Plotting, Not Plodding

In this class you'll learn how to map your story using the plot points that mark every journey. From introduction and motivation to the hero/heroine’s moment of maxim angst, you’ll see how easy it is to develop a story line and keep your characters on the path to a compelling climax. Learn how to introduce the Great Disturbance, what 4 Questions you should ask of your plot, how to chart the 13 Passage Markers, manage your Plot Points, the 7 Keys to every good plot, when Worry, Conflict and Disaster spells success for the writer, how to introduce your Major Dramatic Question.

Faculty: Eddie

Creating Compelling Characters

Compelling characters are larger than life. They risk more, laugh often and love with passion. In this session you’ll learn how to invent both likable and loathsome characters, winners and losers, heroes and villains. In this class you’ll learn how to build motivation, focus flaws, and and explore the feelings or your characters. You’ll see how conflict, crisis and consequences shape your characters. We’ll show you how to find the right character for your story, motivate your hero and heroin, and how the "off-beat sidekick" can provide comic relief for your story.

Faculty: Eddie

Been There, "Scene" That!

Making a scene is as easy as ABCD – Action, Background, Conflict & Decision. In this class you’ll learn how to frame each scene of your story. A good scene reveals information that moves the story forward (new goals, old secrets, hidden motives), shows conflict between characters (adds tension), deepens the character’s development, and creates suspense (introduces a new wrinkle that leaves the reader hanging). Learn the three keys to scene summary, how to create memorable moments in your story, what 4 questions you should ask of each scene.

Faculty: Eddie

Dramatic Dialogue

Dialogue can breathe life into any fiction or non-fiction story. In this class we cover: Scene & space – A scene is: Doing (Action) Thinking (Narrative) and Talking (Dialogue). Tools– A writer has a number of tools for story building: narration, action, description, and dialogue Stickiness – How dialogue sticks with us Tags – When to tag, when to skip tags & where to place tags Types - Direct, Reflective, Misdirected, Modulated, Descriptive, Breathless, & Compressed Tips – When to circle back, go silent, & add gestures Punctuation – Where to put those marks and quotes.

Faculty: Eddie

Writing Powerful Paragraphs

Powerful paragraphs engage the reader's imagination creating what John Gardner called “the fictional dream.” In this class we’ll explain how to automate the process of creating a sense of reality using the five senses, internal thoughts, conflict and the energy of decision.

Faculty: Eddie

Seriously Funny Writing

If you’ve ever wanted to make your point with a punch line, then let us show you how. Yes, there is a formula to funny. In this class we’ll explain why we laugh, explore the basics of humor and lay the foundation for witty writing. You’ll learn how oddly-paired elements can lead to laughs, the power of play on words, how a well-turned reverse can deliver a surprising bite. This session covers the eight major theories of why we laugh, including surprise, superiority, ambivalence and release. With humor, a joke is a story and a surprise ending is always the final act.

Faculty: Eddie

Turning Personal Experiences into Parables – Writing Devotions for Impact

In this class, you will learn how to write devotions for church newsletters, periodicals, websites and books. A devotional ministry can complement the advancement of a building campaign, mission work and church projects. Learn how to draw readers in with the “Hook, Book, Look, Took” method of writing a devotion. For some, a devotion may be their only Bible for the day, so let us help you touch hearts, teach His Word and change lives.

Faculty: Eddie

Writing As A Ministry

It's okay if you want to be writer...it's better if you want to write for God. Writing really is a ministry and we'll help you ask the questions and seek the discernment you need to write for Christ. Learn the different avenues of writing that will lead you to writing inspirational work for websites, blogs, obituaries, church newsletters, weekly newspapers and more. This coaching session gives you direction to serve Christ both in a paying and non-paying venue. You'll be surprised at the ways you can write for Christ.

Faculty: Cindy

Basic Editing

We will evaluate and edit written work. We accept non-fiction articles, book chapters, devotions, and query letters. No book proposals please. We will provide feedback on work submitted to help strengthen your fundamental writing skills.

SPEAK UP! Launch Your Own Radio Show

Are you looking to expand your platform? One of the fastest growing segments of marketing is web-based radio. It’s live, the shows are archived and best of all, it’s free! In this class we’ll show you how to set up your virtual studio, send out press releases, invite guests to be on your show and build your audience. Using our Blog Talk Radio Top Ten Secrets to Success, we can help build your brand through FREE RADIO! Start Podcasting today!

Faculty: Eddie

Marketing is Murder - 10 Ways to Jump Start Your Book Launch

In this class we'll reveal the top ten ways you can create buzz for your book for little or no money. From casting your readers as characters, to virtual book signings, we'll show you how to incorporate Skype, cell-phone videos, and YouTube technology in your next book launch. We'll show you how selecting a cause or charity can drive media interest in your book.

Faculty: Eddie

Top Tips for Getting Great Book Reviews

Book reviews are a great way to enhance your credibility and give your readers confidence in your writing: especially if your book is published by a micro-press and lacks wide-range distribution. But it takes more than great content alone to catch a critic's eye. In this class we'll show you how to great book reviews.

Faculty: Eddie

Amazing Results with Amazon

In this class we'll show you how to create buzz for your book using your Amazon account. Topics include: Kindle submission, how to create that "Search Inside" feature for your book, ways to improve your Amazon author profile page, how to add blog links to your profile page, how to upload a book trailer to your book's Amazon page, ways to garner positive Amazon reviews and much more.

Faculty: Eddie

Blog and Website Evaluations

Need feedback on your blog or website content? We check for grammar, spelling, sentence/paragraph structure, plus, ensure all pages and links work properly so you can share your website with confidence.

The Power of a Press Kit

Need a press kit for you book? We'll help you select the materials you'll need to garner interviews and reviews from the media.

Faculty: Eddie

Career Coaching

We offer encouragement, mentoring, and coaching. We provide one-on-one sessions based on individual needs. We prefer to use Skype, but are open to other arrangements.

Speaker Coaching

We evaluate speaking clips to help improve your delivery, presentation, and content.