by Nate Hoffelder | Mar 11, 2022 | Classes and Workshops
Mary Buckham will be speaking on Wednesday, June 22th, at 6 pm.
Topic: Writing Active Hooks: or How Many Hooks Are Enough?
Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser (seat-of-pants writer), the simplest way to avoid a sagging middle is to understand how to continually build hooks into your story. So how many hooks are enough and where should you use them? Knowing the answer to that question can be the difference between a compelling story and one that drags. You’ll grasp:
- Which are the 10 most universal hooks and why.
- What exactly is a hook and how do hooks work?
- Where should you place your hooks in a manuscript?
- How too many hooks can trip you up as much as too few hooks.
About the Speaker
Mary Buckham USA Today bestselling author Mary Buckham learned to get into and out of trouble at a very early age. Time has added to her opportunities—detained by Israeli intelligence; strip-searched by a Greek border patrol while traveling with a priest, sneaking into Laos. When not personally avoiding nuisances caused by her insatiable curiosity she writes Urban Fantasy, Romantic Suspense and Young Adult novels as well as an upcoming Mystery Series. In her spare time Mary writes Writing Craft books including, A Writer’sGuide to Active Setting, Writing Active Hooks and Break Into Fiction:11 Steps to Building a Powerful Story for writers of all genres. MaryBuckhamOnWriting.com
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register using the Paypal button below for the Zoom Link.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
June 2022 Registration
June 2022 Speaker Donation
by Nate Hoffelder | Mar 11, 2022 | Classes and Workshops
Jordan Rosenfeld will be speaking on Wednesday, May 25th, at 6 pm.
Topic: Writing the Intimate Character
What makes those books you can’t put down until your eyelids are sandy and your brain is buzzing, compelling? Unforgettable, unique characters who are real, flawed, complex and human. In this workshop writers will learn what it takes to build complex characters, unlock the essentials of point of view (POV), learn about key “character cues” crucial to demonstrating character, and much more.
About the Speaker
Jordan Rosenfeld is author of the novels Women in Red and Forged in Grace and six books on writing craft, most recently How to Write a Page-Turner. Her freelance articles and essays have appeared in hundreds of national publications such as The New York Times. She is a freelance manuscript editor and writing teacher. Jordanrosenfeld.net.
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register using the Paypal button below for the Zoom Link.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
May 2022 Registration
May 2022 Speaker Donation
by Nate Hoffelder | Mar 11, 2022 | Classes and Workshops
Stephanie Chandler Will be speaking on Wednesday, April 27th, at 6 pm.
Topic: Build Your Book Marketing Plan – Simple Strategies to Cultivate Your Audience and Sell More Books
Before self-publishing her first book, Stephanie Chandler decided to build an audience online. The success of that effort led to signing several traditional book deals, corporate sponsorships, major media coverage, product sales, and a variety of other opportunities. In this content-rich presentation, she shares proven strategies that you can use to develop a marketing plan to reach your goals.
You will learn how to:
- Identify and attract your ideal audience
- Leverage your existing Tribe of Influence (and it’s likely bigger than you realize)
- Use content marketing tactics to increase website traffic and grow your email list
- Locate publicity opportunities
- Implement the top five most effective book marketing strategies
About the Speaker
Stephanie Chandler is the author of several books including The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan and The Nonfiction Book Marketing Plan. She is CEO of NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com, a vibrant community for writers, and NonfictionWritersConference.com, an annual event conducted entirely online since 2010. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, she has been featured in Entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, and Wired magazine. https://NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register using the Paypal button below for the Zoom Link.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
April 2022 Registration
April 2022 Speaker Donation
by Nate Hoffelder | Feb 15, 2022 | Classes and Workshops
Jen Graybeal will be speaking on Wednesday, March 23 at 6pm
Topic: What Writers Can Learn from Marvel and Pixar
Marvel and Pixar have combined storytelling and fan service in a way other entertainment companies have not mastered. Let’s take a look at what they did to create movies everyone talks about and how they leverage insider knowledge to keep fans interested in what comes next. From building a world that is completely new but completely recognizable, to touching moments that pull our heartstrings, to training their fans to look beyond the story, Marvel and Pixar movies go big.
About the Speaker:
Jen Graybeal (she/her) is a book coach, freelance editor, and author cheerleader. Her encouraging feedback, creative approach to problem solving, and gently applied tough love inspires clients to take their books and business to the next level. She has a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jengraybeal.com or follow her on Instagram: @JenTheEditor.
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register at cwcmarin.com/events for the Zoom Link. Or become a member and attend all of Marin’s meetings for free through June 2022. cwcmarin.com/join.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
March Speaker Donation
by Nate Hoffelder | Dec 2, 2021 | Classes and Workshops
Tobi Doyle will be speaking on Wednesday, February 23 at 6pm
Topic: Using Emotional Wounds and GMC to Create Compelling Stories
Want to create a compelling story with high conflict, tension, emotion?
This workshop is an in-depth look at plotting your story, taking you step-by-step by starting with your characters’ emotional wounds to power their external and internal goals, motivations, and conflicts. Participants will learn how to make their plot points make an emotional impact that wow’s their readers.
About the Speaker:
Tobi Doyle, a hybrid romance author, has published over a dozen HEAs with heat and humor, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. Tobi is a content developer for the RWA’s Pen to Paper Guide to Writing Romance program, and the President of RWA’s romantic suspense/mystery chapter, Kiss of Death. She’s a partner of the Intensive Genre Writers along with SG Redling, providing genre writers a craft foundation through workshops and retreats. IntensiveGenreWriters.com
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register at cwcmarin.com/events for the Zoom Link. Or become a member and attend all of Marin’s meetings for free through June 2022. cwcmarin.com/join.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
February Speaker Donation
by Nate Hoffelder | Dec 2, 2021 | Classes and Workshops
LaQuette will be speaking on Wednesday, January 26 at 6pm
Topic: Publisher Fitness
Choosing the right publisher to partner with can make all the difference between becoming a rising star, a one-hit wonder, or worse, the author no one knows about. Join LaQuette for a chat on the finer points of selecting the right publisher for you and your publishing needs—including making the decision to choose no publisher at all.
About the Speaker:
2021 Vivian Award finalist and DEIA activist in the romance industry, LaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance. She crafts dramatic, emotionally epic tales that are deeply pigmented by reality’s paintbrush.
This Brooklyn native writes unapologetically bold, character-driven stories. Her novels feature diverse ensemble casts who are confident in their right to appear on the page. www.laquette.com
Meetings: Free for CWC Members (any branch), $5 Non-Members
CWC Marin Members: A zoom link will be sent to all Marin members a few days before the meeting.
CWC Members from Other Branches: Please email your name and preferred email to marincwc@gmail.com. Please specify if you want to attend this event or all Marin meetings through June.
Non-Members: Please register at cwcmarin.com/events for the Zoom Link. Or become a member and attend all of Marin’s meetings for free through June 2022. cwcmarin.com/join.
Recording: The recording will be available in view-only mode for one week following the meeting.
January Speaker Donation
