Terri is willing and interested in presenting workshops on various aspects of writing to readers and/or writers' organizations and meetings -- contact her if you or your group would like more information.
Hooks and How to Use Them – From First to Last Word!
A writer must grab the reader's attention and keep it from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, page to page and chapter to chapter. And if that reader is an editor, hooking them from beginning to end is critical. Terri reviews the elements and importance of the first page and the first chapter and how effective hooks can be used in strengthening the pacing and structure throughout your book to the last word. (For beginning and experienced writers).
Real History and Research – How, How Much, When and When Not to Use It!
So are you a romance writer who sets their stories in historical periods or a researcher/historian who writes romance novels? Do your contemporary or paranormal stories have enough detail about their own ‘world’? How much research do you need to be accurate and do you need to be accurate at all? And, while we’re talking about it, how do you find and integrate research information and tidbits into your story without obviously teaching? Terri Brisbin, the author of fifteen historical and paranormal romances, will discuss the basics of research – why, how much, how to, when and when not—and the process of using it or ignoring it when you write. (For writers at all levels).
Motivation for Writers – Getting in Gear for Writing!
Motivation is what gets us going. It increases our momentum from a static position towards something we want. It is personal. Discovering it is wonderful -- not recognizing it can be devastating. Terri conducts an interactive workshop to help writers discover their writing style and to organize their strategies to achieve their writing or life goals. (For writers at all levels).
Pretzels at 2am – Dealing with Life as a Glamorous Romance Author
Nothing is certain in life but change so moving from one place on the writing/publishing continuum to the next can be exciting, stressful and challenging. Join Terri in an interactive discussion about those changes, expectations and challenges so that you’ll be forewarned and forearmed when your moving walkway begins shifting under your feet. Whether about-to-be-published, an author with a bunch of releases under their belt or a bestselling author, attendees will learn what to expect and how to deal with life as a glamorous (or not!) romance author. (For writers at all levels, but also of interest to published authors).
Getting the Call and Hitting the Ground Running!
This workshop is a discussion about the process that begins
when a writer receives ‘The Call’ and continues
through the book reaching the shelf. The transition period,
which can last from several months to years, is filled
with unanticipated demands and can be very traumatic for
the unprepared. Designed for those writers have manuscripts
under consideration or authors who have just sold their
first book, this discussion should make the process less
mystifying and provide resources and contacts to help
the author make some important decisions. (For proficient
writers – PRO – and those close to being published).
SIZE DOES MATTER: Writing Romance Across the Lengths
As any writer knows, size (as in word count!) does matter
and each length of romantic fiction has its own challenges
and appeals to writers and readers. Plotting, characterization
and the romantic relationship all need to be downsized
when writing shorter-length fiction – or do they?
Terri will discuss those challenges and offer tips on
how to write compelling, emotional short stories, novellas
and novels. (For beginning and experienced writers)
Who is Roberts and Why Do We Care About His Rules?
A Guide to Effective Meetings for the Eager, the Innocent and the Doomed
Do your eyes glaze over at the mere mention of Roberts’ Rules of Order? Do you wonder who was Roberts and why did he make up these rules? (Didn’t he have a real life?) Are they important to us now? Does even the thought of planning or running a meeting make your stomach quake and your hands twitch? Then this workshop is for you! The workshop will introduce (or remind!) attendees about the basics of effective meeting planning and execution. Additionally, this workshop should prove helpful to anyone who has to guide a group of people to a decision of any kind.
Terri Brisbin, a multi-published author who has served as a RWA chapter officer as well as on many boards in different organizations, will lend her expertise and experience in parliamentary procedures and meeting facilitation to those interested in planning or conducting business meetings.
