2017 Daily Schedule and Topics - June 8-10
| 2017_ww_schedule___topics.pdf |
(Note: All sessions are in Fellowship Hall, formerly called Missionary Hall, unless specified as in the yellow cabin (number 142), which may be subject to change at the last minute.)
Workshop Day 1 - Thursday, June 8 Schedule
7:30-8:00 Registration opens and cabin check-in
8:00 Welcome, Introductions
8:45 Inspiration Message & Goal-Reaching Tip #1 – Jean Vaux
9:00 Session 1 – Cynthia Ruchti
Writer, Worshipper, Warrior: How to find fulfillment in a three-pronged life as we examine the story of King David at his best and worst.
10:00 Break
10:15 Session 2 – Cynthia Ruchti
Almost Persuaded: Everyone including your mother tells you your writing is good. Then why has Focus on the Family rejected your devotional piece for teens six times? Why can’t you get a publisher to take a serious look at your contemporary romantic comedy written in Shakespearean English? This workshop may help you discover how to tailor your writing for today’s audience’s tastes, habits, preferences, and needs.
11:15 Session 3 – Mary Potter Kenyon
Expressive Writing for Healing: According to research by James Pennebaker, writing through painful moments by journaling and other expressive writing, such as memoir; essay writing; and/or topical blogging, is an effective form of therapy and even has health benefits. Mary shares concrete examples of her own journal entries and blog posts that were later incorporated into published books, as well as selections from other writers’ books. Did you know C. S. Lewis’ book, Grief Observed, was his private journal following the death of his wife, or that Madeleine L’Engle published many of her journals? Whether you are looking to journal your way through a difficult time or get published, so that your words and experiences help others, this workshop is a step-by-step guide.
12:10 Book intros by speaker authors, announcements and sign-ups
12:30 Lunch on site
1:30 Session 4 – Shelly Beach
What You May Not Know You Need to Know: A To-Do Pre-Proposal Book Publishing List
Many authors write their first book, then set out to sell it to a publisher. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately, this formula is typically a recipe for disaster. Find out what you need to know and do before trying to sell your book to maximize your opportunities for success.
2:30 Session 5 – Wanda Sanchez
When You Wanna Quit (because you will): Writing through Self-Doubt: “I’m not good enough.” “I can’t do this.” I’m not a real writer.” “I don’t have enough time.” “My writing isn’t as good as put-the-name-of-your-own-author-here.” How do you handle self-doubt when it comes to writing? Almost every writer struggles with doubt, whether they’re a beginner or a pro. This session will teach you how to deal with doubt and keep on plugging.
OR
2:30 Session 6 – Shelly Beach
Who? What? Where? When? Why?: Strategies for Storycrafting: Writers approach plotting differently. Some let the story unfold organically around the central character. Others create a precise plot. This session presents a variety of plotting strategies to help you discover the right approach for your story or to spark your creative juices to create your own.
3:30 Book intros by attending authors
3:45 Break
4:00-5:30 Work/Free time begins for those not in private consultations,
or Optional Session – (in yellow cabin)
Mary Potter Kenyon
Proposal Writing for Non-fiction Books: Ninety-percent of non-fiction books are sold by a book proposal that includes two or three completed chapters, not a completed manuscript. The book proposal is the business plan that sells the book concept to a publisher or agent. This intensive, 90-minute power-point lab is not for the faint-hearted writer, but is for one who is ready to pitch a non-fiction project. The power point includes actual examples from Mary’s proposals that have resulted in book contracts, along with generous handouts. Attendees will leave this session with one of the most crucial parts of their proposal: a synopsis of their work in progress.
Individual One-on-One consultations:
4:00 1st 20-minute consultations time
4:20 2nd 20-minute consultations time
4:40 3rd 20-minute consultations time
5:00 4th 20-minute consultations time
5:00 30-minute Paid Manuscripts time
5:30 Supper on site
6:30-7:30 p.m. Writers Social/Dessert Bar
Workshop Day 2 - Friday, June 9 Schedule
8:00-8:30 a.m. Network/Coffee & Tea
8:30 Announcements
8:45 Inspiration message
9:00 Session 7 – Cynthia Ruchti
Writing Acoustically: “It is what we experience through the senses that makes life meaningful… Impressions obtained through these two (higher) senses (seeing and hearing), are as much a necessary human nourishment as food and water.” - From The Importance of Sound in Our Lives, The Anstendig Institute. Readers listen with their ears, eyes, and heart. Writers, who understand the "sound" of their writing, have yet another inroad into their readers' appreciation and response. This workshop will equip the writer with practical ideas for improving the "sound" quality of their writing.
