Course Description: 

Looking to create a story or character that leaves your reader wanting more? Learn the necessities of constructing compelling narratives with author and educator, Todd Mitchell. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore effective techniques for increasing conflict, revealing characters, and writing stories that readers (and editors) won't be able to put down. Topics will include:

·       Spotting the difference between a story and a situation

·       Developing sticky stories and elemental plots

·       Creating effective hooks and discovering ways to begin in medias res

·       The three most important things to know about your characters

·       Pulling plot from character and using plot to reveal character

·       Increasing conflict, and manifesting internal conflict through external events

·       Visualizing character arcs

·       Pushing characters to the end of the line to earn the transformation

 

Tip sheets and worksheets will be included so you can immediately apply concepts and get feedback during the session. By the end, participants will have a greater understanding of how to structure narratives to engage readers while using plot to explore and reveal characters.

 

Duration: 

3 Hours

 

Genre Type:

Fiction, Novel Writing, Short Story

 

Course Type: 

Generative and Informative Workshop

 

Course Level 

All Skill Levels Welcome

 

Dates and Times:

Saturday, May 18, 2019

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 

Pricing: 

$119/Regular    $99/Student

 

Author Bio: 

Todd Mitchell is the author of several award-winning books for young readers and teens including The Last Panther (2018 Colorado Book Award Winner and Green Earth Honor Book Award winner), The Traitor King, The Secret to Lying (Colorado Book Award Winner), and Backwards (CAL Award Winner). He created the graphic series Broken Saviors (available on Comixology), and co-wrote the graphic novel A Flight of Angels (Vertigo, a YALSA "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens"). Currently, he serves as Director of the Beginning Creative Writing Teaching Program at Colorado State University. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife, dog, and two wise daughters. You can visit him (and learn about his squirrel obsession) at www.ToddMitchellBooks.com.