Writing Workshops

Workshop registration is open!

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Please read the rules before submitting your registration through the website Registration Form!

1. All applicants must have a paid membership for the Confluence conference. There is no additional cost for the workshop but a Confluence membership is required to attend any program during the conference. Fill out the online application form after you have purchased your Confluence membership. Memberships will be verified before participants are accepted into either of the workshops.
Register for Confluence

2. Participation is limited to one workshop per person and 14 participants per workshop!
If you are interested in attending both workshops, please indicate your interest on the sign up form. If space is available in the alternate workshop closer to the conference date, the organizer will contact you.

3. All participants will be expected to follow the Parsec Code of Conduct, and to behave with politeness and respect toward all fellow participants.

4. If for any reason you are unable to attend the workshop after registering, please contact the workshop coordinator, Karen: publicity@confluence-sff.org

Saturday Morning Workshop. Brainstorming and Designing a Story:

Over 33 years of helping students develop their end of the year short story (written after reading
ten stories in different genres), Charlie developed a series of prompts and guidelines to codify the
things writers, who are also extensive readers, think about as they design and develop a story.
We will go through those steps to make intentional the things writers do by developed instinct.
We will look at the interaction between character, plot, and worldbuilding and how they are
influenced by the story type you choose. We will look at where to begin and end a story and how
to maintain focus.
Charlie will share Word documents, so bring either a laptop, a tablet, or a notebook so you can
sketch out some thoughts on your own projects.

Sunday Morning Workshop. The Art of Revising and the Skill of Editing:

Bring a notebook or a laptop so you can think about changes you can make to a current project,
whether it be an original story, novel, or a work of fan fiction.  We will go over how to fix what
you know how to fix in a first draft, how to use good and bad advice from Beta readers to
improve your work, and finally how to take care with structuring your sentences so you writing
reads more smoothly.  We will also look at how to streamline the worldbuilding in your story to
enhance character and plot.
During the first two hours, we will go through a series of handouts prompting you to think about
changes you might make to enhance, deepen, and tighten your fiction. The final hour will be an
optional work period during which Charlie will be happy to discuss with individuals specific
strategies to solve revision problems they are facing.

Our 2025 workshop facilitator is Charles Oberndorf

Charles Oberndorf is the author of three books and six works of short fiction, all science fiction. Charlie has worked in programs supporting both young and adult writers. He taught seventh grade English for 40 years, 33 years devoted to an English class built around reading and writing workshop. He taught four terms at Cleveland State’s free Public Fiction Workshop (now defunct) and five summers at Cuyahoga County Library’s Summer Fiction Writers’ Boot Camp. He has been a member of three different writing workshops, including Cleveland’s sf and fantasy workshop, The Cajun Sushi Hamsters from Hell.

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Please Select One Workshop *

• #1. (Sat) Brainstorming and Designing a Story
• #2. (Sun) The Art of Revising and the Skill of Editing

Comments:

I would like to be considered for the alternate workshop if it does not fill:

• Yes

If the alternate workshop does not fill, the coordinator will be in contact with you within a couple weeks before the Confluence conference.

Please include questions you may have on the workshop topic.

I have registered for and purchased my Confluence membership *

• Yes

A Confluence membership is required to register for and participate in the writing workshops. Register for Confluence There is no additional free to participate in the workshops. You will not be considered registered for the writing workshop until we have confirmed your paid Confluence membership.

I have read and understand the Code of Conduct. *

• Yes

Code of Conduct

If you need to cancel or have questions regarding your registration,

please contact Karen at publicity@confluence-sff.org

Use the above form entry field for questions regarding the workshops.

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