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Celtic Hearts is proud to present our upcoming workshop schedule. We offer affordable workshops on many topics including writing craft, history and Celtic studies. The instructors are professional writers and experts. Our workshops are presented through private Yahoo email loops. The lessons conveniently arrive in your inbox. Discussion and Q&A is on the loop. Each workshop is only $10 for Celtic Hearts members, and $15 for nonmembers, no matter the length of the workshop. You do not need to be a member of RWA; anyone can take our workshops. Celtic Hearts members receive 2 free workshops a year. Payments accepted: Paypal (preferred), checks and money orders. Checks must be MAILED 3 weeks before the workshop starts. (Non-US participants must pay via Paypal.)
Click on the workshop title you like to jump to it's description! March 17 - 31 (2 weeks) I Predict A New Story In Your Future: Developing Your Story With The Tarot, Elizabeth Delisi April 3 - May 13 (6 weeks) The Castles of England & France 1100 - 1500, Sharron Gunn May 1 - 31 (4 weeks) Turn Up the Heat! Heightening Sexual Tension and Sensuality in Your Manuscript, Nicole North June 2 - July 18 (6 weeks) Highland Clans from Medieval Times through the Clearances, Cindy Vallar June 16 - July 14 (4 weeks) Happy Hookers! Engaging the Reader from Start to Finish, Terry Spear August 11 - September 7 (5 weeks) Discover How to Grow a Story Spine, Sylvie Kurtz August 25 - October 12 (8 weeks) Castles of Scotland 1050-1550, Sharron Gunn September 1 - 7 (1 week) Making GMC Work for You, Robyn DeHart October 1 - 31 (4 weeks) Witches, Kelpies, and Fairies, Oh My! The Paranormal Otherworld of Scotland, Cindy Vallar November 1 - December 31 (9 weeks) Druids: The Ancient Priesthood of the Celts, Sharron Gunn December 1 - 6 (1 week) How the Christians Stole Christmas (Celtic history), Dona Parus/ aka Sloan St.James Click here to apply to be a workshop instructor! Click here to register for a workshop. 
March Workshop Workshop Title: I Predict A New Story In Your Future: Developing Your Story With The Tarot Presenter: Elizabeth Delisi Date: March 17 - 31 Description: Are you looking for new ways to breathe life into your outlining process, your plots, your characters? If so, have we got the course for you! Elizabeth Delisi, a.k.a. Madame Liz, will teach you how to use the ancient art of the Tarot to develop stories, plots and subplots, heroes, heroines and villains, and more. You'll learn the history of the Tarot, how to choose a deck, how to read the cards, and how to use those readings to develop and improve your writing. There will be four lectures, four assignments to be posted to the list for all to comment on, and naturally all questions will be answered. Outline: Lecture One: History of the Tarot, and Choosing a Deck; Lecture Two: How to Read Tarot; Lecture Three: Using Tarot to Develop A Plot; Lecture Four: Creating Characters With Tarot About the Presenter: About the Presenter: Elizabeth Delisi has wanted to be a writer since she was in first grade, and probably would have written in the womb if she could have convinced her mother to swallow a pencil. But life hasn't always gone the way she planned, and on her road to publication she worked as a motel maid, waitress, secretary, administrative aide, substitute teacher, and newspaper reporter. Elizabeth's novels include a FATAL FORTUNE, first in the Lottie Baldwin paranormal mystery series; LADY OF THE TWO LANDS, a time-travel romance; and SINCE ALL IS PASSING, a suspense. She's written contemporary and paranormal romance novellas for ONE TOUCH BEYOND; ENCHANTED HOLIDAYS; HOLIDAY HEARTS; HOLIDAY HEARTS 2; and CUPID'S CAPERS, and has also published two short story collections, MIRROR IMAGES and PENUMBRA. In addition to her writing, Elizabeth edits for several small publishers and individuals, and teaches online writing courses for Writer's Digest. Elizabeth lives in New Hampshire with her husband, dog and cat. She enjoys hearing from her readers at elizabeth@elizabethdelisi.com and invites everyone to visit her website at www.elizabethdelisi.com. Deadline to sign up for this workshop: March 14 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top! 
