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A popular speaker, Virginia regularly offers workshops to writers' groups and has participated in the North Carolina Literary
Festival, the Winston Salem BOOKMARKS Festival, and Duke University's "Unsuitable" event series hosted by the Forum
for Scholar and Publics.
She loves talking with readers.
Want news about her appearances and releases? Subscribe to her newsletter!
She loves talking with readers.
Want news about her appearances and releases? Subscribe to her newsletter!
Workshops
Heroes: You Made Me Love You (Readers Event)
Last offered: Liberty States Fiction Writers March 2017
Durham Public Library
Join Virginia for a rousing (arousing?) discussion of stand up guys, alpha males, real men, and heroes who make us go “hmm.” Who are these men who keep us up at night? How are they different? What do they have in common? Using examples from books and movies, we’ll talk about ten essential heroic qualities from animal attraction to commitment.
Last offered: Liberty States Fiction Writers March 2017
Durham Public Library
Join Virginia for a rousing (arousing?) discussion of stand up guys, alpha males, real men, and heroes who make us go “hmm.” Who are these men who keep us up at night? How are they different? What do they have in common? Using examples from books and movies, we’ll talk about ten essential heroic qualities from animal attraction to commitment.
Sex, Struggle, Intimacy, and Control: It's Not (Just) About the Handcuffs
Last offered:Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
Characterization, conflict, and sex-every romance novel has them. An understanding of gender and the different ways men and women negotiate for intimacy and control can deepen characterization, develop the conflict, make dialogue sparkle and sexual tension sizzle.
Every satisfying love story charts both character growth and the growth of a relationship. The hero and the heroine must grow as individuals (becoming stronger, capable, and more autonomous) and as lovers (becoming more trusting, vulnerable, and dependent on each other). Using examples from movies, bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores the tension between the character arc and the romance arc; using gender roles to meet reader expectations and deepen characterization; the differences in the ways men and women negotiate the struggle for intimacy and control; and what makes an ending "happy" anyway.
Style and Substance: the Role of Gender in Romance
Last offered: Midwest Fiction Writers, September 2014
Gender roles are changing in society and romance, yet the differences between men and women still impact our genre. Using examples from her own work and best-selling authors, Virginia Kantra demonstrates how an understanding of gender can add credibility to our characterizations
and spark to our romance. This workshop will discuss gender roles from the standpoint of biology and genre fiction; meeting reader expectations and subverting stereotypes; and how male and female communication styles affect dialogue, point-of-view, conflict, and intimacy.
Sex, Struggle, Intimacy, and Control + The Role of Gender in Romance
(Combined - 3 hours)
Last offered:Georgia Romance Writers' Moonlight and Magnolias Conference September 2017
Characterization, conflict, and sex -- every romance novel has them. An understanding of gender and the different ways men and women negotiate for intimacy and control can deepen characterization, develop the conflict, make dialogue sparkle and sexual tension sizzle.
This workshop will discuss changing gender roles from the standpoint of biology and genre fiction; meeting reader expectations and subverting stereotypes; and how male and female communication styles affect dialogue, point-of-view, conflict, and intimacy.
The hero and the heroine must grow as individuals (becoming stronger, capable, and more autonomous) and as lovers (becoming more trusting, vulnerable, and dependent on each other).
Using examples from movies, bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores the tension between the character arc and the romance arc; the differences in the ways men and women negotiate the struggle for intimacy and control; and what makes an ending "happy" anyway.
Last offered:Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
Characterization, conflict, and sex-every romance novel has them. An understanding of gender and the different ways men and women negotiate for intimacy and control can deepen characterization, develop the conflict, make dialogue sparkle and sexual tension sizzle.
Every satisfying love story charts both character growth and the growth of a relationship. The hero and the heroine must grow as individuals (becoming stronger, capable, and more autonomous) and as lovers (becoming more trusting, vulnerable, and dependent on each other). Using examples from movies, bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores the tension between the character arc and the romance arc; using gender roles to meet reader expectations and deepen characterization; the differences in the ways men and women negotiate the struggle for intimacy and control; and what makes an ending "happy" anyway.
Style and Substance: the Role of Gender in Romance
Last offered: Midwest Fiction Writers, September 2014
Gender roles are changing in society and romance, yet the differences between men and women still impact our genre. Using examples from her own work and best-selling authors, Virginia Kantra demonstrates how an understanding of gender can add credibility to our characterizations
and spark to our romance. This workshop will discuss gender roles from the standpoint of biology and genre fiction; meeting reader expectations and subverting stereotypes; and how male and female communication styles affect dialogue, point-of-view, conflict, and intimacy.
Sex, Struggle, Intimacy, and Control + The Role of Gender in Romance
(Combined - 3 hours)
Last offered:Georgia Romance Writers' Moonlight and Magnolias Conference September 2017
Characterization, conflict, and sex -- every romance novel has them. An understanding of gender and the different ways men and women negotiate for intimacy and control can deepen characterization, develop the conflict, make dialogue sparkle and sexual tension sizzle.
This workshop will discuss changing gender roles from the standpoint of biology and genre fiction; meeting reader expectations and subverting stereotypes; and how male and female communication styles affect dialogue, point-of-view, conflict, and intimacy.
The hero and the heroine must grow as individuals (becoming stronger, capable, and more autonomous) and as lovers (becoming more trusting, vulnerable, and dependent on each other).
