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Meet Ben Wolf – Keynote Speaker for the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ 2019

14 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by GLVWG Write Stuff™ Blog in Keynote, Write Stuff Writers Conference™

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GLVWG Program Speaker, Reader Engagement, Splickety Publishing, Storytelling, Writer's Conference, Writing, Writing Flash Fiction, Writing through Adversity

 

ben wolf pid

Article by Joe Fleckenstein

 

At the 2019 Write Stuff Writers Conference™, GLVWG is proud to present Ben Wolf as our keynote speaker. On Thursday, March 21st, he will kick off the conference with the topic: Into the Deep: An Advanced Study of Speculative Fiction. Speculative fiction rules today’s popular culture in books, movies, and TV shows. Learning the ins and outs of the various genres is absolutely essential for writers who intend to compete in a saturated yet hungry market.

This extended workshop delves deep into speculative fiction and its sub-genres and will discuss the conventions, philosophies, types, standards, and other key elements that help define the genre.

So strap on your blaster, mount your dragon, and fly with us into the depths of the weird and wonderful world of speculative fiction.

Friday morning, Ben will begin the day engaging conference attendees in a discussion on The Three Pillars of Storytelling.

Saturday, he will present two sessions, Backstory: Your Secret Weapon to Engaging Readers and Writing Flash Fiction that Sells.

At the Saturday Luncheon, he will speak on “Writing Through Adversity.”

Life is a tyrant. It demands constant attention from us, throws fits seemingly at random, and never seems to let up. It’s unpredictable, precarious, and oftentimes rude.

But we as writers can’t let life get in the way of our goals–not if we mean to achieve those goals. Award-winning author, publisher, and editor Ben Wolf has been through the wringer more than once in his life as a writer. In fact, he’s been through hell so many times that they keep a room open for him.

But in spite of that, he still manages to get words on the page, pursue publishing deals, edit for freelance clients, and coach other authors on their projects as well. In his keynote address, Ben will share the un-killable drive that propels him forward even when every aspect of life tries to hold him back, and he’ll offer strategies and encouragement to attendees to help them capture that same driving force for their own writing careers.

Who is Ben Wolf?

Ben is the founder and owner of Splickety Publishing Group, the publisher of three flash fiction magazines. He has edited, written, and/or published over 100 published works and has taught at 40+ writers conferences nationwide.

Ben’s debut novel Blood for Blood won the 2015 Cascade Award and is characterized as “bold…with nonstop tension.” His debut children’s book, I’d Punch a Lion in His Eye for You, won the 2016 Cascade Award. In his spare time, he practices Brazilian jiujitsu (where he tries to choke out his friends).

Ben currently has one novel on the market, The Ghost Mine.

The Ghost Mine is a gripping sci-fi/horror novel sure to thrill you and chill you late into the night. If you’re a fan of Ridley Scott’s Aliens, you’ll love this book.

ben wolf book cover

“A snappy, fun, wild ride from hell! Wolf’s knockout novel brings all the sci-fi intensity of Ridley Scott’s Alien movies together with a Michael Crichton style thriller. When space colonization goes wrong in The Ghost Mine, it means a long, nail-biting night of sheer reading delight! Positively unputdownable!” – Brandon Barr, USA Today Bestseller and author of the Song of the World Series

In addition to The Ghost Mine, Ben has also published a children’s book and will be publishing the first books of a nine-book fantasy series in early 2019. You can find his books on Amazon.com.

Ben and his wife Charis (who sometimes is his presentation partner) live in ­­­­­­­Iowa with their children. Charis is also presenting at the conference, and you will get to meet her in our next blog.

You can find Ben at benwolf.com or follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook.

 

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joe fleckenstein bio headshot

Joseph E. Fleckenstein, active GLVWG member for nine years and club treasurer for two years, has published over 35 items. The list includes technical papers, online courses, and 22 short stories in ezines and print magazines. In 2015 CRC Press published his technical book Three Phase Electrical Power. His novel The Kurdish Episode will soon be available at Amazon. Additional bio particulars are available at his website www.WriterJEF.com.

The GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ — The Grand Event

23 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by dtkrippene in GLVWG Conference Schedule, Keynote, Write Stuff Writers Conference™

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Ben Sobieck, Bob Mayer, Jane Cleland, Matt Betts, Richard White, Tabitha Lord, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses, Writing Craft

 

Unsplash

 

Day 3 Main Event on Saturday, March 24, includes 20 Workshops, Agent/Editor pitch sessions, Marketing Consults, plus lunch and Keynote address with Bob Mayer, Bookfair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, and Door Prizes.

