Breakout Novel Intensive Breakdown
By Erika Robuck | October 5, 2010 |
My work in progress is undergoing a major transformation.
The beginning has to go. I need to drop a character, add a plot line, give more significance to a subplot, enrich connections between characters, and make sure I infuse tension on every single page. All of this work begins on a draft of a manuscript that has been revised based on critique groups, online and physical classes, and suggestions of trusted early readers six times.
And I’m thrilled.
Several weeks ago, I attended the Breakout Novel Intensive Workshop, led by literary agent, Donald Maass. I learned about the conference on Writer Unboxed, and was fortunate enough to win a scholarship to attend. I quickly learned that, scholarship or not, the BONI workshop was the single, most beneficial craft workshop I’ve ever experienced.
If you’ve read Writing the Breakout Novel or Fire in Fiction, you understand that Donald Maass has a very specific philosophy for improving fiction. At the workshop, he elaborated on the principles expressed in his books, and assigned focused rewrites and scene reconstruction. Not only did Maass himself provide feedback on my first fifty pages, but so did editors and idea gurus Lorin Oberweger, Jason Sitzes, and Roman White.
Other activities included brainstorming and peer critique group sessions. I met with a group of historical fiction writers, and we established such a bond that we decided to continue our critique group online. Some of the writers are alumni of other BONI workshops, and many intend on returning in the future.
Be warned, however, the workshop was not easy. It was mentally and, at times, emotionally exhausting. Arriving with a novel that I believed was ninety percent complete and ready to query, and finding out that it was truly about thirty percent ready, was not easy to accept. It took until halfway through the workshop to clearly see the changes I’d need to employ, and then another two days to fully embrace them. It was a bit like muddling through the stages of grief, but emerging on the summit of acceptance made the climb worthwhile.
It is so important for unpublished (and even published) writers to study craft with industry professionals. If you are unpublished and/or unagented, NOW is the time to build your writing tool box, gather ideas, and make personal connections. You won’t have the time once your publisher wants a book each year.
If you’re looking for a workshop, I strongly recommend you add the Breakout Novel Intensive to your calendar.
Have you been to the workshop? How was your experience? Are there any other writing workshops, conferences, or retreats you’d recommend?
*photo credit: Summit by Dugwin @ Deviantart.com
Erika Robuck (@ErikaRobuck) self-published her first novel, RECEIVE ME FALLING. Penguin Random House published her subsequent novels, HEMINGWAY’S GIRL, CALL ME ZELDA, FALLEN BEAUTY, THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE, and GRAND CENTRAL, a collaborative short story anthology. Erika writes about and reviews historical fiction at her blog, Muse, and is a contributor to fiction blog, Writer Unboxed. She is also a member of the Historical Novel, Hemingway, Millay, and Hawthorne Societies.
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Excellent post. I have read Donald’s books and would love to take his workshop. Revision and editing are my two biggest weaknesses at the moment. Finding a class to address these are crucial.
I have attended and enjoyed the Faith and Writing Festival held every other year at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.
I have also attended the Antioch Writer’s Workshop in Yellow Springs, OH and some smaller conferences.
It is my goal to make it to Robert McKee’s Story workshop before he dies (or I do–you never know.)
Thanks!
Wow–sounds like a terrific experience. Thanks for the recommendation. I know I need this, too.
“It was a bit like muddling through the stages of grief, but emerging on the summit of acceptance made the climb worthwhile.”
Loved that line.
I’ve never been to a conference, but last year I attended the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop and had a blast! I feel like I grew SO MUCH in just that one week, it’s incredible. There we didn’t bring work in; we wrote completely original stuff every night. Exhausting? Heck yes! But rewarding? Unbelievably so.
I read his book and found it tremendously inspiring, especially the part about putting tension on every single page. That is a challenge!
Great blog. I wish I’d been there. I put my completed novel in a drawer – knowing there was a problem but not knowing what the problem was. It gathered dust for twelve months until I finally – and only recently – arrived at some answers. If I’d been at a BONI workshop, I would have had the answers a year ago. Or maybe I would have never had the problem. Sign me up.
Great post. I have read all of his books and I think he’s amazing. Really helped me get my novels in shape. I’d love to go to a workshop though.
It’s funny how it takes a while before we embrace the criticism. I had a ctitique partner I initially hated and now I’m extremely grateful to her.
