Plotting Masterclass with Natasha Lester

Learn to craft the kind of plot that could turn your next book into a bestseller!

In this workshop, we’ll be looking at character and emotion driven plotting, rather than trying to impose a plot upon a story. And don’t worry if you’re a pantser – Natasha is too! Natasha will teach an approach to creating a plot that suits all kinds of writers – and writers of every level.

We’ll look at what’s missing from conventional methods of plotting and, in place of those methods, you’ll learn about story sparklers, and why and how a character’s motivations, emotional responses and behavioural reactions drive plot. We’ll also talk about the seven story fundamentals, the stakes of your story, and how to raise these in order to propel your plot forwards.

This workshop is held as part of GenreCon 2023: Forbidden Doors' Friday schedule of workshops. For more information and to book for the GenreCon 2023 program, visit www.genrecon.com.au.

Learning Outcomes

• Distinguish between plot, story and structure, and understand the difference between each of the three terms
• Investigate what’s missing from traditional methods of plotting
• Recognise why these methods might not be helping you create a story with strong emotional resonance
• Understand what it means when you're told to "go deeper" with your story
• Brainstorm your characters' motivations, emotional responses and behavioural reactions and use these to create a character-driven outline for your book
• Understand the seven fundamentals of plotting and apply each of these to your story
• Incorporate three hugely important elements that I like to call the story sparklers into your book
• Analyse the “what is known” chart and understand why and how it helps strengthen a plot
• Create your own "what is known" chart for your story
• Learn to build flexibility into your approach to plotting rather than applying a rigid method adhering to a certain number and type of plot point

Format

This is a in-person workshop held as part of GenreCon 2023, with a focus on craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. It is a level 1 course for writers of all levels: beginners, intermediate and emerging.

About Natasha

Natasha Lester is the New York Times-bestselling author of seven historical novels, including The French Photographer, The Paris Secret, The Riviera House, and The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre, and she’s also a former marketing executive for L’Oréal. Her novels have been translated into many different languages and are published all around the world. When she’s not writing, she loves collecting vintage fashion and practising the art of fashion illustration. Natasha is a sought-after public speaker and lives with her husband and three children in Perth, Western Australia.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info