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.
Category: WilWrite26 Schedule
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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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3 – 4PM Saturday Windsor C: Pitch for Film and TV
Screenwriters! Come practice your pitch! We’ll help you refine and shine your film or TV pitch and talk you through your next steps to the screen.
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2 – 2:45PM Saturday Windsor C: Short Film, Big Impact: A Case Study of The Lunch Date
Working on your script? Join us for a deep dive to learn more about the art of screenwriting through the Oscar-winning short The Lunch Date. We will explore the film’s structural genius by examining how it leverages social assumptions and a powerful narrative pivot to subvert audience expectations. Using this classic work as a catalyst, we will discuss the unique hurdles of writing in the short film format. You will leave with practical insight into how to overcome those challenges and create stories that have a lasting impact.
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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Windsor B: The Art of the Query Letter: How to Thrill Editors and Agents with a Single Page
What makes an agent or editor stop and read your query? In this workshop, you will learn to craft a concise and compelling query letter that captures your story’s promise, conflict, and surprise. You will also receive a curated bibliography of professional examples to guide your approach and help you create a letter that stands out.
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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont C: Q&A with New York Times Bestselling Author Rosanne Parry
Join New York Times Bestselling Author Rosanne Parry for a focused Q&A about her work, publishing life, and how she made it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list…multiple times!
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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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2 – 3:30PM Saturday Belmont A: Editing Toolbox: Strategies that Actually Work
Struggling to make your drafts shine? Join veteran authors and skilled editors to learn practical, results-driven techniques to tackle every stage of the editing process. This panel covers strategies for refining structure, polishing language, and strengthening character and plot, giving you actionable tools to make your work shine!
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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.