Fearless Writer Classes

It all began with Fearless Writing.  Writers start with freedom from doubts and just a passion for story.  Then, all too soon, you struggle to overcome weaknesses in your storytelling.  but what if the very thing you're muscling into submission is what would empower you?  This is the premise of Fearless Writing--that what you call flaws are actually what make your stories unique.

 

Packed with exercises and feedback from award-winning author Laura Baker, this class taps your own dramatic powers, then puts those powers to work, transforming your story concept into a Story Vision empowered with your own strengths.

 

In this class you will:

* Find the story you need to write

* Define your emotional and thematic motivators

* Through writing craft, focus the three underpinnings of great storytelling

* Create your own defining Storytelling Paragraph

* Turn ideas into story using the Story Box process

* Learn the power of premise

* Bonus special exercise for those with a completed manuscript

 

With Laura's coaching, many unpublished writers are now published, and the techniques she teaches are used by NY Times bestselling authors.  One author said, "Light bulb moments are so common when I'm learning at your side that I spend most of my time in this wild state of enlightenment and excitement.  Just incredible."

 

With an emphasis on discovering each writer’s individual strengths, this class is appropriate for new writers as well as veteran authors, and all those seeking to create a hallmark for their work. Define your vision and get going!

 

By popular demand, Laura's plotting class returns--

 

This time for longer and with fewer students, you have More Personal Brainstorming time with Laura.

 

SIX WEEKS Limited to 65 STUDENTS!

 

Do you know what your story is REALLY about?

 

How would your writing be different if you knew the answer?
 

Receive personal attention and brainstorm on your own story with critically acclaimed and award-winning author Laura Baker, as she teaches you a revolutionary way of managing the dynamics of plot, character and conflict.

 

This class is packed with information and feedback, but all the lessons and brainstorming are at your own pace.

 

In this class you will:

 

* Learn how to construct Story and Character Arcs

* Use the Story Question to create clear and compelling conflict

* Define the decision that changes your protagonist's life

* Plumb the heart of your story using struggle and insight

* Discover and use three setup scenes for every Turning Point

* Use mini-epiphanies to launch the protagonist into escalating action

* Create a visceral connection of plot to subplot

* See your story vision come to life

 

You’ve got a great plot…or great characters…or a great situation…or great conflict…but somehow it’s not working together to give you a great story.

 

The secret to a great story is character and plot cohesion. You know this, but how do you make it happen? Laura teaches you a new technique—plotting with TASKS—that naturally braids plot and character into an escalating and motivated arc.

 

We also look at goals versus tasks, turning points, and the mini-epiphanies that launch

the protagonist from turning points.

 

LESSON ONE: What type change is your story?

LESSON TWO: What is your story about, story question, protagonist’s goal, basic nature

LESSON THREE: What is your story really about, character arc, dramatic question

LESSON FOUR: Braiding together Story and Character Arcs, who is the antagonist, emotional pressure, tasks

LESSON FIVE: The moments that define, core decision, Inciting Incident, Black Moment

LESSON SIX: The structure of half and half, turning points

LESSON SEVEN: The Test of Janus, turning point epiphanies

LESSON EIGHT: Setting up turning points

LESSON NINE: Connection of plot to subplot

 

With Laura's coaching, many unpublished writers are now published, and the techniques she teaches are used by NY Times bestselling authors.  One writer said, "I now know what's been missing from this story.  I finally 'feel' the layers and the textures and the plpot is no longer contrived. I'm so excited!  I'm digging in, writing my little brain out!"