Where
Ball State University Alumni Center
2800 W. Bethel Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
FREE PARKING / FOOTBALL STADIUM LOT
Driving Directions
HOTEL INFORMATION:
MWW has a block of rooms reserved:
[1] Ball State University Hotel, 2000 W. University, Muncie, IN (765) 285-1555. The block code is 1703MID and you may use this code or mention Midwest Writers to reserve within the block. This hotel is located within the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, 5 minutes from the Alumni Center.
[2] Holiday Inn Express, 4201 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN. Use this link, select March 18th, and all codes and information will be automatically input.
[3] Courtyard Muncie, 601 S. High Street, Muncie, IN. Use this link for the special MWW rate.
MWW One-Day Intensive Sessions: March 18, 2017
9:00 am – noon: Choose ONE of four intensive sessions
[1] Crafting Killer Crime Fiction with Lucy Kerr (aka Erica O’Rourke) -- You’ve got a dead body – now what? Assuming it’s a fictional body, this class will help you create compelling, binge-worthy mystery story. Through the use of discussions, in-class exercises, and handouts, participants will learn how to create gasp-worthy plot twists, devious red herrings, and memorable, charismatic characters. We’ll also talk briefly about research and different sub-genres of crime fiction. (If you’ve got a real dead body, though, you’re on your own.)
[2] Capturing the Young Adult Experience with Whitney Gardner -- YA is growing in popularity and gaining wider audiences every year. In this session we will learn how to incorporate authenticteen feelings into writing that feels raw, honest, and even comical. Whether your teen moments were recent or decades ago, we'll discuss breaking rules, being stubborn, and how to write books that your mom wouldn't want to catch you reading. Pre-work: Come up with an amazing excuse for why you couldn't do your pre-work and be prepared to read it to the class.
[3] Inspired by a True Story: Creative Nonfiction and Autobiographical Fiction with Julia Borcherts -- The two questions most often asked when writing creative nonfiction and autobiographical fiction are: 1) How do I choose which moment(s) to tell? And 2) Which elements make the material appealing to an audience? In this workshop, we’ll discuss these questions and use interactive group exercises, oral tellings, journal work and exploration of scenic elements to generate potential topics and create one lively, compelling and visually vibrant piece to serve as the basis for a dynamic personal essay or as a foundation for longer, scene-driven autobiographical fiction.
[4] What's Your Platform? with Dana Kaye -- Once you've completed your novel, establishing a platform is crucial for building a readership. And if you're writing nonfiction, a platform is necessary for landing the actual book deal. But where do you start? Veteran book publicist and social media pro will walk participants through the steps of establishing a platform, both online and in-person. From media appearances to social media presence to online marketing, participants will leave with the tools they need to grow an engaged audience that will impress agents and publishers.
Noon – 1:00 pm: break for lunch (provided)
1:00-2:00 pm: "I Finished My Book! Now What?" Panel with Erica and Whitney, moderated by Dana Kaye
2:00-2:45 pm: Live Lit boot camp with Julia Borcherts, improve your stage presence and live reading skills
3:00-4:30 pm: Faculty reading, followed by student open-mic (free and open to the public)
5:00 -7:00 pm: Cash Bar & Faculty book signing party (free and open to the public)