Welcome to the alternate me!

When I’m not writing—or traveling, I teach writing
workshops in person and online.

 

Workshops/Speaking Engagements

&

Online Courses

 

The Journey Cycle
coming September 2010 through Yosemite Romance Writers – Heart of California RWA

Power Promotion
coming September 20-October 1, 2010 from Lowcountry Romance Writers

Alphas: Leaders of the Pack
coming October 2010 from Savvy Authors

The Journey Cycle
coming February 2011 from RWA—Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter

Crisis, Climax, Resolution: Writing to the End
coming May 2011 from Yosemite Romance Writers—Heart of California RWA

Mind Your P’s and Q’s: The Secret to Writing Pitches and Queries
coming May 2011 from Lowcountry Romance Writers

Deconstructing Writing Workshop: The Bridges of Madison County
coming June 2011 from Savvy Authors

Crisis, Climax, Resolution: Writing to the End
coming February 2012 from Lowcountry Romance Writers

 

Course Descriptions

The Journey Cycle: A Story Building Tool

Course Description:

Is your protagonist poised at the Edge of the Forest, negotiating the Trail of Breadcrumbs, or facing the Mirror on the Wall? To reach a satisfying ending to any story, be it romance or another genre, each step in the Journey requires careful deliberation if your hero or heroine is to pass the Glass Slipper Test.

This course uses the familiar, symbolic world of Fairy Tales to reinterpret the Hero’s Journey into easy to understand motifs. As a story building tool, the course examines key issues and poses a series of questions about each stage to help writers "troubleshoot" their way to the next "level". A 2-part assignment is included with each of the 12 lectures.

Whether you are seeking a better understanding of the journey process to create a stronger story structure or you are looking for some brainstorming ideas to conquer a certain leg of that journey, this course is for you!

 

Crisis, Climax, Resolution: Writing to the End

Course Description:

A book is more than a great idea or even a first chapter with a terrific hook. Reaching those two gratifying words—The End—can be daunting.

Introducing a 5 Point Plot Structure, this workshop examines the crucial psychological factors facing the protagonist at both the Crisis and Climax points within a story. Using easy to understand Fairy Tale motifs, the impact of the protagonist’s choices and actions are reviewed in light of possible Resolutions.
 
This workshop includes lectures, charts and tons of examples, plus lots of opportunity for Q&A.

Note: The Journey Cycle and Crisis, Climax, Resolution: Writing to the End are complimentary courses and use different Fairy Tale motifs to relate concepts.

 

Alphas: Leaders of the Pack

Course Description:

You don’t like me, Bond. You don’t like my methods. You think I’m an accountant, a bean counter who’s more interested in my numbers than your instincts. … Good, because I think you're a sexist, misogynist dinosaur. …

Judy Dench as M to Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Goldeneye

Someone has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, fly boy.

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia to Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope

Who is he and what’s her story?

Using numerous examples from movies and books, award winning author Robin Matheson demystifies the male and female alpha archetype.

Topics include:

1. The Basics behind Pack Mentality and the Dominant Wolf

2. Key Personality Profile Traits of a Typical Alpha

3. Identifying an Alpha Skill Set

4. Goals and Motivations: The Focused Alpha

5. Archetypal Alphas

6. On Being a Man—On Being a Woman: The Alpha’s Emotional Vulnerabilities

 

Deconstructing Writing: The Bridges of Madison County

[offered to Savvy Writers June 6-13, 2011]

Course Description:

Join award-winning author Robin Matheson as she deconstructs a powerful love story. Based on the 1992 best selling novel by Robert James Waller, the 1995 movie version of The Bridges of Madison County stars Academy Award winners Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. In fact, Streep was nominated for an Oscar for her role in this film.

Lecture Topics include:

1. Setting Up the Story Question

2. The Use of Flashback—Show Don’t Tell

3. Inciting the Incident—The Ordinary World vs. The Call to Adventure

4. Developing a Character Arc—What is the Journey?

5. A Challenging Crisis—The Psychology behind the Supreme Ordeal

6. Bridging the Generations—Theme and Motif

7. Confronting the Climax—More Psychology

8. Resolution—Creating a Satisfying Ending

 

Mind Your P's and Q's: The Secret to Writing Pitches and Query Letters

Course Description:

Build pitches and query letters from the ground up! Discover the 4 components that keep you focused on the big picture and save you time when it comes to writing a pitch or a query letter.

Learn:
 
4 pre-writing exercises to presenting characters;
3 pre-writing exercises to synthesizing your plot;
and 3 key issues that will help you identify the unique features of your story.

Finally master the "ABC Formula" that allows you to compose any business letter in 3 easy steps. Honest!
 
This is an intense workshop composed of a series of lectures and hands on exercises. "In class" critiques of the exercises will be made available by the instructor. In addition to the course material, students will also have an opportunity to receive a critique of either a pitch or a query letter.

 

Power Promotion

Course Description:

When you know everything there is to know about your story, it’s hard to stay focused on the Big Picture.

This intensive 2 week workshop teaches you how to convert your creative concept into bite size promotional chunks that will allow you to effectively market your manuscript.

Learn:

4 pre-writing exercises to presenting characters;
3 pre-writing exercises to synthesizing your plot;
and 2 key issues that will help you identify the unique features of your story.

 

Please Contact Robin for more information