Saturday, August 14th, PLOT WORKSHOP for Writers -- Plot at the overall story level

10:00-3:00PM
Capitola Book Cafe
Capitola, California

Plot is a series of scenes deliberately arranged to maximize Dramatic Action and transform a Character's Emotional Development at depth over time through cause and effect and thus, and conveys Thematic Significance.

Learn techniques for creating a compelling plot, heighten tension and suspense, deepen character emotional development, and expand thematic signifance. Open to Novelists, Screenwriters, Memoirists of all ability levels.

  • By looking more closely at the dynamics of cause and effect, you are better able to create scenes that lead to a solid plot.
  • By exploring how well-constructed characters in conflict act as the driving force behind an exceptional story, you are better able to create your own exceptional story.
  • By delving into theme, you are better able to give your project lasting meaning.

Novelists, screenwriters,memoirists, and writers of creative nonfiction benefit from a well-constructed plotline of the dramatic, emotional, and thematic elements of your project. A clearly formulated plotline will help you get going, prevent you from stalling partway through, and guarantee that even those of you who never finish anything will make to the end.

Beginners, intermediates and advanced writers alike are encouraged to bring your characters and a list of the scenes in your story. For those of you who have not yet started a writing project, let us know and we will provide you with everything you need. Though each Plot Intensive has a unique focus, you are always guaranteed fellowship with other writers in an inspirational setting.

The plot writing workshops are divided between lecture, time for development of the plotlines for your individual project, and movement. For the sake of convenience, the lectures give independent consideration to the dramatic (action), emotional (character development), and thematic aspects of story, but keep in mind that all aspects of a successful writing project must become integrated into the total structure to create its unity, and that achieving this unity is the goal of every writer.

The cost is:

  • $95

Martha Alderson, M.A., is an international plot consultant for writers and the author of Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple. Her clients include best-selling authors, writing teachers and fiction editors and Hollywood movie directors. She can help you, too, with plot. She has taught plot workshops for memoir writers, novelists, and screenwriters privately, through University of Santa Cruz, Learning Annex, Writing Salon, Writers Store, and writing conferences.

Join Martha to explore the critical relationship between characterization and plot.

To reserve a spot now, SIGN-UP for the 8/14th Plot Planner Workshop, call Capitola Book Cafe at 831-462-4415 with a credit card. No on-line registration at this time