One of the staples of any writers’ group conversations is the plot. It’s integral to every novel, holds everything together. It’s the vehicle that carries readers from page one to “The End”. It’s one of the scariest things an author faces when s/he decides, hey, I want to write a novel!
How many of us have made this decision, then stared at that blank page or computer screen without a clue about how to proceed? What about those of us who write by the seat of our pants, the pantsers? Do we dare risk scaring off our muse by [shudder] plotting our story? How do the mega-plotters, the overachievers, know when it’s time to stop and just put pen to paper?
Join four-time Golden Heart® finalist and Daphne du Maurier winner Karen Docter as she shares the “W” plotting technique she’s used successfully for more than 12 years.
Included in this workshop is Karen’s analysis of the movie “Romancing the Stone” where she shows how the technique works, discussing detailed plot points for the main characters including the villain. Exercises will help you to uncover the skeleton of your own novel. Whatever your genre, by the end of the course not only will you have all of the tools you need to finish plotting your story using the “W”, you’ll know how to use it to write the synopsis we all love to hate…all without writing one word of the novel.
If you’ve already started your novel, that’s okay. It’s never too late to apply the principles of the “W” to your developing story. Have you run into a wall? Don’t know where to go next? Has the story gone flat? Use the technique to pull apart the elements of your story so you can plug the holes, work through/over/around walls that loom in your path, and get moving on your story once again.
This is a hands-on-your-own-book workshop designed for the novice and experienced writer.
FMI about this workshop or to purchase [$20], please go to http://www.karendocter.com. Click on WORKSHOPS for information & NEWS for PayPal. Thank you!
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Writing. Reading. Cooking. Gardening. Camping. Fishing. My children and grandchildren. Waves crashing on the shore. Tropical breezes & sea birds calling. Mountain pine after a rain. Child's laughter. Hazelnut or Caramel cappuchino.
Music
50s/60s, classic Rock 'N Roll, nature and mood music, flamenco, country, alternative, instrumental, depends on what I'm doing and my mood.
Movies
Your results: You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
90%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)
80%
Wash (Ship Pilot)
70%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
70%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)
70%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)
60%
Inara Serra (Companion)
40%
River (Stowaway)
30%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)
25%
Alliance
25%
A Reaver (Cannibal)
10%
Honest and a defender of the innocent. You sometimes make mistakes in judgment but you are generally good and would protect your crew from harm.
Serenity, Speed, Hunt for Red October, all LOTR, Romancing the Stone, all Pirates of the Caribbean, Somewhere in Time, all Star Wars, all Die Hard, The Abyss, all X-Men, French Kiss, all Indiana Jones, all The Mummy, Star Trek series & movies, all 007 with Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan, all Bourne movies, all Matrix, The Thirteenth Floor, all Lethal Weapons, Animal House, The Net, Hitch, Independence Day, Batman Begins & The Dark Knight, Armaggedon, The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County, The Sixth Sense, Hitchcock, Hepburn/Spencer & Doris Day movies.
But there's a special place on my Keeper Shelf for Cherry Adair, Victoria Alexander, Amanda Ashley, Beverly Barton, Kylie Brant, Suzanne Brockmann, P.C. Cast, Linda Castillo, Kresley Cole, Jacquie D'Alessandro, Alyssa Day, Barbara Freethy, Lisa Gardner, Cindy Gerard, Lori Handeland, Kay Hooper, Lisa Jackson, Tara Janzen, Sabrina Jeffries, Kathryne Kennedy, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Angela Knight, Glenna McReynolds, Melissa Mayhue, Jennifer Morey, Kathleen Nance, Brenda Novak, Patti O'Shea, Robin D. Owens, Barbara Dawson Smith, Kerrelyn Sparks, Susan Squires, Roxanne St. Claire, Kally Jo Surbeck, Donna Young, Terri Lynn Wilhelm, & J.R. Ward to name a few. You ladies rock!
Can't forget Tom Clancy, Jules Verne, Clive Cussler, Ian Fleming, Dick Francis, Steven King, Dean Koonz, John McDonald, Mickey Spillane, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark, Robin Cooke, Isaac Asimov, Michael Crichton, E.E. "Doc" Smith, Edgar Rice Burroughs, & Ayn Rand
Heroes
First responders and all of our brave soldiers protecting my family and American freedoms. My husband, my family, and last, but not least, my mom who launched my love affair with books.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
Graduated: 1978
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Technical Journalism
1976 to 1978
Aims Community College
Greeley, CO
Graduated: 1976
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Associate's Degree
Major: Journalism
Minor: History
Clubs: Aims College World Magazine Editor
1974 to 1976
Boulder High School
Boulder, CO
Graduated: 1974
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
Major: Business
About me: "I aim to misbehave" ... Malcolm Reynolds...FIREFLY
FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ME
[An Ongoing List since March 2008, see Blog for previous months]
76. I met astronaut, Scott Carpenter, and shook his hand when I was in second grade and he came to officially open our newly-built school named after him.
77. My grandfather was a train conductor for more than 50 years on the line from Philadelphia to the small town where he lived along the line.
78. Neither of my grandparents ever owned a car or learned to drive one. If they couldn’t get to wherever they were going by train, they took a cab or walked. When they’d come visit us in Colorado, it would take them two days by railroad. And, no, they never took the sleeping car -- you’ve never experienced anything until you’ve sat on a horsehair seat for 48 hours!!
79. I love old family photographs because they capture our history.
80. I’m the eldest in my family so, yes, I’ve been accused of being bossy!
Find out more about me at www.karendocter.com.
2009 ROMANCE LITERATURE STATS!!
**** 74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008.
**** The core of the romance fiction market is 29 million regular readers.
**** 24.6 percent of all American read a romance novel in 2008, versus 21.8 percent in 2005.
**** 29 percent of Americans over the age of 13 read a romance novel in 2008.
**** Women make up 90.5 percent of the romance readership, and men make up 9.5 percent.
**** The heart of the U.S. romance novel readership is women aged 31–49 who are currently in a romantic relationship.
**** Romance readers are more likely than the general population to be currently married or living with a partner.
****Courtesy of Romance Writers of America's 2009 Romance Reader Survey****
Who I'd like to meet: Readers and other writers, agents, editors. Anyone who loves the written word! The world is filled with wonderful stories waiting to be told, read, and shared!!
I have randomized my Favorite Friends so that you may enjoy the wealth of wonderful avatars and cover art that is shared with me.
Thanks for joining our Myspace, but be sure to check out our website at www.HailMaryPublishing.com
for this weeks Homework assignment, and your chance to become a
Featured Artist, or participate in the revolutionary new program
entitled Fabric Fiction. Thanks once again, and happy writing.
It's turning out to be a beautiful day today, so am going to take
advantage of it and go for a nice long walk. Hope it is nice where you
are. Will probably have to go to the grocery store later. Next week is
my last week of work, and then will be on vacation. Can hardly wait.
Take care, my friend, and have a great one.
Hugs,
Muriel
Thanks for being my
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Hello
there, my friend. What a extremely hot day it was here. Looks like we
might get some relief in the next day or so. Had a great and enjoyable
visit with my sister on Sunday. So glad I was able to get up there for
her birthday. Gotta move on but take care and have a super Wednesday. Hugs, Muriel
I'd rather have him .... I don't have a lot of pictures of him, and since my scanner isn't operating (something about needing the cord I lost in the move), I can't put any of them in here. Sorry you don't have those great memories. (hugs)
Hi, hot and humid day here. Tomorrow is not going to be any better.
Have the day off so may go visit my sister as it is also her birthday.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Hugs,
Muriel
..
