Monday, October 31, 2011

Workshop: Plot Fixer Presented by Kara Lennox

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//
The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents
Plot Fixer Presented by Kara Lennox
http://www.romance-ffp.com/admin/event.cfm?EventID=308
WHEN: November 7, 2011 through December 4, 2011
WHAT:
Do you create wonderful, three-dimensional characters who then stumble around blindly in your book, trying to find a story? As a frequent critiquer, contest judge, and the recipient of many, many rejection and revision letters over the years, Kara Lennox has witnessed and personally experienced just about every way your plot can veer into a ditch.
In this workshop she'll cover the fifteen most common problems, how to spot them and how to fix them. Some common problems covered include:

* A premise that isn't compelling enough (includes discussion of "high concept")
* The cute meet that goes nowhere
* Starting in the wrong place
* Lack of clear-cut goals for your characters
* Weak conflict
* Too many conflicts
* Stakes are too low
* The plot moves too slowly
* The dreaded saggy middle
* The plot moves too fast;
* The plot is too predictable
* Episodic plots
* Plots that rely on convenience, coincidence and contrivance
* The drama doesn't build
* Loss of focus
* Weak black moment
* Unsatisfying ending
The workshop includes illustrative examples from well-known movies, books, the author's own supply of failed plots, and samples made up just for this workshop. If time permits, the author will take questions and make suggestions for solving plot problems on the spot.
WHERE: This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop.  Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.
HOW:
 Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.  The cost is $15.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members.  Payment is due at the time of registration.
Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis.  If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

REGISTRATION: http://www.romance-ffp.com/nonMemberWorkshopRegistration.cfm?EventID=308
If you are a current member of FF&P, please log into the website before registering for this workshop. 
JOIN TODAY to take this workshop for only $15!
http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.htm
WHO:  Kara Lennox (a.k.a. Karen Leabo) has written more than 50 contemporary romance novels for Harlequin/Silhouette and Bantam Loveswept. Since her first novel was released in 1989, her books frequently appear on romance bestseller lists and have finaled in several romance industry contests including the National Readers' Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion competition, and the RITA. Her Harlequin American Romance PLAIN JANE'S PLAN won a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice award.
Kara is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics at writers' conferences around the country. She also teaches many of her workshops as online classes. Currently she is working on a romantic suspense trilogy, "Project Justice," for Harlequin Superromance, to be published in 2011.
On a good day, Kara writes ten pages before lunch. Visit her online at her blog:  http://karalennox.wordpress.com.

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