Keynote - Mary E. Pearson
Answering the call: The Fearless Act of Writing--Saving the World One Word, One Voice at a Time
Author Mary E. Pearson will peel back the layers to expose the impact of writing and story in our lives and the world.
Author Mary E. Pearson will peel back the layers to expose the impact of writing and story in our lives and the world.
SESSION 1
Workshop 1: Six Secrets for Great College Essays with Chris Hamilton
Well, perhaps they’re not secrets, exactly. But Chris Hamilton, a founder and principal of several international college consulting companies, will share six insights you must know to write a compelling and effective college essay. For instance, why is Aristotle—a 4th-century Athenian with a bad comb-over—essential to creating a great college essay? And why is your college “essay” not really an essay at all?
Well, perhaps they’re not secrets, exactly. But Chris Hamilton, a founder and principal of several international college consulting companies, will share six insights you must know to write a compelling and effective college essay. For instance, why is Aristotle—a 4th-century Athenian with a bad comb-over—essential to creating a great college essay? And why is your college “essay” not really an essay at all?
Workshop 2: Everything you Always Wanted to Know About Writing but Were Afraid to Ask by Harley Jane Kozak
Ever wonder what makes your favorite novels so, well, readable? What is it that makes you stay up too late with a book, because you just can’t stop turning the pages? Is it the characters? The plot? The suspense? The voice? The humor? The dialogue? (Answer: yes!) This workshop looks at the elements of fiction-you-just-can’t-put-down, and how to apply some surprisingly simple tricks of the trade to your own story.
Ever wonder what makes your favorite novels so, well, readable? What is it that makes you stay up too late with a book, because you just can’t stop turning the pages? Is it the characters? The plot? The suspense? The voice? The humor? The dialogue? (Answer: yes!) This workshop looks at the elements of fiction-you-just-can’t-put-down, and how to apply some surprisingly simple tricks of the trade to your own story.
Workshop 3: Do You Have What it Takes to be a Journalist? with Sylvia Mendoza
The power of the written word comes to life in the field of Journalism. As a news reporter, the responsibility is heavy: the first obligation is to the TRUTH. But a journalist can work for more than just a newspaper and tell stories far beyond a courtroom scene. The purpose of journalism is to tell a story, offer surveillance, and serve as the watchdog for society. A journalist informs, educates, and entertains; she unearths the truth and documents history. With writing talent and an ethical foundation, journalism can also take you into many fields, such as advertising, public relations, news reporting and long form journalism/books. Find out if you have what it takes to make journalism your career.
The power of the written word comes to life in the field of Journalism. As a news reporter, the responsibility is heavy: the first obligation is to the TRUTH. But a journalist can work for more than just a newspaper and tell stories far beyond a courtroom scene. The purpose of journalism is to tell a story, offer surveillance, and serve as the watchdog for society. A journalist informs, educates, and entertains; she unearths the truth and documents history. With writing talent and an ethical foundation, journalism can also take you into many fields, such as advertising, public relations, news reporting and long form journalism/books. Find out if you have what it takes to make journalism your career.
Workshop 4: Fractured Fairy Tales with Henry Hertz
Workshop participants will learn about the increasingly popular subgenre of fractured fairy tales: What they are, some successful versions, and how to create them. Guided by the presenter, participants will interactively design a fractured fairy tale together.
Workshop participants will learn about the increasingly popular subgenre of fractured fairy tales: What they are, some successful versions, and how to create them. Guided by the presenter, participants will interactively design a fractured fairy tale together.
session 2
Workshop 1: Modern (Super)heroines with Cecil Castellucci
We'll examine female characters from my own creator owned characters, like Tula Bane, to iconic characters like Princess Leia.
We'll examine female characters from my own creator owned characters, like Tula Bane, to iconic characters like Princess Leia.
Workshop 2: Giving Your Characters Unique Voices with Courtney Kilian
Can you hear your characters? The quality, texture, and vocabulary of their individual voices? Giving each of your characters a unique voice is how they come alive, becoming someone that your reader wants to spend time with. Character creation comes in many hues, tones, and techniques. But, in order to paint a complete picture of each of your characters, you must intimately know them—from the tiny scar at the crest of their ear to each line of their resume and all the ups and downs and reactions in between—no matter if these intricacies never appear on the page. When we truly know our characters, we are in turn are able to introduce our readers to three-dimensional beings with authentic voices, flaws, and desires. Join this workshop style class filled with examples, exercises and experimentation, to get to know the characters you have already started thinking about, and practice tools to develop future characters.
