2019 OLYMPIC PENINSULA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

The Power of Story and Ten Steps To Creating A Compelling Novel Melanie Dobson

8/15/2019

Christian writers have a unique call to stir hearts, minds and souls through story. Like the parables of Christ, a powerful story can transform readers wherever they are on their journey, and Melanie is passionate about encouraging both fiction and nonfiction writers to embrace and share the transformative stories that God has given them.

But how do you create a novel that grabs a reader's attention on the first page and keeps him or her engaged until the end? "Ten Steps To Creating A compelling novel is a practical session designed to inspire both new writers and seasoned novelists wanting to grow their skills by discussing how to create passionate characters, strong opposition, and entertaining dialogue for any genre.

Melanie is the award-winning author of twenty historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels. Four of her novels, Chateau of Secrets, Catching the Wind, The Silent Order and Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa, have received Carol Awards, Catching the Wind received the Inspirational Fiction Audie Award in 2018, and The Black Cloister was named the ForeWord Religious Fiction Book of the Year.

How to Grow Hope-filled stories for Kids Peggy King Anderson

8/14/2019

Peat moss and cardboard, wet newspapers and manure. Sounds yukky, but gardeners know if you layer it all you have a Lasagna Garden that can grow something yummy. Writers can do the same thing! In this workshop you’ll learn three unexpected ways to turn the layers of your life into exciting and hope-filled stories for kids. We’ll grow a Childhood Memory Chart, harvest the Magic Rule of Three, and pick seven ways to put Bonuses into every story you write. Peggy promises lots of handouts, lots of fun!

Peggy King Anderson is a terrible gardener, but she does love to grow stories for kids. She has successfully harvested several books, including her most recent, Two-Moon Journey, a historical fiction novel for 8-12 year-olds about an 11 year-old Potawatomi girl who finds a surprising way to save her people and give them hope during the 1838 Indian Removal. She regularly grows stories for POCKETS Magazine as well. In her spare time Peggy spends time with her nine grandchildren who live in Kirkland, Washington; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Berlin, Germany. This means she loves to travel too! To find out more about Peggy, go to her website at www.peggyking.com. It’s loaded with fun information, and designed by her amazingly gifted graphic design artist son, David Anderson.

Get Ready Set And Launch & Writing Romance In Christian Fiction Kate Breslin

8/14/2019

In Workshop #1 “Get Ready, Set, and Launch!” Your completed manuscript has been edited and polished to a sheen, and even now awaits printing. Soon your new book “baby” will make its debut into the world and you want readers to be as excited as you are about this moment. But how to make that happen? Join award-winning author Kate Breslin for her presentation on how to create a successful book launch from start to finish. Kate shares her experience and offer strategies to generate reader excitement before your launch as well as how to build and maintain a highly energized launch team that will support and encourage you every step of the way! Hand-outs will be available in class. Recommended for all level of writers.

WORKSHOP #2
“Writing Romance in Christian Fiction” Are you considering the romance genre for your next manuscript? Whether you write contemporary, historical, speculative, or even young adult fiction, you can craft a romance-themed novel after learning and honing the basic skills. In this workshop, award-winning author Kate Breslin shares her “toolkit” for creating sweet romance between a hero and heroine, using conflict, point of view, dialog, and motivation—elements that reveal the ways in which God brings two hearts together as one. Hand-outs will be available in class. Recommended for all level writers.

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate’s first novel, For Such A Time, was shortlisted for both the Christy and RITA awards, and won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award for Debut Novel. Kate's fourth novel, Far Side of the Sea, was released in March of 2019. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes to travel, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Athens, Rome, Barcelona, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com.

Two Roundtable Writers Sessions First Session Is Writing Fiction, the Second Is Writing Memoir/Narrative and Non-fiction Sandra Byrd

7/27/2019

It's said that the first page secures the reader for this story, and the last page will sell your next. Everything in between ensures they have a fantastic reading experience. In these intimate, personalized sessions, we’re not working on concepts – we’re working on your books!

Each session will review the essential elements in the given genre; the word author is tied to authority, of course, and we want to make sure you authoritatively invite your reader into a complete, complex, and resonant book. You’ll send a short synopsis, outline, and the first five pages of your book to me a month ahead of class. I’ll review the work carefully, make notes, and retain a copy before returning it to you.