PLEASE NOTE: The printed Presenter/Room Map you received at registration for Saturday has changed. The updated map is below. Each room will have a sign as well.  

 

Bob Mayer 2

Jane Cleland
Jane Cleland
Richard White
Richard White
Ben Sobiek
Ben Sobiek
Matt Betts
Matt Betts
Tabitha Lord
Tabitha Lord

 

Announcements in Lehigh Room 7:30 AM – 8:20 AM

Agent Pitches and Marketing Consults will run concurrent to workshops. Advance registration required. Please check you appointment times upon registration.

***

Saturday, March 24, Overview 

Lunch with Keynote Address by Bob Mayer 

Book Fair, Flash Fiction Contest

Door Prizes announced during Book Fair (must be present to win)

 

Conference Schedule for Day 3 Saturday V2

________________________________________________________________________

Morning Sessions Syllabus

 

8:30 – 9:30 AM

 

 

In the Muhlenberg Room

Agent Panel

Moderated by Suzanne Mattaboni

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Agents will share insights, guidelines, and ideas for writers. These agents will also meet with participants to hear pre-scheduled pitches throughout the day.

 

In the Cedar Crest Room

Using Metaphors to Add Richness and Texture to Your Work

Jane Cleland

Metaphors are, according to Aristotle, a sign of genius. Certainly, they are more efficient and economical than ordinary language; they give maximum meaning with a minimum of words. In addition, metaphors are generous to readers by encouraging interpretation. In this workshop, we’ll put four approaches to creating metaphors to work—whether you write fiction, non-fiction, memoir, or poetry, you’ll develop rhetorically sound images that communicate emotion on a multi-layered level.

 

In the Lafayette Room

Make History with Your Writing!

Matt Betts

Learn about the exciting genre of alternate history and find out what it takes to change the world in your novel. Discover the importance of research, the consequences of toying with time, and how to foster believability. Then take those ideas to a practical level when we spin the “Wheel of History” during the session and ask attendees to re-imagine the outcome of actual events.

 

In the Moravian Room

E-Pub, POD and the Future of Publishing for the Writer

Bob Mayer

Publishing is changing exponentially, not linearly, and today’s writer must be aware of these changes to succeed. This workshop is designed to help authors navigate through the latest information on various forms of publishing options and the state of the industry. Traditional, ePublishing, Print on Demand, self-pub, vanity, and more. We will cover the advantages and disadvantages of these venues to help you, the writer, decide what’s the best choice for you and your work. This is not a nuts and bolts tech class, but a strategic concept of the future of publishing and what it means to writers. We will discuss numbers, royalties, formats, and lessons learned in all areas.

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9:45 – 10:45 AM

 

In the Cedar Crest Room

Tabitha Lord

So You Want to be an Indie Author

Independent publishing is no longer a path of last resort. For many authors, it’s a business decision, and an exciting one at that. As an independent author, you will be responsible for your story content, your brand and platform, and your marketing and sales. What makes a successful indie? For whom is this a viable choice? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of this path to publishing, and consider what your first year as an indie author might look like.

 

In the Muhlenberg Room

Writer Beware Part 1

Richard White

Publishing has never been so easy and so dangerous at the same time. This presentation will help writers identify what makes a publisher or an agent desirable or undesirable and help them identify the red flags that identify undesirable outcomes in the publishing industry. Part 1 will focus on traditional publishing.

 

In the Lafayette Room

Steampunk: Eveything Old is New Again

Matt Betts

Have you heard the word “Steampunk” thrown around for years, but never knew what it was? Now is your chance to get a quick and painless tutorial on gears, goggles, and giant airships. Find out how to use the genre to create your own unique worlds and enhance the excitement of your next story.

 

In the Moravian Room

The Military for Writers

Bob Mayer

An introduction to the military from conventional warfare, through Special Operations, the War on Terror, weapons of mass destruction and insight into the men and women who make up our armed forces—all tailored for the writer who might need research in this area.

