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1A - Faithful in
the Small Tasks - W. Terry Whalin
Many writers
want to begin with a huge, best-selling book. Unfortunately these ideas
are more fantasy than reality. This workshop will show writers the
necessity of being faithful with the small assignments. Then through my
personal experience, I will show the participants how the small
assignments can lead to some major magazine articles and full-length
books. I continue writing book reviews and software reviews and other such
smaller assignments. I'll teach writers the reason to not ignore the
details of this business.
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1B - Immunize Your
Manuscript Against SDTs - Tim Shoemaker
Editors avoid manuscripts with Show Don't Tell
problems like an infectious disease. Tim won't
tell you how to fix them; he'll
show you! |
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1C - Love Me
Tender: Writing a Great Romance Novel - Susan May Warren
Taught by
two-time Christy-Award finalist for romance, this class concentrates on
the elements of a great romance. Using popular books and movies, students
discover the ten elements that make up every great romance novel, from
heroes to tension to the happy ending.
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1D
- Writing
Compelling True Stories (Creative Nonfiction) - Jean Blackmer
Everyone loves a good story, but what
makes a story good? Whether you’re writing your own experience or
ghostwriting someone else’s, this workshop will show you how to use
creative nonfiction techniques to write a compelling true story. We will
work on creating a story question, writing scenes that engage the reader’s
five senses, and learn how to end with a strong “take away” for the
reader. Come with a true story in mind and be ready to write! |
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1E
- Selling to Children's Periodicals - Karen Whiting
There are many opportunities for writers,
especially aspiring writers, in magazines, Sunday school take-homes, and
denominational newspapers. Learn how to target your writing for the
audience. This class will also talk a little about writing for Bible
Pathway for Kids children’s magazine that publishes short
fiction, poetry, skits, puzzles, crafts, nonfiction articles, games, and
more.
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1F - Publicity on
a Tight Budget - Don Otis |
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1G - Songwriting
101 - Tom Ewing
This class will explore various
approaches and disciplines of songwriting. Basic principles of combining
melody, rhythm, and lyrics will be presented and discussed. We will also
endeavor to write a song together as a class!
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Thursday, May 14, 2009 ~ 3:30 -
4:30
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2A - Blessed Are the
Pure in Pen - C. Hope Flinchbaugh
Is there an issue
such as human rights, religious persecution, teen suicide, or disease
recovery that you are passionate about? Write what you know! Explore
the pathways writers have taken to inform, inspire, or even rescue the
people they care about. |
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2B - Creating a Scene -
Tim Shoemaker
Want to get an editor's attention? Learn to really
make a scene . . . in your story that is. Discover techniques to strengthen
your story, one scene at a time. |
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2C - CIA 101:
Investigative Techniques from the Trenches - Jeanette Windle
Learn the investigative techniques
political/suspense novelist Jeanette Windle uses to create fiction
realistic enough for government agencies to question whether she obtained
classified information. |
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2D - More Out the Door: 12 Strategies to
Make More as an Article Freelancer - Dianne E. Butts
Freelance article writers need to get a lot of
articles out the door to keep the paychecks rolling in. But that's often
the challenge. We're already pressed for time. How can we get more
articles and queries out the door? Here are 12 strategies and time-saving
tips to increase your output and income. |
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2E - Book Proposals that
Make an Impression - Bill Jensen
Bill has reviewed thousands of book proposals and
has participated in publishing committees for 25 years. In the incredibly
competitive world of book publishing it takes a great proposal to get
noticed. Book proposals should be designed to meet the needs of the
publisher and the dynamics of the publishing committee. Often they are
not. Bill will bring his knowledge and experience to teach you what it
takes to create a professional proposal that will be taken seriously by
publishers. |
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2F - Writing in the
Niches: How to Identify, Connect With,
and Maximize Your Audience -
Steven Lawson
While we all want
to be the next Max Lucado or Joyce Meyer reaching millions of readers with
inspired, profound, and uplifting messages, truth is that most of us will
have smaller niches. How big is your niche? What is your given audience?
