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March 2018 Workshop: Writing Realistic Fight Scenes
Local blackbelt Rick Lutes gave a fantastic and comprehensive look at hand-to-hand combat, as well as practical demonstrations of the techniques with his student, Jim Johnston. Every culture has a system of unarmed combat. There are usually two forms: hard (eg. Karate or jiu-jitsu) where the martial artist attacks the target directly, and soft (eg.…
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January 2018: Back to the Plotting Board
After a well-enjoyed holiday break, ORWA hosted our January workshop, Back to the Plotting Board, as a way to encourage us all to get back to the keyboard. We broke into small groups and spent time helping one another with plot challenges, title ideas, and general inspiration. Some people will tell you that the value…
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February 2018 Workshop: Social Media for Authors
Social Media Recap ORWA’s own Jessica Ripley gave us a comprehensive tour through the constantly shifting landscape of social media, particularly the big three sites: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. With hundreds of different sites and apps to choose from, authors have a plethora of options for keeping in touch with readers and finding new ones. …
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December 2017: Writing Realistic Danger
In December 2018, ORWA had the privilege and pleasure of learning the ins and outs of making things go bang with a member of the Ottawa Tactical Response Team. The Tactical Response Team provides assistance in high risk situations and has a stringent selection progress. The sergeant’s stories about Hell Week and the psychological requirements…
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November 2017: Twin-Stranded Storylines with Susanna Kearsley
November 2017 Event Description: Whether you’re tackling a timeslip or time-travel novel, a book within a book, a dual storyline, or simply a series of flashbacks, the technical challenges of interweaving two sets of main characters, two plots, and two story arcs stay the same: how do you switch back and forth without losing the…
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October 2017: Beyond the Furrowed Brow
October 2017 Workshop Description: How to Help your Characters Speak Without Saying a Word 90% of communication is non-verbal, but what does it mean when someone lifts their chin, twirls their hair, or shakes with both hands? By understanding the fundamental emotions and how they are expressed and experienced, an author can create a richer…
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September 2017: Advanced Writing Workshop with Alicia Rasley
September 2017 Workshop Description Workshop 1: Emotion without Sentimentality In this interactive workshop, bestselling author Alicia Rasley will help you explore two “non-purple-prose” ways of creating a compelling emotional experience for your reader: Story Design and Scene Design. You will leave with some seriously useful (but easily applied) strategies to deepen your story and scenes,…
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May 2017: Writing Active Setting with Mary Buckham
ORWA officers gave us the great opportunity of participating in a webinar with Mary Buckham on writing active setting in May 2017. It was a two-part webinar, with an initial presentation followed by a Q&A session a week later. This gave us plenty of time to review the information she gave us, re-watch the presentation,…
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April 2017: You’ve written a book… now what?
Our April 2017 workshop this week was “You’ve written a book… now what?” and was led by two bestselling and prolific ORWA authors, Eve Langlais and Mandy Rosko. They discussed the pros and cons of traditional and indie (self) publishing, and what to do if you want to submit to a small, medium or large…
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March 2017: Serialized Success with Linda Poitevin
March 5, 2017 Workshop: Wattpad with Linda Poitevin Serialized fiction goes back to the time of Charles Dickens and is currently undergoing a revival in today’s digital world. Savvy authors around the globe are exploring this “new” way of publishing and reaping significant dividends. Join author Linda Poitevin for a look at Wattpad and Radish, two of the models currently…
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February 2017: Bloody Believable With Sgt. Ugo Garneau
Workshop Description Bloody Believable: Using forensic science to add depth to villain motivation, create realistic scenes and ensure that readers experience the terrifying details that go into crafting bloody believable book. About the presenter Sgt. Garneau is a Forensic Identification Officer specializing in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. He is actively involved in crime scene examinations/reconstructions and…
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January 2017: But What Comes Next?: ORWA’s Brainstorming Workshop
By Jennifer Carole Lewis All writers have had the horrible experience of staring at a blank page and wondering: what comes next? For our January 2017 workshop, ORWA authors got together to help answer that question for one another. Sitting close at a table, we brainstormed ideas for a suspense-filled escape through isolated woods and…
