I am usually at Willamette Writers but I won't be there this year. In my absence, here's are my recommendations for Sunday of what workshops you don't want to miss! [With apologies to the film side of the conference. I'm sure someone else is better informed about what film session you don't want to miss.]
8:30-10:00
Melissa Hart
Write Memoirs for Fun and Profit
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Format: Presentation/Writing/Q&A
We'll begin by defining this nonfiction genre with examples from
magazines, literary journals, and book-length works. Agents and editors
continue to seek memoir, and this workshop will guide participants in
identifying key themes about which to write. It will also explore the
craft of writing memoir, and how to pitch a finished short or long
memoir to agents and/or editors.
In this workshop, students will learn how to identify viable topics for
memoir, what editors want in terms of style and content, how to
structure memoir around a key theme or themes, what to put in and what
to leave out, how not to get sued when writing about people you know,
how to navigate the difficulties of writing from memory, when to use
dialogue, and how to approach editors and literary agents with your
memoir.
10:30-12:00
Elizabeth Rusch
Break into Children's and YA Magazine Markets
Level: All
Format: Presentation/Exercises
Learn what freelancers must know about magazine publishing. Activities
will help you identify children's magazines that buy the writing you
want to do; analyze any children's or YA magazine's audience, format,
subject matter, and writing style; and learn how to write a query that
convinces editors you can nail the assignment. Writers who attend this
workshop will learn: The hierarchy of publications – from the easiest
to break into and lowest paying, to the hardest to break into but best
paying; how to use the secret of "the smallest doors open widest;" the
formula for a winning query, how to follow up and how to turn one
assignment into a career.
1:15-2:30
Melissa Hart
Write and Sell Humorous Short Essays
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Format: Presentation/Writing/Q&A
We'll define the nonfiction genre with examples from magazines and
newspapers. Thousands of periodicals publish short humorous essays, and
pay ranges from approximately $20 to $800. This genre represents a
creative way for freelance writers to break into a magazine or
newspaper; it also offers authors the opportunity to promote their
books with related essays. The workshop covers how to identify topics
for humorous essays, how to maximize humor, how to approach editors
with a completed essay, tips for marketing your books through humorous
essays, how to build relationships with editors, and how to use current
events to give essays added appeal. Attendees will identify topics for
their own humorous essays. They'll receive handouts with contact
information for editors who accept short humorous essays. They'll also
receive a sample cover letter, along with copies of three short
humorous essays by successful Northwest writers.
1:15-2:30
Bill Johnson
Dramatic Truth
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Format: Presentation/Q&A
Characters in stories often embody what I call dramatic truths. A
character's dramatic truth is what they seek to resolve or fulfill in a
story. When a character embodies a truth that resonates with a story's
audience, readers will want to see how a character resolves his or her
issues. Powerful, successful stories (Harry Potter, Rocky, The Wizard
of Oz) often have characters with clearly defined truths. This workshop
focuses on helping writers to perceive the dramatic truths of their
main characters.
3:00-4:15
Eric Witchey
The Mystery of Voice
Level: All
Format: Presentation/Q&A
This fun, interactive seminar will unravel the mysteries of "voice."
We've all heard the phrase, "We're looking for a fresh voice, and we'll
know it when we see it." So, what is it and how can you create it? Eric
Witchey will break the concept of voice down into easy to understand,
manageable techniques that will allow you to develop and exploit
"voice" in your fiction. This seminar is appropriate for all levels of
development.
3:00-4:15
Elizabeth Rusch
Write a Profile
Level: All
Format: Presentation/Exercises
Some of the best nonfiction books and articles being published are
profiles of people – scientists, celebrities, local personalities and
more. The truth is that everyone has a fascinating story to tell. In
this workshop you will learn how to uncover the best, juiciest, most
important parts of a person’s life and turn it into compelling
storytelling. Writers who attend this workshop will learn: How to write
interview questions; how to conduct an interview; how to develop a
theme or focus for the profile; how to write an engaging lead; how to
structure the middle; options for powerful endings. Also valuable for
biography authors. Bring your pen, lots of paper, and come ready to
interview and write.
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