Workshops & Speaking Engagements
(Libraries, Chapters, Bookstores, Reading Groups, & other group settings)
My workshops keep things up-beat, energized and informative because I believe the best way to learn is to enjoy the lesson. Enjoy the instructor. Enjoy the atmosphere of the group. Contact me at cswriting@yahoo.com for more information, costs and times available for these workshops. Be sure Subject Line reads: WORKSHOP INFORMATION NEEDED or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT INFORMATION NEEDED
Topics
Achieving Your Dreams
Writing: No Requirements Needed
Age Doesn’t Matter
Overcoming Life’s Hurdles
Smiles, Songs and Serendipity
Writing Craft (See below for specifics)
Craft Workshops
“So You’ve Got A Character…Really?”
Timeframe: 1 – 2 hours (Varies according to hands-on work)
There’s more to a character than name, height, eye color, occupation and hair stayle. Learn how to develop your hero/heroine through their unwritten back story. Discover their secrets to make them more interesting. Allow them to become more believable by revealing their flaws. And make sure you know when, or even if, to drop characteristics into your manuscript plus much more. By taking time to delve in to your character’s past, you will develop a memorable hero/heroine that makes the reader laugh and cry right along with their wins and losses.
“The Third Character: Setting”
Timeframe: 1 – 2 hours (Varies according to hands-on work)
Ever hear someone say a certain writer makes them feel right at home. That they wish such a place existed. Find out how you can make setting not only a time, city, room, etc. but develop the setting into a character the reader will want to visit again and again. Doesn’t matter what genre, sub-genre, or time period you write.
“Dancing with Dialogue”
Timeframe: 1 – 2 hours (Varies according to hands-on work)
No I don’t mean physical dancing, but I do mean giving your dialogue an ebb and flow that dances across the page and draws your reader along for the read. Just like music takes us on a journey to our emotions, a character’s dialogue should dig deep into your reader’s mind and make them feel the pain, joy nad fun without being there. This workshop explores not onlly the different types of dialogue, but male vs female, old vs yound, time period, tags, word usage and more. You may never say hello the same way again.
“Here a Path. There a Path to Publication”
Timeframe: 1 – 1/12 hours (Flexible)
Join me as I guide you down the path of basics on being a writer. From critique goups to contests to conferences, and more. There’s lots to navigate. So whether you’re shopping two completed manuscritps or have just finished your first scene, it’s never too early to decide which road to publishing you want to pursue. Remember, there is no right or wrong path as long as you keep that bright shiny publishing carrot in front of you all along the way. now let’s get started with the first steps in your writing career.
“I’d Really Like To…But…Maybe…”
Timeframe: 30 minutes – 1 hour – or more (Flexible)
This motivation workshop starts with some basics, then evolves into what is important to the audience, the business, the organization, etc. In my opinion, everyone needs motivation at one time or another. Hopefully something in this fun to serious, and everything in between, presentation touches on the driving force needed in the room, group and individual.
