Advanced Fiction Writing - With Personal Attention
March 27-28, 2010 (Saturday & Sunday)
Chicago, IL
Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare |
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Executive Summary
This is an advanced writing program conducted in an intimate group setting. It is designed to give you the personalized attention and knowledge needed to help you break through and get published.
Registration is strictly limited to a maximum of 36 attendees. This weekend course is being held in an easily accessible, "fly in, fly out" location near Chicago's O'Hare airport.
The course leader is New York Times best selling author Robert Dugoni, Jr. Bob is a superb teacher and will provide the attendees with invaluable advice on how to take their writing to the next level and get it published. Each attendee will also receive substantial personalized attention, specifically:
» Written feedback on the first chapter of their work from accomplished novelist and writing instructor John Hough, Jr.
» A private 15 minute one-on-one coaching session with accomplished novelist and writing instructor John Hough, Jr.
» Written feedback on their query letter and synopsis from literary agent Sorche Fairbank
» A private 15 minute one-on-one coaching session with literary agent Sorche Fairbank
Venue: Advanced Fiction Writing With Personalized Attention will be held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare (5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018). This full service "fly in fly out" property is easily accessible to Chicago’s O’Hare airport and provides complimentary 24 hour shuttle service to and from O’Hare Airport. The hotel has brand new eco-friendly guestrooms, appointed with a rich blend of nature’s colors and textures, creating the feeling of being at home. All rooms come equipped with 32" LCD television, cordless telephones, wireless internet (fee), in-room safe large enough to fit a laptop, Low-E refrigerator, Wolfgang Puck single brew coffee maker and Low-E windows. SEAK has secured a special group rate of $89/night. Rooms are limited and this rate expires on March 5, 2010. To make your reservations, please call 888-233-9527 and refer to the SEAK Group rate.
To register online please go to: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1450773.
Submissions: Each attendee will be asked to submit the first chapter of their work (up to 15 pages), their query letter and a one or two page synopsis for review and feedback from our coaches and use in the class sessions.
Tuition: $1,995. This includes:
• 2 Days of Advanced Intimate Group Instruction by New York Times Best Selling Author Robert Dugoni.
• A course manual unavailable elsewhere
• A copy of Robert Dugoni’s best selling text.
• Written feedback on the first chapter of their work from accomplished novelist and writing instructor John Hough, Jr.
• A private 15 minute one-on-one coaching session with John Hough, Jr.
• Written feedback on their query letter and synopsis from literary agent Sorche Fairbank
• A private 15 minute one-on-one coaching session with literary agent Sorche Fairbank
• Breakfast with faculty each day
• Lunch with faculty each day
• The personalized attention and knowledge needed to help you break through and get published.
Cancellations: Conference Cancellations: Conference cancellations received in writing before February 1, 2010, will receive a full refund. Persons canceling after February 1, 2010, will not receive a refund.
Faculty
Robert Dugoni is the author of three novels including Wrongful Death (Touchstone/Fireside 2009) a sequel to his New York Times Bestselling debut, The Jury Master (Warner Books 2006). Mystery Magazine called Wrongful Death one of the best books of the year. Dugoni is also the author of Damage Control (Warner Books 2007) a Parade Magazine Book Pick and Booksense Notable Book Pick, as well as the nonfiction expose, The Cyanide Canary, (Simon & Schuster 2004) a Washington Post Best Book of the Year Selection, and the Idaho Book of the Year. His novels have been published in eighteen countries and received national acclaim. For additional information please visit www.robertdugoni.com.
Sorche Elizabeth Fairbank established Fairbank Literary Representation in 2002, when she first moved to Cambridge, MA. Since then, Ms. Fairbank has had the pleasure of working with a wide, dynamic, and varied list, representing multiple best-selling authors, Pulitzer Prize finalists and winners, Edgar recipients, award-winning journalists, and of course her favorite kind of client the first-time author. In addition to her agenting duties, Ms. Fairbank can be found teaching courses and giving seminars and lectures on the elusive art of the query letter. Updated information on Fairbank Literary can be found at www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/SorcheFairbank/.
John Hough, Jr. is the author of the novels A Two Car Funeral, The Guardian, The Conduct of the Game, and The Last Summer. He is also the author the non-fiction works Seen The Glory, A Peck of Salt, A Dream Season, and A Player For a Moment. He is a former speech writer for United States Senator Charles Mathias and a former writer for the New York Times while serving as the assistant to James Reston. John is an experienced writing teacher and coach. He resides on Martha’s Vineyard.