9:50 Goal-Reaching Tip #2 – Jean Vaux
10:00 Break
10:15 Session 8 – Jolene Philo and Anne Philo Fleck
How to Use Back-story to Create Complex Characters: Do you want to create complex characters that drive plots and intrigue readers? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build back-stories for your characters before writing a word of your novel. After reviewing several techniques, you’ll be given time to choose and use one technique to deepen an existing character or to build a new one from scratch.
11:15 Session 9 – Cynthia Ruchti
Hitting Delete Before Your Editor Does – The Joy (seriously) of Self-Editing: Would you like to build a reputation as a writer whom editors consider easy to work with? Do you want to catch an editor’s attention with how little he has to do to ready your piece for publication? Are you willing to learn what it takes to nip-and-tuck your writing to afford it the best possible chance of garnering a contract? You’ll leave this fun (that’s right) workshop with practical tips and a new appreciation for the task of self-editing.
12:10 Announcements
12:30 Lunch on site
1:30 Session 10 – Shelly Beach
Write Like Frankenstein: Techniques that Bring Fiction to Life: What are your favorite fiction books? What is it about them that you find appealing or that stirs your interest? What elements set apart powerful books from the mediocre? This session presents basic techniques that help you bring fiction to life.
2:30-3:50 Session 11 – Cherie Dargan
Blogging for Beginners: How to Set up a free Blog & Lessons Learned after 2 Years as Geeky Grandma
This hands-on lab will help you determine the best blogging platform: I recommend FREE tools for beginners and will give you several options. Bring a laptop and your passwords for Facebook and Google/Gmail. (If you don’t have any of those accounts, see me on Thursday to set them up). We will look at the logistics of setting up a blog and then discuss guidelines for blogging. I would love for you to create your blog and do your introductory post during our workshop! It will help if you have a couple of pictures of yourself on your laptop or on Facebook: head and shoulders works best. I’ll show you some tricks for getting your blog noticed, as well as how to post it on several social media sites. I’ll share my successes and failures as Geeky Grandma looks to her second anniversary.
OR
2:30 Session 12 – Sue Schuerman (outside, weather permitting, or yellow cabin)
Dialoguing with Nature: The purpose of this session is not to craft a polished piece, but to use contemplative writing to discover intimacy in your spirituality and your soul. The natural world will be our teacher. It can be the map that helps us traverse our internal landscape. Plan to meet outdoors, weather permitting.
3:30-3:50 Project work time, with helpers
3:50 Break
4:00-5:30 Work/Free time begins for those not in private consultations,
or Optional Sessions – in yellow cabin
4:00-4:45 Darcy Maulsby
Shoot! How to Improve Your Photos in 1 Minute: Wish you could take better photos for your social media sites, marketing materials and your family photo albums? Great photographers know you don’t take great photos; you make them. Darcy will offer her top 10, field-tested tips that are guaranteed to make you a better photographer, no matter what kind of camera you have.
4:45-5:30 Anne Philo Fleck
Plot and the Note card Method: Whether you’re starting a new story, stuck mid draft, or need to edit your work, the note card method can save you time and trouble. This technique will help you find your plot, pinpoint plot holes, weed out unnecessary material and give your work in progress form and focus.
Individual One-on-One consultations:
4:00 1st 20-minute consultations time
4:20 2nd 20-minute consultations time
4:40 3rd 20-minute consultations time
5:00 4th 20-minute consultations time
5:00 30-minute Paid Manuscripts time
5:30 Break
5:50 – Meet for rides to dinner venue, in front of Fellowship Hall
6:00 – Carpool leaves for Waterloo Center for the Arts
6:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner catered by Laughing Tree Café & special guest speaker, Darcy Maulsby
Workshop Day 3 - Saturday, June 10 Schedule
8:00-8:30 Network/Coffee & Tea
8:30 Announcements
8:45 Inspiration message
9:00 Session 13 – Cynthia Ruchti
See-Through Writing/See-Through Living: The beauty of what windows do is they allow us access to a spectacular view. Isn’t there an important link we can make as writers? And how does see-through living help us create see-through writing?
9:50 Goal-Reaching Tip #3 – Jean Vaux
10:00 Break: final book sales; final sign ups for open mic spots & submitting questions for Q & A
10:15 Session 14 – Open Mic
Session 16 – Jolene Philo
10 Organizational Techniques that Create Time for Writing: Would you like to keep life from getting in the way of your writing? This workshop offers ten organizational techniques you can apply to create more writing time in your schedule. From goal setting to organizing files, from planner tips to chore lists, from limiting social media to prioritizing projects, you’ll learn ways to use time and resources efficiently so you have more time to write.
