I met Julie about four years ago after I started to really dedicate myself to writing. I entered one of her single-scene contests she used to run on her site and she ended up selecting my scene as one of three finalists to be voted on by her readers. Since then we’ve stayed in contact and I’ve been lucky to get to know her a little bit.

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to work with her. Her constructive feedback and support has made an enormous impact on my quality of writing, as well as helped to build up my confidence as an artist. A few years ago, I did a one-day up and back drive down to Los Angeles just so that I could spend an afternoon with her and other writers.

I highly recommend taking advantage of her trip up to the Bay Area and participating in the upcoming workshop. There are a few slots left!

Character Writing Master Class

Saturday, March 26th, 9am – 5 pm, Berkeley, CA

Take Your Writing to the Next Level!

Dedicate a single day to learning specific tools and exercises to help you create characters that are as real as you are!

LEARN how not to fall in love with your character on page one, but rather, the new, improved self they will become by the end of the story.

SEE how to move your main character from an old way of being to a new one through a plot that unfolds because of your main character’s active flaws and vulnerabilities. 

PRACTICE a writing exercise that demonstrates that looking inward at your own wants, desires and fears gives you permission to be much more honest (and dramatic) about those of your characters.

 PLAY WITH new tricks to contextualize and ground great dialogue.

-and much, much more in this truly satisfying and fun all day workshop with Julie Gray!

Cost for the workshop is $125, but for WIF members, it’s only $99.

To learn more about Julie Gray.

Register for the class here.

Image: ©adamlopezphotography.com

She’s currently traveling the globe, running weekend workshops, and will coming to San Francisco on May 1st and 2nd.  If you’re around the area, I highly stress you bypass the farmer’s market that weekend and make it happen.

Here’s some additional info, taken from Julie’s site:

Idea to the Page to the Screen:

Fearless Writing for the Passionate Screenwriter

This fun, participatory and packed two-day workshop is designed to help aspiring screenwriters learn the tools necessary to not only test ideas for originality but also to outline effectively and write unforgettable characters. Writers will participate in brainstorming exercises, learn about writing cinematically, and come away recharged, inspired and armed to write awesome pages.

Julie teaches three totally unique tools:

LEARN The Menage a Flaw method for writing unforgettable, character-driven scripts – every time!

USE The Tracking Map to test structure and arc like never before!

MARVEL at the WWYD (what would you do) worksheet and find the “compelling question” hidden in your script!

Day two focuses on strategies for breaking into Hollywood: Learn how to sell both your writing and yourself. We’ll discuss agents, managers, competitions, queries and the art of pitching. Role-playing and practice pitching in a supportive environment will help you gain the confidence you need to build your career AND the professionalism, playfulness and fresh perspective you need to stay sane and happy while doing so.

 

Registrants for ALL classes will receive a 10% discount on books, supplies and dvds from the Writer’s Store PLUS $50 off registration for the Great American Pitch Fest.

If you want some more info, you can check out her site, here, or email them at classes@justeffing.com. 

I will be taping the Giants games those days to make it, so you have no excuse not to go!