scholarship

Writing Inclusive Historical Fiction Webinar

Writing the Other
In this webinar we’ll examine techniques for finding and accurately interpreting historical sources, go over ways to interrogate the dominant paradigm’s versions of the past, and learn how to focus our narratives on the lives of the formerly marginalized. Exercises, lectures, discussion, and examples work together to make this a powerful and energizing class for everyone ready to explore the exciting field of inclusive historical fiction. [...]
Healing History's Wounds

Healing History’s Wounds with Speculative Fiction

Writing the Other
Stories can wound or heal. In this webinar, award-winning author and editor Nisi Shawl will talk about the ways stories can hurt, the ways they can help, and how you can use their power–particularly when writing speculative fiction and alternate history. The webinar will review common stories with harmful effects and discuss ways to subvert or pass them by. The webinar also includes live exercises to provide practice in these valuable techniques. [...]
Writing Revolution

Writing Revolution: How To Create Believable Resistance Movements with Helen Gould

WtO Admin
Stories about rebelling against an unjust system or a tyrannical ruler have always been popular, often becoming lucrative franchises (A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…). However, they also frequently portray a simplified narrative about how resistance works or avoid the nuances of what it means to fight an oppressive force. This one-day workshop will establish an understanding of the building blocks that can be put in place for a realistic foundation for a dystopian society, oppression, and rebellion. Instructor Helen Gould will cover real-world examples of political resistance from around the world, discuss the morality of important issues like the use of violence, and explore what kind of characters you might need in a story about revolution. [...]
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Crafting Diverse Relationships: Family and Friends, Lovers and Life Partners

Writing the Other
Relationships between characters are key to character development and plot progression in every genre, not just romance. Family bonds, friendships, and lifelong partnerships create support networks around characters in every narrative. Writers often struggle to represent the connections and bonds between people that are outside their experience. In this class, authors Piper J. Drake, Lauren Jankowski, and Jacqueline Koyanagi will discuss family and found family, platonic relationships and friendships, poly and interracial relationships, and how to recognize and challenge the Love Hierarchy. [...]
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Write Characters Your Readers Won’t Forget Webinar and Workshop

WtO Admin
Riveting, evocative storytelling hinges on the choices your characters make. These pivotal choices are not necessarily the high action moments in your plot, but they are the moments that define who your character is and becomes. By charting a handful of critical moments of choice in your story, by examining the pressures and risks at each moment, by taking into account how your character’s identities inform their actions, and by understanding deeply how your character pushes against their history and environment at each step, you can create a powerful mini-outline. [...]
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The Heroine’s Journey – The Other Ancient Story Structure

WtO Admin
We’ve all heard about the Hero’s Journey, but how often do we hear about the Heroine’s Journey, Western culture’s other prominent story structure? In this webinar, New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger provides a full break down of what aspects of the heroine’s journey make for compelling narratives and voracious readers, where these elements originate, why they’re successful, and how to write them. [...]