep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More To meet the prerequisites, ECE and Deep Editing may have been taken as on-line courses, or as independent study with Lecture Packets. Lesson Plan: Part 1: Digging Deep into the EDITS System Part 1 — Addresses The Big Picture and the Nuances of
- [Powering Up Body Language in Real Life](https://www.margielawson.com/powering-up-body-language-in-real-life-2/) - Projecting a Professional Persona When Pitching and Presenting When you think about pitching or presenting, does your anxiety spike? Do you have a gut-grabbing, heart-ratcheting, vision-clouding visceral reaction? If so, this lecture packet is for you. Writers pitch to agents, pitch to editors, introduce guest speakers. They participate on panels, present workshops, give book signings.
- [30 Days to a Stronger Novel](https://www.margielawson.com/30-days-to-a-stronger-novel/) - “CHANGE IS SUCH HARD WORK…” BILLY CRYSTAL Change is hard work. But that’s what it takes if you’re trying to land an agent or a contract and all you get is rejections. 30 Days to a Stronger Novel is for all frustrated writers who have spent their hard earned money on books and conferences only
- [Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels](https://www.margielawson.com/thrillers/) - Want to write a New York Times Bestseller? Thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels consistently rank in the top 25 books on the NYT bestseller list. Some of the biggest authors in the world write dangerous novels—James Patterson, Agatha Christie, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and John Grisham to name only a few. Writing a good book
- [Love your Voice](https://www.margielawson.com/love-your-voice/) - Want to immerse your readers in your story from page one to the end? Want readers eager to read your next book and the next and the next? That’s Voice! For many popular authors creating an engaging, evocative, and enthralling Voice seems effortless. But try to evaluate your own voice? It’s hard to tell what
- [8-Week Author](https://www.margielawson.com/8-week-author/) - If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, stuck in the middle of the one you are working on, or looking for some structure and support for your current novel, this class is for you. Designed to take you from idea to finished book, The 8-Week Author will cover all major components of a book,
- [Fab 30 - Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/fab-30-advanced-deep-editing-a-master-class/) - Three Prerequisites, Online Courses or Lecture Packets: Empowering Characters' EmotionsDeep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and MoreWriting Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist Fab 30: Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class Do you want to dig deep into deep editing? Do you want to work in an advanced class with all multi-Margie-grads?
- [Upping the Emotion 2-Week Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/upping-the-emotion-2-week-intensive/) - Laugh and cry—or make your characters do it during this two-week intensive class on Upping Emotion. Learn how details can make a big difference between a scene that falls flat and one that makes the reader fall in love. Hands-on homework with critiques will give students immediate feedback, helping them take the emotion up a
- [Can We Talk? Dialogue the Write Way](https://www.margielawson.com/can-we-talk-dialogue-the-write-way/) - How to Write Dialogue with a Psychological Punch A proven way to improve any manuscript. Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power! What You'll Learn Dialogue Challenge Check your manuscript to see if your dialogue has the 11 essential ingredients of great dialogue.Dialogue Flaw Search Weed out the 13 most common dialogue flaws.Dialogue Manipulation
- [Practically Painless Pitching](https://www.margielawson.com/practically-painless-pitching/) - The very successful author, Christina Dodd once said, ‘Submitting your work is like getting on stage, pulling down your pants, and asking for comments.’ That is never truer than in face-to-face pitching. Let’s face it; the thought of it is enough to make the strongest shudder and run. So why do it? Because you believe
- [Ta Da! How to put Funny on the Page](https://www.margielawson.com/ta-da-how-to-put-funny-on-the-page/) - Slam your elbow on a table top and you’ll get up close and strip-down, naked personal with the location of your funny bone. Unfortunately, you’ll also discover there’s nothing funny about that instrument of torture. It’s a sensitive little sucker. The funny bone takes joy in creating not laughter but pain. Unless…you’re a comedian. Comedians
- [Michelle Schusterman](https://www.margielawson.com/michelle-schusterman/) - Michelle Schusterman is the author of over a dozen books for kids and teens, including SPELL & SPINDLE, OLIVE AND THE BACKSTAGE GHOST, and the series THE KAT SINCLAIR FILES and I HEART BAND. She co-authored the YA novel THE PROS OF CONS with Alison Cherry and Lindsay Ribar, and co-authored the SECRETS OF TOPSEA series under the name M. Shelley Coats. She also
- [Shirley Jump](https://www.margielawson.com/shirley-jump/) - New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump has written more than 50 novels for Berkley, Harlequin, Entangled, and Kensington books. A frequent speaker both in the United States and abroad, Shirley’s diverse career has spanned two decades. She has won numerous awards, and she’s been nominated multiple times for the Romantic Times
- [B. Dave Walters](https://www.margielawson.com/b-dave-walters/) - B. Dave Walters is a motivator, storyteller, and structure fiend. He is best known as the writer of Dungeons & Dragons: A Darkened Wish for IDW comics, and the Long Beach by Night streaming series. He's co-writer of the Salvage Marines TV series and Electropunk Transmedia series. He has written films, novels, a non-fiction book
- [Rhay Christou](https://www.margielawson.com/rhay-christou/) - The two things I love most in the world are teaching and creative writing. With my MFA in writing from Vermont College, I have had the great fortune to combine the two. Since graduating I’ve taught everything from creative writing to academic writing at the university level as well as writing workshop on the lovely
- [Laura Drake](https://www.margielawson.com/laura-drake/) - Laura Drake, 2014 RITA Winner for Best First Novel, doesn't take 'no' for an answer. After a total of three novels, and 417 queries, in June of 2011, she scored an agent -- Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill and Associates. She now has twelve published novels. The first, The Sweet Spot, won the 2014 RWA RITA
- [Kathleen Baldwin](https://www.margielawson.com/kathleen-baldwin/) - #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls Kathleen’s romantic Regency adventure series, “completely original and totally engrossing.”
- [Julie Rowe](https://www.margielawson.com/julie-rowe/) - Julie facilitates communication workshops at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, and has presented writing workshops at conferences in the United States and Canada. She’s also a strong supporter of life long learning and moderates a free announcement loop for the promotion of online classes, workshops and webinars. You can find her at www.julieroweauthor.com, on Twitter @julieroweauthor,
- [Becky R's Immersion Story](https://www.margielawson.com/becky-rs-immersion-story/) - I’ve been lucky enough to have enjoyed two Immersions at Margie’s beautiful home in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Both had a different flavour. Both changed my writing. Both inspired me to push myself to a new level. And both were tremendous fun. My first Immersion blew my mind. I was awed by Margie’s energy and
- [Lori Brown](https://www.margielawson.com/lori-brown-patrick/) - Lori Brown has made her living as a professional editor since 2001. Lori has good literary instincts and an excellent ear, a solid grounding in grammar and punctuation, a strong sense of syntax, and a deep feeling for the rhythm of writing. She's one of those hopeless nerds who likes reading the dictionary. She is a
- [Michelle Fox](https://www.margielawson.com/michelle-fox/) - Michelle Fox has used marketing to procrastinate on her word count goals for the past seven years. She's run marketing initiatives that catapulted authors into the top 100, helped authors hit bestseller lists, spearheaded a genre mash up boxed set that hit the USAT list, and crashed the Instafreebie (now Prolific Works) site with one
- [Donna Alward](https://www.margielawson.com/donna-alward/) - NYT Bestselling Author Donna Alward loves writing books by the seat of her pants, but she’s a plotter all the way when it comes to her career plan. The author of more than 50 romances, Donna lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, and is currently writing for Harlequin and continuing her indie Darling, VT series. She’s
- [Navigating the Cyber Classroom](https://www.margielawson.com/navigating-the-cyber-classroom/) - Navigating the Cyber Classroom When you're on the main page of the classroom, you'll see your instructor's note at the top of the page. The lectures will show up below. On the first day of class you'll see symbols with subject headings next to them. Introductions!! Please click on that forum and post your introduction.
- ["DUH" Your Way to Success](https://www.margielawson.com/qduhq-your-way-to-success/) - Do you lose control of your writing goals? Lose control of your self-discipline? Lose control of your life? Everyone experiences cognitive dissonance, an incongruous rarely-to-be aligned fantasy versus reality. Writers may believe they will meet their writing goals later, or tomorrow, or after they take care of pressing matters—postponing their priorities. Big talk, little action.
- [Elizabeth Essex](https://www.margielawson.com/elizabeth-essex/) - Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Reckless Brides series of historical romances for St. Martin’s Press. When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth writes, and has done so for over twenty years. She graduated from Hollins College with a BA in
- [Lana Pattinson](https://www.margielawson.com/lana-pattinson/) - Hi y’all! I’m a Marketing Consultant with expertise in Brand Planning and Social Media. For over 15 years I worked in the wine & spirits industry, marketing powerhouse brands globally such as The Macallan Scotch Whisky, Jacob’s Creek wines, and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur. I’ve lived all over: Ontario, Texas, Las Vegas, New York & Scotland.
- [Becky Rawnsley](https://www.margielawson.com/becky-rawnsley/) - Becky Rawnsley is a physical therapist from the UK. She started writing as a hobby some twenty years ago, but realized if she was ever going to get off the slush-pile and onto the shelves, she needed help. Hunting for answers, she stumbled across Margie’s website and struck writing-gold. Becky is now a multi-Margie, multi-LWA and Immersion
- [Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/margie-lawson/) - Margie Lawson—psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter – developed psychologically-based editing systems and deep editing techniques used by new writers to multi-award winning authors. She teaches writers how to add psychological power to create page turners. Margie taught psychology and communication courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Her resume includes adjunct professor, clinical trainer,
- [Lisa Miller](https://www.margielawson.com/lisa-miller/) - Lisa Miller is a 26-year veteran teacher, as well as a certified counselor. She branched out to pursue her long time passion for writing fiction six years ago. A graduate of all things Margie, Lisa created and coordinates the DSDB Alumni Yahoo Loop. Not always finding the writing classes she needs, Lisa scours the internet
- [Lisa Norman](https://www.margielawson.com/lisa-norman/) - Lisa Norman is the owner of Heart Ally Books, an independent publishing company. She also owns a website design company specializing in creating websites for authors, Deleyna's Dynamic Designs. For over 25 years, she has worked with both indie and traditionally published writers on everything from writing through publication and marketing. She has taught students from
- [Suzanne Purvis](https://www.margielawson.com/suzanne-purvis/) - Suzanne Purvis is a transplanted Canadian living in the Deep South, where she traded “eh” for “y’all.” An author of long, short, and flash fiction for both children and adults, she has won several awards including those sponsored by the University of Toronto, RWA, Bethlehem Writer’s Roundtable, and Women Who Write. You can find her
- [R.L. Syme](https://www.margielawson.com/r-l-syme/) - R.L. Syme is a USA Today best-selling author of the Line of Fire series and the Highland Renegades. She writes small-town romance as Becca Boyd and cozy culinary mysteries as R.L. Syme. She is a writer of heroes and sleuths worth loving and villains worth hating. Lover of fancy cheese, binge-watching, strawberries, and hope. A
- [Anne Mateer](https://www.margielawson.com/anne-mateer/) - Anne Mateer has loved the marriage of history and fiction since she first began reading. Armed with a B.A. in history from Southern Methodist University, she has authored four traditionally published historical novels, including one Carol Award finalist. This past September, she published her first indie historical novella, No Small Storm, with another scheduled to release late spring. Anne
- [Sarah Hamer](https://www.margielawson.com/sarah-hamer/) - Sarah (Sally) Hamer is eternally fascinated by people and how they ‘tick’ and works hard to incorporate individual idiosyncrasies to create living, breathing characters in her many works of fiction. She writes in many genres – mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, medieval history, non-fiction – and has won awards at both local and national levels, including
- [Koreen Myers](https://www.margielawson.com/koreen-myers/) - Koreen Myers is an award-winning writer who has the ability to bring together the nerd-power of a techie and the emotional empathy of a writer. Currently, she’s the grant writer at Morgan Community College where she wins awards on behalf of local programs–all by telling real-world stories! She has a BA in English/Art through Adams
- [Lisa Wells](https://www.margielawson.com/lisa-wells/) - Lisa Wells is a 22-year veteran educator. For the past 16 years, she’s enjoyed a rollercoaster journey called: The School Counselor – Dramas, Dreams, and Destinies. Add the theme song to Jaws, and you have the feel for this fun ride. Author of DIBS, a sexy romance, nominated as Debut Book That Rocks and Best Book
- [CHEERS!](https://www.margielawson.com/cheers-2/) - Margie loves to Cheer her Grads! If you are a Margie grad and have news of contest wins, book sales, or awards please email Margie’s assistant Jenn jennifer.windrow@gmail.com and share your CHEERS! 2015 Cheers! Cheers to three talented Margie-Grads, Lana Pattinson, Preslaysa Williams, and Jessica Trapp for finalling in the Windy City RWA contest!! Cheers to Multi-Margie-Grad
- [Lecture Packets](https://www.margielawson.com/lecture-packets-2/) - Miss one of Margie's courses? Don't want to wait until the course is offered again? Lecture packets are available for most of Margie's online courses. Lecture packets are available through Paypal at $22 per course. If you register for an on-line course, the lectures are included in the course. You
- [Pubbed Margie Grad Blog](https://www.margielawson.com/pubbed-margie-grad-blog/) - Features Rita Winner, Laura Drake. Teaching examples from her new novel, Sweet on You. Check out the learning opportunities in the Pubbed Margie Grad Blog!
- [Lawson Writer's Academy](https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writer-s-academy-online-courses/) - Check out the January classes: Screenwriting Strategies for Fiction Writers Creating Reader's Guides for Young Adult and Middle Grade Novels From Blah to Beats: Giving Your Chapters a Pulse 30 Days to a Stronger Novel Virtues, Vices, and Plots! Click on the course name, or click here for details on Lawson Writer's Academy If
- [Invite Margie](https://www.margielawson.com/invite-margie/) - Interested in inviting Margie to present to your group? A Full Day Master Class? Weekend Master Class? A Keynote Speech? Conference Workshops? In the last seven years, Margie presented over seventy full day Master Classes in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. She developed eight in-demand online classes for writers. Margie's Online

