Need a Speaker?

Kara Lennox teaches a number of writing workshops–online or in person–geared toward working writers, beginners, or any group with an interest in books and authors. Whether it’s an hour workshop, a weekend seminar, or a month-long, hands-on intensive, Kara is up for the job. She can also tailor a seminar or workshop for your group. Just e-mail to ask about details: Email Kara

Here are some of the available workshops:

Romance Novel Gestalt

The most satisfying novels are the ones written so tightly that every word, every description, every piece of dialogue is there for a specific reason, everything working in harmony.  There are no loose plot threads, no extraneous scenes or pointless characters, no filler dialogue.  But how do you achieve that seamless texture?  We read books and attend workshops on plot, theme, voice, characters, setting, research etc., but how do you put it all together?  This workshop will help you smooth over the rough spots and hide your craftsmanship so your reader gets pleasantly lost in the story rather than stumbling over the building blocks.

The X-tremely Productive Writer

What writer doesn’t dream of producing three, four, or five books a year? It’s more achievable than you think. Writing is like using a muscle; if you increase your outcome a little at a time, it’s easier than trying to suddenly write as fast as Nora Roberts.  In this class, learn what habits might be sabotaging your productivity; get clues on how to write smarter, not harder, and squeeze more writing time into your schedule without giving up everything else!

Setting: More than Time and Place

When a reader picks up your book, she more than likely wants to be transported to a different place and time. Part of the joy of reading is to be swept away. Where are you taking your reader? In this workshop, learn the fundamentals of world-building–which you need even if your fictional world is very much like the town you live in. Then learn how to convey your setting in a way that feels real and flows naturally from your story, without overwhelming the reader with pages and pages of description. Whether it’s your hometown, a city you’ve never been to, or a planet overrun with shapeshifters, write about it with flair and confidence.

Yes, You Can Quit Your Day Job

Do you dream of working at home every day, sitting at your computer in your sweats communing with your muse? It’s not an impossible dream no matter what your situation.  With some careful planning and a lot of self-discipline, you, too, can look forward to Monday morning as a stay-at-home writer.  In this workshop, we’ll discuss making the transition to self-employment while meeting financial and familial obligations, from both a published and unpublished perspective.  We’ll talk about finances, time management, and how to compromise with dignity.  Be prepared to think outside the box!

Aim High, Shoot Straight: Setting and Achieving Your Writing Goals

If you want to write but you can’t seem to get motivated or find the time, or if you’re writing but not getting where you want to be in your career, if you’re jumping from project to project without a clear focus, this workshop is for you.  Veteran author Kara Lennox will present her plan for focusing in on what you really want from your writing career, then show you how to formulate concrete, achievable goals and develop a step-by-step plan for achieving them.  She’ll also show you how to form your own “dream team” and manage your time and your fears.  Learn proven problem-solving techniques and tips for staying motivated.  This is a workshop for serious writers who are committed to success–however you define success.

Plot Fixer: The 15 Most Common Plot Problems and How to Avoid Them

Do you create wonderful, three-dimensional characters who then stumble around blindly in your book, trying to find a story? As a frequent critiquer, contest judge, and the recipient of many, many rejection and revision letters over the years, Kara Lennox has witnessed and personally experienced just about every way your plot can veer into a ditch. In this workshop she’ll cover the fifteen most common problems, how to spot them and how to fix them. The workshop includes illustrative examples from well-known movies, books, the author’s own supply of failed plots, and samples made up just for this workshop. If time permits, the author will take questions and make suggestions for solving plot problems on the spot.

The Synopsis Queen Tells All

If you’re going to sell books to publishers, you must learn how to write a dynamic synopsis.  Learn a foolproof formula for writing a synopsis that sings, from an author who has sold several books on synopsis alone.  You don’t have to hate synopsis-writing anymore!

All About Agents

Convention wisdom says it’s harder to find a good agent than a good editor, but these days, having representation is almost a must.  Find out how to snag the agent that’s right for you and avoid the many dangerous pitfalls associated with agent-hunting. Learn how agents work, what to expect, and your role as an agented author.

Three-Act Structure for Novelists

Three-act structure–which you will find in almost every movie ever made–has been around at least as long as the ancient Greeks.  Screenwriters adhere to it strictly.  As a novelist, you are probably more aware of it than you think.  You know that every story has a beginning, a middle, a climax and a resolution.  But knowing the specifics of what goes where, and when, can help you structure your story so that it resonates with readers on a subconscious level.  In this workshop, you’ll learn the ins and outs of this basic storytelling form and how to apply it to a  novel of any length or genre.  It’s not a formula, but rather a powerful storytelling tool to help you emphasize a story’s strengths and shore up its weaknesses.  It’s a tool you can use before you write or during revision.

The Writer’s Mind-Body Connection

Learn how your writing impacts your body, and how what you do for your body (food, sleep, exercise) can profoundly affect how you think, how you create, and how you feel about what you’ve created.

All About Psychics

Psychics, mediums and ghost hunters are hot topics.  If you’re including such a character in your novel, you’ll want to be authentic.  This workshops deals with how real psychics and other assorted “woo-woo” people actually work.  Kara reads Tarot cards herself and has been a student of the paranormal literally since childhood.  She brings her collection of tools and books–and you may even discover you’re psychic yourself!