2018 Willamette Writers Conference

My schedule at the Portland, Oregon event this weekend: August, 2–5.

I’ve been invited back to the 49th annual Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Oregon. Last year, I had a great time with three presentations each to a packed room (you can read about the experience here including three takeaways for writers). This year, I’ll be doing three presentations and a screenwriting master class:

Thursday, August 2, 2018: 9:30AM — 3:30PM [SOLD OUT]
Master Class: “Narrative Imperative: The Protagonist’s Psychological Journey”

An in-depth exploration of the behind-the-words journey every protagonist takes from the first scene, through the climax, and into the denouement. Students will spend the morning learning and asking questions about this misunderstood and essential part of creating character and narrative. In the afternoon, Scott will workshop the journey with the protagonists of all attendee’s WIP.

Friday, August 3, 2018: 4:00–5:30PM
Theme: What It Is, How to Find It, and How to Use It to Enrich Your Story

After considering the principle Theme = Meaning, we will explore how we can use themes to both expand and focus our understanding of the stories we write through the use of Central Themes, Secondary Themes, and Adjunct Themes, as well as Talismans, Motifs, and Moments.

Saturday, August 4, 2018: 11:00AM-12:30PM
Write a Worthy Nemesis

There is nothing like a well-drawn Nemesis to enliven a screenplay by functioning as a worthy foe to the Protagonist. In this presentation, you will learn key principles to help you craft a Nemesis who goes beyond the stereotypical Bad Guy to a living, breathing, and powerful antagonist figure.

Saturday, August 4, 2018: 4:00–5:30PM
Story Concept: How to Generate, Assess, and Develop Story Ideas

After discussing the critical importance of story concept, we will delve into The Lowdown on High Concept; Genre, Cross Genres, and Sub-Genres; Hollywood’s Obsession with ‘Similar but Different’; Brainstorming and Recycling’ Genre Bending; Genre Bending and Geo-Bending’ and How to Test Your Story Concept.

You can go here to check out the entire schedule. Many great writers and speakers at the event.

If you’re up in the Pacific Northwest, I hope to see you there!

For more information this year’s Willamette Writers Conference, go here.

I’ve got more events in the fall:

Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab (August 5–11, 2018)

London Screenwriters Festival (September 6–9, 2018)

Film Festival Cologne — Germany (October 6–8, 2018)

Austin Film Festival (October 25–28, 2017)

Plus, it looks like I will be going to Paris for a 3-day master class in March 2019, so Go Into The Story fans in France, like the good folks at Les Guilde, look out for news on that event in the next few months.