## Pages

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- [Course Catalog](https://www.margielawson.com/course-catalog/) - Choose your path! Click on the tabs below to see courses by topic, teacher, level, or duration. Looking for something specific? Use this search form: Feeling adventurous? Here is a sample of some of our courses: No results found You can try clearing any filters or head to our store's home
- [Lawson Writer's Academy](https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-2/) - Lawson Writer's Academy Lawson Writer's Academy offers online courses for writers of all genres and skill levels. Our classes focus on helping you achieve success in your writing career. Scroll down to see the classes we have scheduled for the upcoming months. Looking for something specific? Check out our full course catalog here. When you
- [Lawson Writer's Academy](https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-3/) - Lawson Writer's Academy Lawson Writer's Academy offers online courses for writers of all genres and skill levels. Our classes focus on helping you achieve success in your writing career. Scroll down to see the classes we have scheduled for the upcoming months. Looking for something specific? Check out our full course catalog here. When you
- [Virtual Immersion Master Classes](https://www.margielawson.com/virtual-immersion-master-classes/) - Virtual Immersion Master Classes! Immersion Master Classes are going virtual. In-person or virtual immersions. Two awesome options to do an intensive class with Margie. Virtual Immersions are limited to six writers. Two full days or four half-days. And one on one deep editing with Margie too. Six writers. Digging deep. Making their writing NYT strong!
- [Webinar Series](https://www.margielawson.com/webinar-series/) - Check out Margie’s Dig Deep Webinar Series! Upcoming Webinar Schedule. List of all Webinars. About Margie's Webinar Series. About Margie Lawson. Reviews. Upcoming Webinar: Seven Musts for Powerful Pacing! Catch it Live, Friday, March 28th! This is the rescheduled webinar, the one that would have been March 7th if I hadn't had surgery that day.
- [Immersion Master Classes](https://www.margielawson.com/immersion-master-classes/) - Contents Prerequisites for Immersion Master Classes Upcoming Immersion Classes Important Details Fees Immersion Schedule in Denver Contact Information Immersion Fun Photo Gallery! Immersion Buzz In-Person Immersion Master Classes Hello, hello! Immersion Master Classes are five-day intensives at my home in Colorado -- or anywhere in the world. I love teaching writers how to add just the
- [How Do LWA Classes Work?](https://www.margielawson.com/how-do-lwa-classes-work/) - Lawson Writer's Academy is made up of several different types of classes. Moodle The majority, including all of those on the Lawson Writer's Academy page and the Course Catalog page, are offered using an online learning software called Moodle. Moodle is used by colleges all over the world. Check out our tour here. Moodle classes
- [Contact Webmaster](https://www.margielawson.com/contact-webmaster/) - Hi, folks! If the system is giving you trouble, I'm here to help you. I'm also assisting with the classroom, so if there are classes you'd like to see, don't hesitate to zap me an email!
- [Lecture Packets](https://www.margielawson.com/lecture-packets/) - Lecture Packets The lectures from several on-line courses are available for purchase. The cost: $22 per Lecture Packet. These writing lectures come directly from the online courses. Please disregard all references to the classroom. Disregard anything related to turning in assignments or working with a partner in a classroom. Work through these lecture packets on
- [Contact Us](https://www.margielawson.com/contact-us/) - Contact Margie and Her Team You can contact us through the form below. Use the radio buttons to choose who to send your message to. Due to Margie's busy travel and teaching schedule, it may take her a few days to respond to your email. If you are having problems with the website or a
- [Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/about-margie-lawson/) - Editor and International Presenter, Changing your Writing World, Boosting You toward Bestseller Lists! About Margie Margie Lawson left a career in psychology to focus on her true passion—helping writers make their stories, characters, and words strong. Tired of the same old writing rules and tools? Try something new.Using a psychologically based, deep-editing approach, Margie teaches
- [Margie's Events](https://www.margielawson.com/margies-events/) - Upcoming events: If you're a member of Novelists Inc, you can catch me presenting at their 4-day conference Sept. 20 - 24 at the Tradewinds Island Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida! Let me know if your group might be interested in having me present a full day or weekend master class. I'm booking 2024 and
- [Fly Your Dream](https://www.margielawson.com/fly-your-dream/) - Want to FLY YOUR DREAM? Whether you're building an airplane, a novel, or your writing career, you need talent, trust, and tenacity. It took my husband, Tom, over two years to build this airplane. In the first picture Tom was installing the wiring for the avionics. Note the top of the fuselage suspended from the
- [FAQs](https://www.margielawson.com/faqs/) - FAQs I'm a new writer. Where should I start? Start with Empowering Characters' Emotions. You can take it "live" with an instructor in the online classes or you can take it on your own time using the lecture packet. Both will get you started. Also, check out the different options in our course catalog. You
- [Instructors](https://www.margielawson.com/instructors/)
- [Invite Margie](https://www.margielawson.com/invite-margie/) - Invite Margie to: Masterclasses! Super Saturdays! Conferences! Keynotes! Just fill out the form below to let Margie Know!
- [Immersion Master Classes](https://www.margielawson.com/immersion-master-class-deep-editing-power/) - Immersion Master Classes are five-day intensives at my home in Colorado -- or anywhere in the world. I love teaching writers how to add just the right amount of power to make their writing soar. Five writers, mastering Deep Editing, digging deep, making their writing NYT strong! My Immersion Master Classes will help you transform your
- [Welcome World Anvil Campers!](https://www.margielawson.com/welcome-world-anvil-campers/) - Welcome Anvilites! Lawson Writer's Academy is proud to have the opportunity to sponsor one of the copper level prompts. Curious about LWA? Margie Lawson is an editor and international presenter, known for helping authors succeed by empowering their writing with her psychology inspired lessons. Her students frequently hit the NYT and USA Today Bestseller lists.
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- [LWA Classroom Tour](https://www.margielawson.com/lwa-classroom-tour/) - Welcome to Lawson Writer's Academy! If this is your first class, this page will help you find your way around. If you're returning, you may discover some cool new features. We are always updating our classroom to make sure that it uses the latest technology. How to Log In: Logging in should be as smooth
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- [Margie's Marvelous Promo Team](https://www.margielawson.com/margies-marvelous-promo-team/) - Join Margie's Marvelous Promo Team! Boost Visibility for Webinars, Immersions, and LWA Courses on Social Media A goodie for being on my team: An invitation to a Zoom room session every other month where I’ll share my deep editing skills. Need help with a rhetorical device, dialogue cue, flicker face expression, or visceral response? I’m your
- [Margie's Power-ON Coaching](https://www.margielawson.com/margies-power-on-coaching/) - Margie offers Two Coaching Choices: 1. Power-ON Coaching: Taking Charge of Your Writing Life Coaching focused on your optimizing your writing life. Schedule one hour Zoom sessions. 2. Power-ON Coaching: Deep Editing with Margie Coaching focused on adding psychological power to your writing. Schedule 1 to 2 hour deep editing sessions through Zoom, one or
- [Our Cyber Classrooms Offer](https://www.margielawson.com/our-cyber-classrooms-offer/) - Our Cyber Classrooms Offer: Forums for introductions, assignments, and Q & A.Instructors respond to assignments. Class members may post comments as a reply.A daily digest e-mailed to each student with recent posts to the forums.Latest News — updates on lectures, assignments, etc.Instructions on how to navigate the cyber classroom, how to post to forums, the
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- [LWA Virtual Write Ins!](https://www.margielawson.com/lwa-virtual-write-ins/) - Free LWA Virtual Write-ins! Our first official immersion grad central write-in is going to be Wednesday September 9th at 5:30PM Mountain standard, So, 7:30 Eastern, 4:30 Pacific. Hosted by Jennifer Windrow! We'll do 15 minute sprints for one hour, but if we decide to go longer while we are writing we are open for that
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## Products

- [May, 2026: Virtual Immersion Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/product/nov-2024-virtual-immersion-master-class-3/) - Margie Lawson's Immersion Master Classes will help you transform your manuscript into a page-turner! May 18-21, 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- [April, 2026: Writing Action Scenes](https://www.margielawson.com/product/april-2026-writing-action-scenes/) - Do you want to kick your book’s impact into high gear? Grab your reader’s attention and never let it go? Create a pace for your story that thrills your reader to the end and has them one-clicking the next book? Create great action scenes that fit with your story and voice!
- [April, 2025: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/product/april-2025-advanced-craft/) - You know the feeling – when you start a book and immediately suspend disbelief to fall into the story world. As authors, we know that this isn’t easy to do. It takes more than a good scene. It takes a maestro of craft to pull it off.
- [Mar, 2026: Empowering Characters Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mar-2026-empowering-characters-emotions/) - Add a psychological punch to your writing and editing. Learn how to capture the full range of body language on the page. Turn your work into a page-turner by powering up emotion and hooking the reader viscerally. PLUS — YOU’LL LEARN SO MUCH MORE!
- [Feb, 2025: 30 Days to a Stronger Novel](https://www.margielawson.com/product/feb-2025-30-days-to-a-stronger-novel/) - Change is hard work. But that’s what it takes if you’re trying to land an agent or a contract and all you get is rejections. 30 Days to a Stronger Novel is for all frustrated writers who have spent their hard earned money on books and conferences only to realize that their manuscripts are receiving a “Pass” from agents and editors.
- [Feb, 2025: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/feb-2025-virtues-vices-and-plots/) - Characters are like people. Each of us has “good” traits, like courage and resilience and intelligence, but we also have traits that get us into trouble like foolhardiness, stubbornness, and too smart for our own good. Same with our characters. We create strong traits, on both sides of the spectrum, and watch as our characters stumble through the story.
- [Feb, 2025: Your First Five Pages](https://www.margielawson.com/product/feb-2025-your-first-five-pages/) - We all know what it’s like to pick up a book and be sucked into the fictional world. You sense that you can trust the author and suspend disbelief to go on a journey. But how do your favorite authors do that? In this class you will have lessons and homework. You will get input from the instructor as well as other students. You will be expected to give feedback to others, as well. You will walk away with a solid, compelling, well-polished start to your novel.
- [Feb, 2025: Not Your Mama's Character Descriptions](https://www.margielawson.com/product/feb-2025-not-your-mamas-character-descriptions/) - This power-packed class provides writers with hands-on tools for making character descriptions fresh and deep and powerful. This class is interactive. You’ll write and edit and finesse character descriptions. You’ll learn how to make your character descriptions as dynamic as your characters.
- [Mar, 2025: The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mar-2025-the-eight-crafts-of-writing/) - Do you want a structured overview of the writing craft(s)? Are you interested in learning the psychology of storytelling? What about getting a storytelling edge by learning the secrets of reader engagement? You need a map and a navigation system.
- [Mar, 2025: Mind-Map](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mar-2025-mind-map/) - Are you a pantster or a plotter? Or some combination of both ends of the spectrum? Most of us fall somewhere in the middle but, regardless, mind-mapping can launch your planning abilities into the stratosphere! This is a class that will help beginners to organize their thoughts, but Master Writers will be able to create believable story structures for a single book or a multi-book series.
- [Mar, 2025: A Deep Editing Guide to Make Your Openings Pop](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mar-2025-a-deep-editing-guide-to-make-your-openings-pop/) - This class is about openings. All your openings, not just the first opening in your book. The opening of your first chapter needs to carry powerful content, and powerful structure and style. The opening of every scene and every chapter needs to hook the reader with content and structure and style too. Margie-Grads may know most of Margie’s deep editing techniques. In this class they’ll learn how to pull them together and make their openings smooth and compelling.
- [Mar, 2025: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/product/march-2025-empowering-characters-emotions/) - Want to add a psychological punch to your writing and editing? Want to learn how to capture the full range of body language on the page? Want to turn your work into a page-turner by powering up emotion and hooking the reader viscerally? Margie-Grads may know most of Margie’s deep editing techniques. In this class they’ll learn how to pull them together and make their openings smooth and compelling.
- [Mar, 2025: Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mar-2025-master-emotive-storytelling-and-showing/) - The Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing workshop is for fiction writers who want to decipher the contradictions in the old ‘show don’t tell’ mantra so they can avoid author intrusion and maximize evocative actions and sensory details. I will help you find a balance between action and brevity that will captivate readers. Active showing is one of the fastest ways to improve your writing and get your stories noticed. You’ll have emotive prose in no time!
- [LWA Coffeehouse](https://www.margielawson.com/product/lwa-write-ins/) - LWA now features a Coffeehouse free-form hang out area for all LWA students. No cost! Just sign up and then click "go to classroom" - you'll find the Coffeehouse in your list of classes. Pop in and look around! You'll also find times for write-ins. Don't see a convenient time? Consider becoming a host and creating your own group!
- [Hourly Deep Content Edit and Coaching with Shirley Jump](https://www.margielawson.com/product/hourly-deep-content-edit-and-coaching-with-shirley-jump/) - Deep content and developmental editing as well as plot analyses, structural builds, and one-on-one skills mastery in show not tell, point of view, and scene and sequel.
- [Seven Musts for Powerful Pacing](https://www.margielawson.com/product/seven-musts-for-powerful-pacing/) - Sometimes writers can change one word or add a phrase and add big-time power. Learn how now.
- [Nix a Fine Word or Phrase and Dig Deep to Add Emotion](https://www.margielawson.com/product/nix-a-fine-word-or-phrase-and-dig-deep-to-add-emotion/) - Sometimes writers can change one word or add a phrase and add big-time power. Learn how now.
- [Jan 2025 In Person Immersion Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/product/jan-2025-in-person-immersion-master-class/) - Loved Immersion and want even more power? This advanced version is more of everything Margie teaches for those who have already mastered the basics. Jan. 25 - 30, West of Denver
- [Stylistic Devices to Power Up Backstory and More!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/stylistic-devices-to-power-up-backstory-and-more/) - Using stylistic devices to power up backstory and keep readers engaged is a powerful tool in your writer’s toolbox. Learn five ways to share backstory and more.
- [Make Characters’ Personalities Pop with the Style Survey! ](https://www.margielawson.com/product/the-fun-and-power-of-differentiating-characters/) - Make Characters’ Personalities Pop with the Style Survey! You'll strengthen emotion, add tension, complicate relationships, and share emotional authenticity.
- [Margie's Top 5 Tips for Writing Fresh Character Descriptions](https://www.margielawson.com/product/writing-fresh-character-descriptions/) - Every character description is a chance to deepen characterization, to slip in something powerful, to wow readers. And who doesn't want to impress readers?
- [Eight Smart Ways to Power Up Your Turning Points!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/eight-smart-ways-to-power-up-your-turning-points/) - Turning Points deserve your best hook-the-reader writing. In Eight Smart Ways to Power Up Your Turning Points, learnhow to add power to your turning points!
- [March 2024 In Person Immersion Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/product/march-2024-in-person-immersion-master-class/) - Loved Immersion and want even more power? This advanced version is more of everything Margie teaches for those who have already mastered the basics. March 6 – 10, Stafford, Virginia
- [Substantive Developmental Editing with Rhay Christou](https://www.margielawson.com/product/substantive-developmental-editing-with-rhay-christou/) - Regardless if you’re a beginner or a well-published author, every writer needs someone to give your work a hard look. With your words, your characters developed, and your plot rocking and rolling, substantive editing not only allows you to discover if your readers are reading the story you created, but also helps to make sure
- [Mentorship with Rhay Christou](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mentorship-with-rhay-christou/) - 1 month via email – Just starting out or well into writing and finding that your critique partners are questioning development of character, setting, plot, craft? Mentorship allows you to chose your path, focus on your needs and get timely, in depth feedback—chapter summaries, in line comments, an overall developmental letter—as well as provides specific
- [Lisa Miller - Safari Coaching - One Month](https://www.margielawson.com/product/lisa-miller-safari-coaching-one-month/) - This month-long coaching opportunity has been created for writers who are new to Story Structure Safari and haven’t been able to take the online class. The difference between the Safari class and Coaching is that the coaching will take place totally through email and not in a classroom setting. You will be given the same lessons and expected to complete the activities that will be submitted to me by email. I will respond to student work with similar insights and suggestions as those I give in the Safari classroom. With the Safari class, you are not expected to have a fully developed story plan or draft but the more you have, the easier class will be.
- [Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-heavy-cotton-tee-7/) - S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Width, cm 45.70 50.80 55.80 60.90 66.00 71.10 76.30 81.20 Length, cm 72.40 74.90 77.50 80.00 82.60 85.10 87.60 90.20 Sleeve length, cm 18.40 19.70 20.90 22.20 23.50 24.80 26.00 27.30 The unisex heavy cotton tee is the basic staple of any wardrobe. It is the
- [Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-v-neck-tee-5/) - S M L XL 2XL Width, cm 45.70 50.80 55.90 60.90 66.00 Length, cm 70.40 73.00 75.50 78.10 80.60 Sleeve length, cm 22.60 23.30 24.00 24.70 25.40 Looking good on both men and women, this soft jersey tee is comfortable enough to wear all day long. High quality print will make it an instant
- [Unisex Ultra Cotton Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-ultra-cotton-tee-2/) - S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Width, in 18.50 20.51 22.52 24.49 26.50 28.50 30.51 32.52 Length, in 28.50 29.49 30.51 31.50 32.52 33.50 34.49 35.51 Sleeve length, in 7.01 7.48 7.99 8.39 8.86 9.76 10.24 10.75 This unisex ultra cotton tee is a classic. Quality cotton construction means that designs are
- [Unisex Ultra Cotton Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-ultra-cotton-tee/) - S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Width, in 18.50 20.51 22.52 24.49 26.50 28.50 30.51 32.52 Length, in 28.50 29.49 30.51 31.50 32.52 33.50 34.49 35.51 Sleeve length, in 7.01 7.48 7.99 8.39 8.86 9.76 10.24 10.75 This unisex ultra cotton tee is a classic. Quality cotton construction means that designs are
- [Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-heavy-cotton-tee-6/) - S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Width, cm 45.70 50.80 55.80 60.90 66.00 71.10 76.30 81.20 Length, cm 72.40 74.90 77.50 80.00 82.60 85.10 87.60 90.20 Sleeve length, cm 18.40 19.70 20.90 22.20 23.50 24.80 26.00 27.30 The unisex heavy cotton tee is the basic staple of any wardrobe. It is the
- [Those Devilish Details:  When to Amplify, When to Cut](https://www.margielawson.com/product/those-devilish-details-when-to-amplify-when-to-cut/) - Those Devilish Details: When to Amplify, When to Cut. Join me! I'll share a dozen times when you need to amplify and a dozen times when you need to cut.
- [In-Depth Scene Analysis with the EDITS System](https://www.margielawson.com/product/the-edits-system-your-scene-analysis-power-tool-part-2/) - Want to take a scene from the POV character’s head to the reader’s heart? Learn how to analyze scenes with The EDITS System!
- [Get Psyched about Writing Subtext!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/get-psyched-about-writing-subtext/) - Get Psyched about Writing Subtext! See what to do to with Subtext!
- [Ramping Up your Writing to NYT Stellar!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/ramping-up-your-writing-to-nyt-stellar/) - Ramping Up your Writing to NYT Stellar! Emotion sells books. Fresh writing sells books. Learn five ways to put more power on the page and sell more books!
- [Lisa Miller - Story Structure Safari Advanced Virtual Expedition - One Month](https://www.margielawson.com/product/lisa-miller-story-structure-safari-advanced-virtual-expedition-one-month/) - This month-long experience includes five one-hour Zoom meetings and email exchanges in between. The first Zoom meeting will be the initial discussion of student goals for their story and the Expedition experience. This will be followed by a weekly Zoom meeting. One for each of the four Zones of the story. Weekly or more often email exchanges will be expected for submission of ideas and work progress by students. I will provide suggestions and feedback. Each week the student will commit to work goals. Prerequisite is Story Structure Safari online class or lecture packet.
- [Advanced Craft Coaching with Laura Drake](https://www.margielawson.com/product/advanced-craft-coaching-with-laura-drake/) - We all know what it’s like to pick up a book and be sucked into the fictional world. You sense that you can trust the author and suspend disbelief to go on a journey. But how do your favorite authors do that? You'll work with Laura one-on-one on your first chapter, and you will walk away with a solid, compelling, well-polished start to your novel.
- [The EDITS System, Your Scene Analysis Power Tool](https://www.margielawson.com/product/the-edits-system-your-scene-analysis-power-tool/) - Want to learn how to take a scene from the POV character’s head to the reader’s heart? The EDITS System, Your Scene Analysis Power Tool is for writers.
- [Eight Musts for Writing Visceral Responses Part 2!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/more-eight-musts-for-writing-visceral-responses/) - Tired of using cliched, overused, carry-no-power visceral responses? I'll continue covering the eight musts in this webinar will give you the boost you need!
- [Eight Musts for Writing Visceral Responses](https://www.margielawson.com/product/eight-musts-for-writing-visceral-responses/) - Tired of using cliched, overused, carry-no-power visceral responses? The eight musts I cover in this webinar will give you the info and boost you need!
- [What's the Visual?](https://www.margielawson.com/product/whats-the-visual/) - Readers need visuals. Visuals fill in the story movie that's running in their heads. What's the visual? is my litmus test for Show, Don't Tell, and a whole lot more. Join me for this 90 minute webinar.
- [Dialogue Cues Mouse Pad (EU)](https://www.margielawson.com/product/dialog-cues-mouse-pad-eu/) - An appealing accent for your desk, this high quality mousepad is designed to provide a smooth, consistent, and durable surface. Never forget ways to empower your dialogue cues again! .: 4 mm thick Neoprene.: Non-Slip.: Full print
- [Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-heavy-cotton-tee-8/) - S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Width, cm 45.70 50.80 55.80 60.90 66.00 71.10 76.30 81.20 Length, cm 72.40 74.90 77.50 80.00 82.60 85.10 87.60 90.20 Sleeve length, cm 18.40 19.70 20.90 22.20 23.50 24.80 26.00 27.30 The unisex heavy cotton tee is the basic staple of any wardrobe. It is the
- [Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-v-neck-tee-4/) - S M L XL 2XL Width, cm 45.70 50.80 55.90 60.90 66.00 Length, cm 70.40 73.00 75.50 78.10 80.60 Sleeve length, cm 22.60 23.30 24.00 24.70 25.40 Looking good on both men and women, this soft jersey tee is comfortable enough to wear all day long. High quality print will make it an instant
- [Square Vinyl Stickers](https://www.margielawson.com/product/square-vinyl-stickers-2/) - 2" × 2" 3.5" × 3.5" 5" × 5" 8" × 8" Width, cm 5.08 8.89 12.70 20.32 Length, cm 5.08 8.89 12.70 20.32 Say exactly what you want with these cool stickers. Say more with less with the ultimate flexibility for implementing your vision. Start with one, end with lots, there’s nothing uniquely
- [Pet Tank Top](https://www.margielawson.com/product/pet-tank-top/) - M L Width, in 10.00 12.00 Height, in 7.24 8.23 Fit (lbs) 11 - 23 24 - 45 Fit (kg) 5 - 10.43 10.88 - 20.41 Custom pet clothes are more than just good fashion, they’re also perfect for keeping your tiny (or not so tiny) friend warm. This pet tank is 100% cotton
- [NYT Kiss-Cut Stickers](https://www.margielawson.com/product/nyt-kiss-cut-stickers/) - NYT! Stick one of these where you write to remind you to empower your writing! .: Available in White or transparent.: Grey adhesive left side for white stickers.: 2" x 2".: For indoor use.: Not waterproof
- [Dig Deep. Create Art. LWA Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee](https://www.margielawson.com/product/dig-deep-create-art-lwa-unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-v-neck-tee/) - Looking good on both men and women, this soft jersey tee is comfortable enough to wear all day long. High quality print will make it an instant favorite in every wardrobe. .: 100% airlume combed and ringspun cotton (fiber content may vary for different colors).: Light fabric (4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²)).: Retail fit.: Sewn in
- [Ceramic Mug 11oz](https://www.margielawson.com/product/ceramic-mug-11oz/) - 11oz Height, in 3.74 Diameter, in 3.15 Warm your soul with a nice cuppa out of this perfectly sized ceramic mug. Customize with cool designs, photos or logos to make that "aaahhh!" moment even better. It’s microwave safe and dishwasher safe and made of white, durable ceramic in an 11-ounce size. It's high-quality sublimation
- [Mouse Pad (EU)](https://www.margielawson.com/product/mouse-pad-eu/) - 9" × 7.5" Height, cm 0.40 Length, cm 23.20 Width, cm 19.40 An appealing accent on one's desk, this high quality mousepad is designed to provide a smooth, consistent, and durable surface. With personalized design print it will be an attractive decor on every desk. .: 4 mm thick Neoprene.: Non-Slip.: Full print
- [Ceramic Mug (EU)](https://www.margielawson.com/product/ceramic-mug-eu/) - 11oz 15oz Height, cm 9.50 12.00 Diameter, cm 8.00 8.00 Perfect for coffee, tea and hot chocolate, this classic shape white, durable ceramic mug comes in the most popular sizes - 11 oz. and 15 oz. High quality sublimation printing makes it an appreciated gift to every true hot beverage lover. .: White ceramic.:
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- [Expand Time, Intensify Power](https://www.margielawson.com/product/expand-time-intensify-power/) - Expanding time is a brilliant tool that most writers don’t empower as much as they could. An expanded time passage that’s written well locks the reader in the POV character’s emotions. Those strong emotions keep the reader immersed in the story from one high emotion scene to the next.
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- [A Deep Editing Guide to Make Your Openings Pop!](https://www.margielawson.com/product/a-deep-editing-guide-to-make-your-openings-pop/) - This class is about openings. All your openings, not just the first opening in your book. The opening of your first chapter needs to carry powerful content, and powerful structure and style. The opening of every scene and every chapter needs to hook the reader with content and structure and style too.
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- [Coaching with Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/product/coaching-with-margie-lawson/) - Expanding time is a brilliant tool that most writers don’t empower as much as they could. An expanded time passage that’s written well locks the reader in the POV character’s emotions. Writers can use those strong emotions to keep the reader immersed in the story from one high emotion scene to the next. Learning what elements to include and deep edit analyzing helps you learn how to expand time and add power. But wouldn’t it be great to have Margie’s help with your expanded time passages? You can schedule a one-on-one session with Margie to deep edit your expanded time passages. These private Zoom sessions are $50/hour. They’re scheduled at times that work for writers all over the world.
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- [Unisex Twill Hat](https://www.margielawson.com/product/unisex-twill-hat/) - The Unisex 6-panel Twill Cap is one of our most popular options—it’s perfect for the great outdoors, sporting events, and everyday use. This solid design is 100% cotton twill and will become your go-to hat for years to come. Buckram lining not only makes for easy embroidery but also ensures a classic shape that lasts. .: 100% Cotton
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- [Desk Mat](https://www.margielawson.com/product/desk-mat/) - This fully customizable desk mat is perfect for that extra personal touch at work or in your home office. Made of 4mm thick neoprene material, it has an anti-slip backing and a hemmed edge for durability and stability. Pick it in two sizes 12”x18” & 12”x22” and glow up your workspace. .: 4 mm thick
- [Beware of Writerly - 20oz Insulated Bottle](https://www.margielawson.com/product/beware-of-writerly-20oz-insulated-bottle/) - Reduce single-use plastic with this eco-friendly insulated water bottle that is easy to clean and durable. Featuring a stainless steel spill-proof screw-on cap, this premium double wall insulated stainless steel bottle keeps your drinks either hot or cold. Keep it moving with a premium on-the-go water bottle that’s perfect for staying hydrated and stylish. .:
- [Clarity Rules! Lawson Writer's Academy AOP Tote Bag](https://www.margielawson.com/product/clarity-rules-lawson-writers-academy-aop-tote-bag/) - Medium Large Height, in 16.02 17.99 Length, in 16.02 17.99 Width, in 3.15 3.15 Handle height, in 11.81 11.81 Handle width, in 1.00 1.00 This practical, high-quality Tote Bag is available in three sizes. All over print provides comfort with style at the beach or at your favorite writing conference. Made from reliable materials,
- [Quirky Sells - 11oz Mug - Printed in Australia](https://www.margielawson.com/product/quirky-sells-margie-mug-11oz-accent-mug/) - This quirky mug will remind you to be unpredictable in your writing! The quality ceramic and printing can withstand machine washing. (Printed in Australia) .: Material: white ceramic with colored interior and handle.: One size: 11 oz (0.33 l).: Rounded corners.: C-handle
- [Laura Drake - Query Coaching](https://www.margielawson.com/product/laura-drake-query-coaching/) - One-on-one query coaching experience with Laura Drake coordinated via email.
- [First 500 Word Deep Edit](https://www.margielawson.com/product/first-500-word-deep-edit/) - Those first 500 words of your manuscript are the most important to hook any reader. Together we will work through your opening to make sure you have the basics to really grab your reader's attention and make them want to read more.

