October 28, 2009
This November Pennwriters, Inc. online writing workshops presents…
CAUSE & EFFECT SEQUENCES: INTENSIVE ONLINE WRITING COURSE
INSTRUCTOR: Catherine E. McLean
DATE: November 2-23, 2009 (4 weeks, 1 session per week)
COST: $30 Pennwriters members ($35 non-members)
REGISTER: (http://tinyurl.com/PennwritersCourse200911)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Interesting stories that grab a reader’s attention and keep them turning pages don’t happen by accident. Those stories employ techniques and devices of Cause & Effect Sequences that you can learn. This intensive online course will teach you how to use Cause & Effect Sequences to:
* Add urgency, suspense, conflict, and drama to your scenes and plots
* Seamlessly enter or depart flashbacks or remembrances
* Enhance the flow of your story with ease
* Suspend reader disbelief
* Validate motivations for character’s behavior, thinking, reactions, and decisions
* Develop characters & validate motivations for their behavior, thinking, reactions, and decisions
* Produce cleaner, more marketable copy
Participants will be required to submit the first 500 words from the opening of one of their stories. Excerpts from your story will be privately critiqued by the instructor for use of Cause & Effect Sequences; however, with your permission, some may be used as examples for the group. There will be weekly assignments.
(NOTE: This course is for writers familiar with story structure, writing and story terms, and who have completed fictional short stories and novels.)
FREE bonus with this course: “Bloopers & Blunders”–a list of 46 common mistakes made in writing fiction.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Catherine is the person to call if you want a professional read. Her attention to detail is excellent. I have also attended many of Catherine’s workshops. They are informative, fun and always knowledgeable on the basics of writing.”
- N.S., Cincinnati, OH
“She knows the mechanics of writing and the structure of story inside and out.”
- J.E., Pittsburgh, PA
Discover how to write engaging stories readers and publishers love.
Enroll Now.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Catherine McLean is a published author and longtime Pennwriters member who has given more than 30 workshops and has had two dozen articles published on the devices and techniques of writing fiction. For more information, visit her Writer’s Cheat Sheets website.
PENNWRITERS: Subscribe to our Online Courses announcement list for email on our latest workshops.
To learn more about Pennwriters, Inc. visit the official Pennwriters website at (www.pennwriters.com).
# # #
Leave a Comment » | 
Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: Catherine McLean, Cause & Effect, Cause & Effect Sequences, editing, fiction, fiction editor, literature, online workshops, Pennwriters, plot, plotting, professional development, training, workshops, Writer's Cheat Sheets, writers, writing, writing workshops | 
Permalink
Posted by JLB
October 25, 2009
Join local writers and the award-winning author Jonathan Maberry for an afternoon of fun, writing, and networking at the monthly Writers’ Coffeehouse.
Meetings are held on the last Sunday of every month from 12pm – 3pm at the Willow Grove Barnes and Noble, 102 Park Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090. The current meeting takes place today, October 25, 2009.
From Jonathan Maberry:
It’s a bunch of writers sitting around talking about writing…with coffee. No agenda…just chat about the latest trends in the industry, about markets, about pitching and selling, about frustration, about keeping the inner fires alight, about dealing with our families, about how damn tough it is to make it as a writer at the best of times and what writers can do to stay afloat in these troubled economic waters. No previous publishing experience necessary…the Writers’ Coffeehouse attracts everyone from absolute beginner to award-winners and bestsellers. We’re all writers. Grab a cup of coffee and join us!
For more information contact the Pennwriters Area 6 Representative, or visit Jonathan Maberry online.
Leave a Comment » | 
Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: Bucks County, conference, critique groups, discussion, Doylestown, editing, Jonathan Maberry, networking, Pennsylvania, resources, Saxby Coffee, southeastern Pennsylvania, writers, writers' workshops, writing | 
Permalink
Posted by JLB
September 24, 2009
Ready to take your fiction to the next level?
Your opportunity begins in one week:
The latest Pennwriters online workshop HOW TO BE YOUR OWN BEST FICTION EDITOR begins October 1, 2009.
* * *
REGISTER NOW!
