About

Story has the power to change hearts and minds, and as a result story has the power to change the world. Have you ever sat down to plot a novel and come up with nothing you or anyone else would want to read? I have! Artificial plot structures do little to help writers get to the heart of their stories. A story is more than plot. It’s more than a series of causal events. And it’s so much more than writing well. Having a mastery of grammar and spelling, and even having a poet’s command of lyrical language, doesn’t necessarily mean your stories will captivate readers. In “Getting to the Heart of Your Story” we’ll explore how to get to the core of what you’re trying to say and how to ratchet up the tension that pulls readers forward.

Don't forget to bring a laptop or writing pad.

Instuctor: Martha Kay Salinas writes young adult fiction about teens dealing with gritty, real-life issues. She enjoys creating characters braver than she dares to be. Endowing them with the strength to conquer evil is one of her greatest pleasures. Martha also works as a freelance editor. Her favorite types of projects are young adult fiction, women's fiction, and cozy mysteries, but she also edits college admissions essays and academic papers as long as there’s no math or rocket science involved.

Martha has two sons who have grown up nicely and she’s married to her high school sweetheart, Douglas. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. A native Texan, she lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.