## Teachers

- [Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/margie-lawson/) - Margie Lawson left a career in psychology to focus on her true passion—helping writers make their stories, characters, and words strong. Tired of the same old writing rules and tools? Try something new. Using a psychologically based, deep-editing approach, Margie teaches writers how to bring emotion to the page. Emotion equals power. And power not
- [Kathleen Baldwin](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/kathleen-baldwin/) - “Master of the unexpected,” Kathleen Baldwin, is a Wall Street Journal, #1 Barnes & Noble, and Amazon bestselling author who enchants readers worldwide with over 650,000 books in the hands of readers around the globe. A Japanese publisher adapted one of her novels into a manga. Ian Bryce, producer of Transformers, optioned her series for
- [D'Ann Mateer](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/dann-mateer/) - D'Ann Mateer has loved the marriage of history and fiction since she first began reading. Armed with a B.A. in history from Southern Methodist University, she has authored four traditionally published historical novels first under the name Anne Mateer which are now re-releasing under her given name, D’Ann Mateer. She is currently writing for the
- [Betty Kim](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/betty-kim/) - Betty Kim is a screenwriter, children’s book author, singer, songwriter, actor, and former ballet dancer. She has been active in the Northwest Screenwriters Guild, serving as president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and head of the compendium. She is featured in Save the Cat Strikes Back for her pitching method. She has taught her pitch method at TheFilmSchool, the NWSG, and SIFF.
- [Julie Anne Lindsey](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/julie-anne-lindsey/) - Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than fifty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. She is represented by Erin Niumata at Folio Lit and
- [Rhay Christou](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/rhay-christou/) - Rhay Christou loves her dogs—Fredo and MoJoe—her teaching and writing. Making her home in a small village in Cyprus, when she is not wandering the National Park's trails, she uses her MFA in writing from Vermont College to share her knowledge and experience to cheerlead writers in creating their best stories. Since graduating, she has taught
- [Marin McGinnis](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/marin-mcginnis/) - A lawyer by day, Marin McGinnis feeds the more creative part of her soul by writing romance and mystery. She's spent more than half her life in a tree-lined, unabashedly liberal suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. She lives with her husband and two standard poodles. Marin has dabbled in writing since she was in her 20s,
- [Monica Corwin](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/monica-corwin/) - Monica Corwin is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. She is an outspoken writer attempting to make romance accessible to everyone, no matter their preferences. As a Northern Ohioian, Monica enjoys snow drifts, three seasons of weather, and a dislike of Michigan football. Monica owns more books about King Arthur than should
- [Stefan Emunds](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/stefan-emunds/) - Stefan writes inspirational non-fiction, visionary fiction, and runs an online enlightenment workshop. Enlightenment and storytelling have interesting parallels, which enticed Stefan to write a book about storytelling - The Eight Crafts of Writing. Stefan was born in Germany and, after graduating, enjoyed two years backpacking in Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia. Back home, he
- [R.L. Syme](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/r-l-syme/) - Becca Syme is a USA Today bestselling author of romance and mystery. She holds a master’s degree (psychology of leadership) and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, where she's coached 5000+ individual writers in success systems. Becca is the host of the YouTube QuitCast channel and a mystery author. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and
- [Laura Drake](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/laura-drake/) - Laura Drake is a New York and self-published published author of Women's Fiction and Romance. Her romance series, Sweet on a Cowboy, is set in the world of professional bull riding. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist, then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 11 more books
- [Sandy Vaile](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/sandy-vaile/) - Sandy Vaile is a motorbike-riding daredevil who isn’t content with a story unless there are a courageous heroine and a dead body. She writes romantic-suspense for Simon & Schuster US and empowers modern writers to produce novels they can be proud of (and that get noticed by agents and publishers). Sandy is an experienced course
- [Shirley Jump](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/shirley-jump/) - Shirley Jump is an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. As an editor, she has edited more than 100 books in a variety of genres. She specializes in helping her clients turn the jigsaw puzzle of their idea
- [Lisa Miller](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/lisa-miller/) - Lisa Miller retired from teaching and counseling after 30 years. While she loved writing YA fiction, she has been drawn back into teaching. Not always finding the writing classes she needed; Lisa scoured the internet and how-to books for self-instruction. She funneled that knowledge into the creation of the Story Structure Safari class and merged
- [L.A. Mitchell](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/l-a-mitchell/) - L.A. Mitchell is a freelance editor, writing coach, Margie immersion grad, and ghostwriter with 30+ books in the market and an Amazon #1 bestseller status to her credit. Her clients include USA Today bestselling authors, celebrities, professional sports athletes, and large corporations. For the past 12 years, she’s ghostwritten everything from business non-fiction to epic
- [Wally Lane](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/wally-lane/) - Wally Lane is a former Boardmember of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild (NWSG). He is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, a published poet, and has written articles and book reviews for several publications, including Journey. Wally’s film, “Winos & Pigeons”, was honored at WorldFest Houston. As long-time Chairman of the NWSG’s Compendium committee, Wally has mentored
- [Julie Glover](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/julie-glover/) - Julie Glover is an award-winning author of young adult and mystery fiction. Her debut Sharing Hunter placed in several contests, including the much-touted RWA® Golden Heart® YA. Her follow-up, Daring Charlotte, also a repeat contest finalist, releases later this year. She has also co-authored four supernatural suspense novels and a short story in the Muse
- [Sheila Currie](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/sheila-currie/) - Sheila Currie lives in a world of thousands of books, fiction and non-fiction. Visiting friends worry about avalanches. She was born on the east coast of Canada where there are many other people whose families came from Scotland and Ireland. Her love of those countries led her to study in Nova Scotia, Canada and then
- [Hugh Gordon](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/hugh-gordon/) - Hugh Gordon has a master’s degree and doctorate in Canadian Military History from the University of Victoria and a bachelor’s degree in History and Classics from Queen’s University. For seven years, he was the History Instructor at Keyano College in Fort McMurray. He has taught courses in History, Classics, and Native Studies. In addition, he
- [Piper Huguley](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/piper-huguley/) - Piper G Huguley is a two-time Golden Heart ®finalist and is the author of “Migrations of the Heart,” a three-book series of historical romances set in the early 20th century featuring African American characters. Book #1 in the series, A Virtuous Ruby, has won Best Historical in the Swirl Awards. Book #3 in the series,
- [Suzanne Lazear](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/suzanne-lazear/) - Suzanne Lazear is the author of the young adult steampunk fairytale series THE AETHER CHRONICLES and the new adult elfpunk series THE SECRET LIVES OF ROCKSTARS. An avid baker and crafter, she lives in Southern California with her daughter, husband, a cockatiel, and a small army of stuffed animals. Learn more about her at www.suzannelazear.com
- [Lisa Wells](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/lisa-wells/) - Lisa Wells writes romantic comedy with enough steam to fog your eyeglasses, your brain, and sometimes your Kindle screen. On the other hand, her eighty-year-old mother-in-law has read Lisa’s steamiest book and lived to offer her commentary. Which went something like this: You used words I’ve never heard of… Lisa’s the author of romantic comedies.
- [Elizabeth Essex](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/elizabeth-essex/) - Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Reckless Brides series of historical romances for St. Martin’s Press. When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth writes, and has done so for over twenty years. She graduated from Hollins College with a BA in
- [Koreen Myers](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/koreen-myers/) - Koreen Myers is an award-winning writer who has the ability to bring together the nerd-power of a techie and the emotional empathy of a writer. Currently, she’s the grant writer at Morgan Community College where she wins awards on behalf of local programs–all by telling real-world stories! She has a BA in English/Art through Adams
- [Sarah Hamer](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/sarah-hamer/) - Sarah (Sally) Hamer is eternally fascinated by people and how they ‘tick’ and works hard to incorporate individual idiosyncrasies to create living, breathing characters in her many works of fiction. She writes in many genres – mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, medieval history, non-fiction – and has won awards at both local and national levels, including
- [Michelle Fox](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/michelle-fox/) - Michelle Fox has used marketing to procrastinate on her word count goals for the past seven years. She’s run marketing initiatives that catapulted authors into the top 100, helped authors hit bestseller lists, spearheaded a genre mash up boxed set that hit the USAT list, and crashed the Instafreebie (now Prolific Works) site with one
- [Julie Rowe](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/julie-rowe/) - Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She is the author of the Biological Response Team series, The Outbreak Task Force series, and the Trapped with Him series. You can find out more about her books at
- [Becky Rawnsley](https://www.margielawson.com/teacher/becky-rawnsley/) - Becky Rawnsley is a physical therapist from the UK. She started writing as a hobby some twenty years ago, but realized if she was ever going to get off the slush-pile and onto the shelves, she needed help. Hunting for answers, she stumbled across Margie’s website and struck writing-gold. Becky is now a multi-Margie, multi-LWA and Immersion

