Bringing Your Plot to Life: A Two-Part Mini for Novelists

TYPE & LENGTH:

Webinar-style, Online (Facilitated with community participation limited to chat and Q & A)

Two 75-minute Zoom sessions (June 8 and 10, 2021, 7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Plot. There’s no way around it, only through it. Bring your plot to life by exploring the work of contemporary authors Grace Lin, Kathi Appelt, and Padma Venkatraman. This two-part webinar includes conversations between novelists with discussion centered around how they plot, why they plot, and what their personal definitions of “plot” include. We’ll look at examples and resources to help inform and infuse your work with plot structure. We’ll look at non-western centered plots, as well as non-linear plot structures.

Sessions will be webinar-style with suggested exercises and guest conversations. Community participation will occur via the chat and Q&A feature.

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You’re a novelist looking for inspiration from fellow novelists.
• You’re just starting out and want to learn more about plot. This program will show a variety of ways to access plot in your novel (or future novel).
• You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop, instead the brief time together is meant to get ideas flowing and provide resources for you to do on your own.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

This session takes place over 2 evenings, with live webinar sessions starting at 7:00pm Eastern.

Writing exercises, examples, and resources will be offered during each session, you can immediately or save for future projects.

Note: If your schedule does not allow you to attend live sessions, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings. They’re usually posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through July 31, 2021.

Tentative AGENDA:

Part One: Tuesday, June 8 (7pm-8:15pm EST)

• Welcome, The Highlights Foundation
• Plot in action: Author-to-Author discussion on definitions, examples, and non-western centered plot with Padma Venkatraman and Grace Lin
• Try This: A Plotting Exercise
• Q & A
• Closing

Part Two: Thursday, June 10 (7pm-8:15pm EST)

• In-Chat Check-in, Discoveries from Part One
• Plot in action: Author-to-Author discussion on definitions, examples, and non-linear plot structures with Padma Venkatraman and Kathi Appelt
• Try This: A Plotting Exercise
• Q & A
• Closing

HOW THIS WORKSHOP IMPACTS KIDS:

Engage your readers in your worlds through plot structures that resonate with middle grade and teen readers.

Highlights Foundation Resources for workshops and FAQ’s:

• COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy
  What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types?
• A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve.
• Trying to figure out how this course fits into your schedule? Read some ideas about planning for the right level of commitment.
• Why do we mention HOW THIS WORKSHOP IMPACTS KIDS? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.

RELATED RESOURCES:

Padma Venkatraman: Perfectly Plotted
KL Going: Is Your Novel Opening as Strong as It Can Be?
Chris Tebbetts: Visual Outlining
Kathi Appelt: The Form Holds the Story