By Nancy Lohr
Assignment 8 – Titles
The title of your book (or shorter work) is likely your reader’s introduction to your content, so you need to think about what those few words say. It is not unusual for a writer to try to describe the book in the title or to write a very short synopsis. Some readers will find that enough to open the cover and see whether the first few paragraphs are engaging. But some readers will have learned enough from the synopsis to move on to another book, another author. For those readers you need a hook, an enticing hint of what is to come.
In broad strokes, a title that describes is better suited to nonfiction, and a title that intrigues is better suited to fiction. All titles, however, should invite the reader in.
Assignment:
Assignment 9 – The Mighty Sentence
Sentences should combine craft, comprehension, and appreciation. Work to write sentences that will draw readers in and make them want more.
Assignment: When you are tempted to say of something you are reading, “Hey, listen to this,” take the time to record that sentence where you can return to it for pleasure or for analysis. This can be in a handwritten journal or notebook, but it can be a computer file too.
Examples
—It was in the books while it was still in the sky. (from John Updike essay about a Ted Williams’ home run)
—The goodness of the mother is written in the gaiety of the child. (Victor Hugo, Les Misérables)
— “Victorious and dead,” some muttered, “is a poor sort of victory.” (M. L. Steadman, The Light Between Oceans)
—Craftsmanship isn't like water in an earthen pot, to be taken out by the dipperful until it's empty. No, the more drawn out the more remains. (Lloyd Alexander, Taran Wanderer)
Assignment 6 - Creative Non-Fiction
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2/15/2021
Assignment 5 - Don't Waste Your Conference Experience
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January 31, Assignment 4 - Bring Your Characters to Life
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January 24, Assignment Four - Time to Shoot the Weasel Words
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Assignment 3 - The Role of Speaker Tags and Beats
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1/21/2021
Assignment 2 (2 of 2) Week of January 10
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1/13/2021
January 10, Assignment 2 (1 of 2 assignments)
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1/10/2021
Assignment 1 - ACWC January 5 - Let's Start with a Bio
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1/5/2021
Assignment 8 & 9 - Titles & Sentences - Nancy Lohr
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2/13/2020
Assignment 7 - What in the World is a One Sheet - Andrea Merrell
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February 1 - Assignments 5 & 6 - Linda Glaz
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Sensory Perception Enhances Your Writing - Assignment 4
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1/26/2020
Don't Write Your Bio - Write WHY ME? - Assignment 3
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1/18/2020
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Appropriate Emails - [email protected] - Assignment 1
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How Not to Get an Agent - Assignment 7
Bob Hostetler
2/10/2019
January 27 Assignment 5 -Storytelling Your Life Lessons
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
1/27/2019
It's Not What You Know; It's Who You Know - Assignment 4
Bob Hostetler
1/20/2019
Stay on Track with a Writing Schedule - Assignment 3
Larry Leech
1/13/2019
Assignment 2 - Finding Speaker Topics
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1/5/2019
IMAGERY–WHEN THIS IS LIKE THAT
By Ann Tatlock
12/30/2018
Asheville Christian Writers Conference Privacy Policy
Cindy Sproles
6/4/2018
2018 Writers Charge
Cindy
2/18/2018
Last Chance - Assignment 7
Cindy Sproles
2/11/2018
An Adjective Safari - Assignment 6
Denise Loock
2/4/2018
Get in the Mood to Write - Assignment 5
Larry J. Leech II
1/28/2018
Getting Rid of “I” Disease - Assignment 3
Andrea Merrell
1/14/2018
Curb Your Adverb Addiction - Assignment 2
Denise Loock
1/7/2018
WHO ARE YOU? - Writing Your Bio
Cindy Sproles
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WRITING IN A PICKLE
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11/13/2017
THE NaNoWriMo CHALLENGE
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BRINGING YOUR CHARACTERS TO LIFE
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DON’T LET SPEAKER BEATS RUIN YOUR MANUSCRIPT
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HOW TO CRAFT GREAT DIALOGUE
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1/30/2017
AVOID REPETITION AND WRITE TIGHT
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THE QUOTATION QUOTA – ASSIGNMENT 2
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ELIMINATE THE EXCLAMATION POINTS – ASSIGNMENT 1
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1/7/2017
WRITING ADVICE FROM MARK TWAIN: WRITE WITHOUT PAY UNTIL SOMEBODY OFFERS TO PAY
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12/22/2016
WHEN THE STORY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE
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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE APPOINTMENTS
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ARRRGH! ANOTHER REJECTION – CINDY SPROLES
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FROZEN IN PLACE – ICEY SELF-TALK TO FREEZE YOUR WRITING
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9/8/2016
THE BIO – THE FRAGRANCE OF WHO YOU ARE
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THE PAIN OF UNSOLICITED
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8/29/2016
REDUNDANCY: AN EXCESSIVE, OPPRESSIVE, PERVASIVE DISEASE
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7 THINGS TO DO NOW TO BE READY WHEN WRITING INSPIRATION STRIKES – EDIE MELSON
by Edie Melson
8/23/2016
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS
by Cindy Sproles
8/20/2016
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THE ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE?
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8/17/2016
YOU NEED A PLATFORM – LIVING A STORY- ASSIGNMENT 3
By La-tan Murphy
1/20/2016
THE ONE SHEET
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1/8/2016
OVER-EDIT?
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11/4/2015
