Writing Classes and Lectures

Karen will cover the basics (and beyond) for submitting your short fiction to magazines, anthologies, and podcasts. Topics include matching your fiction to markets, deciding where to submit, reading guidelines, formatting submissions, writing cover letters, tracking submissions, querying about a submission’s status, creating a submission plan for each story, handling rejections, and (very important!) handling acceptances. Includes lecture, handouts, and lots of Q&A. Ages 18+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Writers write, that’s what we do, but sometimes writing in the genres we love becomes more of a chore than a joy. What to do? Step outside the genre box and look at stories in a new light. In this 90-minute workshop, we’ll discuss what it means to write in different genres, what’s involved in writing cross-genre, and examples of how different genres can focus on the same theme or setting. We’ll use simple item story prompts to jump-start timed writings and maybe even share our work. Bring your favorite writing implements and your imagination. It’s time to think outside the box! Presented by Clarion West. Ages 14+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Put on your pointy thinking caps and learn the steps to plotting, pacing, and formatting a 32-page picture book with the award-winning author of Strictly No Elephants. Ages 18+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

More than one editor has accused me of writing “good-ass banter,” and I’m okay with that. Many writers struggle with writing natural speech (reality is no excuse for fiction) or having characters talk their way out of trouble (looking at you, Scalzi!). We can also get into things like eye dialect, why not to italicize foreign language words, and non-traditional text notations (e.g., telepathy or screen displays). Presented by Clarion West. Ages 17+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

When it comes to the publishing industry, writing is only one of the skills needed to be successful. How we present ourselves matters. Unless we’re bestsellers right out of the gate, chances are we’ll need to do a lot of leg work to get folks aware of our writing and experience. While it can be tempting to take a giant leap ahead, each step forward offers a beauty of accomplishment that can only be achieved through experience and action. Join author Sienna Saint-Cyr as she shares a “best methods” approach to being a professional in the industry and why earning your way is the best way. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 18+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

How do you develop a novel’s plot? Is it luck, trial and error, or are there classic approaches you can use to bring out your best story? Learn to bring forth the magic within your creativity–and give it form in the world: your story! Kay Kenyon is the author of 14 SFF novels, including a new fantasy trilogy from Simon & Schuster/Saga. She will focus on idea generation, rising action, and the interplay of major character and antagonist. Ages 13+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Whether you’re a publisher or a self-published author, you will eventually have to address the realities of eBook distribution. Let’s explore the digital landscape. Where do you send your eBook? What should you expect? What are the technical requirements? What do you need to upload it? What should you include in the eBook? We will explore the different outlets around the country and around the world. Presented by Clarion West. Ages 18+. Open seating. No sign-up required.

Fight scene aficionados Joseph Brassey (author of the Drifting Lands series, the Mongoliad books, and practitioner and instructor of historical European martial arts) and Fonda Lee (author of the Green Bone Saga, the Exo duology, and black belt in karate and kung fu) interview each other about writing fight scenes. They will share principles and pitfalls for writers wanting to improve the art and craft of portraying combat, break down what makes a great fight scene, and answer your questions. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 13+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

The focus is on questions of pressing importance in today’s world. How do we craft stories that inspire, encourage, and above all, shape the future by teaching? How do we use writing to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world? How do we avoid being didactic, while still using our art to address the needs and concerns of today? This is a lecture and discussion; participants will get a handout with resources and writing exercises. All ages. Open seating. No sign-up required.

Having trouble creating original yet believable monsters and villains? Monsterologist Evan J. Peterson will take participants through a crash course in creating fearsome and antagonistic characters and beasts. Tap into what disturbs you and use that to flesh out provocative characters. Ages 13+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Join an interactive discussion on developing characters in a way that moves the plot forward and makes your story shine. We’ll discuss some easy tips and tricks to help you focus on creating characters with motivations that matter and with authentic needs and desires. Bring your pen and paper. Characters suggested but not required. We can create a few of our own, too. Presented by Willamette Writers. Ages 16+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Which comes first: character or worldbuilding? In this workshop, Mark Teppo, well-practiced at ignoring warning signs and plunging ahead into the weeds, will deconstruct this riddle and reveal how character and worldbuilding are part of the magic triangle of narrative structure (the third part being “plot”). Tools for shoehorning characters into worlds! Magic tricks for making worldbuilding stick to your characters. Sleight of hand for switching the two while distracting your audience with chicken jokes. Ages 18+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

This class explores how to look at the world as a writer, and pick the best telling details to make a scene real. There will be in-workshop writing. Ages 10+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Prose and composition are crucial elements to master if you want to be a professional writer. We can’t cover everything in one session, of course, but we’ll play grammar games with sentences, examine five types of paragraphs, have some formatting fun, and study the bones of good dialogue. Bring paper and pencil, and strap on your helmets, kids. We’re going in hot! Great for beginners, but a good refresher for pros. Ages 18+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

Join us to create a character you would want to hang out with and write about too! We’ll create our own characters and figure out some tips and tricks on how we can use these characters in our own writing — presented by Willamette Writers. Ages 13-17. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.

The process of novel-writing varies greatly, but one thing is always true: a butt must go into a chair, and the words must be written. Come find out how to get past sticking points through a combination of lecture and writing exercises that will help you map out your course for navigating the sea of words and build a daily writing practice that will get you to the end of the book. This workshop is aimed at writers in the early stages of their book. All Ages. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.