This page contains a summary of educational workshops we have held at South East Writers Inc. Simply click on the Title to see a pdf version. We hope you enjoy!
| Meeting Date | Title | Synopsis |
| 14 June 2025 | Hints for Better Writing | Use Active Voice, Be Concise, Stay Positive, Use Strong Nouns and Verbs, Vary Sentence Structure, Be Careful with “that” and “which”, Avoid Qualifiers and Weak Words, Let Dialogue Flow Naturally. |
| 10th May 2025 | Interview with Jenny Old | Jenny Old is the Author of ‘Back of Beyond’, ‘Innocent Nurses Abroud’ and McAllistar |
| 12th April 2025 | AI for Writers | Using ChatGPT in story writing can spark creativity, offer fresh perspectives, and help overcome writer’s block by acting as a brainstorming partner or instant editor. It’s like having a tireless co-writer who’s always ready with a plot twist, character idea, or the perfect word—no coffee required. |
| 12th April 2025 | Show Dont Tell | “Show, don’t tell” is a cornerstone of effective storytelling, urging writers to engage readers through vivid scenes rather than flat exposition. By revealing emotion and action through behavior, dialogue, and sensory detail, writers create more immersive and emotionally resonant experiences. |
| March 15th 2025 | Character Development Workshop | This workshop guide explores how to build compelling, believable characters by avoiding stereotypes, embracing flaws and emotional wounds, and grounding personality in both physical and psychological traits. Through practical tips and exercises, it encourages writers to develop characters whose desires, behaviors, and responses evolve naturally within the story. |
| March 15 2025 | MS Word Shortcuts | Learning Microsoft Word shortcuts boosts your productivity by saving time on repetitive tasks like formatting, navigating, and editing. Mastering these simple key combinations can streamline your writing process and make you feel like a word-processing wizard. |
| February 8th 2025 | Dealing with Writers Block | This humorous and practical guide tackles writer’s block with a mix of creativity, self-compassion, and sheer absurdity, offering tips like writing nonsense, rewarding yourself with cookies, and pretending your villain writes Yelp reviews. From changing your scenery to trusting the process, it reminds writers that the path to productivity often starts with letting go of perfection—and possibly befriending a squirrel. |
This page contains a summary of educational workshops we have held at South East Writers Inc. Simply click on the Title to see a pdf version. We hope you enjoy!
At this month’s meeting, members discussed timeless tips from The Elements of Style by Strunk & White, as well as a few modern updates. Here are the key takeaways:
Use the Active Voice: Make your writing stronger and clearer
Be Concise: Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is clear and to the point.
Stay Positive: Phrase statements positively—say what is rather than what isn’t.
Use Strong Nouns and Verbs: Avoid relying on adjectives and adverbs. Let your verbs do the heavy lifting.
Vary Sentence Structure: Simple sentences work well, but occasional variety adds interest.
Be Careful with “That” and “Which”: Use “that” for defining, “which” for non-defining clauses.
Avoid Qualifiers and Weak Words: Words like “very,” “rather,” and “pretty” can dilute your message.
Let Dialogue Flow Naturally: Avoid adverbs after “he said/she replied,” and let the conversation reveal character.
Members shared examples and practiced turning passive, wordy, or negative sentences into clear, active, and engaging prose. Happy writing!
Using ChatGPT in story writing can spark creativity, offer fresh perspectives, and help overcome writer’s block by acting as a brainstorming partner or instant editor. It’s like having a tireless co-writer who’s always ready with a plot twist, character idea, or the perfect word—no coffee required.
“Show, don’t tell” is a cornerstone of effective storytelling, urging writers to engage readers through vivid scenes rather than flat exposition. By revealing emotion and action through behavior, dialogue, and sensory detail, writers create more immersive and emotionally resonant experiences.
This workshop guide explores how to build compelling, believable characters by avoiding stereotypes, embracing flaws and emotional wounds, and grounding personality in both physical and psychological traits. Through practical tips and exercises, it encourages writers to develop characters whose desires, behaviors, and responses evolve naturally within the story.
Learning Microsoft Word shortcuts boosts your productivity by saving time on repetitive tasks like formatting, navigating, and editing. Mastering these simple key combinations can streamline your writing process and make you feel like a word-processing wizard.
This humorous and practical guide tackles writer’s block with a mix of creativity, self-compassion, and sheer absurdity, offering tips like writing nonsense, rewarding yourself with cookies, and pretending your villain writes Yelp reviews. From changing your scenery to trusting the process, it reminds writers that the path to productivity often starts with letting go of perfection—and possibly befriending a squirrel.