Tomorrow I'll be leaving for a five day, intense work shop
in Canyon, Texas. The Writer's Academy is sponsored by West
Texas A&M University and Jodi Thomas, Writer in Residence. I went
for the first time last year and knew on the first day that this would be one
educational opportunity I would strive for each year.
Last year I was in Jodi Thomases class. We worked on
the first 30 pages of our manuscripts together. I received 13 critiques and
discussion. We all did. The novel I took "Dianne's Destiny",
is now under contract. I couldn't be more pleased--and, a bit terrified, of the
work after the contract. It is daunting for a debut novelist.
This year my instructor will be Alexandra Sokoloff.
She's doing a workshop using screenwriting tricks for novelists. Her workbook
is available. The link to her blog is www.screenwritingtricks.com
We will be using index cards and plotting our current
works-in-progress to outline and plan the entire book. The participants who
were in Alex's class last year had nothing but praise. Some are returning.
Enjoy your week. Write as much as possible. Read as much as
possible. I'll be catching you on the flip side with knowledge I'll be eager to
share. In the meantime, allow your mind to wander and wonder with words.
