But This is How I Write: When and How to Talk to Editors About Voice
Summary:
Writers discuss when and how to stand up for one's personal style.
Description:
When an editor suggests changing something that is true to your culture or writing style, how do you decide when to argue for your version without ignoring good advice? Join our panel of expert writers and editors as they discuss developing healthy working relationships with editors, softening barriers in the publishing industry, standing up for your voice, and knowing when to listen. Panelists: Brady McReynolds (moderator), Matt Forbeck, Sarah Hans, Karen Menzel. Track: GCWS Editing.
Writers discuss the importance of reading children's speculative fiction.
Description:
Despite their marketing, children's books are often loaded with difficult themes and powerful messages that resonate with readers older than what may be the target audience. Join our expert panel of writers as they discuss why everyone should read children's speculative fiction. Panelists: George Jreije (moderator), Erin M. Evans, Mary Fan, Jerry Gordon. Track: GCWS Genre.
Choosing Your Path: Writing Games for Player Agency
Summary:
Game writers discuss choices and techniques for crafting interactive narrative.
Description:
Not sure how many dialog options should you provide your player in a conversation? Debating the benefits and drawbacks of large-scale choices in your narrative? Interested in procedurally generated narrative, but unsure if it's right for your game? Join our panel of experts as they unpack what tools in the toolbox are most useful for any interactive narrative experience. Panelists: Jennifer Allaway (moderator), Kelli Fitzpatrick, Grace P. Fong, Mostafa Haque, Bryan Young. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
Game writers discuss nuances of collaboration - including their real world experiences - in game design.
Description:
Most writing requires collaboration, but how does this manifest in the worlds of game design? Join our panel of gamewriters as they discuss. Panelists: Toiya Kristen Finley (moderator), Jeremy Bernstein, Jordan Jones-Brewster, Gabrielle Harbowy. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
Writers discuss techniques and considerations for broadening the spectra of intimacy in fiction.
Description:
Writing intimate scenes goes far beyond sexuality when incorporating elements such as physical closeness, emotional intimacy, sensuality, consent, ace-spec dynamics, trauma, and shared experiences. Join our panel of writers as they discuss more comprehensive elements of how to write a compelling and impactful intimate scene. Panelists: Jennifer Allaway (moderator), Erin M. Evans, Sarah Hans, Gini Koch. Track: GCWS Writing.
Professional writers discuss techniques for writing fallible, yet relatable, characters.
Description:
A protagonist's depth relies as much on their weaknesses as their strength. Join our panel of expert character writers as they discuss how to write a character who is authentically fallible without being too much so. Panelists: Karen Menzel (moderator), Richard Lee Byers, Erin M. Evans, Gabrielle Harbowy, Chris A. Jackson, Track: GCWS Writing.
Fantasy writer, cook, and entertainer Daniel "Doc" Myers teaches the basics of believable medieval-inspired cuisines in your writing.
Description:
A fantasy world should have a cuisine that takes into account the resources and technology of the people that inhabit it. In this seminar, join medieval cooking expert Daniel "Doc" Myers to learn how to make up a consistent, believable fantasy cuisine using the workings of medieval European cooking as a template. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Enjoy an evening of professional writers playing D&D live - for you!
Description:
Join us for an evening celebration of gaming, storytelling, laughs, and community, as a team of award-winning writers play live Dungeons & Dragons for you in the audience, with a simultaneous broadcast online. This is the fifth year of this event, and we're excited for even more shenanigans this time around! Featuring GM Gregory A. Wilson and a cast of fun and quirky players: E.D.E. Bell, Richard Lee Byers, Gini Koch, Karen Menzel, Brandon O'Brien. Track: GCWS Event.