Last Saturday, May 12, 2012, the Calgary chapter of the RWA (CARWA) hosted story consultant Michael Hauge. He presented his day-long workshop on Story Mastery to 66 writers from Calgary and area.
If you ever get a chance to attend a Story Mastery workshop, go! Failing that, buy WRITING SCREENPLAYS THAT SELL. Michael has been helping writers and screenwriters for over 20 years. He teaches with movie examples and good humour, answering questions along the way and always digging deeper for the Story.
If I’d known I could get this much information in one short day, I’d have flown somewhere to hear him speak before now. He will be a Keynote Speaker at the 2012 Emerald City Writers Conference, hosted by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America on October 26 this year. Find out more here.
I’m still sorting through the photos I took. You’ll be able to find them on the CARWA website in a couple of days. Here are a few for now.

Michelle Beattie (Berkley), Jan O’Hara from Tartitude

Linda Ford (Harlequin), Jenna Howard, Louise Behiel

Dee Van Dyk, Diana Scott, Neil Scott

Tawny Stokes (CARWA President), Lawna Mackie

Suzanne Stengl, Michael Hauge
Have you heard Michael Hauge speak? Have you read his books? How has he helped your writing?
I’m impressed, Suzanne. The camera and I aren’t friends. You did well with your material.
I attended MH’s seminars in New York, and though much of this weekend’s material was the same, I cannot regret it. He always pushes me to a deeper understanding of what I’m trying to do. It was a fabulous seminar.
I’m with Jan. I heard him last year but he’s worth hearing again and again. He lays it out simply and yet so clearly it makes perfect sense. As Suzanne mentioned, if you ever get a chance to see him, go. He’s worth the money and more.
Oh I think you and the camera are great friends!
I will definitely go to more MH seminars. I spent all day Sunday reviewing my notes and I still feel like I’m only scratching the surface.
thank you Jan and Michelle for stopping by. be sure to check the CARWA website later this week. We’ll get more photos up!
Suzanne, the photos are terrific. I’m so sorry I had to miss the workshop. I did hear Michael’s workshop that he gave in NY to the Women’s Fiction chapter of RWA, but if was only a recording that they posted for their members. And it was NOT an all day workshop.
I’m glad so many people were able to attend and that you all got so much info out of the workshop! 🙂
We missed you Sheila. I’m slowly working my way through his screenplay book. I had the Outer Journey pretty much figured out. The Inner Journey is harder.
I see Tawny’s got her come hither look going. She has to teach me how to do that. 😀
Great photos, Suzanne.
That’s the “Vivi” look! More pix to come on the CARWA site. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow…I look kinda tall in that picture. I gotta pose beside Louise & Linda more often!!
That workshop was phenomenal. I learned a lot listening to him and tapping my pen on the Story Component worksheet.
Hi Jenna – I had trouble filling out the worksheet (being a pantzer) but I’ve made copies and I’m practicing on movies. I gotta figure this out…
good pics Suzanne. the day was amazing.
I agree day, Louise. It was amazing day.
The rest of the pictures are up on the CARWA site.