I’m biased, I get that, but I attended a fabulous workshop by the Alberta Romance Writers Association in August. There were four speakers: Jessica Jackson, Diana Cranstoun, Sarah Kades and Mahrie Glab Reid.
Photo credit Peteoshea (Flickr)
Rather than try and sum up a three hour session, I thought I’d just share my key a-ha moments. Ladies – forgive me! I can’t remember who said what, but you can take credit for your points in the comments.
Never treat a single character lightly. You never know if you’ll need them in your next book.
Write a character profile. Their likes, dislikes, wants, don’t wants and secret desires. You might just unlock something magical.
Ways to show theme: your character’s job, their hobby, their name (Atticus Finch, anyone?).
If you don’t weave theme into your subplot, you’ve missed a golden opportunity.
The sense that we often put little effort into is taste. Take this as an opportunity to ratchet it up. “The conversation transformed his chocolate into chalk.”
Some of their favourite writing resources?
– Kim Hudson’s, The Virgin’s Promise
– Attack of the Copula Spiders, by Douglas Glover
– Fiction is Folks, by Robert Newton Peck
What are your favourite books/resources on writing? Please share in the comments.
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