RWA Roadshow: Tasmania
Romance: Write it, Love it
When: May 19th 2012
Where: 8 High Street Launceston - LINC Tasmania
Price: $55 members ($66 non-members), GST incl, includes catered
lunch
Registration has now closed.
Contact: tassieroadshow12@romanceaustralia.com
SPEAKERS INFORMATION
Fiona Lowe
Fiona
Lowe is an award-winning multi-published author of romance fiction
with Harlequin Medical Romances and Carina Press, (www.carinapress.com),
the digital arm of Harlequin. Whether her books are set in the US
or outback Australia, they all feature small towns with big hearts,
and warm, likeable characters that make you fall in love. When she’s
not writing stories she’s a weekend wife, mother of two Ranga
sons who are heroes-in-the making, guardian of 80 rose bushes and
she’s often seen on the couch with wine! A previous RuBY finalist
(Romantic Book of the Year), ARRA and RT finalist, Fiona enjoys giving
workshops and talking the craft of writing. For more information about
her books, and how to find her on Facebook and Twitter, go to www.fionalowe.com
Ebony McKenna
Ebony
McKenna has worked as a journalist on many leading Melbourne newspapers.
She won many awards - including scooping first and second place in
the one night for best news report. Now she is the author of Young
Adult/Teen books including the Ondine series. She is a fantastically
imaginative author whose scope and story-telling encompasses the bizarre,
the mysterious and the romantic. For more information about her books,
and how to find her on Facebook and Twitter go to www.ebonymckenna.com
Melanie Milburne
Melanie
currently lives with her family in Hobart, Tasmania. She has now published
almost 50 full-length novels for Harlequin Mills & Boon in the
Medical Romance and Presents romance sub-genres. Her books are regularly
released in several different countries, including Australia, the
U.S., and the U.K. In Feb 2003, she became the first Australian author
not previously published in a decade to sell to Harlequin Presents
(London).
We are proud that a Tasmanian romance writer like Melanie has achieved
so much, including winning the 2011 RuBY award (the Romantic Book
of the Year).
Read more about Melanie’s achievements on www.melaniemilburne.com.au
WORKSHOP INFORMATION – Choose one ONLY from each session
FIRST SESSION
A
The Staircase of Turning Points - by Ebony McKenna
Without turning points, your story goes nowhere and your characters
can't grow.
In this workshop, YA author Ebony McKenna will show writers how to
nail character and plot development.
Using a "Staircase" image, writers will model turning points
for every scene and chapter.
This visual method will give writers the tools they need to keep every
scene moving and every character growing.
B
Maintaining Tension - by Fiona Lowe
Tension - how to write a Page Turner and avoid a soggy middle.
This ‘hands-on’ workshop by Fiona Lowe looks at how to create
a story with high emotional stakes with strong and valid conflicts.
It will discuss starting a book at a point of change, sticking your
characters out on a limb, giving them opportunities to learn and change
and putting them in the situation of the ultimate challenge. All these
things will give your story tension that lasts thought out the book
and avoids the saggy middle, making your reader burn dinner and read
the book in one sitting!
SECOND SESSION
C
Writing Young Adult Romantic Fiction - by Ebony McKenna
Writing romance for younger audiences has many similarities to writing
contemporary adult fiction. You still need internal conflict, goals
and motivation by the bucketload.
But finding the right 'tone' can be problematic.
YA author Ebony McKenna will encourage writers to dig deep into the
emotional turmoil - and potential embarrassment - of the teen years
to develop an authentic story that resonates with today's readers.
D
Writing from the Male Point of View – by Fiona Lowe
Men are from Mars, so the famous book by John Gray states, and although
they are here on planet earth with 52% of the population, they think
and talk very differently. Creating vivid heroes requires female writers
to step into some size 13 boots and take a walk on the Y side! Using
a multimedia presentation with examples from the BBC television show,
‘Coupling’, along with excerpts from books, Fiona Lowe will
take participants through a variety of steps to create vivid, compelling
male characters who walk, talk and think like men but are true heroes
who capture readers’ hearts.
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Book early, this is a busy weekend in Launceston.
The Roadshow is being held at the LINC (formerly called the Adult
Education centre) at 8 High Street, Launceston. Sandors On The Park
Hotel have offered us a group special of $85 per night.
Sandors On The Park, Hotel accommodation in Launceston, Northern Tasmania, offering 70 twin, double and family sized accommodation rooms. The famous Monkey Bar Cafe, and generous sized function area, Sandors is the perfect venue for seminars and wedding receptions. Overlooking spectacular City Park, Sandors on the Park is located just 5 minutes walk to the Launceston CBD and the perfect base to visit dozens of the local tourist attractions. Sandors on the Park has a new lift installed for easy access to all floors.
To book, contact Sandors and mention the Romance Writers of Australia Tassie Roadshow. Their website is here: http://www.sandorsonthepark.com.au/