Karen E. Quinones Miller's

Publishing Boot Camp

Get Started Writing Your Book

Let’s face it, we all have that great book we want to write, but just haven’t started. For some it’s because of fear of failure, for some it’s because of a fear of success, but for many it’s because they just don’t feel they know how to get started. If you fall into the latter category, than this 5-1/2 hour seminar is definitely for you!

Getting Started -  At some point you need to stop collecting information, random thoughts, etc., and get started writing. How do you know you’ve reached that point?

Point of View - Explaining the different points of view used in storytelling, and identifying which is most appropriate for your book.

Character Development - Why is character development important? One because for a reader to connect to your characters they have to feel like they know him.

Showing Versus Telling - One of the problems exhibited in manuscripts written by new writers is telling instead of showing. Telling is boring, vague, and can be misunderstood, or misinterpreted. For instance, to say that a man is old may mean one thing to one person, and a whole other thing to someone else. Telling usually takes fewer words, but actually slows down a story. Showing, on the other hand, is exciting, specific, reads quickly and allows readers to feel as if they are actually witnessing the action.  Most importantly, showing allows the reader to connect with what’s going on, and feel as if they are there witnessing the action.

Story Structure -  Introduces you to the five components of story structure - Introduction, Complication, Conflict, Climax, Resolution

Dialogue - You'll learn tricks for writing realistic dialogue. (Hint: Contractions are your friends!)

Setting a Scene - In order for your readers to get lost in your manuscript you need to set up scenes which give them entryway. Setting up scenes correctly will allow your reader to feel they are in the middle of the action.

Getting Rid of Passive Voice - Passive voice uses more words to convey the same thought; passive voice is not conversational, and so seems unnatural when read by your audience; passive voice slows your manuscript down. Let's get rid of it!

Overcoming Writer’s Block - Ah! That dreaded disease! You'll learn why it happens and tips to cure your illness!

The next Get Started Writing Your Book Workshop will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2010 - from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - in Philadelphia. Cost of this seminar is $95.00 and attendance will be limited to 15 people.

TO REGISTER: 

For more information contact  Karen E. Quinones Miller.

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