Back in January 2014 - and some upcoming courses

No, I haven't abandoned this blog. I've been finishing up two novels and a screenplay, and developing several new courses.

Online:
How to Write Fast (http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/workshops )
Dates: January 6 – January 31, 2014

Crank up the efficiency and get that novel, short story, article or script DONE. Through exercises, evaluations, tips and technologies, you can learn to write faster. Discover how to break through blocks, get ideas, develop plots, draft and polish in less time without losing quality.

Endings That Buzz (http://ce.savvyauthors.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventId=2039 )
Dates: February 3 – 16
Answering the story question with clarity, emotion, and power (http://ce.savvyauthors.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventId=2039 )
Endings are your last chance to make a good impression. A great ending can close the sale with an editor, satisfy a reader, and get people talking   

Learn the four essentials of a strong ending. Find out how to reach "The End" and what to do if you paint yourself into a corner. Test your finale and discover how to finish your story in a way that will resonate with readers.

This class will be interactive as students bring questions and will work with the instructor and peers to find, enhance, and polish endings. We will also work backward, developing engaging endings and working through the essentials of building the stories they deserve.

How to Write Fast Again (http://lowcountryrwa.com/workshops/all-workshops/#MAR)
Dates: March 3–28, 2014

Face-to-Face
Write Flash Fiction!  (http://www.writerscenter.org/2014classes.html#andrews1)

January 6–February 24
Don't have time to write a novel?  Well, fewer people have time to read one.  That's why flash fiction is hot, with over 300 paying markets looking for well-formed stories of 1000 words or less. Learn how to write, market and sell these tiny tales.

Keynotes, Presentations, and Talks: Constructing a Speech that Delivers!
(http://www.writerscenter.org/2014classes.html#andrews2)
January 18
Speeches generate excitement, opportunities, and even affection. They can help you find new audiences and build your career. Many of the ingredients – storytelling, humor, understanding your audience, and pacing – are the same as fiction writing, but they need to come together in a different way.

This session will cover the purpose of speeches (for you, your host, and your audience) and the options you have for structure. Students will learn what they need to know about the audience, the essentials of logistics, the effective use of audiovisuals, dos and don’ts, and the most effective elements to open and close the speech successfully. The workshop will include forms that will help students prepare for their speaking opportunities. In addition, the instructor will draw on his own experiences and elicit those of students to develop a personalized set of tips for attendees.