## Course

- [May, 2026: Virtual Immersion Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2026-virtual-immersion-master-class/)
- [April, 2025: Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2025-create-compelling-characters/)
- [Mar, 2026: Empowering Characters Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2026-empowering-characters-emotions/)
- [April, 2026: Writing Action Scenes](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2026-writing-action-scenes/)
- [May, 2025: Killing it With Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2025-killing-it-with-conflict/)
- [May, 2025: Battling the Basics: The Essentials of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2025-battling-the-basics-the-essentials-of-writing/)
- [April, 2025: Lights! Camera! TENSION!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2025-lights-camera-tension/)
- [April, 2025: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2025-advanced-craft/)
- [April, 2025: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2025-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/)
- [April, 2025: Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2025-connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/)
- [Mar, 2025: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2025-empowering-characters-emotions/)
- [Mar, 2025: A Deep Editing Guide to Make Your Openings Pop](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2025-a-deep-editing-guide-to-make-your-openings-pop/)
- [Mar, 2025: Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2025-master-emotive-storytelling-and-showing/)
- [Mar, 2025: Killing it With Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2025-killing-it-with-conflict/)
- [Mar, 2025: Mind-Map](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2025-mind-map/)
- [Mar, 2025: The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2025-the-eight-crafts-of-writing/)
- [Feb, 2025: Not Your Mama's Character Descriptions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2025-not-your-mamas-character-descriptions/)
- [Feb, 2025: Your First Five Pages](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2025-your-first-five-pages/)
- [Feb, 2025: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2025-virtues-vices-and-plots/)
- [Feb, 2025: 30 Days to a Stronger Novel](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2025-30-days-to-a-stronger-novel/) - Instructor: Lisa Wells June 1-30; Fee: $85 "CHANGE IS SUCH HARD WORK..." BILLY CRYSTAL Change is hard work. But that's what it takes if you're trying to land an agent or a contract and all you get is rejections. 30 Days to a Stronger Novel is for all frustrated writers who have spent their hard
- [Oct, 2024: Law and Order Regency Style](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2024-law-and-order-regency-style/)
- [Oct, 2024: Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2024-create-compelling-characters/)
- [Oct, 2024: How to Write Believable Alternate History Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2024-how-to-write-believable-alternate-history-fiction/)
- [Oct, 2024: Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2024-visceral-rules-beyond-hammering-hearts/)
- [July, 2024: Write Backstory With Confidence](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2024-write-backstory-with-confidence/)
- [Oct, 2024: Master Story Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2024-master-story-point-of-view/)
- [Jul, 2024: Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jul-2024-master-emotive-storytelling-and-showing/)
- [Jun, 2024: Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jun-2024-power-up-your-setting/)
- [Jun, 2024:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jun-2024-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/)
- [Jul, 2024: Lights! Camera! TENSION!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jul-2024-lights-camera-tension/)
- [June, 2024: Creating Anthologies](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2024-creating-anthologies/)
- [July, 2024: Fairies: The Old Gods](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2024-fairies-the-old-gods/)
- [July, 2024:  The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2024-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis/)
- [June, 2024: Plot Your Reliable Story Compass](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2024-plot-your-reliable-story-compass/)
- [July, 2024: Stacking the Stakes](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2024-stacking-the-stakes/)
- [July, 2024: Make 'em Laugh - How to Write a Comedy Screenplay](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2024-make-em-laugh-how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay/)
- [May, 2024: Make Endings Pop Deep Editing Style](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-make-endings-pop-deep-editing-style/)
- [May, 2024: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-virtues-vices-and-plots/)
- [May, 2024: Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/)
- [May, 2024: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/)
- [May, 2024: Intro to Screenwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-intro-to-screenwriting/)
- [Sept, 2024:  Story Structure Safari](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2024-story-structure-safari/)
- [May, 2024:  From Blah to Beats: Giving Your Chapters a Pulse](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2024-from-blah-to-beats-giving-your-chapters-a-pulse/)
- [Apr, 2024: Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/apr-2024-revision-boot-camp-or-revision-retreat-you-decide/)
- [Apr, 2024: Killing it With Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/apr-2024-killing-it-with-conflict/)
- [Apr, 2024:The Fiction Writer’s Future](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/apr-2024the-fiction-writers-future/)
- [Apr, 2024: How to Speak Legalese: Deciphering Literary Contracts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/apr-2024-how-to-speak-legalese-deciphering-literary-contracts/)
- [Mar, 2024: Just-for-you Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2024-just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/)
- [March, 2024: Navigating the Tightrope between Historical Fact and Historical Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2024-navigating-the-tightrope-between-historical-fact-and-historical-fiction/)
- [Mar, 2024: The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2024-the-eight-crafts-of-writing/)
- [Mar, 2024: Make 'em Laugh - How to Write a Comedy Screenplay](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2024-make-em-laugh-how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay/)
- [March, 2024: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2024-empowering-characters-emotions/)
- [Mar, 2024: Master Emotive Storytelling and Showing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/mar-2024-master-emotive-storytelling-and-showing/)
- [Feb, 2024: Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2024-connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/)
- [Feb, 2024: A Deep Editing Guide to Make Your Openings Pop](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2024-a-deep-editing-guide-to-make-your-openings-pop/)
- [Feb, 2024: The Indie Author: A hands-on guide to self-publishing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2024-the-indie-author-a-hands-on-guide-to-self-publishing/)
- [Feb, 2024: World Genesis: World Building 101](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2024-world-genesis-world-building-101/)
- [Feb, 2024: Mind-Map](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2024-mind-map/)
- [January, 2024: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/january-2024-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [Jan, 2024: Lights! Camera! TENSION!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-lights-camera-tension/)
- [Jan, 2024: Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-defeat-self-defeating-behaviors/)
- [Jan, 2024: Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-power-up-your-setting/)
- [Jan, 2024:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/)
- [Jan, 2024: Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-visceral-rules-beyond-hammering-hearts/)
- [Jan, 2024: Creating a Constellation of Characters to Inhabit Your Story or Series](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2024-creating-a-constellation-of-characters-to-inhabit-your-story-or-series/)
- [June, 2024: Creating a Constellation of Characters to Inhabit Your Story or Series](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2024-creating-a-constellation-of-characters-to-inhabit-your-story-or-series/)
- [April, 2024:  Story Structure Safari](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2024-story-structure-safari/)
- [Nov, 2023: The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-the-eight-crafts-of-writing/)
- [Nov, 2023: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-virtues-vices-and-plots/)
- [Nov, 2023: Writing Flash Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-writing-flash-fiction/)
- [Nov, 2023: Master Story Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-master-story-point-of-view/)
- [Nov, 2023: Potent Pitches & Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-potent-pitches-brilliant-blurbs/)
- [Nov, 2023:  Diving Deep into Deep Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2023-diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/)
- [Oct, 2023: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more-2/)
- [Sept, 2023: How to Speak Legalese: Deciphering Literary Contracts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-how-to-speak-legalese-deciphering-literary-contracts/)
- [Oct, 2023: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/)
- [Oct, 2023: Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-create-compelling-characters/)
- [Sept, 2023: Go Graphic: Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels with Zap Pow Zing Power!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-go-graphic-creating-comic-books-and-graphic-novels-with-zap-pow-zing-power/)
- [Sept, 2023: The Art and Science of Historical Research](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-the-art-and-science-of-historical-research/)
- [Sept, 2023: Clans of Ireland Beyond the Pale](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-clans-of-ireland-beyond-the-pale/)
- [Sept, 2023:  Story Structure Safari](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-story-structure-safari/)
- [Oct, 2023: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-advanced-craft/)
- [Oct, 2023: Anatomy of Trope](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-anatomy-of-trope/)
- [Oct, 2023: For Your Children's Children](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2023-for-your-childrens-children/)
- [Sept, 2023: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-empowering-characters-emotions/)
- [Sept, 2023: Just-for-you Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2023-just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/)
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- [Jan, 2022:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/)
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- [Jan, 2022: 6 Week Author Mentoring Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-6-week-author-mentoring-intensive/)
- [Jan, 2022: Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-defeat-self-defeating-behaviors/)
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- [Jan, 2022: Creating a Constellation of Characters to Inhabit Your Story or Series](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-creating-a-constellation-of-characters-to-inhabit-your-story-or-series/)
- [Jan, 2022: ADVANCED](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-advanced/)
- [Feb, 2022: Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-immersion/)
- [Feb, 2022: ENDURO](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-enduro/)
- [Jan, 2022: Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-immersion/)
- [March, 2022: Social Media for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2022-social-media-for-authors/)
- [March, 2022: How to Speak Legalese: Deciphering Literary Contracts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2022-how-to-speak-legalese-understanding-literary-contracts/)
- [Feb, 2022: It's All About Character: Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/)
- [Feb, 2022: Go Graphic: Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels with Zap Pow Zing Power!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-go-graphic-creating-comic-books-and-graphic-novels-with-zap-pow-zing-power/)
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- [March, 2022: Write Backstory With Confidence](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/__trashed/)
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- [Feb, 2022: The Future of Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-the-future-of-storytelling/)
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- [Feb, 2022: Make Endings Pop Deep Editing Style](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-make-endings-pop-deep-editing-style/)
- [Feb, 2022: Intensive on Writing the Romance Novel](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2022-intensive-on-writing-the-romance-novel/)
- [April, 2022: Potent Pitches & Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2022-potent-pitches-brilliant-blurbs/)
- [April, 2022: Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2022-power-up-your-setting/)
- [April, 2022:  Story Structure Safari](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2022-story-structure-safari/)
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- [Sept, 2020: Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-visceral-rules-beyond-hammering-hearts/) - Instructor: Margie Lawson Dates: September 1-30; Fee: $125 Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts When emotions run high in a scene, you need visceral responses. We'll cover: -- Margie's Top Ten Rules for Writing Visceral Responses-- The full range of visceral responses -- Writing fresh -- Placement in scene -- Motivation Reaction Units -- Using the Four
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- [Jan, 2021: Love Your Voice](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-love-your-voice/) - Instructor: Julie Rowe January 4-31; Fee: $150 Love Your Voice Every writer wants a fabulous voice. For most popular authors that achievement seems effortless. But for the rest of us, it’s often hard to tell what makes our voice special...and how to capitalize on our natural strengths. Includes a critique of the first three chapters
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- [March, 2021: Profitable Facebook Ads](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-profitable-facebook-ads/) - Instructor: Michelle Fox Dates: March 1-31; Fee: $300 Profitable Facebook Ads Are you struggling to turn a profit on your Facebook ads? Are you publishing books, but no one knows they exist? Do you want to run ads, but don't know where to start? Have you taken other classes that failed to deliver the ROI
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- [May, 2021: Master Emotive Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-master-emotive-storytelling/) - Instructor: Sandy VaileHow to combine showing action with effective telling The Master Emotive Storytelling workshop is for fiction writers who want to decipher the contradictions in the old ‘show don’t tell’ mantra so they can avoid author intrusion and maximize evocative actions and sensory details. Both showing and telling are valid tools. Showing creates drama
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- [July, 2022: Social Media for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2022-social-media-for-authors/)
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- [Dec, 2021: The Eight Crafts of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2021-the-eight-crafts-of-writing/)
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- [Jan, 2022: Your First Five Pages, Reader Glue](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-your-first-five-pages-reader-glue/)
- [Jan, 2022: Intro to Screenwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2022-intro-to-screenwriting/)
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- [Nov, 2021: Scene and Sequel](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2021-scene-and-sequel/)
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- [Oct, 2021: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2021-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/)
- [Oct, 2021: Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2021-create-compelling-characters/)
- [Sept, 2021: Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-immersion/)
- [Sept, 2021: ADVANCED](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-advanced/)
- [Aug, 2021: Write Away the Writer's Block](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-write-away-the-writers-block/)
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- [Sept, 2021: For Your Children's Children](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2020-for-your-childrens-children/) - Instructor: Sarah Hamer Memoir: For Your Children's Children Ever thought about writing your OWN story? Memoirs and autobiographies are the perfect way to connect with your family, to tell your story your way, and to create a lasting memory of who you are. In this class, we’ll: · Explore the difference between an autobiography and a
- [May, 2020: For Your Children's Children](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-for-your-childrens-children/) - Instructor: Sarah Hamer Memoir: For Your Children's Children Ever thought about writing your OWN story? Memoirs and autobiographies are the perfect way to connect with your family, to tell your story your way, and to create a lasting memory of who you are. In this class, we’ll: · Explore the difference between an autobiography and a
- [Sept, 2021: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-empowering-characters-emotions/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis, teaching Margie Lawson's course Note from Margie: I invited Suzanne Purvis to teach my Big Three courses: -- Empowering Characters' Emotions -- Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and Beyond -- Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist I bet my unexpected invitation gave her a visceral response. Suzanne learned my
- [Sept, 2021: Just-for-you Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/) - Teacher: Rhay Christou
- [Sept, 2021:  Story Structure Safari 2.0](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-story-structure-safari-2-0/) - Instructor: Lisa Miller Beautiful words and exciting scenes aren’t enough to propel the reader through a novel. Stories need structure, a plan, a focus from beginning to end. Story Structure Safari will guide you through the dense jungle of information about story. Our trek will include excursions into the lands of Story Structure and
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- [Sept, 2021: Intensive on Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-intensive-on-point-of-view/) - Instructor: Shirley Jump This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, from the basics of knowing which POV you are in, to the more in-depth technique of using POV to build stronger reader/character relationships and create intense emotion. Hands-on homework will have students diving deep into their scenes to create more memorable moments in
- [Sept, 2021: The Art and Science of Historical Research](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-the-art-and-science-of-historical-research/)
- [Sept, 2021: Maximize Your Crazy-Easy Author's Website](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-maximize-your-crazy-easy-authors-website/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman You have a website, but what do you do with it? This class teaches you how to super-empower your website. Go beyond the basics and use your website to expand your reach, focus your brand, and build your tribe. Want to blog? Learn to craft a sharable blog post and then track
- [Sept, 2021: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2021-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [Aug, 2021: Battling the Basics: The Essentials of Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-battling-the-basics-the-essentials-of-writing/) - Instructor: Sarah Hamer A mechanic doesn't pop the hood for the first time and immediately know what's wrong with the car. A pilot doesn't slide into the cockpit without logging the required hours of training. A master author doesn't magically hit the bestseller lists. A master author knows the basics. And there are a lot
- [Aug, 2021:  The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace. But do not fear. This class is here to help you . . . * give your synopsis the attention it deserves. * learn what to include and what to avoid in
- [Aug, 2021: Writing Action Scenes](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-writing-action-scenes/)
- [Aug, 2021: Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/)
- [Aug, 2021: "No One Gets Me!": Writing Believable YA Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-no-one-gets-me-writing-believable-ya-characters/)
- [Aug, 2021: Social Media for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-social-media-for-authors/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman Tweet like a twit? Facepalm every time you check Facebook? Feel like a pinned bug on Pinterest? What's an author to do with all of the social media opportunities clambering for our attention? Confused by controversy? Troubled by trolls? You'll learn the skills to control your social media presence without losing your
- [Aug, 2021: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-advanced-craft/) - Instructor: Laura Drake You know the feeling – when you start a book and immediately suspend disbelief to fall into the story world. As authors, we know that this isn’t easy to do. It takes more than a good scene. It takes a maestro of craft to pull it off. If you’re past problems with
