Success: This Means War
Sharp Pens’ last workshop, This Means War, went very well and was attended by twenty teen writers from Idaho and Washington. We learned a lot and had a great time! Check out pictures of the event on our webpage, “Past Workshops”.
Now I have a question for those who attended the workshop. Did you notice something out of place?
…How about the penny?
Maybe you noticed. Maybe you didn’t. But at the end of one slideshow there was a picture of a single, copper penny. No explanation was given. No questions were asked. While it may have seemed random and out of place, there was a particular purpose behind this rather bizarre photo choice.
What does a penny have to do with writing?
At the workshop, we discovered some of the secrets of novel writing as we played games, shared our work, and learned about the greatest war ever fought (read about it for yourself in the Bible). All of our lessons were founded on a very simple concept: To write a story, you need two things, a Story Goal and Something Dreadful. These two things are so diametrically opposed you might say they are like two sides of a coin—a coin named “Conflict”.
Have you made the connection?
Often times, story writing is painted as a mysterious process that relies on a good cup of coffee, a wedge of chocolate and lots and lots of illusive inspiration. Story writing is tough. It’s not for the faint of heart. BUT it doesn’t always need to be as complicated as we make it. The penny is an illustration of the simplicity of conflict; it is a reminder that your entire plot-line boils down to a simple clash of good and evil. Your readers want your hero to accomplish some important goal, but something dreadful is standing in your hero’s way. Once you have figured out what these two sides of conflict look like in your story, you have unlocked your story’s driving force. The question remains, who will win? Heads or Tails?
It's pretty straight forward… right?
Yes and no… throughout the rest of the day we uncovered the intricacies of conflict and how they effect every level of our stories—everything from the synopsis, to the plot-line, to a single page. We talked about how to craft a conflict that is compelling and how to create tension that will keep both writer and reader invested in the story… all while having lots of fun and laughter. Now each of us, both students and staff members, have returned to our very own battles, our own stories, our own lives. We're ready to tackle the next chapter.... whatever it may hold.
We can’t wait to see you at Sharp Pens’ upcoming workshop… next fall! Until then, keep in touch. Read the blog, like us on facebook, and watch for new contests and special alumni events!
God Bless!
The Sharp Pens Team
