Janet
with author Margaret D. Smith and Writer’s Digest editor Peter Blocksom at
Pacific Northwest Writer’s Conference.
WRITING
WORKSHOPS
The
Workshop Menu below lists a variety of titles, but there are
always new ideas simmering on the back burner. If you’re interested in any of
the workshops below, contact me via e-mail. If you’re looking for a writing
topic not currently on the list, I’m happy to discuss new workshops to fit
your conference needs. One year when a presenter fell suddenly ill at Write
on the Sound, I was asked to present a workshop on endings. I scampered to
the office, wrote the entire workshop on site, and presented it that same
afternoon. (The Muses were definitely on my side that day!) I’m not sure if I
could pull off that magic trick again, but the workshop I wrote that day
entitled, Ending It All, is still one of my favorites.
WORKSHOP
MENU
Surviving
the Writing Life
Do
you have trouble finding time to write? Are you dealing with rejection? Tired of
riding an emotional “writer’s roller coaster?” Discover survival tips to
help you reach your writing goals. You’ll leave inspired and ready to live out
your writing dream.
Plot
and Passage: Matching Plotline with Character Transitions
The
plot problem often introduces a “worst case scenario” at a particular time
in the character’s life. Learn how to create events that will significantly
impact your main character. The resulting character conflict will set the story
in motion.
Hoop
of Fire: Writing Dynamic Scenes
Each
scene challenges the writer to develop the storyline and deepen characterization
through action and dialogue. Learn how to write with dramatic tension by zeroing
in on “the emotional focal point” of the scene.
The
Turning Point: Creating Character Change in a Novel
Create
a plot that personally impacts your character and forces them to grow. Discover
the steps you need to take to bring your character to “the turning point” in
the final scenes of your novel.
Note:
There are two Turning Point workshops available.
Ø
The first is designed for writers
of general fiction and genre novels for adult readers with examples from Pat
Conroy’s Prince of Tides , Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’urbervilles, Amy Tan’s The Joy
Luck Club and Hamlet.
Ø
The second is designed for
writers of children’s and YA novels featuring examples from Madeline
L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, C.S. Lewis’s The Lion the Witch and
the Wardrobe, and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Roughing
It: Twelve Guideposts Through Rough Draft Territory
Trying
to write a perfect rough draft is the quickest way to writer’s block. Learn
how to break past first draft fears into first draft flow. Discover twelve ways
to let yourself explore, dream and tell the story you really want to tell.
Who
Will Tell the Story?
Determining
who will tell the story is one of the most important decisions a writer makes.
The main character’s viewpoint usually creates a strong dramatic flow, but
some stories thrive when told from an outsider’s view. Learn how to choose the
best possible viewpoint to successfully launch your story.
Voice
Lessons: Writing Fiction in the First Person
Having
trouble writing in a character’s voice? Do you find first person prose too
limiting? Perhaps you haven’t found a character strong enough to sustain the
storyline. The character who narrates your novel must be a keen observer with a
storytelling style all his own. Come learn the hidden gifts a first person story
has to offer.
Ending
It All
By
the end of the story the plot problem has been addressed or resolved. The
character has reached a new understanding of self and world. Sound difficult? It
is! How do you reach this kind of satisfying ending? Learn how to take your tale
to its best possible conclusion.
Ordinary
Heroes
Readers
love stories about ordinary people overcoming the odds and doing heroic acts.
Learn the three basic requirements to create an ordinary hero for your novel,
and readers will follow your hero to the ends of the earth.
Speaking
of Dialogue
How
is character revealed in dialogue? How can you create dialogue that increases
story tension? Learn how to listen to your characters. Discover ways to set up
dramatic dialogue that engages and informs the reader.
Nemesis
Where
would Sherlock Holmes be without his nemesis Professor Moriarty?
Nothing serves the plot better than a good adversarial relationship. This
workshop explores “the good guys” and “the bad guys” and uncovers the
powerful role this key relationship plays in your fiction.
Story
CPR: How to Revive a Failing Story
Have
you tried again and again to revive a story? Have you given up and stuffed it in
your sock drawer? Well pull it out. It’s not too late. Learn how to
resuscitate a dying story using Story CPR.
Ghost
Voice: Haunting a Character with a Hidden Past
“You’ll
never amount to anything.” His father said it only once, but once was enough.