- [Aug, 2021: Foundational Fantasy](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2021-foundational-fantasy/)
- [July, 2021: Intro to Screenwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-intro-to-screenwriting/)
- [July, 2021: Clans of Scotland](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-clans-of-scotland/)
- [July, 2021: Writing Flash Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-writing-flash-fiction/)
- [July, 2021: Potent Pitches & Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-potent-pitches-brilliant-blurbs/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis Wowza! Your book is done. Congratulations. You’re ready to put your fabulous story out there into the publishing world. One of the best ways to get your work in front of agents and editors, is through pitching and querying. But to pitch and query you need to distill your amazing book down
- [July, 2021:  Two-Week Intensive on Revision](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-two-week-intensive-on-revision/) - Instructor: Shirley Jump INTENSIVE ON REVISION: Learn how to analyze your writing with an objective eye and revise it, helping your book or short story become stronger and better. New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump will give you hands-on tools, tips, and tricks to revise your work, along with concrete examples to show you how
- [July, 2021: Establish a Ghostwriting Business & Monetize Your Talent](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-establish-a-ghostwriting-business-monetize-your-talent/)
- [July, 2021: Digital Organization Skills for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-digital-organization-skills-for-authors/)
- [July, 2021: It's All About Character: Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2021-its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/) - Instructor: Elizabeth Essex This course will teach writers how to find and use character-themed words specific to their heroes, heroines, and even villains. Every word in your novel should serve two purposes: to move the plot forward and give greater insight into the characters. Using character-themed words will grab your reader’s attention and hold it
- [June, 2021:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/) - Margie Lawson's course taught by Suzanne Purvis Note from Margie: I invited Suzanne Purvis to teach my 'Big Three' courses. Her deep editing expertise and her easy-going style prove she's channeling me well. I'm impressed. I'm proud that she's teaching these courses I developed. Dive in. You'll learn, learn, learn. And you'll have a good
- [June, 2021: Flying Write](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-flying-write/)
- [June, 2021: Crazy-Easy Awesome Author Websites!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-crazy-easy-awesome-author-websites/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman What if you could have a website that would meet your needs whether you're a beginner or a NYT best selling author? What if it could be affordable and easy to maintain? What if you could have someone hold your hand and walk you through the entire process? Welcome to the Crazy Easy Awesome Author Website taught by Lisa Norman (Heart Ally
- [June, 2021: Write Backstory With Confidence](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-write-backstory-with-confidence/) - Instructor: Sandy Vaile
- [June, 2021: Killing it With Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-killing-it-with-conflict/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou Killing it With Conflict Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict, conflict, conflict builds tension. We’ve heard the tension-refrain at conferences, in workshops and in books. We know we must have tension. Tension on every page. So, we wrote stories filled with murders, thefts, lost hope, arguments, sword fights, gun battles, chase scenes. You name
- [June, 2021: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [April, 2021: Special Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-special-session-2/)
- [April, 2021: Special Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-special-session-1/)
- [June, 2021: 6 Week Author Mentoring Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-6-week-author-mentoring-intensive/)
- [May, 2021: Create Compelling Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-create-compelling-characters/)
- [May, 2021: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/)
- [May, 2021: Editing Magic: Work With a Professional Editor](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-editing-magic-work-with-a-professional-editor/)
- [May, 2021: Creating Anthologies](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-creating-anthologies/)
- [May, 2021:  Two-Week Intensive On Show, Not Tell](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-two-week-intensive-on-show-not-tell/)
- [May, 2021: ADVANCED Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-advanced-session-1/)
- [June, 2021: Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2021-immersion/)
- [May, 2021: ADVANCED Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-advanced-session-2/)
- [May, 2021: Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2021-immersion/)
- [April, 2021: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-session-1/)
- [April-June 2021: Fab 30: Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-june-2021-fab-30-advanced-deep-editing-a-master-class/) - Instructor: Margie Lawson The fee for this 3-month class: $425 Three Prerequisites, Online Courses or Lecture Packets: 1. Empowering Characters' Emotions 2. Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More 3. Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist Fab 30: Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class Do you want to dig
- [April, 2021: Make 'em Laugh - How to Write a Comedy Screenplay](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-make-em-laugh-how-to-write-a-comedy-screenplay/)
- [March, 2021: Navigating the Tightrope between Historical Fact and Historical Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-navigating-the-tightrope-between-historical-fact-and-historical-fiction/) - Instructor: Anne Mateer March 1 - 31; Fee: $75 Course Description Writing historical fiction can be tricky. It involves both imagination and fact, two things which don’t always play well together. Our creativity can wreak havoc on fact, confusing (or infuriating!) our readers. Or our facts can overwhelm our imagined story, giving readers the feel
- [March, 2021: Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-writing-thrillers-and-other-dangerous-novels/) - Instructor: Julie Rowe March 1 - 31; Fee: $100 Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels Whether it’s a romantic suspense, thriller or crime novel writing books with a dangerous edge have their own pros and pitfalls. Julie Rowe, author of the military thriller Biological Response Team series, will explore with participants the following topics: Basic
- [March, 2021: Just-for-you Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/) - Teacher: Rhay Christou Fee: $125 March 1-31
- [March, 2021: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-empowering-characters-emotions/) - Instructor: Becky Rawnsley, teaching Margie Lawson's course March 1 - 31; Fee: $120 Note from Margie: I invited Becky Rawnsley to teach my Big Three courses: -- Empowering Characters' Emotions -- Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and Beyond -- Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist I bet my unexpected invitation gave her
- [March, 2021: Essentials of Science Fiction and Fantasy](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-essentials-of-science-fiction-and-fantasy/)
- [March, 2021: Submissions That Sell, and More!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-submissions-that-sell-and-more/) - Instructor: Laura Drake, RITA Winner! Submissions That Sell, and More! Put Your Query in a Power Suit! Your writing is amazing. You've edited your manuscript until the reflection alone will blind. Congratulations! But without an equally shiny submission package, those agents/editors will never know about you, and that you could have been their next great
- [March, 2021: Crazy-Easy Awesome Author Websites!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-crazy-easy-awesome-author-websites/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman What if you could have a website that would meet your needs whether you're a beginner or a NYT best selling author? What if it could be affordable and easy to maintain? What if you could have someone hold your hand and walk you through the entire process? Welcome to the Crazy Easy Awesome Author Website taught by Lisa Norman (Heart Ally
- [April, 2021: Potent Pitches & Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-potent-pitches-brilliant-blurbs/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis April 12-26; Fee: $50 Wowza! Your book is done. Congratulations. You’re ready to put your fabulous story out there into the publishing world. One of the best ways to get your work in front of agents and editors, is through pitching and querying. But to pitch and query you need to
- [April, 2021: Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-power-up-your-setting/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou, MFA Strong setting is one of the most underutilized tools in the writer’s toolbox. It's more than just the varied landscape of where a story takes place. Strong setting does double and even triple duty to bring the world, the characters, and even the story to life. In Power Up Your Setting, we’ll look
- [April, 2021:  Story Structure Safari 2.0](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-story-structure-safari-2-0/) - Instructor: Lisa Miller Beautiful words and exciting scenes aren’t enough to propel the reader through a novel. Stories need structure, a plan, a focus from beginning to end. Story Structure Safari will guide you through the dense jungle of information about story. Our trek will include excursions into the lands of Story Structure and
- [March, 2021: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [April, 2021: How to Speak Legalese: Understanding Literary Contracts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-how-to-speak-legalese-understanding-literary-contracts/)
- [April, 2021: Your First Five Pages, Reader Glue](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-your-first-five-pages-reader-glue/) - Instructor: Laura Drake We all know what it’s like to pick up a book and be sucked into the fictional world. You sense that you can trust the author and suspend disbelief to go on a journey. But how do your favorite authors do that? In this class you will have lessons and homework. You
- [April, 2021: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-virtues-vices-and-plots/) - Instructor: Sarah Hamer Getting your story set up is hard, right? Nailing all those plot points and inciting incidents and black moments in the perfect place is like trying to scratch that hard-to-reach place on your back. I can teach you an easier way. I'll teach you how to use your main character's vices and
- [April, 2021: Social Media for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-social-media-for-authors/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman Tweet like a twit? Facepalm every time you check Facebook? Feel like a pinned bug on Pinterest? What's an author to do with all of the social media opportunities clambering for our attention? Confused by controversy? Troubled by trolls? You'll learn the skills to control your social media presence without losing your
- [April, 2021: The Indie Author: A hands-on guide to self-publishing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2021-the-indie-author-a-hands-on-guide-to-self-publishing/)
- [Feb, 2021: Intro to Screenwriting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-intro-to-screenwriting/)
- [Jan, 2021: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-advanced-craft/) - Instructor: Laura Drake, Fee: $60 January 4-17 You know the feeling – when you start a book and immediately suspend disbelief to fall into the story world. As authors, we know that this isn’t easy to do. It takes more than a good scene. It takes a maestro of craft to pull it off. If
- [Jan, 2021: Biz Smarts for Writers](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-biz-smarts-for-writers/) - January 4-31 Teacher: Sarah Hamer Fee: $75 Are you running your writing like a business? A better question may be “Should you run your writing like a business?” The answer is: YES!! It’s not hard. Really! But most writers don’t think they need to be a business, mostly because so few of us make appreciable
- [Jan, 2021: Diving Deep into Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-diving-deep-into-developmental-edits/) - Diving Deep into Developmental Edits January 4 - March 1; Fee: $185 Your words shine and each line glisten. But you’re still getting rejections! Pansters and plotters, at some point you’re going to have to step back from the words, the lines, and even the paragraphs, and look at the big picture issues. Diving deep
- [Jan, 2021: Connecting the Dots: Conspiracy Theories in History and Writing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-connecting-the-dots-conspiracy-theories-in-history-and-writing/)
- [Jan, 2021: Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-revision-boot-camp-or-revision-retreat-you-decide/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis January 4-31; Fee: $99 Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide You’ve got that first draft done or almost done. Or maybe you’re on your 2nd, 3rd, or LAST revision and you’re working toward the finish line. You’re ready for REVISION BOOTCAMP. Sign up. Get your marching orders. Working with other
- [Feb, 2021: It's All About Character: Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/) - Instructor: Elizabeth Essex February 1-28; Fee: $90 This course will teach writers how to find and use character-themed words specific to their heroes, heroines, and even villains. Every word in your novel should serve two purposes: to move the plot forward and give greater insight into the characters. Using character-themed words will grab your reader’s
- [Feb, 2021:  The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis February 1-28; Fee: $99 The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace. But do not fear. This class is here to help you . . . * give your synopsis the attention it deserves. * learn what
- [Jan, 2021: Writing Steampunk from Aether to Zeppelin](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-writing-steampunk-from-aether-to-zeppelin/) - Instructor: Suzi Lazear Jan 4 - 31; Fee: $80 Writing Steampunk from Aether to Zeppelin Are you still trying to figure out Steampunk? Do you have an idea for a Steampunk story but aren't sure what to start? Are you in the middle of a Steampunk manuscript and need a little help? Whether you just want to learn
- [Feb, 2021: Law and Order Regency Style](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-law-and-order-regency-style/)
- [Feb, 2021: The Future of Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-the-future-of-storytelling/)
- [Feb, 2021: Mind-Map](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-mind-map/)
- [Jan, 2021:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/jan-2021-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/) - Margie Lawson's course taught by Becky Rawnsley January 4-31; Fee: $120 Note from Margie: I invited Becky Rawnsley to teach my 'Big Three' courses. Her deep editing expertise and her easy-going style prove she's channeling me well. I'm impressed. I'm proud that she's teaching these courses I developed. Dive in. You'll learn, learn, learn. And
- [Feb, 2021: The Indie Author: A hands-on guide to self-publishing](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-the-indie-author-a-hands-on-guide-to-self-publishing/)
- [January, 2021: Advanced Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/january-2021-advanced-immersion/)
- [March, 2021: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-session-2/)
- [March, 2021: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-session-1/)
- [March, 2021: Advanced Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-2021-advanced-immersion/)
- [February, 2021: Advanced Immersion](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/february-2021-advanced-immersion/)
- [February, 2021: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/february-2021-session-2/)
- [February, 2021: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/february-2021-session-1/)
- [January, 2021: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/january-2021-session-2/)
- [January, 2021: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/january-2021-session-1/)
- [Nov, 2020: Emotional Connections: Character Names and Psychologically Empowered Backstory - a Two Week Intensive](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-emotional-connections-character-names-and-psychologically-empowered-backstory-a-two-week-intensive/)
- [Nov, 2020: World Genesis: World Building 101](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-world-genesis-world-building-101/) - Instructor: Suzanne Lazear Whether you're writing kidlit or adult, no matter if your story is Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy. Paranormal Romance, High Fantasy, Steampunk, a mash-up, or something in-between, worldbuilding is key. In this workshop we'll focus on all aspects of worldbuilding, from where and when the story is set to the characters that populate it,
- [Nov, 2020: Editing Magic: Work With a Professional Editor](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-editing-magic-work-with-a-professional-editor/) - Instructor: Lori Brown Editing Magic Each student will submit a writing sample and will receive a multi-pass edit on an approximately 3500-word (or less) section. Lectures, open discussion, and forum responses support learning as each student works directly, one on one, on their own manuscript excerpt in an interactive partnership with the teacher/editor. Working with
- [Nov, 2020:  Diving Deep into Deep Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou Diving Deep into Deep Point of View With information coming at us from all sides, at all times of the day, the world has become a here and now kind of place. No wonder authors, agents, editors and readers want to feel that same kind of immediacy with stories. They scream for
- [Nov, 2020: Submissions That Sell, and More!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-submissions-that-sell-and-more/) - Instructor: Laura Drake, RITA Winner! Submissions That Sell, and More! Put Your Query in a Power Suit! Your writing is amazing. You've edited your manuscript until the reflection alone will blind. Congratulations! But without an equally shiny submission package, those agents/editors will never know about you, and that you could have been their next great
- [Nov, 2020: Swag for Authors, Publishing Professionals, & other Creatives](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-swag-for-authors-publishing-professionals-other-creatives/)
- [Dec, 2020:  Two-Week Intensive on Revision](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2020-two-week-intensive-on-revision/) - Instructor: Shirley Jump INTENSIVE ON REVISION: Learn how to analyze your writing with an objective eye and revise it, helping your book or short story become stronger and better. New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump will give you hands-on tools, tips, and tricks to revise your work, along with concrete examples to show you how
- [Nov, 2020:Go Graphic: Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels with Zap Pow Zing Power!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020go-graphic-creating-comic-books-and-graphic-novels-with-zap-pow-zing-power/)
- [Dec, 2020: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2020-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [Dec, 2020: The Truth About Writing Life and Money](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2020-the-truth-about-writing-life-and-money/)
- [Dec, 2020: It's a Wonderful Writer's Life](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/dec-2020-its-a-wonderful-writers-life/) - It’s a Wonderful Writer’s Life Instructor: Lisa Norman Celebrate your writing passion this December with a month-long low-stress class designed to: inspire a daily writing habit recharge your writing spirit bring a sense of play into your writing This course will provide a month’s worth of playful exercises intended to feed your writer’s soul without
- [Nov, 2020: How to Write a Novel in Evernote](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-how-to-write-a-novel-in-evernote/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman Can you write on a train? On a beach? On a plane? Paper notes get lost too easily. Hard drives crash. Modern writing software is the answer, but software can be complicated and force you to work its way. Enter Evernote: free, online note-taking software that stores your writing safely in the
- [Nov, 2020: Getting Serious About Writing a Series](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/nov-2020-getting-serious-about-writing-a-series/) - Learn the musts of writing a series! Instructor: Lisa Wells Getting Serious About Writing a Series In this course, you will design your series bible, create the eleven items it must include (listed below), and learn series-writing tips from award-winning authors, including Bella Andre Romily Bernard Laura Bradford Allison Brennan Diana Cosby Vicky Dreiling Angie
- [Oct, 2020: A Deep Editing Guide to Make Your Openings Pop](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-a-deep-editing-guide-to-make-your-openings-pop/) - Instructor: Margie Lawson October 1 - 31; This class is about openings. All your openings, not just the first opening in your book. The opening of your first chapter needs to carry powerful content, and powerful structure and style. The opening of every scene and every chapter needs to hook the reader with content and
