What makes society divide into caste and class? Weâll take a look at historical and present-day structures and how to use various elements to develop classes in your world. Panelists: Tim Waggoner, Richard Lee Byers, Daniel Myers, Sabrina Klein, Paul Genesse
Worldbuilding: Hired Goons, Mercenaries, and Assorted Thugs
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So you need a few good men and women . . . and youâre going to get them where? Weâll cover topics such as the single assassin, gangs, bodyguards, professional mercenaries, accidental warriors, and the military, and how to fit them into your world. Panelists: John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Steven Schend, Richard Lee Byers
Avoid creating a stereotypical, generic, fantasy world. Weâll show you how to make the planet your very own . . . and make it interesting. Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Anton Strout, Donald Bingle
Worldbuilding: Realistic Treatments of Sex and Racism
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Smut or sexlessness, where is the middle ground? And how much is too much sexism? Unless weâre writing about a utopia, the societies in your fantasy worlds are going to have sexism. And if you include it, are you, as an author, guilty of perpetuating sexism in the real world? Panelists: Linda Baker, Patrick Rothfuss, Brad Beaulieu, Kerrie Hughes
Your setting has to make a certain amount of sense for your novel to be believable. So how do you make your fantasy ârealâ and how to you stop from making it so real it ceases to be fantasy? Panelists: Patrick Rothfuss, Paul Genesse, Anton Strout, Richard Lee Byers, Linda Baker
Some writers love to create a world from below the ground up. That can be exciting, but itâs not always necessary. Using Earthâs own rich culture and history, you can be just as creative and perhaps a bit quicker. Learn how our panelists take historical tidbits and tweak them to add authenticity to their own worlds. Panelists: Tim Waggoner, Richard Lee Byers, Paul Genesse
Magic should make more sense than science to hook your readers and enhance your fantasy world. Weâll talk about things that will enchant your writing. Panelists: Patrick Rothfuss, Linda Baker, Paul Genesse, Jennifer Brozek
Some say itâs best to âwrite what you know.â We thumb our nose at that notion! Otherwise, how could you ever write fiction set on one of Saturn's moons? Weâll teach you how to do just enough research to set your fiction pretty much anywhere. And weâll cover what elements to include, what to leave out, and how to explore writing in genres outside your proverbial comfort zone. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Patrick Rothfuss, Kelly Swails, Brad Beaulieu
The development of any writer depends on two things. One is that he writes. The second is that he gets accurate and valuable feedback on what he has written. New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole outlines the techniques and methods for forming groups and constructively analyzing and critiquing stories that allows for a lot of development in a very short time.
Tarot is said to be a window to the soul and the journey of The Fool. But have you ever thought that using Tarot cards or an oracle could aid your writing? You can use this method to help you get past a touch of writerâs block, to resolve problem points in your plot, to flesh out your characters, even to plot an entire book. Bring your Tarot or your oracle to the seminar to share, or just listen in as our panelists give ideas and tips for drawing