Who will read what you write? How can you tailor your words for your
loyal, most-likely reader, yet reach out to the largest possible audience?
Should you write a blog? A poem? A trade book? A Bible study? A
memoir? A magazine article? Curriculum?
Once you know your audience then you not only
know what to write but how to go about shaping what you write for the
greatest impact. |
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2G - Recording & Publishing a Song - Tom Ewing
Have you ever asked, “What do I do
with this song I’ve written?” Practical ideas concerning the how-to’s
and how-much’s of recording as well as information on publishing and
distribution.
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NEW!
Friday, May 15, 2009 ~ 2:15 - 4:45
-
by
application
Sharp
Writer Boot Camp - Shannon (Hill) Marchese
A workshop for courageous fiction writers who have been writing for some
time but are stuck in a writing stalemate. You must be willing to take an
intensive look at what is working and what is not in your writing, toughen
up that thick-skin. Will include topics: tired ideas and how to wake them
up, killing clichés, story versus meaning, how and what editors really
think about POV, passive writing, show-versus-tell, and what readers
crave. By application for
writers who have completed a full length novel of over 70K.
Click here for application
that needs to be submitted by April 30.
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Friday, May 15,
2009 ~ 2:15 - 3:15
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3A - How to Know If
You'll Succeed as a Writer - Nick Harrison
A fun but important workshop where you'll track your
answers to Nick's questions, discover what you still need to learn, and
receive direction as to what you need to do to improve your score. |
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3B -
Tell
Me a Story, But Make It Short: How to Write an Engaging Synopsis -
Susan
May Warren
You have a great story –
unfortunately, you can't send your editor all 90,000 words! You need a
summary . . . only, how do you turn it from dry to dramatic, and make it
engaging enough to sell your novel? This class will teach you how to
write a synopsis that not only showcases your story, but also your voice,
and makes the editor thirst for more. With step by step instruction and
synopsis secrets, participants will also learn how to put together a
compelling pitch that will make anyone say, "Hey, I want to read that!"
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3C - Contemporary
Suspense
- Kristen Heitzmann
An interactive exploration of heart-gripping,
page-turning fiction.
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3D - What's Fresh? -
Amy Nappa
You’ve probably heard editors say
they’re looking for “fresh” ideas, but what does that mean? We’ll dig into
what’s fresh and what’s not and try out exercises to help you either
rework tired ideas for a fresh perspective, or, even better, come up with
crisp new ideas.
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3E - Map to Magazine
Writing - Julie Scudder Dearyan
Although Julie edited a magazine for twelve years,
her own work got polite but firm rejections until she discovered the Map
to Magazine Writing. Learn how to tweak an article for a certain
demographic and pitch irresistible ideas. |
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3F - Developing a Sales
Plan that Lands Contracts and Sells Books - Karen Whiting
Your words will never find their way
between two covers if you can’t help editors and marketers visualize a
plan to pitch the book. Start now to develop your network for promoting
future books. Learn what you can do and how to do it, from radio
interviews, speaking engagements, Web site attractors, and promotional
materials to tip sheets for personal appearances. Including a strong
marketing/author promotion section has become crucial to landing
contracts. Learn to support your words and God’s message with a workable
plan that furthers the kingdom. |
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3G - Writing for the
Mainstream Market Without Losing Touch with Your Faith - Robert Liparulo
Many authors
these days try to straddle the fence between mainstream and Christian
markets. Sometimes that works. It’s better to determine where you belong
and put everything you have into being the best writer you can be for that
readership. If mainstream is where you’re heading, then a good Christian
has to establish “rules of the road” for traveling into this wild
territory. What are the touchstones of faith that should be found in every
Christian writer’s stories? How can you appeal to a secular readership
while remaining faithful to the One who gave you the gift of writing in
the first place? |
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Friday, May 15,
2009
~ 3:45 - 4:45
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4A - The Inner
Life of the Writer - Rachelle Gardner
We'll discuss the
nitty-gritty details of what it's like to be a writer, day-in and day-out;
and we'll look at how we can
handle and how we can pray
for all these areas of our writing lives.
