WORKSHOPS
Below, you'll find a list of upcoming workshops with links for more information and registration. This page will be updated regularly, and more are booked. If you want to book me for a workshop, either check the Workshop list here, or, if you want me to create a workshop specifically for your group, contact me at devon-at-devonellingtonwork.com and put "Workshop" in the subject line.
September 2011
From Idea to Novel -- A Year-Long Intensive -- Savvy Authors
A year-long, limited enrollment writing program focusing on daily, weekly, and monthly goals that feed into the overall goal of planning, writing, editing, and preparing for the submission process both a novel and a handful of short stories. No previously written work is to be used for this class. We start from scratch together, and learn how to juggle multiple projects. Only 12 students accepted.
More information here.
Advanced Dialogoe Workshop -- Savvy Authors
Good dialogue is one of the foundations of good writing. This two-week long workshop consists of exercises and homework teaching techniques to provoke sparkling dialogue that will reveal and build character, move along plot, reveal backstory, and enhance setting. There will be exercises and homework, each developing a different use of dialogue in overall story. Participants will post short scenes for constructive comments from both instructors and fellow students. This is a participatory workshop, not a lecture. Participants are required to create fresh material for the class, not post something out of a current WIP. This builds on previous Dialogue Workshops taught by Ellington at Savvy Authors.
More information here.
October 2011
Deconstructing the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series -- Savvy Authors
Laurell K. Hamilton's series featuring vampire hunter Anita Blake continues to fascinate and frustrate millions of readers. Spend a week of lively discussion deconstructing characters, plots, themes, and the importance of both book-individual arcs and series arcs. There is no daily homework, but participants should read one or more of the books before the start of class, as we will be jumping around in the series. Another recommended text is the Smart Pop Books anthology ARDEUR, in which authors describe the use of that element in the book.
More information here.
Scaling the Wall-- Unsticking Your Book -- Savvy Authors
Stuck? Depressed? Written yourself into a corner? Far too often, the writing flows beautifully early in the process, and then we hit a wall. Learn how to go around it, burrow under, it, climb over it, and blast through it, via a series of exercises adapted to each writer’s specific obstacle. This is an intensive, hands-on, participatory workshop with homework, deadlines, and high expectations. No “I don’t have time” or “I don’t do it this way” allowed. We’re trying new ways and expanding our resources. More information here.
Sat. October 22: Write Angles Conference, Willets-Hallowell Center at Mount Holyoke College, MA
Say What? A Workshop on Dialogue (Executive Board Room)
This hands-on workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of writing dialogue. The workshop leader will present a series of short, fun, writing exercises (2-5 minutes each) to get your characters talking in no time. Together, we’ll brainstorm scenes for dialogue. You’ll learn how to tailor speech to character and combine it with movement. Bring a writing pad and pen.
Registration information here.
November 2011
Deconstructing the Harry Potter Series -- books and films -- Savvy Authors
JK Rowling's Harry Potter books have captivated both children and adults around the world, and the films solidified its place in both mediums. Spend a week in lively discussion deconstructing both the books and the films, how they reflect and refract each other, in terms of character, plot, construction, book-specific arcs vs. series arcs, production values, adaptation techniques, themes, etc. There is no daily homework, but it is advised that participants read as many of the books and watch as many of the films as possible BEFORE the start of class, since we will jump around in the series in discussions.
More information here.
January 2012
5 in 10 -- Savvy Authors
Over a period of ten weeks, we will write and revise five short stories of different lengths based on found materials and inspiration. There are deadlines for each, which must be honored, and participants must adhere to strict "submission guidelines" for each piece. Pieces will be critiqued, questions answered, brainstorming done. Revisions will focus on making each individual piece as strong as possible, so by the end of the ten weeks, participants will have five submission-ready short stories.
More information here.
March 2012
Sensory Perceptions -- Savvy Authors
Great writing engages all of the senses. The focus of this workshop is sensory. Individual exercises will focus on each of the five senses and one on the "Sixth Sense" -- intuition. As the class works on individual exercises, it also works on an additional, separate, longer story that is revised from week to week, integrating elements from that week's exercises. By the end of the month, the participants will have the foundation for six flash fiction stories and one almost-complete short story. Those who stay on top of/ahead of the assignments will have seven submission-ready pieces.
More information here.
April 2012
One Story, Many Voices -- Savvy Authors
The purpose of this workshop is to learn how to work with a base story, and, using the elements from different genres, rework it from genre to genre. The participant is stretched and challenged out of the normal comfort zone and learns elements of story, character, and construction that can help in whatever genre the participant chooses to focus on post-workshop. Fresh work must be used - nothing from a WIP.
More information here.