Write Now Workshops

Are you interested in writing, but find it difficult to put your ideas to paper? Have no fear! To get you started, journalist, author, and book critic Lucy Atkins is presenting a series of Write Now! story writing workshops.

Want to Write? Here Are the First Steps

People sometimes think "Who me? I could never write a short story" or "But I have no talent!" Well, here's the news: there is no big mystery when it comes to writing a story. As for 'talent' "“ that's what happens when you practice (a lot!). The main thing is to WRITE "“ and keep writing!

Write Now Workshop Two: Building Character!

All good stories have (at least) one great character "“ the person at the center of the story. This character should be someone your reader remembers long after they've put your story down. Your character has to feel like a real person. The reader must believe in her or him, and also feel something about her or him "“ whether it's love, hate, amazement, or fear. If YOU get to know your character really well, then your whole story will come alive.

Write Now Workshop Three: Plot

The plot is what happens in your story. But how do you develop a plot? Well, there are a few basic rules. Remember, you are always free to break these rules! But it IS worth knowing about them first. So here goes ...

Write Now Workshop Four: Dialogue

Dialogue is just the technical word for the conversations your characters have with each other. They might also, of course, talk to themselves. That's dialogue too! Dialogue is very important: it makes your story come alive.

Write Now Workshop Five: Settings and Why They Matter

Your story's "setting" is basically its time and place (and atmosphere!). Think about your story for a minute. Is this a historical story? Is it happening right now? Yesterday? Tomorrow? Where is it happening "“ your home in Baltimore? The Gobi Desert in 1835? Now, think about what things look, sound, and smell like in this place/time. What do your characters see, touch, smell, or hear? This will make your story feel very real. Your reader will get more involved, and more swept away!

Write Now Workshop Six: The Finished Product, Or Is It?

When you think your story is done, the first thing to do is put it away. Don't look at it for at least a day. Ideally, leave it for a week or two "“ or longer! When you go back to that story, you'll see it fresh. Now, you can start to revise it!