April Workshop Workshop Title: The Castles of England & France 1100 - 1500 Presenter: Sharron Gunn Date: April 3 - May 13 Description: Castles! Romantic? Yes! Shrouded in mystery? Yes, but this course will help you lift the veil a bit and take a peek at medieval life. Castles still dominate the landscape of England and France from the magnificent ruins of Chinon to the more humble Hever Castle. The number of people in a medieval household varied from about a 100 to over 500 for the monarch. The kings and the most powerful nobles had several residences and moved through the medieval countryside from one to the other to eat up their food rents and impress all with their wealth and power. Castles were centres of government and justice, but also the good life. Learn about their evolution and the people who lived in them; learn how knights, originally not free or noble, improved their status until knighthood became the epitome of chivalry. Enrich your writing with detailed descriptions of castles and biographies of the Middle Ages. Discussion and questions are encouraged, and there will be handouts and assignments. Course Outline: Society: 1. Kings and Magnates 2. Queens and Ladies 3. Knights 4. Daily Life: Hunts, Tournaments, Feasts & War 5. Daily Life: Servers, Attendants & Artisans The Castles: 6. The Norman Tradition: The Motte and Bailey 7. The Great Age of Castles - 13th & 14th centuries 8. Tower Houses & Fortified Manors 9. Castles in a Changing World: Gunpowder 10. Palaces About the Presenter: Sharron Gunn lives in British Columbia, and teaches Gaelic as a non-credit university course, and French in high school. Of Scottish, French and Irish origin, she was born on the east coast of Canada where there are many people of the same background. Some knowledge of the Gaelic and French languages and cultures was inevitable. While living over eight years in Europe, she studied the languages and history of Great Britain and France. She has a diplôme from the University of Nancy, France, a B.A. in French and a masters degree (2nd first degree) in Scottish History and Celtic Studies from the University of Glasgow. She has just finished her first novel, an historical fantasy set in Scotland. Deadline to register: March 31 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
May Workshop Workshop Title: Turn Up the Heat! Heightening Sexual Tension and Sensuality in Your Manuscript Presenter: Nicole North Date: May 1 - 31 Description: Editors want to buy spicy-hot romance stories now more than ever before. How do you do it? In this class we will discuss all aspects of sexual tension and sensuality and how they relate to the developing romance in your story. You'll learn tips for successfully building sexual tension over the course of the hero and heroine's relationship from first glance, through climax, to happily ever after. Several examples will be used to illustrate different nuances of hot romantic chemistry and how to employ them in your own story. Learn how to avoid clichés and use sexiness in fresh new ways. Strengthening sexual tension will take your story from ho-hum to so hot and delicious your reader can't put it down. We'll do exercises for hands-on learning. (Please be aware this course contains explicit and frank discussions of sexuality.) **Topics covered** Using the five senses more effectively Sexy talk Word choice First kiss Foreplay First love scene How to rebuild sexual tension after sex Why point of view is important Hot characters Combining physical attraction and emotion Body language Differences between romance and erotic romance Revising to make a sensual romance manuscript spicy or erotic Fun Extras Visual inspiration Multimedia examples and exercises About the presenter: Nicole North writes sensual and erotic romance novels and novellas. She is the author of "Devil in a Kilt" a novella in Red Sage Secrets Volume 27, Dec. '08. She has finaled in over a dozen writing competitions and won several awards. She admits sexual tension is her favorite element of romance and sprinkles it liberally through her stories. What others have said about her works: "This author handles sexual tension very well. Her characters are completely drawn to each other..." and "Wow! Talk about sexual chemistry. This story has it in spades. You're a natural in the romantic chemistry department." Please visit her website to learn more and read past student testimonials: www.nicolenorth.com Blog: http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/ Deadline to register: April 28 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
