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2010 WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The Novelist’s Toolkit: Architecture, Archetypes, and Arcs
I. OVERVIEW
For hour-by-hour events, see Item II.
NOVELISTS: Are you stuck crafting plot or character, or forging the connections between them? Most successful stories (from novels and movies to stageplays and myths) are built on a powerful tool: the Three-Act structure. Our seminar will explore how this “road map” may create or revise a framework for your unique plot, from grabber beginning through pivotal points that culminate in a memorable conclusion.
The Three-Act architecture can help you identify your novel’s weak links—pinpointing events that keep your story on track and your fascinating protagonist at dead center. Against this backdrop, you’ll learn how to lay (and exploit) your characters’ motivations, conflicts, and goals.
How well do you know the purpose and function of your cast? In lively hands-on sessions, we’ll contrast fixed stereotypes with the rich diversity, credibility, and depth of archetypes—universal beings capable of growth.
We’ll explore both the psychological and dramatic functions of each archetype, as well as developmental levels or stages within each. As your characters become springboards to a compelling plot, you’ll form (or transform) your complete story arc.
HIGHLIGHTS
Masterclass Critiques are team-taught by three faculty. Each 30-minute critique includes approx five minutes feedback per presenter (total fifteen minutes); five minutes for writer to ask the faculty questions; and ten minutes for group Q-A, limited to the manuscript being critiqued. Faculty critiques (also written-only) will include comments about the development of each synopsis, and comments on an optional “later chapter” (beyond the first 10 to 12 pages). These manuscript excerpts are available before the workshop. Sessions open to all.
Spot Critiques are three-minute, open clinic reviews of non-masterclass manuscripts. Editor and agent note whether elements such as character, plot, style, and voice hook them in the critical first paragraphs—if not, why not? Kudos and quick remedies offered. These manuscript excerpts are available before the workshop. Sessions open to all.
Focus sessions (“Architecture, Archetypes, and Arcs”; “Writing and Publishing Biz”) are highly interactive and/or hands-on. Overall focus: craft with an eye to publication. Our four 2010 craft sessions will build as follows: (1) create or refine your characters—protagonist and antagonist, including archetypes; (2) create or revise your main plot arc (character-driven action); (3) develop secondary characters and subplots; (4) plot out or enhance your whole novel—main plot and subplots. Details on Home Study page.
Dialogues du Jour is a specialized Q&A each morning, addressing writers’ follow-up questions from the previous day—or new ones. Moderated by faculty and PCCWW director.
Writing Bursts are a self-directed option for maximizing breaks (15 to 30 minutes). Writers are encouraged to expand and personalize an aspect of craft that’s just been discussed—exploring some connection or spark, applying it immediately to one’s own manuscript or noting it for later work. Our private grounds and indoor Quiet Corner provide space in which to write or reflect.
Hour by Hour
II. WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Subject to change.
| TEEN WORKSHOP |
| Also see our streamlined teen schedule. |
| FRIDAY |
| 10:00 |
Greetings! |
| 10:15 |
Session #1, “Smorgasbord” |
| 11:45 |
Picnic Lunch |
| 12:30 |
Session #2, “Craft & Critiques” |
| 1:45 |
Free time (beach volleyball?) |
| For Saturday and Sunday schedule, see below. |
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WORKSHOP HOURS
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| Facility check-in begins at 2:00 PM. |
| FRI. Teens Only 10:00 AM to 1:45 PM. Main Workshop 3:00 PM to 8:45 PM, then optional beach activity. |
| SAT. 8:45 AM to 6:00 PM. Dinner is “Writer’s Night Out” (on your own);
Teen Party Night. |
| SUN. 8:45 AM to 4:00 PM |
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MAIN WORKSHOP
(Intergenerational)
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| Sit on our private beach. Dream, write! |
| Keynotes and focus sessions address our theme, “Architecture, Archetypes, and Arcs.” |
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| FRIDAY |
| 3:00 |
Orientation, intros; published enrollees present their books |
| 3:15 |
Keynote #1 (Editor) |
| 3:45 |
Keynote #2 (Agent) |
| 4:15 |
Break/Writing Burst |
| 4:30 |
Keynote #3 (Faculty Author) |
| 5:00 |
Masterclass Critique #1 |
| 5:30 |
Spot Critiques (space limited; register early.) |
| 5:40 |
Free time (beach walk, write, gab, refresh) |
| 6:00 |
Dinner buffet: gourmet Mexican Fiesta
(vegetarian and chicken entrees) |
| 7:00 |
Focus Session #1: Faculty Author, “What a Character!” combined with
Icebreaker. After we contrast stereotypes and archetypes, our creative
icebreaker activity will reveal how archetypical characters combine and interact. Are your
story people
multi-dimensional enough to spark a compelling plot? |
| 8:45 |
Beach bonfire, aka “Stories & S’mores by the Sea” (optional) |
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| SATURDAY |
| 7:30 |
(Optional) Yoga for Writers, beach walk, or other elective |
| 8:45 |
Continental Breakfast buffet, served with (9:00) Dialogues du Jour |
| 9:15 |
Masterclass Critiques #2 and #3 |
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Enjoy lunch in our private setting!
