Early Bird Workshops2017

Scrivener from 0 to 60, Part 1 – Debbie Maxwell Allen

Scrivener writing software: everyone loves it, but what writer has time to learn something new? And most writers already using Scrivener miss out on some of the program’s best elements. This workshop will help you start, literally, at zero, and get up and running right away. Even long-time users will learn to take advantage of features they didn’t know were available, including a baker’s dozen ways for you to polish your project to perfection. Even if you’re not “technical,” Scrivener will help you write faster. Click here to try it free for 30 days.

Indie Publishing – Kathryn Ross

Are you: A seasoned writer seeking publication? Writing to a niche market? Building an online platform of followers? Fearless in the face of technical computer software? A stickler for details? Willing to take a risk?

Then allow me to invite you to boldly cross the threshold of independent publishing and take the FIRST STEPS to fully develop your potential to Write His Answer! This workshop will provide the tools and information necessary to establish yourself as a publisher and marketer.

• Open business and publisher accounts
• Build a creative team, marketing platform, and secure funding
• Develop skills in formatting, layout, design, and creativity
• Nurture peer professional relationships
• Find the “gatekeepers” in your field

How to Sell Your Book to an Agent: What to Do and What to Avoid – Tessa Emily Hall

It’s no easy feat to attract the attention of a literary agent, especially when it seems as though they’re searching for a reason to reject your manuscript (which isn’t a far stretch of the truth!). How can your submission stand out in the midst of an agent’s slush pile? What can you do to avoid having your submission deleted as soon as the agent opens your e-mail? Come to this workshop and discover how you can increase your chances of signing with a literary agent.

Subplot Sanity – Amy Deardon

Learn how to build a resonant story by developing the five types of narrative strands into a story that weaves and tangles delightfully.

Writing for Children – Karen Whiting

• Understanding the children’s markets (types of products and writing);
• Making words count (power verbs, onomatopoeia, rhythm, figures of speech, etc);
• Developing manuscripts (outline, fiction plot and character and nonfiction layout and elements);
• Touching hearts, minds, and souls (universal themes and plots and making them unique, engaging children, trends, and tips to get published).

Tag Lines, Action Beats & Character Voice – Susan Lyttek

As our own ways of communication have sped up, this has affected dialogue pacing in the story. If you learned how to compose dialogue even as little as ten years ago, you’re probably doing it wrong according to today’s editorial standards. Thankfully, there are a few easy fixes. Bring a WIP with to try out the techniques!

2:45 – 4:00  Wednesday Early Bird Workshops

Scrivener from 0 to 60, Part 2 – Debbie Maxwell Allen

Scrivener writing software: everyone loves it, but what writer has time to learn something new? And most writers already using Scrivener miss out on some of the program’s best elements. This workshop will help you start, literally, at zero, and get up and running right away. Even long-time users will learn to take advantage of features they didn’t know were available including a baker’s dozen ways for you to polish your project to perfection. Even if you’re not “technical,” Scrivener will help you write faster.

Ebooks that Sell – Amy Deardon

How to find irresistible topics for both fiction and nonfiction, tactics to make your ebooks better than others, and some marketing tips to get great sales.

Demystifying Digital Design – Angela Schans
Design beautiful digital graphics to promote your book, brand or website. Learn the finer points of digital design. What makes a message pop? What colors work and how can I choose them? Where can I get royalty free images to help illustrate my blogs, videos, graphics or books? How can I edit images? What font should I choose? In this class we will learn how to use PicMonkey to design or edit any picture we can imagine to help us “Write His Answer.” 

It Takes One to Know One! (Character Development) – Michele Chynoweth

Over the past 15 years, award-winning author Michele Chynoweth has worked with a variety of editors and has developed a tried and true process for developing characters that's fun, flexible, and really works – from coming up with names to creating profiles that portray your characters physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She will help you develop believable, compelling characters that readers can really connect with, who make you laugh, cry, and care. Part of that, of course, entails writing dialog that isn't contrived but natural, isn't boring but memorable. A screenplay writer as well, she'll even teach you how thinking like a movie director can help! She will include tips on how to write in various dialects, accents, and more when your characters call for it, how research plays a part, and a look at the some of the most memorable characters of all time.

Write for Almostanauthor.com – Cyle Young

Many writers need an opportunity to build a platform but they lack the essential computer skills necessary to utilize social media and blogging. In this class, participants will be given the chance to become staff writers for almostanauthor.com or A3inspired.com. You’ll learn how to structure posts, create user profiles, login to the site, set up images and SEO, and more.

Devotional Writing: Writing for Daily Devotions, Books, and More – Karen Whiting

Karen has written devotional books for preschoolers, women, girls, families, history buffs, and more. Learn about basics in devotional writing and markets for selling single devotionals. Learn how to apply to write devotionals for outsourced products or pitch a book of devotions.

4:15 – 4:45  First-timer’s Orientation

5:00 – 6:00  Wednesday Early Bird Workshops

Writing Suspense & Mysteries – Gayle Roper 

So you want to write a mystery or a suspense novel? Create mayhem and murder for fun and maybe even profit? We'll look at a brief history of the genre and answer a few questions: What are the five rules for a good mystery? What is the difference between mystery and suspense? What about motive, means, and opportunity? Red herrings? Believable villains? 

Create or Resurrect Your Writing Career – Diana Flegal

You’ve dreamed of becoming a writer a long time, and now you’re wondering what classes to take and where to begin. You might even be a little panicked, wondering if it’s too late to get a refund. Relax, you are in the perfect place. This fun, interactive class will provide a structured plan to launch you on your new adventure or even help resurrect a lost vision. Using a beloved biblical passage and the process God used in creating us, you will find the needed steps to launch your writing dreams. 

Pump Up Your Writing: Using Strong Verbs in Fiction and Nonfiction – Debbie Maxwell Allen

Writers hear the advice to avoid adverbs and to shun strings of adjectives and clichés. One way to do all three is to strengthen your verbs. Send your verbs to the gym! There are plain-vanilla verbs, and there are Rocky-Road-with-chocolate-sauce-and-whipped-cream-verbs. The verbs you choose will make a difference in your manuscript. Bring some excerpts from your work in progress, and enjoy hands-on exercises to pump up your prose.

The Most Common Writing Mistakes & How to Fix Them – Rowena Kuo

Rejected and don't know why? What distinguishes a professional manuscript from those requiring revision? The top 10 reasons for rejection a publisher won't tell you about, and what you can do to avoid these mistakes.

Hook that Whale! – Jeanette Windle

Reeling out that perfectly honed hook for query or proposal may be all you're lacking to land a whale of an editorial contract. Tweak it a little further, and you'll have your elevator pitch as well. This will be hands-on, so here is your opportunity to bring your best query hook/elevator pitch (25-100 words) along to share. AND plan to work on a perfect pitch for your current fiction WIP.

Brainstorm Your Online Book Launch Party – Kathryn Ross

So your new book is about to release—congratulations! Sounds like a great reason to throw a party inviting hundreds of people from all over the world. Host an online book launch party on Facebook to do just that. Learn how to plan all the elements of a great social media party and launch your book with a step-by-step script to connect with your target audience using this dynamic marketing tool!

Writing Over 50 – Chris Richards

Ever feel like you are too old to start writing? This interactive workshop discusses the pros and cons of starting a writing career later in life.

The Bible is Not a Quote Book – Dave Fessenden

Bible study is the most important research work that a Christian writer can do. This seminar shows how you can infuse your writing with a foundation of Scripture, rather than simply dropping in an occasional “proof-text.”