Bring up to 1000 words of a Work In Progress ending (of the story, a chapter, a scene, etc) you feel could use a boost. MJ will lead a 20 min. discussion on the merits of good endings before letting participants dive into refining their own WIP. During the second hour, participants will exchange their (more…)
Bring up to 1000 words of a Work In Progress beginning (of the story, a chapter, a scene, etc.) or split your word count between two spots you feel could use a boost Val will lead a 20 min. discussion on the merits of good beginnings before letting participants dive into refining their own WIP. (more…)
What’s Weighing You Down? By Loni Cameron For the May seminar, author Mary Sullivan and editor Wanda Ottewell took us through how to fix the “Sagging Middle” – the place in the middle of a … Read more
Rescheduled Event (from April 15th, 2018, cancelled due to inclement weather) Please note the change of venue. We will be at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex (Lounge 1). As the number of published books grows exponentially, it becomes increasingly important to hook readers fast. This workshop will teach you how to find the best starting point (more…)
The writer and the reader are in an intimate bond that crafts the work of art. By sending a novel or short story into the world, the writer is asking the reader to complete the journey they have begun. The reader travels a bridge across time and space, a bridge built by the writer. It (more…)
Setting is more than a pretty picture. It grounds the reader in a distinct time and place, whether that’s present-day Toronto, Egypt in the time of the pharaohs or a colony ship headed for Mars. But that’s not all. Setting can also boost and intersect with other literary elements, deepening conflict, motivation or theme. For (more…)
What is story? Is a narrative simply a series of events happening to random people? No! Who is this story about is just as important as What is this story about! Characters are actually the most important components of any story. This two-hour workshop explores how to create a compelling and complex character through readings, (more…)
One of our most basic tasks as writers, as Janet Burroway reminds us, is to “make them wonder”—to spark in our readers a sense of curiosity and awe, drawing them along line by line, page by page, and book by book. Daniel Scott Tysdal’s workshop will examine a range of strategies for inspiring this sense (more…)
This hands-on, don’t-miss–it workshop will link your writing (whether published or not) into marketing resources that showcase its hidden potential. Participants will be asked to bring their own writing sample if possible and go through a process of finding its ideal marketplace. Learn about article marketing, the power of blogging and other author marketing ideas. (more…)
Rise and Revise Again! By Loni Cameron This past Thursday was the third of our member-led workshops. Kim McDougall took us on a journey through the process she created for revising her work. Though … Read more
A wealth of courses and books exist to teach you how to write stories. But what happens when you’ve finished writing? Do you know how to sell what you’ve written? Based on the popular writer’s guide, Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction, this workshop will give you critical advice on (more…)
A Covernotes Flash Event The WCYR in conjunction with Covernotes presents the first in a series of mini-workshops. Join author, writer, editor, and publisher Douglas Owen as he walks you through structuring the start of your novel, what publishers are looking for, and readers expect. Get hands on advise and critiques of your work in (more…)
To start off a brand new season, join the WCYR for an open house meeting. WCYR members, friends and anyone interested in writing are welcome. Admission is free (please register below). Come celebrate the successes of fellow writers, enjoy networking and stay for a workshop with a terrific speaker, Sue Reynolds. Showing vs. Telling with (more…)
**This is a FREE Members-only workshop. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot below. Wattpad is a digital platform with 40 million members worldwide. For writers, it provides detailed demographics of your readers and an easy place to gather and interact with fans. Whether you have a finished novel or you are just thinking of starting (more…)
**This is a FREE Members-only workshop. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot below. Whether you go the self-publishing route or choose a traditional publisher, good revision skills are essential for every writer. These days, publishers are looking for publish-ready work, so they have to invest less time and money on editing. And every independent (more…)
