|
| |
|
Workshop Descriptions & Instructors
|
Kelly Dwyer Plotting the Plot in the Novel Plotting the Plot in the Novel Weekend Generating Fictional Ideas
Plotting the Plot in the Novel Much like the weekend workshop of the same name, this workshop will be devoted to creating, developing, and deepening our plots. We’ll work on ways in which our plots might arise out of character, and we’ll discuss issues such as how to create more intensity and how to juggle and integrate more than one plot at a time. In this weeklong version of the workshop, we’ll be able to do a few more plot exercises, and we’ll spend additional time sharing our ideas and plots with one another. By the time the week is over, everyone will have a general outline for a novel plot, and many may have a more detailed, annotated outline as well. This workshop is for writers of all levels. Our primary focus will be on generating new material. Plotting the Plot in the Novel Weekend It has been said that there are three rules to writing a novel, but that, unfortunately, no one knows what they are. We might assume, though, that one of these rules might have something to do with plot: Maybe we should have one in our novels? Maybe it would be helpful to plan the plot out ahead of time? In this weekend workshop, we’ll do various exercises to help us develop and deepen our plots. We’ll work on ways in which our plots might arise out of character, and we’ll discuss issues such as how to create more intensity and how to juggle and integrate more than one plot at a time. This weekend workshop is for writers of all levels. Our primary focus will be on generating new material. Generating Fictional Ideas You’ve set aside an afternoon to do nothing but write. The laundry’s done, the phone’s unplugged, you’re sitting in front of your computer/yellow legal pad, a cup of coffee/tea beside you, and: nothing. In this weekend workshop, we’ll generate ideas through various in-class exercises and explore ways in which these ideas might turn into stories or novels. We’ll work on beginnings for the ideas we like best and share our results with one another, asking questions such as: What might this character do? Where might the plot be heading? What might be interesting ways to pursue the language or voice evoked? We’ll also work on generating momentum, so that a compelling first paragraph might lead to an interesting conflict. Throughout it all, we’ll try to remember that as difficult as the struggle sometimes is, we’re writing because it’s fun. By the end of the weekend, you’ll have enough characters, plots, and opening lines to break through the most pernicious writer’s block. A graduate of Oberlin College and The University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Kelly Dwyer has written two novels, The Tracks of Angels and Self-Portrait with Ghosts,both published by Penguin Putnam Inc., and two children’s books, Sophie’s Magical Windmill and The Dream Tree,published by ArchitectureKIDS. She has been awarded a Michener/Engle Fellowship, a Wisconsin Arts Board Grant, and a Library Association Award for Outstanding Novel written by a Wisconsin Writer. Kelly lives in Baraboo, Wisconsin, with her husband and young daughter.
|
|
Site
Map | Welcome | Workshops
by Session Date | Workshops
by Instructor Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education Last updated on February 19, 2009 |
|