June Workshop Workshop title : Highland Clans from Medieval Times through the Clearances Presenter: Cindy Vallar Date: June 2 - July 18 Description: We often assume that the Highland clans of Scotland have always been. In reality, they evolved. This workshop explores the origins of the clans in general, then examines the history and development of clans from four perspectives: Western clans, Central and Eastern clans, the Lords of the Isles, and clan wars. Other lessons will cover Highland land and settlements, the Highlanders year and the customs that influenced their lives, the structure of clans (surnames, law, fosterage, traditions, succession, etc.), occupations, and clothing. About the presenter: Cindy Vallar, Associate Editor of Industry for Solander, writes the “Red Pencil” column where she compares a selection from an author’s published novel with an early draft of that work. She also reviews for the Historical Novel Society’s journal, Historical Novels Review. She is a freelance editor and an editor for Wings Press. She is also the editor of Pirates and Privateers, and the author of The Scottish Thistle, her debut historical novel about the Camerons and MacGregors during Scotland’s Rising of 1745, and Odin’s Stone, a romantic short story of how the Lord of the Isles settled the medieval feud between the MacKinnons and MacLeans on the Isle of Skye. She belongs to the Historical Novel Society, the Texas Coalition of Authors, the Red River Branch of the Clan Cameron Association, the Scottish Clans of North Texas, and the National Maritime Historical Society. In 2005 at the Clan Cameron North American Rally, Cindy received the first Friend of Clan Cameron Award. Prior to becoming an author and editor, she was a school librarian for twenty years, and she also taught computers and social studies. She invites you to visit her award-winning web site, Thistles & Pirates, to learn more. Deadline to register: May 30. Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
Presenter: Terry Spear Date: June 16 - July 14 Description: Slow starts and sleepy endings to scenes and chapters can ruin a manuscript's chance of being published. Conversely, solid hooks can make the sale - as workshop instructor Terry Spear demonstrates, with six publishers currently hooked for six manuscripts. Setting such practical matters aside, what author wouldn't be thrilled to hear someone say, "I couldn't put the book down"? Strong hooks are a vital ingredient in strong writing. In this online class, which features lectures, discussion, practical exercises, and handouts, she'll teach students how to captivate readers with great openings, scene hooks, chapter cliff hangers, and intriguing back cover blurbs. Participants will master the hook in all its environments, from the query letter through the novel. About the presenter: Terry Spear has published in many genres, including romantic suspense, historical, contemporary, paranormal, and writes under the name Terry Lee Wilde for young adult paranormal and fantasy romances. She's the author of Winning The Highlander's Heart (Vintage) and one of the debut paranormal books coming out with Sourcebooks, Spr '08, Heart of the Wolf, and the anthology shorts: Seducing The Huntress, Vampiric Calling, and Goddess In Training. A young adult is available now at Samhain, The Vampire...In My Dreams. She also writes nonfiction for numerous genealogy, WWII, teen, and family magazines, and has had romantic fiction published in True Confessions and True Romance. Her website is: www.terryspear.com Deadline to sign up for this workshop: June 13. Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
August Workshop Workshop title: Discover How to Grow a Story Spine Presenter: Sylvie Kurtz Date: August 11 - Sept. 7 Description – The story arc and the seven story spines I’m going to share with you are a distillation of what I’ve learned about story structure over the years, and how using those basic elements helped me create deeper, more emotional stories. I’ll take you through the basic story arc and discuss why readers expect it, then walk you through each of the seven story spines—the set-up, the meet, the first complication, the mid-point, the swivel, the dark moment and the joyful resolution—giving examples along the way. 4 weeks – 2 lectures/week Lecture 1 – Introduction, discussion of terms and story arc. Lecture 2 – Characters Lecture 3 – The set-up Lecture 4 – The meet Lecture 5 – The first complication Lecture 6 – The mid-point Lecture 7 – The swivel and the dark moment Lecture 8 – The joyful resolution and wrap-up About the Presenter: Flying an eight hour solo cross-country in a Piper Arrow with only the airplane's crackling radio and a large bag of M & Ms for company, Sylvie Kurtz realized a pilot's life wasn't for her. The stories zooming in and out of her head proved more entertaining than the flight itself. Not a quitter, she finished her pilot's course, earning her commercial license and instrument rating. Since then, she's traded in her pilot's license for a keyboard, where she lets her imagination soar to create fictional adventures that explore the power of love and the thrill of suspense. Her first Harlequin Intrigue, One Texas Night, was a 1999 Romantic Times nominee for Best First Category Romance and a finalist for a Booksellers Best Award. Her Silhouette Special Edition, A Little Christmas Magic was a 2001 Readers’ Choice Award Finalist and a Waldenbooks bestseller. Remembering Red Thunder was a 2002 Romantic Times Nominee for Best Intrigue. She is a 2005 Romantic Times nominee for Lifetime Achievement for Series Romantic Adventure. Ms. Longshot has been optioned by Twin Star Entertainment as a possible TV movie. She has written twenty books. Deadline to register: August 8 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
