The Headwaters Writers' Group presents…
“How to Build Your Story” ~ Plotting novels and writing short stories ~
Sunday, Nov 1, 2009 1 - 5 p.m.The Oddfellows Hall, 24 Elizabeth Street, Orangeville
This workshop will show you how writers plot a novel. You’ll also get the best tips on writing short stories, where to get them published and how to win contests. Best yet, you’ll see how to apply the story-building techniques you’ve learned to your own writing.
Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for 25 years. He teaches at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Sudbury. He has helped many of his students get published.
Fee for members of the Headwaters Writers’ Group:
$31.43plus gst = $33 paid in advanceor $38.10 plus gst = $40 if you wait to pay at the door
Fees for the general public: $35.24 plus gst = $37 paid in advance or $38.10 plus gst = $40 if you wait to pay at the door
To register, please make out a cheque to Brian Henry and give it to Nancy Rorke
or mail it to:
Brian Henry
110 Reiner Road
Toronto, ON M3H 2L6
To reserve a spot now, email: mailto:to=brianhenry@sympatico.ca
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY - JULY 22
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDY! Can't wait for your book launch!
All the BEST!
Blessings, too
All the BEST!
Blessings, too
Friday, July 17, 2009
Video Conference with Saralee Rosenberg, July 10, 2009
Below are my notes from video conference with author Saralee Rosenberg. The first story she wrote was "All In the Cards" which was sold to Bette Midler, but nothing came of it. That story was rewritten to Rosenberg's newest release "Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead".
She strongly suggests having an agent but she does not have one at this time.
She recommends subscribing to "Publisher's Weekly".
Today, publishers are changing genres. YA is a hot category today thanks to the "Harry Potter" series of books.
Write in your own voice. DO NOT try and copy someone else.
Before committing a single word to paper you must know everything about your character. Who is your story about? Do a natal chart using astrology/birthday to get characteristics. If you know their past, you know their future. Do not judge your character.
How would your character react to certain situations? Let the ideas come up. Just spit it out. The character unfolds throughout the story. All characters need to have an arc - develop and change. They should be a very different character in the end.
You are not allowed to say, "This sucks". No negativity. We are our own worst critic. Those ideas come from a higher place; don't ignore them.
Don't forget you are writing for an audience - KNOW your audience.
If you are writing about something personal, have a trusted friend interview YOU.
You may get friends to read your work and critique it. With constructive criticism you must decide whether it is important or not. If you hear the same critique over and over again from different people then it is something you should take a look at.
First Chapter - Make something happen. All of Rosenberg's stories start with dialogue. Quick action grabs the reader.
A novel should be 80,000-100,000 words. Be sure to have sub-plots, especially if you are writing in third person. Step away from the main character and see what others are doing.
In writing you can't confuse the reader with strong language. Let rhythm and thoughts flow.
Incorporate humor and heart in every chapter.
End every chapter with a cliffhanger.
With regards to writer's block - do chores to distract. Go for a walk, wash the dishes, have a shower. It seems the most brilliant ideas come in the bathroom.
Those are my notes.... whose next?
She strongly suggests having an agent but she does not have one at this time.
She recommends subscribing to "Publisher's Weekly".
Today, publishers are changing genres. YA is a hot category today thanks to the "Harry Potter" series of books.
Write in your own voice. DO NOT try and copy someone else.
Before committing a single word to paper you must know everything about your character. Who is your story about? Do a natal chart using astrology/birthday to get characteristics. If you know their past, you know their future. Do not judge your character.
How would your character react to certain situations? Let the ideas come up. Just spit it out. The character unfolds throughout the story. All characters need to have an arc - develop and change. They should be a very different character in the end.
You are not allowed to say, "This sucks". No negativity. We are our own worst critic. Those ideas come from a higher place; don't ignore them.
Don't forget you are writing for an audience - KNOW your audience.
If you are writing about something personal, have a trusted friend interview YOU.
You may get friends to read your work and critique it. With constructive criticism you must decide whether it is important or not. If you hear the same critique over and over again from different people then it is something you should take a look at.
First Chapter - Make something happen. All of Rosenberg's stories start with dialogue. Quick action grabs the reader.
A novel should be 80,000-100,000 words. Be sure to have sub-plots, especially if you are writing in third person. Step away from the main character and see what others are doing.
In writing you can't confuse the reader with strong language. Let rhythm and thoughts flow.
Incorporate humor and heart in every chapter.
End every chapter with a cliffhanger.
With regards to writer's block - do chores to distract. Go for a walk, wash the dishes, have a shower. It seems the most brilliant ideas come in the bathroom.
Those are my notes.... whose next?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Famous Writer
As I sat in the shade with book in hand between soccer games at a tournament in Burlington this past weekend, I spoke to some of the other mothers. One of the mothers, whom I had never seen before, approached me. "Are you the famous writer?" she asked me.
I hesitated but decided to agree with her and laughed. I didn't ask her, however, where she got that from. Did she see Len's article in Sideroads? Did she receive an email from me with my links in my signature and checked them out? I was taken off-guard by the question and even uncomfortable... uncomfortable enough to not ask where she read my writing. Like I said, I didn't know who she was, so how did she know who I was? Was it obvious I was Mel's Mom and she connected some imaginary dots?
Ah well, however she determined who I was, somehow I have now become a "famous writer". LOL!
I hesitated but decided to agree with her and laughed. I didn't ask her, however, where she got that from. Did she see Len's article in Sideroads? Did she receive an email from me with my links in my signature and checked them out? I was taken off-guard by the question and even uncomfortable... uncomfortable enough to not ask where she read my writing. Like I said, I didn't know who she was, so how did she know who I was? Was it obvious I was Mel's Mom and she connected some imaginary dots?
Ah well, however she determined who I was, somehow I have now become a "famous writer". LOL!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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