Friday, June 7, 2013

Learning in Canyon


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.


11 comments:

Jessica Ferguson said...

Your make-over looks great, Nona. Pam did a beautiful job. Enjoy your workshop--wish I could be there too!

Kathy L Wheeler said...

Jodi Thomas is terrific. I am a pioneer and am still in touch with the authors I met the first year she offered her academy. The benefits of attending this unique and highly satisfactory workshop are endless.

Congratulations, Nona, on your contract. The blog looks great too.

Ella Quinn - Romance Novelist said...

Have fun!!! I tweeted.

Diana Layne said...

Ooh, what a great workshop, have fun!

Anonymous said...

I love the makeover too, Nona! And I will be thinking about you and hope you have so much fun at the workshop! I will try to write and read as much as possible! Thank you for that advice!

-Lani

Winona Cross said...

I'm pleased with the new look of my blog but wish I could figure out how to keep from having those crazy spacing issues. Thank you all for replying. Jess, you're right Pam did a great job. Kathy, come back to Canyon. This year, besides Alex and Jodi, we have a YA instructor whose name I can't recall, Margie Lawson, who everyone has heard of with her deep-editing techniques, and Tim Lewis with the basics.

Lyn Horner said...

Congrats, Nona, for your book contract! The workshops sound great. enjoy!

Linda Broday said...

I'm so glad you're coming back to Canyon for the writing academy. Yay! I'll get to see you on Monday night. Can't wait. Big Congrats on the new contract!!!! Yay! So proud and happy for you.

Alexandra Sokoloff said...

Beautiful site!! We are going to have the most creative time. Can't wait.

Unknown said...

I like the look on your blog. Nice changes. Pam is good at that. Hope you pump up the creative juices this week.

Unknown said...

Found the comments. I didn't scroll down far enough. Great post. I've never gone to West Texas A & M Writers. it sounds fantastic. I love, love, love Margie Lawson's teaching. I also got so much from Jodie Thomas at OWFI. Thanks for telling us how it's organized. Great post.