Writing the Breakout Novel v2.0

WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WEEKLONG INTENSIVE

Incorporating insights from Donald Maass's THE FIRE IN FICTION and WRITING 21st CENTURY FICTION, the 2012 edition of the Breakout Novel Intensive offers students many new levels of growth for their fiction.

Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process.

Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more.

The goal of Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0 is not to teach formulaic writing but to deepen every writer's unique fiction, whether commercial or literary in intent.

Writers of commercial fiction who wish to soar out of category, as well as literary novelists who want to learn how to make powerful story principles work for them, will find the 2012 Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0 an idea-packed and career enriching experience.

This workshop is ideal for those just beginning a new project or for those embarking on a revision of a completed work. While writers at all level of craft are welcome, we assume a basic understanding of fiction craft.

 

This retreat and workshop includes:

• All meals and comfortable, private sleeping accommodations with private baths.

• Morning classes with Donald Maass, geared toward building students' specific projects using concepts covered in his popular, Writing the Breakout Novel book and workbook.

• A private thirty-minute consultation with Donald Maass, who will read the first fifty pages of each student's manuscript.

• A private consultation with Editor-in-Residence and Program Director Lorin Oberweger.

• Opportunities to confer with other professional writers on staff.

• Afternoon and evening writing time and voluntary critique groups.

• A special session on scene structure and "deep scene" practices with Lorin Oberweger and editor Jason Sitzes.

• A special session on micro-tension with Don Maass.

• A custom USB drive with articles on craft, bonus exercises, and more!

In order to ensure an intimate and productive environment for our students, enrollment is strictly limited to thirty-five writers. Participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please register early.

 

2013 DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Virginia Beach, VA
September 16-22, 2013
Founders Inn and Spa

2014 DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Hood River, Oregon
April 7-13, 2014
Best Western Hood River Inn

Cost: $1975 for new students of Free Expressions / $1875 for returning students. This includes a private room and all meals.

Please note: these workshops tend to sell out quickly. Don't be disappointed: register today!

Register Here!

 

About Donald Maass:

 

Donald Maass, a top agent for fiction writers and author of Writing the Breakout Novel and The Fire in Fiction, leads participants through practical writing exercises that plumb depths of character, raise stakes both public and personal, add plot layers, heighten sense of time and place, strengthen point of view and voice, deepen themes, transform openings, and develop the brainstorming skills that produce consistently original stories.

Donald Maass has helped many mid-list and genre authors transform their careers. His thirty-plus years of experience can help you, too.

 

Sample Schedule:

Monday – Start time: 5:30 PM, welcome reception, dinner, opening session with staff and Don, one-on-one meeting assignments.

Tuesday – breakfast, class with Don, lunch, writing and one-on-one meetings with staff, dinner, voluntary critique groups.

Wednesday - breakfast, class with Don, lunch, writing and one-on-one meetings with staff, dinner, group brainstorming session.

Thursday – breakfast, class with Don, lunch, writing and one-on-one meetings with staff, dinner, voluntary critique groups.

Friday - breakfast, class with Don, lunch, writing and one-on-one meetings with staff, dinner, micro-tension workshop.

Saturday – breakfast, class with Don, lunch, writing and one-on-one meetings with staff, dinner, evening out with group!

Sunday – breakfast, class with Don, goodbyes, end time: 12:00 PM

Accommodations and meals:

Each student will have a comfortable private room with private bath in the same hotel as the workshop. Meals for the week are included.

• Monday – opening reception, dinner
• Tuesday to Saturday – breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Sunday – breakfast

(Accommodations for special dietary needs are available. Instructions for requests will be sent after registration.)

Preparations:

After registration, an informational package will be sent with instructions for student submissions (synopsis, manuscript pages) to be reviewed by Don and staff prior to the workshop.

Many students find reading Don’s book, Writing the Breakout Novel, prior to the workshop helpful to familiarize themselves with the concepts and for greater retention and application.

Participants Say:

Several years ago I took the Breakout Novel Intensive. If you are serious about your writing, sign up for the next one now. It is a week where you will discover more about your manuscript and your writing than you would otherwise learn all year. He and his wonderful team create a warm, friendly environment where meals are taken together, so you have access to all these creative, experienced minds.