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN BEST FICTION EDITOR
INSTRUCTOR: Lisa D. Kastner
DATE: October 1-22, 2009 (3 weeks, 2 sessions per week)
COST: $25 ($30 non-Pennwriters members)
REGISTER: (http://tinyurl.com/PennwritersCourse200910)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Have you ever written a short story or novel and wondered if it was done? Have you made revisions and thought you were finished, but then realized once you started to send the piece out that it needed work?
In this online course, Lisa Kastner will pull from her own writing experience as well as proven prescriptions of industry greats such as Noah Lukeman, Sol Stein, Tim Esaias, and Nancy Zafris. Even if you participate in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November, you will discover how to make whatever novel you produce publishable. You will learn:
* New ways to look at your fiction and creative non-fiction writing with a fresh eye
* Clearly define your next revision steps to make your work sing
* Save yourself time and manuscript rejection
* Eliminate unneeded sentences and words
* Easily analyze characters and plots like a pro
* Get a clear roadmap to the revision process
As an added bonus with the course, you’ll receive a FREE Editing Resource List of the best advice websites on improving and revising your writing!
Revise your story like an editor and get it published fast. ENROLL NOW.
(Note: This is not a grammar and punctuation class. This course will look at fiction writing like an editor, not like a proof reader.)
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Lisa D. Kastner is President of Pennwriters Inc., and founder of the popular Philadelphia and Valley Forge/King of Prussia Pennwriters Critique Groups, and the Running Wild Writers Community. She is a published fiction writer, former journalist for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Delaware County Times, and a former features editor of the Picolata Review. In 2007, Lisa was featured among up-and-coming Philadelphia writers in Fresh Lines @ Fresh Nine, a public reading hosted by Gross McCleaf Art Gallery. She is an alumna of The Bread Loaf Writers Conference, Squaw Valley Writers Workshop, Kenyon Writers Workshop, University of Pennsylvania’s Conference for Writers, and the Rittenhouse Writers Group (RWG). For more information on Lisa Kastner, visit (www.lisadianekastner.blogspot.com)
To learn more about Pennwriters, Inc. visit the official Pennwriters website at (www.pennwriters.com).
# # #
Leave a Comment » | 
Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: editing, fiction, fiction editor, Lisa Diane Kastner, literature, NaNoWriMo, online workshops, Pennwriters, professional development, training, workshops, writers, writing, writing workshops | 
Permalink
Posted by JLB
September 2, 2009
This autumn Pennwriters Inc. online workshops presents…
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN BEST FICTION EDITOR
INSTRUCTOR: Lisa D. Kastner
DATE: October 1-22, 2009 (3 weeks, 2 sessions per week)
COST: $25 ($30 non-Pennwriters members)
REGISTER: (http://tinyurl.com/PennwritersCourse200910)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Have you ever written a short story or novel and wondered if it was done? Have you made revisions and thought you were finished, but then realized once you started to send the piece out that it needed work?
In this online course, Lisa Kastner will pull from her own writing experience as well as proven prescriptions of industry greats such as Noah Lukeman, Sol Stein, Tim Esaias, and Nancy Zafris. Even if you participate in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November, you will discover how to make whatever novel you produce publishable. You will learn:
* New ways to look at your fiction and creative non-fiction writing with a fresh eye
* Clearly define your next revision steps to make your work sing
* Save yourself time and manuscript rejection
* Eliminate unneeded sentences and words
* Easily analyze characters and plots like a pro
* Get a clear roadmap to the revision process
As an added bonus with the course, you’ll receive a FREE Editing Resource List of the best advice websites on improving and revising your writing!
Revise your story like an editor and get it published fast. ENROLL NOW.
(Note: This is not a grammar and punctuation class. This course will look at fiction writing like an editor, not like a proof reader.)
