I am new. Shiny and new. Green. Wet behind the ears. A neophyte to trade fiction. My background is journalism. Pubic relations, to be exact, but I had much to learn about writing fiction. I wrote a novel, and I think it was pretty good. I knew, just knew it could be better, but I wasn’t sure what was missing, or what would propel it from good to great. Maybe even to publication. A friend, a more experienced writer, mentioned that her writing had been transformed by a series of courses; a system developed by a little blond lady named Margie Lawson. I took several of her online courses and was thrilled when she offered a writer’s retreat of sorts; a four-day immersion in Atlanta. There were several things she taught me that enriched my writing. I learned, and in some cases re-learned, rhetorical devices. I paid attention to my characters’ visceral reactions, which brought new emotion and vividity to my writing. My novel will be published June 17 through Grand Central/Forever Romance. There is not one single thing that made it possible, but several. And I know, without a doubt, the principles Margie taught me and so many others, are a huge part. I am an unabashed Margie geek. And many of my friends are, too. I’ve asked some of them to share about how Margie’s process has enriched their writing. I start with the friend who first recommended Margie, and we’ll go from there!
“I’d taken all of Margie’s online courses and lecture packets before attending her Deep Edits Immersion workshop. I remember that feeling of unnerving excitement when I landed in Denver. That place where you are super excited but doubly afraid. After four days, my writing grew exponentially. I learned to craft my stories in a way that packed an incredible punch. That little Lawson lady is extraordinary! I always recommend our lectures and workshops to everyone.”
Alicia McCalla,
Author of Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Love Stories in Color
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“With every one of Margie’s classes, my writing has taken a huge leap in quality. Not only has she taught me how to make every aspect of my work better, but she’s enabled me to look at my own work objectively and identify where it needs to be finessed. Margie always challenges me to bring out the very best my inner writer has to offer the readers I love, and she does it all with humor, kindness, enthusiasm, and endless patience.”
New York Times Bestseller Joan Swan,
Phoenix Rising & Covert Affairs Series
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“I’m an unapologetic Margie-aholic. I’ve taken every single one of her online courses ~ some of them multiple times ~ and have been to four (or is it five? I’ve kind of lost count) Immersions. Margie has taught me more about craft than all my other instructors combined, and her methods have completely transformed my writing. And bonus! Spending time with Margie is always a big, fat blast.”
Kimberly S. Belle,
Author of The Last Breath, upcoming MIRA Release (09/30/14)
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“When I took my first Margie Lawson class, the paradigm shift I experienced was more like an earthquake — I saw everything differently. I took more of her classes. I finished the book, and dusted off my drawer-dweller in her Masters Class. I sold both books in a three-book deal to Grand Central. A few months later I got a contract for a fourth book. And I recently was contracted for three more books! I have Margie to thank for teaching me how to deep edit to get power on every page.”
Double Rita Nominee Laura Drake,
Author of The Sweet Spot, Nothing Sweeter & Sweet on You
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With recommendations like these, what are you waiting for? Check out all things Margie Lawson HERE. And if you’re in Atlanta, she’s coming! She’ll be hosting an all-day workshop April 26 at our Georgia Romance Writer’s monthly meeting. Details and registration can be found HERE.