Events - Working Words

Join me for some of my upcoming workshops and presentations.

If you would like me to run a workshop or presentation for your group or organization, please get in touch with me.

WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS): open to members and nonmembers
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on the purpose of dialogue and the basics (like punctuation, attributions and action beats). We’ll also explore what to avoid, like Tom Swifties and talking heads.

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS): open to members and nonmembers
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on the elements of pacing–narration, dialogue, interiority, and action. We’ll look at how “show, don’t tell” can help keep your readers hooked and turning pages.

Where: VIRA (Vancouver Island Romance Authors)
Looking to create characters readers will connect with and remember long after putting your book down? Adding depth to your characters can help with that! In this presentation, I’ll share some essentials you can add to your character profile, including ideas around distinctive personalities, complex inner struggles, rich backgrounds, and thoughtful quirks. This presentation will hopefully inspire you and give you some practical tips as you write characters that readers will want to root for.

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS): open to members and nonmembers
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on ways to create your own voice and style. We’ll explore sentence types, word choices, and punctuation as ways to infuse your personality into your writing.

Where: The Calgary Association of the Romance Writers of America (CARWA): open to CARWA members
Ready to get some eyes on your manuscript but not sure where to start? Alpha and beta readers can provide you with valuable revision feedback. In this workshop, you’ll get an overview of working with alpha and beta readers and how to gain beneficial feedback from the process.

Where: The Calgary Association of the Romance Writers of America (CARWA): open to CARWA members
Does your first chapter hook the reader by jumping into the action and providing a glimpse into the character’s current chaos, and by establishing a clear tone and showcasing your voice? A first chapter review provides individual feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement in your first chapter. This workshop will be a hands-on, guided discussion of first chapters using specific feedback from participants. Each participant will make notes on different story elements and first chapter must-haves (based on specific criteria given out prior to the workshop) to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback in a group discussion.

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on the different points of view, and how to choose what is best for your story. First person, third person, multiple points of view. We’ll go over what different points of view look like and what might be best for your writing project.

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on planning a solid structure for your story, and how to avoid or fix problems like saggy middles. From acts, to chapters, to scenes, this workshop explores the building blocks of story.

Where: Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society
The Fiction Fundamentals workshops provide writers with information around some of the essential building blocks of story. These workshops are for everyone, including those new to writing and those looking for a refresher. Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, and delves into the purpose and importance of each element, as well as provides strategies and resources to learn new skills. This workshop will focus on creating and developing characters. From quirks to backstory, this workshop provides strategies to create characters with depth that readers will want to root for.