Now the voice echoed in his head whenever he set out to try something new.
This workshop explores the power hidden subconscious messages play in
forming character. At a crucial moment in the story, a character will either
fight the “ghost voice” or buckle under the weight of it. Which will it be?
World
Building: Creating Believable Fantasy Worlds
Learn the necessary elements to create
myth and magic. Explore new worlds. From ecosystems to interdependent life
forms, writers learn to create a consistent fantasy setting for their story.
Workshop includes an interactive world-building activity done in small groups.
The
Rules of Magic: Writing Convincing Fantasy
It’s
commonly thought that fantasy stories are easy to write because there are no
rules. Just the opposite is true. Fantasy writers understand that the vast
freedoms fantasy offers necessitates a strict set of rules. Break the rules and
the magic disappears. How can writers learn to create within this paradox? Come
explore the rules of magic.
The
Power of Place
Create
a setting so vivid the reader longs to step into the story world. Every spot on
earth has a history going back into primordial time. And every place has its
secrets. Learn how to tap into the wellspring of knowledge each place has to
offer.
Getting
in Character
Can
you step inside your character’s skin? See the world through his or her eyes?
Those of us who work on the page
can learn a lot from the stage. Discover the actors’ approach to
characterization. Learn secrets that will deepen your characters and enrich your
fiction.
Body
Language
Much
of human communication is done through body language. From small gestures to
intense action, learn how to make each movement speak. Write scenes that tell
the story through facial expression, gesture and action.
When
You Hit the Wall
Has
your story or novel come to a crashing halt? Are your plot and characters up
against the wall? Well at least you’re not alone. All writers hit the wall at
some point in their writing life. Learn tricks five seasoned authors use to get
past the wall and back into the story.
PRESENTATIONS:
Bookstores, Libraries, Teacher Associations.
The
Child Hero
Many
readers need to know a hero: not a perfect hero who is accomplished, intelligent
and strong, but an ordinary hero who discovers courage by overcoming a difficult
situation. Books featuring child heroes pass courage along to the young reader.
By traveling alongside the hero in the tale, children learn about ordinary
people just like them who:
Ø
Face
and overcome their fears.
Ø
Fail
and try again.
Ø
Choose
to go forward even when the path is difficult.
Ø
Change themselves and change the
world around them.
Words
on the Wing: The Making of WENNY
HAS WINGS
This
lively presentation traces the story from idea to finished book. Lots of fun
examples from the writer’s childhood including the truth about “The Tunnel
of Death” and the story behind Igor the tarantula!
Story
Is a Doorway to Understanding
What’s
the difference between a news story and a novel? How does a history text differ
from a historical fiction book? Join Janet Lee Carey as she discusses how
fiction opens the doorway to understanding by putting a personal face on events
and connecting us with our common humanity.
Writing
Historical Fiction: The Making of MOLLY’S FIRE
How
do writers use fiction to bring the facts to life? How does presenting history
using vivid characters and storytelling enhance learning? What role does
research play in writing historical fiction? Learn the secrets behind the making
of Janet’s WWII book Molly’s Fire.
How
Stories Give Us Hope
“When
all the doors are shut, and I feel as if there’s no way out, a book is like a
window flooding light into the room.” Lecture highlights stories across all
categories and genres that encourage us as human beings and bring light into the
world. Carey shares short readings from favorite authors and concludes with a
discussion on the challenges of writing Wenny Has Wings. “This story is
about the death of a child,” says Carey. “Yet writing the book in letter
form freed the voice of eleven-year-old Will North. His voice is hopeful and the
story is permeated with light because of his near-death experience.” Come
discuss how stories can inspire courage and give us hope. Bring your favorite
story or novel to share.
CHILDREN’S
WORKSHOPS
I
offer school workshops designed to challenge and inspire young writers from 2nd
grade through high school. For more details on school visit arrangements, see Set up a School Visit
. All classes are part lecture/part writing activity.
As one junior high student said in her thank you letter “ I want to thank you
for entertaining our class with an activity. The other speaker didn’t give an
activity, which was boring. I was thinking to myself finally, something I
actually get to do myself!”
Classroom
Workshops:
The Magician’s Assistant: How Readers Help Create
the Story.
After reading and discussing short scenes from several
books, students learn how their imagination helps bring the story to life.
(Librarians love this workshop!)