- [Feb, 2021: Magic and Witchcraft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/feb-2021-magic-and-witchcraft/)
- [Oct, 2020: "No One Gets Me!": Writing Believable YA Characters](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-no-one-gets-me-writing-believable-ya-characters/) - Instructor: Julie Glover October 1 - 31; What makes a novel young adult? Is it just the age of the protagonist? It's so much more! This course will demystify the teen world and help you write believable characters—one your readers can relate to and root for. Learn the keys to crafting a novel solidly in
- [August, 2020: Crazy-Easy Awesome Author Websites!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-crazy-easy-awesome-author-websites/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman August 1 - 31 ; Fee: $110 What if you could have a website that would meet your needs whether you're a beginner or a NYT best selling author? What if it could be affordable and easy to maintain? What if you could have someone hold your hand and walk you through the entire process? Welcome
- [September, 2020: Session 3](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/september-2020-session-3/)
- [September, 2020: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/september-2020-session-2/)
- [October, 2020: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/october-2020-session-2/)
- [October, 2020: Session 3](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/october-2020-session-3/)
- [November, 2020: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/november-2020-session-1/)
- [November, 2020: Session 3](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/november-2020-session-3/)
- [November, 2020: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/november-2020-session-2/)
- [December, 2020: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/december-2020-session-1/)
- [August, 2020: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-session-1/)
- [August, 2020: Session 2](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-session-2/)
- [September, 2020: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/september-2020-session-1/)
- [October, 2020: Session 1](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/october-2020-session-1/)
- [Oct, 2020: Virtues, Vices, and Plots!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-virtues-vices-and-plots/) - Instructor: Sarah Hamer October 1-31; Fee: $80 Getting your story set up is hard, right? Nailing all those plot points and inciting incidents and black moments in the perfect place is like trying to scratch that hard-to-reach place on your back. I can teach you an easier way. I'll teach you how to use your
- [Oct, 2020: Write Backstory With Confidence](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-write-backstory-with-confidence/) - Instructor: Sandy Vaile October 1-31; Fee: $80
- [Oct, 2020: Profitable Facebook Ads](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-profitable-facebook-ads/) - Instructor: Michelle Fox Dates: October 1-31; Fee: $150 Profitable Facebook Ads Are you struggling to turn a profit on your Facebook ads? Are you publishing books, but no one knows they exist? Do you want to run ads, but don't know where to start? Have you taken other classes that failed to deliver the ROI
- [Oct, 2020: Social Media for Authors](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-social-media-for-authors/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman October 1-31; Fee: $95 Tweet like a twit? Facepalm every time you check Facebook? Feel like a pinned bug on Pinterest? What's an author to do with all of the social media opportunities clambering for our attention? Confused by controversy? Troubled by trolls? You'll learn the skills to control your social media
- [Sept, 2020: Love Your Voice](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-love-your-voice/) - Instructor: Julie Rowe September 1-30; Fee: $150 Love Your Voice Every writer wants a fabulous voice. For most popular authors that achievement seems effortless. But for the rest of us, it’s often hard to tell what makes our voice special...and how to capitalize on our natural strengths. Includes a critique of the first three chapters
- [Sept, 2020: Can We Talk: Dialogue the Write Way](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-can-we-talk-dialogue-the-write-way/) - September 1 - 31; Fee: $85 Instructor: Lisa Wells How to Write Dialogue with a Psychological Punch A proven way to improve any manuscript. Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power! The class includes: Dialogue Challenge – Check your manuscript to see if your dialogue has the 11 essential ingredients of great dialogue. Dialogue
- [Sept, 2020: Maximize Your Crazy-Easy Author's Website](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-maximize-your-crazy-easy-authors-website/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman September 1-30; Fee: $120 Limited to 20 students. You have a website, but what do you do with it? This class teaches you how to super-empower your website. Go beyond the basics and use your website to expand your reach, focus your brand, and build your tribe. Want to blog? Learn to
- [Sept, 2020: Scene and Sequel](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-scene-and-sequel/) - September 1-16, Fee: $55 Instructor: Shirley Jump The Basics Of Scene And Sequel: Scenes are the building blocks of your book, and sequels are the glue that bring those scenes together. The trouble is knowing how to create an effective sequel that keeps the pacing and tension running, but also gives the characters and readers
- [Sept, 2020: Empowering Characters' Emotions](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-empowering-characters-emotions/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis, teaching Margie Lawson's course September 1 - 31; Fee: $110 Note from Margie: I invited Suzanne Purvis to teach my Big Three courses: -- Empowering Characters' Emotions -- Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and Beyond -- Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist I bet my unexpected invitation gave her
- [Sept, 2020:  Story Structure Safari 2.0](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-story-structure-safari-2-0/) - Instructor: Lisa Miller April 1-30; Fee: $90 Beautiful words and exciting scenes aren’t enough to propel the reader through a novel. Stories need structure, a plan, a focus from beginning to end. Story Structure Safari will guide you through the dense jungle of information about story. Our trek will include excursions into the lands
- [Sept, 2020: Killing People and other Writerly Pursuits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-killing-people-and-other-writerly-pursuits/) - Killing People and Other Writerly Pursuits September 1-30; Fee: $60 Instructor: Sarah Hamer Description So you have a character you're just dying to kill. Maybe he is a real villain and deserves to die. Or, instead, she is a sweet child and everybody cries when she slips away in the middle of the night. Regardless,
- [Oct, 2020: It's All About Character: Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/) - Instructor: Elizabeth Essex Dates: October 1 - 31; Fee: $90 This course will teach writers how to find and use character-themed words specific to their heroes, heroines, and even villains. Every word in your novel should serve two purposes: to move the plot forward and give greater insight into the characters. Using character-themed words will
- [Oct, 2020: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/oct-2020-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis, Teaching Margie Lawson's Course October 1 - 31; Fee: $110 Note from Margie: I invited Suzanne Purvis to teach my Big Three courses. I bet my unexpected invitation to teach my courses gave her a visceral response. Her deep editing expertise and her easy-going style prove she's channeling me well. I'm impressed. I'm
- [Sept, 2020: Just-for-you Intensive Mentorship](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/sept-2020-just-for-you-intensive-mentorship/) - Teacher: Rhay Christou Fee: $90 September 1-15 Two weeks, ten pages, a just-for-you-intensive Finished up Nano or just have a first draft a second draft, a draft four-hundred-twenty-two, and don’t know what to do? Two weeks, ten pages, a just-for-you intensive mentorship is perfect for you. We’ve all taken classes, sat through workshops and lectures
- [Aug, 2020: Difficult Discussions: Ways to Approach Diversity on the Page](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/aug-2020-difficult-discussions-ways-to-approach-diversity-on-the-page/)
- [August, 2020: Power Up Your Setting](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-power-up-your-setting/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou, MFA August 1 - 31; Fee: $95 Strong setting is one of the most underutilized tools in the writer’s toolbox. It's more than just the varied landscape of where a story takes place. Strong setting does double and even triple duty to bring the world, the characters, and even the story to
- [August, 2020: Master Emotive Storytelling](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-master-emotive-storytelling/) - August 1-31; Fee: $80 Instructor: Sandy Vaile How to combine showing action with effective telling The Master Emotive Storytelling workshop is for fiction writers who want to decipher the contradictions in the old ‘show don’t tell’ mantra so they can avoid author intrusion and maximize evocative actions and sensory details. Both showing and telling
- [August, 2020: Your First Five Pages, Reader Glue](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-your-first-five-pages-reader-glue/) - Instructor: Laura Drake August 10-30, Fee: $65 We all know what it’s like to pick up a book and be sucked into the fictional world. You sense that you can trust the author and suspend disbelief to go on a journey. But how do your favorite authors do that? In this class you will have
- [August, 2020: Two Week Intensive on Stacking the Stakes](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-two-week-intensive-on-stacking-the-stakes/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou, MFA Two Week Intensive on Stacking the Stakes August 1 - 15; Fee: $75 USD Who cares about your story? You’ve put your heart, soul and every drop of blood into your characters, and the story they have to tell. You’ve created a compelling plot where characters run a gauntlet of obstacles.
- [August, 2020:  The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-the-sizzling-scintillating-synopsis/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis August 1-31; Fee: $99 The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace. But do not fear. This class is here to help you . . . * give your synopsis the attention it deserves. * learn what
- [August, 2020: Profitable Facebook Ads](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/august-2020-profitable-facebook-ads/) - Instructor: Michelle Fox Dates: August 1-31; Fee: $150 Profitable Facebook Ads Are you struggling to turn a profit on your Facebook ads? Are you publishing books, but no one knows they exist? Do you want to run ads, but don't know where to start? Have you taken other classes that failed to deliver the ROI
- [July, 2020: Killing it With Conflict](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-killing-it-with-conflict/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou Killing it With Conflict July 1 - 31; Fee: $95 USD Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict, conflict, conflict builds tension. We’ve heard the tension-refrain at conferences, in workshops and in books. We know we must have tension. Tension on every page. So, we wrote stories filled with murders, thefts, lost hope, arguments, sword
- [July, 2020: Creating Anthologies](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-creating-anthologies/)
- [July, 2020: Potent Pitches & Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-potent-pitches-brilliant-blurbs/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis July 1-15 Fee: $50 Wowza! Your book is done. Congratulations. You’re ready to put your fabulous story out there into the publishing world. One of the best ways to get your work in front of agents and editors, is through pitching and querying. But to pitch and query you need to
- [July, 2020: It's All About Character: Using Character Themed Words](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-its-all-about-character-using-character-themed-words/) - Instructor: Elizabeth Essex Dates: July 1 - 31; Fee: $90 This course will teach writers how to find and use character-themed words specific to their heroes, heroines, and even villains. Every word in your novel should serve two purposes: to move the plot forward and give greater insight into the characters. Using character-themed words will
- [July, 2020: Advanced Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-advanced-craft/) - Instructor: Laura Drake, Fee: $60 July 16-31 You know the feeling – when you start a book and immediately suspend disbelief to fall into the story world. As authors, we know that this isn’t easy to do. It takes more than a good scene. It takes a maestro of craft to pull it off. If
- [July, 2020: Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-writing-thrillers-and-other-dangerous-novels/) - Instructor: Julie Rowe July 1 - 31; Fee: $100 Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels Whether it’s a romantic suspense, thriller or crime novel writing books with a dangerous edge have their own pros and pitfalls. Julie Rowe, author of the military thriller Biological Response Team series, will explore with participants the following topics: Basic
- [July, 2020: Dazzling Developmental Edits](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/july-2020-dazzling-developmental-edits/)
- [May, 2020: Where Do I Begin](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-where-do-i-begin/)
- [April, 2020: Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-writing-thrillers-and-other-dangerous-novels/) - Instructor: Julie Rowe April 1 - 30; Fee: $90 Writing Thrillers and Other Dangerous Novels Whether it’s a romantic suspense, thriller or crime novel writing books with a dangerous edge have their own pros and pitfalls. Julie Rowe, author of the military thriller Biological Response Team series, will explore with participants the following topics: Basic
- [June, 2020: Profitable Facebook Ads](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2020-profitable-facebook-ads/) - Instructor: Michelle Fox Dates: June 1-30; Fee: $150 Profitable Facebook Ads Are you struggling to turn a profit on your Facebook ads? Are you publishing books, but no one knows they exist? Do you want to run ads, but don't know where to start? Have you taken other classes that failed to deliver the ROI
- [May, 2020: Can We Talk: Dialogue the Write Way](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-can-we-talk-dialogue-the-write-way/) - May 3 - 31; Fee: $85 Instructor: Lisa Wells How to Write Dialogue with a Psychological Punch A proven way to improve any manuscript. Learn how to craft dialogue that carries power! The class includes: Dialogue Challenge – Check your manuscript to see if your dialogue has the 11 essential ingredients of great dialogue. Dialogue
- [May, 2020: Deep Editing, Rhetorical Devices, and More](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-deep-editing-rhetorical-devices-and-more/) - Instructor: Becky Rawnsley, Teaching Margie Lawson's Course May 3 - 31; Fee: $110 Note from Margie: I invited Becky Rawnsley to teach my Big Three courses. I bet my unexpected invitation to teach my courses gave her a visceral response. Her deep editing expertise and her easy-going style prove she's channeling me well. I'm impressed.
- [May, 2020: Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-revision-boot-camp-or-revision-retreat-you-decide/) - Instructor: Suzanne Purvis May 3-31; Fee: $90 Revision Boot Camp or Revision Retreat: You Decide You’ve got that first draft done or almost done. Or maybe you’re on your 2nd, 3rd, or LAST revision and you’re working toward the finish line. You’re ready for REVISION BOOTCAMP. Sign up. Get your marching orders. Working with other
- [May, 2020:  From Blah to Beats: Giving Your Chapters a Pulse](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-from-blah-to-beats-giving-your-chapters-a-pulse/) - From Blah to Beats: Giving Chapters a Pulse Instructor: Rhay Christou May 3 - 31; Fee: $90 Hi Y’all. You know the theory, read the books, have taken the classes, but still get critique groups/partners, agents, or editors saying: “Something’s off.” “The chapter doesn’t work.” “The scenes don’t come alive” “The conflict is bland.” “The
- [May, 2020: Crazy-Easy Awesome Author Websites!](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/may-2020-crazy-easy-awesome-author-websites/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman May 3 - 31 ; Fee: $110 What if you could have a website that would meet your needs whether you're a beginner or a NYT best selling author? What if it could be affordable and easy to maintain? What if you could have someone hold your hand and walk you through the entire process? Welcome to
- [March-May 2020: Fab 30: Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/march-may-2020-fab-30-advanced-deep-editing-a-master-class/) - Instructor: Margie Lawson March 2 - May 30; The fee for this 3-month class: $425 Three Prerequisites, Online Courses or Lecture Packets: 1. Empowering Characters' Emotions 2. Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More 3. Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist Fab 30: Advanced Deep Editing, A Master Class
- [June, 2020:  Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2020-writing-body-language-and-dialogue-cues-like-a-psychologist/) - Margie Lawson's course taught by Suzanne Purvis June 1-28; Fee: $110 Note from Margie: I invited Suzanne Purvis to teach my 'Big Three' courses. Her deep editing expertise and her easy-going style prove she's channeling me well. I'm impressed. I'm proud that she's teaching these courses I developed. Dive in. You'll learn, learn, learn. And
- [June, 2020: Two Week Intensive on Stacking the Stakes](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2020-two-week-intensive-on-stacking-the-stakes/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou, MFA Two Week Intensive on Stacking the Stakes June 1 - 15; Fee: $75 USD Who cares about your story? You’ve put your heart, soul and every drop of blood into your characters, and the story they have to tell. You’ve created a compelling plot where characters run a gauntlet of obstacles.
- [June, 2020: Editing Magic: Work With a Professional Editor](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/june-2020-editing-magic-work-with-a-professional-editor/) - Instructor: Lori Patrick June 1 - 28; Fee: $110 Editing Magic Each student will submit a writing sample and will receive a multi-pass edit on an approximately 3500-word (or less) section. Lectures, open discussion, and forum responses support learning as each student works directly, one on one, on their own manuscript excerpt in an interactive
- [April-May, 2020: The 8-week Author](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-may-2020-the-8-week-author/) - Instructor: Shirley Jump March 30 - May 24; The fee for this 8-week class: $359 If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, stuck in the middle of the one you are working on, or looking for some structure and support for your current novel, this class is for you. Designed to take you from
- [April, 2020: Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-visceral-rules-beyond-hammering-hearts/) - Instructor: Margie Lawson Dates: April 1-30; Fee: $90 Visceral Rules: Beyond Hammering Hearts When emotions run high in a scene, you need visceral responses. We'll cover: -- Margie's Top Ten Rules for Writing Visceral Responses-- The full range of visceral responses -- Writing fresh -- Placement in scene -- Motivation Reaction Units -- Using the Four
- [April, 2020: How to Write a Novel in Evernote](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-how-to-write-a-novel-in-evernote/) - Instructor: Lisa Norman April 1 - 30; Fee: $80 Can you write on a train? On a beach? On a plane? Paper notes get lost too easily. Hard drives crash. Modern writing software is the answer, but software can be complicated and force you to work its way. Enter Evernote: free, online note-taking software that
- [April, 2020: Navigating the Tightrope between Historical Fact and Historical Fiction](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-navigating-the-tightrope-between-historical-fact-and-historical-fiction/) - Instructor: Anne Mateer April 1 - 30; Fee: $75 Course Description Writing historical fiction can be tricky. It involves both imagination and fact, two things which don’t always play well together. Our creativity can wreak havoc on fact, confusing (or infuriating!) our readers. Or our facts can overwhelm our imagined story, giving readers the feel
- [April, 2020:  Story Structure Safari 2.0](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-story-structure-safari-2-0/) - Instructor: Lisa Miller April 1-30; Fee: $90 Beautiful words and exciting scenes aren’t enough to propel the reader through a novel. Stories need structure, a plan, a focus from beginning to end.Story Structure Safari will guide you through the dense jungle of information about story. Our trek will include excursions into the lands of Story
- [April, 2020:  Diving Deep into Deep Point of View](https://www.margielawson.com/courses/april-2020-diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/) - Instructor: Rhay Christou April 1 - 30; Fee: $95 Diving Deep into Deep Point of View With information coming at us from all sides, at all times of the day, the world has become a here and now kind of place. No wonder authors, agents, editors and readers want to feel that same kind of

