Yes, writing is a lonely business. But feedback from peers, encouragement from others, and prods to keep writing are important, too. And you can get all that in a Writers' Group. Discussed will be how to find a writer's group, writer's group etiquette, and other topics important to the group environment.

Part of what defines a culture is its system of shared beliefs--not only religious, but also secular. Designing and understanding the belief systems of your characters adds depth to the world in which they live, so let's discuss how to do so.

Author Sanan Kolva reads from her works.

Tips, tricks, and suggestions on how to keep motivated and have forward progress on your writing projects while still balancing a busy life.

If you are a writer, I’m sure you have had writer's block. But you don't want to simply get unstuck. To put forth your best effort and end with the finest version of your creation, you will need to build upon and maintain your momentum.

Even before the pandemic threw publishing schedules into disarray, the publishing industry was facing enormous change. The change from physical to electronic books, blurring of boundaries between traditional, small press and independent authors. What is our industry becoming? How can writers plan for the future?

Tropes are one of the building blocks of stories, but they can be misused, overused, and just plain worn out. How can you use tropes effectively in your writing? What are some stories that have done to well? Let's talk about using tropes, with and without flipping them around.

What are tropes, how are they used, and how can we use them effectively as story-telling tools without falling back on the same old cliches?

From science to history to magic, the world is full of source material for writers if you only know where to look. Our panel of writers, game designers and fellow travelers will discuss how they develop their background to make their creative endeavor more realistic.

Fantasy author Sanan Kolva reads from some of her works.

Whether you create your world first, or the characters that inhabit it, these elements must work together. But sometimes, one or the other needs to bend to fit the other. What are some strategies for building that unity into the story you create, and what can you do to maintain that cohesion when challenges arise?The link for this virtual attended meeting is:https://zoom.us/j/92842354705?pwd=Nk5iWlhXMG5rSDRKN1U0Tkg4Vjdodz09Meeting ID: 928 4235 4705Passcode: 857413

From science to history to magic, the world is full of source material for writes if you only know where to look. Our panel of writers, game designers and fellow travelers will discuss how they develop their background to make their creative endeavor more realistic.

In all of our fictional worlds, there is some way that the world came into being. And then, there is the way the denizens of that world believe that they came into being. From the creation of gods to the way people explain their world without them we will examine how to create truths and fallacies that make your world more compelling and relatable.

Running a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) can be challenging. The panel offers ideas on how to improve being a GM, campaigns, and creating adventures for cons. Bill Stevenson has years of experience with numerous game systems and running at numerous cons including Radcon and Gamesfest.

Magical healing is found in many fantasy (and science fiction, depending on your definition of “magical”) stories. What are the limits of it, and what are the costs to either the caster or the recipient? Can magic heal mental trauma as well as physical? If the mind can be healed with magic, does it require something different than physical healing?

A panel to discuss importance of great characters-how to design them, avoids tropes, create unique characters in stories. Also discuss good and bad characters in books & media. Breaking stereotypes and goals for characters. Discuss issues (example why is a strong woman often tagged stubborn instead of strong).

Fantasy author Sanan Kolva reads from some of her works.

Writers, artists and crafters face many challenges as we produce our creations. Sometimes we're asked if it's a "real career" or "just a hobby," but that ignores the other needs we can fulfill by writing, painting, and crafting.

What do editors do? How many kinds of editors are there, anyway? (And what do they do?) Who pays them, when? And, of course, why?

Getting input and finding friends to write with is both easier and harder, after Covid. the tools for online meetings are much more mainstream and available. Come find out some tricks and resources for creating, managing or finding Writers groups online in 2024.

The last few years has seen an explosion in the use of Virtual Table Tops (VTT) to run Role-Playing Games. Its a very useful tool to allow busy people to find time to get together. It also allows one the opportunity to play with people from around the world. This can be an advantage if one's favorite game is not played locally. This panel will be on the benefits and issues with the use of VTT in gaming. It will give you suggestions on how to have a good experience with online gaming.

Join us for an exploration of the intricate art of building worlds, developing characters, and weaving storylines that captivate readers across multiple books.  We'll discuss plot structure, pacing, and the art of leaving breadcrumbs for future books.  Let's talk about cultivating loyal readership by delivering a blend of familiarity and novelty for each book.

Regardless of which comes first when you craft a story, the characters or the world, they need to work together. But sometimes, that amazing new plot idea breaks the fundamental rules of the universe you've constructed. Sometimes, your characters just don't fit where you've put them. How do you make these elements work together?

In the last few years Virtual Tabletop (VTT) have grown in popularity as a way play Role-Playing Games. This is a panel on how to organize and run a campaign on a VTT. The strengths and weakness compared to a in person game.

Have a head--or notebook--full of ideas but you aren't sure where to start? Let these published authors talk about their first stories and how they got started.

Magical healing is found in many fantasy (and science fiction, depending on your definition of “magical”) stories. What are the limits of it, and what are the costs to either the caster or the recipient? Can magic heal mental trauma as well as physical? If the mind can be healed with magic, does it require something different than physical healing?

What are tropes, how are they used, and how can we use them effectively as story-telling tools without falling back on the same old cliches?Tropes are one of the building blocks of stories, but they can be misused, overused, and just plain worn out. How can you use tropes effectively in your writing? What are some stories that have done to well? Let's talk about using tropes, with and without flipping them around.

Author Sanan Kolva reads from some of her works.

Part of what defines a culture is its system of shared beliefs--not only religious, but also secular. Designing and understanding the belief systems of your characters adds depth to the world in which they live, so let's discuss how to do so.

Regardless of which comes first when you craft a story, the characters or the world, they need to work together. But sometimes, that amazing new plot idea breaks the fundamental rules of the universe you've constructed. Sometimes, your characters just don't fit where you've put them. How do you make these elements work together?