Kansas Writers Association

Some are Microsoft Word docs and some are Excel spreadsheets

Character Profile Contrast – Word

Character Profile Contrast – Excel

Story Progression – Excel

Research Tracker – Excel

Author Book list Distribution – Excel

4 Chapter Plotting Template – Word

7 Chapter Plotting Template – Word

12 Chapter Plotting Template – Word

15 Chapter Plotting Template – Word

Click to download the pdf file

Range of Romantic Fiction

Adding Romantic Elements to Other Genres

Romantic Plot Structures

Basic Romantic Elements

Showing Body Language

Seduction

Microsoft Word Tips

We are going to try having drop-in meetings weekly again. These are for anyone just wanting some time away from their everyday life to do some writing away from home. Or for anyone wanting to do some networking with other writers, maybe get some feedback on a project you’re working on or thinking about.

We tried this a couple of years ago and it was good until we lost the place where we met and people just drifted away. We’ll try it again for the next month and see if there is any interest in continuing it. Again…not a real meeting.

Location: Panera Bread 1605 N Rock Rd

Time: 5-9 pm, drop in whatever time works for you

The program for February will have two focuses: Romance and Tips for writers using Microsoft Word and Excel.

We will have handouts and discussions about:

• Range of Romantic Fiction
• Adding Romantic Elements to Other Genres
• Romantic Plot Structures
• Basic Romantic Elements
• Showing Body Language
• Seduction
• Tips for writers using Microsoft Word and Excel

Last month we had a few members who took up the writing challenges. Let’s see if more of you try them this month.

February Writing Prompts, Words, and Exercises:

Prompts:

1. With respect to love, there is one thing I will never do again
2. Two coffee shop regulars frequent the same store at the same time. One day they finally meet and share a table. What starts off as a casual conversation turns into much more.
3. Clarence the Candymaker rubbed his hands gleefully. On February 14, he would introduce the world to a whole new kind of Valentine’s Candy.
4. End your story with these words: I turned around and shrugged. There was nothing left to do, and besides, I had to go to work in the morning.
5. Genre/Person/Problem prompt:  Your genre:  hardboiled crime / Your person: a fetish model  / The problem: Time-travelers from the future have arrived, and they’re not very nice.

Words: 

Deprive  –   virtue  –  linger –  goofy  –  sample

Writing Exercise:

Showing Emotions through the Action/Reaction Cycle (C. S. Lakin)

Try using the action/reaction cycle to express your character’s behaviors and feelings in a story of your own choosing or using one of the prompts above.

The action/reaction cycle in writing follows a realistic flow of behavior.

Action > Reaction > Process > Decision

Here’s an example:

Joan hears a crash. (action)

She turns around to see what happened. (reaction)

She sees her favorite bowl lying on the floor and her cat sitting on the table where the bowl used to be. (process)

Joan cursed and put the chipped bowl further back on the table so it couldn’t fall again. (decision)

The Wichita Public Library hosts an annual film festival showcasing the short films nominated for an Academy Award in the animation, live action and documentary categories.

Check out the locations and times at wichitalibrary.org

It’s a new year and we should be off and running, excited about writing. To start this venture, here are some Prompts, Words, and Exercises.

Prompts:

• He’d never been in her bathroom before. As he turned on the hot water to wash his hands, the mirror, which was prone to fogging, fogged. And he saw what was written there.
• After decades of friendship, it doesn’t seem possible, but she realizes she won’t ever speak to her best friend again. Explain why.
• You’re at the airport waiting for your plane. You overhear a conversation that concerns you. Describe.
• What do you need to do by the end of the year to make this year meaningful?

Words: Promote – Clothes – Hide – Wild – Slime

Exercise:

Mike Klaassen, in his book “Fiction Writing Modes,” says that there are eight methods of expressing emotion in your writing:

1. Narration-narrator tells the emotion
   1. Ex:  Harry felt a growing sense of concern as he approached the house.
2. Exposition – a more detailed explanation of an emotion;
   1. Ex: Harry felt a growing sense of concern because innocent people could get hurt.
3. Conversation or dialogue;
   1. Ex: “I’m worried. Innocent people could get hurt,” Harry said.
4. Introspection or thoughts;
   1. Ex:  Harry realized that people could get hurt.
5. Recollection – a memory;
   1. Ex:  As he approached the house, he remembered that people had been hurt here.
6. Reaction – physical reaction to an emotion
   1. Ex: Harry’s heart began to pound as he approached the house.
7. Action – a physical response;
   1. Harry clenched his fists as he approached the house.
8. Abstention- leaving emotion out of a passage where it should be included.
   1. Ex: Harry approached the house where people had died.

Using as many of those techniques as you can, write a scene of your own choosing, or use the techniques in one of the prompts above to describe emotions that your characters are feeling.

This will be my last writing prompts, as it is time to turn this enjoyable task over to someone else. I have enjoyed doing these. It is fun to see how talented our KWA members are. Merry Christmas and a Happy Safe New Year. Louise

1. Thinking in time, what is the most wonderful Christmas holiday you remember? Tell us what made it so special and why you remember it.
2. Do you think girls are raised differently from boys? If so, in what ways?
3. Write a physical description of your mother. Write as if you were looking at a movie rather than a photograph.
4. Imagine yourself as a teacher. What type of student would you like to teach, and why?