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December 2016: Holiday Social and Six Secrets to Create a Successful Bestselling Franchise
Our yearly annual social will be a potluck, beginning at noon, followed by a workshop. Six Secrets to Create a Successful Bestselling Franchise What do Star Wars, J. D. Robb’s Eve Dallas books, and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series have in common? They are all highly successful franchises. Join NYT bestselling author Sharon Page to learn…
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November 2016: Building Your Readership
USA Today and New York Times Bestseller Eve Langlais answers all your questions about how to engage your readership to create a dedicated fan base to drive your books to the bestsellers list! Eve Langlais is a stay at home mom who writes full time in between juggling her three kids, hubby, and housework, creating…
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October 2014: Full Day Craft Workshop with Molly O’Keefe
The Plot and Sub-Plots Connection (10:00 – 12:00): No matter what your word count, subplots help create a rich, multi-dimensional world for your reader to escape to. In this workshop, using interactive exercises, RITA-winning and Bestselling Author Molly O’Keefe will help you figure out how to build subplots that will in turn create drama and conflict…
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October 2016: From Idea to Execution: Plotting Your Next Bestseller
Today’s publishing marketplace is more competitive than ever, demanding consistent—and accelerated—output from authors. Award-winning author Vanessa Kelly shows you how to plot and write your next book, novella, or short story with a minimum of angst and a maximum of efficiency. Bio: Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of…
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September 2016: So you want to write a romance novel?
Have you always wanted to write a romance novel and don’t know where to start? Are you already working on becoming the next Nora Roberts? Or maybe you’ve already got a manuscript ready and now it’s time to learn more about the industry? This meeting, organized by members of the Ottawa Romance Writers Association,…
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May 2016: Facebook: A Self-Help Workshop for Writers
“It’s got ‘book’ in the title, so it must be for me!” Facebook: A Self-Help Workshop for Writers Did you know that five new people join Facebook every second? Worldwide, there are over 1.35 billion monthly active users on Facebook. With staggering numbers like these, there’s no doubt your potential readers are on Facebook.So,…
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April 2016: Edit Like a Pro with Laura Byrne Paquet
Edit Like a Pro with Laura Byrne Paquet In addition to writing eight Regency romances for Zebra and four non-fiction books, Laura Byrne Paquet worked as a freelance copy editor for Harlequin for several years. A member of the Editors’ Association of Canada, she also writes freelance articles and runs a local travel website called…
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March 2016: Slay Your Writing Dragons to Make your Personal Goals Happen!
Cynthia Boyko is a Co-Active Life Coach based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who works with clients across North America. Coaching is something that comes very naturally to Cynthia. Her calm presence easily invites people into a process of clarity, balance and fulfillment. Cynthia is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). She completed her…
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February 2016: Legal Issues for Writers
Can you quote song lyrics in your book? What should you do if someone plagarizes you? Can you name a character after someone you don’t like? In today’s face-paced digital world, writers face a variety of legal issues, and it’s not always easy to get them right. This workshop can help. Please…
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January 2016: Beyond the Furrowed Brow with Jennifer Carole Lewis
Tired of reusing the same expressions over and over for anger, love and surprise? There is a wide range of postures and subtle expressions which can convey your character’s emotions and reactions. How they stand, how they hold their hands, even the crinkling of an eyelid can show what they are thinking. Learn the subtle…
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December 2015: Bah Humbug! Character Arc, the Scrooge Way with Teresa Morgan
In December 1843, Charles Dickens published a little story that became a sensation. In it, a misanthropist misery turns into a philanthropic optimist… overnight. This beloved story has the widest and craziest character arc in all of Western literature (and the most flawless three-act structure). This workshop examines how Dickens pulled off making a character…
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November 2015: Intro to BDSM for Writers
This workshop will cover the basics of BDSM for writers, including discussion of the three basics of BDSM (bondage and discipline, D/s and S/M). The speakers will talk about things like why BDSM is popular in erotic romance fiction, a bit about the psychology, and how to incorporate BDSM into your writing through characters’ issues,…
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October 2015: Library Love: How Does Romance Stack Up?
