Meets: Mondays, November 2, 9, 16, & 23, 6-7:30 pm
Cost: Free
As the pandemic wears on and the weather turns, it’s the perfect time to cozy up at home and work on you writing skills! Join us for weekly writing coaching and inspiration from Madison Writers’ Studio founders Susanna Daniel and Michelle Wildgen as we celebrate National Novel Writing Month! We’ll meet as a group weekly through the month of November via Zoom for craft talks and exercises, writing time and commune throughout the month on our exclusive Facebook group. Join this virtual cohort of aspiring writers to learn, practice and enjoy each other’s company all while improving our writing skills together!
Great Beginnings
Monday, November 2, 6-7:30 pm
The intro of your book is the first impression your reader has with your story, which is why it’s so important to make it as powerful as it can be. In this workshop, we'll look at examples of powerful story beginnings and break down just why they make such an impact. We'll discuss point of view, tone, imagery, setting and drive — and then you’ll craft an attention-grabbing story opening yourself!
Characterization and Motivation
Monday, November 9, 6-7:30 pm
Imagining strong, unique characters might come easily to some, but writing such a character takes skill and practice. In this workshop, we’ll read published excerpts featuring great characters and learn both how and why these characters stand above the rest. Leave with the ability to write richly imagined characters that drive your story forward!
Building Fictional Worlds
Monday, November 16, 6-7:30 pm
A thoroughly imagined setting does more than situate your characters in time and place. A rich setting evokes tone, meaning and depth and can make the difference between a so-so read and a great one. We’ll learn what it takes to build full, evocative fictional worlds that submerse your reader and their imaginations.
Making a Scene
Monday, November 23, 6-7:30 pm
Your story is comprised of scenes – but what makes one greater than another? Whether it works alone or is part of a larger story, designing memorable scenes is an important skill to have in your writer’s toolkit. Put all the pieces you’ve learned so far — getting started, creating characters, and world-building — and learn how to make your scenes come alive!