Coming Up: Writing Workshop Starts Jan. 20

For six Tuesdays beginning January 20, I'll be teaching Storytelling Techniques for Fiction Writers at my favorite indie bookstore, Vroman's in Pasadena, CA.

There's still room in the workshop, so if you're interested call Vroman's at 626-449-5320.

Here's a description of the class from Vroman's website:

Writing a compelling story is about revealing the world of your protagonist in a way that keeps the reader engaged and eager to know what happens next. In this class, novelist Laurie Viera Rigler will explore how to “show, don't tell” and breathe life into the page.

The principles and techniques she will cover include:

*    establishing character goals and desires
*    revealing internal and external conflict (obstacles to achieving those goals)
*    choosing a point of view (first-person, third-person, or omniscient) that best serves your story
*    unfolding events in immediate scene and narrative summary
*    maintaining suspense and tension
*    engaging the senses
*    evoking emotions
*    using metaphors and similes judiciously
*    writing effective and engaging dialogue
*    getting into and out of flashbacks

The class will include explanations and examples of these principles plus in-class writing exercises that put the principles into practice. If time permits, the instructor will read out the exercises students wish to share and offer comments and suggestions. This is a safe and encouraging environment in which there is no peer critiquing or commenting.

Suggested (but not required) text: Stein on Writing by Sol Stein.

Instructor: Laurie Viera Rigler

Laurie Viera Rigler is the author of the Los Angeles Times best-selling novel Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. In addition to teaching writing workshops at Vroman's, Laurie spent several years as a freelance book editor working with authors of fiction and nonfiction, from the birth of the story or concept to the finest polish of the finished manuscript.

Comments

[Laurel Ann]

Good luck Laurie. I wish I lived in town and could attend. I am certain that your writing workshop will be not only instructive, but entertaining!

Cheers, Laurel Ann

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[PATRICIA]

Hi Laurie! I've just read your book. All in one sitting. I just couldn't stop reading it. It's an engaging story. Apart from being a Jane Austen addict myself, I love time-travel stories.I would like to read the sequel as well, as soon as it is published. Unfortunately, the book is not available here, in Argentina. But I contacted The Jane Austen Society of Buenos Aires and they kindly lent me the book. Of course it would be great to have my own copy but for the time being it seems to be impossible.
You are a fantastic writer. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!