His lectures are engaging, funny and oh so perceptive. They're also interactive, so bring your laptop because you'll be getting work done. You will come out of this armed with specific techniques to make your novel better, and maybe some new supportive friendships to help you on your road to becoming a published author. I think the BONIs are nothing short of brilliant.”

-- Lissa Price, debut author of STARTERS, lead title for Spring 2012, Random House, Delacorte

You have a choice in how you approach your career: you can spend money going to writers' conferences for years and have fun but not gain any true benefit for your craft, or you can invest in a week at BONI where Lorin and Don will unearth, believe me—excavate—the best writer in you.

You and your writing, as well as your perception of yourself as a writer, will be forever changed. Oh, and yes, you will have fun there, too.”

-- Shirley Barker, represented by Donald Maass Literary Agency

Don Maass's Breakout Novel Intensivewas a life-changer. In one week, I learned more than I ever had in the two years it took to earn my MFA, and at a fraction of the cost. Don, Lorin, Roman and Jason taught me to break through the ceiling of my own fear to understand that I could--that I must--write that which was most outrageous and passionate and bigger than me.

I finally know what it takes to become a true storyteller, my heart's calling, and I plan to return again and again to these workshops, to keep my skills sharp and my fire flaring high. Thank you to the entire Free Expressions team for the best writing week ever!

-- Julia Greco

I had difficulty sleeping the entire time I was there because my brain had been lit on fire. The staff and faculty provided new insights as to how to bring my storytelling up a notch, but just as incredible were the exchanges with my fellow BONI attendees. Years later, we are still a support group for each other."

-- Linda C. McCabe, author of the upcoming QUEST OF THE WARRIOR MAID, Destrier Books

I first attended BONI in 2010. I had completed my first novel, and had received no interest from agents or publishers on my queries. I’d read Donald Maass’ books and wasn’t sure I would learn anything new, but I trusted that if I was going to get better as a writer, I should invest in myself and listen to what the best agent had to say about great writing. I wanted the professional feedback, and I thought that the cost of the seminar (hotel and food included) was very reasonable.

That said, I would have felt I’d more than gotten my money’s worth from the daily sessions alone. I’d read the books, but the live sessions really deliver the message in a way that is interesting, immediate, and inspirational. Between the class discussions and writing exercises; I could see my writing improve from the very first day. The professional feedback from Don, Lorin, and the staff was extremely helpful, and specific to my particular writing style and level of experience. You cannot get access to this level of expert advice and feedback anywhere else for this kind of investment.

Yes, we worked our tails off, but it’s not all work. The other writers were universally kind and supportive, and I met a number of people whom I now count as friends and who became part of my critique group. At BONI, we're all on the same page. I enthusiastically recommend the BONI experience to writers of every skill level.”

-- Sharon Roest

Before attending the Writing the Breakout Novel Weeklong Intensive, I had exhausted all my local resources, and I wasn't sure how to bring my novel into the next realm. Spending the week with friendly, top-notch experts and other like-minded writers was validating and empowering.

In each workshop session, Donald Maass gave concrete, usable examples for seemingly mystical concepts and shared those elusive `universal truths' we writers seek. I received valuable counsel specifically for my novel during my private meeting with Donald Maass and Lorin Oberweger.

As a result, I have more confidence in my writing and greater clarity when revising, as well as on-going support from the official, post-workshop group. It's exactly what I needed to move forward—and I have!”

-- Susan Smith

I walked away from BONI a different person, a different writer with a new story premise given to me by Donald Maass in our one-on-one session. My experience with Lorin was equally amazing. I recall Jason Sitzes’s gentle advice in our one-on-one session, "The most important thing is to tell the story you were meant to tell." My BONI workshop experience and the one-on-ones gifted me beyond anything I expected or imagined.”

-- Jennifer Martin

I discovered Don's Breakout Novel intensive when I most needed it. I'd read books, I'd been to conferences and other workshops, but I knew I was still missing something in my writing. The Breakout Novel intensive answered my question and more. I've been three times, and every time I attend, I learn something new and grow further in my writing ability. When I get published, I know this workshop, and Don, Lorin and the rest of the staff will have played a major role in my achievement.”

-- Nancy Laughlin

For more information, please call 813–391–8980 or write to Lorin Oberweger, Program Director at lorin@free-expressions.com.

Register Here!