* AnnieM leads the applause.

* libbyc claps loudly!

Elizabeth: Hi Andrea! Glad to meet you!

Andrea Boeshaar: *humbly bowing*

SiberianSuz: <><><><> (cyber clapping)

Andrea Boeshaar: Thanks.

libbyc gives a round of ardent whistles!

Aisha: *clapping*

Linda: Hi Andrea, CLAPPP!

AnnieM: <><><><><>

Linda: Still clapping

Andrea Boeshaar: Thank you, thank you. You're all very kind.

* AnnieM steps aside and offers Andrea the podium

AnnieM: The floor is yours Andrea.

Elizabeth: <><><><><><>

Andrea Boeshaar: Hi, all. Thanks for coming tonight. Our topic is PLOTTING. Seat-of-your-pants vs Outlining. Now, let me ask you all a question. How many here outline their stories BEFORE they begin to write?

AnnieM: not me

Nancy: not me

SiberianSuz: I do!!

libbyc: Done both.

Elizabeth: not me

Linda: Ditto

Aisha: I'm trying to decide what to do...I've never outlined anything yet.

Andrea Boeshaar: Well, my friend, Tracie Peterson is an extensive outliner and claims that writing the book is ever so much easier with an outline written out first. But, alas, I am a seat-of-the-pants plotter myself. However, tonight we'll discuss both. First...the dreaded outline.

Andrea Boeshaar: *groan*

* AnnieM holds her head and groans

Andrea Boeshaar: *boo* *hiss*

* Linda sighs

Elizabeth: pppttthhhthththt

Andrea Boeshaar: Is anyone familiar with Carolyn Green's Plotting Notebook?

Linda: Nope. But I have three other plotting books I haven't read

SiberianSuz: I have heard of it...

inkwell: No

Elizabeth: no

AnnieM: I've heard of it

Andrea Boeshaar: I bought it thinking I would use it and Carolyn has MANY, MANY wonderful ideas in this notebook. At the end of this workshop, I'll let you know where to order it if you're interested.

inkwell: please and thanks

Andrea Boeshaar: Okay...first the character charts. They are a part of plotting and I do use those. If you're a member of ACRW (American Christian Romance Writers) you can go to the website at www.acrw.net and go into "members only." There you will find a short and long character charts that you can print out. I use that one. It's easy. And Annie has a character chart on the Dancing Word website too!

Now that you've got your character chart in front of you, you have to fill it out. Let's say that's done. You know these people enough to begin writing. Well, part of their character will further the plot. For instance, in the book I'm writing now, RISA'S RAINBOW, Risa doesn't know the Lord and she has no interest in "religion." The hero, Mike Gerardi, is a pastor.

Aisha: (glad to hear that Risa and Mike will have their own story!)

Andrea Boeshaar: <G> Thanks. So right there, Risa and Mike's character will bring conflict to the story. Now for the plot itself. In her notebook, Carolyn uses something called the W Plot. Anyone know about this?