My 2022-23 Workshops, Classes, and Video Conferences.
With a background in the arts, technology, and education, Zara offers a variety of presentations for book clubs, writing groups and for conferences.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic, I will not be scheduling any in person workshops this year.
2022 ZOOM Video Conference offerings
Journaling for Readers and Writers
Can’t remember the title of the book you loved last month? Wish you could track your reading and discover which genre is really your favorite? Want to write reviews for Goodreads and Amazon?
Or just need to organize your hectic life.
Try journaling. It’s easy. It’s simple. It’s a creative way to express yourself.
If you love coloring books, you will love this workshop!
Email me to arrange a ZOOM videoconference presentation for your book group or writing group.
Using the Arts to Intensify Plot, Setting, and Character
This is a hands-on workshop in which participants create artworks, music, dramatizations, and creative movements to deepen their understanding of the story they are writing or reading. Participants leave with a portfolio of visual, auditory, and dramatic ways to develop story.
Scheduled for March 2022 Contemporary Romance Writers members only workshop.
Email me to arrange a ZOOM videoconference presentation for your writing group.
Month-Long Online Workshops
Create a Story Bible for your Novel or Book Series
Do you lose track of what you write? Can’t remember what color car the criminal was driving in your romantic suspense? Forgot the name of the tavern the coach stopped at in book 2 of your Regency trilogy? Can’t remember the skill set of each of the six demons in your paranormal series?
Are you always searching back and forth through your draft or last book for this bit of detail or that? If you’re writing a series or a complex novel with multiple characters, subplots, and setting details, take a trick from screen writers and create a Story Bible as you write.
In this workshop, we will look at a variety of analog and digital frameworks for creating your own Story Bible and then proceed step-by-step through the process of creating the documents needed to keep track of all those pesky story details in your current or planned WIP with a minimum of time and effort.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Logos, Ads and More: Graphic Design for Busy Writers
Learn to make professional-looking logos, ads, marketing graphics, and more using free software available on the web and programs already on your computer. This hands-on course will cover the principles of design, color and fonts, photo sizing, and more.
Lesson 1 Creating a brand through color and design
Lesson 2 Catching the eye : Using the principles of design effectively
Lesson 3 Say it with color: Choosing the best color combos
Lesson 4 Size & Shape: Getting the layout right
Lesson 5 ABCs – Choosing the right font
Lesson 6 Picture It: Working with vectors and photos
Lesson 7 The Wow Factor! Putting it all together
Lesson 8 Tools & Resources for those last minute moments
All students finish the course with three completed ad graphics and a bookmark design.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Fast Drafting Your Way to Success
Write a novel in a month? Learn tricks and techniques to getting the words of your WIP draft down on the page in the quickest, most efficient way possible, so that the story makes sense and requires the least amount of revision. Perfect for people planning on participating in NaNoWri or anyone who wants to speed up their writing process.
Offered August 2022 Savvy Authors and October 2022 KISS
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Revise Your Draft in 30 Days
You’ve done it! Reached the end of your draft. Wouldn’t it be nice if that was all you had to do? But unless you are a wonder writer, your initial draft will not be perfect. So, what comes next? Revision!
In this in workshop, you will receive a revision road map with a tip for revising your draft every day for thirty days. By the end of the month, you should be well on the way to having a more organized and polished draft.
So pull up that sloppy NaNoWri draft or the messy novel you have tucked away and let’s get to work.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Power Up Your Prose
Power Up Your Prose: Explore power verbs, sensory language, literary devices, and more while uncovering creative ways to say that same old thing. In this workshop, you will learn how to turn clichés into pizazz, give ordinary names punch, and write full force description that makes your mouth water.
You will also learn when to say it plain and simple. Participants will receive a a full chapter critique of their prose at the end of the workshop and an e-copy of my writing guide Power Up Your Language and Make Your Writing Sing.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Zigzag Plotting
Zigzag Plotting: Looking for a way to add conflict and suspense to your novel, chapters, and scenes? Then try the zigzag plotting method. Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, you can apply this technique as you draft or later during revision to up the conflict and tension in your story.
Offered August 2022 by Contemporary Romance Writers
Or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Beyond the History Book
Whether you write historical fiction or contemporary novels, you need to be sure your facts are accurate. In this workshop, you will learn how to make sure your information is valid, and discover ways to find that needed fact quickly. We will go beyond books, and explore photographs, artifacts, maps, and more. Includes a historical detail critique of one chapter of your WIP. Together we will explore the range of research resources available to writers.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Writing With Splash
Did you know that there are 7 senses. Or wait is that 8? At any rate, no matter how many there are, a great writer uses ALL of them in EVERY place possible in their writing
In this course, you will learn about our senses, how they work, and when, where and how to use them in your current WIP to set the scene, deepen emotion, and spark up action. Many resources for describing sensory elements will be provided.
COURSE SPECIAL At the end of this course, you will receive a chapter critique focused on your use of sensory language.
Offered April 2022 by Savvy Authors or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $35
Textiles for Writers
Why in the world would a romance author need to know about cloth? Well, maybe because we write about people who usually, except in certain x-rated or shape-changing scenes, wear clothing.
Knowing about cloth and how it is made and what it is made from and how it has changed over the ages will allow you deepen your descriptions and add to the sensory images you create in your stories.
So swish your skirts or hike up your trousers or roll up your sleeves or shuck it all and take a journey with me into the marvelous world of textiles.
Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a customized to your historical period one-on-one class. Cost for individual $50
Online Resources Writers Can’t Live Without
Come explore some of the many free or almost free resources and tools available to writers on the web. From online editors to marketing tools, we will cover them all.
Leave with a complete catalog of the ones you love the most, organized by topic.
2 week course – Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost for individual $20
Let’s Party on Facebook
Ever attended a Facebook Party or Take Over? If you have, you know that holding an event on Facebook can be a great way to stir up interest in your book, your website, and your blog. Whether you are a multi-published author with a new book release, a first-time author bringing out your first book, or a pre-published author hoping to build up name recognition and followers, this workshop is for you.
Together, we will explore the many different formats and options for holding a Facebook party, we will critique a sampling of book-related parties, and then using what you learn, you will create all the graphics and posts needed to host your own Facebook party or Take Over.
2 week course – Available for writing groups or contact me to arrange a one-on-one class. Cost $20
Book Club Talks
Would you like Zara to come talk to your reading group or book club? Contact Zara today to have her speak to your book club about her books via a ZOOM video conference.