Story Source: Finding Drama in Everyday Life
Class covers three ways to sharpen writing skills: 1)
Developing a sense of drama 2) Sharpening sensory writing, 3) Writing vivid
scenes. Writing games show students how to use events in their own lives to
create dramatic fiction. (4th grade – high school)
World Building: Creating Fantasy Landscapes from the
Ground Up.
From ecosystems to interdependent life forms, children
learn to create a consistent setting for their characters. Interactive hands-on
activity done in small groups. (Kids love this one! Two hour minimum)
Dear Twinkie: Explore Character Voice Through Letter
Writing Games.
Dear Twinkie, Since you’re a cat and can’t come to
school, I’m going to tell you what it’s like around here. Dear Sadie, Since
I’m a cat and you’re not, I think you should know why I scratched up your
bean bag chair last night…
Ride
the Wild Words: Journal Writing Workshop
Do
you like to write stories, poems or just scribble ideas on the page? Come join
author Janet Lee Carey for a journal writing workshop. We’ll brainstorm ideas,
break in a new journal with innovative word games and launch new stories. Blank
journals are provided. Just bring your pencil and your imagination and let’s
get started! (This workshop can be used for MOLLY’S FIRE or WENNY HAS WINGS)
ASSEMBLIES
Helping Hand
This assembly encourages students to reach out and give a helping hand to needy children in their community. Janet reads and discusses short scenes from
THE DOUBLE LIFE OF ZOE FLYNN. Students participate in a short skit that increases poverty awareness and brings the issues home in this fun and lively assembly.
Cooking Up a Book
Did you ever wonder where story ideas come from? This assembly breaks the writing process down to a simple recipe. Students learn how books are made from first idea to final publication as they watch Janet adding "story ingredients" to a giant cook pot. Don't forget to add a tablespoon of imagination! Even younger students will be enthralled by this assembly.
The Magician’s Assistant: How
Readers Help Create the Story.
Janet reads and discusses short scenes from her books and
other favorite children’s books then invites students to visualize characters
and settings. Students learn the
importance of reader’s role in helping the author create the story.
Words
on the Wing: The Making of WENNY HAS WINGS
This
lively presentation traces the story of WENNY HAS WINGS from idea to finished
book. Lots of fun examples from the writer’s childhood including the truth
about The Tunnel of Death and the story behind Igor the tarantula! Presentation
includes a slide show.
BOOKSTORE
and LIBRARY Presentations for Kids
Janet
at Parkplace Book Co. Kirkland WA
Ride
the Wild Words: Journal Writing Workshop
Do
you like to write stories, poems or just scribble ideas on the page? Come join
author Janet Lee Carey for a journal writing workshop. We’ll brainstorm ideas,
break in a new journal with innovative word games and launch new stories. Blank
journals are provided. Just bring your pencil and your imagination and let’s
get started! (This workshop can be used for MOLLY’S FIRE or WENNY HAS WINGS)
The Magician’s Assistant: How
Readers Help Create the Story
Janet reads and discusses short scenes from her books and
other favorite children’s books then invites children to visualize characters
and settings. Bookstore
presentation designed to make readers aware of their importance in helping the
author create the story. (This workshop can be used for MOLLY’S FIRE or WENNY
HAS WINGS)
Words
on the Wing: The Making of WENNY HAS WINGS
This
lively presentation traces the story WENNY HAS WINGS from idea to finished book.
Lots of fun examples from the writer’s childhood including the truth about
“The Tunnel of Death” and the story behind Igor the tarantula! Presentation
includes a slide show.
RETREATS
The
universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow
sharper.
- Eden
Phillpotts
Time
to get away, center and revitalize your spirit. Janet’s retreat workshops
offer a chance for quiet reflection and a deeper connection to the creative
process.
RETREAT
WORKSHOPS
The
Well of Silence:
Much
of creative writing is learning to listen on paper. Through music and
meditation, this workshop takes you on a quiet returning to the source.
Creativity is renewed when we sit beside the well of silence.
Integrated
Writing
Do
you write from your mind? From your heart? From your gut? Where do your words
come from? Many of us struggle with writer’s block because we’re stuck in
our heads, see writing as a purely mental process. This workshop explores the
creative resources hidden in your body, mind and spirit. Integrated writing
process workshops combine nature walks, yoga, and meditation.