Presenter: Sharron Gunn Date: August 25 - Oct 12 (8 weeks) Description: The power of a lord and his family was manifested in the strength of his castle. Thousands of castles, towerhouses and fortified houses survive throughout the British Isles. Castle designs balance the needs for defence with comfort. Changes in design often indicate the arrival of a new people. The Comyns were the quintessential Norman family, one of many who had a profound influence on Scottish society and architecture in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Comyns held many castles and thousands of acres in Scotland in the Middle Ages. But they backed the wrong horse during the Wars of Independence--John Balliol instead of Robert the Bruce. Even in more settled times the tendency was to build large stone edifices to awe the locals and visitors. Each type of fortress will be illustrated by a particular castle and a prominent family which lived there. Outline of the course: The Castles: 1. 'Dark Age' Forts - MacBeth 2. Crannogs - MacKenzie 3. Motte and Bailey - Comyns 4. The Keep - MacLeod, MacDonald 5. Curtain Wall Castles- Royal Stewarts 6. Towerhouses - Graham, MacKinnon People and Culture: 1. Kingship in Scotland c.1050 2. Lordship in Scotland c.1300 3. Inside the castle: Clothing & Furnishings 4. Castle Life: The Calendar Year 5. Feasts & Famine 6. Hunting, Hawking & Military Service About the presenter: Sharron Gunn lives in British Columbia, and teaches Gaelic as a non-credit university course, and French in high school. Of Scottish, French and Irish origin, she was born on the east coast of Canada where there are many people of the same background. Some knowledge of the Gaelic and French languages and cultures was inevitable. While living over eight years in Europe, she studied the languages and history of Great Britain and France. She has a diplôme from the University of Nancy, France, a B.A. in French and a masters degree (2nd first degree) in Scottish History and Celtic Studies from the University of Glasgow. She has just finished her first novel, an historical fantasy set in Scotland. Deadline to register: August 22 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
September Workshop Workshop title: Making GMC Work for You Presenter: Robyn DeHart Date: September 1 - 7 Description: Robyn DeHart, popular workshop presenter and historical romance author will discuss how to use the elements of GMC to create and revise your books so that they're tightly woven, character-driven stories. We’ll take a look at all aspects of goal, motivation and conflict, from how to create it within your characters to how to make it strong enough to sustain your plot, but allow for a satisfying ending. We'll dig deep and take a concentrated look at the internal aspect and how this applies to your character arcs. It is recommended that the participants be familiar with Debra Dixon's GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict book. About the Presenter: Robyn DeHart spent seven years writing before breaking into the seemingly impenetrable historical market. She’s now sold four to Avon, including her exciting Ladies’ Amateur Sleuth Society series. The first two in this series were released in 2006, and the third, Tempted at Every Turn will hit stores in August 2007. A self-proclaimed craft junkie, Robyn is a popular writing instructor, having presented workshops on-line, at several RWA chapters and three times at RWA’s National Conference. Deadline to register: August 29 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
October Workshop Workshop Title: Witches, Kelpies, and Fairies, Oh My! The Paranormal Otherworld of Scotland Presenter: Cindy Vallar Date: October 1 - 31, 2008 Workshop Description: My first introduction to the Otherworld, as Highlanders call it, came when I joined the Brownies. My Girl Scout handbook included a tale that explained who brownies were. Little did I realize that many years later, I would immerse myself in this strange world in order to better understand my Scottish characters. I invite you to step into the unknown as we explore the supernatural Scottish Highlands. The Scots believed the creatures and forces of the Otherworld were real, and sometimes more menacing than one’s neighbors. In this workshop you’ll learn about the differences between Highland and Lowland witches; second sight and seers; water creatures; portents of death; the world of fairies and elves; other supernatural beings; and ghosts. Lessons are enhanced with a resource bibliography and excerpts from my novel, The Scottish Thistle, where I incorporated the Otherworld into this tale of the Rising of 1745. We will also discuss whether you believe and which elements of the Otherworld you would weave into your Scottish stories. At the end of the workshop, I offer to edit a chapter from each participant’s manuscript involving the supernatural. About the Presenter: Cindy Vallar, Associate