1:15-1:30 Final Words, Wrap-up and Evaluations
Workshop Day 1 - Thursday, June 8 Schedule
7:30-8:00 Registration opens and cabin check-in
8:00 Welcome, Introductions
8:45 Inspiration Message & Goal-Reaching Tip #1 – Jean Vaux
9:00 Session 1 – Cynthia Ruchti
Writer, Worshipper, Warrior: How to find fulfillment in a three-pronged life as we examine the story of King David at his best and worst.
10:00 Break
10:15 Session 2 – Cynthia Ruchti
Almost Persuaded: Everyone including your mother tells you your writing is good. Then why has Focus on the Family rejected your devotional piece for teens six times? Why can’t you get a publisher to take a serious look at your contemporary romantic comedy written in Shakespearean English? This workshop may help you discover how to tailor your writing for today’s audience’s tastes, habits, preferences, and needs.
11:15 Session 3 – Mary Potter Kenyon
Expressive Writing for Healing: According to research by James Pennebaker, writing through painful moments by journaling and other expressive writing, such as memoir; essay writing; and/or topical blogging, is an effective form of therapy and even has health benefits. Mary shares concrete examples of her own journal entries and blog posts that were later incorporated into published books, as well as selections from other writers’ books. Did you know C. S. Lewis’ book, Grief Observed, was his private journal following the death of his wife, or that Madeleine L’Engle published many of her journals? Whether you are looking to journal your way through a difficult time or get published, so that your words and experiences help others, this workshop is a step-by-step guide.
12:10 Book intros by speaker authors, announcements and sign-ups
12:30 Lunch on site
1:30 Session 4 – Shelly Beach
What You May Not Know You Need to Know: A To-Do Pre-Proposal Book Publishing List
Many authors write their first book, then set out to sell it to a publisher. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately, this formula is typically a recipe for disaster. Find out what you need to know and do before trying to sell your book to maximize your opportunities for success.
2:30 Session 5 – Wanda Sanchez
When You Wanna Quit (because you will): Writing through Self-Doubt: “I’m not good enough.” “I can’t do this.” I’m not a real writer.” “I don’t have enough time.” “My writing isn’t as good as put-the-name-of-your-own-author-here.” How do you handle self-doubt when it comes to writing? Almost every writer struggles with doubt, whether they’re a beginner or a pro. This session will teach you how to deal with doubt and keep on plugging.
OR
2:30 Session 6 – Shelly Beach
Who? What? Where? When? Why?: Strategies for Storycrafting: Writers approach plotting differently. Some let the story unfold organically around the central character. Others create a precise plot. This session presents a variety of plotting strategies to help you discover the right approach for your story or to spark your creative juices to create your own.
3:30 Book intros by attending authors
3:45 Break
4:00-5:30 Work/Free time begins for those not in private consultations,
or Optional Session – (in yellow cabin)
Mary Potter Kenyon
Proposal Writing for Non-fiction Books: Ninety-percent of non-fiction books are sold by a book proposal that includes two or three completed chapters, not a completed manuscript. The book proposal is the business plan that sells the book concept to a publisher or agent. This intensive, 90-minute power-point lab is not for the faint-hearted writer, but is for one who is ready to pitch a non-fiction project. The power point includes actual examples from Mary’s proposals that have resulted in book contracts, along with generous handouts. Attendees will leave this session with one of the most crucial parts of their proposal: a synopsis of their work in progress.
Individual One-on-One consultations:
4:00 1st 20-minute consultations time
4:20 2nd 20-minute consultations time
4:40 3rd 20-minute consultations time
5:00 4th 20-minute consultations time
5:00 30-minute Paid Manuscripts time
5:30 Supper on site
6:30-7:30 p.m. Writers Social/Dessert Bar
Workshop Day 2 - Friday, June 9 Schedule
8:00-8:30 a.m. Network/Coffee & Tea
8:30 Announcements
8:45 Inspiration message
9:00 Session 7 – Cynthia Ruchti
Writing Acoustically: “It is what we experience through the senses that makes life meaningful… Impressions obtained through these two (higher) senses (seeing and hearing), are as much a necessary human nourishment as food and water.” - From The Importance of Sound in Our Lives, The Anstendig Institute. Readers listen with their ears, eyes, and heart. Writers, who understand the "sound" of their writing, have yet another inroad into their readers' appreciation and response. This workshop will equip the writer with practical ideas for improving the "sound" quality of their writing.
