FSU Panama City to host Writers’ Workshop

FSU Panama City will host a Writers’ Workshop from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the Bland Conference Center.

Karen Zacharias, author of “Mother of Rain” and “Rain,” will present a special session on “The Magic and Mystery of Writing.” Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, writers must commit to a variety of daily practices. What are those practices? How can they help you? How can you incorporate them into your life? And what part does inspiration play in writing?

Zacharias also will be the keynote speaker during lunch, presenting “The Seer’s Gift.”

Also presenting will be Mark Boss, author of “Robot Revolution,” with “The Craft of Strong Sentences.” Using Ursula K. Le Guin’s “Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story” as a foundation, the session will focus of writing strong sentences. Like atoms and molecules, sentences are the building blocks we use to build stories. The group will discuss rhythm, flow, pace, clarity and how to bring them all together in a story.

Milinda Jay Stephenson, author of “Annie Laura’s Triumph,” will present “Let’s Talk about Story: Memoir Writing and Harry Potter.” In this workshop, Stephenson will help writers convert family stories to marketable fiction using plot tips from J.K. Rowling’s best-selling series. Writers will practice creating conflict, building tension and creating an engaging cast of characters.

General registration is $20. Registration for FSU students with a valid FSU ID is $10. Lunch is included with registration. Payment may be made the day of the event with cash, credit or check made payable to “FSU PC Foundation.”

To register or for more information, call special event coordinator Casey Lathem at (850) 770-2168 or email clathem@fsu.edu.