February 23, 2008

Speaker: Laura Baker

The Purposeful Writer Workshop

Master teacher Laura Baker, co-director of our last hugely successful workshop, "Discovering Story Magic," is returning February 23 to present "The Purposeful Writer." In this full-day combined workshop and meeting, we will learn Laura's "story box" technique, which she has created to help writers at all levels move from idea to words on paper--and greater depth. We'll learn how to enhance our storytelling skills, create compelling characters, and increase the emotional resonance of our novels.

Through exercises and sharing, in which every step builds on previous ones, Laura will help us realize our own strengths and guide us to reach the heart of our own "story vision."

The workshop will start with story ideas, and will explore theme, motivation and structure, building solid stories on the bedrock of our interests and talents. Writing exercises throughout the day will help us find ideas and material to incorporate into our work. No need to wait for inspiration!

Seven topics will be covered:

1. Finding the story you need to write.
2. Crafting the story to make readers care.
3. Plotting.
4. Story Box--including building a premise from theme words and building characters from the premise; developing conflict and learning from opposition.
5. Uses of archetypes.
6. Story structure--character arc, turning points.
7. Making your story quintessential--from good to great.

Note that this combined meeting and workshop will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is our regular lunch/meeting fee: $15 for chapter members, $20 for non-members. The chapter is covering additional costs.

Award-winning author Laura Baker writes suspense and romantic suspense novels set in the Southwest. She's garnered an impressive list of national award nominations including the National Reader's Choice Award and the RTA. Her nonfiction articles have been published in "Writer's Digest," "RWR" magazines and newsletters across the country. She has presented workshops at regional and national conferences, including the Romance Writers of America National Conference.

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