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Just a quick reminder that I am giving my most popular class, "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" starting this Monday and running through the 16th. It's over at the FFnP RWA loop (you don't have to be a member to take the class). I probably won't give it again any time soon, if ever, so here's your chance if you wanted to take it!
Hope to see some of you there!
http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=870
Showing posts with label Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author workshop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author workshop. Show all posts
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class
A number of years ago (I don't remember how many), someone (I don't remember who...but I think it might have been the lovely folks from the Low Country RWA chapter) asked me if I would be willing to come up with an online workshop for fiction authors who were writing about witches and wanted some factual information to help them make their characters more accurate.
The result was the "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" class, and that was the beginning of my online workshop-giving career. That class is still my most popular one, and I've given it on various loops across the interwebs, including the FF&P (Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal) RWA chapter, where I was thrilled to have one workshop go-round attended by both Katie MacAlister and Linda Wisdom--multi-published authors whose work I like a lot.
I'm not giving that class, or any others, on other folks loops anymore, because they usually last about 3 weeks, and I just can't spare the time from my writing. Instead, I'm giving shorter classes on my own workshop loop (set up by the fabulous Heather Long).
As an experiment, I'm going to try giving the Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class there too...in 5 days, instead of 3-4 weeks. Gulp. If you haven't taken the class yet, and you have any interest in writing paranormals that contain witches or other magical folk, I hope you'll join me!
The class runs July 16-20, and registration closes on the 15th, so run--quick like a bunny!--and sign up now. Also, if you want to spread the word to all your friends who might be interested, I'd be very, very grateful.
*blows kisses*
You can sign up here http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/ See you in the classroom!
The result was the "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" class, and that was the beginning of my online workshop-giving career. That class is still my most popular one, and I've given it on various loops across the interwebs, including the FF&P (Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal) RWA chapter, where I was thrilled to have one workshop go-round attended by both Katie MacAlister and Linda Wisdom--multi-published authors whose work I like a lot.
I'm not giving that class, or any others, on other folks loops anymore, because they usually last about 3 weeks, and I just can't spare the time from my writing. Instead, I'm giving shorter classes on my own workshop loop (set up by the fabulous Heather Long).
As an experiment, I'm going to try giving the Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class there too...in 5 days, instead of 3-4 weeks. Gulp. If you haven't taken the class yet, and you have any interest in writing paranormals that contain witches or other magical folk, I hope you'll join me!
The class runs July 16-20, and registration closes on the 15th, so run--quick like a bunny!--and sign up now. Also, if you want to spread the word to all your friends who might be interested, I'd be very, very grateful.
*blows kisses*
You can sign up here http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/ See you in the classroom!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Recommended Reading: The Garden of Happy Endings
Recommended Reading—The Garden of Happy Endings
Periodically I like to choose
from among the best books I’ve read recently and share them with my readers.
I’m a big advocate of spreading the word about great writers and great writing.
The last couple of months, I have been truly amazed—almost everything I read
was so great, most of the books made it to this list. Over the next couple of
weeks, I’ll talk about my favorites in more detail than usual—because they
deserve it. I hope you’ll check some of them out.
One of the books that really
stood out was THE GARDEN OF HAPPY ENDINGS by Barbara O’Neal. I discovered
Barbara through another author I love, Jennifer Crusie, and immediately ran
through everything she’d had published under that name. [She also writes
romance under her own name, Barbara Samuel.] I suppose these books would be
classified as “Women’s Fiction,” but frankly, I think they are in a genre all
their own.
The book blurb says: “In Barbara
O’Neal’s novel of hope and renewal, two very different sisters discover that
life is like a garden: tend to it daily, nourish it with patience and optimism,
then watch the beauty unfold.”
The beauty is interspersed with
darkness, and the hope with tragedy. This is not an easy book to read, although
the writing itself is lyrical and flows smoothly. Reverend Elsa Montgomery struggles
with a crisis of faith after a terrible incident, and her sister Tamsin’s world
is shattered when she discovers that her husband is a criminal. But there is
also gardening, and community, and faith, and friendship, and love.
This book is a treasure: a feast
for mind and heart and soul. Harsh, vibrant, gentle, loving…its spirit will
resonate in my bones long after the words have faded from memory. It may be a
novel, but it is not a work of fiction. Just the opposite, for it contains the
essence of all that is real and true about life. Including, of course, a
difficult, believable, and ultimately satisfying tale of love.
If you read one book this
summer, make it this one.
Coming up soon, my favorite paranormal romance, YA paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy and short story anthology!
Also coming up is my next online workshop at the class loop http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/ -- registration is open now!
For those who are writing a witch character (whether protagonist or
antagonist) and want to get it right. See what's already been done,
learn the basics of a modern witchcraft practice, and get hints from
someone who has written six nonfiction and four fiction books about
witches, magic, and spellcraft.
