Novel Writing: Story & Structure

Story and Structure in Novel Writing will focus on helping participants construct a viable plot and effective storyline for your novel. Specifically by focusing on structural development you will leave the course with a clear vision of how to write your novel. Discussions will also provide helpful hints and strategies about other key components like dialogue, characterization, description, visual style, conflict, motivation and marketability. Depending on the time allotted and number of students, exercises concerning the novel premise, characterization and narrative will be completed within a workshop format. This workshop can help writers at all stages whether you have only an idea in your head or if your manuscript is complete, but you’d like to strengthen your story and structure.

About the Presenter

Venise Berry is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and African American Studies at the University of Iowa. She has had three non-fiction books published; THE HISTORICAL DICTIONARY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CINEMA (Scarecrow Press 2007). The 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL BLACK FILMS (Citadal 2001) and MEDIATED MESSAGES: Issues in African American Culture (Sage 1996). She is also the author of three national bestselling novels; SO GOOD, An African American Love Story (Dutton 1996), ALL OF ME, A Voluptuous Tale (Dutton 2000) and COLORED SUGAR WATER (Dutton 2002). Her fourth novel, POCKETS OF SANITY, is with her agent in search of a publisher. In 2003, Berry received the “Creative Contribution to Literature” award from the Zora Neale Hurston Society. ALL OF ME received a 2001 Honor Book Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Each summer, Berry teaches a one-week workshop on novel writing and a weekend workshop on writing book proposals at the University of Iowa Summer Writers Festival. She has also taught at the Hurston/Wright Summer Writers Workshop and conducts seminars on a variety of topics: Weight and Wellness: Challenging Myths, Racialism and the Media, Words That Set You Free, I Used to be a Rap Music Fan, and Success in the 21st Century. Her website is www.veniseberry.com.