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Book Boot Camp Agenda:
Saturday - Discover powerful, proven writing techniques, including:-
Planning for Perfection
- Brainstorm 100 story ideas in ten minutes
- Discover how telling jokes actually works as plot practice
- Characters or plot – what should you start with?
- Two terrific tips on backfill to pull readers right into the story
- Get a simple, unique chart for a perfect plot every time
Dialogue
- At last - the professional's answer to the problem of 'he said/she said'
- Discover the four meanings and levels of every conversation.
- The three functions of dialogue – and when to use them
- Get four author 'cheats' for dynamic dialogue
- Try out a five minute fight scene – on paper!
Body Language
- Three ways to write body language to 'show' not 'tell'
- Two reasons why body language is more convincing to show emotion
- Over 30 body language signals to reveal character
- Plus 15 top flirting gestures. (This really is to improve your writing skills, right?!)
Sizzling Starts
- Write five story starts in five minutes – and want to do more!
- Top editor's tips on why starts are vital
- Know why 'the start is the way out of the slush pile'
- Get sample top starts from the professionals
- Enter the Bulwer Lytton 'worst story start' competition – IF you can stop laughing!
Tightening Tension
- Create a powerful tension scene with two other people – in minutes
- Discover the 'slow motion' way to generate terrific tension
- The biggest reason why most tension scenes fail - and a simple cure
- Know the three ways language changes when writing tension
- The best technique ever to make you write with urgency
Exciting Endings
- Discover the 'bubble' method of creating great endings
- Do you always have to know your ending? Share the expert's way
- How can poetry give you 'finishing' practice?
- The three secrets of symbolism for powerful endings
Editing for Excellence
- Discover the vital difference between structural and copy editing
- What does a publisher's editor do?
- A quick technique to proof read for more accuracy
- How many drafts is enough?
- The insider's addresses of great freelance editors
- How to use manuscript assessments to improve – and get published
Enhancing Creativity
- Discover why the best ideas always come to you in the shower!
- Should you edit as you write or just 'go with the flow'?
- Learn three common sense ways to avoid writers block
- Gain a unique insight into how creative people use both the conscious (logical) and the subconscious (creative) parts of their brain
- Take part in a simple exercise to achieve creative flow in just minutes.
What others say:
'Excellent, clear and in-depth information, given with imagination and professionalism.'
(Mary St George, New York)
'Very informative. Jen McVeity sparks one's interest. She's bright and amusing and inspires
the writer to get on with it. She also makes one feel it is possible to be published.' (Rosemary Crawford, LA)
'It was CLEAR, CONCISE AND INFORMATIVE. Jen's humor and individuality made this a quick and
'listenable' experience. Thanks for your time Jen!' (Gretchen de Castellane, USA)
'Professional, humorous, hard-hitting, informative and extremely educational. Everyone, from novices to
well-published authors came away feeling enthusiastic, inspired and able to face their writing with confidence.' (Dawn Dixon, conference convener, Arizona)
Sunday - Double your money in a day with industry secrets and business skills:
So you've got the book written. Now get it out of your bottom drawer! This is a fast moving, entertaining and totally
practical day on pitching to publishers and getting a book in print. You'll walk away with lists of publishers, insider ways to avoid the slush pile, top tips on how to sell internationally and your own
'pitch letter' to publishers created and perfected.
Here's just some of the topics covered:-
Researching Publishers
- The one book way to find all Australian publishers
- Three easy strategies to discover publisher's tastes
- A secret, sure fire method to find the top 'literary' publishers
- How to find international publishers
- List of non-fiction publishers in just one handout
- Complete list of children's publishers
Reducing Rejection
- Top tips to targeting the best publishers
- How to get publisher's guidelines
- The two minute way to find the right editor
- Is email acceptable?
- The five basic rules to formatting a manuscript
Two Top Methods of Submitting
- Discover a fast track way to submit non-fiction (This saves you a year!)
- Three secrets for writing a sizzling synopsis
- What's a proposal?
- When to multiple submit and the etiquette required
- The insiders guide to selling to different countries at the same time
- The difference between 'nagging' and a professional follow-up
- How to pre-sell a book before it is even finished
Cover Letter
- A fantastic step by step guide to a great cover letter – you'll walk out the door with your own letter ready to go in the mail
- Three fatal flaws that scream 'beginner'
- How to turn non-writing credits into a big advantage
- The two powerful people who have to be convinced other than the editor
- Four vital uses for your book blurb – including radio interviews
Negotiating Contacts
- Three hilarious role plays to show 'bunny' vs professional negotiation
- Top five points to watch out for in contracts
- How to get more free books
- Four things to say to get rising royalties.
- What's a typical advance?
- The $10,000 reason why you should hang onto international rights
What others say:
'Loved it. I will probably triple my return if I apply all your great wisdom and wit.' (Tessa Newton
Terres, Hawaii)
'Very uplifting, positive, informative, interactive, helpful.' (Tracey Semeleng Zabel, USA)
'Wonderful. Jen McVeity is a vibrant, engaging speaker who inspires the listeners. (Loved her
quotes!) She sets a primary example of what a determined writer can accomplish - and selflessly shares the "tricks of the trade" she's learned along the way.' (Reni Roxas Singer,
publisher, Manila)
'Too fast… I love your upbeat attitude! Thank you!' (Margaret Wooten, LA)
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