"A few years back I was at a writers conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and heard one woman say to another, ‘I have an idea for a western, but just don’t know where to start?’ I wanted to grab her by the shoulder, spin her around and say, ‘You need to decide on these four things first. Next, make it into an outline, then look at each scene individually. After that . . .’"

I always have something to say about writing, so I decided to put it into a seminar that beginning writers—or even intermediates—might benefit from.

The seminar’s focus is on taking a writer from a zero story idea standpoint, to a place where he or she has a set of intellectual tools to aid in setting up that first (or second or third) novel.

Subjects covered:

I worked as a corporate instructor overseas for a number of years and I’m used to setting up and presenting classes. I’ve also written and edited textbooks, as well as written for a corporate magazine. I can assure you a professional presentation.

Each participant will receive a copy of my notes (20 pages) to take home.

I will have copies of my novel for sale that can be personally autographed. I’m not coming to hawk my book, I only mention my work where I’ve used techniques from the seminar in my own writing. (Or at the end, if the audience has questions about Izard County Badlands.)

Group Size: At least 8 people please, and up to as many as you want.

Cost: .10 a mile roundtrip and $1 per person. (This helps pay for gas and the dollar per person covers the 20 pages of notes I give out.)

Range: 150 mile radius from Mtn. Home, Arkansas. This would include Fayetteville, Little Rock and Jonesboro, Arkansas and Springfield, Missouri as examples.