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 […]
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 two-week course, applicable to writers at any stage in their […]
Most writers have suffered from some form of writer’s block in their careers. In this two-week class we are going to work through ways to combat writer's block and get ourselves unstuck. Because sometimes getting unstuck requires a little help from your friends! Join us to work through that blockage, one word, one sentence, one […]
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 […]
This power-packed class provides writers with hands-on tools for making character descriptions fresh and deep and powerful. We’ll cover: What to avoid What’s smart to include Using Deep Editing techniques Making your characters unforgettable How to be strategic with style and structure Descriptions for main characters and supporting characters Using description to share the POV […]
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 […]
The Future of Novel Writing! Stay ahead of the curve. Join Kathleen Baldwin for a frank discussion about the changing literary marketplace. ★Streaming video is radically changing storytelling. Even old people are turning to video streaming. How will it impact what they want to read? How does it change what you should be writing and why? ★Let’s […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. You’ve edited, deep edited, made sure every single word sings. And you’re still getting critique partners, beta readers […]
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 to a few […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Tags Level […]
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 […]
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