Karitos 2009 Literary Arts Track Faculty

The literary arts track of Karitos this year offers a wonderful opportunity for communicators to focus on the calling, craft, ministry and business of writing - in the context of the conference's rich creative environment. There are literary offerings targeted at those wondering how to break into print, those with a couple of chapters of an unfinished novel stashed in the back of a drawer, and those with a sizeable list of published writing credits. Workshop titles and instructors are listed below.
 
NEW THIS YEAR
Conferees are being encouraged to bring a portion of their work-in progress to Karitos, and register at the conference a 45-minute, one-on-one session with Diane Eble. She will read 1500-2000 words and will help each person evaluate what it would take to publish/sell his or her manuscript.

 

Fiction

Nicole Mazzarella
Nicole Mazzarella grew up in Ohio and writes with sensitivity and precision about rural, Midwestern life.  

In 2005, Nicole Mazzarella published her award-winning, debut novel This Heavy Silence.  The Chicago Sun-Times said of the novel, “Simply put, This Heavy Silence is a great read […] this is a complex and layered novel about the choices we make and the relationships we build. In [Mazzarella’s] writing, she traverses universal ideas and builds characters that will be familiar to a broad cross-section of people, no matter who they are and what they believe.”  Christianity Today named it as the best novel of 2005, the Library Journal named it as one of the best novels of 2005, and the novel won the Christy Award for the best new novel of 2005.

Nicole has taught creative writing at Wheaton College for the past seven years and lives in the Chicago-area with her husband and children.  Nicole is currently at work on her second novel and a screenplay.

www.nicolemazzarella.com

Beginner - Friday
1. Where Do Stories Come From?
Learn how to pay attention to the stories in your life.  We will discuss transforming your memories, observations, reflections, and insights into fiction.  You will leave with lists of excursions that will lead you toward writing fiction.  We will also discuss how to move beyond exercises and writing prompts toward living a writing life.

2. “In a Story Something Has to Happen”
What comes first character or plot?  How do you develop plot from character?  Or how do you discover characters in a situation?  We will discuss ways to create believable characters in the midst of situations.  This session will benefit all who have characters but no story and those who have a plot without believable characters.  This session will also  benefit all beginning fiction writers as we identify these essential elements of writing fiction.

Advanced – Saturday
1. Writing the First Chapter
What makes a reader keep reading?  Where should your novel begin?  How do you begin the process of writing a novel?  This session will focus on the elements of a well-written first chapter while also delving into ways to control the pacing of your novel through an understanding of constructing scenes and writing summary.
    You will leave with tips on how to continue writing a longer work.

2. Reading as Writers
To study the craft of fiction, one must learn to read as a writer.  This session will cover techniques of writing fiction, such as description, dialogue, symbolism, characterization, and point of view, by reading as writers.  This session will prepare you to improve your writing long after this conference.

 

 

 

Publishing

Diane Eble
Diane is an award-winning author (Abundant Gifts, MotherStyles), publishing coach (www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com), Virtual Book Tour host, and president of Words to Profit, an organization that helps authors and other experts be "well-heard and well paid for what they know and love to do in the New Era of Publishing."

Bring a portion of your manuscript and sign up at the conference for a 45-minute session with Diane Eble. She will read 1500-2000 words and will help you evaluate what it would take to publish/sell your manuscript.

 

 

Non-Fiction

Michelle Van Loon
Author of 3 non-fiction books as well as plays, articles, curriculum and more, Michelle Van Loon brings her passion for nurturing the writing voices of others, a commitment to skilled craft and a worshiper's heart to her workshop sessions. Sample her books at www.theparablelife.com.

Writing Your Story, Telling His
You have a story of God at work in your life that only you can tell! This workshop offers you a look at how you can share this story in fresh, creative ways. We'll also explore a variety of print/web venues you can explore in order to share your story with readers. .

Discovering Your Writer's Voice
What makes you...you? A writer's "voice" - that beautiful brew of personality, language, imagination and craft - is the single ingredient that makes your writing unique. This interactive session will help you identify what "voice" is, and offer a look at how you can learn to cultivate and capture your writer's voice on paper.

 

 

Non-Fiction

Keri Wyatt Kent
Speaker, retreat leader and the author of seven non-fiction books, Keri is a regular contributor to several magazines, websites and blogs. A Wheaton College grad, she’s a member of Willow Creek Community Church. She and her husband Scot have been married for 18 years and live with their son and daughter in Illinois. Learn more at www.keriwyattkent.com

Solitude in the life of the Artist:
Writers and artists often need solitude to engage in their creative work. As a result, they often forget to take time for solitude that is not focused on productivity. This workshop will look first at the “why” of solitude—if we work alone, why should we take time to simply BE alone? (experiencing the unconditional love of God, refilling our soul so that our art will flow out of that full soul, etc.) We’ll then move on to the “how” of solitude, and discuss ways to “prime the pump” of our creativity by spending time alone. While sitting alone in a room is one option, we’ll also talk about prayer walking, solitude in the city, solitude in nature, and extended retreats. Class time will include a solitude experience, and a chance to debrief that experience in group discussion.

Journaling for artists:
This hands on seminar includes several journaling exercises, including a mind dump, journaling with the non-dominant hand, use of color and drawing. We’ll cover “the rules of journaling” (there are none), the purpose of journaling (unleashing creativity and knowing God by getting to know yourself), barriers to journaling, benefits of journaling. The exercises will allow participants to do some inner work, and to learn about themselves and what blocks them as artists. Please bring an unlined blank journal or sketch pad to class.

Use of story in non-fiction:
Non-fiction writing is informative, instructive, factual. It's true. What brings that truth to life are anecdotes, illustrations and stories. We'll talk about elements of story (plot, character, conflict), narrative flow. We’ll then focus on how to develop “radar” for stories, how to collect them. We’ll talk about various ways to mine newspapers and magazines, and also on how to interview people to get compelling stories. We’ll look at examples of stories that work, and a few that don’t.