WRITERS’ CORNER: March 23, 2011

ONLINE CLASSES/WORKSHOPS:

SPONSOR:  The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  Advanced Dialogue
DATES:  April 4 – 17, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Devon Ellington
DESCRIPTION: This workshop consists of exercises and homework teaching techniques to provoke sparkling dialogue that reveals and builds character, move along plot, reveal backstory, and enhance setting. This is a participatory class, not lectures, & entrants are expected to submit work.
FMI:  http://romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=280

SPONSOR:  The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  Business on a Shoestring
DATES:  April 4 – May 1, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Pepper Norris
DESCRIPTION: This workshop provides information about whether you should set up your writing as a small business and how to do so.
FMI:  http://romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=279

SPONSOR:  The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  The Sky’s the Limit: Writing the Futuristic Novel
DATES:  March 28 – April 24, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Phoebe Conn
DESCRIPTION:  This workshop teaches how to analyze ideas for a series and develop characters, conflicts, and plots that will intrigue readers.
FMI:  http://www.romance-ffp.com/members/admin/event.cfm?EventID=305

SPONSOR:  Yosemite Romance Writers
TITLE:  Public Speaking for Shy Writers
DATES:  April 4, 2011 – May 2, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Mike Charton
DESCRIPTION:  This workshop covers the basics of public speaking, with a focus on how an introverted writer can present herself/himself as a polished professional.
FMI:  http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/id33.html

SPONSOR:  Yosemite Romance Writers
TITLE:  I Used to Hate Writing a Synopsis—But Not Anymore
DATES:  April 1-30, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Susan Palmquist
DESCRIPTION:  This workshop offers techniques to help an author not dread writing a synopsis, but also have the skills necessary to grab an editor’s attention.
FMI:  http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/id33.html

SPONSOR:  Yosemite Romance Writers
TITLE:  Killer Openings
DATES:  April 4-29, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Alexa Bourne
DESCRIPTION: This workshop dissects those all-important writing elements that keep a reader going beyond the first page. Students study good and bad openings and discuss why they do or don’t work.
FMI:  http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/id33.html

SPONSOR:  Red River Romance Writers
TITLE:  Plotting A Romance Series
DATES: April 4-17, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Misty Evans
DESCRIPTION:  Plotting a romance series requires managing the main plot & the romantic one. This course shows how to plot for each type of romance series, how to develop and track multiple plot lines; how to develop a romance story arc over multiple books; how to turn your series idea into a workable project with tools, templates and one-on-one help.
FMI:  http://redriverromancewriters.com/workshops.php

SPONSOR:  Colorado Romance Writers, Inc.
TITLE:  The Regency Woman
DATES: April 4 – 29, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Nancy Mayer
DESCRIPTION:  The class looks at the world of the Regency woman from the domestic, political, social, and economic angles. Learn how despite their differences they had some things in common.
DEADLINE: April 2, 2011
FMI: http://crw-rwa.ning.com/page/workshops-1

SPONSOR:  Colorado Romance Writers, Inc.
TITLE:  Stripping Down the Hero/Heroine Archetypes
DATES:  April 4 – 29, 2011
INSTRUCTOR: Tonya Kappes
DESCRIPTION: This course discusses the characteristics of the 8 hero archetypes and the heroine archetypes. The core archetype of your character acts as a compass for your hero or heroine. Everyone embodies more than one archetype; however one stands out as the primary. Each archetypal character centers upon specific traits.
DEADLINE: April 2, 2011
FMI:  http://crw-rwa.ning.com/page/workshops-1

SPONSOR:  Carolina Romance Writers Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  What Sheldon and Mary Teach Us About Humor
DATES:  May 2 – 13, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Jane Perrine
DESCRIPTION:  Through lectures, homework assignments, examples and discussion, this mini-workshop describes types of humor and what makes us laugh. It will show how every writer’s tools—characterization, dialogue, pace setting and more—can be used to make the reader smile, chuckle or laugh out loud.
DEADLINE: May 2, 2011
FMI:  http://www.carolinaromancewriters.com/may11.htm

SPONSOR:  Carolina Romance Writers Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  The Steampunk Workshop: Building A Steampunk Manuscript
DATES:  May 2 – 27, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Suzanne Lazear
DESCRIPTION:  Learn the whys and wherefores of Steampunk while building your world, characters, and technology. Class will be hands on, and focus on clarifying and strengthening Steampunk elements in a story and provide an overview of Steampunk.
DEADLINE:  May 2, 2011
FMI:  http://www.carolinaromancewriters.com/may11.htm

