SPEAKER TOPICS
SELF EDITING AND REVISION
As Editor-at-Large for Southern Writers Magazine, I see so many manuscripts -- even from well established authors -- that need revision and polishing.
This class is for those who want to learn how to polish a manuscript until it dazzles before it's sent to an agent or publisher.
I'll focus on how to cut the Spam out of your stories to reach the tenderloin and how to find the best title to grab a potential publisher's attention.
WRITING ACCURATE SCENES
You know the difference between a Corinthian and a Doric column,
can confidently write about period dress and castle trap doors leading to hidden dungeons, but can you describe what it smells like
to walk into a morgue's cooler, or the total isolation of having the doors shut behind you in a prison's hole,
or what sea spray on your face feels like while sailing the high seas
on a windjammer sailing ship? What about the primordial feelings one of royal blood must have felt when hunting on their estates
with Harris Hawks, or a woman's exhilaration from riding sidesaddle in Scotland, jumping fences in Ireland, cantering a horse
on Rotten Row in England, driving a horse drawn carriage through busy intersections, diving with sharks, jumping out of a plane, spelunking deep within
the bowels of the earth, and handling different
kinds of weaponry including a bow and arrow? Let Vicki share tips with you to help make those contemporary and
historical scenes accurate and full of life, making your readers feel like your characters really know what they're doing when they crack a whip or throw a knife.
THROWING OUT THE FLEECE - Writing 101
Should you even be writing? Of course! Everyone has at least one good story in them.
You throw out the fleece and discover you have the knack and desire
and God indicates you should be writing for Him. What then? Kids'
magazines, adult fiction, creative nonfiction, romance? This is the
class to determine how to find which genre you feel best suited for and then
once that's been determined, where to go from there.
WRITING FOR KIDS' MAGAZINES - WHILE WORKING ON A DEBUT NOVEL
Sounds easy doesn't it? Yet writing for children can
be even more difficult than writing for adults. While being taught from Vicki's book
of the same title, learn
how to break into kids' magazines by writing flash fiction from a theme list and while you're breaking
in, you'll also be paving the way for your novel's debut by showing agents and editors
you're a dedicated writer anxious to sign a contract.
SPELUNKING - GOING DOWN UNDER TO WRITE HISTORICAL FICTION
There are a handful of story arcs and every story has already been told or so King Solomon
said, "There is no new thing under the sun." So how do you
find unique and interesting subjects to write about to make your novel stand out?
Put on your miner's hat because this workshop will take you spelunking for buried treasure
and with a little effort, you'll be able to dig up some nuggets before hitting the mother lode.
HOW TO INTERPRET YOUR EDIT/CRITIQUE
To pay for your deep South romance edit or critique, you've leased out your husband's
garage/man room while he was off on
a trip with the guys. Or, if you're a man, you've had a yard sale and sold off
your wife's new spring shoe and purse collection for that "Hunt for Chartreuse October" thriller critique you've been
slaving over for the last decade. Either way, you've spent several
big bucks and a few cents in change and gotten back
your edit/critique. EGADS! There are side balloons in the margin with jibberishy jargon
and your hands break out in a cold sweat as you reach for a brown paper bag. Wait a second.
Before you hyperventilate, what does it all mean? Okay. Put the bag to your lips and breathe. No worries.
You may not have to rewrite the entire novel in first critter after all, but you may
have to kill off some of your darlings. Grab a spade and let's dig deeper to reason together and uncover what those edits mean.
CHRISTIAN FICTION
In this workshop, we take a look at some of the best writers
out there crossing several genres to examine writing techniques,
learning from the success of the pros.
CREATIVE NONFICTION
Who says the truth and nothing but the truth has to be boring? Learn how to make
your creative nonfiction or what some call narrative nonfiction come to life. Memoirs don't
have to be written like a journalist's column nor does genealogy work have to sound like the latest obituary.
In this workshop you'll learn how to bring your true stories to life.
WEAVING POETRY INTO YOUR TAPESTRY
Love to write poetry but can't get it published? Learn how to use some
of that poetry by dropping it into your prose to enhance your fiction.
YES - YOU DO HAVE A NOVEL OR MEMOIR IN YOU
Does writing a novel sound like blue moon years away but a short story more doable?
Learn to write a novel or memoir by piecing short stories together - one scene at a time
until you've made it from beginning to end. Voila! Your masterpiece.
GOD'S CALLING YOU BUT HE HASN'T SENT THE EMAIL
You know God's calling you to do something. And you've heard the gentle whisper.
But so far, you can't figure out whether you want to walk on water or stay in the boat because
He hasn't sent an email spelling everything out. Or has He?
HOW TO FIND YOUR VOICE
Have you ever heard someone say a person is a natural born storyteller? What that means is that
the person is gifted with "voice" -- what gives your writing personality, flavor, and style.
Some say you're either born with it or you're not. I believe some have
the natural gift of "voice" but I also believe a writer can improve this skill with a little hard work and practice.
This class is for those who haven't yet found their voice but are willing to search for it to grab their readers' attention.
What editors, writers, professors, and speakers are saying about Vicki's speaking topics, writing, and workshops:
"Vicki, each of your letters reads like a story-a polished publishable story and you have me in stitches-one of the few times I have laughed in a month or two. Like a yarn, your letters have breaks or chapters, each building up to the grand finale. And, of course, you can find humor in everything. I wish I had your talent here. I don't know what it is about your writing that just pulls me into the story. Now after reading and studying your wonderful website I see every word you write as a feeling in itself-this deep emotion. You've opened up a whole new world to me. It is as if God sent you to show me that there is still a world out there and that I need to get back on track again. The blog is your world, but it is for everyone. You really do weave all the elements together-photography, the comments of others. I can see why that guy cried after reading your story. When you said God has you writing for Him, you were only half right. God has you writing for Him AND for all of us. I was mesmerized by everything you penned." - John Koblas - historian, poet, and author of 69 books - Confessions of the Ninth Man, Let Them Eat Grass - 1862 Sioux Uprising Trilogy - http://www.johnkoblas.com/miscellaneous#!