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Lisa D. Kastner is President of Pennwriters Inc., and founder of the popular Philadelphia and Valley Forge/King of Prussia Pennwriters Critique Groups, and the Running Wild Writers Community. She is a published fiction writer, former journalist for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Delaware County Times, and a former features editor of the Picolata Review. In 2007, Lisa was featured among up-and-coming Philadelphia writers in Fresh Lines @ Fresh Nine, a public reading hosted by Gross McCleaf Art Gallery. She is an alumna of The Bread Loaf Writers Conference, Squaw Valley Writers Workshop, Kenyon Writers Workshop, University of Pennsylvania’s Conference for Writers, and the Rittenhouse Writers Group (RWG). For more information on Lisa Kastner, visit (www.lisadianekastner.blogspot.com)
To learn more about Pennwriters, Inc. visit the official Pennwriters website at (www.pennwriters.com).
# # #
Leave a Comment » | Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: editing, fiction, fiction editor, Lisa Diane Kastner, literature, online workshops, Pennwriters, professional development, training, workshops, writers, writing, writing workshops | Permalink
Posted by JLB
August 1, 2009
For immediate release
1 August 2009
Contact: Lisa Kastner, Founder
lisa[at]runningwildwriters[dot]org
www.runningwildwriters.org
Local Writers Make Room to Run Wild
Running Wild Writers, LLC debuts as Philadelphia’s newest writers’ community with its first Fiction Workshop beginning September 2009. Founded by Philadelphia-based writer Lisa Diane Kastner, Running Wild provides a venue for writers of all forms and all genres to learn and succeed in the craft. Kastner is a fiction writer, former correspondent for the Philadelphia Theater Review, freelance journalist for the Delaware County Times, Features Editor for the Picolata Review, and President of Pennwriters, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit writers’ organization.
“In my years with the creative writing community, I have repeatedly been asked to provide writers a venue to more thoroughly explore the craft of writing. Running Wild Writers is the answer to that request.”
The inaugural Fiction Workshop will begin September 24 and will run once a week for ten weeks through December 2009. Attendees will have two opportunities to submit up to 5,000 words of original material to be reviewed by participants and to receive a detailed assessment from Kastner.
“What makes Running Wild Writers unique is that we believe all forms and genres are valuable. Most workshops specialize in a specific genre such as literary, thriller, mystery, romance and so forth. At Running Wild, we believe that writers can learn and grow by reading and writing across genres,” said Kastner. “The same is true for form. Writers need to experiment in creative non-fiction, poetry, and fiction writing to hone their skills and discover who they are as writers.”
Workshop Details
Running Wild Writers Community will hold a 10-week Fiction Writers Workshop from September 24 – December 3, 2009. The group will meet on Thursdays at 7 PM.
Participants will have the opportunity to workshop two pieces, maximum of 5,000 words each, during the sessions. Each work will be given thorough written feedback by the instructor as well as feedback from fellow attendees. In addition, the instructor will select elements of the craft to discuss during the sessions. Craft discussions will be based on the pieces workshopped that evening. Workshops will be held at 1241 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, in the heart of a thriving Philadelphia arts community.
Lisa’s Bio
Lisa Diane Kastner, fiction writer, creative non-fiction explorer, and former journalist writes fiction from Philadelphia and draws inspiration from her local experience. Kastner promises that her flaming red head tendencies will neither detract nor overly add to the commentary. If anything, it will bring a bit of flavor, like cinnamon.
A former correspondent for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Features Editor for the Picolata Review, Kastner currently writes freelance and by invitation in literature and the arts. Her literary interviews include Charles Baxter (Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature 1997) and Lee Martin (Pulitzer Prize Nominee 2006).
Kastner is the Founder of Running Wild Writers Community, LLC and President of Pennwriters, Inc. (www.pennwriters.com) , a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting the novice to the award winning and multipublished writers to learn and succeed in the craft. She is the founder of the Pennwriters King of Prussia and Philadelphia Critique Groups, and can be found throughout the region leading workshops on business communications, and occasionally performing on the local stage with theater companies such as CelebrationTheater. Her short stories have been published in 63 Channels Journal and The StraightJackets Magazine.
For more information go to www.runningwildwriters.org or contact Kastner via email at lisa[at]runningwildwriters[dot]org.
