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Get rid of writer's block!

5/29/2017

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Many people believe that writer’s block comes from not having a strong plot line, a strong direction to follow. I agree. To me, to write a story of any size without a plan or plot is like going on a journey without a map or GPS. But some writers say they feel restricted by the structure of plot. That doesn’t have to be the way it works.
 
SO WHAT IS A PLOT? A plot is a series of events deliberately arranged to reveal the dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance of the events of the story.

When you start your journey with no idea of where you are going, allowing the words to carry you along as they will, they sometimes dry up, and you don't know where to go from there.

Every time you get stuck, you can use a form of brainstorming to get you going again.

The main problem with this method is that sometimes you can get so stuck you can’t get going again, or you end up with a lot of material that must be cut later, thereby wasting time and energy. The questions that you then ask to try to get going, are the same ones you would ask when plotting the story, so why waste time being stuck.

Ask them at the start. In this workshop, we will show you the importance of structure and how to achieve a plot that will keep you writing and focused. It doesn't matter if you are a plotter or a 'panters' this will help you.


Plotting Workshop: Sunday 4th June. 10am to 3pm. Cost $50.

Book http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html or phone Elaine on 07 54 399 038.


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Want to know the secret to being a successful self-published author?

5/22/2017

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Join us on Friday night for a fun-filled night with award-winning local children’s author, Chris Collin  as he shares his journey of Animated Funkiness and tells us the secret to selling 30,000 books as an independent author.

 
Friday May 26th: 7pm to 9pm. Inspirational talk: How to succeed as a self-published author:

If you have questions about jumping into children’s publishing, or you’ve wondered what is involved as a fully independent writer, publisher, presenter and promoter then this is an event not to miss.

Be warned though, Chris may be looking for a volunteer ‘dancer’ or two from the audience! 
​
Hop on the rollercoaster that has been Chris Collin’s life since leaving a 20 year career in civil construction management in 2013 to write his wacky rhyming picture books.


$20 just per head. Book and pay on the workshop page or phone Elaine at 54 399 038.

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The most valuable workshop of the year

5/16/2017

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The year is slipping away. I can't believe we are almost to the halfway point. I guess it's true that times flies when you're having fun.

We certainly had fun at Chris Collin's rhyming workshop last Saturday.



The photo is of the talented and fun group who attended. 

We are all so busy that we sometimes forget our goals of improving our writing to make sure we achieve our dreams. Our character workshop is on this weekend. I wanted to remind you how important your story's character is to your success.

I believe that this is the most valuable workshop of the year. If your character is flat and not well enough developed, so is your story.

Characters are one of the most important elements in a good story. Think about the last book you read that stayed in your mind for days. What did you remember the most? Was it the setting, the story, or the main characters? For me, and most readers I know, it is always the characters. And they are just as important in a short story or poem as are in a novel. In this workshop, we will work on how to make your characters unique and memorable.
 
Developing your characters so well that you know them as well as you know yourself is vital. Not only does it make it easy to write, but it also makes it much more interesting for your reader. A well-developed character jumps off the page and into the heart and/or mind of your reader and makes them want to stay with the story until the end.
 
When creating a character, most writers use their own experiences, understanding, values, and characteristics, but that is not enough. Do we really want our characters to be just like us? Of course we don’t, especially if we are writing more than one story. There is nothing worse than reading a second novel from an author and realising that the character in the second one is just a clone of the one in the first one with a different name – or finding that all the characters in a novel are the same kind of people, good or bad.

​How do you get make sure your characters are believable? In this workshop, we will examine many memorable characters from books and movies and go through what makes them memorable.
We will then examine the many personality types we meet and show you how to portray them effectively.

For crime and mystery writers, the character workshop includes an examination of criminal types and what drives them to commit crimes.
 It's a two day workshop, so if you are coming from any distance and want to stay over Saturday night, let me know. I will contact you with the accommodation alternatives.
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​Don't let this valuable workshop slip by. Book now on the workshop page or phone 54 399 038 to book. http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html​

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Last chance to book!!

5/5/2017

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Only a couple of places left in this workshop. Book today so you don't miss out.

Kids get so much fun out of listening to books written in rhyme and adults love reading them.


If you are a picture book writer, don't miss this workshop by Chris Collin.

Chris has sold 30,000 copies of his self-published picture books so he must be doing something right. It's always best to learn from someone who is a success at what they do.
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What are the fundamentals of rhyming picture books?

The first is Rhyme and Meter:
Rhyme & Meter comes naturally to some writers. To others, combining rhyme and meter with a neat story is an exercise in frustration - however, a great picture book must have all three.

How to understand Rhyme and Meter:
Meter is similar to singing on key. Some people have perfect pitch: they sing every note on key. Others sing flat. If smooth meter doesn't come naturally to you, it can take a whole lot of hard work and hair pulling to make it sound right.

​With rhyme, you have to be careful not to use the 'easy' words and sound like an amateur. There is a way to get it right. Chris has discovered the secret and will share it with you.


The Story Counts Too!
The story you tell is just as important as your rhyme and meter. The same story writing rules apply in rhyme as in plain text - fun, interesting characters, and a plot that grabs reader interest with its first few lines. Learn from Chris what he does to make his books so popular.  

Saturday May 13th - 10am to 12 pm
Writing in Rhyme.

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A fun-filled 2 hour session with Chris Collin on writing in rhyme.

Learn the secret to making your poem or rhyming story as much fun to read as it was to create.

Cost $66.00 Book http://www.gondorwriterscentre.com/workshops.html or phone Elaine on 07 54 399 038.



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