Lecture Packets
The lectures and templates from Mary's most asked-for on-line courses are
available for purchase.
The lecture packets are $20 (USD) each. To purchase, please go to the form
at the bottom of this page and check the box for each packet that you would
like to receive, then click on send. Once you have placed the order click on
the PayPal link below the form and follow the instructions. After confirmation
from PayPal, the packets will be sent to your e-mail address.
If you prefer to pay via check email Mary at Mary@MaryBuckham.com and
she'll send you a mailing address.
If you have questions about the lecture packets or the purchasing process,
please send an e-mail to: Mary@MaryBuckham.com
Click here to check when these topics will be offered as on-line courses.
Thank you for your interest!
The lectures and templates from Mary's most asked-for on-line courses are
available for purchase.
The lecture packets are $20 (USD) each. To purchase, please go to the form
at the bottom of this page and check the box for each packet that you would
like to receive, then click on send. Once you have placed the order click on
the PayPal link below the form and follow the instructions. After confirmation
from PayPal, the packets will be sent to your e-mail address.
If you prefer to pay via check email Mary at Mary@MaryBuckham.com and
she'll send you a mailing address.
If you have questions about the lecture packets or the purchasing process,
please send an e-mail to: Mary@MaryBuckham.com
Click here to check when these topics will be offered as on-line courses.
Thank you for your interest!
Copyright Mary Buckham 2005 All rights reserved
PACING: How to Create A Page-Turning Manuscript
What keeps a book intriguing enough to have fans turn the pages and not
set it down? How can one author's books have you riveted and another's
leave you feeling ho-hum? Ever wondered if there are key craft tips and
techniques to balance fast-paced conflict, tension, suspense or mystery,
action and emotion? In PACING: HOW TO CREATE A PAGE-TURNING
MANUSCRIPT you'll learn:
What keeps a book intriguing enough to have fans turn the pages and not
set it down? How can one author's books have you riveted and another's
leave you feeling ho-hum? Ever wondered if there are key craft tips and
techniques to balance fast-paced conflict, tension, suspense or mystery,
action and emotion? In PACING: HOW TO CREATE A PAGE-TURNING
MANUSCRIPT you'll learn:
- The ingredients of a page-turner
- What hooks are and how to maximize them
- The power of effective scenes
- Common pacing pitfalls to avoid
- The ten elements of strong pacing
- How to use subplots and secondary characters
- How to avoid a sagging middle
- Great beginnings and endings that have your readers wanting more!
SEX BETWEEN THE PAGES: Understanding and Writing Sexual
Tension
How do you write great sexual tension? That's the question Mary Buckham
posed to Linda Howard, Stella Cameron, Susan Andersen, Nancy Warren and
more Romance writers who write great sexual tension from sweet to spicy
hot.
In her lectures, Mary combines these lessons from real writers with the
practical understanding of the 12 stages of Intimacy, based on Desmond
Morris' works, and more recent findings by scientists on the amazing role
biology plays in mate attraction and selection. Findings that can be directly
incorporated in our creation of powerful sexual tension. So if you want to
learn how to increase the sexual tension in your work, don't miss these
lectures.
Tension
How do you write great sexual tension? That's the question Mary Buckham
posed to Linda Howard, Stella Cameron, Susan Andersen, Nancy Warren and
more Romance writers who write great sexual tension from sweet to spicy
hot.
In her lectures, Mary combines these lessons from real writers with the
practical understanding of the 12 stages of Intimacy, based on Desmond
Morris' works, and more recent findings by scientists on the amazing role
biology plays in mate attraction and selection. Findings that can be directly
incorporated in our creation of powerful sexual tension. So if you want to
learn how to increase the sexual tension in your work, don't miss these
lectures.
DO-IT YOURSELF SYNOPSIS TEMPLATES
A series of 12 lectures with 9 templates for you to analyze and extract the
key components from your manuscript that an editor/agent needs to see to
determine if the story is worth their time and attention.
Great for writers who:
A series of 12 lectures with 9 templates for you to analyze and extract the
key components from your manuscript that an editor/agent needs to see to
determine if the story is worth their time and attention.
Great for writers who:
- Have never written a synopsis and don't know where to turn
- Are on tight budgets
- Want to plot-proof your novel
- Lets you ask is everything in your story that needs to be in your story?
SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF SYNOPSIS WRITING
Creating a selling synopsis--one that captures an editor or agent's attention
and compels them to read, or ask for the entire manuscript, is hard. But it's
not impossible! From working with literally hundreds of writers, of all
genres, Mary has identified the most commonly found pitfalls that make an
editor or agent reject your manuscript based on these synopsis issues
alone. You will learn:
Creating a selling synopsis--one that captures an editor or agent's attention
and compels them to read, or ask for the entire manuscript, is hard. But it's
not impossible! From working with literally hundreds of writers, of all
genres, Mary has identified the most commonly found pitfalls that make an
editor or agent reject your manuscript based on these synopsis issues
alone. You will learn:
- The most oft repeated stumbling blocks found in synopses and how to
correct them - Concrete examples of a wrong way and a better way to get your
information across - Hands on Writing exercises to help you put into practice new skills
learned - Why the most common stumbling blocks occur in synopses
- A check list of do's and dont's that can make a difference in your final
produce
PLOTTING WITH THE MYTHIC STRUCTURE: Creating Surefire Plots
that Sell
With a focus for Romance and Romantic Suspense Writers
Before Christopher Vogler's ground breaking book - The Hero's Journey -
many writers were unable to see the connections between their commercial
fiction and the universal power of ancient myths and legends. Now, with a
clearer understanding of how to incorporate archetypes, the twelve steps
of the hero's [heroine's] journey, and plot points, writers can create solid
plots and surefire structures that sell.
that Sell
With a focus for Romance and Romantic Suspense Writers
Before Christopher Vogler's ground breaking book - The Hero's Journey -
many writers were unable to see the connections between their commercial
fiction and the universal power of ancient myths and legends. Now, with a
clearer understanding of how to incorporate archetypes, the twelve steps
of the hero's [heroine's] journey, and plot points, writers can create solid
plots and surefire structures that sell.
- 12 Lectures using four movie examples and four novel examples
- 9 templates using an additional 3 movie examples
PLOTTING WITH THE MYTHIC STRUCTURE: Creating Surefire Plots
that Sell
With a focus for Mystery, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Thriller and
Other Commercial Genres.
Before Christopher Vogler's ground breaking book - The Hero's Journey -
many writers were unable to see the connections between their
commercial fiction and the universal power of ancient myths and legends.
Now, with a clearer understanding of how to incorporate archetypes, the
twelve steps of the hero's [heroine's] journey, and plot points, writers can
create solid plots and surefire structures that sell.
that Sell
With a focus for Mystery, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Thriller and
Other Commercial Genres.
Before Christopher Vogler's ground breaking book - The Hero's Journey -
many writers were unable to see the connections between their
commercial fiction and the universal power of ancient myths and legends.
Now, with a clearer understanding of how to incorporate archetypes, the
twelve steps of the hero's [heroine's] journey, and plot points, writers can
create solid plots and surefire structures that sell.
- 12 Lectures using four movie examples and four novel examples
- 9 templates using an additional 3 movie examples
"I've loved your lectures and have
enjoyed applying what I've learned
as I continue to write my WIP.
With your lectures, my writing has
been stronger and as I finish a
scene/chapter I find myself wanting
to know what's going to happen
next. Thank you for taking the
time to develop and present such a
worthwhile workshop!"
Bonnie~~ Canada
enjoyed applying what I've learned
as I continue to write my WIP.
With your lectures, my writing has
been stronger and as I finish a
scene/chapter I find myself wanting
to know what's going to happen
next. Thank you for taking the
time to develop and present such a
worthwhile workshop!"
Bonnie~~ Canada
"Ooooh. Good stuff here. Brilliant
material! Yess! Another tool in the
arsenal."
Linda~~Romance Writer
material! Yess! Another tool in the
arsenal."
Linda~~Romance Writer
"Taking your course on
Understanding and Writing Sexual
Tension was one of the two
smartest things I've done for my
career this year, because now I
know why my earlier works were so
FLAT and I know how to make the
most innocent things POP now."
Dee~~ Romance Writer
Understanding and Writing Sexual
Tension was one of the two
smartest things I've done for my
career this year, because now I
know why my earlier works were so
FLAT and I know how to make the
most innocent things POP now."
Dee~~ Romance Writer
"I've loved your lectures and have
enjoyed applying what I've learned
as I continue to write my WIP.
With your lectures, my writing has
been stronger and as I finish a
scene/chapter I find myself wanting
to know what's going to happen
next. Thank you for taking the
time to develop and present such a
worthwhile workshop!"
Bonnie~~ Canada
enjoyed applying what I've learned
as I continue to write my WIP.
With your lectures, my writing has
been stronger and as I finish a
scene/chapter I find myself wanting
to know what's going to happen
next. Thank you for taking the
time to develop and present such a
worthwhile workshop!"
Bonnie~~ Canada
"I have been soaking in your
lectures like a sponge and have had
more light bulb moments that you
can imagine."
Diane
lectures like a sponge and have had
more light bulb moments that you
can imagine."
Diane
"I've written more than 30 books
and hate the synopsis more every
time I flailed around with one. But
finally I'm beginning to understand
why and how to fix things. These
lectures have been more help than I
ever imagined. Thank you!"
Lois
and hate the synopsis more every
time I flailed around with one. But
finally I'm beginning to understand
why and how to fix things. These
lectures have been more help than I
ever imagined. Thank you!"
Lois
"You have mad it possible for me to
actually plot my story from the
beginning to the end-even through
the dreaded middle! I can't tell you
how many attempts I have made
to try and do this on my own and
without you I would have never
gotten this far!"
