Karitos 2008 Literary Arts/Writing

This year, we're expanding the offerings in the literary arts/writing track. This is a unique opportunity for writers to focus on the calling, craft, ministry and business of writing - in the context of the conference's rich creative environment. There are literary offerings targeted at those wondering how to break into print, those with a couple of chapters of an unfinished novel stashed in the back of a drawer, and those with a sizeable list of published writing credits.

Detailed information about the course facilitators and offerings are listed below. Please take a few moments to review this information - AND consider passing it to others in your congregation and writing circles.

One additional note. We would like to have a core group of people sign up to be a part of Patricia Hickman's unique two days of fiction-intensive workshops. If you are interested in being a part of this group, indicate it on the registration form on the line asking for
your area of interest.

Please feel free to contact me (mishvl@yahoo.com) or Ruth Anne Boone (ladyruth@ix.netcom.com) if you have any questions.

Thank you so much!

In Christ,

Michelle Van Loon

 

Karitos 2008 Literary Arts Track Faculty

Patricia Hickman, M.F.A., is a Christian communicator and an award-winning author. Patty earned an M.F.A. in creative writing at Queens University. She is currently at work on her sixteenth book for Random House. Her fiction is branded as “Storytelling Divine!”  Patricia's website.

Fiction 101—Getting Started for the Beginning Novelist
Learning to efficiently make decisions regarding your story structure, POV, and setting will help launch your story from raw idea to sellable book. This workshop focuses on the starter tools needed to lay down your first draft. You will learn how to use the various structures to develop a personal aesthetic based on what feels natural to you and your individual style. Popular novelist Patricia Hickman shares from her fourteen years experience writing for the world’s top publishers her launch pad for getting started.

A Continuing Workshop That Will Immerse You in Writing Fiction Like a Pro: Creating Characters—Giving Story People Life
The key to intricate storytelling is developing characters that breathe, cast shadows, climb mountains, and fall headlong into peril—all in a believable manner, of course.

Creating Characters—Giving Story People Life
If you’ve ever felt stuck, you might be trying to create story from plot rather than allowing story to spring from character. In this workshop, writers learn how to develop believable characters and how to kill your “puppet complex”.

Creating Characters II—Giving Story People Life
Continuing where Creating Characters I left off.

Creating Characters III—Emotional Architecture: How Stories Rise From Average to Art
Describing the character, the setting, interior monologue, what the reader is supposed to hear, see, feel, smell, or taste is typical writer’s ammo. But to move from average to art means leaving behind the conventional listing of observable life to embrace the elements that often go unnoticed.

CC IV--Sidekicks —Effectively Populating the Fictive World
Peripheral characters can lend more than support to the central character’s world. In this workshop writers will learn the secrets used by professional writers to deepen the human layers of their story.

CC V--Creating The Story Environment—Social Codes and Eroding Landscapes
The story’s setting is the emotional womb from which the central character emerges. Here are the secrets writers can learn to develop setting as more than pasted on description.

CC VI--Writing Successful Dialogue
. . . is not a simple task. Successful dialogue should reveal character without telling too much. In this workshop, writers will not only learn how to write dialogue but will be given the opportunity in class to show off your newly acquired skills.

Writing True--Beliefs and Faith in Today’s Fiction
This final session will top off the weekend’s immersion in character building by showing the writer how to approach faith and beliefs in fiction using compelling and convincing methods. Gone are the days of staid telling, preachy messages tucked like a device into the folds of a novel. Learn how faith can be powerfully portrayed in the quiet whisper of a story.

 

Betsey Newenhuyse: Editorial Director at Moody Publishers. She formerly served as managing editor at Moody magazine and was one of the founding editors of Marriage Partnership magazine at CTI. Betsey is the author of eight books.

Nurturing the Artistic Soul
Learn about spiritual challenges for writers and artists, explore how to refresh yourself, boost creativity and intuitive powers, and basically learn how to recharge.

Panel Discussion (with Travis Thrasher)
Publishing business, writing trends, Q&A, etc.

 

 

Travis Thrasher is a novelist who has written in many genres including suspense and romance. Having worked in the publishing industry for over thirteen years, Thrasher is now a fulltime writer and speaker. He and his wife, Sharon, have a daughter and live in a suburb of Chicago. Travis' website.

The drive and determination to be a writer
The most essential ingredient an author needs on their way toward publication is not talent but perseverance. Being published is about being patient, having thick skin, and working hard.

Marketing and promo for authors
The best way to market and promote your book is to do it yourself! Here are some tips and tools for helping sell yourself and your book.

Panel Discussion (with Betsey Newenhuyse)
Publishing business, writing trends, Q&A, etc.

 

Michelle Van Loon is author of 3 non-fiction books as well as plays, articles, curriculum and more, Michelle Van Loon brings her passion for nurturing the writing voices of others, a commitment to skilled craft and a worshiper's heart to her workshop sessions. Sample her books at her website.

Writing Your Story, Telling His
You have a story of God at work in your life that only you can tell! This workshop offers you a look at how you can share this story in fresh, creative ways. We'll also explore a variety of print/web venues you can explore in order to share your story with readers. .

Discovering Your Writer's Voice
What makes you...you? A writer's "voice" - that beautiful brew of personality, language, imagination and craft - is the single ingredient that makes your writing unique. This interactive session will help you identify what "voice" is, and offer a look at how you can learn to cultivate and capture your writer's voice on paper.

 

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