Schedule
S
aturday, March 27, 2010
7:00-8:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
NOTE: Students should bring to class an additional copy of their presubmitted first chapter of their work and synopsis and be prepared to discuss them and have their work critiqued.
8:00-8:30 Introduction of Instructor, Robert Dugoni:
Bob will explain how he went from a journalist to a lawyer to a best-selling novelist. He'll discuss the pitfalls along the way, living with and learning from rejection, and how he taught himself to write novels. Questions and Answers
8:30-9:30 Executive Summary of How to Write Publishable Fiction:
Learn the fundamental relationship between good stories and journeys, as well as critical writing concepts such as to outline or not to outline, and using writer's block positively. Bob will also teach his four stages to writing to help lessen anxiety, as well as discuss the qualities all good writing has in common. Questions and Answers
9:30-9:45 Break and Networking Opportunity
9:45 - 12:00 Advanced Story Structuring:
From your initial query letter to your published novel, the writer must convey that she understands classic story structure. Using in class exercises and assignments, students will use story structure to understand the holes in their story's plot and how to fix them. Students will also be better equipped to make educated choices on such things as the opening chapter, to make critical judgments about the middle of their book, and how to ensure that the ending brings into collision the forces the writer has set in motion to deliver an emotionally charged and intelligent ending. Questions and Answers
12:00-12:45 Lunch with Faculty (provided)
12:45-1:45 Continued Advanced Story Structuring:
Students will continue to learn classic story structure and apply it to their own works in progress. By the end of this portion of the class, students will have ideas for improving their query letters and synopses. Questions and Answers
1:45-3:00 The Most Common Writing Mistakes The Class is Making and How to Avoid Them:
John Hough, Jr. will present a succinct analysis, based upon the class's submissions, of the most common writing mistakes the class is making. John will offer practical advice on how to eliminate these mistakes. Questions and Answers
3:00-3:15 Break and Networking Opportunity
3:15-4:00 Character Evolution in Story Structure:
Students will learn the stages of character evolution in traditional story telling, why their protagonist must evolve, and where the character's evolution traditionally fits within classic story structure. They will learn how to use characters to create problems, solve problems, or impart information seamlessly. Questions and Answers
4:00-5:00 Critique of Student Synopsis/Outlines:
Students will have the opportunity to read their synopsis/outlines aloud to receive feedback from the instructor and their classmates. Questions and Answers
Sunday, March 28, 2010
6:30-7:00 Continental Breakfast
7:00-8:30 Creating Memorable Characters:
Learn techniques to create memorable primary and secondary characters through the utilization of physical and psychological attributes, clothing, mannerisms, and dialogue. Using examples from well-known fiction and non-fiction, including authors Stephen King, Stephen Hunter, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the instructor's own work, students will study the techniques for making:
1. Heroes not wimps. A well-rounded protagonist is heroic, yet still vulnerable and capable of change.
2. Villains not caricatures. An antagonist is frightening when he/she is real. That means creating well-rounded villains and avoiding cardboard stereotypes and cliches.
3. Sidekicks and mentors: Learn how to make a secondary character stand out using markers, without the character overtaking the story from your primary characters. Questions and Answers
8:30-10:00 The First Three Pages:
Your first chapter should set the tone of your novel. Using examples and student work, Bob will discuss what makes a strong opening sentence, how to write a beginning that grabs the reader's attention, and his do's and don'ts of the first three pages. Bob will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of prologues and second scenes and where to go once you've written a killer opening chapter. Questions and Answers
10:00-10:15 Break and Networking Opportunity
10:15-11:15 The Biggest Mistakes Attendees are Making in Marketing Their Work and How to Avoid Them:
Literary agent Sorche Fairbank will identify and explain the biggest mistakes the attendees have made in their submitted query letters and synopses and will provide suggestions to eliminate these mistakes. Questions and Answers
11:15-12:15 Creating and Sustaining Tension and Suspense to Keep the Reader Turning the Page:
Bob will teach techniques for identifying the emotional highs and lows of your novel and how to build tension toward each by posing story questions, holding onto the answers to the questions posed, setting up the protagonist for failure, planting seeds of doubt, and building tension within and at the end of scenes. Questions and Answers
12:15 -1:00 Lunch with Faculty, provided
1:00-2:15 Power Editing Your Manuscript to Make it Better:
Learn Bob's five steps to power editing your manuscript.
1) Making judgments about your protagonist and antagonist.
2) Evaluating secondary characters.
3) Tightening the manuscript by being relentless in moving the story forward.
