A WRITING COURSE FOR TRUE STORIES
Level II
– January 29th-31ST, 2021 –
Clarity
Get clear on your story and the path to completion.
Creativity
Nurture your creative side, and write entertaining stories.
Confidence
Gain self-confidence to set your stories in motion.
Your Ancestors’ Stories Deserve To Be Your Best Work
You’ve taken the leap into writing your family history stories. Good for you. But now you find that your writing isn’t where you want it to be. You want to expand your writing skills in order to make your stories more engaging and entertaining. There may be any number of the following standing in your way to a great family history story.
- Your ancestor’s character falls a little flat on the page
- Your plot needs to be more cohesive and engaging to hold the reader’s attention
- Your descriptions are lacking and they just don’t serve the story
- Your story lacks emotion and tension
The Family History Writing Studio Virtual Retreat II will help you elevate your writing. Over 3 days learn to improve your plot and structure, develop your characters and write stronger scenes. We will strengthen your creativity and give you the tools to take your writing to a new level.
We will set you up for success.
Save Time
Cover in 3 days what may take weeks or months on your own.
Receive Quality Guidance
Grow with skill development and supportive personal and group coaching.
Be Inspired
Continue writing your story with newfound confidence and motivation.
All of this, in three days…
Character Work
Learn to analyze the characters and character arcs for weaknesses and discover ways to strengthen your characters to ensure you have strong memorable ancestors your readers will love.
Plot and Story Structure
Analyze your plot, story structure, and narrative drive. Fix any issues found during the analysis to strengthen, clarify and deepen your plot.
Scene Work
Learn to analyze your scenes and find ways to fix and strengthen any weak scenes. This will include descriptions, stage direction, dialogue, emotions and transitions.
Receive Feedback
Enjoy the value of getting written feedback on your work from your fellow students and your writing coach.
Do This All From Your Home!
While the rest of the world is still in pause you will be taking your new found talent to the next level.
1. Register
Join today & receive three days of learning for $230.00.
2. Participate
Immerse yourself in the learning opportunities.
3. Write
Leave equipped to write a stronger, deeper and more emotional family history story.
See what’s in store. The schedule to this intensive 3 day retreat is designed to give you a wealth of information, while still fostering space for creativity and contemplation. This schedule is in accordance with Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Wednesday January 27th, 2021
7:00pm –
Meet & Greet
Optional 1-hour introduction to get to know each other. Lynn will answer any of your tech questions!
Friday January 29th, 2021 Character Work
10:00am –
11:00am –
11:30pm
12:00pm –
1:00pm –
2:00pm –
2:30pm –
3:00pm –
Character Work
Overall analysis of your stories current characters
*Exercise
Character Arc
Determine if your protagonist ancestor has a character arc
*Exercise
Q&A
Lunch Break
Analyze the Backstory
Determine if your backstory affects your story and if you need to cut, add, or revise any of it.
*Exercise
Theme
Examine your theme and see how it works with your characters and plot.
*Exercise
Q&A
Homework
(Schedule is Subject to Change at this Time)
Saturday January 30th, 2021 Plot & Structure
10:00am –
11:00am –
11:30am –
12:00pm –
1:00pm –
2:00pm –
2:30pm –
3:00pm –
Plot and Structure
Overall analysis of the plot and structure and whether it works.
Overcoming and Fixing Plot Problems
*Exercise
Q&A
Break
Narrative Drive, Tension and Hooks
Analyze each to see if they are advancing the story and keeping the reader
turning the pages.
*Exercise
Subplots
Develop any weak subplots, cut unnecessary subplots or enhance the story with a subplot.
Q&A
Finished
(Schedule is subject to change at this time)
Sunday January 31st, 2021 – Scene Work
10:00am –
11:30am –
12:00pm –
1:00pm –
1:30pm –
2:00pm –
2:30pm –
3:00pm –
Description Work
Strengthen your description, stage direction and eliminate unnecessary descriptive detail.
*Exercise
Q & A
Break
Worldbuilding
Strengthen your setting and story-world
*Exercise
Dialogue and Voice
Examine common dialogue pitfalls and developing a strong voice for your characters
*Exercise
Pacing, Transitions and Hooks
Determine the pacing of your narrative, smoothing transitions between scenes and chapters, developing strong hook lines.
*Exercise
Final Q&A
Finished
(Schedule is subject to changes at this time)
Lynn Palermo will be your motivational coach and guide through this virtual retreat. She’s taught thousands of students over the last 10 years through in-person workshops, online courses and one-on-one coaching sessions. As a genealogist, she knows the struggles family historians face when it comes to turning their research into shareable and entertaining family history stories. Her students find her lessons inspiring and often comment on finding their aha moments.
Sign Up Now
Registration Includes:
- Access to Recorded Sessions after completion of retreat
- Virtual coaching sessions throughout the workshop
- Retreat workbook
Limited Spots Available!
$230.00USD
The Virtual Retreat Extension Package
50-minute Coaching Session
with 5000-Word Story Review
Add on to your Virtual Retreat a 50-minute follow-up coaching session with Lynn. Enjoy a one-on-one Zoom meeting with Lynn. Discuss any areas that you feel need personal attention.
In addition, Lynn will provide a review of your story up 5000 words with written and specific feedback.
$175.00 USD
Add on the Retreat Extension Package at checkout.
FAQ
Will this same retreat be happening at a later date?
Unfortunately, there are no other retreats planned at this time. However you can sign up for our mailing list to receive information on upcoming courses as they are released!
What if something comes up and I cannot attend?
If this happens you have a couple of choices. All of the lessons and discussions will be recorded so even if you cannot attend live, you can watch them at a later date. Otherwise, you can gift your spot to a friend, who will receive your exclusive access. Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds due to the limited number of spots available.
Am I required to “bring” anything to the retreat?
We ask that you bring with you to the retreat a story completed or partially completed, at least 5000 words. All information will be found in your the Retreat Centre as we move close to the date. Upon registering you will be sent access to the Retreat Centre.
Will there be any handouts or worksheets? How do I access them?
All handouts and worksheets will be made available in the Retreat Centre.
What kind of tech requirements are needed?
The retreat will be conducted through Zoom. You will require a computer with a good microphone and webcam. If you are working from a tablet you will need to download the Zoom app. We will hold aone-hour Meet and Greeton the Wednesday evening prior to The Retreat. We will use it to sort out any tech issues, meet everyone, take care of any housekeeping and get comfortable with how the next few days will play out. This way we will be able to dive into The Retreat content immediately on Friday morning.
How will I share my homework and get feedback?
Homework will be shared via our private Writer’s Forum. Participants will be able to read and comment on each other’s work. Access information to the Writer’s Forum will be provided in the Retreat Centre as move close to our retreat dates.
If I have a question, who should I ask?
If you have any questions we have not answered above please forward them to lynn@familyhistorywritingstudio.com