## Blocks

- [Buzz and Newsletter](https://www.margielawson.com/?oxy_user_library=buzz-and-newsletter)

## Testimonials

- [I can't recommend Margie's classes enough](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/i-cant-recommend-margies-classes-enough/) - I can't recommend Margie's classes enough. Both the ones taught by Margie and by Suzanne Purvis have transformed my writing. I finally feel confident by the words I put down, confident to share my work with others, and confident that the stories I tell will one day be in print. These courses are affordable, easily
- [Immersion helped me find problems I didn't know I had.](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/immersion-helped-me-find-problems-i-didnt-know-i-had/) - When I started writing, I was happy with everything I wrote. Then I joined a critique group and found I had problems I didn’t know I had. One member of the critique group, Laura Drake, led me to Margie Lawson. Before taking her Immersion Class, I stumbled over the same problems again and again. Most
- [Rhay's Just for You Class a Hit](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/rhays-just-for-you-class-a-hit/) - I just finished Rhay's Just for You Class, which was wonderful. It was a small class, very intimate, and enormously productive. I highly recommend this and other of her classes.
- [Fabulous one on one sessions](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/fabulous-one-on-one-sessions/) - Working one on one with Margie was AMAZING! We worked through several chapters together, and I was bowled over, knocked sideways, ecstatic, and any number of other clichés. I loved her edits and I learned so much. I’m starting to see what I can cut, what I should keep, and as always what I can
- [Immersion Success](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/immersion-success/) - I’ve attended several of Margie Lawson’s immersion classes. They are a game changer. Her instruction made me not only look at the overall story, but also each individual word so they delivered the punch I needed to make my work stand out. A title I worked on during my first Margie Lawson immersion class was
- [Thank you LWA and Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/thank-you-lwa-and-margie-lawson/) - Thanks to the Lawson Writer's Academy and Margie's classes, I not only better understand the craft of writing, but take joy in playing with the words on my pages. My work has progressed from somersaults to cartwheels to roundoff back handsprings. -ML Cullen
- [B.A. Mealer](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/b-a-mealer/) - If you want to put the 'wow' factor, or the OMG in your novels, this is the place to learn how. Margie's classes take you from decent to excellent with her EDITS system, Visceral Response, Body Language, and Dialogue tags. Amazing how simple changes that aren't always easily seen can take you from plain to outstanding. Thank you Margie for teaching me how to be that writer I knew I could be but didn't know how to get there.
- [Debra Getts](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/debra-getts/) - Two days of Virtual Immersion with Margie refreshed what I learned from the core classes and added a good deal of new material. I am excited to use it all! The one-on-ones with Margie were enjoyable and educational. She showed me specifically how to improve my ms and gave me great guidance on how to improve my writing. My writing mind is full and happy and my skill set is empowered.
- [Stacey Jackson: 14 Margie classes (LWA COURSES) in 7 months (incl. 2 pkts and 1 virtual immersion)](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/stacey-jackson-14-margie-classes-lwa-courses-in-7-months-incl-2-pkts-and-1-virtual-immersion/) - Wow. Just wow. I have witnessed the magic of Margie. There are so many classes offered through Lawson Writer's Academy, so many I plan to take, and so many to take again. It’d be crazy to go a month without one. Why? Because my writing has gone from ordinary to extraordinary, from forgettable to fantastic, from kindergarten to college, just like that, in seven short months, including a virtual immersion class. My critique partners are top of the heap Margie grads, grads who GET IT, grads who push me. Gratitude.
- [Christy Monsoon – Diving Deep into POV](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/christy-monsoon-diving-deep-into-pov/) - I wasn't going to take this class. I already had too much on my plate, but a critique group member dogged me until I signed up. Goodness! Am I glad I did. I've learned so much. I've read books on POV and have even taught classes about it, BUT I haven't really applied it to
- [Ashley Bostock - Diving Deep into POV](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/ashley-bostock-diving-deep-into-pov/) - I've really enjoyed learning every aspect of this class. I love how interactive and timely you've been on responding to everyone's posted assignments. You have such a positive attitude and that alone makes all the difference.I know all of the assignments we did will only be beneficial to my writing and aid in the experience
- [Jenny Hansen](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/jenny-hansen-for-margie-lawson/) - Margie, I hear you in my head and I use your lessons.Here are some ways I apply your lessons:When I know a scene isn't working and I don't know why, I get out my multiple highlighters and EDITS the hell out of it. That always tells me why it's "wrong."When the emotion of this memoir
- [Caren Gallimore - Brilliant Blurbs](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/caren-gallimore-brilliant-blurbs/) - This is a dynamite class with a top-notch teacher. This was the class that got my novel published.
- [Menaka Ganesathasan](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/menaka-ganesathasan/) - I knew as soon as I saw Lori's edit of my first pages during the Feb, 2018: Editing Magic class that I needed serious help. I didn't have the time to enroll in more of Lori's classes, and so decided to ask for her help on a one-to-one basis. She's not just a line editor
- [Kelly Nusz](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/kelly-nusz/) - Lori's class gave me the opportunity to focus on a specific chapter of my book throughout the course of a month. She gave my work an intense overhaul and what came out was a much tighter, cohesive piece. She gave me honest and serious critiques while at the same time encouraging my work. She is
- [Mary Karlik, MFA](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/mary-karlik/) - Immersion is one of those things that's hard to describe. You really have to experience it to understand how absolutely mind-blowing amazing it is. Margie teaches more than just editing techniques. She teaches how to breathe a soul into your manuscript.
- [Randy Ingermanson, Ph. D.](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/randy-ingermanson-ph-d-2/) - "In the twenty years I've been writing fiction, two teachers have astounded me with their insights and taught me something radically new: Dwight Swain and Margie Lawson. Margie has made an enormous splash among novelists with her Deep Editing class and her Empowering Character Emotions class. I absolutely love her work. After reading Margie's material
- [Monica Corwin](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/monica-corwin/) - "I just completed my second immersion master class, this one on the advanced side. Margie doesn't write your book for you, nor does she teach the cliche show don't tell. Margie teaches you to show AND tell AND all the while let's you learn for yourself what you are capable of as a writer."
- [Kristin Meachem](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/kristin-meachem/) - “Having completed an on-line writing course which was beyond disappointing, I swore never to waste my money and do another on-line course again. I was reading Randy Ingermanson’s book and he recommended Margie’s lectures, and I trusted the man, so I bought one. I was still reading lecture one when I went back on Margie’s
- [Melinda Curtis](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/melinda-curtis/) - “Margie Lawson’s courses taught me how to bring out my voice, stand out from other authors, and sell! After taking several courses and graduating from Immersion, I signed a 3-book contract based on a three paragraph outline and seven pages of the first book. Here’s what NYT’s best-selling author Jayne Ann Krentz said about my
- [Kathleen Baldwin](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/kathleen-baldwin/) - “I was amazed at the personal attention Margie gives each student in her deep immersion class. Her one-on-one sessions transformed my approach to editing. So many light bulbs went off in my brain it felt like a paparazzi attack. WARNING: you may need a seven day nap afterward just to absorb it all. I picked
- [Nikki Duncan](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/nikki-duncan/) - "Margie Lawson's Immersion Master Class immerses writers in tips and techniques designed to deliver depth and emotion and richness to the stories we love to write. I now read and write on a new level that makes every story a new excitement."
- [Christina Delay](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/christina-delay/) - "I learned more at Immersion then I have in years of conferences and classes. Margie taught me how to revise and edit effectively and efficiently. Immersion on the mountain gave me an award winning first chapter and my Immersion sisters gave me insights, brainstorming sessions, and the chance to connect with an amazingly talented group
- [DiAne Gates](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/diane-gates/) - "Since June of 2013 Margie Lawson has a special label on all my drafts—AM—meaning After Margie. Margie’s Immersion Classes have changed my writing style. Forever. Her deep editing has enabled me to detect errors before being ripped to shreds at weekly edit group. My husband (who hates to spend money and formerly hated seeing a
- [Alex Ratcliff](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/alex-ratcliff/) - "Margie’s online courses and Immersion Master Class have strapped me into a skill-building machine for writers. With her help, in one year I moved from a can’t-write-a-fresh-line beginner to a Daphne finalist. Wow!"
- [Carol Ann Erhardt](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/carol-ann-erhardt/) - "Before taking Margie's workshop, my writing was ho-hum. Margie showed me how to ratchet up the suspense and breathe life into my characters. Since taking the workshop, I finaled for an Eppie award, and I'm getting five star reviews!"
- [Margaret Crowley](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/margaret-crowley-2/) - "I booked Margie to give her Empowering Characters' Emotions Workshop for Central Ohio Fiction Writers. Because her techniques apply to all genres, it was easy to attract writers from outside our chapter. I got such an overwhelming response, I had to book a bigger classroom. Margie still managed to connect with each student, making sure
- [Sandi](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/sandi/) - "When I first sent my manuscript to a freelance editor, she said: "This novel has no emotion. You need to take Margie Lawson's class." So I took your class, right? Then, this week I just got it back again from a different freelance editor and the first thing she said was, 'I'm glad to see
- [Jennifer Talty](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/jennifer-talty/) - "As Mini Con conference coordinator for Central New York RWA chapter, I bring in speakers that will help authors at all levels of their careers. Margie Lawson’s workshops offer unique and practical tactics to teach writers how to craft a best seller. Not only is Margie engaging as a speaker, but her energy level is
- [C. Taylor](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/c-taylor/) - "I just attended your workshop in Toronto on Saturday and I wanted to let you know that I was so thrilled to learn as much as I did! I immediately came home and worked on highlighting two books: One that I really enjoyed and the other I really didn't. I was amazed. The one I
- [Linda Covella](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/linda-covella/) - "I constantly think how different and IMPROVED my writing is because of your teachings. I can't gush enough. :-) No class or book has come close to making the difference that your classes have. Your Empowering Characters' Emotions and Deep Editing classes have pushed my writing to a new level. With your tools, I'm more
- [Susan Gee Heino](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/susan-gee-heino/) - "Margie Lawson's workshop, Empowering Characters' Emotions, was just what I needed to infuse extra oomph into my WIP. It's amazing what a handful of highlighters and some out-of-the-box thinking can do. Her exercises on the four levels of emotion not only helped my characters, but empowered me as well.”
- [Cheryl Wyatt](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/cheryl-wyatt/) - "I LOVED Margie Lawson's class. WOW. WOW. WOW. Wish I would have discovered her sooner. Fabulous. My writing will soar to the next level. She's an incredible teacher and such a fun teacher. Great lady. I plan to take all her online courses. A friend who attended RWA National said that at the Steeple Hill
- [Lisa Cooke](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/lisa-cooke/) - "I used Margie's empowering techniques when working on my revisions for TEXAS HOLD HIM. They really intensified the climactic scene and strengthened my manuscript over all. TEXAS HOLD HIM has since been picked up by Dorchester Publishing and was released in April!"
- [Nicola Marsh](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/nicola-marsh/) - "Once again a heartfelt thank you for your brilliant course. I'm singing your praises (cliché alert!) to every writer I know :) Your 'Deep Editing' course gave me the opportunity to take my writing to the next level. Enlightening. Informative. Brilliant. Can't recommend it highly enough."
- [Dana McEndree](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/dana-mcendree/) - "WOW! What a powerhouse of information you have in your Lecture Packets. So much to absorb, even though I have studied them thoroughly. I credit your lectures with showing me how to take my writing to the next level, that of being published, as I did this year with HEART OF THE DRUAE, (Black Lyon
- [Margaret Crowley](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/margaret-crowley/) - "I use the psychologically-based techniques I learned in Margie's Empowering Characters' Emotions class to add texture and flavor to my writing. Margie taught me that a visceral response will outdo an adverb every time. Now my heroine's heart no long beats loudly - it pounds like a drunk in an old western dragging his tin
- [Karin Gillespie](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/karin-gillespie/) - "I loved your class and will use your DEEP EDITING techniques in books to come. Thanks again. I'll be telling all of my author friends."
- [Cherry Vanderbeke](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/cherry-vanderbeke/) - "When I'm reading, I'm LOOKing at the words, reading the story. The EDITS system takes me to a whole new level - helps me truly SEE what's missing, over-used patterns, my strengths and opportunities. And even more importantly, it helps me SEE how to make my writing shine."
- [Diana Cosby](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/diana-cosby/) - "Margie Lawson's EDITS System -- Powerful tools to ramp up your story from luke warm to a blistering hot NYT Bestseller!"
- [CJ Lyons](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/cj-lyons/) - "Margie's Empowering Characters' Emotions and Deep Editing classes not only helped me to get in touch with my characters' visceral reactions, they also showed me ways to use my characters' emotions to drive my plots in compelling and evocative new directions!"
- [Ginger Duran](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/ginger-duran/) - "Defeat Self Defeating Behaviors Class is one of the most focused, useful, inspiring classes it has been my privilege to take. Margie's insight and encouragement can take the most self-defeating personality and turn it into an SDB-whomping, enthusiastic-goal-meeting machine!"
- [Colleen Coble](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/colleen-coble/) - "The workshop I went to last month was the best I've ever been to, bar none. And I've been to plenty. LOL Margie's workshop was so awesome, I've asked her to do an Early Bird at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. I'm going over my notes from what she taught before I start my
- [Salvatore "Sam" Falco](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/salvatore-sam-falco/) - "After I took Margie Lawson's Master Class at a conference two years ago, the quality of my writing improved by an order of magnitude. Margie's trademark EDITS system is the perfect diagnostic tool for any fiction writer. Her insight into the psychological and literary tools that make bestselling fiction crackle is deep and powerful. I
- [Devon Gray](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/devon-gray/) - "WOW! I'm not anywhere close to finishing your courses and already it has made a tremendous difference in my writing. The EDITS system is pure brilliance! Just what I needed to help me see the weak areas of my manuscript. I know moving forward I will write differently. I can't wait to finish reading all
- [Marie-Claude Bourque](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/marie-claude-bourque/) - "I bought Margie's DEEP EDITING Lecture Packet when I was 1/3 into editing ANCIENT WHISPERS. After I used her EDITS System and did some Deep Editing, my critique partners couldn't believe the changes in my writing. I have to say that my entire manuscript was Deep Edited before I entered the American Title Contest. ANCIENT
- [Amy Wang](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/amy-wang/) - "I can't say enough about your class. I was one of the many lurkers who were madly following along with all the lessons and homework. What a whirlwind month! I learned so much, and I will continue to learn from your lessons. Thank you so much for your time and lack of sleep."
- [Jagi Lamplighter Wright](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/jagi-lamplighter-wright/) - "Normally, writing books and such are useless to me. They are too dry in their approach and do not present the information in a way I find usable. Only Donald Maass's book has worked for me in the past. But the moment I saw your comments on Jeri Smith-Ready's website and your website, I had
- [Leanne Ihmel](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/leanne-ihmel/) - "I looked back at the changes I made during Margie's on-line deep edits class and was amazed at what I had written. There was no way I could have been the one to write those words. Add to that Margie's extremely constructive feedback and I 'think' I have something to sell."
- [Allison Brennan](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/allison-brennan/) - "Margie Lawson, a brilliant psychologist, teaches a class on editing that, ahem, truly tested me. She uses color-coding to dissect writing in order to empower your stories. Yes, color-coding (sheesh, does everyone else use color-coding? Am I the only black-and-white writer out there? Black=ink; white=paper.) But I learned from Margie how to fix my prose.
- [Lisa Tuttle](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/lisa-tuttle/) - "I was taking Empowering Characters' Emotions when a writing contest deadline approached. Figuring a contest was a good way to see if the ECE techniques really worked, I pulled out an older book that had been thoroughly rejected by editors, agents, and contest judges. I invested a few hours into highlighting, analyzing, and rewriting the
- [Elizabeth Essex](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/elizabeth-essex/) - "I've attended one of Margie's all-day seminars, taken all her online classes; attended her workshops at RWA conferences, and flown to Colorado to attend her four-day Immersion class. Margie taught me to challenge and push myself to make the hard changes from the first page of a manuscript until the very last. Working with Margie,
- [Lara Chapman](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/lara-chapman/) - "What you learn from Margie is a writing-career changer! You will never look at your writing the same way again. Regardless of where you are in your writing - newbie or multi-published - Margie will teach you how to write a page-turner."
- [Laura Drake](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/laura-drake/) - "When I took my first Margie Lawson class, the paradigm shift I experienced was more like an earthquake -- I saw everything differently. I took more of her classes. I finished the book, and dusted off my drawer-dweller in her Masters Class. I sold both books in a three book deal to Grand Central. A
- [Jaye Wells](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/jaye-wells/) - "Margie Lawson's classes are the perfect choice for authors looking to take their writing craft to the next level. I take her workshops and classes whenever my schedule allows and always walk away better for it. She demands hard work, but the results can not be denied. Margie will make you a better writer."
- [Tracy Brogan](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/tracy-brogan/) - "I’ve taken several of Margie’s classes and each one has been a gem. My first was “Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors” and it was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my career and overcome the obstacles in my way. Now I’m a best-selling RITA finalist, but I still review my notes from Margie’s lessons whenever I’m about
- [Katie McGarry](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/katie-mcgarry/) - "Margie Lawson's classes helped take my writing to the next level to become published."
- [Romily Bernard](https://www.margielawson.com/testimonial/romily-bernard/) - "Your classes (both online and at the Georgia writing conference) changed my life!! My YA debut sold in a three-book, pre-empt to Harper Collins. Phoebe was so very complimentary about the way I render emotion and tension on the page and I know I have you to thank!"

