Novel Revision in Three Acts Act 1: October 25-27, 2007 with Elaine Marie Alphin; Act 2: April 4-6, 2008 with Darcy Pattison; Act 3: October 24-26, 2008 with Editor Alexandra Penfold and Agent Rebecca Sherman.
Western Washington SCBWI November, 2008
The Retreat
“This was an amazing workshop that has me actually excited about
revising already revised stories.” recent participant.
After nine years as the conference director for the Arkansas
SCBWI, I realized that the hardest thing to get help with is a novel. Most
conferences are one-day events in which many different topics are
covered briefly. Yet, year after year, someone would hold out a novel and
ask, “What do you think of this?” Finally, there is a format in which this
question can be answered!
The goal of the retreat is that every author will go home with
strategies for revising their own particular novel. The retreat is
designed for maximum participation and advance preparation is required. Comments from participants:
Inventory Session: “Maybe the most helpful part. From the moment I started filling the worksheet out, I knew I was in trouble.”
“I will use this tool for all projects.”
Plotting Sessions: “Coming in, I had the book knowledge about plots, subplots, climax. . . but this workshop put it all into a working perspective. Something I could grab hold of. Exercises forced me to look at things I was avoiding.”
“It was a more enhanced description of plotting than I have ever seen.”
Sensory Details Session: “Very helpful. I already thought I was employing sensory details, but now I have a clearer picture of what I need to be doing.”
“Excellent examples chosen to illustrate points. This is a piece of writing without good sensory details; this is a piece with good sensory details.”
“A jewel! I wish someone had explained ‘show don’t tell’ in terms of sensory details language.”
Characterization Session: “I’m looking forward to using the checklists on all my characters.”
“Helped me give more dimension to weaker characters.”
Setting/Mood Session:”Helpful because I learned to connect this to the characters’ emotional journey in a scene rather than just through something on the page.”
“Again–I learned to think of this in a new way.”
Specific Words Session: “Helped me see beyond the meaning of words–a new concept.”
“Makes the story ring true.”
Narrative Patterning Session: “This was excellent–deep, powerful, something I’ll always use now.”
“The narrative patterning, imagery and epiphany sections were especially wonderful. I’ve never met a writing teacher who was willing to tackle these head on.”
Imagery Session: “Word list approach very helpful, real graphic. Something I can wrap my hands around.”
Overall Comments: “As a whole–these exercises were brilliant because they helped me see how each aspect of novel writing connects to or is attached to the other.”
“The workbook is one of the most useful things I’ll take away.”
“You made things we already knew into a tool instead of a concept.”
“I think I’ll look back on this weekend as a turning point in my growth as a novelist. I wish we could do this every year!”
Conference, Convention, Reading Council, or Professional Development
Inspirational, thought-provoking, or informational–whatever your needs, I can speak on topics that interest you. At the National Council of Teachers of English national convention, I spoke about “The Mask of a Novelist.” At the SCBWI Annual Conference in LA, 2004, I spoke on “Demystifying Voice” and “Novel Revision.” I speak with librarians and teachers on Writing with Children in professional developments or informal settings. Topics include the writing process, prewriting activities and expository, descriptive, narrative, or persuasive essays.
19 Girls and Me: Friendships in Unlikely Places
Do your students fear new situations? Finding friends in an unlikely place, in an unlikely time is the theme of this presentation.
Across the US with Oliver
Cross the United States with Oliver K. Woodman. Geography, letter writing, knock-knock jokes and more.
Oliver loves to visit schools. For more information on having the wooden man visit your school, call Costume Specialists, Mike Howard at 1-800-596-9357, ext 303.
How to Book a Presentation
Email me at darcy at darcypattison dot com or fill in the form below with information about your event, including dates and audience. I’ll get back to you within 24 hours to let you know if the dates are open and applicable fees.
Darcy Pattison grew up in a family that both told and read stories. “Stories matter," she says, "whether you’re a reader, swept away by a story, or a writer, creating those sweeping stories. In today’s busy world–more than ever before–we all need stories that strike deep chords. I write intimate stories of personal journeys or quests; I help others write the stories they need to tell; and I help teachers teach kids how to write their stories.”
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