For the second year in a row I traveled to Canyon, Texas and
West Texas A&M University for the Writer’s Academy. The Academy is unlike a conference because participants choose an author with plenty of
experience and name recognition to lead a specific group throughout the week.
It is a week of work beginning with informative lessons for
every student at 8 am. Then, at 8:30 everyone takes off to their chosen class.
Other classes occur in the afternoon. The groups choose what time to break and
what time to return. Our group took a brief lunch and returned to class
following the afternoon information class. We left each evening with homework.
Now, for more specific information. I chose to attend the
workshop led by Alexandra Sokoloff, best selling New York Times author of
thrillers and horror. Alex worked for many years in Hollywood as a screenwriter
before turning to writing novels. She led our group in using the 3 Act 8
Sequence format for mapping out/outlining a novel. By the time the week was
done each of us had our current work in progress mapped out and ready to write.
We had eleven in our class. The experience level was unpublished to
multi-published. The genres represented were Christian Romance, Science
Fiction, Mainstream Mystery, Fantasy, Police Procedural Thriller, Women’s
Fiction, and Paranormal/Time Travel Romance. At the end of the week Alex told
us that each of us had potential bestsellers in our hands. Can you imagine how
those words energized this tired group?
Alex has two workbooks using the 3 Act 8 Sequence format for
writers available at Amazon for $2.99 each. I recommend each of them.
WWW.SCREENWRITINGTRICKSFORAUTHORS.COM
WWW.WRITINGLOVE.COM
WWW.SCREENWRITINGTRICKSFORAUTHORS.COM
WWW.WRITINGLOVE.COM
ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF
OUR GROUP Consisted of (from L to R): MORGAN HYSINGER, WINONA
CROSS, MATT SHERLEY, LINDA TROUT, ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF, JOLENE NAVARRO, STORM
NAVARRO, DEANN ALFORD, SHERI WAIDE, MARILYN TUCKER, AND SHERRILL NILSON.
The Writer’s Academy is the dream and brain child of
bestselling romance author, Jodi Thomas and musician/actor/author Tim Lewis.
The popularity of this event is becoming well known and is popular.
Other class leaders this year were Margie Lawson
teaching Creating Characters. Margie is a writing coach and author. She offers
in depth courses in Deep Editing and Creating Characters as well as Immersion
classes for small groups. She’s a small package of energy and knowledge. Find
out more about Margie at www.margielawson.com
Margie and Me
Tim Lewis led the early morning Secrets of Publication. He
has had a successful career but his dream will hit bookshelves in September.
His novel, based on the true story of his great uncle, is being buzzed as the
book that will hit as a bestseller and is being optioned for foreign rights and
movie rights. The title is FOREVER FRIDAY. I guarantee this is a book everyone
will want. You can reach Tim at www.timothylewisonline.com
Jennifer Archer led a group seeking knowledge about writing
and the business. She has several novels out and is a very popular author in
west Texas. She can be reached at www.jenniferarcher.com
Mike Bellah worked with a group wanting to write and publish
memoirs. He is published in that genre and is a journalist. Find out more at www.mikebellah.com
Linda Castillo was the keynote speaker at our banquet. She
is inspiring and gives hope to others with every word. Amazing woman. Reach her
at www.lindacastillo.com
Friday morning began with a question and answer panel
featuring Alexandra Sokoloff, Margie Lawson, Jennifer Archer, Jodi Thomas, and
Mike Bellah. Very interesting stuff.
It isn’t all work at the Academy. There is movie night, the Panhandle Museum on campus, dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in the world, living in a dorm, spontaneous discussions in the lobby of the dorm, and making friends in the writing world.
I believe any writer can find value at the Academy. I plan to go each year unless family obligations prevent it. It takes place in June each year. Save your money! I ask for the tuition as a Christmas gift each year. The tuition is approximately $500, the dorm is $25 an night ($125), there isn’t much time to go out and spend other money except for food but the dorm suites have kitchens. The Academy provides breakfast. Most of us gathered for lunch in the student union and snacked at night. Our group did go out twice. Canyon is the home of the Palo Duro Canyon which is the second largest canyon in the Unites States. It is breathtaking. This part of the country is where I was raised so it felt like going home to me. Find out more at