In class, we’ll discuss the critical elements, why they need to be included in your book, and give a brief overview of their placement – macrostructure. We’ll learn when to stick with the rules and when you can bend them. How do you structure your book while keeping creative joy? Come learn how! Class size limited to preserve intimacy and effectiveness. Please bring your laptop and/or a notebook.

Fiction Roundtable Writers Session
Memoir/Narrative Nonfiction Roundtable Writers Session

Bestselling author Sandra Byrd continues to earn both industry acclaim and high praise from readers everywhere. The author of more than fifty books, her work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades including the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Award nominations, Two Library Journal Best Book selections, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

As an editor and an in-demand writing coach, Sandra is passionate about helping writers develop their talents and has mentored hundreds of writers at all stages of their writing careers. She lives in North Tacoma with her husband and with her grown children nearby.

www.sandrabyrd.com
www.sandrabyrdbookcoach.com

Memoir Writing Workshop Crystal Linn

7/27/2019

This workshop covers all aspects of how to write one’s memoir, including the difference between a memoir and an autobiography.

Topics discussed will include what needs to be included in one’s memoir, various writing techniques especially for memoirs, non-fiction narrative, when to write fictional truths vs. writing one’s own story, the reader’s audience, themes, and much more. The workshop also includes memoir samples, a brief Q&A time, and a large stack of handouts.

Crystal Linn is a free-lance writer and is also a multi-published author and award-winning poet. She began teaching creative writing classes in 2001.
Ms. Linn lives on the Olympic Peninsula where she enjoys reading mysteries, writing poetry, hiking, and sailing with friends and family.

Blogging Basics 101 Mindy Peltier

7/27/2019

Do you love writing but hate the idea of marketing through social media? Having a blog can improve your writing skills while teaching you to promote your talent through social media. This is a basic class to explain the prerequisites you need to begin your blogging journey. This isn't a how-to tutorial, as technology will change between the time this is printed and the workshop is taught. We'll begin with the blessings and benefits of blogging. Then you'll learn the textbook elements of a successful blog and of an effective blog post. Discover programs that help gain an internet presence with SEO, grow an email list, and create quote images. I can teach you how to blog so that your writing is found by readers. Oh, and there will be homework.

Mindy Peltier started her writing career as a reporter, columnist, and photographer for the weekly county newspaper in Cavalier County, ND. She spent her senior year of high school interviewing, writing copy, taking photos, and developing her own film.

After marrying, she homeschooled their six children. She started writing again when the last one was potty-trained. In 2007 she began blogging as a way to put herself into the family calendar, and has published over 1000 blog posts. In 2013 she was featured on Freshly Pressed on WordPress. Her lifelong dream is to turn the stories she tells herself into published novels.

She served on the board of Northwest Christian Writers Association from 2011-2016, ending her term as the President. She also served as the Assistant to the Director for the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal conference from 2010-2014, and as Assistant Director from 2015-2017. Her passion for writing overflows into a love for teaching writers about blogging and marketing. Peltier has taught at the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal and the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference.

She and her husband, Scott, affectionally known as Mr. P on social media, have been married 33 years. They are nearly empty-nesters and love being grandparents of six amazing kids. They reside in Kirkland, WA and Helena, MT.

Polish Your Prose: Avoid Missed Opportunities Julie McDonald Zander

7/27/2019

You’ve written your manuscript and edited it based on feedback about structure and development. Now you’re ready to submit it to an editor, agent, or publisher, or you intend to self-publish. Before you do, look for common pitfalls and missed opportunities that leave your writing weaker than it could be, detracting from your storytelling. In this workshop, we’ll discuss passive writing, weak verbs, style, and proofreading tips to fine-tune your masterpiece.

Julie McDonald Zander worked as an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor for 20 years before launching her personal history business, Chapters of Life, in 1999. (http://www.chaptersoflife.com) Since then, she has published more than 50 individual, company, community, and organizational histories, including histories of Centralia College, Bucoda, Chehalis, the Hemphill-O’Neill Company, and the Lewis County Courthouse. She also does freelance editing for clients and, since May 2007, has written a column once a week for The Chronicle in Centralia, Washington. She served five years as Northwest regional co-coordinator for the Association of Personal Historians and organized the 12th Annual Association of Personal Historians Conference in Portland, Oregon, in 2006. She has also helped organize the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Coaching Conference, Southwest Washington Writers Conference, and Cascade Writing Contest and Awards. She has taught workshops on tackling large and small projects, memoir writing, creating ethical wills and personal histories, polishing your prose, and other topics. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in communications and political science. She and her husband, Larry, have two grown children.