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11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

In the Cedar Crest Room

A Marathon, Not a Sprint: Long-Term Marketing Strategies for Indies

Tabitha Lord

Indie authors have to think beyond their book’s release in order to implement an effective marketing and sales strategy. From platform-building to pre-orders, from back-lists to book tours, let’s talk best practices and creative strategy for getting your book into readers’ hands.

 

In the Muhlenberg Room

Writer Beware Part 2

Richard White

Publishing has never been so easy and so dangerous at the same time. Part 2 will focus on self-publishing and the cottage industry that has sprung up to separate the self-publisher from their cash. Remember, writing is an art – publishing is a business, so get to know both sides of the coin before launching your latest work into the world.

 

In the Lafayette Room

The Rhyming Dead: Horror Poetry

Matt Betts

Wait. Horror poetry is actually a thing? Yep. So is science fiction and fantasy poetry. Come get a brief history of speculative poetry, hear a few examples, and check out the markets that might even bite on your vampire, alien and zombie poems. Learn it all from an instructor who somehow made it into The New York Times with his zombie poetry.

 

In the Moravian Room

Weapons in Fiction

Ben Sobieck

Firearms, knives and other weapons play an outsized role in fiction. Critical plot points often hinge on the way characters use them. Unfortunately, much of what’s depicted in pop culture is misleading at best and flat out wrong at worst. Here are the shortcuts to getting these important story elements correct, the myths to avoid and top tips from the author of “The Writer’s Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction.”

 

 

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12:00 – 12:45 PM      Banquet Lunch

Sat Keynote 3

12:50 – 1:30  PM      Dessert – Keynote Speaker – Bob Mayer 

I Will Make It Work

“Being an author requires a unique mindset; what other people label madness. I’m still standing after three decades and still quite mad and will share some techniques on how to sustain a writing career.”

 

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Afternoon Sessions Syllabus

 

1:30 – 2:30 PM

 

In the Cedar Crest Room

Editing: Soup to Nuts

Tabitha Lord

For many authors, the editing process is a daunting one. But a well edited manuscript can mean the difference between a book that’s ready for the world and a document that sits in a drawer collecting dust. Let’s talk about the different parts of the editing process, and how to successfully find and work with an editor. We’ll then spend some time discussing the goals of a developmental edit, and share techniques that will help make the editing process efficient, effective, and satisfying.

 

In the Muhlenberg Room

Enter The Hobbit: Writing Realistic Fight Scenes

Richard White

This presentation is designed to help writers design realistic fight scenes for inclusion in their stories. While there’s no substitute for the real thing, writers do not have to have multiple black belts to be able to make their audiences believe they know what they’re talking about. As with anything, a little experience, a knowledge of where to do your research, and a whole lot of imagination can take an author a long way. This workshop will provide authors of multiple genres ideas and resources to help add that little touch of reality into their fiction.

 

 

In the Lafayette Room

What is a Media Kit?          Why do I Need One?

Matt Betts

You want to create a buzz about your books, but the morning TV shows aren’t calling? Your publicity plan may be missing a crucial element. Explore the components of a media or press kit, find out how to put one together, and find out how to use it effectively.

 

In the Moravian Room

Writing Inside a Franchise

Ben Sobieck

In the era of digital publishing, collaboration is key. Writers can piggyback off of each other to provide the kind of synergy that once was reserved only for publishers and the well-connected. Franchising a series is a practical way to leverage self-publishing success so that one plus one equals three. Here’s how to do it.

**********

 

2:45 – 3:45 PM

 

In the Cedar Crest Room

Balancing the Busy:  A Crash Course on Time management

Tabitha Lord

As Indies, we’re responsible for all aspects of our project, from the first word on the page to a marketing and sales plan, and everything in between. Some of us are balancing family life and a day job as well! How do we stay productive, healthy, and inspired amidst all the business? How can we maximize our time and make sure we’re attending to our priorities first? Let’s talk about time management in a guilt-free, supportive environment.

 

In the Muhlenberg Room

World Building 101

Richard White

This presentation is designed to help writers design and create realistic worlds and help them avoid common mistakes. Working from the premise of outside in, the participants in this presentation will help create a small island continent step by step.  Along the way, we’ll show how your initial drawings will shape terrain, governments, militaries, and the economy of your world. Presented by the author of Terra Incognito – A Guide to Building the Worlds of Your Imagination, World Building 101 should help fantasy, science fiction, alt-history, and even historical fiction authors create worlds people will believe could (or could have) existed.