Can you hear your characters? The quality, texture, and vocabulary of their individual voices? Giving each of your characters a unique voice is how they come alive, becoming someone that your reader wants to spend time with. Character creation comes in many hues, tones, and techniques. But, in order to paint a complete picture of each of your characters, you must intimately know them—from the tiny scar at the crest of their ear to each line of their resume and all the ups and downs and reactions in between—no matter if these intricacies never appear on the page. When we truly know our characters, we are in turn are able to introduce our readers to three-dimensional beings with authentic voices, flaws, and desires. Join this workshop style class filled with examples, exercises and experimentation, to get to know the characters you have already started thinking about, and practice tools to develop future characters.
Workshop 3: Getting Published: Query Letters and Agents with Natalie Lakosil
Learn best practices and tips for the query letter, along with researching and finding agents. And anyone who attends the workshop can send her their query letters after the conference for her professional critique.
Learn best practices and tips for the query letter, along with researching and finding agents. And anyone who attends the workshop can send her their query letters after the conference for her professional critique.
Workshop 4: Head Over Heels: Everything You Wanted to Know About Romance Writing with Chris Green
Do you want to write books that are fun, challenging, and actually sell more than 50% of all fiction mass market paperbacks each year? Then the romance genre is for you—and there’s much more to it than just a “formula.” (We promise—you’ll be surprised at what you can write in romance and where you can write it!)
Do you want to write books that are fun, challenging, and actually sell more than 50% of all fiction mass market paperbacks each year? Then the romance genre is for you—and there’s much more to it than just a “formula.” (We promise—you’ll be surprised at what you can write in romance and where you can write it!)
Session 3
Workshop 1: Grand World Building in Fantasy with Matt Wolf
Join Matthew Wolf as he teaches a 101 on "world building". Topics include: What is world building?, the different approaches to creating a fantasy or sci-fi world, how to start small and go big, and lastly, the self-deemed title and discussion of "Grand World Building".
Join Matthew Wolf as he teaches a 101 on "world building". Topics include: What is world building?, the different approaches to creating a fantasy or sci-fi world, how to start small and go big, and lastly, the self-deemed title and discussion of "Grand World Building".
Workshop 2: Writing for TV with Kendall Sherwood
A sneak peek inside the television industry, from the pitch to the page to the soundstage to TV screens across the world. When there are hundreds of people involved in each and every episode, what does the writer's role entail?
A sneak peek inside the television industry, from the pitch to the page to the soundstage to TV screens across the world. When there are hundreds of people involved in each and every episode, what does the writer's role entail?
Workshop 3: What is Speculative Realism? with Igor Goldkind
You already know. It's when instead of asking the question "what if?"; a work of fiction asks "what when?" Or "what will you do when?" We live in a age where technology accelerates faster than we can imagine it's consequence. Where magic might as well be real and science fiction becomes science fact in the blink of an eye. Come and partake in a lecture/discussion and workshop on one of those vital and relevant genres to emerge since Speculative Fiction.
You already know. It's when instead of asking the question "what if?"; a work of fiction asks "what when?" Or "what will you do when?" We live in a age where technology accelerates faster than we can imagine it's consequence. Where magic might as well be real and science fiction becomes science fact in the blink of an eye. Come and partake in a lecture/discussion and workshop on one of those vital and relevant genres to emerge since Speculative Fiction.
Workshop 4: Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels with Jim Pascoe
Writing comic books requires a combination of general writing skills (character, plot, dialog, etc) with specific tricks that are unique to the medium of sequential narrative (panel layout, page turn, economy of storytelling). If you have an interest in words and pictures, this workshop with go over the basics of outlining, script writing and collaborating with an artist (even if the artist is yourself)!
Writing comic books requires a combination of general writing skills (character, plot, dialog, etc) with specific tricks that are unique to the medium of sequential narrative (panel layout, page turn, economy of storytelling). If you have an interest in words and pictures, this workshop with go over the basics of outlining, script writing and collaborating with an artist (even if the artist is yourself)!
session 4
Workshop 1: Friends and Enemies and Everyone In Between with Greg van Eekhout
Imagine Harry without Hermione and Ron. Imagine Frodo without Gandalf and Sauron and a million Orcs. A story's sidekicks and villains and background characters are just as important as the hero. In this session we'll discuss different character categories and the purpose they serve in your story. We'll also address how to avoid problematic character types and descriptions. Be ready to write and share your own character descriptions!
