Book Signings and Events
Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, all book signings and in-person events have been postponed. Efforts are being made to offer online events for family history writing tips.
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Author In Residence
During the months of May, June and July, I will be the Author-in-Residence for the Red Mountain Library. A series of workshops will be available online. Check the Mesa Library website for links to the events. May 8th, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Jumpstart Your Creative Juices Story ideas are everywhere. Participate in a writing workshop intended to show you how to generate ideas for interesting and unique stories. Participants will practice what they learn and hopefully leave the workshop with several viable story ideas. May 22nd, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Heroic Journeys Based on The Writer's Journey, by Christopher Vogler, Randy will explain the time-honored tradition of storytelling. Participants will have a chance to practice what they learn on their own stories. June 5th, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Heroes Know Thyself Vivid and believable characters are at the heart of every successful story. The workshop will cover a variety of ways to breathe life into the people who populate your story. Participants will have a chance to apply what they learn during the class and receive input from Randy. June 19th, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library First Impressions Agents, editors at publishing houses, and many potential readers give a critical eye to the first chapter of a novel. In many cases, the decision to continue reading is made in the first few pages. This class will focus on the essential elements each novel needs in the first chapter. July 10th, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Keep 'Em Reading Read-on prompts are essential if you want to turn your story into a page-turner. With the right kind of chapter breaks you can keep your readers up way past their bed times. Participants are encouraged to bring a few of their troublesome chapter endings to work on during class. July 24th, 2021 2:00-3:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Staring on the Publishing Trail Now that you have written a book, what's next? Randy will discuss matters that are important to authors who are ready to publish their first story. Bring your publishing questions for both traditional and indie-publishing options. |
One-On-One Consultations
The Author-in-Residence program also offers one-on-one consultations with the author. This is a chance to have a published author look at your work, ask for advice on difficult writing topics, or even brainstorm story ideas. May 5th & 7th, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. May 12th & 14th, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. May 19th & 21st, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. May 26th & 28th, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. June 2nd & 4th, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. June 9th & 11th, 2021 2:00 - 4:00 Online Mesa Red Mountain Library Consultations Sign-up for one-on-one writing consultations with Randy. You pick the topic. You decide what we talk about. This includes going over your work-in-progress. Also on June 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th and July 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, and the 30th. |
Classes and Workshops
Randy offers the following classes and workshops for writers. These are available to schools, libraries, and writing groups. Requests can be made through the Contact Me page.
JUMPSTART YOUR CREATIVE JUICES – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Story ideas are everywhere. Participate in a writing workshop that is designed to show you how to generate ideas for interesting and unique stories from the common everyday sources. Participants will form into groups to practice what they have learned. Randy will stick around afterwards to answer questions.
HEROES, KNOW THYSELF – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Vivid and believable characters are at the heart of every successful story. The workshop will cover a variety of ways of breathing life into the people who populate your story. Participants will have the chance to apply what
they have learned while Randy is on hand to help them out with any problems they encounter.
PLOTTING ALONG - A WRITING WORKSHOP
You have a great idea for a story. What are you going to do with it? Randy will discuss important elements in plotting a story and explain several methods for achieving that end. Participants are encouraged to bring a story idea to the workshop and develop it.
HEROIC JOURNEYS – A WRITING WORKSHOP
The workshop is based on the book The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Volger. Randy will explain the time-honored structure of storytelling that has been around since cavemen told stories around their campfires at night. Participants will have a chance to apply what they have learned to their own stories.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - A WRITING CLASS
Agents, editors at publishing houses, and many individuals in the reading public will give a critical eye to the first chapter of a novel. In many cases the decision to continue reading is made in the first few pages. Based on the judging criteria Randy has followed as a judge for several First Chapter contests, this class will focus on the essential elements each novel needs in the first chapter.
KEEP 'EM READING – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Read-on prompts are essential if you want to turn your story into a page-turner. With the right kind of chapter breaks you can keep your readers up way past their bedtimes. Participants are encouraged to bring a few of their troublesome chapter endings to work on during the class.
STARTING ON THE PUBLISHING TRAIL - A WRITING CLASS
Now that you have a book written, what's next? Randy will discuss matters that authors who are ready for publication will need to address in order to succeed and covers the basics on this topic.
AND HERE'S THE PITCH
A story pitch may be the single most important tool in an author's arsenal. Learn how to describe the essential elements of your story in a sentence or two and in a way that will hook potential customers. Participants will form into small groups and practice what they learn.
MAKE YOUR STORY STAND OUT
Learn tips on how to make your stories stand out from the rest of the competition by the proper use of setting, character, goals, mixing genres, and genre elements. Participants will be encouraged to practice the techniques during the class.
