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FOOTNOTES
November 21, 2017
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In This Issue:
A Special Deal on Online Classes; Winter 2017 Classes; Early Conference Registration (Members-Only): Member News; & More |
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Package of 6 Online Classes for $240
It's been a year since we launched our online classes, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the response from our community! We love that we're able to offer classes with brilliant instructors to all writers, everywhere. If you've enjoyed learning from the comfort of your own home, or if you've been curious about our online classes but haven't yet taken the plunge, we're excited to offer a special deal to celebrate our writing community during the holiday season.
For a limited time, you can purchase a package of 6 Writers' League of Texas online classes, to be taken between January 1 and December 31, 2018. That's a savings of $60 off the regular member price (non-members can also purchase a package at a discounted rate).
You're not locked into any particular classes -- choose any six you'd like during the 2018 calendar year. Classes will be announced beginning in December 2017 and throughout 2018. Click
here for a list of guaranteed topics in 2018.
We hope you'll dedicate yourself to your writing in 2018, and we're here to help. Questions? Give us a call at 512-499-8914 or email Michael at [email protected].
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IN-PERSON CLASS
Structuring Successful Screenplays Using the Nutshell Technique
Saturday, December 2, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
When it comes to telling a great story, for a novel or a screenplay, there's a big difference between
story
and
situation
. If you have ever gotten stumped in the middle of a novel or screenplay, you probably have encountered this difference firsthand. That's why Jill Chamberlain has made
story the centerpiece of her approach to teaching screenwriting.
Jill is an award-winning film writer, and in this class she will cover
- eight linked elements required to successfully tell a story and not just present a situation;
- how the protagonist's central flaw is the single best writing tool you're not fully utilizing;
- how the solution to the inevitable problems in your second act involves less structure, not more;
- and how to find that "inevitable yet unexpected" ending that both surprises and satisfies audiences.
Bring your screenplay or screenplay idea to this class.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE
- "A detailed, focused, ferociously practical method for structuring a screenplay." -- Writer Glenn Gers (Mad Money and Fracture)
Registration closes Thursday, November 30, at midnight. Walk-up registration available, pending availability.
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ONLINE CLASS
Whose Story Is It? Playing with Point of View
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Choosing a point of view shapes how you-and your reader-experience any narrative. Imagine how different
The Great Gatsby
would be if told as a 1st person account by Gatsby. Or what if Gone Girl had been told through a 3rd person omniscient point of view?
In this class, you will read and discuss excerpts of published works that utilize all the points of view available to writers-even 2nd person. The class will consider how point of view impacts the narrative experience of these pieces, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various points of view, and complete writing exercises that will give you the opportunity to "try on" all different perspectives as we determine which one is the best fit for your work.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS CLASS
- "I found that writing to the prompts of each point of view burned onto my brain like a CD!"
Registration closes Tuesday, December 5, at 5 p.m. CST.
Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until December 13.
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IN-PERSON CLASS
Honing the Spark and Mapping Out Your Revision
Saturday, December 9, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
As writers revise, it's useful to create a roadmap for what is needed to revise a current book-length draft into an engaging manuscript.
In this full-day class, participants will assess what they have and what is needed and create plans for closing the gap, while honoring the initial
spark
that started the work. Participants will be asked to bring the first 5 and last 5 pages of their current draft, as well as 5 middle pages. The instructor will guide them as they look for themes, primary symbols, and subplots to deepen or eliminate. Focus will also be given to
exploring participants'
willingness (or lack thereof) to let go of current pages in order to create stronger ones.
This class is for any writer with a book-length manuscript
in progress
, regardless of genre.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS CLASS
- "Her suggestions are so simple and practical. I'm grateful for such a clear-eyed view into the process. I can't wait to dig into the whole long messy draft and see what comes out the other side."
Online registration closes Thursday, December 7, at midnight. Walk-up registration available, pending availability.
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ONLINE CLASS
Finding Your Novel's Best Ending
Monday, December 11, 2017
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CST
Wrapping up a novel in an artful, satisfying way can sometimes feel like a near impossible task. If you're a writer struggling with an almost-finished novel draft-or a draft with an imperfect ending--you're not alone. How do you highlight your protagonist's emotional evolution while simultaneously tying up multiple plot threads and resolving conflicts between characters? It's a lot to juggle.