Imagine Harry without Hermione and Ron. Imagine Frodo without Gandalf and Sauron and a million Orcs. A story's sidekicks and villains and background characters are just as important as the hero. In this session we'll discuss different character categories and the purpose they serve in your story. We'll also address how to avoid problematic character types and descriptions. Be ready to write and share your own character descriptions!
Workshop 2: Fast and Furious: Writing Great Action Scenes with James Matlack Raney
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!
Workshop 3: Hone your Craft with Flash Fiction with Lisa Kessler
Can you tell a story in 250 words or less? The answer is yes! We'll be studying the building blocks of writing strong short fiction, along with some writing exercises to put your new tools into practice. Flash fiction is fun and addictive, it's also one of the best ways to keep practicing the fiction writing tools you'll need to complete longer works.
Can you tell a story in 250 words or less? The answer is yes! We'll be studying the building blocks of writing strong short fiction, along with some writing exercises to put your new tools into practice. Flash fiction is fun and addictive, it's also one of the best ways to keep practicing the fiction writing tools you'll need to complete longer works.
Workshop 4: How do I start to write my play? (Remember a picture is worth a thousand words...) with Aleta Barthell
We will discuss the building blocks of playwriting: character, backstory, dialog, conflict and resolution. Then we will use an image as a jumping point, making you excited to start that scene which promises rich results and a desire to write more. Come prepared to write!
We will discuss the building blocks of playwriting: character, backstory, dialog, conflict and resolution. Then we will use an image as a jumping point, making you excited to start that scene which promises rich results and a desire to write more. Come prepared to write!
session 5
Workshop 1: Monsters and Mayhem with Scott Sigler
What is it about a great monster that draws us in? New York Times Bestselling novelist Scott Sigler writes stories full of monsters and mayhem, including some that look just like you and me. We’ll take a look at some of the best of his own creations, and at the pop-culture monsters that influence his work. From the creatures that crawl beneath San Francisco in his novel Nocturnal to the terror-inducing invaders in Infected, Scott finds unique ways to delight and frighten at once.
What is it about a great monster that draws us in? New York Times Bestselling novelist Scott Sigler writes stories full of monsters and mayhem, including some that look just like you and me. We’ll take a look at some of the best of his own creations, and at the pop-culture monsters that influence his work. From the creatures that crawl beneath San Francisco in his novel Nocturnal to the terror-inducing invaders in Infected, Scott finds unique ways to delight and frighten at once.
Workshop 2: Whose Story is This? Point of View and Narrative Voice with T. Greenwood
Point of view may be the most important decision you make as a writer. But how do you decide who will tell your story? This workshop will examine the many point of view options available to writers and explore the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will discuss the importance of narrative voice and how you go about finding it.
Point of view may be the most important decision you make as a writer. But how do you decide who will tell your story? This workshop will examine the many point of view options available to writers and explore the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will discuss the importance of narrative voice and how you go about finding it.
Workshop 3: The Plot's the Thing with Laura Preble
Fiction is simply telling stories, and most of our favorites fit into one of several major plot structures. Find out what they are and where your story fits best.
Fiction is simply telling stories, and most of our favorites fit into one of several major plot structures. Find out what they are and where your story fits best.
Workshop 4: Through the Eyes of a Poet: Powerful Observations, Stronger Voices with Esteban Ismael
How does a poet look at the world? More importantly, what is a poem supposed to do? We’ll take a look at how poets harness the power of observation in their writing, focusing on how to use vivid descriptions and figurative language to turn ordinary things into extraordinary moments. Learn how to take inspiration from your daily lives, the importance of a distinct poetic voice, and tools to share your story both on the page and aloud. This workshop will give you a glimpse into the dynamic world of poems and the opportunity to flex your creativity, and you might even discover you’ve been a poet all along.
How does a poet look at the world? More importantly, what is a poem supposed to do? We’ll take a look at how poets harness the power of observation in their writing, focusing on how to use vivid descriptions and figurative language to turn ordinary things into extraordinary moments. Learn how to take inspiration from your daily lives, the importance of a distinct poetic voice, and tools to share your story both on the page and aloud. This workshop will give you a glimpse into the dynamic world of poems and the opportunity to flex your creativity, and you might even discover you’ve been a poet all along.
inspirational speaker
Life is Poetic by Viet Mai
A look, listen and feel on the power of Spoken Word Poetry. This workshop will engage your senses and inspire you to compose your own narrative.
A look, listen and feel on the power of Spoken Word Poetry. This workshop will engage your senses and inspire you to compose your own narrative.