BALANCING THEME
Learn how to use theme to populate your genre stories, create conflict, and develop a basic story arc. Participants will be asked to practice what they learn and share their efforts with the rest of the group.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY - A WRITING WORKSHOP
What better way to start a writing career than with a fictional story about - You! Randy will discuss ways to generate story ideas and focus primarily on using elements from the participants lives to create a fictional story that will really resonate with the youth writing them.
THIS IS HOW IT STARTS - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Randy will discuss how to start a story and then work with the participants on developing their story ideas.
PICK ME, PICK ME - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Stories are filled with interesting characters and most have quite a few who help and hinder the hero. Randy will discuss the concept of team-building to develop a story. He will help participants decide who needs to be in their story and why.
WHAT I WANT. WHAT I REALLY, REALLY WANT - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Goals are an important part of any good story. There are story goals, there are chapter goals, and there are even secondary goals. Randy will work with the participants to identify and develop the goals in their stories.
Randy offers the following classes and workshops for writers. These are available to schools, libraries, and writing groups. Requests can be made through the Contact Me page.
JUMPSTART YOUR CREATIVE JUICES – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Story ideas are everywhere. Participate in a writing workshop that is designed to show you how to generate ideas for interesting and unique stories from the common everyday sources. Participants will form into groups to practice what they have learned. Randy will stick around afterwards to answer questions.
HEROES, KNOW THYSELF – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Vivid and believable characters are at the heart of every successful story. The workshop will cover a variety of ways of breathing life into the people who populate your story. Participants will have the chance to apply what
they have learned while Randy is on hand to help them out with any problems they encounter.
PLOTTING ALONG - A WRITING WORKSHOP
You have a great idea for a story. What are you going to do with it? Randy will discuss important elements in plotting a story and explain several methods for achieving that end. Participants are encouraged to bring a story idea to the workshop and develop it.
HEROIC JOURNEYS – A WRITING WORKSHOP
The workshop is based on the book The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Volger. Randy will explain the time-honored structure of storytelling that has been around since cavemen told stories around their campfires at night. Participants will have a chance to apply what they have learned to their own stories.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - A WRITING CLASS
Agents, editors at publishing houses, and many individuals in the reading public will give a critical eye to the first chapter of a novel. In many cases the decision to continue reading is made in the first few pages. Based on the judging criteria Randy has followed as a judge for several First Chapter contests, this class will focus on the essential elements each novel needs in the first chapter.
KEEP 'EM READING – A WRITING WORKSHOP
Read-on prompts are essential if you want to turn your story into a page-turner. With the right kind of chapter breaks you can keep your readers up way past their bedtimes. Participants are encouraged to bring a few of their troublesome chapter endings to work on during the class.
STARTING ON THE PUBLISHING TRAIL - A WRITING CLASS
Now that you have a book written, what's next? Randy will discuss matters that authors who are ready for publication will need to address in order to succeed and covers the basics on this topic.
AND HERE'S THE PITCH
A story pitch may be the single most important tool in an author's arsenal. Learn how to describe the essential elements of your story in a sentence or two and in a way that will hook potential customers. Participants will form into small groups and practice what they learn.
MAKE YOUR STORY STAND OUT
Learn tips on how to make your stories stand out from the rest of the competition by the proper use of setting, character, goals, mixing genres, and genre elements. Participants will be encouraged to practice the techniques during the class.
BALANCING THEME
Learn how to use theme to populate your genre stories, create conflict, and develop a basic story arc. Participants will be asked to practice what they learn and share their efforts with the rest of the group.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY - A WRITING WORKSHOP
What better way to start a writing career than with a fictional story about - You! Randy will discuss ways to generate story ideas and focus primarily on using elements from the participants lives to create a fictional story that will really resonate with the youth writing them.
THIS IS HOW IT STARTS - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Randy will discuss how to start a story and then work with the participants on developing their story ideas.
PICK ME, PICK ME - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Stories are filled with interesting characters and most have quite a few who help and hinder the hero. Randy will discuss the concept of team-building to develop a story. He will help participants decide who needs to be in their story and why.
WHAT I WANT. WHAT I REALLY, REALLY WANT - A WRITING WORKSHOP
Goals are an important part of any good story. There are story goals, there are chapter goals, and there are even secondary goals. Randy will work with the participants to identify and develop the goals in their stories.
Book Clubs
If you live in the greater Phoenix area and would like Randy to attend one of your book club meetings use the Contact Me page to send a request. He would be happy to discuss any of his fiction and writing in general.
If you live in the greater Phoenix area and would like Randy to attend one of your book club meetings use the Contact Me page to send a request. He would be happy to discuss any of his fiction and writing in general.