## Categories

- [Instructor Biographies](https://www.margielawson.com/category/instructor-biographies/) - Lawson Writer’s Academy Instructors
- [Overview](https://www.margielawson.com/category/overview/)
- [Testing](https://www.margielawson.com/category/testing/)
- [Big Picture](https://www.margielawson.com/category/big-picture/)
- [Margie Lawson's Writing World](https://www.margielawson.com/category/margie-lawsons-writing-world/)
- [Immersion Grads: Cool Stuff and Books](https://www.margielawson.com/category/immersion-grads/)
- [Courses](https://www.margielawson.com/category/courses/) - At Lawson Writers’ Academy, our goal is to provide you with the classes you need to develop your career. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional looking to enhance your presence, we’ve got you covered.
- [Secrets from LWA Teachers](https://www.margielawson.com/category/secrets-from-lwa-teachers/)

## Tags

- [Margie Lawson](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/margie-lawson/) - Margie Lawson left a career in psychology to focus on her true passion—helping writers make their stories, characters, and words strong. Tired of the same old writing rules and tools? Try something new. Using a psychologically based, deep-editing approach, Margie teaches writers how to bring emotion to the page. Emotion equals power. And power not only grabs readers, it holds onto them until the end. Many Margie grads have gone on to win awards, find agents, sign with publishers, and hit bestseller lists. As an international presenter, Margie has taught over 150 full day master classes in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France, as well as multi-day intensives on cruise ships in the Caribbean. Pre-COVID, she taught 5-day Immersion Master Classes across the U.S. and Canada and in seven cities in Australia too. She also founded Lawson Writer’s Academy, where you’ll find over 30 instructors teaching online courses through her website. To learn more, sign up for Margie’s newsletter.
- [Margie LawsongraduatesDarynda JonesSherry IsaacAllison Brennan](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/margie-lawsongraduatesdarynda-jonessherry-isaacallison-brennan/)
- [Margie LawsonCheers Page](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/margie-lawsoncheers-page/)
- [Advanced](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/advanced/) - Looking to further empower your writing career? These advanced courses will push you!
- [Intermediate](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/intermediate/) - You’ve got the basics. Now you’re ready to explore new areas and new techniques. These courses are designed to enrich your writing career and help you reach for success.
- [Craft](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/craft/)
- [Editing](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/editing/)
- [Beginner](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/beginner/) - Just getting started? We’ve got you covered. Here are a selection of classes designed to help you launch your writing career!
- [All Levels](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/all-levels/) - Whether you’re just starting out as a writer or struggling with that one niggling area that holds you back, these classes are here to empower your writing and your career.
- [Marketing](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/marketing/)
- [Technology](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/technology/)
- [Genre](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/genre/)
- [Business](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/business/)
- [Research](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/research/) - Condense years worth of research into a few weeks with these topic focused classes!
- [Pitching / Selling](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/pitching-selling/)
- [Michelle Fox](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/michelle-fox/) - Michelle Fox has used marketing to procrastinate on her word count goals for the past seven years. She’s run marketing initiatives that catapulted authors into the top 100, helped authors hit bestseller lists, spearheaded a genre mash up boxed set that hit the USAT list, and crashed the Instafreebie (now Prolific Works) site with one of the first freebie cross promos. She runs the Wolf Pack reader platform, which has a similar scope and reach of the top selling authors in the PNR, UF and SFR genres, and offers low cost marketing options for authors in those genres. For LWA she teaches the Profitable Facebook Ads class. As an indie author, she’s had short stories go viral and sold hundreds of thousands of novels. A Margie Immersion grad, she lives in Ohio with her husband, a homeschooled tween, and two labs who rule the roost.
- [Julie Rowe](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/julie-rowe/) - Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She is the author of the Biological Response Team series, The Outbreak Task Force series, and the Trapped with Him series. You can find out more about her books at her website www.julieroweauthor.com, on Twitter @julieroweauthor, or at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JulieRoweAuthor.
- [Elizabeth Essex](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/elizabeth-essex/) - Elizabeth Essex is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Reckless Brides series of historical romances for St. Martin’s Press. When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden, or simply messing about with boats, Elizabeth writes, and has done so for over twenty years. She graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics and Art History, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure. Elizabeth is a multi-Margie grad, having taken all of Margie’s core classes, either on-line or in workshop, and has survived two Immersion Master Classes. As a result of this painful dedication to craft, her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and RWA’s prestigious RITA Award, and have made Top-Ten lists from Romantic Times, The Romance Reviews and Affaire de Coeur Magazine, and Desert Isle Keeper status at All About Romance. Her fifth book, A BREATH OF SCANDAL, was awarded Best Historical in the Reader’s Crown 2013. She has taught her “It’s All About Character” Class to numerous writing groups, including the Yellow Rose Romance Writers, Dallas Area Romance Writers, and Writer’s Guild of North Texas.
- [Lisa Wells](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/lisa-wells/) - Lisa Wells writes romantic comedy with enough steam to fog your eyeglasses, your brain, and sometimes your Kindle screen. On the other hand, her eighty-year-old mother-in-law has read Lisa’s steamiest book and lived to offer her commentary. Which went something like this: You used words I’ve never heard of… Lisa’s the author of romantic comedies. Her latest release is a paranormal romantic comedy: (HEXES AND O’S). She lives in Missouri with her husband and slightly-chunky rescue dog. Lisa loves dark chocolate, red wine, and those rare mornings when her skinny jeans fit. Which isn’t often, considering the first two entries on her love-it list. To learn more about all of Lisa’s books, visit: Website: www.lisawellsauthor.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisawellsauthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.wells.737 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawellsauthor/ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-wells www.lisawellsauthor.com
- [Laura Drake](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/laura-drake/) - Laura Drake is a New York and self-published published author of Women’s Fiction and Romance. Her romance series, Sweet on a Cowboy, is set in the world of professional bull riding. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, was a double-finalist, then won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 11 more books and is under contract for two more. She is a founding member of Women’s Fiction Writers Assn, Writers in the Storm blog, as well as a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West. Laura is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She’s a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours. Twitter Facebook Website Writers in the Storm
- [Shirley Jump](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/shirley-jump/) - Shirley Jump is an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. As an editor, she has edited more than 100 books in a variety of genres. She specializes in helping her clients turn the jigsaw puzzle of their idea into a book that not only stands out in a crowded marketplace but is also engaging and unforgettable. Check out the BUZZ about Shirley Jump’s novels: “Sweet is the word for this anthology from four top Kensington writers…Jump’s office romance gives the collection a kick, with fiery writing.” — Publishers Weekly 4 1/2 Stars, “With Jump’s trademark comedic touch, readers are treated to a well-crafted story about what it means to come home to face yourself and your past. The main characters are sympathetic and intelligent, and the narrative is constantly smooth and compelling.” — Romantic Times Book Reviews
- [Becky Rawnsley](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/becky-rawnsley/) - Becky Rawnsley is a physical therapist from the UK. She started writing as a hobby some twenty years ago, but realized if she was ever going to get off the slush-pile and onto the shelves, she needed help. Hunting for answers, she stumbled across Margie’s website and struck writing-gold. Becky is now a multi-Margie, multi-LWA and Immersion grad, and has discovered a passion for deepening her understanding of writing craft. Her work now regularly finals in contests. She is keen to share the magic of Margie’s Big Three courses to help fellow writers bring their work to the next level—and beyond!
- [Koreen Myers](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/koreen-myers/) - Koreen Myers is an award-winning writer who has the ability to bring together the nerd-power of a techie and the emotional empathy of a writer. Currently, she’s the grant writer at Morgan Community College where she wins awards on behalf of local programs–all by telling real-world stories! She has a BA in English/Art through Adams State College—Go Grizzlies—and a MA in education through CSU Sacramento. She worked her way through college by taking pictures and writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Since her college days, she’s taught courses in English, writing, and technology for students ranging in age from 6th grade to adult. She uses her visual media background, teaching experience, and technology skills to help Margie-grads become super-empowered writers.
- [Sarah Hamer](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/sarah-hamer/) - Sarah (Sally) Hamer is eternally fascinated by people and how they ‘tick’ and works hard to incorporate individual idiosyncrasies to create living, breathing characters in her many works of fiction. She writes in many genres – mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, medieval history, non-fiction – and has won awards at both local and national levels, including two Golden Heart finals. A teacher of beginning and advanced creative fiction writing and screenwriting at Louisiana State University – S for over ten years, she also is a book coach, with many of her students and critique partners becoming successful, award-winning authors.
- [D'Ann Mateer](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/dann-mateer/) - D’Ann Mateer has loved the marriage of history and fiction since she first began reading. Armed with a B.A. in history from Southern Methodist University, she has authored four traditionally published historical novels first under the name Anne Mateer which are now re-releasing under her given name, D’Ann Mateer. She is currently writing for the upcoming Guideposts’ series Secrets From Grandma’s Attic. D’Ann is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers’ League of Texas, and Historical Novel Society. She enjoys helping other writers through freelance editing, judging writing contests, and teaching online classes. D’Ann and her husband, Jeff, enjoy reading, exploring historical sites and historical homes, and spending time with their grown children—and now grandchildren! D’Ann and Jeff live in the Dallas area. To learn more about D’Ann, visit her website or her social pages: Goodreads Instagram Facebook Pinterest
- [Rhay Christou](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/rhay-christou/) - Rhay Christou loves her dogs—Fredo and MoJoe—her teaching and writing. Making her home in a small village in Cyprus, when she is not wandering the National Park’s trails, she uses her MFA in writing from Vermont College to share her knowledge and experience to cheerlead writers in creating their best stories. Since graduating, she has taught everything from creative writing to academic writing at the university level and writing workshops on the lovely island of Cyprus, in Greece and the USA.
- [Lisa Miller](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/lisa-miller/) - Lisa Miller retired from teaching and counseling after 30 years. While she loved writing YA fiction, she has been drawn back into teaching. Not always finding the writing classes she needed; Lisa scoured the internet and how-to books for self-instruction. She funneled that knowledge into the creation of the Story Structure Safari class and merged it with her master teaching skills and experience with different learning styles. This is her ninth year to teach the class and she continues to update materials and expand her knowledge to best meet writer needs.
- [Kathleen Baldwin](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/kathleen-baldwin/) - “Master of the unexpected,” Kathleen Baldwin, is a Wall Street Journal, #1 Barnes & Noble, and Amazon bestselling author who enchants readers worldwide with over 650,000 books in the hands of readers around the globe. A Japanese publisher adapted one of her novels into a manga. Ian Bryce, producer of Transformers, optioned her series for film. Kathleen loves real life adventures. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, tackled white water on the Colorado, survival camped alone in the desert and mountains, and inadvertently slept beside a mountain lion. She’s married to her very own hero and raised four adventurous children. Kathleen’s alternate history for teens, A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS, was a Junior Library Guild selection. The New York Times called it “enticing from the first sentence.” Kansas State NEA gave it a starred review in their “Best of the Best” for High Schools. It was awarded the Spirit of Texas for middle school reading programs. Scholastic licensed her series for school book fairs, and REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS won a 2018 Booksellers’ Best award. Ian Bryce, producer of Transformers, Saving Private Ryan, and other blockbuster films, optioned the series for film. The series is currently under its fifth film option. Website: https://kathleenbaldwin.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatBaldwin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathleenBaldwinAuthor Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/168324.Kathleen_Baldwin Instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleen.baldwin/
- [2-week](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/2-week/)
- [month](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/month/)
- [5-week](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/5-week/)
- [2-months](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/2-months/)
- [3-months](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/3-months/)
- [Sandy Vaile](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/sandy-vaile/)
- [3-weeks](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/3-weeks/)
- [Marin McGinnis](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/marin-mcginnis/)
- [Piper Huguley](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/piper-huguley/)
- [Suzanne Lazear](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/suzanne-lazear/)
- [History](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/history/)
- [Hugh Gordon](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/hugh-gordon/)
- [Sheila Currie](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/sheila-currie/)
- [Julie Glover](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/julie-glover/)
- [Wally Lane](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/wally-lane/)
- [Betty Kim](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/betty-kim/)
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- [6-weeks](https://www.margielawson.com/tag/6-weeks/)
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