I heard Donald Maas speak at the Writers Digest Writers Conference before BEA in 2009 and even in that short talk I garnered some important tidbits, like treat your setting as if it were another character in your book. I had never thought of it that way before, but the advice was invaluable, because it made me redefine my setting throughout my entire manuscript. Your post has reminded me that I should look into details for attending an upcoming breakout novel intensive…thanks for the post!
I attended the workshop as well, and Erika couldn’t have said it better! It was worth every minute, penny and stress-pound gained! I hope to attend again and again.
How great that you were able to walk away with so much information and so many new ideas. I am sure you were frustrated by the realization you weren’t close to a final product anymore but your novel is going to be above and beyond what you ever thought it could be. AND you have a new critique group out of the deal. :) So proud of you!
You are a huge role model for me. Your great attitude and your passion for writing shines through in all that you do. It is infectious. :)
Thanks for sharing!
H
Erika, the BONI workshop sounds like an incredible experience. A little nervewracking perhaps, but amazing. Definitely something I’d love to do in the future. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Great post, Erika. I’ve been waiting to read it, but I know it takes a minute to get one’s breath back after the BONI. Yeesh. And you were spot-on about everything.
For writers out there who haven’t yet taken a Maass workshop, take it from another BONI attendee–get thee to it! It’s full of immediately useful information for any and every type and genre of writing. And our critique group is also continuing online, and that’s just plain priceless.
Best to you in your continued revisions, Erika. I’m sure you’ll weave an incredible story.
-Julia
WU has provide another great start to my writing day!
Erika, this post is amazing–thanks for adding two items to my writing links–Donald Maass and the BONI workshop. They were news to me.
Glad you shared the experience of BONI!
(keep wanting to put BONO, oops Sonny!)
Patricia
https://pmpoetwriter.blogspot.com/
Woah. Sort of glad I wasn’t there — finding out my self-published novel is *actually* only 30% polished according to Mr. Maass does not sound like fun. ;) That being said, I have to go to one of those at some point. Erk.
Darcy Pattison hosts a revision retreat for mid-grade and young adult novelists. It was, as you said, exhausting and satisfying.
Donald Maass’ workshops are my DREAM workshops to attend, but seeing as I would have to fly to US and pay for the workshop, it’s staying in DREAM status at the moment. But yes, I would definitely love to do it.
I found similar experience after reading Breakout Novel. I am currently editing my book, and though initially I had hoped to have it finished by now, now I know that it will at least take a few more months while I work on exercises from Maass’ workbook.
Great job with the workshop and good luck with your manuscript.
Thanks for the heads-up that you posted this, Erika! As I said before, I’m really so gratified that you were this year’s scholarship recipient. Your novel will be wonderful.
Of course, I’m biased, but I do think this workshop is one of the best out there, and hundreds and hundreds of glowing evaluations lend credence to that.
I’m really so proud of what Don and I have created together, but my ongoing connection with so many fabulous writers–like you–make it all the more worthwhile!
P. S. In the process of revamping the website but plan to offer another scholarship for next September’s offering, so folks who’ve been on the fence due to finances should absolutely check that out!
I attended the Hood River 2010 BONI. My favorite moment at BONI? When Donald Maass asked me, “Your hero, what would he say is the most important thing in life?”
The answer is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s made all the difference to my novel.
C.L.
I attended the 2007 Writing the Breakout Novel Intensive in Massachusetts at the picturesque Wachusett Village Inn. It rained all week, but that was the perfect environment to settle into my room or in the over-stuffed chairs with “real writers” who were as passionate about craft as I was.
The BONI really is like a graduate program or possibly bootcamp for new writers. Sure, I was writing before BONI, but it was like a wakeup call and since then my writing has never been the same – and that is a good thing. Just taking the time to go back and ask some of Don’s questions: “Is there tension on every page?” “Can you raise the stakes?” inform everything I write now.
And the friends and groups of like minded writers created by the shared experience is priceless. The group at my BONI consisted of published writers and of new writers like me. That BONI is where my writing career took off because I decided, “Yes, I can do this.” I highly recommend BONI or Fire In Fiction to any writers, regardless of experience or level of writing success.
I’ve learned a lot from the workshops I’ve attended, but because they’re at most a half-day long, never felt like I’ve obtained the depth I want to get for a given WiP. It’s like scratching an itch through a parka with snowmobiling mitts on. I’ve wondered about taking this workshop as a solution. Thanks for making up my mind.