This is a class that I have given a number of times before, usually over the course of about three weeks. We're going to see if we can cram it into FIVE DAYS. Are you up to the challenge? I hope you'll join me!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Workshop: Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author
I am giving my popular writing workshop, "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author," over at SavvyAuthors starting on May 16th. This is the last time I'm giving it this year (or possibly for a couple of years), so if you're at all interested, you might want to go sign up!
http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/workshoplist.php
I hope to see you there!
http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/workshoplist.php
I hope to see you there!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author Workshop
It's that time again! I'm giving my popular workshop for authors and aspiring authors who want to have a witch character in their books. Come to the FFnP loop (no need to be a member) and sign up for my "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" Workshop, starting March 7th and running for 3 weeks. You'll have fun, and probably even learn something...
http://www.romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=272
I hope to see you there!
(Please pass the word to anyone you think might be interested.)
http://www.romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=272
I hope to see you there!
(Please pass the word to anyone you think might be interested.)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author Workshop
Guest Blog FFnP
February 2011
Deborah Blake
I give a number of online writing classes—all of which people seem to like and get something out of—but by far the most popular is my “Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author” workshop. The workshop is aimed at giving those who write witchy characters accurate information about modern Witchcraft, so that they can get their characters right. Or at least know what they’re doing when they choose to get it wrong. (This is fiction, after all.)
I am particularly well-qualified to teach this class, and not just because many of my novels feature witches as protagonists. You see, I’m a witch. (Insert cackle here.)
Don’t worry—I’m a good witch, not a bad witch. Well, really there is no such thing as the bad witch, outside of fairy tales and Hollywood, so that was a given. But not everybody knows that, of course. There is a lot of misinformation out there about Witchcraft and Wicca, which is one of the reasons I give this class. Most of the writers I know try and write realistic characters, even in books that have unrealistic settings, like paranormal romances and fantasies. So whether their witch character is the hero/heroine or the bad guy, they want to have at least some basis in fact for the actions and motivations of that character.
That’s where I come in. I have written five nonfiction books on Wicca and modern Witchcraft (all published by Llewellyn), so I have some expertise in this area. Not that there is one right way with Witchcraft; practices can vary so widely that it is hard to make sweeping generalizations about the modern practice of this ancient path. But here are a few basics that are usually accepted to be true by most Witches.
1) Witchcraft is a nature-based religion, usually involving the worship of both a goddess and a god. Often god/dess is worshipped in many forms, in which case the religion is considered to be pantheistic.
2) The modern versions of Witchcraft (of which Wicca is probably the best known) are based in part on the practices of Pagans from earlier times, and in part are a modern construct. Either way, it seems to work for those who follow it.
3) There are no rules as such, but one core concept is known as “The Wiccan Rede” and says, “An it harm none, do as ye will.” Which sounds pretty free and easy, until you realize that it means that no Witch should take any action which will lead to the harm of another or him/herself. And while this can be a challenge, most Witches do their best to follow the Rede. So…no wicked witch. Sorry.
4) Witches also believe that what you put out into the universe is what you get back. This is also known as “The Law of Returns” or, for those who take it one step further, and believe that what you put out comes back to you times THREE, it is referred to as “The Threefold Law.” Again, imagine if you will that supposed wicked witch, casting a spell to give her enemy warts. And ending up with um, maybe boils. Ugh. No thank you. [And yes, of course there are people who don’t follow the rules—but that’s true in any religion.]
5) Because Witchcraft is a nature-based religion, most Witches feel a strong connection to the natural world. In real life, this often translates to people who recycle, compost, have gardens, and do a lot of their worshipping outside. In a fictional world, this gives the author a great opportunity to play with the elements (earth, air, fire, and water), as well as the moon in all its phases.
6) Witches usually base their practice on natural cycles, such as the changing seasons and the phases of the moon. This is often referred to as “The Wheel of the Year,” and includes both Esbats (full moons) and Sabbats (the eight holidays of the Pagan year, many of which are the basis for the holidays most people celebrate…such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, and even Ground Hog Day).
7) Witches believe in magic. Yes, we really do. Not Harry Potter wave-a-wand-and-you’re-invisible magic (darn it), but magic as a natural force in the universe. Witches believe that you can harness your own will and intent to create positive change in the world. (Like prayer, in many ways.) And of course, an author can truly work magic with a witch character to help them.
I love to write about witches, both in fiction and nonfiction. And I love to read other author’s approaches to witchy characters, too. Some of my favorites include Candace Havens, Mindy Klasky, and Yasmine Galenorn, although there are many, many wonderful writers out there creating fun and fascinating witches to entertain and bespell their readers with.
