Online classes offered in 2021

Myths, Fairy Tales & Dreams for Stories that Sell

Workshop with Paula Chaffee Scardamalia

August 1-31 2021 Online Course

The basis of modern storytelling whether in print or on the screen, lies deeply rooted in the mythological tradition. And that mythological tradition, whether myth or fairy tale, is shaped and created by visions and dreams, according to mythologist, Joseph Campbell.

Game of Thrones, Clash of the Titans, Thor, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Snow White and the Huntsman, Once Upon a Time, Grimm—all popular books, movies and TV series that have their roots in the realms of myth and fairy tale.

For writers, the realm of myth, fairy tale and dreams is one of unending storytelling possibilities. This workshop defines and describes the elements and characteristics, as well as the differences of myth and fairy tales and how you can use them for stories that capture your reader. And it will show you how to tap into the mythic power of dreams for personal yet universal stories.

Paula Chaffee Scardamalia is book coach, dream and tarot intuitive and the author of In the Land of the Vultures (a novel inspired by a dream), and Tarot for the Fiction Writer. She was dream consultant for PEOPLE Country Magazine. For more than 20 years, Paula’s presented workshops across the country at: national and regional Romance Writers of America conferences; the San Diego University Writers Conference; and the International Women’s Writing Guild. Paula publishes Divine Muse-ings, a weekly e-newsletter (since 2009) on writing, creativity, dreams, and tarot and is the award-winning author of Weaving a Woman’s Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Loom.

Registration is closed.

How to Write Unforgettable and Romantic Weddings for Novels

Workshop with Laurie Sue Brockway

October 4-31 2021 Online Course

Romance readers love weddings. It began with Jane Austin and continues with Hallmark and in every genre in between. How can we, as writers, make weddings unforgettable and romantic? We can make them real and filled with details that make them come alive.

We’ve all been to weddings, and many of us have written weddings in our romance stories and novels, but have you ever wanted to expand your writing of the wedding scene to include more nuances and insights into the ceremony itself? And do you seek a more reality-based looks at wedding stress―and drama―that can make the story more exciting?

As readers seek more diverse character, it is helpful to be able to write about real weddings that reflect the spiritual and cultural values of the couple and their families. In this course we will look at how to design contemporary fictional ceremonies for characters of all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths; and, how to research weddings of all kinds to fit your story.

This course will include:

• Basic outline of a contemporary wedding ceremony and ideas for prayers, readings, and sharing the couple’s love story as part of the wedding.
• A run-down of the kinds of ceremonies your couples may have ― religious, non-religious contemporary, non-denominational, alternative, civil, new age, or highly cultural – and the cast of characters that may be involved (and can help you move your story along!).
• Details, nuances, and rituals for a host of different cultures, such as what happens at a Hindu wedding, a Celtic ceremony, or a same sex ceremony.
• Writing wedding vows and creating scenes in which you can have your couples speak these words from the heart.
• Insights into real family issues, dynamics, and conflict situations that can arise to make your fictional wedding more fascinating (there are a lot!).
• Inspiration for the experience of the couple at the altar ― how they look at each other, what they say with their eyes, their words, and their body language.
• Different kinds of venues in which to set a wedding ― from beaches and parks, to castles and mansions, home weddings to big hotels, and houses of worship to romantic destinations.
• Ideas for engagement stories and proposals.

You will have fun planning your fictional wedding as we look at different ways to bring your couples to the altar. Each week will offer tips on different aspects of the wedding planning and ceremony and will also give you assignments for crafting your own wedding readings, vows, and love stories to tell as part of the wedding. We will have some fun research as well!

Laurie Sue Brockway is an experienced, ordained wedding officiant. For more than 20 years she has presided over a multicultural wedding ministry based in New York and is widely recognized as an expert on interfaith, intercultural, and highly personalized nondenominational weddings.

She has been called upon by couples around the world for her assistance in complex spiritual and cultural issues, and to help guide families through the marriage process. She has married hundreds of couples in creative and loving ceremonies, in locales that range from parks to castles and every place in between. She is also called upon to create romantic ceremonies without a spiritual focus.

She has written extensively on love, romance, sex, and weddings. She is author or twenty-five books, including several contemporary romances written under a pen name. She loves to end her books with a wedding or a proposal.

Her nonfiction books include: Your Interfaith Wedding, Your Hindu-Interfaith Wedding, Your Perfect Wedding Vows, Wedding Goddess, The Goddess Pages, and Soulmate Feng Shui. Her newest books, for writers, are She Who Scrivens and Seshat Journal.

Visit her at YourInterfaithWedding.com and RevLaurieSue.com.

Registration is closed.