Roadshow program...

Here's the program for our fabulous North Queensland Roadshow. This is going to be one power packed day!!! Don't forget, early bird registrations close at the end of March! find out how to register here!

  9:00am - Greetings and introductions

 9.15 -10.15 The bones of your book – Anne Gracie

A good strong premise and a convincing source of conflict are the foundations for a strong plot. Without them, many people run out of steam about a third of the way into a book. Find the premise for your story, identify the central spine of conflict and learn how to structure scenes and build a strong plot.


 10:15 - Morning Tea

 10:30 – 11.45 World-building is crucial, no matter the genre — Kelly Hunter & Anne Gracie

Whether you're a writer of paranormals, fantasy, historicals, contemporaries, or crime, the world you create in your books can make or break you as a writer. The more convincing that world, the easier it is for readers to plunge right in. But world building is more than just evoking a time and place and characters interacting in that world: it's also about reader expectations. This interactive workshop aims to offer writers some of the tools to build realistic, unforgettable imaginary worlds.

 11.50 – 12.30 Emotional Punch and tension of every page – Barbara Hannay
Your primary objective as a romance novelist is to create an emotional experience for your readers. The lack of emotional punch is one of the main reasons editors reject manuscripts. Find out how to make your reader care deeply about your characters, and how to give your manuscript that all important page-turning tension.

 12.30 – 1.00 Lunch


 1. 10 – 1.45 -- Layering conflict –Helene Young
If you’ve watched the movie, Avatar, you may have been wowed by the special effects, the interesting cinematography techniques or even the storyline. When Helene watched it the multiple layers of conflict in the story blew her away.

Join her for a short sharp look at why those layers are so effective. Watch the movie before the Roadshow and see how many conflicts you can identify and be prepared to look even deeper and find some more.

 1. 45 – 3.15 Not Another Sex Scene – Kelly Hunter & Anne Gracie
Like any other scene, a sex scene must serve the story, contain elements of conflict and enhance our understanding of character. This workshop will offer a range of approaches to help make it easier to write fabulous sex scenes and expand your repertoire of writing skills.

 3.15 –3.30 afternoon tea

 -- 4.15 Dialogue and Subtext – Kelly Hunter
'He said what?'
If you can't write good dialogue, you can't write a good romance. Bring work pad and pens and be prepared to work through a series of exercises designed to help bring your dialogue to life.

 4.15 – 500 Panel and Finish