- Daily motivation
- Perseverance
- Quieting the negative voices from within and without
- Dealing with criticism and rejection
- Inspiration and ideas
- Keeping our work godly
- Life balance – writing amidst family and other pressures
- Overcoming writer’s block
- Avoiding ungodly pride in our success
- Choosing projects to write (and whether to write) |
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4B -
Become Your Own Book Therapist -
Susan May Warren
You’ve
written your book, but it lacks sizzle, or sparkle, and just can’t seem
to catch the eye of an editor. Or, perhaps you’re halfway through your
book, and suddenly it has ground to a halt, the middle saggy and slow. Or maybe your writing just lacks pizzazz. Don’t panic – your book just
needs a little therapy, someone who knows how to ask the right
questions, give specific answers, and help it break it free of its
slump. Become your own Book Therapist is an intensive, small-group (up
to 20) interactive session that takes a look at specific book problems
and actual writing craft and addresses the issues in a comfortable,
productive setting. It goes beyond a critique group and offers tools
and examples all participants can apply to their writing, as well as
exercises for growth. For intermediate to advanced writers.
Participants should bring at least a one page synopsis and a five page
first chapter to work on. |
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4C - Crime Scenes:
Writing With Reality In Mind - Det. Diane Obbema
What helps a real detective
catch the bad guy? This workshop examines what details can be gathered
from crime scenes and discusses how CSI really works. From
fingerprints to blood spattering, wounds to skeletal remains . . . it’s a
deadly workshop for mystery/crime writers!
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4D - Writing His Answer
- Steven Lawson, Rick Marschall, C. Hope Flinchbaugh
Steve, Rick, and Hope will lead a panel discussion
of the critical issues they raised during Thursday evening's general
session.
As Rick says, "America is
at a crossroads. It is critical that we not be silent. It is incumbent
that we be reliable guides."
Ask Father if He is calling you to make a difference and, if so, make this
workshop a priority choice. |
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4E - The Changing World
of Book Publishing: What It Means to Writers - Bill Jensen
This workshop will discuss the significant changes
in the book world in recent years and the impact it has on publisher's
decisions. Writers need to know about these trends, both current and
emerging, and adapt to the changing environment. The future world of
publishing will be only for "the survival of the fittest." |
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4F - The Art of Book
Signings - Joe Wheeler
Areas covered include the following:
 | Why it isn't simple |
| Why shoppers won't invade your space
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| Baiting display areas |
| The magic of "strings"
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| Speed versus impact |
| How to create inscriptions
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| What happens when you mess up
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| Creating heirloom books |
| The inscribing "edge"
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| Divorcing sales from ministry
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| A nanosecond is all you get
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| Organizing your product on the signing
table |
| Interfacing with bookstore employees |
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4G - Blogging To
Create An Internet Marketing Presence On A Tight Budget - Bonnie Calhoun
In this failing economy,
blogging can create a huge internet presence for any author willing to
spend the time, but no money!
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Saturday, May 16.
2009
~ 10:45 -
11:45
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5A - Journaling and Its
Significance in a Writer's Life - Joe Wheeler
Areas covered include the following:
| God only gives us a thought once
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| The mind: bank or sieve?
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| You frozen in time |
| The uses of old diaries |
| Prayer journaling |
| Separating the significant from the
transitory |
| Quotations |
| Metaphors and similes |
| Beginnings and endings |
| Poetry |
| Insights |
| Why it's so difficult to keep a journal
alive year after year |
| Journaling's impact on the writer's craft |
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5B - Characterization -
Kristin Heitzmann
Who are these people and why do I care? Writing
characters that grab and won't let go.