 

In the Lafayette Room

The Art of Distraction:  Using Red Herrings to Create Suspense

Jane Cleland

A red herring is a “false clue,” used by writers the way magicians use sleight of hand—the goal is to distract readers from what’s really going on. When done well, red herrings add complexity to plots and intrigue to stories. Red herrings fall into three broad categories: Human Nature (including the halo and devil effects); Details (including the ones readers miss); and Expertise (including trusting those characters with specialized knowledge). You’ll learn how to weave red herrings into your narratives, allowing you to increase suspense as you create engaging and ingenious puzzles.

 

In the Moravian Room

Using WATTPAD to Build a Writing Career

Ben Sobieck

Reading is no longer an insulating experience. Social reading apps, such as Wattpad, are changing the way readers consume content. They’re also expanding opportunities for writers. This presentation will review how social reading works and the ways it can accelerate your writing career.

 

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3:45 – 5:00 PM

Sat 8
Sat Book Fair Flash Fiction
Sat Flash Fiction
Sat Book Fair 5

 

Socializing

Contest Winners, Door Prizes (Must be present to win)

Book Fair — All published GLVWG members are eligible to participate in the book fair, provided a reservation was made in advance with Book Fair coordinator, Jerry Waxler.  Detailed instructions for selling books at the Book Fair can be found HERE.

_____________________________________________________

 

5:00 PM — Conference closes

Check this website in the next couple of days, where we’ll post pictures of the conference and a special section highlighting the Flash Fiction contest winners.

 

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Article by DT Krippene – Social Media Chair

 

An Interview with Bob Mayer

04 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by GLVWG Write Stuff™ Blog in Keynote, Write Stuff Conference Presenter, Write Stuff Writers Conference™

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Cool Gus Publishing, Novel Writing, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences

Bob Mayer 2

Bob Mayer is a New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books, including “Eyes of the Hammer” and the CEO of Cool Gus Publishing  www.coolgus.com.

The 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™  is proud to present Bob Mayer as our keynote speaker. On Thursday, March 22nd, he will guide attendees through A ONE DAY NOVEL WRITING SEMINAR. The presentation begins with the original idea and heart of a story, developing plot and character, working with point of view and, in conclusion, pulling everything together to sell your book and the business of writing.

Friday and Saturday, he will present topics on Write It Forward: From Writer To Successful Author, E-Pub, POD and the Future of Publishing for the Writer, and The Military for Writers. Saturday, he will speak at our luncheon I Will Make it Work.

GLVWG’s Bernadette Sukley does the honors of interviewing Bob.

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Bob Mayer Book

Bernadette: Your first book, “Eyes of the Hammer” debuted in 1991, but at what age did you start writing?

Bob:  The key was that I was a voracious reader as a child. I read everything I could get my hands on; growing up in the Bronx; I’d bike to the local library. When I’d read through that, I biked further to the next nearest library. I’d take the subway to Manhattan to the main branch, guarded by Patience and Fortitude, the two lions.

At West Point, I wrote a psychology paper that was supposed to be a study of some historical figure, so I picked the protagonist of Pink Floyd’s The Wall and turned it in, inside the LP. Then I also wrote a short about a young man arriving at West Point in the mid-1800s based on some diaries I read in the archives. In the military I wrote lots of orders; also the Gettysburg Battle Staff Walk for the JFK Special Warfare Center.

But I jumped right into novel writing with a book in 1988. Technically, it wasn’t my first book published, but it was called Dragon Sim-13, based on a mission my A-Team had done.

Bernadette: A favorite author(s)? Why?

Bob:   A terribly unfair question. There are so many. I believe Stephen King said, “read writers who you aspire to be like.” Great writers. Not so much the literary canon, as I really doubt Ulysses was the best book of the 20th Century. Sorry. I heard enough drunken Irishman stories growing up. Off the top of my head, there’s Kate Atkinson, Larry McMurtry, Michael Connoly, Richard Russo. I read a lot of non-fiction. Currently devouring American Lion by Jon Meacham. I’ve read all of Pat Conroy’s books, which are an intriguing study in plotting and prose. He has operatic plots, way over the top, but when Jimmy Buffet can set your words to music, you can write any damn thing you like. We used to live across the Intracoastal from Dafuskie Island, the setting in The Water Is Wide.

