Description
Mastering the principles of story structure and character development is essential for writers who want to design stories with depth and resonance. In this workshop, we’ll identify the steps underlying the basic story structure that applies to the novel, screenplay, and memoir, and we’ll outline the stages of character growth that ensure a compelling and meaningful narrative.
Exploring the patterns of storytelling through a cinematic lens, with plenty of examples, we’ll be introduced to the Deep Story Design’s format of combining basic three act structure, the seven steps that uphold a narrative arc, and the four stages of authentic character development to create a cohesive story greater than the sum of its parts. We’ll be invited to apply these story principles to our work in progress and will walk away with a solid understanding of our story’s unique design. (Handouts included.)
Every Deep Story Design workshop also addresses how important it is for us to know who we are and what matters most deeply to us. So, we’ll also be encouraged to make connections between ourselves and our stories to access greater depth and authenticity in our creative voice.
About April Bosshard
April Bosshard, story coach, has been referred to as a “story whisperer” and a “story genie” because of her keen awareness of story principles and deep understanding of the writer’s craft. She has helped hundreds of writers deal with the complex issues of story-creating and sticking to the writing process. Bosshard has worked on feature films, documentaries, and television shows. She has written novels, short stories, poems, and nonfiction essays for traditional and independent markets, including publications in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. She has contributed to four traditionally published books on journaling and creativity coaching, including The Great Book of Journaling and How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning, and Purpose (Mango/Conari, 2022). She has also written indie-published fiction under pen names in young adult, new adult, racy romance, and cozy mystery genres. Bosshard is a skilled facilitator who has led workshops in Canada, the United States, France, and Mexico. Through her coaching services business, Deep Story Design, she develops and maintains online courses and programs while working with individual clients as both a story coach and developmental editor.
