The First Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference may be over, but the writing has just begun! Whether you were in attendance or couldn’t make it, we want to extend the opportunity for you to be a part of what we’re building. Therefore, we are making the audio recordings of many of the sessions available to you–our valued members! We hope this offers you the chance to gain further from the extensive knowledge on the craft of writing!
All sessions recorded took place in the Library Auditorium. Follow the links for each session listed, bookmark this page and listen as often as you like!
Welcome and Introduction from BWA Executive Director, Zachary Steele: Listen here!
We open the First Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference with our Executive Director and Founder, Zachary Steele, who offers the story of his first writers conference–a trip which ultimately led to establishing Broadleaf Writers in order to build a community of writers for all.
Paul Jenkins, Keynote Address: Writing With Confidence
Award-winning author, producer, multi-platform writer Paul Jenkins offers his thoughts on love, on confidence, on writing, and the hard work required to be successful with them all. Audio coming soon!
The Southern Voice: Writing Southern Fiction, featuring: Patti Callahan Henry, Brian Panowich, and David L. Robbins–Listen here!
In literature, the South is rich in character and landscape, the trials of family interwoven with regional pride. How can you ensure your characters embody the South without dropping into stereotype? Patti, David, and Brian offer very differing perspectives on the nature of the South, how to find the proper voice, and what the rest of the world often gets wrong. Moderated by George Weinstein.
Kill Your Darlings, Over and Again: Editing Your Work, featuring: Jessica Handler, David L. Robbins, and Colleen Oakley–Listen here!
“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent re-writer.” ~ James Michener
From draft to completed manuscript, the one constant is the edit. Sometimes painful, often revealing, the proper editing of a manuscript is a necessary evil. Jessica, David, and Colleen discuss the importance of editing, and how it can lead your manuscript to greater success. Moderated by George Weinstein.
You Just Don’t Understand Me: Writing for Teens and Children, featuring: Romily Bernard, S.R. Johannes, and Clay McLeod Chapman–Listen here!
The Young Adult and Children’s market is in a constant state of evolution. Writing for teens and children can be a complex process of weaving story with tutelage. Listen as Romily, Shelli, and Clay talk about their experiences in the YA and Children’s market, and how to craft your work for young readers. Moderated by Bill Blume.
First Pages Critique, featuring: Panelists: Kristy Hunter, Kaylee Davis, Kimiko Nakamura, and David L. Robbins–Listen here!
In the beginning….
Writing a first page is one of the more difficult tasks a writer undertakes. A first page determines whether an agent, editor or reader reads on. A first page sets the mood, initiates the action, and draws the reader in. The First Page Critique is an invaluable tool for every writer, and a sometimes painful reminder that art is subjective, words are difficult, and critique is an invaluable, if sometimes heavy-handed, tool for every writer. Literary agents Kaylee Davis and Kimiko Nakamura of Dee Mura Literary, Kristy Hunter of the Knight Agency, and New York Times bestselling author David L. Robbins critique anonymous submission from BWC attendees, offering their views on how to improve a first page. Moderated by Zachary Steele.
Life, the Universe, and Everything: The Elements of World Building, featuring: Paul Jenkins, Patti Callahan Henry, James A. Moore, and Brian Panowich–Listen here!
Building a world gives a story a platform. Whether that world is a mountain, a coastal town, a city home to a superhero, or an entire world, the process of creating the world your characters and story inhabit is vital to your craft. Four writers from four different genres offer their insights on how to best build a world your readers can believe in. Moderated by Bill Blume.
You Could Say That: Choosing the Right Word, featuring: Clifford Brooks III, David L. Robbins, and Kate Sweeney–Listen here!
The quality of your work can boil down to the words you choose. Choosing the right word can alter the mood, turn the story into new directions, or create the flow your narrative needs. Clifford, David, and Kate discuss how a writer works through selecting the right word at the right moment. Moderated by Ed Hall.
Putting Them Through Hell: Pushing Your Characters to the Brink, featuring: Colleen Oakley, David L. Robbins, and Grant Jerkins–Listen here!
You want the best for your characters. You want them to survive and thrive. The story wants them to suffer for it. Listen as Collen, David and Grant detail the importance of putting your characters through hell, and how the story will be better for it. Moderated by Carmen Slaughter.
You Don’t Say…: Writing Believable Characters and Dialogue, featuring: Nicki Salcedo, Brian Panowich, and Grant Jerkins–Listen here!
You have your world, you have your story, but how do you ensure your characters and dialogue aren’t poorly crafted? How can dialogue help create stronger characters? Nicki, Brian and Grant offer their thoughts and insights on using dialogue to create believable characters. Moderated by David L. Robbins.
The Elevator Pitch: Writing a Successful Query Letter, featuring: Kristy Hunter, Kaylee Davis, and Kimiko Nakamura–Listen here!
“So, what’s your book about?” No question stuns a writer to silence more quickly. Learn how to craft a successful query letter, and what the pitch of your work should include, from literary agents Kaylee Davis and Kimiko Nakamura of Dee Mura Literary, and Kristy Hunter of the Knight Agency. Moderated by Zachary Steele.
Clifford Brooks III, The Fifth Movement & Closing Remarks–Listen here!
Pulitzer-prize nominated poet, Clifford Brooks III reads his five-part poem The Fifth Movement and Executive Director Zachary Steele closes out the First Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference with a challenge.