Multi-published and award-winning author, Lori Devoti, teaches both online and in-person classes on the craft of writing and the business of writing. She is also available for editing and one-on-one writing and business of writing coaching and mentoring.
In-Person Writing Classes:
There are currently no in-person classes scheduled. Please keep checking back.
Online Writing Classes:
Using Goal, Motivation and Conflict to Build Characters and Plot
It’s amazing what two little sentences can do for keeping your characters and plot on track. Learn this magic formula along with the specific elements every goal must have to work for your book, how to know if the motivation you choose fits your characters and how to test your conflict to make sure it won’t fizzle out when the story is only halfway done.
Three lessons with feedback provided by Lori on short homework assignments and three 1,000 word critiques.
Fee: $85 (contact Lori to arrange payment and delivery of classes)
Content Editing and Writing Consultations:
Editing for content and craft. In-line notes and advice, using Word’s track changes function, on plot, distancing words, character development, use of back story and flashbacks, overall flow of prose and voice. (Not for grammar or punctuation although may be marked if noted.) May also include links or articles as reference for suggested changes. Example: “How to tighten your prose.”
$.009 to $.0075 per word. Actual price depends on amount of editing required (level of writing: beginner to expert) and length of terms (longer term clients may qualify for a rate reduction).
Minimum fee per story/work: $50
Online Resources for Writers
Why reinvent the wheel – especially if you can’t invent a better wheel?
With that in mind, here are some links to great resources I have found trolling the web. I’ll update as I go along, so check back.
Sites
Affirmations
Leanne Banks has a great note and list of positive affirmations on her web site. Writing is like walking around in your underwear in public. It is really easy to get devoured by the beast of self-doubt. See if this technique works for you. Go to her For Writers page, then scroll down to Affirmations.
Copyright
At the United States Copyright office site you can search to see if you works have been registered (some publishers do, some don’t) and if not, fill out the forms to register them yourself. There is a fee, but the process is pretty simple. Copyright exists as soon as you create something, but there are benefits to having things registered.
Facts for Writing
Sometimes you need to know things like when rigor mortis sets in, or what bugs you might find in a body. Well, the lovely folks at Explore Forensics has an easy to navigate site for you.
Grammar
Grammar Girl is known for her great podcast, but she also has a site where she takes on different burning grammar issues. Wander around to find easy to understand explanations of things like Lie vs. Lay or misplaced modifiers.
Plotting
- Twenty Master Plots and Exercises: A great list of twenty master plots, based on the book “20 Master Plots (And How to Build Them)” by Ronald B.Tobias; ISBN 0-89879-595-8. From quest to forbidden love, learn about them here.
- Plotting Strategies: Article by Kimberly Appelcline on the many, many plotting strategies touted as the latest greatest way to write your book. Looking for a plotting strategy? Check this out first.
- Set Pieces: Billy Mernit, author of “Writing the Romantic Comedy” does a great run down of set pieces: what they are and how to use them, etc. Whether you write romantic comedy or something else, definitely worth a look-see.
Prologues
I am not a fan of prologues personally, but this article really explains how and why to use them better than any resource I’ve seen.
Publishing
The Association of American Publishers has a lot of information from monthly updates on sales to a variety of useful links.
Scenes
What is a book without strong scenes? Nothing you can read, that’s for sure. Randy Ingermanson offers a great, free article on writing strong scenes using Dwight Swain’s techniques.
Writing Classes
Orson Scott Card has a great library of articles and questions he has answered about various aspects of the writing craft. You have to check it out. He also runs an online writing bootcamp. Go to his web site for details.
Newsletters
There are also ton of free newsletters on the Net for writers. Here are a few I have found useful in one way or another.
Advanced Fiction Writing Ezine (note: Can read back issues online or sign up to receive in inbox.) By the author of the Snowflake Method. Published monthly.
Publisher’s Lunch
This is the free scaled-down version of Publisher’s Marketplace Lunch Deluxe. Learn who has sold what and “kind of” for how much. Word of warning—can induce those ugly self-doubts.
Shelf Awareness
Good way to learn what is going on in the retail side of books.
Writers Weekly Good for finding freelance work if that is what you are going for. Plus all kinds of other information. You can just go to the site each week and read the latest or sign up and have it delivered to your inbox.