Patty
actually plot my story from the
beginning to the end-even through
the dreaded middle! I can't tell you
how many attempts I have made
to try and do this on my own and
without you I would have never
gotten this far!"
Patty
"The best thing about the Mythic
Plot course are the templates. They
provide the easiest way imaginable
to map out a character's story arc;
they are like a secret weapon"
Christine~~Mystery Writer
Plot course are the templates. They
provide the easiest way imaginable
to map out a character's story arc;
they are like a secret weapon"
Christine~~Mystery Writer
With your Plot Templates I feel like
I've pulled my ms apart and stuck
it back together with Super glue
instead of sticky tape. This
information has to be the best
writing investment around!"
Sharon
I've pulled my ms apart and stuck
it back together with Super glue
instead of sticky tape. This
information has to be the best
writing investment around!"
Sharon
"I'm going to cherish my notes
from the Hero's Journey. Your
lectures and templates really ensure
a character's position and motion in
plotting an intriguing work. I'll be
using this as a framework for all my
future manuscripts."
Kathleen ~~ Florida
from the Hero's Journey. Your
lectures and templates really ensure
a character's position and motion in
plotting an intriguing work. I'll be
using this as a framework for all my
future manuscripts."
Kathleen ~~ Florida
TRANSLATING BODY LANGUAGE TO THE PAGE
Non-verbal communication takes place whether you think it is important or
not. On the page, or off, we possess underlying, unconscious mechanisms
in our brains that insist on evaluating everything about what another
person is doing; not just what they are saying. And we judge the other
whether they say anything or not.
As writers we can consciously understand and use gestures and facial
expressions to reinforce what we are saying on the page. Show not tell.
Because all of us, and our characters, send out non-verbal messages all of
the time, determine which messages are the ones you want your readers to
receive by which messages your characters use.
You’ll learn:
* What “tells” are and how to power them up
* Proxemics – maximizing the use of spatial relationships
* Facial signals and new ways of saying what you mean
* Gestures – some subtle, some not
* Context – how to make the old cliches fresh by use of context
* What are your legs betraying
* Why the eyes are so powerful a communicator
* How to create subtext using body language
* Cultural differences that can send very different signals
We’ll also explore some of the body postures, moves and gestures that
differentiate male and female actions and why. So if you are not sure your
character’s eyes, face, smiles, head, shoulders, torso, arms, legs and even
feet are portraying the message you want on the page, then it’s time to
understand and maximize the use of BODY LANGUAGE.
BODY LANGUAGE AND EMOTION
If you think you have a good handle on the intentional body language your
characters use on the page but want to create more depth, greater subtext,
clearer messages for your readers, then consider EMOTIONAL BODY
LANGUAGE.
You’ll learn:
* The differences between aggressive and defensive body language
* Dominant and Submissive body signals
* Negative body messages
* Open, closed or relaxed positions
* Attentive body language
* Power body language
* Leadership body messages
* Reading deception through body language
* Non-verbal greetings
You’ll also learn some of the subtle, but oh so fun differences between the
body language of men and that of women.
So if you’re ready to look at nuances that can make all the difference
between so-so characterization and great characterization, take the time to
learn EMOTIONAL BODY LANGUAGE.
Non-verbal communication takes place whether you think it is important or
not. On the page, or off, we possess underlying, unconscious mechanisms
in our brains that insist on evaluating everything about what another
person is doing; not just what they are saying. And we judge the other
whether they say anything or not.
As writers we can consciously understand and use gestures and facial
expressions to reinforce what we are saying on the page. Show not tell.
Because all of us, and our characters, send out non-verbal messages all of
the time, determine which messages are the ones you want your readers to
receive by which messages your characters use.
You’ll learn:
* What “tells” are and how to power them up
* Proxemics – maximizing the use of spatial relationships
* Facial signals and new ways of saying what you mean
* Gestures – some subtle, some not
* Context – how to make the old cliches fresh by use of context
* What are your legs betraying
* Why the eyes are so powerful a communicator
* How to create subtext using body language
* Cultural differences that can send very different signals
We’ll also explore some of the body postures, moves and gestures that
differentiate male and female actions and why. So if you are not sure your
character’s eyes, face, smiles, head, shoulders, torso, arms, legs and even
feet are portraying the message you want on the page, then it’s time to
understand and maximize the use of BODY LANGUAGE.
BODY LANGUAGE AND EMOTION
If you think you have a good handle on the intentional body language your
characters use on the page but want to create more depth, greater subtext,
clearer messages for your readers, then consider EMOTIONAL BODY
LANGUAGE.
You’ll learn:
* The differences between aggressive and defensive body language
* Dominant and Submissive body signals
* Negative body messages
* Open, closed or relaxed positions
* Attentive body language
* Power body language
* Leadership body messages
* Reading deception through body language
* Non-verbal greetings
You’ll also learn some of the subtle, but oh so fun differences between the
body language of men and that of women.
So if you’re ready to look at nuances that can make all the difference
between so-so characterization and great characterization, take the time to
learn EMOTIONAL BODY LANGUAGE.