Elaine Marie Alphin helps writers plan stories and novels

I enjoy speaking to writers at conferences, but sometimes a quick hour session is just enough to whet your appetite for writing your novel or short story, but not enough to carry you through writing your project once you get home, especially if you've attended six or seven sessions on a variety of writing topics that day. So, in addition to speaking to writers as part of a conference, I also offer two special writing programs:

• A One-Day Workshop on Plot and Character Development for Novels and Short Stories
• A Weekend Retreat to Plan the First Draft of Your Novel and Start Writing Now

Relying on writing prompts, anecdotes, and visual aids including actual plotting boards from my novels, I lead 20 to 28 participants through the process of laying track for the roller coaster ride you will take as you write your first draft. For both programs I supply you with a multi-colored handouts and worksheets; for the retreat, I offer a binder with worksheets and supplies to carry you through the weekend and into the months of writing to come; for the workshop, I offer an array of handouts. To prepare for either program, I recommend you read my Creating Characters Kids Will Love book as a foundation for the material we will cover. And be prepared to go home and write your way to a completed story or novel!

"When Elaine Marie Alphin said we'd be "working," I didn't think she meant working "working." What followed was invigorating as Elaine kept us entertained, inspired and busy! The sessions contained a number of handouts that led us through the process of creating a 3-dimensional character, and the truly dire circumstances that character would encounter. Acting as travel guide, cheerleader and Marine Corps drill instructor, Elaine encouraged us to flick that Doubting Gremlin off our shoulder and stow him in the closet. Free from self-editing, we got down to work, mixing bursts of creative writing with Elaine's imaginative storytelling and motivation. I believe people of all writing levels benefited from the mental calisthenics we employed."
- Jenn B. of Kansas

 

For the weekend novel retreat, I can adapt the schedule to fit the timeline of the organizer and the requirements of the location the organizer chooses, but this is a sample schedule:

Friday
Registration by 3 pm

3:00 - 5:30	Welcome! and Jump Start Your Creative Motors
5:45 - 6:45	Supper
7:00 - 8:00	What is a Novel?
8:00 - 9:30	Writing Warm Up: The Groups and the Game

Saturday

7:30 - 8:30	Breakfast
8:30 - 10:15	Laying Track for Your Novel's Roller Coaster Ride
10:15 - 10:45	Brainstorm with Your Group
10:45 - 12:00	Pace Your Ride: The Hero's Journey and Drawing Threads Through
12:15 - 1:15	Lunch
1:30 - 3:00	What's It All About? Theme and Ways to Express It
3:00 - 3:45	Free Time to Write, Alone or with Your Group
3:45 - 4:45	Eyes, Ears & Heart: Point of View and Narrative Voice
4:45 - 5:30	Free Time to Write, Alone or with Your Group
5:45 - 6:45	Supper
7:00 - 8:00	Opening Hook
8:00 - 9:30	It's All About Character: Party Time

Sunday

7:30 - 8:30	Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00	Genre Tips: Mystery and History and Fantasy, Oh My!
10:00 - 10:45	Questions and (Hopefully!) Answers
11:00 - 11:45	The Beginning: Your Writing Plan

 

"Elaine, I just wanted to take a few moments and thank you for one of the best writing workshops I've ever attended. It was exactly what I needed to get started and to see me through on my novel writing journey. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor. Your organization of the material and enthusiasm were the homemade vanilla ice cream on a piece of pumpkin pie. You gave your heart and it showed, and I do believe you gave each of us a piece (or two) of your soul. With that, I will take everything you offered and soar like a mighty jumbo jet, full of ideas, to great places... Honestly, it was perfect (and I'm not kidding). I wouldn't change a thing, unless of course it could be at least one day longer to be able to work on the worksheets in between sets!"
- Heidi P. of Minnesota

 

"Thanks to Elaine's brilliant track laying procedures, my story has flown. It's a middle grade historical. I'm at about 22,000 words, and on the last chapter!"
- Kiri J. of Montana

"It's been challenging to integrate this novel with other projects going on. If it weren't for Elaine's teaching us to lay track I'd still be drifting aimlessly in chapter three of my story."
- Lisa S. of Georgia

 

When I do a one-day plotting and character development workshop, a sample schedule would be:

Registration by 9 am

9:00 - 11:00	Welcome! and Laying Track for Your Story's Roller Coaster Ride
11:00 - 12:00	Pace Your Ride: The Hero's Journey and Drawing Threads Through
12:15 - 1:15	Lunch
1:30 - 3:00	What's It All About? Theme and Ways to Express It
3:15 - 4:45	Point of View, Narrative Voice and Opening Hook
4:45 - 5:30	Questions and (Hopefully!) Answers

"Author Elaine Marie Alphin gave such compelling ideas about developing characters that, during exercises she assigned at her workshop, I was able to construct the beginnings and outline of a chapter book on the spot!"
- Teresa P. of Tennessee

"On Saturday I went to the SCBWI-LA Writing Workshop with Elaine Marie Alphin who had just driven in from Montana, her car with the personalized Montana plates 'Write On' was in parking lot to prove it. Elaine shared with us how she lays the track for her stories before she begins writing them. It was a whirlwind of a day with many colorful 'fill-in the blank' handouts, which included a 56 question character interview. By the end of the day I was on information overload. However, on Sunday, after I had time to digest all that I had received, I realized I had the keys to unlock the minds of my characters on levels I have yet to explore. After listening to how Elaine works through all the ins and outs of the characters in her book allowing her to know them deeply, before she writes about them, I realized I too can move forward creating characters who I know like I know myself, perhaps even better. This insight excites me and I am inspired to Write On!"
- Jenn P. of California

 

If you are interested in bringing me to your area for either my One-Day Workshop or my Weekend Retreat, or if you have any questions about these programs, please contact me at ElaineMAlphin@aol.com. Send me an e-mail now.