9:50 Goal-Reaching Tip #2 – Jean Vaux
10:00 Break
10:15 Session 8 – Jolene Philo and Anne Philo Fleck
How to Use Back-story to Create Complex Characters: Do you want to create complex characters that drive plots and intrigue readers? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build back-stories for your characters before writing a word of your novel. After reviewing several techniques, you’ll be given time to choose and use one technique to deepen an existing character or to build a new one from scratch.
11:15 Session 9 – Cynthia Ruchti
Hitting Delete Before Your Editor Does – The Joy (seriously) of Self-Editing: Would you like to build a reputation as a writer whom editors consider easy to work with? Do you want to catch an editor’s attention with how little he has to do to ready your piece for publication? Are you willing to learn what it takes to nip-and-tuck your writing to afford it the best possible chance of garnering a contract? You’ll leave this fun (that’s right) workshop with practical tips and a new appreciation for the task of self-editing.
12:10 Announcements
12:30 Lunch on site
1:30 Session 10 – Shelly Beach
Write Like Frankenstein: Techniques that Bring Fiction to Life: What are your favorite fiction books? What is it about them that you find appealing or that stirs your interest? What elements set apart powerful books from the mediocre? This session presents basic techniques that help you bring fiction to life.
2:30-3:50 Session 11 – Cherie Dargan
Blogging for Beginners: How to Set up a free Blog & Lessons Learned after 2 Years as Geeky Grandma
This hands-on lab will help you determine the best blogging platform: I recommend FREE tools for beginners and will give you several options. Bring a laptop and your passwords for Facebook and Google/Gmail. (If you don’t have any of those accounts, see me on Thursday to set them up). We will look at the logistics of setting up a blog and then discuss guidelines for blogging. I would love for you to create your blog and do your introductory post during our workshop! It will help if you have a couple of pictures of yourself on your laptop or on Facebook: head and shoulders works best. I’ll show you some tricks for getting your blog noticed, as well as how to post it on several social media sites. I’ll share my successes and failures as Geeky Grandma looks to her second anniversary.
OR
2:30 Session 12 – Sue Schuerman (outside, weather permitting, or yellow cabin)
Dialoguing with Nature: The purpose of this session is not to craft a polished piece, but to use contemplative writing to discover intimacy in your spirituality and your soul. The natural world will be our teacher. It can be the map that helps us traverse our internal landscape. Plan to meet outdoors, weather permitting.
3:30-3:50 Project work time, with helpers
3:50 Break
4:00-5:30 Work/Free time begins for those not in private consultations,
or Optional Sessions – in yellow cabin
4:00-4:45 Darcy Maulsby
Shoot! How to Improve Your Photos in 1 Minute: Wish you could take better photos for your social media sites, marketing materials and your family photo albums? Great photographers know you don’t take great photos; you make them. Darcy will offer her top 10, field-tested tips that are guaranteed to make you a better photographer, no matter what kind of camera you have.
4:45-5:30 Anne Philo Fleck
Plot and the Note card Method: Whether you’re starting a new story, stuck mid draft, or need to edit your work, the note card method can save you time and trouble. This technique will help you find your plot, pinpoint plot holes, weed out unnecessary material and give your work in progress form and focus.
Individual One-on-One consultations:
4:00 1st 20-minute consultations time
4:20 2nd 20-minute consultations time
4:40 3rd 20-minute consultations time
5:00 4th 20-minute consultations time
5:00 30-minute Paid Manuscripts time
5:30 Break
5:50 – Meet for rides to dinner venue, in front of Fellowship Hall
6:00 – Carpool leaves for Waterloo Center for the Arts
6:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner catered by Laughing Tree Café & special guest speaker, Darcy Maulsby
Workshop Day 3 - Saturday, June 10 Schedule
8:00-8:30 Network/Coffee & Tea
8:30 Announcements
8:45 Inspiration message
9:00 Session 13 – Cynthia Ruchti
See-Through Writing/See-Through Living: The beauty of what windows do is they allow us access to a spectacular view. Isn’t there an important link we can make as writers? And how does see-through living help us create see-through writing?
9:50 Goal-Reaching Tip #3 – Jean Vaux
10:00 Break: final book sales; final sign ups for open mic spots & submitting questions for Q & A
10:15 Session 14 – Open Mic
- Attendees can share up to a page of their writing, if they want.
- Ask any unanswered or clarification questions you may still have, addressing any or all the presenters.
Session 16 – Jolene Philo
10 Organizational Techniques that Create Time for Writing: Would you like to keep life from getting in the way of your writing? This workshop offers ten organizational techniques you can apply to create more writing time in your schedule. From goal setting to organizing files, from planner tips to chore lists, from limiting social media to prioritizing projects, you’ll learn ways to use time and resources efficiently so you have more time to write.
1:15-1:30 Final Words, Wrap-up and Evaluations