Wow–thanks so much for all of your comments, feedback, kindness, and workshop recommendations. I’m so glad to hear that some of you are considering attending. BONI has marked a clear step up in my writing career, and I feel strongly that it will benefit any writer.
Rima–I self-published my first novel, and I’m still really proud of it. It seems to naturally incorporate many of the elements that were lacking in my second book, strangely. Now that I’m aware, I’ll use them deliberately instead of accidentally.
Jan–I’m still giggling over the “itch through a parka” comment. :)
Wow, Erika! I read your tweets praising the workshop, but I didn’t realize what a marathon it was! I have Donald’s book and workbook, but I’m sure the in-person attention eclipsed even all the great things that you can learn from his print materials. Serious case of workshop envy brewing over here. I look forward to seeing your end product on the NYT bestseller list!!! ; )
I like the way you think, Anne! :)
Hood River 2010 alumni. Erika I had a similar experience. I’d done less than 30 pages and all I wanted was direction. Maass said, what I’d written was funny, but not the correct tone for the work. That sent me reeling. There were gut decisions to make about this work and I was such a newbie that they were overwhelming. The other staffers jumped in and helped me re-shape it, develop a theme. I had time to write and to think about plotting and people I could run down the hall to consult with or eat dinner and brainstorm. Frankly, I was like a mindless chicken yelling, ‘the sky is falling’.
It’s reformed now and a good thing it is. I would have plodded on; sent it out; wondered at the rejections. What a dim scenario. Lorin has seen some of it and commented that the main characters voice is stronger. With that I know I’m headed in a better direction. I know where to aim my writing. As a newbie, I wouldn’t want to learn any other way. BTW, it’s much cheaper than MFAs and a lot better.
I would love to attend this workshop. His two books have probably been most influential in my rewriting process and my first draft writing. Think big!
Erika – this is fascinating. It’s amazing how information on which resources are good and which ones are not as helpful has become so much more accessible in this internet and blogosphere age. I wish that it had been so back in the days when I still had the time to attend these things! In those days, I just signed up for whatever was fairly local or reasonably priced (which I learned about via snail mail campaigns) and unfortunately found the quality and usefulness seriously lacking. Then life picked up, the lack of income from writing steered me toward a busy day job and now I’ll have to wait a very long time before I have a chance to sign up for a Donald Maas workshop! Kind of makes me ponder what a crazy field writing is, and how much boils down to circumstance and timing. Glad to finally know about it, though. Thanks!
Hi, Erika. I know that feeling! Before my BONI workshop, something was lacking in my manuscript, but I didn’t have (nor did my critique partners have) the skills or objectivity for improvement. The workshop experience introduced me to other serious writers, many who I’ve learned from and kept in touch with, and the classes helped put Don’s practical ideas into action on my pages. During my one-on-one meetings, Don pointed out my big picture strengths and weaknesses, and Lorin provided more tangible specifics and much needed validation. The combined direction was invaluable, allowing me to tackle revisions with focus while employing advanced craft. A year later, EMERGENCE has evolved and I am enlightened.
– Susan Smith, San Antonio BONI 2009
Sharon–
Not only are Lorin and the gang great publishing minds, but they have big hearts. They offer a scholarship to attend BONI. I was fortunate enough to win, so my only expenses were travel related. It’s worth your time to apply.
Erika,
Great post! Congratulations on your scholarship. I attended the BONI in Boston a few years ago and
also see Lorin, Jason, and Roman at the Writer’s Retreat Workshop held each June. You are so
right about needing to work on the craft – no
matter what stage you are in. And coming home not only knowing what’s wrong with your novel but with the recipie to fix it is invaluable.
Just chuckling at your posts on Allison’s blog and clicked over to check out Unboxed. Huh! Here you are. Best of luck with your novel.
Julie Winterling
It’s my dream workshop! I’ll be saving up and crossing my fingers that I can make Hood Rover in 2011.
You are brave and inspiring to take your novel apart like this! I’ve never been to Donald Maass’s workshop, but I’ve read his book and his workbook, and both had a huge influence on my novel. Going through the workbook and applying it to a draft of my novel made it a much, much better book.
Thank you, Charlotte. I might add “mad” to your string of adjectives.
I’ve been to Hood River–Fantastic.