Writing Workshops: January through March

Introduction to Writing &
Narrative Storytelling Janice Rogers Jan 10 – 14

If you have a story to tell, don't miss this workshop! You'll gain confidence in writing and telling your story as you develop practical skills to keep a reader reading from beginning to end.
You will learn how to write to target audiences, meeting their felt needs. Learn how to write first person stories in dramatic fashion, handling the basics of plot, characterization, and dialogue.

Teacher: Janice Rogers
(YWAM Resonate Co-Director)
Janice Rogers has written and edited numerous books, five with her brother, Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With A Mission. Their first book, Is That Really You, God?, has more than 2 million copies in print in 103 languages. Janice encourages writers through YWAM Resonate training programs as well as teaching internationally in workshops and schools. Her latest book is The Book That Transforms Nations: The Power of the Bible to Change Any Country, co-authored with Loren Cunningham.

Editing Monika Allen Jan 17 – 20
Learn how to edit your own writing, concentrating on reducing unnecessary words, rethinking and rearranging for maximum impact, and rewording while avoiding common grammar and spelling errors.
Teacher: Monika Allen

(School leader, Editing)
Monika received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin in 2003. She also attended the YWAM School of Writing in 2002, returning the following year to staff the school. She grew up as the daughter of YWAM missionaries, becoming full-time staff herself in 2003. Her experiences in YWAM have taken her to more than 30 nations. Monika developed and heads the Communications Department of YWAM in Madison, Wisconsin. She occasionally writes for YWAM International's website. She is co-writing a non-fiction children's book with Loren Cunningham–a collection of twenty-six short stories about countries from A-Z. She is also writing a fictional chapter-book series for 6-9 year old girls.

Writing for the Internet Greg Paskal Jan 21 – 22
Learn unique parameters of writing for the internet. Learn how to create and manage a blog.
Teacher: Greg Paskal

Greg Paskal has a passion for maximizing the internet as a comunication tool. He believes God has entrusted our generation with this amazing season of connectedness through the web. Greg’s students learn how to be effective on social networking sites, blogs, and web pages, where “content is king.” He will help you think outside the box and share your message with a global audience. Greg is an alumni of the YWAM Woodcrest School of Writing who lives in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Cindy and daughter Hannah. He works at JCPenney’s corporate headquarters as Lead Test Automation Engineer.

Practicum: Narrative Writing ----- Jan 24 – 28
You will observe and participate in an interview. Applying narrative principles, you will write a non-fiction short story or a chapter for a creative non-fiction book based on that interview.

Critique group sessions throughout the week will help you develop and improve your story.

Fiction Mona Hodgson Jan 31 – Feb 4
Fasten your seatbelts for the Fiction Week at the YWAM School of Writing.
Students will get up-close and personal with the two pillars of fiction: character and Plot; flesh out and develop a story idea; learn how to build a strong story beginning, middle, and end; investigate the various audiences for fiction; examine and explore outlets for fiction; receive an overview of fiction genres; and more--all with practical, hands-on steps and exercises.
Teacher: Mona Hodgson

Mona Hodgson is the author of "Two Brides Too Many" (now widely available) and "Too Rich for a Bride" (exlusively available at Walmart stores until May 2011), both published by WaterBrook Press. Mona's writing credits also include nearly thirty children’s books, contributions to eleven books for adults, and hundreds of short stories, articles, and poems in fifty different newspapers and magazines. One of Mona’s favorite things to do (besides writing or eating dark chocolate) is to mentor other writers. She speaks regularly at women’s retreats, schools, and conferences through the United States and Canada. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob. Learn more at www.monahodgson.com. You can also connect with Mona on Facebook and Twitter. Check out Mona's public Facebook page at Mona Hodgson Author Page: www.facebook.com/monahodgson and www.twitter.com/monahodgson.

Practicum: Fiction ----- Feb 7 – 11
You will write a 10 page short story with a complete plot, character development, dialogue and theme.

Screenwriting Kevin Miller Feb 14 – 18
Learn the unique requirements of film as a visual medium. Learn more about plot, including principles of the hero’s journey, creating characters, dialogue, and delivering a worthwhile theme.