In this class, participants will examine what makes an ending meaningful and resonant, how to achieve a balance of "surprising, yet inevitable," and how to avoid sentimental or overly precious endings. No matter your genre, this class is an excellent choice for any writer confronting the challenge of finishing a novel. Particular focus will be given to techniques to make the ending of the novel echo the beginning and come "full circle" as well as how NOT to end a novel.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SARA'S CLASSES
- "Sara offered such substantial, yet simple, suggestions to help us through these challenges. What a great class."
Registration closes Monday, December 11, at 5 p.m. CST.
Everyone who registers will have access to the class recording until December 19.
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Writers' League of Texas Podcast
Have you checked out our podcast lately? If not, you're missing out on an array of great discussions featuring some of our favorite writers sharing craft tips, tricks, and advice. And remember, you can now find us wherever you get your podcasts
.
Subscribe
so you never miss an episode!
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The Writers' League of Texas
2018 Agents & Editors Conference
Hyatt Regency Austin
Members-Only Early Registration Price: $389
(Includes an agent/editor consultation)
From now through Monday, December 4.
- Three days of meeting and networking opportunities with literary agents, book editors, and fellow writers
- Panel discussions and presentations focused on honing your craft and demystifying the publishing process
- Keynote speakers
- Genre sessions
- A one-on-one consultation with an agent or editor
- and the "Pitch Lab" (a participant favorite).
A few of the agencies already confirmed for 2018
- Arielle Datz: Dunow, Carlson, and Lerner
- Rachel Orr: Prospect Agency
- Grace A. Ross: Regal Hoffman and Associates
- Kristina Moore: The Wylie Agency
- Wendy Gu: Janklow and Nesbit Associates
- Cherise Fisher: Wendy Sherman Associates
- More agents added every week, plus editors and keynote speakers
Hope to see you in Austin in June!
If you haven't been to our conference before, check out the 2017 program
here and please do call us if you have any questions, 512-499-8914.
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Awards & Honors
Walt Gragg's (Georgetown) novel
The Red Line (Berkley/Penguin Random House) was named the Best Book Award winner in the 2017 Fiction: Thriller/Adventure category for the 14th Annual American Book Fest.
Brian Yansky's (Austin) story "The Curse" won second place in Glimmer Train magazine's Very Short Fiction Contest. Glimmer Train has also purchased the story for publication in 2018.
Miscellaneous
Sarah M. Weber
(Austin), book editor, is running a "30x30x30" special for authors who've emerged from NaNoWriMo with new material on which they'd like feedback. You've just spent 30 days writing a novel, and now you can take 30 percent off a 30-page manuscript critique through the month of December. Visit
sarahmweber.com
to learn more.
Interested in having your news listed here? Current Writers' League members can submit their news to [email protected]. Announcements should adhere to the following guidelines: third-person, starting with your first and last name, followed by your city of residence, maximum 50 words. We may edit your announcement for style and clarity.
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Open Office Hours
December Open Office Hours will be on Thursday, December 7.
The deadline to sign up is Thursday, November 30 at noon.
Writers' League m
embers can meet one-on-one with a WLT staffer (in person or call in). This member benefit is available to all members regardless of their city of residence.
Current members only.
Please email [email protected] to sign up. Please be sure to indicate whether or not you'd like to speak in person or over the phone (and provide your phone number), and outline what questions you'd like to discuss so we can be prepared for your appointment. Before you send an email, please read the OOH guidelines available here.
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Writer Classifieds
Looking for a writing group or critique partner? Look no further than our Writer Classifieds. Current Writers' League members can submit their name, contact information, and additional details to be included as a listing on a private page on our website.
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Coming Up @ WLT
Classes, Free Programs, Deadlines, and Other Events Across the State
November 1-29
Central Library, Austin, TX
December 2
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX
Online registration closes Thursday, November 30, at midnight.
Walk-in registrations will be accepted as space allows.
Comfort Public Library, Comfort, TX
December 5
December 9
St. Edward's University, Austin TX
December 9-10
ACC Highland Campus, Austin, TX
December 11
Online Class
January 22, 2018
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This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.
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Writers' League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts - Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to
www.arts.texas.gov
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This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities,
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