Workshops for Writers

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You've Written a Novel...Now What?

(For Libraries, Adult Education, and Arts Education Programs)

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Writing a book is a huge accomplishment.  But what do you do after you've written "the end?" Award-winning, bestselling author Jeannie Moon will take students through the next steps in what is often a daunting process. The five-session workshop looks at the following topics: 

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• Revision and editing

• Finding a market for your book

• Queries and synopses

• Working with editors and agents

• Submissions, rejections, and offers

• Self-publishing and what that entails

 

Jeannie will discuss her own experience, break down each step, and provide a collection of resources that students can use to advance their goals. 

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Creating a Living Setting

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Settings are more than a time period or a place to plop down your book’s characters.  A setting can be a living, breathing entity, whether it’s a small town or a brand-new world. Settings limit or expand possibilities for your characters, are a catalyst for change, act as a pain trigger, or provide comfort. The possibilities are endless.

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This workshop will take attendees through the intricacies of creating a setting that will transport readers to a world of the author's creation and make them want to return again and again. This is a deep dive into the craft of using time and place to enhance the story’s depth and give readers a true sense of what your characters are experiencing.

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Beyond Stretch Marks and Hot Flashes: Writing the Seasoned Romance

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Romance readers are growing older, and so are the heroes and heroines in the genre they love. This workshop will take you through the ins and outs of writing a seasoned romance, from the physical realities of age to the subtleties of the older mindset. See how publishers are starting to embrace romances with more mature characters.

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Topics covered will include both craft and marketing so authors can explore issues surrounding age, including:

• The concept of love being ageless

• How intimacy between older characters can be sexy and fun

• The myth of eternal youth (and why we don’t need it)

• Tropes that work well with seasoned romance

• How to envision and pitch your book in a changing market

• Fighting ageism in the industry

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The Layered Heroine

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Just as women have evolved over the decades, so have the romance heroines with whom they identify. No longer content to be rescued or domesticated, the modern romance heroine is made up of many different layers. In this class, attendees will be presented with examples of flat heroines and using techniques that incorporate backstory, internal and external conflict, speech, physical attributes, age, and outside influences, build a multifaceted woman ready to embark on her own journey and find happily ever after on her terms. This workshop can be customized for a one or two-hour presentation.

 

Running on Empty: Time Management for Writers

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Part inspirational talk and part down-and-dirty methods, this class will inspire participants to find the best method to get off the hamster wheel and have significantly less stress. Using examples from popular methodologies, Jeannie helps participants learn how to establish a routine, understand the difference between a true plan and a to-do list, and help design manageable, meaningful goals in small steps. Having struggled with burnout, Jeannie knows how doing too much can sap away energy and affect a person’s health and creativity. Attendees will leave the workshop with the tools to establish a workable plan (based on personal preferences) that supports a demanding schedule and includes writing time. This program can be customized to fill a one or two-hour time slot.

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Couple it with another workshop for a full day of learning.

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NaNoWriMo: Setting Your Pace and Reaching Your Goals

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Perfect for libraries. Can work as an adult or YA workshop. This customizable workshop will address the craze that is National Novel Writing Month. Using the NaNo website, planning and organizational tools, and a buddy approach, novices and experienced writers will be ready to attack the annual November challenge and have a 50,000-word draft done in 30 days.

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Realistic Characters and Reader Empathy

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Have you ever wondered how to create characters your readers love and can’t get enough of? Discover why characters that reflect real people—be they seasoned, plus-sized, or the guy or girl next door—are key to building strong reader connections. Explore traits that make a character genuine, relatable, and unforgettable; using tried and true archetypes coupled with tools meant to develop your strengths as an author, you can expand your audience and ensure that your books end up as reader favorites.

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