Leigh teaches classes and workshops online and in person, for large groups, small groups, and individuals. Many of Leigh’s students have gone on to publish multiple books with established commercial publishers such as Harlequin, Montlake Romance, Kensington, Sourcebooks, Belle Books and others.
Let’s Explore Romance
Three one-hour video sessions, in person; one-on-one or for small groups. Scheduled to fit the convenience of the student and the instructor.
Perfect for the writer who would like to write a romance but doesn’t know how to get started.
In this intensive, interactive class, we’ll talk about the basics of characterization, conflict, storytelling structure, point of view, dialogue, love scenes, tropes, and endings as they apply to romance novels and to other types of love stories. We’ll deal with the specific requirements of your sub-genre and we’ll assess your own story.
Includes information and assignments specific to each student’s goals. The instructor will read selections from the student’s work and give feedback during the video sessions.
Because of the specialized and interactive nature of this class, it is not offered on a schedule but is arranged to fit the calendars of student and instructor. Video calls will take place over a period of three to four weeks.
For one student: $550. Additional students may be added, up to a maximum of four, for an additional fee.
Need a special class? Please use the contact me form.
Specialty Workshops (self-guided, on-line)
Leigh’s workshops include specialty subjects such as plotting, creating gender-believable characters, handling transitions and backstory, and Start Writing Romance, originally offered through Barnes & Noble University.
These on-line workshops are independent study, self-paced, and available on the writer’s own schedule.
Note: Leigh’s specialty workshops are moving to a new site, and new topics are being added. If you would like to be notified when they’re available, please use the contact me form or sign up for the Leigh Michaels newsletter.
Workshops and Seminars (by video call or in person)
Small-group programs ideal for writers’ groups are available. Topics include:
New Beginnings — All the advertising and promotion we do is aimed at getting the reader to the first page of the book — the reader’s window into the story. But if that first page doesn’t grab the reader’s attention, she’ll move on. (No pressure, right?) This workshop will help you make your opening pages stronger by looking at why the reader’s window to the story is different from the writer’s.
Romance Techniques for Other Genres — There’s a common perception that romance novels are nothing but sex scenes, stuck together with fluff. But there’s a reason romance is the single bestselling genre, and it’s not sex scenes. Romance is about heroic characters, relationships, communication, emotions, balance, and happy endings — and all authors can use these principles to make their stories stronger and more compelling for the reader.
Characters Who Keep Secrets — When a point-of-view character doesn’t Tell All, the result is often a reader who feels teased and left out. What are the rules when your POV character simply must not share everything she’s thinking and feeling?
Writing Between the Sexes — Much as we’d like to deny it, men and women act and react differently, and writers often struggle with making their opposite-sex characters believable. This workshop will help you recognize and identify common differences in the way people talk, think, and act — and use those differences to create convincing, non-stereotypical characters who are true to themselves — even when they’re very different from the author.
Need a special workshop? Please use the contact me form.