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 a member of New Jersey Romance Writers and is the PAN
Advisor to the RWA Board of Directors. You can visit her on the web
at www.donnaalward.com .

Set Up for Success – Strategic Planning for Authors

Advanced, All Levels, Beginner, Business, Donna Alward, Intermediate, month

Every year, authors tend to lay out a plan of what they hope to achieve. How many books can we write? What kind of income can we expect? But quite often, those goals end up being a lot like starting the gym in January—great for a month or two but fade away as we get …

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What’s the Buzz?

“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 Publishing, Ancient Times Romance Line opener), my finalist from the Colorado Gold 2007. Whenever I can, I rave about your Lecture Packets as the single most comprehensive work on best-selling-writing-techniques available! You don’t mind if I brag on you a little, do you? Thanks again!”

Dana McEndree

Heart of the Druae

“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 inspired, excited, and confident in my writing than I’ve ever been.”

Linda Covella

graduate of several of Margie's on-line courses

“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.”

Amy Wang

from Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More!

Writing Fiction for Dummies “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 on nonverbal communication and empowering character emotions, something clicked in my brain. Fiction is about giving readers a powerful emotional experience. Margie taught me new ways to empower my writing.”

Randy Ingermanson, Ph. D.

award-winning fiction author, and author of WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES

“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 they understood how her psychologically-based techniques could improve their work. Attendees were so pleased, several joined our writing group afterwards.”

Margaret Crowley

COFW, RWA - Workshop Coordinator

“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 first chapter, then sent in the entry. When the finalists were announced, my name was on the list! ECE helped me to see what was wrong with my writing and gave me tools to fix it. I learned so much in ECE, I signed up for Deep Editing and am thoroughly enjoying that one too!”

Lisa Tuttle

finalist in the 2009 Genesis Contest for unpublished writers

“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 the materials. Then I’ll read them again! Thank you so much for sharing your talent.”

Devon Gray

Wild Rose Press, bestselling author

“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 WHISPERS is my first manuscript. Winning the American Title V has given me tremendous validation for my writing.”

Marie-Claude Bourque

American Title V WINNER, Ancient Whispers

“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.”

Lara Chapman

2012 RITA Nominee for her Young Adult, Flawless

“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 can hardly wait to attend another of Margie’s Master Classes.”

Salvatore "Sam" Falco

Florida Writers Association

“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 a lot of emotion in this story. That’s one thing that I get the most frustrated with in the many pieces I’ve critiqued.'”

Sandi

“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!”

Ginger Duran

a graduate of four of Margie's on-line classes

“Margie Lawson’s classes helped take my writing to the next level to become published.”

Katie McGarry

Rita Finalist and award-winning author of Pushing the Limits and Dare You To.

“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.”

Cherry Vanderbeke

from Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More!

“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 contagious. Many authors e-mailed thanking me for bringing her to our chapter and shared how her hands-on approach has improved their writing. I highly recommend Margie and all of her workshops. What you will learn will take your work to a new level.”

Jennifer Talty

writer and presenter, Central New York RWA

“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.”

Susan Gee Heino

"Mistaken By Moonlight" -- 2008 Golden Heart finalist, Regency Historical Category

“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 to edit a manuscript. Her online courses provide a way to learn while working around your schedule, but taking a course with her in person is as energizing as it is educational. A it’s just plain fun! She gets to the heart of an author’s voice and pulls out the best from each sentence. Margie is masterful at teaching writers how to fully engage the reader, elicit their emotions, and thrill them with a fabulous story.”

Tracy Brogan

Award-winning, Bestselling author, two-time Golden Heart Finalist and 2013 Rita Finalist.

“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 few months later I got a contract for a fourth book. And I recently got contracted for three more books! I have Margie to thank for teaching me how to deep edit to get power on every page.”

Laura Drake

newly contracted author

“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!”

Romily Bernard

award-winning author of Find Me released from Harper Collins in 2013.

“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 hope that your approach would be workable for me.

Well, I got sooo much out of your class last fall! Four things really stuck with me: adding pink, making descriptions fresh, adding a touch of ping-pong dialogue, and using the EDITS system to check the balance of the scene to see if anything is missing.

I’m not saying that if you looked at my manuscript, you would see enough of these things all the time — but you’d sure see a lot more than there used to be. I felt so good when my husband (award-winning author) read a phrase of my pink and exclaimed, “Oh, that’s good. I’ve never heard it phrased that way before!”

Jagi Lamplighter Wright

author of Prospero Lost

“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. When I edit, I usually read outloud–and sometimes, the rhythm is off but I don’t know why. While I don’t get out my highlighter and start marking up my manuscript, I think about her advice on weak words, unnecessary repetition, and finding the emotional key of the scene. I was able to absorb her lectures and use the lessons that fit in with my writing style.”

Allison Brennan

NYT Bestseller

“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.”

Nicola Marsh

author of sassy, sexy romance for Harlequin Romance and Presents.

“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!”

Lisa Cooke

Humorous historicals have a blast in the past, Texas Hold Him (Dorchester Publishing, April 09)

“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.”

Karin Gillespie

National Bestselling author of Bottom Dollar Book, Series and co-author of Sweet Potato Queen's First Big-Ass Novel.

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.

Mary Karlik, MFA

3-time Immersion Grad

“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 spotlight, editors Krista Stroever and Melissa Endlich mentioned my books and how they have this depth of emotion that makes them cry. They said that’s the kind of emotive writing they want to see from authors trying to break in. Margie, I know I have you to thank for the strong core of emotion that people say are in my books. Thank you for bringing your wealth of knowledge and sharing with us. You truly are amazing.”

Cheryl Wyatt

Author of Inspirational Action Romance

“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.”

Jaye Wells

award-winnning, USA TODAY Bestselling author of The Sabina Kane Series

“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 next book, and she’s a genius, pure and simple.”

Colleen Coble

CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers, bestselling author of Anathema and Abomination

“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!”

CJ Lyons

bestselling author of Lifelines, Warning Signs

“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 didn’t enjoy had so much yellow, my highlighter nearly ran out of ink. The other, had every color on almost every page. Thank you so much!”

See you on the NYT Best seller list.

C. Taylor

TRW Toronto

“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!”

Carol Ann Erhardt

Foxfire, The Wild Rose Press

“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.”

Leanne Ihmel

a graduate of several of Margie's on-line classes

“Margie Lawson’s EDITS System — Powerful tools to ramp up your story from luke warm to a blistering hot NYT Bestseller!”

Diana Cosby

award-winning author of His Captive and His Woman, The MacGruder Brothers Series

“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, you’ll have the tools to make every single word count.”

Elizabeth Essex

mulit-published author, 2012 RITA Finalist for her historical, The Danger of Desire

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 is too much for me, I think about all the families that need this story, and suck it up.
When I want to be lazy or I hate a sentence, I hear your voice telling me that cliches and boring sentences are an invitation to readers skip or put down a story.
When I don’t want to write, I hear you in my head saying “NYT! NYT!” and it draws me to the keyboard to “earn me some of that.”

Thanks for sharing so the people who haven’t had the joy of Immersing with you can hear a version of your voice in their heads too.

Jenny Hansen

jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com/

“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 cup across the jail bars.”

Margaret Crowley

Unpublished and improving, Central Ohio Fiction Writers

Margie Lawson

Changing your Writing World

Donna Alward

Donna Alward