PLOT IN THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Plot is not simply a tool used in fictional writing. All stories, fiction and true, need a plot. The plot provides structure and cohesion and helps the writer convey to the reader a specific message.

In this 90 minute workshop we’ll examine multiple personal essays and discuss the ways the author has used plot to move their story forward and create emotional resonance with the reader (that’s us!). Then we will look at our own works in progress and identify our plot (or lack thereof).

Through readings, writing prompts, and generative conversation, participants will leave this workshop with clear understanding of what plot looks like in the personal essay and how to create it out of our own personal experiences.

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10 STEPS TO THAT PERFECT BOOK PROPOSAL

If you want to traditionally publish a nonfiction book, a completed manuscript usually isn't enough to land you a book deal. You'll also need a book proposal. A book proposal is essentially a business plan for your book; it convincingly argues why your book is a salable product in today's market. Because of the research involved in putting together a book proposal, they can take weeks (or longer) to write if properly developed, so this session breaks down what can be an overwhelming process into ten, clear manageable steps. Everyone will receive digital access to book proposal worksheets to facilitate the research process and write the proposal—starting with the easy parts first, to build your confidence. By the end of this session, you’ll learn the difference between a nonfiction book proposal that gets an immediate response from agents and editors, and one that gets no response.

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