I like authors who combine great characters with intriguing plots. I’m not a fan of books that I need to read four times and write a paper on in order to try to figure out what they meant. That’s not good writing in my opinion. I can grasp what Hemingway meant the first time. He was direct and to the point.

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Meet Bob Mayer – Keynote Speaker GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ 2018

26 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by GLVWG Write Stuff™ Blog in Keynote, Write Stuff™ Conference

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Cool Gus Publishing, keynote speaker, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses

Bob Mayer

At the 2018 Write Stuff Writers Conference™, GLVWG is proud to present Bob Mayer as our keynote speaker. On Thursday, March 22nd, he will guide attendees through A ONE DAY NOVEL WRITING SEMINAR. The presentation begins with the original idea and heart of a story, developing plat and character, working with point of view and, in conclusion, pulling everything together to sell your book and the business of writing.

Friday and Saturday, he will present topics on Write It Forward: From Writer To Successful Author, E-Pub, POD and the Future of Publishing for the Writer, and The Military for Writers. Saturday, he will speak at our luncheon I Will Make it Work.

Bob Mayer is a New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books and the CEO of Cool Gus Publishing  www.coolgus.com. He holds the distinction of being the only male author on the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll.

Bob Mayer resides in Tennessee with his wife and their two English Yellow Labs, Cool Gus and Sassy Becca.

To read more on Bob, click on the following links:

  • Home – bobmayer.com
  • Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mayer_(author)
  • Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorbobmayer/

 

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Article by Dawn Sooy –  Conference Chair 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™

Dawn Sooy Bio

Dawn is a multitasker with the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, fulfilling the duties of Secretary when needed and Conference Chair for the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™.

A native of Eastern Pennsylvania, Dawn has plenty of experience with the best and worst four seasons have to offer. Armed with a Computer Science degree, she worked in the tech industry until 2012. She’s married to a great guy and between them, have four children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. As an animal lover, she volunteers at the local animal shelter, sneaking in treats for the four-legged residents.

Too full of energy to even consider a rocking chair, with an insatiable itch to write, Dawn published six short stories, the most recent, “Love Knows No Boundaries,” featured in the GLVWG anthology, Write Here – Write Now. She is currently working on a full-length novel titled, “From The Darkness,” scheduled for publication in early 2018, with plans to publish a horror anthology later in the year.

You can find Dawn on:

  • Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DawnMSooyAuthor/?pnref=lhc
  • Website: http://dwstrange.com/dawns%20world/

GLVWG Write Stuff™ Conference Schedule – Saturday, March 25

24 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by dtkrippene in GLVWG Conference Schedule, Keynote, Write Stuff™ Conference

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Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses

Conf Mem 7

7:00 a.m. Check-In table opens
Pick up registration materials at the check-in table

Conf Mem 12

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Seminar Syllabus for Saturday, March 25

Kathryn Craft
Kathryn Craft
phile-giunta
jennifer-lader
colleen-warminham
Anna Kashina
therese-halscheid-1
giordani-headshot2
Amy Deardon 2
deb-riley-magnus-conf-pic-sm
Victoria Selvaggio

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An Interview with Michael Hauge

10 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by GLVWG Write Stuff™ Blog in Keynote, Write Stuff Conference Presenter, Write Stuff™ Conference

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Tags

Plotting, Story Mastery, Storytelling, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Fiction

michael-hauge-lecture

GLVWG’s Geoffrey Mehl, interviewed Michael Hauge, keynote speaker, special seminar and master class instructor for The GLVWG WriteStuff Writer’s Conference™, March 23-25, 2017 .

Michael is a story and script consultant, author, and lecturer who works with writers and filmmakers on screenplays, novels, movies, and television projects. He has coached writers, producers, stars and directors for every major film studio and network. He is also the best-selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read. He has presented lectures and workshops to more than 70,000 writers and filmmakers around the world. In the words of Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”

Hauge’s Six-Stage approach to story structure divides any successful story into setup, new situation, progress, complications and higher stakes, retreat and final push, and aftermath. These stages are divided by five key turning points: opportunity, change of plans, point of no return, major setback and climax. For a more detailed explanation of his approach, go to this article on his website: STORY STRUCTURE: The 5 Key Turning Points of All Successful Screenplays

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Michael Hauge Keynote Speaker at Write Stuff™ Conference 2017

22 Sunday May 2016

Posted by dtkrippene in Keynote, Write Stuff™ Conference

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keynote speaker, Michael Hauge, Story Mastery, Writer's Conference

Michael-Hauge-Story-Mastery-Coaching

Planning to attend a writing conference next year? Looking for the perfect coach who can help you understand a Three-Part Story Structure and The Hero’s Journey?

