Portrait Megan Chance, copyright Jerry BauerOfficial webpage of author Megan Chance

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home

 

Biography

 

Books

 

Upcoming Events

 

Other Works

 

Bookgroups

 

Articles &

Interviews

 

Blog

 

Facebook

 

Join E-Alert

 

Contact Author

 

 

CLASSES

 

 

Megan Chance is also a much-requested speaker and workshop teacher. She has taught workshops for Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Romance Writers of America at both the national and local levels, Timberland Regional Library, Seattle Assistance League, North Kitsap School District and Edmonds Write on the Sound Conference, among many others. For a full list of Megan Chance’s speaking credits, click here.

 

Due to popular demand, Megan is pleased to offer these workshops for sale:

 

The Full series: Structuring the Novel

 

 or

These Individual elements:

 

Plotting (Conflict and Story)

Characterization

Revision: Utilizing Scene and Sequel

Point of View

Show don’t tell and Utilizing description

Dialogue, Subtext, and the first 50 pages

 

 

(Classes are currently available only as Lecture notes/handouts; DVDs singly or with lecture notes/handouts will be available soon)

 

These classes are copyrighted by Megan Chance. Any unauthorized use, copying or dissemination without written permission is prohibited.

 

 

 

The Full Series:

 

Structuring the Novel: This is a six-part course designed for those who have written a novel or a partial novel, and cannot seem to get to the next step. The class focuses on the planning and analysis required in both writing and editing the most compelling novel possible, and consists of the following one-hour (approximate) lectures: Plotting and Conflict; Characterization; Scene and Sequel and Theme; Point of View; Show Don’t Tell and Description; and the First Fifty Pages, Dialogue and Subtext.

 

          Lecture notes and Handouts only: $100 USD

          Video lectures only (with handouts): Available soon

          Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

 

Separate Lectures:

 

Plotting and Conflict: (17 pages & 1 handout) Fiction has, at its core, basic principles in structure. The study of plot and conflict can help you find flaws in your own manuscripts, as well as give you the tools to fix them. This lecture includes:

 

·         Classic plotting techniques

·         The art of conflict

·         Genre conventions and their use

·         Story questions and their importance in driving the reader forward

·         Writer’s block

·         Getting the most out of critiques

 

Lecture notes and Handouts only: $20 USD

Video lecture only (with handouts): Available soon

Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

Characterization: (21 pages & 1 handout) How does a writer invent an unforgettable character? This workshop focuses on developing characters from conception to execution, and discusses:

 

·         Plot vs Character

·         Motivations

·         The Character Arc, or the Emotional Outline

·         Character biographies

·         Self concept to deepen a novel’s conflict

·         The psychology of Characterization

·         Backstory, or Too Much Information

 

Lecture notes and Handouts only: $20 USD

Video only (with handouts): Available soon

Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

Scene and Sequel and Theme: (17 pages & 2 handouts)  Scene and sequel is a classic technique for structuring a page-turning novel, and the perfect tool for editing a manuscript. The conscious development of theme can pull the threads of your story together. In this lecture:

 

·         The art of the rewrite

·         Developing your theme

·         Proving your theme

·         The building blocks of Scene/Sequel

·         Mapping your novel using Scene/Sequel

 

Lecture notes and handouts only: $20 USD

Video only (with handouts): Available soon

Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

Point of View: (14 pages & 3 handouts) One of the most common problems for writers is not understanding proper use of point of view or how to utilize it for the most impact. This lecture discusses:

 

·         POV types and determining the best choice for your novel

·         Choosing the right POV character

·         Effective use of multiple POV

·         Using POV to heighten conflict

·         Manipulating POV

·         Description in POV

·         Changing POV

 

Lecture notes and handouts only: $20 USD

Video only (with handouts): Available soon

Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

Show Don’t Tell and Description: (18 pages & 2 handouts) All writers hear the words “show don’t tell” at some point in their education. What exactly does that mean? And how can description be best utilized to paint your story world? Some of the points covered in this lecture are:

 

·         Impressionistic writing

·         Use of dialogue, sensory language and specificity

·         Revealing character through show don’t tell

·         How to use description to create mood and conflict

·         Figurative language

 

Lecture notes and handouts only: $20 USD

Video only (with handouts): Available soon

Video w/lecture notes and handouts: Available soon

 

 

The First Fifty Pages, Dialogue and Subtext: (w/full series:15 pages & 2 handouts; w/o full series: 22 pages & 2 handouts) Editors and agents make a decision about a manuscript in the first few pages. Make sure they don’t dismiss yours. This lecture discusses:

 

·         Common mistakes

·         How to use conflict, characterization and tension

·         Dialogue as character development

·         The use of subtext in raising conflict and expectation

·         Cultural subtext

·         Revision

 

Lecture notes and handouts only: $20 USD

(Due to the review nature of this lecture, this video is only available to full-series purchasers)

 

Note: After confirmation from PayPal, lecture notes and handouts will be sent to the email address provided. Please be sure to include your email address with your order. DVDs (along with their corresponding notes/handouts) will be sent via U.S. Media Mail to U.S. Addresses only.

 

International purchasers of videos should contact Megan for shipping/handling fees, and to make arrangements for shipping

 

 

Questions on lectures or purchasing, click here

 

 Copyright 2011 Megan Chance/Photo Credit Jerry Bauer