As I'm critiquing manuscripts, I'm seeing a common problem: Lack of conflict.
So I'm offering a month long workshop to cover the basics of plot structure and offer perspective.
The class is appropriate for writers of all levels.
My classes are usually $30. but I'm offering this one this month only for $10.
I know September is ACFW conference month--I'll be there, too. We'll
work around that week. Don't worry that you won't have time or you'll be
unable to keep up,
because the lessons are all downloadable and you can study them at your
leisure - or even at a later date. See all the information below.
Cher :-)
DATES: SEPTEMBER 1 –
30, 2011
INSTRUCTOR: CHERYL ST.JOHN
ENROLLMENT FEE: $10.
** Regularly a $30. class **
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
No matter what writing topic
Cheryl addresses, she hangs the most importance on characters. Conflict is
drawn from characters. It’s based on their goals, their backstory and their
motivation. It is opposing forces that come from within the characters
themselves.
Webster’s Dictionary defines
conflict as “the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the
dramatic action in a drama or fiction.” This definition is the essence of
fiction, and we need to keep it in mind as we develop characters and plots. If
there’s no conflict, there’s no story.
Conflict, of course, can be
either light or heavy. In a humorous story, the problem may not be life
threatening, but it still must be important to the characters. The characters’
motivations must be equally important to them. In suspense, the conflict is
often life-threatening. All well-developed plots stem from creative use of
conflict, and conflict is what keeps the reader turning pages.
In order to understand conflict and how to develop it, we
must first understand what conflict is, what conflict is not, and what conflict
can be. The elements that make up a story are so closely meshed that at times
it becomes difficult to dissect and make a firm delineation between them. In a
masterfully developed story, characterization, plotting, and conflict are all
intricately entwined.
Cheryl will explain opposing goals and how to create
conflict that will sustain a story. She’ll give practical advice on:
- Motivating
characters
- Creating
characters with built-in conflict
- Revealing
emotion through conflict
- Internal
and external conflict
- Simple
and complex conflict
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Among her achievements, which include forty published books
in both contemporary and historical genres, Cheryl St.John has received
multiple Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and four RITA nominations. In
describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers
use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable
characters and real life situations.” She has taught writing on local and
national levels, and is in demand as a motivational speaker.
FORMAT:
The class will be conducted via subscription to a private
yahoogroup, two lessons per week, followed by questions and answers. Brief
exercises pertaining to the participant’s current work in progress may be
included. Archived class will be available for one week after the ending date.
ENDORSEMENTS:
Cheryl St. John's classes are full of insight and wisdom. Her lessons help me understand what's
missing in my story and offer alternative ways to to approach my writing.
Cheryl's willingness to share her experience and expertise is greatly
appreciated by this aspiring writer. -- Susan Kapost
In July 2010, I received my first personalized rejection: My story had
too much external conflict, and not enough internal conflict. For my
next book, I took Cheryl St.John's class on conflict, crafted my plot
using her proven methods to balance both external and internal conflict,
and sent off the manuscript with fingers crossed. In August of 2011,
Harlequin Love Inspired Historical bought my book, Winning the Widow's Heart,
for release in June 2012. I truly believe Cheryl's class propelled my
manuscript out of the slush pile and into an editor's hands. -- Sherri Shackelford
