At conventions, educational conferences, and other gatherings, authors Michael A.
Stackpole and Aaron Allston present a comprehensive course on writing fiction. The
purpose of the series is to help improve the writing skills of any writer and to trim years
off the time it takes to turn an aspiring writer into a published author. Stackpole and
Allston have more than 50 years of professional fiction writing experience between
them, and the tips, techniques, and tricks of the trade described in this series spring
from those years of hard-won experience as well as ongoing analysis and observation
of the industry.
This year, Stackpole and Allston are pleased to bring their series to the Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy® store in Austin, TX on July 26 and 27.
The program consists of ten seminars. Each is an hour in duration with a half-hour interval between (and a longer interval at lunchtime). Between seminars, attendees can entertain themselves with discussion of seminar topics or by browsing the store's extensive selection of comic books, graphic novels, games, action figures, and accessories.
Tickets may be purchased for attendance of the entire series or for individual seminars. Please contact Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy® (6111 Burnet Road, Austin, TX, 78757, 512-454-2399) for details.
(July 26, 2010, Monday)
(10:30-11:30 a.m.) The Rules of Writing New York Times bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole presents the Rules of
Writing. These are the insider tips and tricks that you'd pick up in the first five years of
your writing career, all presented here in an hour. Gleaned from personal experience
and the experience of writers dating back to the 1930s, these tricks will cut three years
out of your development as a writer.
(12:00-1:00 p.m.) Tools of the Trade New York Times bestselling author Aaron Allston talks about the inventory of a productive writer, including computers, software, furnishings, services, and reference works -- as well as what you don't need but people are determined to sell you.
(2:00-3:00 p.m.) 21 Days To a Novel
Michael A. Stackpole presents his three week program for preparing yourself to write a novel. This set of 21 exercises is broken down to give you everything from character creation to world building, practical plotting devices, dialogue development and character voice creation tools. This program is a practical, kick-in-the-pants place to start your career.
(3:30-4:30 p.m.) Providing the Experience
Aaron Allston discusses three closely-related elements of fiction: Point of View (the "camera" of your story), Emotion (how the story makes the characters and readers feel), and Description (how the author's descriptive techniques define the reader's experience).
(5:00-6:00 p.m.) Characterization
Characters are king in literature and Michael A. Stackpole brings you a toolbox full of techniques to create compelling and memorable characters. Readers read for and remember characters, and after this course, yours will be unforgettable, which will keep them coming back for more.
(July 27, 2010, Tuesday)
(10:30-11:30 a.m.) Style and Mood
Aaron Allston talks about establishing and sustaining the tone of a novel - how to switch from technique to technique, like a pitcher switching from a curve ball to a fastball, in order to make the readers experience exactly what you want them to.
(12:00-1:00 p.m.) Plotting
Michael A. Stackpole unravels the mysteries of creating compelling plots. A novel is a huge undertaking, written over weeks or months, and the plot has to hold it all together. From creating an outline to maintaining flexibility, this seminar gives you the insider knowledge that will separate you from all of your peers.
(2:00-3:00 p.m.) Plot Analysis
Aaron Allston adds to your writers' toolkit with methods to analyze, strengthen, and repair plots. He describes the four basic components of a plot (scenes, themes, points, and arcs), the types of functions that scenes perform (and how to detect when a scene is doing nothing for your story), and methods to break down a story to discover whether all its plot components are sound.
(3:30-4:30 p.m.) Edit to Perfection
So, you've got your pile of 100,000 words. What now? Michael A. Stackpole guides you through the intricacies of actually editing your novel. He'll cover those tough questions, like what needs to be trimmed, where do things need to be tightened, and what to do when characters are present, but just not engaged in the story. He'll even provide that key bit of advice so you know when your book is done, and ready to send in to an editor.
(5:00-6:00 p.m.) Showing Off Your Manuscript
Aaron Allston discusses ways to put your fiction before the eyes of others, including advance readers, workshoppers, editors, and agents. We'll also talk about the hazards of showing off your manuscript, including submission mistakes, hurtful reviews, and loss of creative energy.