Spring 2023 Past Remote Events
Character Development Q&A, June 4th 2023
Learn how to make your characters come to life with Sharon Short (aka Jess Montgomery)
Creating believable characters is the engine that drives stories, novels, essays and memoirs. It’s also one of the most challenging writing craft tools to master. In this session, award-winning author Sharon Short (a.k.a. Jess Montgomery) and Writer’s Digest columnist and instructor will share three key techniques to help you as you begin–or revise–your writing project.
About Sharon:
I write novels, personal essays, and the occasional short story. I am also a regular contributor to Writers’ Digest magazine with my “Level Up Your Writing (Life)” column debuting in the March/April issue of 2021.
As Jess Montgomery, I write historical mysteries published by Minotaur Books. The Kinship Historical Mystery series is set in 1920s Appalachia and is inspired by Ohio’s true first female sheriff.
As Sharon Short, my book-length work ranges from a coming-of-age novel set in the 1950s (My One Square Inch of Alaska) as well as two mystery series: the comedic-with-a-twist-of-social-satire Josie Toadfern mysteries, and the electronic-gumshoe Patricia Delaney series, written in the early 1990s on the cusp of the digital age.
http://www.sharonshort.com/
Tickets $15+fees per ticket, Free to ORWA members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
Even Superman Has A Day Job with Maggie Wells, may 7th 2023 14:00EST
Explore various methods of dealing with uncertainty, defining success, writing practices, motivational tools, and practical tips.
I just want to spend my days writing. Who among us hasn’t said something along those lines? But, for many of us, this dream may never be a reality. Not because we lack the drive or talent to be successful, but because life is messy and complicated. But balancing a day job with a thriving writing career isn’t impossible.
In Even Superman Has a Day Job, I will explore various methods of dealing with uncertainty, defining success, writing practices (journaling, morning pages, sprints, group writing, and dictation), motivational tools (word counts, small bites, scene-by-scene, the beauty of leftovers), and practical tips on working revisions, edits, and marketing into the equation.
In this interactive discussion, we will talk about time management techniques, setting boundaries and priorities, and share ideas for refilling the creative well. Special focus will be placed on tapping energy reserves, finding ways to de-stress and refresh, and using writing challenges and your author support networks as both a safety net and a springboard to success.
ABOUT MAGGIE WELLS:
By day Maggie Wells is buried in spreadsheets. At night she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. This author of feminist, sex-positive romance is the product of a charming rogue and a shameless flirt. You only have to scratch the surface of this mild-mannered married lady to find a naughty streak a mile wide.
Tickets $15+fees per ticket, Free to ORWA members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
08A with KT Literary agent Sara Megibow, April 2nd 2023
KT Literary agent Sara Megibow will chat about profit strategy, trends, successes, and pitfalls specific to romance publishing in this new year. The conversation will include a Q&A and lots of data analysis sprinkled with jokes and hope. Our romance readers are voracious for your stories – let’s talk about what’s working to go get ‘em!
About Sara:
Sara has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestsellers authors including Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. She specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them.
Sara wants clients to love the books they write, and make money writing them. Crafting that kind of balance between artistic and commercial success takes communication, teamwork, and a focus on “Art. Patience. Strategy.” She represents authors who write middle grade novels (all sub-genres), young adult novels (all sub-genres), romance novels (all sub-genres) and science fiction/fantasy for the adult market.
For more information about Sarah Megibow visit:
Tickets $15+fees, or Free to ORW members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
2022 Past Remote Events
List may not be complete.
Goal, Motivation, Conflict: creating stories that keep the pages turning.
Maureen Fisher shares the secrets of creating a compelling story through each character's goals, motivation, and conflict.
About this event
The key to an engaging story has always been the characters and how they interact. A writer should know each character's goal (what they want), motivation (why they want it), and conflict (why they can't have it). Maureen Fisher will guide attendees through the nuances of crafting and identifying goal, motivation, and conflict to ensure your readers keep on turning pages late into the night.
Date and time
Sun, April 3, 2022; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Tickets $25+fees, or Free to ORW members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
Goal, Motivation, Conflict: creating stories that keep the pages turning.
Maureen Fisher shares the secrets of creating a compelling story through each character's goals, motivation, and conflict.
About this event
The key to an engaging story has always been the characters and how they interact. A writer should know each character's goal (what they want), motivation (why they want it), and conflict (why they can't have it). Maureen Fisher will guide attendees through the nuances of crafting and identifying goal, motivation, and conflict to ensure your readers keep on turning pages late into the night.
Date and time
Sun, April 3, 2022; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Tickets $25+fees, or Free to ORW members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
Feb 6th 2022: Love Languages (open workshop)
70 to 93 percent of all communication is non-verbal, which means that body language is the ultimate love language!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Jennifer Carole Lewis will go in-depth about how body language can show how a character is feeling. Join ORW to learn about:
- The different types of hugs
- The different types of kisses
- Signs of flirting, infatuation, and true love!!
A special one-time ticket price of $10!! Free to ORW members (only $60 for a year’s membership!)
Sunday, February 6th at 2 pm – a virtual ORW workshop!
2021 Past Remote Events
List may not be complete.
Fall Virtual Mini-Retreat
Oct 2021 - Mini Fall Virtual Retreat
Using Character Emotion to Wow Readers: Becca Pugilsi, co-author, The Emotion Thesaurus
Q&A with Literary Agent Paige Wheeler, Creative Media Agency
2020 Past Remote Events
List is not complete