Editor of Industry for Solander, writes the “Red Pencil” column where she compares a selection from an author’s published novel with an early draft of that work. She also reviews for the Historical Novel Society’s journal, Historical Novels Review. She is a freelance editor and an editor for Wings Press. She is also the editor of Pirates and Privateers, and the author of The Scottish Thistle, her debut historical novel about the Camerons and MacGregors during Scotland’s Rising of 1745, and Odin’s Stone, a romantic short story of how the Lord of the Isles settled the medieval feud between the MacKinnons and MacLeans on the Isle of Skye. She belongs to the Historical Novel Society, the Texas Coalition of Authors, the Red River Branch of the Clan Cameron Association, the Scottish Clans of North Texas, and the National Maritime Historical Society. In 2005 at the Clan Cameron North American Rally, Cindy received the first Friend of Clan Cameron Award. Prior to becoming an author and editor, she was a school librarian for twenty years, and she also taught computers and social studies. She invites you to visit her award-winning web site, Thistles & Pirates, to learn more. Deadline to register for this workshop Sept 28. Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
November Workshop Workshop Title: Druids: The Ancient Priesthood of the Celts Presenter: Sharron Gunn Date: November 1 - Dec 31 Description: Shrouded in mystery, the ancient religion of the Druids continues to fascinate people today as much as it did the Romans and Greeks. The druids', respected soothsayers, healers and political advisors, were the most enlightened and civilized influence in northern Europe until the advent of Christianity. The Celts believed the natural features of the earth were inhabited by gods and goddesses. They venerated oak groves, but also performed rituals on hilltops, and by streams and lakes. Fire was associated with several divinities, and each of the four seasons began with a fire ritual: Imbolc (spring), Bealltuinn (summer), Lughnasadh (autumn) and Samhain (winter). In different guises, the druids existed until the 18th century in Gaelic Scotland and Ireland although the people who were the cultural heirs of the druids did not recognize themselves as such. Neo-druidism was a creation of 18th-19th centuries. There are small groups who have recreated the religion of the druids as best they know how; one well-known group worships at Stonehenge each year at the summer solstice. Make of the information what you will! But I believe that we should treat the beliefs of others with respect. Outline: 1. Classical Writers 2. Celtic Gods and Goddesses 3. The Sacred Mysteries 5. Philosophers, Soothsayers, Healers, 6. Sacral Kingship 7. Praise and Curses 8. Lifestyle & Education 9. Influence on Christianity 10. Neo-Druidism About the presenter: Sharron Gunn teaches Gaelic as a non-credit university course and French in high school. French has earned her enough to eat and stay warm, but Gaelic is her true love and avocation. She was born on the east coast of Canada where many people are of Scottish and Irish origin, and learned Gaelic from her grandfather who may have been descended from a dynasty of Gaelic poets. In the Scottish Highlands and Gaelic Ireland you could earn very good money writing poetry a few centuries ago. Imagine that, all you struggling poet-songwriters! When she went to Scotland and Ireland for the first time at the age of 15, she bought a Gaelic grammar book and taught herself how to read and write the language. Her parents, children of the jazz generation, thought she was odd. She has been interested in the language and history of the Gaels ever since and has a degree in history and Celtic studies from the University of Glasgow. She lives on the west coast of Canada and is the vice-president of the Victoria Gaelic Choir. Deadline to register: Oct. 29 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top!
December Workshop Workshop Title: How the Christians Stole Christmas (Celtic history) Presenter: Dona Parus/ aka Sloan St.James Date: December 1 - 6, 2008 Description: This class will show how early Christians used nearly all the Pagan holidays to convert the masses to Christianity. The presenter will show that though there is a fundamental difference in religions, each holiday that we celebrate as Christians was derived from older religions. About the Presenter: Dona Parus writes Celtic paranormal women's fiction under the name Sloan St. James and has had two books published including THE DARK PLAIN and THE DARK SHIELD. The third book in the series, THE DARK LEGACY, has a fall of 2008 release date. Her writing awards include a prestigious PRISM Award, Booksellers' Best, and the Golden Quill. She did extensive research for her two books that dealt with the Pagan religion, including personal contact with a Master Druid who graciously supplied much of the background for this research. She is the treasurer of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Deadline to register: November 29 Click here to register for this workshop. Return to top! |