Ann Archer, program manager of content services at the Ottawa Public Library will be presenting on placement within libraries, clarifying the selection process, the changing world of e-book sales and how authors, both traditionally published and self-published, can best position their books with library vendors for catalogue inclusion. Did you know the City of Ottawa…
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April 2015: How to Make Opportunities Happen: 6 Strategies to Success
Don’t wait for that great opportunity to present itself. Go find it! Be in charge of your own career and make opportunities happen for you. Keep ahead of the trends. Look around. Learn from your own experience and the experiences of others. Watch the bestsellers and what they’re doing. Build your network. Expand your reach…
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May 2014: How to Get Published: Tips from a New York Literary Agent
Jessica Faust of BookEnds, LLC will present a two-hour workshop open to the public free of charge. Learn how to find an agent, how to write a query, how to get published, and what an agent can do for you in today’s changing publishing environment. The presentation will be followed by an open pitch session…
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April 2014: Pitch Writing Practice and Critique
Have a fantastic idea for a novel or series? Have you started a novel you’re convinced is a winner? Have you thought about pitching it to an agent? Do you have a pitch prepared? Does the thought of pitching cause you to panic? Pitching to agents (in person or by letter) is a great way…
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March 2014: Goal, Motivation and Conflict with Madeline McBride
Are your characters’ goals and conflict strong enough to carry the story? This interactive craft workshop will help you describe what your characters want, the stakes, and what’s stopping them from reaching their goals. In an exercise using a simple template, you’ll identify your hero and heroine’s internal and external goals, motivations, consequences/stakes, and conflict…
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November 2013: Writing Professionally: How to Succeed as a Writer with Candice Vetter
Candice is a multi-faceted writer with broad experience in both the fiction and non-fiction writing worlds. She considers herself primarily a fiction writer (writing in genres that span romance to YA urban fantasy), but while waiting for the big book deal, she decided to put her skills as a writer to good use. Applying everything…
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October 2013: The Business of Writing with Deborah Cooke
Deborah will be presenting an extended afternoon workshop to ORWA, with two sessions covering a broad range of information from the business side of writing. Her first session entitled the ‘the buffet of publishing options’ will cover single title and category print publishers, digital publishers and a number of alternative publishing options. She will also…
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September 2013: Five Secrets to Painless Revisions with Sharon Page
What do you do when your editor gives you the bad news: your heroine is unsympathetic, your hero isn’t dark enough, and the last half of your book has gone completely off the rails? What you do is revise your book. But what if you need to do it in two months? Or you’ve decided…
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May 2013: Martial Arts with Dave LeGallez and Rick Lutes
Ever find yourself frustrated trying to plot out a bar fight or an escape? Do you want to inject realism into your hero and heroine’s fighting actions? Dave LeGallez and Rick Lutes have both earned black belts, competed in martial arts tournaments and taught students. Now they’re coming to ORWA to share with us. Common…
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May 2013: Publishing your Book
While several traditional publishers and bookstores have closed their doors, you have new opportunities to publish your book in print and digital formats. Successful traditionally- and self-published authors will describe the pros and cons of getting your book published by a traditional publisher versus using a self-publishing platform offered by Amazon Kindle Direct, Kobo, Smashwords,…
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April 2013: How to Sell More Books with Maureen Fisher
Self-published? Thinking of going indie? Seeking ways to promote traditionally published novels? This workshop provides common-sense tips to help sell more books, with particular emphasis on the marketing and promotion of e-books. The writer’s job doesn’t end when our masterpieces are posted on Amazon or sold to a publisher. Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning. We…
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March 2013: Story Structure with Marie Lilly
The seed for any story can grow from: * an image * a scene * a central conflict * a feeling * a character * a theme * a sound * a snippet of dialogue * a world. So, you have an amazing seed for a story. How do you discover if it will…
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December 2012: EFT Workshop with Madeline McBride