At the GLVWG Write Stuff™ Writers Conference 2017, March 23-25, none other Michael Hauge, will be the conference Keynote speaker.

Michael is a Hollywood insider, who coaches writers, producers, stars, and directors. You like Will Smith? Will Smith likes Michael Hauge. Big stuff. He also knows his “hero’s journey,” being buddies with Christopher Vogler (The Writer’s Journey.)

Mark your calendar for the last weekend in March (23-25.)

http://www.storymastery.com/story-expert-michael-hauge/

Robert Liparulo, an inspiration for writers at the GLVWG Write Stuff™ Conference

03 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by dtkrippene in Keynote, Write Stuff Conference Presenter

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bestselling Author, GLVWG, GLVWG "Write Stuff", Robert Liparulo, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Inspiration

By DT Krippene

 

Liparulo Keynote

At the recent GLVWG Write Stuff™ Conference, I had the pleasure of attending Robert Liparulo’s seminars. What made his presentation so rewarding, was how approachable he was. His light-hearted, easy-going style was infectious, with ample inspiration from his journey as an author.

We spent Thursday, April 7, with how to take a story from Mind to Manuscript – The Making of Your Masterpiece. Robert borrowed on his own experience in writing his first novel, “Comes a Horseman”, which took him years to perfect before he felt confident to publish. After hitting the bestseller lists, he knocked out one story after another, no longer questioning his ability to write. He went on to publish a bestselling YA series, Dreamhouse Kings, as well as other thriller novels.

He reminded us that writing is an art, and like any artistic venture, it’s subjective. Robert admits to being a maverick in the industry, in that he rarely does extensive rewrites of his books. He said the author’s voice is how a good story is told, and extensive editing can kill that voice if an author isn’t careful. Same applies for the use of critique groups, and finds them potentially dangerous to a budding author when too many “opinions” muck up the voice. Finding a good critique partner is like gold, valuable yet hard to find. Stories are all about the character, but he was quick to point out that too much detail on the character can suppress a reader’s natural inclination to imagine what the character looks like. He demonstrated this with a review of his book covers, where you never see the character’s face.

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Meet 2016 Keynote Robert Liparulo

07 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Tammy in Keynote

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Tags

Comes a Horseman, Dreamhouse Kings, GLVWG, Keynote, Liparulo

Hi Robert,

We are thrilled to have you join us as our keynote speaker for this year’s Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group “Write Stuff” conference along with teaching “From Mind to Manuscript: The Making of Your Masterpiece” and “Thrillers and Mysteries: How Knowing the Difference Will Help You Write a Great Story” for the pre-conference workshops.

Would you mind giving a teaser of what you’ll be covering during the preconference workshops and your keynote speech?

Robert Liparulo:  First, I’m excited to be a small part of this conference. I’ve never attended, but have run into people who have and have loved it, all the learning and networking—oops, I mean socializing.

My full-day workshop will be a nuts-and-bolts analysis of what it takes to take your story idea from your head to a published book, in the hands of readers. A lot of books and seminars offer a sort of recipe or step-by-step guide to getting published, but really, it doesn’t work that way. If it did, everyone who’d read one of these books or attended one of these seminars would be published. Storytelling in a way that involves the publishing industry is an art—way too subjective for cookie-cutter recipes—and everyone attempting it is unique, with his or her own set of skills and motivations and styles and hang-ups and frustrations and moments of brilliance and . . . you get the idea. My workshop will approach the process of writing and getting published—as well as what comes after—with this practical, real-word writing-as-art (i.e., subjective), writer-as-artist (i.e., unique) perspective. Forget the books, forget step-by-step; here’s what it’s like to really do it, in the heat of the battle, what they don’t tell you. I don’t like lectures—they’re boring and the topics of writing and publishing are way too expansive and complicated for one person standing at a podium to address all the issues meaningful to attendees. So while my workshops will have a semblance of structure, and I’ll have important points to address, I’m counting on the attendees to let me know what’s important to them about a specific subject, to make our time time very interactive and meaningful—conversations rather than presentations.

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