2012: Writing About Prophecies & the End of the World
Description:
The Mayan Calendar is said to stop at the year 2012. Let's hope they got it wrong. Our panelists expect to be selling their books and stories well beyond that date. Still, it is an intriguing topic, and one that makes great fodder for fiction. What is so fascinating about doom-and-gloom prophecies? How can you use them in your own storytelling by giving them a new and exciting slant?
New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole presents his three week program for preparing yourself to write a novel. This set of 21 exercises is broken down to give you everything from character creation to world building, practical plotting devices, dialogue development and character voice creation tools. This program is a practical, kick-in-the-pants place to start your career.
How long should you spend on a short story? A novel? How can you set schedules, work with a calendar, and attain goals of so many words-per-day? Learn how to cope with unexpected crises, short rewrite deadlines, and heavy criticism. Develop the skills necessary to write no matter what else is going on around you.
Is your hero always sober? Does your villain have a drinking problem? When is it appropriate to use alcohol in literature to set a scene, advance the plot, or add some color to your characters? Our panelists look at drinking ... and not just the intoxicating stuff. We’ll delve into medieval drinks and futuristic concoctions and discuss reference material to sate your characters’ thirsts and wet your readers’ whistles.
Gen Con is the perfect spot to troll for freelance work in the RPG industry. Our veteran RPG authors provide tips for landing assignments, market suggetions, and how you can make your manuscript catch a game company's attention.
Vampires, ghosts, and zombies, oh my! Breathe life--so to speak--into your undead characters. Discover what rules apply and what should be ignored when writing about the undead.
When is it appropriate to work for free? How can you cater to the readers who visit your website? What do you need to watch out for so you don't 'spam' your fans with content? Our panelists tackle these topics and more, including how to promote your writing via the internet.
Characters are king in literature and New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole brings you a toolbox full of techniques to create compelling and memorable characters. Readers read for and remember characters, and after this course, yours will be unforgettable, which will keep them coming back for more.
When can you quote your favorite poem or song? When can you write an “authorized” sequel? What is the status of fan fiction? Do you have rights in ‘shared world’ fiction? How can you protect your own work? Is it safe to send your novel to a publisher? What are the limits of fair use? What do you own? We’ll cover what every author should know with respect to copyright in literary works. A must for serious writers.
Regardless of the genre you write in, chances are you'll put a love-interest in it. How do you blend a touch of romance into your story and how explicit should you be? Learn how romance can strengthen your story and make your characters more real and interesting. USA Today Bestselling fantasy-romance author, and this year's Author Guest of Honor, Elizabeth Vaughan leads the discussion.