The Orange County Library System here in Central Florida is already lining up workshops for 2025. These classes are held over Zoom, so anyone anywhere may attend. The Library Card field on the registration form is optional. If you don’t have an OCLS library card, just leave it blank. Please be aware that the library does not record these sessions or offer replays.
OCLS Writers Conference — January 11, 10 a.m.–6 p.m
OCLS Writers Conference — January 12, 1 p.m.–5 p.m
Authors and publishing professionals will teach workshops on both craft and business topics. This conference focuses on novels and traditional publishing, but some workshops may be applicable to other genres and publishing paths. I will be teaching Edit Like a Pro, about a systematic method for editing your book, at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Setting the Scene, about worldbuilding and descriptions, at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
A New Perspective on Viewpoint — February 17 at 7 p.m.
Point of View is the channel through which the reader experiences a story, so getting it right is crucial. Yet POV slips are among the most common errors editors see. The root cause of this is confusion about the difference between person (e.g., first or third) and who carries the viewpoint (a character or a narrator). Freelance editor Kristen Stieffel will explain the difference between writing in character POV versus narrator POV, and how to choose which is right for your story.
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Writing Satisfying Endings: A Crucial but Overlooked Element of Great Fiction — March 11, 7 p.m.
One of the most important aspects of any novel is a satisfying ending. A satisfying ending can redeem an otherwise mediocre book, and an unsatisfying ending can spoil an otherwise excellent book. Some of the biggest problems we see in new writers’ manuscripts revolve around inappropriate endings, including endings that rush through the climax, abrupt endings, and endings in which solutions appear from nowhere. We’ll discuss how to avoid the most common climax and denouement errors and how to ensure the character’s internal story arc is reflected in the resolution of the external plot.
If you register for one of these events, you will receive an email with a link to access the Zoom room before the event from the event host.
