Writing Workshops

Writer's workshop

I've begun to lead day-long workshops around the country for aspiring and/or struggling writers. Do you think there might be interest where you live to bring me in for a conference?

Here are blurbs for the four sessions I lead:

1. "From Journalist to Novelist (Or How I Learned to Start Making it Up)."

Think you're too busy to write a novel? Veteran CNN editor John DeDakis traces the arc of his 40-year career -- from getting tear gassed covering an anti-Vietnam War riot on the University of Wisconsin campus in 1970 to his current job as a Senior Copy Editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" in Washington, D.C. and how it all led to a parallel career as a published novelist, manuscript editor, and speaker.


2. How to Write a Novel

A practical 15-point plan that takes you from the mere germ of an idea all the way through the creative process, with an eye on getting a finished book into the hands of potential fans. We'll discuss how to transform the nub of an idea into a book-length project, populated with interesting characters, a twisty-turny plot, snappy dialogue, and an interesting setting. We'll also look at strategies for finding an agent and marketing the finished product.


3. Buffing and Polishing

You've finally finished your manuscript and now you're ready to tell Oprah all about it. Not so fast. The best writing is REwriting. In this session, you'll learn practical ways to put your writing on a flab-burning diet so that your copy is tight, trim and hot -- and all without even having to step onto a treadmill. A big chunk of this is a writing lab, so be sure to bring pen and paper.


4. Getting an Agent.....and Getting Noticed

Writing's the easy part. The hard part is stepping out of your solitary comfort zone and trying to convince someone else that they should read your book. In this session you'll learn how to attract an agent and how to market yourself using strategies that are tailored to your personality.

Each session would be about an hour, except for the buffing and polishing one which would be more like 2 hours with a short break because it would be a writing lab with hands-on writing exercises. Two sessions would be in the morning, two in the afternoon, with a break for lunch and time in between sessions to network.

The cost for a Saturday workshop (approximately $100) would include a free autographed copy of my first novel, "Fast Track." Do you know someone who might be willing and able to be my point-person on the ground to help me make it happen? It's just a shot in the dark. What do you think?

The person I'm looking for would be willing to:

If you’re interested in working with me to bring a writers’ workshop to your area, click here: Contact Us