Spend four intensive days with
three rock-star writing-industry professionals!

 

Donald Maass

Donald Maass

Christopher Vogler

Christopher Vogler

James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell

IMAGINE THE OPPORTUNITY TO . . . . 

Unplug from your busy schedule and fully immerse yourself in your novel.

Engage in practical, hands-on work while learning advanced writing techniques.

Learn the skills you need to succeed in today’s publishing environment.

Learn how to create a book that editors and agents will love and readers will embrace.

Laugh and play and create with other writers who are on the same journey you are.


  • What the three tenors are to music, these guys are to story.
    — Fred Campagnoli
  • Free Expressions workshops will provide many new insights into your writing and help you take your storytelling to meaningful, publishable levels.
    — Mark Zeiler
  • Story Masters was an INCREDIBLE experience. Three and a half days of intense instruction with wonderful, thought provoking prompts and concrete examples to take my writing to the next stage. This is a workshop no one should miss.
    — Mary Edelson

THURSDAY
CHRISTOPHER VOGLER

THE WISDOM OF THE BODY:  How the Hero's Journey Triggers the Emotions of the Audience

In this engaging, insightful presentation, Vogler will be covering his core material, the twelve-stage Writer's Journey model of structure,  but looking at it through the lens of the body and the way it responds to signals from stories and characters.

For more on Mr. Vogler, see:  http://www.thewritersjourney.com/

 

FRIDAY
JAMES SCOTT BELL

BEYOND NUTS AND BOLTS

In this workshop you'll learn the essentials of bestselling fiction, what agents, editors and readers are looking for – and how you can give it to them.

Using instruction and interactive exercises, you'll come away with a grasp of the techniques that can get you to the "next level."

You'll learn:

  • The LOCK System
  • What makes for a compelling lead character
  • How to get reader emotions involved
  • The one essential secret to a high stakes Objective
  • How to create the strongest Confrontation possible
  • How to Knock Out the reader at the end
  • A deeper understanding of structure
  • The Disturbance
  • The Doorways of No Return
  • No dull parts
  • Scene structure
  • One key concept that will supercharge any scene
  • Finishing touches
  • A system for revision so you don't miss a trick
  • The final polish

For more on Mr. Bell, see: http://www.jamesscottbell.com/

 

SATURDAY
DONALD MAASS


TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FICTION

How is fiction evolving in the Twenty-first Century?

How can novelists write with high impact in an age of low attention spans?

The most successful novels of the early 21st Century combine fine writing and great stories. Both effects can be achieved by every fiction writer. Literary novelists can create great story events. Commercial storytellers can heighten their tales with powerful literary tools.

In this hands-on, immersive workshop, Mr. Maass demonstrates advanced methods for creating strong story events, plot layers, parallels,  reversals, symbols and gripping themes. Coupled with those are techniques for constructing depth of character and sweeping character arcs.

In addition, this workshop shows how to break free from genre boundaries, go beyond "brand," shed outdated techniques and elevate what is both unique and universal in one's stories. The best 21st century fiction techniques are available. This workshop hands you the tools.

For more on Mr. Maass, see:
 http://www.maassagency.com  

 

SUNDAY
PANEL DISCUSSION & Q&A

All three Story Masters will analyze the classic novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, according to their area of expertise. 

Afterwards you will have the opportunity to ask all your questions! 

 

 

IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR YOU?

Are you an unpublished writer with a novel-in-progress or a work of creative nonfiction?

Are you a published author wanting to rise from the mid-list?

Do you have an idea for a novel and a desire to bring that idea to fruition?

YES! THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!

 

SCHEDULE

Thursday-Friday

Class: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Lunch: 12:30 PM-1:15 PM (included in price)

Saturday

Class: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Lunch: 12:30 PM-1:15 PM (included in price)
Book-signing/reception: 5:00 PM-6:30 PM (included in price)

Sunday

Class: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Lunch: 12:30 PM-1:15 PM (included in price)

 

REGISTRATION

Early Registration, prior to January 30, $549 USD
$50 off before April 15 with promo code -- redeemed during registration process.

Regular Registration rate, after January 30, $599 USD

REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES: 

  • Lunch Thursday-Sunday
  • Saturday evening book-signing and reception with light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
  • Coffee/tea/water in classroom each day
  • All handout materials, and more!
 

THE VENUE . . .

Toronto, the provincial capital of Ontario, Canada, is a large, ethnically diverse city sprawling along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore. A dynamic metropolis with a core of soaring skyscrapers, all dwarfed by the iconic CN Tower, it also features abundant green spaces, from the orderly oval of Queen’s Park to 400-acre High Park and its trails, sports facilities and zoo.

The workshop will be held at the at the Crowne Plaza hotel, near the airport for convenience of travel. You can make reservations online or call their number below.

Address: 
Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport
33 Carlson Ct
Toronto, Ontario M9W 6HR
Canada

Phone: +1 416-675-1234

** Please note: The Crowne Plaza is offering a discounted room rate of $131 CAN per night. Information on reserving rooms will be sent with workshop confirmation details.

 
 

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Please call 813–391–8980 or email Lorin Oberweger, Program Director at lorin@free-expressions.com.