4) Reviewing word and sentence choice - adjectives and adverbs vs. verbs, original similes and analogies; active vs. passive voice.
5) Polishing your work to eliminate typos and misspellings, and other mistakes that make the reader lose trust. Questions and Answers
2:15 -2:30 Break and Networking Opportunity
2:30-3:30 The Seven Deadly Sins Your Manuscript Will No longer Have. Critique of Student Manuscripts & Concluding Remarks. Bob will review the seven primary mistakes inexperienced (and experienced) novelists make and use student manuscripts for discussion, emphasizing suggestions to bring the students work closer to publication. Questions and Answers
What Past Attendees Have To Say:
"The best conference I’ve attended"
"Excellent with good personal feedback"
"Fantastic!"
"Great course! All of the material is helpful and the faculty presents it easily and with obvious passion"
"It exceeded my expectations. I learned an enormous number of hints, tricks and traps"
"It was excellent, just what I needed"
"Phenomenal!"
"Truly something for all levels here – from inspiration, to craft issues, to the query process. The personal feedback part made the most difference"
"Superb"
"Terrific – better than expected"
"Very helpful and useful. Now I see a lot of my writing mistakes"
"The one-on-one time with John was invaluable"
"Well organized, excellent ideas, surpassed my expectations"
"Without a doubt, the most useful seminar I’ve attended"
"The personal attention my work received from John Hough in Chicago propelled me to make the manuscript white hot, and Bob Dugoni’s concepts and tools gave me the concise insights into how to do that, while Sorche Fairbank’s comments kept me in relentless pursuit of the right publisher. SEAK is a tremendous resource for the committed writer who wants the best environment in which to learn and discern."
"You put together an exceptional conference. I have never received such practical advice to help with my writing. In addition, the presenters were fabulous people."
"We were very impressed with Robert Dugoni, who is one hell of a good teacher."
The following are two e-mails that we recently received from course alumni:
"In April, 2009, I attended SEAK's Advanced Fiction Writing course with Robert Dugoni in Chicago. This course was fantastic! Upon arriving at the course, I thought I was finished with my second medical thriller, Fatal Complications. However, I learned so much at the conference, that I came away with an overwhelming need to revise my book. I also met and hooked up with a brilliant writing coach, John Hough, Jr., who I highly recommend. I have been working with John over the last six months, and he has helped me take my writing to the next level.
Recently, I returned to the SEAK medical fiction conference in Hyannis. Again, it was a superb, high-quality experience. I met and talked individually to Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen. Tess actually gave me a good idea to incorporate into my second novel. She also told me she would read the book and endorse it once I had it published by a mainstream publisher. Two agents at the conference expressed an interest in my work. One requested the whole manuscript of Fatal Complications. The other, Paul S. Levine, read my first book, Adrenaline, on his flight home and promptly mailed me a contract for representation. He hopes to find a publisher to re-release the book and explore TV/movie options!
I understand that writing fiction can be very fulfilling, but it can also be a difficult and sometimes frustrating endeavor. (Complicating matters, physician writers tend to be perfectionists and are accustomed to things coming easily.) I cannot overemphasize the importance of attending writers' conferences, like those offered by SEAK. These conferences are invaluable as instructional guides and also provide essential networking opportunities with fellow writers, writing coaches and literary agents."
John Benedict, M.D.
"It was a pleasure talking to you this morning and I greatly appreciate your willingness to provide contact information for Lisa Scottoline, Stephen Horn, and Robert Dugoni. As I mentioned when we talked, I attended SEAK's legal fiction seminar on Cape Cod that Lisa Scottoline and Stephen Horn taught as well as the seminar in Chicago that Robert Dugoni taught. I found both seminars to be well conducted and extremely helpful. When I attended the Cape Cod seminar, I had a manuscript of my book completed and I really thought that all I had to do was to find an agent. When I finished the seminar, I realized that, at best, I had a first draft. Using the tools and knowledge that I gained at the seminar, and a year later with Robert Dugoni, I completely re-wrote the book. It was through this re-written draft that I was able to enter into a contract with an agent (Gary Heidt at Signature Literary Agency) and ultimately with a publisher (The Permanent Press). My book, To Account for Murder, will be published in November of 2010. I can honestly say that without the insights that I gained from attending the SEAK seminars, I very much doubt that the book would ever have seen the light of day.
Again, thank you for providing me with the contact information for Lisa Scottoline, Stephen Horn, and Robert Dugoni. I hope that I will be able to interest them in doing a blurb for my book."
Judge William C. Whitbeck