Masterclass: You Had Me at Hello: Writing an Effective Opening
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Heather Webb
(This class is a paid add-on) Learn what makes an opening grabby—or trite—and how to win the agent’s or the editor’s eye for which you’re vying. We’ll look at first lines, clichés, and techniques for making opening pages appealing. Attendees may submit pages ahead of time for feedback from the instructor and should bring those pages for real-time critique with peers.
The First Two Chapters
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Sharon Mignery
Beginner - Bring the first two chapters of your WIP to hone the needed elements for "can't put it down" opening chapters. This workshop helps a writer sort through conflicting advice to launch a story in the right place with compelling characters, appropriate world building, and avoid the dreaded info dump .
How to Read Like a Writer
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Gary McBride
All levels - Here be spoilers! We ask that all attendees pre-read the entirety of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, and be sure to bring the book with you, with passages marked that you'd like to discuss with the group. To focus your selection, please come bearing your favorite sentence--for whatever reason--and be prepared to explain why.