Photo: Marsha Diane Arnold |
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| 10:15 |
Break/Writing Burst |
| 10:30 |
Masterclass Critiques #4 and #5 |
| 11:30 |
Q&A #1: Editor and agent |
| 11:30 |
Teens: Session #3 |
| 12:00 |
Box lunch in our private picnic area,
or on beach—
your choice |
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| 1:00 |
Masterclass Critiques #6 and #7 |
| 2:00 |
Spot Critiques #2 |
| 2:15 |
Break/Writing Burst |
| 2:30 |
Q&A #2: Editor and agent (Teens: optional) |
| 3:00 |
Extended break |
| 3:00 |
Teens: Optional beach party with volleyball, Olympics, or other sports |
| 4:30 |
Focus Session #2, Faculty
Author. “Lay the Three-Act Structure on Your Plot and Character Arcs.” Using the pre-workshop
homework questionnaire and instructor feedback,
you’ll identify any weak links in your synopsis. (If your climax doesn’t answer the catalyst question, or your turning points don’t follow the main story line, your whole plot will be
“off.”) Includes writing and revision time. |
| 6:00 |
“Writers Night Out” (dinner on your own). We provide a comprehensive restaurant-and-delivery
guide. Or, stock your condo with munchies and meals from our snack shop. Teen Party Night: Pizza, movie, music, and/or games. Planned before the workshop by teens and chaperones. |
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Hungry minds! Teens wow
adult colleagues all weekend.
Photo: Claudia Pearson |
SUNDAY
Brunch and late lunch provided; no breakfast. Check out before morning session, or at brunch. |
| 7:30 |
(Optional) Yoga for Writers, beach walk, or other elective |
| 8:45 |
Dialogues du Jour |
| 9:00 |
Masterclass Critiques #8, #9 and #10 |
| 10:30 |
Brunch in our private picnic area |
| 10:30 |
Teens Only, Session #4. On patio or lawn
(with brunch), until 11:45 |
| 11:00 |
Spot Critiques, Session #3 |
| 11:15 |
Focus Session #3: Agent and editor,
“The Writing and Publishing Biz.” Inside the
journey from contract to published book—
plus marketing, hot tips. Bring questions! |
| 11:45 |
Q&A #3 and Faculty Wrap (take-home points)
Teens rejoin group. |
| 12:00 |
Written evaluations and break/writing burst |
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| 12:30 |
Focus Session #4: Faculty Author, “Tie Your Subplots
to Secondary Characters
and Main Plot” |
| 1:30 |
Light lunch |
| 2:00 |
Focus Session #5: Faculty Author, “Complete Your Story Arc.” Drawing on our previous material, you’ll combine character and plot to create or refine your story arc. You’ll take home a clear plan for revisions needed to make your novel as strong as possible. |
| 3:45 |
Write an informal paragraph evaluating Sunday afternoon sessions and your participation. |
| 4:00 |
Farewell! |
SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
1) Yoga for Writers. A grounding, refreshing way to start the day. Saturday and Sunday mornings, one hour before the workshop. Beginning to intermediate. A big hit with previous enrollees. Try it!
2) Writer’s Massage. Energize your hands, arms, shoulders, upper back, neck, and cranium in a relaxing oceanside condo. Highly-trained massage therapist has worked with medical professionals. Appointment times include Saturday afternoon (long break) and before Saturday dinner “on your own.” For 15 to 30 minutes; your choice.
Workshop-discounted fees (request details). Treat yourself. Liberate your muscles and mind!
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Optional: View previous adult and teen craft sessions with faculty authors.
“Think of a memorable scene as an inner tube designed to keep the larger work afloat.”
— Raymond Obstfeld, Novelist’s Essential Guide to Crafting Scene |
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