12 Beats & Other Instruments to Tell a Story
By a.c. Mason
September 15-30, 2012
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: 12 Beats & Other Instruments to Tell a Story Presented by a.c. Mason
Plot
beats in your story are the timekeepers of its rhythm and anchor your other
instruments: characterization (emotions) and writing craft techniques (such as
length of scenes, type of scene action/revelatory, dialogue, word usage,
description, theme(s), tension (conflict) etc…)
There
will be twelve lessons through which the attendees will be encouraged to
assemble a five-act story worksheet as we complete the twelve beats to
construct a plot, develop characters, and decide on writing craft technique
tools to create the full score of the story. Each beat and instrument will be
explained, broken down, then an example will be provided with comments as to
how it feeds into the whole of the story. An easy-to-use worksheet will be
provided at the end as a framework for future stories. These methods can also
be used by plotters and pansters (while writing your first draft or during
rewrites/revisions). This workshop is aimed to improve: where to start/end,
pacing (fast/slow), conflict, saggy middles, tension (conflict), consistency,
characterization (emotions), and when to use writing craft techniques: length
of scenes, type of scene action/revelatory, short sentences, dialogue,
description, etc...
We will
cover: plot, characterization (emotions), and writing craft techniques.
ABOUT
THE PRESENTER: Born from the union of her Scottish and Belgian mother and an
African American and Cherokee father, a.c. Mason’s youth was filled with
dichotomies and moving from place to place. She developed a curiosity to
explore through writing the seedy side of our nature and desires. Given her own
diverse background, she writes stories that represent the world she grew up in.
She is fluent in French and English. For the past eight years of her life, she
has worked with one foot in the past spanning such times as the 18th century,
the Bering Strait theory to modern day, and now late Victorian. Her stories are
the place where darkness meets human desire and fairytales endings are not
promised but earned. In 2011 her work was nominated for six 2012 Bookie Awards.
If you’d like to learn more about a.c. Mason, go to www.acmason.com.
WORKSHOP
FEES:
$15
for Members
$20 for Non-Members
$20 for Non-Members
LIMIT: 30 Spots
To pay via PayPal, please send payment to workshops@passionateink.org
and make the subject line WORKSHOP: 12 BEATS. Please be sure the information
field includes the name and email address you will be using for the workshop.
To pay via check, please include WORKSHOP: 12 BEATS in the memo
area. Also, please include a note containing the name and email address you
will be using for the workshop.
Mail checks to:
Robin L Rotham, Treasurer
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68702
Robin L Rotham, Treasurer
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68702
***Permission to forward granted and encouraged.***
