Lucy Kubash

Permission to Forward MMRWA's Retreat from Harsh Reality is going virtual for 2021! Set aside April 23-24 for two days of learning, writing, and fun with other writers. We're delighted to have Laurie Schnebly Campbell as our guest speaker, who will lead us through two inspiring, informative workshops on characters and plot. There will be door prizes throughout the two days. Registration opens on March 10th at 8:00 a.m. The cost is $30 for MMRWA members and $40 for non-members. Here's a look at our tentative schedule. All times are EST. Friday, April 23rd 12:00 – 4:00 PM – Write-in (optional) 7:00 PM – Happy Hour and Icebreakers Saturday, April 24th 10:00 AM – Welcome and social time 10:30 AM – Workshop: Choosing That Fatal Flaw Giving likable, plausible characters a compelling conflict is easier with enneagrams. Counselors and HR managers use this tool to identify the nine personality types: Reformer, Nurturer, Achiever, Romantic, Observer, Guardian, Adventurer, Leader, and Peacemaker. Each one has its own uniquely heroic and distinctive traits (as well as a troublesome weakness) that naturally bring them into conflict with other people...AND with themselves. 12:00 PM – Lunch Break 1:00 PM – Workshop: His Personality Ladder Every hero needs to move through five steps, comparable to climbing a ladder with a few detours here and there, along his journey from Mr. NOT YET Right to Mr. VERY Right. Of course, the heroine has her own ladder to climb in parallel stages...until the end, when they reach the ultimate triumph together. There's even a ladder for the villain, although in most books he never makes it to the top! 2:30 PM – Scavenger Hunt 3:15 PM – Mini Breakout Sessions 4:00 PM - Auction Closes 4:30 PM – Auction Winning Bids Announced, Recognition Ceremony, and Wrap-up And a bit about Laurie... Laurie Schnebly Campbell loves giving workshops that draw on her background as an advertising copywriter, a counseling therapist, and a romance novelist who beat out Nora Roberts for "Best Special Edition of the Year." Her favorite books are those created during her classes, with 49 First Sales so far. In conjunction with the retreat we are hosting a spring auction. There will be an array of items to bid on such as: · Services such as beta reads, critique, editing, website design, and/or marketing · Handmade crafts such as knitted or crocheted items, jewelry, cards, etc. · Gift items such as gift bags, candles, plaques, wall décor, mugs, etc. · Gift cards from a place a writer will love! · Baskets · Themed book bundles Bidding opens on April 10th and closes on April 24th. Payments will be made through Pay Pal. https://www.facebook.com/events/908728186567135/ Visit http://midmichiganrwa.org/retreat-from-harsh-reality/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/736771336909013/ to register for our Retreat from Harsh Reality on March 10th.