First person, second person, third person . . . so many perspectives to choose from. How do you choose your point of view? And, once chosen, how do you stick to it? Panelists discuss the freedoms and restrictions of using various points of view in fiction writing. Tim Waggoner, Judi Rohrig, Linda Baker, John Helfers
Single-spaced manuscripts on onion-skin paper will send your storyâunreadâinto the recycling bin. If you want to climb to the top of the slush pile, take the advice of our panelists, editors who have received âsingularâ submissions. Jean Rabe, Judi Rohrig, John Helfers, Tim Waggoner
Some folks simply plop into a chair and start pounding on the keyboard on their Great American Novel. However, our often-published panelists eschew the merits of plotting and planning. Jean Rabe, Tim Waggoner, Chris Pierson, Richard Lee Byers
When should you follow the rules and when should you break them? Our team of writers and editors discusses punctuation, spelling, grammar, and more. Richard Lee Byers, Chris Pierson, John Helfers.
Join us for an evening book chat about the new genre of female main characters who live in worlds filled with magic and adventure. Is this the evolution of romance? How do I get in on this hot market? Panelists: Kerrie Hughes, Elizabeth Vaughan
Learn to craft main characters that will catch and hold your readersâ attention. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Chris Pierson, Donald Bingle, Elizabeth Vaughan
Secondary characters can help drive your plot, aid and vex your heroes, and make your story more interesting. But donât let them take over the tale. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Jean Rabe, Donald Bingle, Chris Pierson
Establish the rules for your worldâs magical pulse. Setting limits will actually give you limitless possibilities and improve your story. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Linda Baker, Jean Rabe, Kerrie Hughes
Worldbuilding: Religion, Spirituality, and Philosophy
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Faith could guide the characters in your short stories and novels, but theyâll only stumble around and get lost if you donât set the ground rules. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, John Helfers, Kerrie Hughes
Slimy, squishy, furry, predator, prey, cold-blooded, blue-blooded, antennaed, bald, sneezing, tripodal, lusty, hungry... The choices available to make your Bug Eyed Monster and its motivations unique and interesting are vast, but there has to be logic behind your creation. Join our panelists as they discuss how to populate a story with believable otherworldly characters. Richard Lee Byers, Linda Baker, John Helfers, Tim Waggoner
Character-driven stories demand that you juggle relationships in your prose. But how can you manage that effectively and realisticallyâwhile making things interesting and integral to your plot? Our panelists offer their two cents on the topic. Tim Waggoner, Judi Rohrig, Richard Lee Byers, John Helfers
How do you scare your readers? How do you build terror and suspense and keep someone turning the pages well into the early-morning hours? Learn how to add an element of fear to your writing from our panelists, who are experts at sending shivers down peopleâs backs. Judi Rohrig, Richard Lee Byers, Tim Waggoner
Elizabeth Vaughan, best-selling fantasy-romance author, and Donald Bingle, author of Forced Conversion and a plethora of short stories, read from their latest works.
Join pagans and pagan-friendly folks to discuss writing and how pagans are portrayed in science-fiction and fantasy. No bashing or flaming allowed. Panelist: Kerrie Hughes.
Fantasy romance is a sizzling genre. Our panelists give advice on how to add a little romance to your writing and discuss markets for your fiction. Linda Baker, Donald Bingle, Judi Rohrig, Elizabeth Vaughan
Some writers make you feel the heat and humidity when their characters trek through a swamp. Learn how to add just the right amount of detail to enhance the atmosphere and mood of your fiction. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Linda Baker, Donald Bingle, Judi Rohrig
How do the characters in your stories and books govern themselves? Establishing the rules and the rulers, will enrich the world youâre crafting. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Kerrie Hughes
Worldbuilding: Creatures, Magical Beasties, and Enchanted Locations
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Sprinkling fantastical elements across your continents is fun. But how do you do it without making your world look like a mirror-image of whatâs already in print? Our panelists show you how to apply your own magical signature. Chris Pierson, Linda Baker, Kerrie Hughes, Richard Lee Byers