SPONSOR:  Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  Seize the Reader: Write Compelling Openings That Don’t Let Go!
DATES:  April 1 – 16, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Anthea Lawson
DESCRIPTION:  This workshop looks at examples of novel openings, dissects what works (and what doesn’t), and explores common problems writers have with their beginnings. This is a hands-on workshop with lessons posted every-other-day. Questions and comments encouraged!
FMI: http://www.celtichearts.org/workshops.html

SPONSOR:  Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  Pitch Like A Pro
DATES:  April 18 – May 13, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Kerri Nelson
DESCRIPTION:  During class you’ll get to practice pitches for up to 2 different novels AND at the end of class you’ll have the opportunity to pitch before a real acquiring EDITOR from a major publisher.
FMI:  http://www.celtichearts.org/workshops.html

SPONSOR:  Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA
TITLE:  The Purpose Driven Scene
DATES:  April 4 – May 1, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Lynn Kerstan
DESCRIPTION:  This workshop focuses on how to develop a scene that is chock-full of character development, conflict, emotion, and—for the reader—a vivid sense of “being there.”
FMI:  http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/

SPONSOR: Los Angeles Romance Writers
TITLE:  ONE DAY WORKSHOP: A Day With Anne Stuart
DATES:  May 21, 2011
INSTRUCTOR:  Anne Stuart
LOCATION:  Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
DESCRIPTION: In this workshop day, Anne Stuart goes over the lessons she has learned in her 35 years in the romance business. She will cover everything from dark heroes, edgy romances, to career survival and conga dancing. Everything all writers need to know to survive this business.
FMI:  http://www.lararwa.com/workshop.html

SPONSOR:  Southern Tier Authors of Romance (STAR)
TITLE:  ONE DAY WORKSHOP: Beyond the Basics of Novel Writing–Marshall Plan Meets GMC!
DATES: Saturday, April 16, 2011; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR:  Carol A. Henry
LOCATION:  Owego Tread way Inn (1100 State Route #17C, Owego, NY 13827)
DESCRIPTION:  This hands-on workshop is for any genre novel writer–from the novice just thinking about writing a novel, to the skilled writer looking to improve their writing techniques. The workshop include goal, motivation, conflict, action/reaction, pacing, back-story, juggling story lines, the dark moment/crisis, and where to plant those surprises that keep the readers reading.
DEADLINE:  April 11, 2011
REGISTRATION:  To register for this Special One-Day Workshop, send a check or Money Order for $45 (USD), made out to STAR April Workshop, and mail to: STAR April Workshop, PO Box 6, Willseyville, NY 13864. Or, you can pay via PayPal by going to http://www.PayPal.com, select the ‘send money’ button, then enter the amount due, and STAR’s email address (starpay) for payment.  Then send an email (subject line: April One-Day Workshop) with your registration information: name, address, telephone number, and email address to carolhenry.

CONTESTS:

SPONSOR:  Virginia Romance Writers
TITLE:   2011 Fool For Love Contest
ELIGIBILITY:  Published and Unpublished
FORMAT: All Electronic
SUBMIT:  Total 50 pages—first chapters of ms. May include optional 5 page synopsis, but it is included in 50 page total.
DEADLINE: Opens for entries: March 1, 2011; Closes: Midnight, April 1, 2011
FMI: http://virginiaromancewriters.com/Contests/contest.html

CONFERENCES:

SPONSOR:  Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America
TITLE:  Connecticut Fiction Fest
DESCRIPTION: Keynote speaker—Eloisa James; editor & agent pitches
DATES:  Saturday, May 14, 2011; 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Holiday Inn Conference Center; 201 Washington Ave; North Haven, Connecticut 06473; Just off Rte 91; minutes from the MetroNorth train station
FEES: Members of CTRWA, CoLoNY, and CORW: $79 – All others $99; see FMI below for information on one paid attendance for this conference.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:  May 13, 2011 or when registration max reached.
FMI: http://toniandrews.com/FictionFest.htm

SPONSOR:  Heart of Dixie Romance Writers
TITLE:  Annual Romance Readers Luncheon
DESCRIPTION: Special guest author Kerrelyn Sparks will share her vampire world during the keynote speech, host a table, and sign books at this year’s event. Attendees will enjoy a delicious garlic-free lunch and blood-stirring conversation with fellow romance readers and favorite romance authors including Linda Howard, Beverly Barton, Linda Winstead Jones, Peggy Webb, Rhonda Nelson, Lynn Raye Harris, Kimberly Lang, and Vicki Lewis Thompson.
DATES:  April 30, 2011; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
LOCATION:  Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL,
FEES:  $25.00
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:  April 15, 2011
FMI:  http://www.heartofdixie.org/luncheon.html

Mary Jo Scheibl

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