"Vicki, I have taken some time to read your blog. I read the first page of Shakespeare's Pink Cadillac and laughed out loud. Then I ran across a brief article on your blog and laughed so hard. But, I absolutely loved "The Magnolia Hum." I can't believe you wrote that in two days. It is absolutely beautiful! I will continue to explore your blog. It is very professional and well done." - Patricia Tilton, journalist and children's writer
"Hi Vicki, I just visited your lovely website. Your 'about me' page was wonderfully written and inspirational. I don't often stop to read peoples bios or look at too many sites, but was drawn to yours. I know the Lord had me there to be reminded about hearing His 'still, small voice' in the small things. Blessings on your day.- Diane Markins - business woman, writer with a new book coming out in the fall of 2011. You'll find her work at CBN.com, The Presidential Prayer Team.com and a variety of print publications. http://www.WordsInHighDef.blogspot.com
"Vicki, I visited your site this afternoon. It reminded me of a lovely walk through many enchanted forests. You're a writer, poet, and artist for sure. Be blessed." Catherine Terry - writer
"Vicki, I am a Precepts leader and thought you might like to know I was very moved by your piece "Rendezvous With Destiny." Thank you for writing it. You have motivated me to read my father's memoirs which he wrote in 1981, but I have never read them through. You never know when you might move someone to action. Thank you - In Him" - Connie Tipton, Precept Ministries International Leader, Ohio
"Wow! Thank you so much Vicki for all of the valuable information. I was truly blessed by your writing. I pray that God will continue to give you revelation and fresh insight as you share your gifts with His people." - Connie Strickland
"Vicki - Tom and I both have enjoyed your book very much. What a great help to beginning and struggling writers. I always enjoy whatever you send to us. I don't remember if there have been things we couldn't use. If there were and they were returned, it was with regret." - Marilyn Edwards, editor - Boys' Quest, Fun for Kidz, and Hopscotch Magazines.
"Vicki, as I read your blog, I see that you know how to weave your writing and photography so
smoothly that you appear as an artist combining colors of every hue and ending up with a
wonderful tapestry. Your words flow together so evenly without any awkward trace.
The stories spill out on paper like you're speaking to each of us.
How To Write For Kids' Magazines, reveals this same kind of delivery on paper
as it does in your speaking." Irmgard Williams - writer, speaker, adjunct professor at Trevecca Nazarene University and retired elementary teacher with many published articles, devotions , poetry and curriculum on assignment
"Vicki, you remain the best conference speaker I've ever heard! Victoria Ryan of the Mad Anthony conference came through my grocery store line earlier this year and the only question I had for her was 'WHEN CAN WE GET VICKI MOSS BACK??!!!' So you see I remain your biggest fan!" Elaine Bridge - writer, blogger
(aheart4heaven.blogspot.com)
"Vicki, you should be getting your 'score' from our evaluation cards. You were well-liked." Victoria Ryan, Mad Anthony Writers Conference
"Hi Vicki! The Conference was terrific. One of the best parts was meeting you and some of the other ladies. If not before, I hope to see you next year. BTW, your class was inspiring and informative. Thank you!!" ~ Phillis Lancaster (Southeastern Christian Writers Conference)
"Thank you for the valuable information you shared recently in Cleveland at the Southeastern Christian Writers conference. I learned oodles and am excited about revising my piece on shape shifting. You gave me lots of ideas." ~Carol Gallimore
Book Reviews: How to Write for Kids' Magazine
"A very handy book for unpublished writers wanting to write for children. It's not easy to break into the publishing world. But Vicki Moss leads writers through the process of writing and submitting fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children's magazines. Vicki knows the market and ways to break in. She has an abundance of ideas, suggestions, examples and tips she's learned through her own experiences of writing for children's magazines. Great book for every aspiring writer's toolbox...and humorous. Agents and publishers want to see the writer's platform. What better way to develop a platform than writing for childrens' magazines. This is a one-of-a-kind book packed with useful advice!" Patricia Tilton (Five Star review)
"The author, Vicki Moss, modeled using some of the tools involved in this long process of writing for kids.She modeled and used samples to illustrate how she wrote to explain what was involved. Her tips through the book will sell an article if one can apply them.Her voice speaks through the pieces and you can see why she is able to sell articles to children's magazines.If you need a good belly laugh as you struggle to sell some stories, buy this book and you can hear what makes Vicki tick." ~ Irmgard Williams
"It is a great beginning for anyone interested in writing for children's magazines. The author includes samples from her own published works in kids' magazines. She gives advice: in what publishers want, in researching for your writing topic, organization, submitting photographs, choosing a title, rejection. The author writes more on rejection than any other topic covered. She writes that writers must grow thick skin in order to deal with rejection. 'Never forget perseverance is the key, work on the craft.' My favorite chapter was The Bones of Writing. In this chapter she talks on a issue I do not hear as much about in writing circles---because everyone wants to be the next great writer, she writes about the pay. Most writers are not going to be a best selling novelist. Vicki gives an exact amount of what to expect in writing a kids' magazine article. At the end of the book is a lengthy list of children's magazines to write for including their website information." ~ Annette Kristynik (Miss Daisy Ann)
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Email to....:vmoss@livingwaterfiction.com