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Boot Camp for Writers
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This past weekend, the Northwest Houston chapter of Romance Writers of America hosted the Todd Stone Novelist’s Boot Camp. Forty-two writers attended this two day event that included not only a presentation on the boot camp concept, but actual drills. Food and door prizes rounded out each day’s sessions.
The first day focused on learning the “Battle Plans”, including Mental Preparation and Mission Planning (Battle Plan Alpha) and Invention (Battle Plan Bravo). Under Mr. Stone’s direction, the writers—published and unpublished—created “comprehensive concepts” and “master story summaries” for their own works in progress.
On the second day of the workshop, the writers brought scenes from their books on which to perform “triage”. The use of military and medical terms on mainly romance novels provided a new and unique way for the writers to look at their work. Everyone came away with specific ideas for improving their manuscripts. Of specific use were the revision passes, each of which focused on a particular attribute, such as characterization, dialogue or logic.
Mr. Stone conducts full or abbreviated versions of his Novelist’s Boot Camp, and all writing groups are invited to contact him for information or scheduling. For more information on his workshops, check his website http://www.storytellerroad.com/.
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