How do you stay happy, healthy, and feeling successful as a writer or artist while dealing with rejection, imposter syndrome, envy, and other fun challenges of the creative life? Randy Henderson will share research-based tips on defining success and maintaining emotional well-being as a creative. He’ll also show how to craft character arcs as a tool for examining our writing selves.
Category: Wilwrite26 Online Track
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3:30 – 4PM Saturday Belmont A/B & Zoom One: Break
Refill your coffee and head to the courtyard. It’s the perfect time to meet with friends or make new ones before our last round of workshops for the day.
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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Zoom 2: Dirtying Up Your Character: Finding their Flaws
Why is “dirtying up” your character so important? It makes them more complex and memorable. Many writers focus too much on making their protagonist likable, but real people are flawed and your characters should be too. In this workshop with Marilyn Atlas, you’ll explore the difference between likability and relatability, learning why relatability matters more. You’ll analyze well-known characters, bring your own original character, and dive deep into their psyche through interactive exercises. We’ll also watch movie scenes and discuss how writers make characters relatable even when they’re unlikable.
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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Zoom 1: Workshop with a Literary Agent
On April 15th, we’ll announce our industry professionals. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting workshop.
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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont B: All Play, No Pressure: A Generative Poetry-Writing Workshop
Writer’s block often comes from putting too much pressure on ourselves and our writing. In this 90-minute generative poetry workshop with keynote Christopher Diaz, you’ll explore playful approaches that shift your mindset from critical to curious, helping you write without judgment, surprise yourself, and even have fun. You’ll walk away with new tools to move through writer’s block and a mindset that encourages playful experimentation for a healthier, more sustainable writing practice. This workshop is perfect for beginning writers looking for consistency, seasoned writers wanting to shake up their process, or anyone open to trying something new or playful. We’ll experiment with approaches for when you’re stuck on what to write, unsure how to start, or ready to stretch your voice and try something different.
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12:30 – 1:45PM Saturday Belmont A/B & Zoom One: Saturday Keynote
It’s time! The ballroom doors are open. Join us in person or on Zoom for Saturday’s Keynote with publishing expert and celebrated author Jane Friedman. Then, meet the next generation of young writers as they read their work, showcasing fresh voices and exciting new ideas.
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11:30AM – 12:30PM Saturday Belmont Foyer: Lunch
It’s lunchtime! If you’ve registered for a boxed lunch, then come to the Belmont Foyer and pick up your meal. If not, check your folder for our list of neighborhood options, prepared for you by President Emerita Gail Pasternack.
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10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Zoom 2: Bring Your Story World to Life
World-building can turn a story from “just OK” into something readers can’t put down. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create immersive, believable worlds that draw readers in and support your story. Julie Artz will guide you through practical techniques to make your story world feel vivid and alive.
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10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Zoom 1: Fund Your Muse: Applying for Grants, Fellowships, & Residencies
Are you planning to apply for a literary grant, fellowship, scholarship, or artists’ residency in 2026 or 2027? This strategy-packed workshop will show you how to position yourself as a competitive candidate, demonstrate a rising trajectory, and craft clear, concise personal statements. You’ll also learn where to find legitimate funding opportunities, what selection committees look for, and complete hands-on activities to strengthen your application.
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10:30 – 11:30AM Saturday Belmont B: Mining Darkness for Light: The Art of Humorous Memoir
What makes humor strange and magical is that it is often rooted in sadness, anger, or shame. The writers we find funniest reveal deeply vulnerable truths while mining the absurd even from their darkest moments. In this workshop, we’ll cover ways to do this in your own writing, strategies to help you gain perspective, and the benefits of reframing your experiences—both to your writing and your life.