EFT Workshop: Tap away anxiety and self-limiting beliefs that block attainment of your writing goals with Madeline McBride Madeline McBride will teach you to apply the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This “hands-on” healing modality involves tapping on your own acupressure points. After this interactive workshop you will be able to: 1. Scope your issue 2.…
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October 2012: Revising Your Manuscript with Roxanne St. Claire
This workshop is suitable for writers of all genres and levels. About Roxanne St. Claire Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling author of thirty novels of romance and suspense. A five-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious Award for outstanding romantic fiction, her books have also won the National Reader’s Choice…
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September 2012: Blog Tours 101 with Linda Poitevin
Blog Tours 101: The Essentials of Setting Up an Online Book Tour with Linda Poitevin Whether you’re traditionally published or an indie author, virtual book tours have become the norm in our increasingly tech-oriented world. But where do you start? How do you find (and approach) potential hosts? Do you do-it-yourself or hire an organizer?…
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May 2012: Homicide with Steve Roberts
Steve Roberts is very well known in the criminal investigation community and often consults and instructs concerning police procedures with agencies in the U.S. He has also worked on movies as the police expert and is acknowledged in several fictional mysteries for helping authors with correct police procedure. He will be talking about homicides, but from the…
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March 2012: Maggie Jagger’s Pitching Workshop
Pitching to agents and editors is part of writing life, no need to hyperventilate over it. We will first hone a synopsis, then we take turns pitching and hearing pitches. If you don’t want to pitch, then bring the first three pages of your ms. We will first split into small groups to gently critique…
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January 2012: Care and Feeding of the Romance Writer with Tammy Plunkett
Romance writers spend a great deal of time sitting in front of a computer. This has huge implications for our body, mind and spirit. We are hunched over a keyboard, often brushing crumbs off our chest, and we push through an action scene that has our adrenaline pumping as if the gunman were chasing us,…
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November 2011: Tax for Artists with Julia Stanley, CA
There are a variety of expenses writers can claim on their taxes. This workshop will provide an overview of what is allowed and what isn’t. Julie Stanley, CA, is a manager with Ginsberg Gluzman Page & Levitz, LLP, where she has gained a wide range of experience. She has worked with not-for-profit organizations, small businesses…
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October 2011: Using POV to Create Emotionally Powerful Scenes with Opal Carew
As writers, we know all about POV, right? We know the difference between first person, third person, omniscient, camera eye view, etc. We know how to climb into a character’s head and immerse the reader in the story through that person’s perspective. Make the reader see what that character sees, feel what that character feels. …
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September 2011: Toning Up a Sagging Middle & The Movie Eye: Choosing the Right Scenes
ORWA presents a special day of workshops with New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries. Starting at 10 am, two workshops will be given: Toning Up a Sagging Middle The Movie Eye: Choosing the Right Scenes About Sabrina Jeffries New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries is a New Orleans-born, Thailand-reared novelist with a doctorate in…
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August 2011: If the Self-pub Shoe Fits… with Teresa Morgan
Digital self-publishing exploded in 2011 with news of the success of authors like J.A. Konrath, Amanda Hocking, and E.V. Mitchell (Julianne Maclean). Self-publishing for the Kindle, Nook, Sony eReader, iPad and other digital devices, is easy… and complicated. It has big advantages and deep pitfalls. In this workshop, you’ll learn more about this intriguing new…
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July 2011: Getting Past the Hook with Molly O’Keefe
Readers still love them. Editors still want them. This highly interactive workshop will break down the appeal of the classic plot lines and characters that romance readers crave and we’ll discover ways a smart writer can use classic hooks to create unexpected and unforgettable stories. About Molly O’Keefe Multi-published Toronto author Molly O’Keefe‘s first…
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May 2011: Cut Through the Noise! with Jill Murray
Jill Murray will help you Cut Through the Noise and build your “online platform” without losing your mind. Blogs, websites, Facebook, Twitter, forums, message boards, online tours, podcasts — authors, illustrators and performers are being urged more than ever to build online platforms and personal brands, not just for marketing, but as the base of…