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5C - Fantasy and Myth:
More Real Than Reality - Jeff Dunn
Wizards. Dragons. Magic. Why? How
can we, as Christian storytellers, reach readers hungry for the
supernatural with God’s truth? We’ll explore
how fantasy may be the best genre with which to present the Gospel. |
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5D - Writing Devotions -
Paul Smith
In
this workshop, the conferees will learn three basic types of devotions,
what makes a devotional effective, and the basic principles to writing
interesting devotions. The conferees will put into practice what is
learned in the workshop by writing a devotional as a group project. |
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5E - From Proposal to
Publication and Everything in Between - Bill Jensen
The world of publishing
can be confusing, and the fact that you receive that long-awaited book
contract doesn’t seem to clear up any mysteries! This workshop will
explain what happens at the publishing house between the time you submit
your proposal and the time your book is finally published. You’ll learn
what the editorial, marketing, sales, and art departments are doing about
your book along the way—and most importantly, what will be expected of
you. We’ll cover author/editor protocol plus the basics about contracts,
deadlines, book covers, and marketing expectations. This workshop will
shed light on the vast shadowy halls of the publishing house and help you
navigate your way through your first experience as a published author.
NOTE: Rachelle is not able to be with us on Saturday. Bill Jensen will
teach this workshop in her place. Bill has lived this process for over 25
years as VP of Editorial and now as an agent. |
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5F - Marketing Your Books to Hollywood - Robert Liparulo
It’s another
way of spreading the word about your stories as well as getting another
paycheck. But Hollywood is a beast unto itself. How to approach agents,
producers, and studios. How to “get in the room” and make a pitch. What
producers are looking for today. How movies differ from books
– what things
MUST an author consider before attempting the leap to Hollywood. Whether
or not you should tackle the screenplay, based on your own book. |
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5G - Drama Writing - Cindy Kenney
Capture your audience's attention with a dynamic drama script. Develop
effective worship, teen, and holiday dramas for the church.
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Saturday, May 16,
2009
~ 1:00 - 2:00 |
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6A - The Narrow Way -
Katie Martinez
Should I write books or devos?
Fiction or Christian lifestyle? Should I write in the morning or evening?
Do I need to quit my job? Creative people live in the wilderness of
options. Consider the wisdom and practices of Jesus, and find your way
onto the Narrow Road.
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6B - Literary Fiction in
the Christian Marketplace - Nick Harrison
We'll discuss the tension between commercial and
literary fiction, consider why commercial fiction generally sells better,
and explore ways to increase the presence of literary fiction in the CBA
market. |
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6C - Writing a
"Christian" Thriller - Robert Liparulo
How much
violence is too much? What are the taboos you cannot break? What makes it
Christian? What exactly is a “thriller” (as distinguished from mystery and
suspense)? |
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6D - The Literature of
Personal Disaster - Sherri Langton
Is a story good just because it
relates a horrific event? In this workshop we'll discuss why we write
about tragedy and how we make it real to the reader as well as redemptive. |
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6E - Head Home with a
Plan - Karen Whiting
Don’t leave the conference without a plan
or goals. Learn how to continue taking advantage of the conference long
after it ends. Understand how to sift through the information received.
Set writing goals, organize notes on contacts made, make plans to follow
through on ideas, set a time table on submitting what editors asked you to
send. Also, develop a strategy to prepare for your next conference for
maximum results so that it more than pays for itself. |
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6F - Repurpose Your
Message - W. Terry Whalin
The honest
sales numbers for books are brutal. In 2004, about 1.2 million books were
in print and 80% of those books sold fewer than 100 copies. 98% sold fewer
than 5000 copies. Before you feel like you are pursuing the wrong dream,
this workshop will show you how to repurpose your message. Whether you
have a book manuscript, a self-published book, or a published book, you
can repurpose your material into other products such as an online course
or an audio CD and workbook which can propel you and your platform to a
higher level. |
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6G - The
Role of Humor in Writing His Answer - Rick Marschall
If a soft answer turneth away wrath (Prov. 15:1), how much more attractive can we make the
Word of God by using one of God's great gifts - joy, happiness, smiles,
and laughter? OK, that's more than one gift, which tells you that the
Workshop leader, Rick Marschall, knows less about math than humor. The
author/editor of Christian books, magazine articles, and published
devotionals, he is also a former cartoonist, editor of Marvel Comics, and
writer for Disney. He will discuss practical advice; the DOs; and -- with
the scars to prove it -- the DON'Ts.
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Having a hard time choosing?
The entire conference is being recorded and will be available on CDs. |
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