Writer U January Classes

SIX WEEK CLASS: Discovering Story Magic
by Laura Baker
January 3-February 13, 2013
$90 ($85 by check) at www.WriterUniv.com

Prerequisite: For greatest benefit, please come prepared with a story idea, not a finished manuscript, to use for brainstorming.  And please see the movie Casablanca as close to the start of class as possible.

The acclaimed method for creating a story they can’t refuse is back for six weeks! Here is the clear process to creating three-dimensional characters, sustainable conflict, and a plot that escalates to wrenching black moments. This three-step technique has been the path for many unpublished writers to finally start selling and used by bestselling authors to broaden and deepen their stories. Bring this magic to YOUR book! Receive personal attention and brainstorm on your own story with critically-acclaimed and award-winning author Laura Baker. In this class you will:

* Learn what Inciting Incident catapults your story into compelling drama
* Create sustainable conflict that escalates within a tight, interwoven plot
* Use Character Flaw to compel the story
* Brainstorm villains who provoke struggle AND insight for your protagonist
* Use Turning Points to braid plot and character.
* Create visceral connections between plot, subplot and secondary characters
* Broaden the scope of your story with theme
* Hook your readers with escalating stakes and emotions

Laura has over two decades of experience as a writer, teacher, and coach. Her national award nominations include the National Reader’s Choice and the RITA, and her articles have been published in the Writer’s Digest and newsletters across the country. “Story Magic…is a no-fail system for achieving interesting characters and a coherent plot—and more.” Jasmine Cresswell, USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For more information visit her website: www.fearlesswriter.com.

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MASTER CLASS: How To Become A Social Media Superstar
by Lisa Pietsch
January 14-25
$65 ($60 by check) at www.WriterUniv.com

Prerequisite: Must have a website (free from WordPress.com if you don’t yet have a website) plus Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts (all free). Accounts need not be populated or used yet, but you will need them for the class.

Stop the madness! You need to know where your social networking is taking you and stop the constant time-suck of blogging, updating your unfriendly website, juggling Facebook Profiles, Groups and Fan Pages, Tweeting, Pinning, and staying on top of your Goodreads, Amazon and MySpace pages. You need a 50-hour day to get it all done and still write! Learn from a social media professional how to manage your social networks like a superstar and bump up your book sales in only 30 minutes per day. In this master class, you’ll learn to:

* Maximize your author website content without adding more work
* Completely automate your Facebook Fan Page
* Take advantage of Twitter time to score big
* Make Goodreads work for you
* Profit from Amazon Author Central’s benefits
* Become a Pinterest pro and hook your readers
* Manipulate every opportunity for automation without looking like a bot

Lisa Pietsch lives, eats and breathes social media. She is a successful Social Media marketing consultant as well as a bestselling, multi-published novelist. Her clients include authors, editors, publishers, graphic designers, models, restaurants, retail stores (online and off) and even tequila distributors. Lisa has served as managing editor for five content-rich online communities and several online and print newsletters. She currently lives in the Hill Country north of San Antonio, Texas and online at www.LisaPietsch.com.