I’ve been offered a chance to lead a workshop at a Christian writers conference, which I’m just thrilled about. Can’t say much more than that right now. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about possible workshop subjects and was wondering, if you were attending a writers conference, which of these possible topics would most interest you?
WORKSHOP 1: What Grabs Readers and What Keeps Them (Hooks and Premises) The four primary ways to hook a reader and sustain their attention. The nuts and bolts of crafting a compelling premise, the hooks to draw readers in, and the elements which keep people reading. This workshop will explore the need for, and differences between, crafting compelling opening scenes and the story elements that sustain long-term interest.
WORKSHOP 2: Blurbs, Loglines, and Teasers – Distilling Your Story Into a Clear, Punchy, Synopsis We live in a world of sound bites. So how do we take a full-length story and condense it into a snappy, concise blurb? This workshop will help writers identify the key themes in their story, the best angle of approach, and craft winning pitches, back cover blurbs, and one-sentence summaries.
WORKSHOP 3: Self-Editing – A Checklist for Polishing Your Manuscript Why self-editing is one of the best disciplines and practices a writer can develop. Though editing is a multiple-pass project, this workshop will explore key elements to polishing that final draft. Topics will include, getting “outside” your story, following thematic threads, thinking paragraphically, cutting throats and killing darlings, charting the arc of your story, and other keys to honing your project.
WORKSHOP 4: Critique Groups – Pros and Cons, Rogues and Judges “Iron sharpens iron,” as will good critique partners. However, finding a group that fits you can be challenging. This workshop will discuss the pros and cons of being in a critique group, peer vs. professional critique, rogue critiquers, personality clashes, what makes a “good critique,” and how do we give and receive them.
WORKSHOP 5: The Christian Speculative Fiction Writer (and 10 Things They Should Know) Christian Speculative fiction writers comprise a small, but vocal segment of the Christian publishing industry. In this changing market, Christian Spec authors face unique opportunities and challenges. This workshop will discuss the continued popularity of speculative themes in our culture, how Christian Spec is uniquely “biblical,” the market challenges that Christian authors in this genre face, and growing outlets and approaches for growing Christian Spec-Fic.
Mike, Congratulations on the invitation. I’d be most interested in numbers 2 and 1. But I suspect you’d make any of the subjects interesting.
I like the Hooks/Premises or the Spec. Fiction info. It’d be good to have first-hand testimonies of agents/pubs who actually DO enjoy/want spec. fiction.
Teaching is also a great way to learn. I don’t think we can ever learn enough about self-editing so that’s my vote, although like Richard #2 is a great one as well. I’d pick something you really enjoy teaching or maybe even combine a couple. Have fun.
I’ve been to ACFW twice, and based on my experiences with workshops there, and the things I enjoy about your blog, I would sign up for the above in this order:
Workshop # 4
Workshop # 5
Workshop # 1
Here’s my order of preference:
5
4
1
2
3
Check with the conference people – 1, 2 and 3 are good topics, but may well be already being covered by someone else (as they are pretty generic).
I would suggest you go for the Spec Fic option, because that really is your forte, and it is a Christian sub-genre that I don’t see a lot of.
From what I understand, blogging and ebooks are both big topics that lots of folks want to speak on. I initially thought about speaking on one of those until I heard that. The organizer is leaning toward craft-related workshops, which I ‘m probably least enthused about leading. So this is the list I’ve developed.
I think #5 is the way to go. If people know you’re going to be there, they’re probably going to sign up for your workshop because you ARE the Spec-Fic guy operating in the CBA. You can get pointers on writing at any conference–what I think people need the most are the cold, hard facts of the industry from someone who’s been there.
Wow! I’m so excited you’re going to be teaching. Yay!!
My top choices would be:
1
2
5
Although, I’d really want to attend them all.
I can’t wait. This year’s conference is going to rock!
I like 1 and 5. #1 in particular. I’m fascinated with what keeps people reading a novel. Especially when the novel isn’t at a particularly suspensful part.