Workshops Present Skill-Builders for Everyone

The OCW Spring Conference will feature nine one-hour workshops, four in the early afternoon session and five in the late afternoon designed to assist all writers in their craft.

Rick Johnson, our keynote speaker, will present, “If I Can Do It, Anyone Can.” His workshop will discuss his unorthodox process for developing and writing a nonfiction book. Writers come in all styles, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. But can anyone write a book and get it published? Rick’s workshop teaches the writing process and includes a question-and-answer period on his experiences within the publishing industry.

B.J. Bassett is a diversified writer and a motivational speaker. She has more than 400 published credits as a columnist, feature newspaper writer, and book reviewer, and has published work in magazines, devotionals, and books. She is the author of My Time with God and How to Be a Published Writer and a frequent workshop teacher at writers’ conferences.

“Editing: Self-Inflicted or Using a ‘Hired Gun’?” will be presented by Dan Kline of Eugene. Fiction or nonfiction, your work must have that “professional look.” So, you can hire a freelance editor, pay him/her three to five dollars a page, wait anxiously to get your manuscript back, then hope for the best. Or … you can learn to do your own editing—it’s not that hard and Dan can show you how—saving you time, money, and frustration. Or—do you strive to become a professional editor yourself?

Dan Kline was a co-founder, teacher, and coordinator of the Writing Certificate Program at Cal State University, Long Beach, during the 1990s. His writing credits include a book on grammar, a CD-ROM on proofreading, seminars, and booklets on various aspects of writing. Most recently, Dan and his author-wife, Kay Strom, have co-written a book and a devotional on the joys and problems of marrying after 35. He is an internationally recognized speaking professional who has addressed more than 200,000 people in the United States and 14 other countries. In 2004, Kline, Strom and Associates formed a national speaking and training firm that specializes in worldwide workplace and literary communication issues.

“Eight Easiest Article Types” will be presented by Sally Stuart of Aloha. Writing articles is the place to start your writing career, but it’s important to understand the different types of articles and how you might fit into each category. This workshop will identify the eight easiest types to break into and help you succeed in the marketplace. Discover how to market your own writing style.

Sally Stuart is the compiler of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide, making her a leading authority on Christian markets and writing as a business. She has written 36 books and sold more than 1,000 articles and columns. She writes marketing columns for Christian Communicator, Oregon Christian Writers, and Advanced Christian Writer. She is a sought-after speaker and the mother of three and grandmother of eight.

“The Ins and Outs of Great Fiction Writing” will be taught by Dan Kline. Fiction relies on three elements: plot, characters, and dialogue. In the best fiction, each element strengthens and supports the other two, like the three sides of an equilateral triangle. This workshop will explain how you can integrate all three to build your own solid story structure. First Dan will teach you the essentials of story plotting, then how to develop unforgettable characters to act out your story, and finally the best ways to create believable, powerful dialogue that both moves the plot along and reveals your actors’ inner drives. In addition, Dan will have a random drawing in which one member of the workshop audience will win three free copies of his booklets, one each on plot, characters, and dialogue ($11.85 value).

“Write a Story, Write a Movie!” will be taught by author Kay Marshall Strom of Eugene. We have all watched a movie and thought, I could do better than that! Or maybe you have paused while writing your novel to imagine it playing out on a movie screen. In this workshop, Kay will show you what it takes to turn those imaginings into reality. She will discuss the pros and cons of writing screenplays, the great potential, and the stumbling blocks. Come and learn the practical steps of making your screenwriting goals a reality.

Kay Marshall Strom is the author of 36 published books, including The Call of Zulina, which is being written into a screenplay. Her writing credits include magazine articles, short stories, screenplays, and booklets for writers. Kay is in demand as a speaker at events throughout the country, and, along with her husband Dan Kline speaks in far-flung corners of the globe. Two of her screenplays have won awards as best script of the year at the Santa Barbara Screenwriting Contest. Kay worked on two television shows, The Equalizer and Murder, She Wrote. She has extensive expertise in writing nonfiction, and her recent fiction series, the Grace in Africa trilogy, is already in the scriptwriting stage.

“Step Outside Your Poetry Box” will be offered by poet Gail Denham of Sunriver. How much do we really use our language? God has given us so much—thousands of words, great imaginations—a rich treasure trove of amazing word combinations, yet our brains rarely engage in the art of poetry. Why write like a pauper when you sit on a pile of golden words, phrases, and imaginative thoughts? Learn to fill blank pages with fresh language and rich humor instead of overused, trite phrases. Make an effort to toss jewels onto the page and charm your readers with humor to encourage and uplift when you relate your heart tales. You can do it! Join Gail’s class and step outside your comfort box. Take a chance with your God-given language.

Poet Gail Denham has written and been published nationally and internationally for more than 30 years. She’s written poetry, short stories, and news articles. Her credits also include public relations material, inspirational pieces, and personal interviews. In addition, she’s sold hundreds of photographs to publications, including Reminisce, Focus on the Family, Decision, and Guideposts. She is a public speaker and loves to teach workshops. Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications and has won prizes in state poetry contests.

“Writing Book Proposals That Sell” will be taught by Sally Stuart. In today’s fast-paced market, it no longer makes sense to write a nonfiction book and then send it off to a publisher. Most publishers prefer to get a book proposal before the manuscript is completed. This class will tell published authors how to organize nonfiction material for a book and then how to write a proposal that will sell the book idea. Learn what you need to know to compete in the Christian market.

A “Personal Coaching Workshop” (limited to the first six published writers who choose this workshop) will be offered by Kristen Ingram of Springfield. She will provide in-depth assistance with your work-in-progress and guide you through the labyrinth-filled pitfalls and challenges writers face. (Pre-registration required.)

Kristen Ingram is a Writer’s Digest online instructor and a licensed preacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader. She is married with grown children. Making Peace with a Dangerous God, published by Revell, is Kris’ latest book, which she co-authored with Linda Clare. She has written 20 books and more than 2,000 magazine pieces, newspaper articles, and booklets. Kris is a lifetime member and past president of Oregon Christian Writers.