Agenda

This is a Writers BOOT CAMP for Short Fiction.

And it is called that for good reason. You will be expected to log in many hours of intensive analysis and criticism from your peers and the four guest instructors who will be guiding you through all the major elements of writing fiction.

Bring Drink, Lunch, and Snack for all three days

Day 1: August 5th, 2009
Be prepared to hit the road running! You may want to take notes. Pen and a notebook is advised, but don’t bring the stories you were previously sent.

Day 2: August 6th, 2009
Now bring the stories. You must arrive on time. Every session MUST be on time.

Day 3: August 7th, 2009
Analysis of what you’ve learned and an exercise based on your assignment

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Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the Boot Camp schedule:

Day 1

You will learn all the basic elements of fiction. Understanding these basic elements will allow you to create well-written stories. This is when you will meet your instructors as each of them discusses their specific areas of emphasis during the weekend.

Session 1: Plot
—The essence of how a story works. (Instructor: Tom Monteleone)

Session 2: Character and POV
—How to create characters and their view of the proceedings. (Mort Castle)

Session 3:Dialogue and Narrative Voice
—the art of writing believable dialogue (Beth Massie)

Session 4: Grammar, Style, and Pacing
—Everything you need to write clearly and tell your story with grace.

You will also receive a writing assignment which will be due on the morning of Day 3.

Day 2

This is the day you experience how a piece of fiction—especially yours—can be deconstructed and analyzed in a high-intensity, workshop setting. Be prepared to learn things about the mechanics of your writing, your ability to tell a good story, and even how your own creative mind functions.

In addition, you will be getting the much-needed FEEDBACK that is so often the missing factor in the writing process.

The sessions on Day 2 are all about analysis and literary criticism—
—that is, learning how to give it out, and more importantly, how to take it.

Your ability to receive and then implement critical feedback is the most important element contributing to the improvement of your craft. It is the ultimate key to your success as a writer.

You will be expected to critique your peers. This is the time when you must be honest, thorough, and unbiased. The round-table discussion format of this workshop depends upon each writer participating to the fullest extent.

We cannot emphasize this enough.

The eventual outcome of this part of the workshop is to get you comfortable with the process of analysis and critique—because it will give the tools to self-edit your own work and make you a better writer.

You will operate in small groups and rotate from one instructor to the next.

Day 3

Assignment:

You will turn in your assignment from Day 1, and the instructors will conduct a two-part exercise:

One: Book Store Browser—we subject your work to the ultimate test.

Two: Open session free-for-all readings and analysis by instructors and students.

Debriefing Panel:
Here’s where you have a chance to discuss what you’ve learned and participate in a Q&A and with your instructors to discuss any aspect of the writing/publishing process.

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