If you write paranormal or fantasy fiction, I hope that you will join me for my next “Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author” workshop, at the FFnP RWA online loop in March. Otherwise, just go out and read some fun books about witches. I promise you’ll find them to be absolutely magical!
http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm
February 2011
Deborah Blake
I give a number of online writing classes—all of which people seem to like and get something out of—but by far the most popular is my “Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author” workshop. The workshop is aimed at giving those who write witchy characters accurate information about modern Witchcraft, so that they can get their characters right. Or at least know what they’re doing when they choose to get it wrong. (This is fiction, after all.)
I am particularly well-qualified to teach this class, and not just because many of my novels feature witches as protagonists. You see, I’m a witch. (Insert cackle here.)
Don’t worry—I’m a good witch, not a bad witch. Well, really there is no such thing as the bad witch, outside of fairy tales and Hollywood, so that was a given. But not everybody knows that, of course. There is a lot of misinformation out there about Witchcraft and Wicca, which is one of the reasons I give this class. Most of the writers I know try and write realistic characters, even in books that have unrealistic settings, like paranormal romances and fantasies. So whether their witch character is the hero/heroine or the bad guy, they want to have at least some basis in fact for the actions and motivations of that character.
That’s where I come in. I have written five nonfiction books on Wicca and modern Witchcraft (all published by Llewellyn), so I have some expertise in this area. Not that there is one right way with Witchcraft; practices can vary so widely that it is hard to make sweeping generalizations about the modern practice of this ancient path. But here are a few basics that are usually accepted to be true by most Witches.
1) Witchcraft is a nature-based religion, usually involving the worship of both a goddess and a god. Often god/dess is worshipped in many forms, in which case the religion is considered to be pantheistic.
2) The modern versions of Witchcraft (of which Wicca is probably the best known) are based in part on the practices of Pagans from earlier times, and in part are a modern construct. Either way, it seems to work for those who follow it.
3) There are no rules as such, but one core concept is known as “The Wiccan Rede” and says, “An it harm none, do as ye will.” Which sounds pretty free and easy, until you realize that it means that no Witch should take any action which will lead to the harm of another or him/herself. And while this can be a challenge, most Witches do their best to follow the Rede. So…no wicked witch. Sorry.
4) Witches also believe that what you put out into the universe is what you get back. This is also known as “The Law of Returns” or, for those who take it one step further, and believe that what you put out comes back to you times THREE, it is referred to as “The Threefold Law.” Again, imagine if you will that supposed wicked witch, casting a spell to give her enemy warts. And ending up with um, maybe boils. Ugh. No thank you. [And yes, of course there are people who don’t follow the rules—but that’s true in any religion.]
5) Because Witchcraft is a nature-based religion, most Witches feel a strong connection to the natural world. In real life, this often translates to people who recycle, compost, have gardens, and do a lot of their worshipping outside. In a fictional world, this gives the author a great opportunity to play with the elements (earth, air, fire, and water), as well as the moon in all its phases.
6) Witches usually base their practice on natural cycles, such as the changing seasons and the phases of the moon. This is often referred to as “The Wheel of the Year,” and includes both Esbats (full moons) and Sabbats (the eight holidays of the Pagan year, many of which are the basis for the holidays most people celebrate…such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, and even Ground Hog Day).
7) Witches believe in magic. Yes, we really do. Not Harry Potter wave-a-wand-and-you’re-invisible magic (darn it), but magic as a natural force in the universe. Witches believe that you can harness your own will and intent to create positive change in the world. (Like prayer, in many ways.) And of course, an author can truly work magic with a witch character to help them.
I love to write about witches, both in fiction and nonfiction. And I love to read other author’s approaches to witchy characters, too. Some of my favorites include Candace Havens, Mindy Klasky, and Yasmine Galenorn, although there are many, many wonderful writers out there creating fun and fascinating witches to entertain and bespell their readers with.
If you write paranormal or fantasy fiction, I hope that you will join me for my next “Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author” workshop, at the FFnP RWA online loop in March. Otherwise, just go out and read some fun books about witches. I promise you’ll find them to be absolutely magical!
http://www.romance-ffp.com/workshops.cfm
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class!
Hey all you writers out there!
It's that time again--I am giving my "The Real Witch: Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" online writing class over at the Low Country RWA loop. It is only $16 and you don't have to be a member of LC or RWA to take it. This has been my most popular class (and was the one that prompted people to ask me to start the Creativity Cauldron loop for paranormal writers).
I hope you'll join me!
Go here to register or get more information:
http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/
And pass the word to all your writer friends who might be interested :-)
It's that time again--I am giving my "The Real Witch: Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" online writing class over at the Low Country RWA loop. It is only $16 and you don't have to be a member of LC or RWA to take it. This has been my most popular class (and was the one that prompted people to ask me to start the Creativity Cauldron loop for paranormal writers).
I hope you'll join me!
Go here to register or get more information:
http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/
And pass the word to all your writer friends who might be interested :-)
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