This course is for fiction authors who want to find the true purpose of their story and write a compelling novel every time, so they can avoid getting lost in a plot-hole wilderness. But it is so much more than a plotting class. There are hundreds of plot maps in cyberspace and having one doesn’t […]

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: To create dimensional characters, we will use […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

Learn how to write body language and dialogue cues from a kinesics specialist.  Writers will learn how to write fresh: Each teaching point will be illustrated with examples from bestselling authors, their excerpts dissected and analyzed. Bonus Lecture from a Police Detective:  Body Language in the Police and Criminal Worlds — Interrogations, Spotting Criminals, Hostage […]