# # #
Leave a Comment » | Events & Activities, News & Information, Training & Workshops | Tagged: Pennwriters, writers, writing, Philadelphia, southeastern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, creativity, creative nonfiction, workshops, writing groups, Lisa Diane Kastner, Running Wild Writers, Fiction Writers Workshop, business writing | Permalink
Posted by JLB
July 22, 2009
From the Desk of Lisa Diane Kastner:
* * *
The Pennwriters Philadelphia Critique Group will be moving to 1241 Carpenter St, Philadelphia, PA beginning in August. The new location includes a parking lot at the back of the building.
Where: 1241 Carpenter St, Philadelphia, PA (a rehabilitated sewing maching factory)
When: the second Saturday of every month at 3 PM beginning Saturday, August 8 at 3 PM.
Why: I just partnered with Luna Theater to aquire a space in the basement. We will have full run of the building. Signs will be posted in the front entrance and rear entrance guiding you to our room.
Questions? You are welcomed to email me at lisadkastner [at] gmail [dot] com.
# # #
Read more from Lisa at her blog The Wonderful World of a Facetious Redhead.
Leave a Comment » | Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: critique groups, Lisa Kastner, Pennwriters, Philadelphia, Running With Scissors Writers Studio, workshops | Permalink
Posted by JLB
June 12, 2009
Pennwriters, Inc. introduces…
CHARACTER-DRIVEN PLOT
- Online Writing Course -
INSTRUCTOR: Nancy Martin
DATE: July 1 – 22, 2009
COST: $25 ($30 for non-Pennwriters members)
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/PennwritersCourse200907
http://www.Pennwriters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=95
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A “character-driven” plot is often a euphemism among publishing professionals for “I don’t have a plot!” So how do you come up with a character who can truly drive a story to an exciting climax?
Mystery novelist Nancy Martin dissects various storytelling theorists so you can take your protagonist on a true Hero’s Journey. Your protagonist will go from accepting his heroic task to the satisfying end of his story. Topics include:
* Elizabeth George’s notion of emotional extremis
* Robert McKee’s controlling idea
* and even St. John of the Cross’s concept of “the long, dark night of the soul”
Get your story plot ready for publishing. Click here to ENROLL NOW.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Creator of the bestselling Blackbird Sisters Mystery Series, Nancy Martin made a career out of romance, but now she has turned to murder. Author of 48 pop fiction novels in mystery, suspense, historical and romance genres, Nancy currently writes about three impoverished Main Line heiresses who adventure in couture and crime–as if “Agatha Christie had wandered onto the set of Sex and The City.” Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 2002, HOW TO MURDER A MILLIONAIRE won the RT award for Best First Mystery and was a finalist for the Daphne DuMaurier Award. In 2009 she won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for mystery. She blogs at the popular and trend-setting http://www.thelipstickchronicles.typepad.com.
For more information on Nancy Martin, visit http://www.NancyMartinMysteries.com
* Subscribe to our Online Courses announcement list for email on our latest workshops!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PennwritersOnlineCourses
- Nate Hardy
Pennwriters Internet Activities Coordinator
# # #
Leave a Comment » | Events & Activities, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Tagged: character-driven plot, characters, climax, creativity, editing, fiction, hero, journey, mystery, Nancy Martin, Nate Hardy, online courses, outline, Pennwriters, protagonist, story, story telling, storytelling, The Lipstick Chronicles, training, workshops, writers, writers online courses, writing | Permalink
Posted by JLB
April 17, 2009
Register now for the 2009 Pennwriters Annual Conference: A Writer’s Tool Chest. Today is your last chance to register without paying a late fee.
The 2009 Pennwriters Annual Conference will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from May 15-17, 2009, and features keynote speaker Lisa Scottoline. Our Pennwriters Annual Conference is an excellent place to participate in workshops and training, to engage with editors and agents, to learn from industry leaders in writing and editing, and to network with writers from all around the world.
To learn more and register for the 2009 Pennwriters Annual Conference, visit Pennwriters.com, or contact Conference Coordinator Annette Dashofy via email at: conferenceco[at]Pennwriters[dot]com.
Leave a Comment » | Events & Activities, News & Information, Pennwriters, Training & Workshops | Permalink
Posted by JLB