Teacher: Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller is an award-winning screenwriter who has applied his craft to feature films, documentaries and short films. Recent productions include Monumental (2011), spOILed (2011), Sex + Money (2011), No Saints for Sinners (2011), With God On Our Side (2010), Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008), Hakani: A Survivor's Story (2008) and After... (2006). In addition to his work as a screenwriter, Kevin has written, co-written and edited over 40 books, both fiction and non-fiction. He and his wife Heidi live in Abbotsford, BC with their four children.

Practicum: Screenwriting ----- Feb 21 – 25
You will outline a 3-act screenplay and write the first act, formatting it according to industry standards.

Writing for Magazines Sandi Thompkins Feb 28 – Mar 4
Taught by SANDI TOMPKINS, award-winning writer, editor and leader of the weekly University of the Nations Writers Group for 18 years.
From print magazines to online publications, blogs, e-zines and more, you can reach thousands more by writing magazine articles instead of (or along with) a book. This workshop teaches about types of articles and how to “hook” your reader from the first sentence. You will learn to develop the best strategy for research, techniques for getting great interviews, how to use structure to write your rough draft, and keys to a smooth writing style.

Teacher: Sandi Tompkins

Sandi Tompkins, an award-winning journalist and Pulitzer Prize nominee, has edited over 50 books and two study Bibles as part of her communications work with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Kona, Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in a number of Christian magazines as well as YWAM’s international publications. She also leads Writers’ Workshops, teaches writing, and mentors authors. Her weekly Writers Group has fostered the successful publication of 30 books and dozens of magazine articles over the last 18 years. Sandi and her husband Scott were senior editors of The Christian Growth Study Bible, which will be re-released for the 50th anniversary of YWAM.

Practicum: Magazine Writing ----- Mar 7 – 11
You will choose a particular publication, either print or online. Then you will write a 1,000- 2,000 word article for that publication.

Non-fiction Writing TBD Mar 14 – 18
Learn how to write on a theme, either for short pieces or long, using writer’s platform and research to effectively demonstrate ideas. Outlining and introduction to principles of logic help students write to inspire and/or convince an audience.

Marketing & Publishing Tim Beals Mar 21 – 25

Learn what to do once you have written a manuscript. This “Publishing 101” session provides an emphasis on publishing options (traditional vs. self-publishing), print vs. digital, how to write a proposal, when to hire an agent, and what to do after the contract is signed.

Teacher: Tim Beals

Timothy J. Beals is Owner and President of Credo Communications LLC. He has served in strategic leadership positions with some of the world's best companies and organizations, including the leading Christian publisher, Zondervan, and the world's largest Christian nonprofit organization, World Vision. Tim works with an international team of dedicated communications experts--authors, editors, agents, translators, publishers, designers, and printers--to meet the needs of their clients worldwide.

DAILY SCHEDULE: Workshop Weeks

During teaching weeks, the daily schedule will be intense. After five hours of lecture and critique groups, your instructor will give a writing assignment to be done overnight. These assignments will give you the chance to immediately apply what you’re learning in the lectures. If you don’t understand the assignment, please ask. Someone else may have a similar question. In the pursuit of perfection (what the Bible calls “the fear of man”), you may be tempted to stay up late writing and rewriting your assignment. Please don’t yield to that temptation. Give yourself the luxury of being able to stay awake in class the next day. Your assignments are due at midnight.

Off-campus students -- morning prayer, worship or devotionals are optional.

DAILY SCHEDULE: Practicum Weeks

Practicum (Writing Project) Weeks

We learn to write by writing. That’s why these weeks are devoted to writing full-time. We’ll meet for prayer and worship every morning, as usual. Work duties will continue, and critique sessions. But you will be writing a minimum of five hours every day. We expect you to do your best writing during these weeks. By the time you hand in your final draft on Friday afternoon, after long hours of writing, rewriting, and critiquing, your piece should be suitable to submit for publication.

Off-campus students -- morning worship, devotions, or prayer are optional

Mondays

9:00 AM Worship, Devotions, or Intercession

10:00 AM Receive assignment; remainder of day spent writing first draft

12:30 Lunch