Using examples from movies, bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores the tension between the character arc and the romance arc; the differences in the ways men and women negotiate the struggle for intimacy and control; and what makes an ending "happy" anyway.
Author Voice: What are They Talking About and How Do I Get One?
Last offered: Pamlico Writers Conference March 2016
One of the most essential elements for any writer to master is voice. Voice is a function of both what you have to say (story, genre, theme) and your experience (vocabulary, cadence, and world view). Because no two writers have exactly the same things to say and the same experience, each author's voice is unique. This workshop examines author voice in the romance novel by looking at examples from bestselling authors with strong voices across and within subgenres and addresses the criticism that "those books" are "all the same." Virginia will also discuss the difference between author point of view and character point of view and share her four-point strategy for developing your own voice (read, write, define, refine).
Last offered: Pamlico Writers Conference March 2016
One of the most essential elements for any writer to master is voice. Voice is a function of both what you have to say (story, genre, theme) and your experience (vocabulary, cadence, and world view). Because no two writers have exactly the same things to say and the same experience, each author's voice is unique. This workshop examines author voice in the romance novel by looking at examples from bestselling authors with strong voices across and within subgenres and addresses the criticism that "those books" are "all the same." Virginia will also discuss the difference between author point of view and character point of view and share her four-point strategy for developing your own voice (read, write, define, refine).
Happily Ever After: Seven Secrets to Writing a Successful Romance
Last offered: Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
RWA National defines a romance novel as "a central love story" with "an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." To be emotionally satisfying, the romance must be true both to what the reader knows and to what the writer has to say.
Good love stories are universal (tap into the readers' shared emotions and experiences) and unique (use specific, significant details that belong to the story). Using examples from bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores how combining universal emotion and unique detail in seven essential romance components results in love stories that are believable, memorable...and satisfying!
Last offered: Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
RWA National defines a romance novel as "a central love story" with "an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." To be emotionally satisfying, the romance must be true both to what the reader knows and to what the writer has to say.
Good love stories are universal (tap into the readers' shared emotions and experiences) and unique (use specific, significant details that belong to the story). Using examples from bestselling authors and Virginia Kantra's own work, this workshop explores how combining universal emotion and unique detail in seven essential romance components results in love stories that are believable, memorable...and satisfying!
Body Language (Master Class - 2 hours)
Last offered: Heart of Carolina Romance Writers October 2017
Central New York Romance Writers June 2017
Body language, nonverbal cues to feelings and intentions, is key to communication--and to romance. In this two-hour class, Virginia explores the elements of body language from facial expressions and gestures to touch and the use of space. Learn how to bring your characters and scenes to life by focusing on four functions of body language in fiction: revealing character, improving pacing, enriching subtext, and developing the romance.
Last offered: Heart of Carolina Romance Writers October 2017
Central New York Romance Writers June 2017
Body language, nonverbal cues to feelings and intentions, is key to communication--and to romance. In this two-hour class, Virginia explores the elements of body language from facial expressions and gestures to touch and the use of space. Learn how to bring your characters and scenes to life by focusing on four functions of body language in fiction: revealing character, improving pacing, enriching subtext, and developing the romance.
Characters: Truer Than Life
Last offered: Heart of Carolina Romance Writers May 2015
Compelling characters are both true-to-life and larger than life. They must be universal--recognizable, plausible, and, in the case of protagonists, sympathetic. But to truly capture the reader's heart and imagination, they must also be unique.
Using examples from Virginia's own work and popular movies, this workshop will explore the elements of characters' "inside life" and "outside life" and the story requirements for various character roles. Virginia will discuss how to use layers of character from dominant impression to dominant mood to create memorable and authentic characters and share tips for revealing character through dialogue and deep point of view.
Last offered: Heart of Carolina Romance Writers May 2015
Compelling characters are both true-to-life and larger than life. They must be universal--recognizable, plausible, and, in the case of protagonists, sympathetic. But to truly capture the reader's heart and imagination, they must also be unique.
Using examples from Virginia's own work and popular movies, this workshop will explore the elements of characters' "inside life" and "outside life" and the story requirements for various character roles. Virginia will discuss how to use layers of character from dominant impression to dominant mood to create memorable and authentic characters and share tips for revealing character through dialogue and deep point of view.
Deep Point of View (Master Class - 2 hours)
Last offered: New Jersey Romance Writers September 2018
Heart of Carolina Romance Writers October 2017
Central New York Romance Writers June 2017
Deep point of view (POV) is the quickest, cheapest tool in the writer's toolbox for shoe-horning your reader into your character's skin. It is driven by your characters' experience and emotions. This workshop explains how close third person POV combines the advantages of first person POV with the versatility and wider camera lens of third person POV.
Elements to consider in writing deep POV include the character's gender, education level, environment, age, career, and needs and conflicts. Using first and final drafts from Virginia Kantra's own work and examples from bestselling and RITA-nominated books, this workshop will explore when and why deep POV is effective and discuss how to write it in description, narrative, and dialogue/subtext. Special attention will be paid to formatting; techniques for switching POV within a scene; and to writing in male POV, including "Virginia's Guide to Guy-Speak."
Last offered: New Jersey Romance Writers September 2018
Heart of Carolina Romance Writers October 2017
Central New York Romance Writers June 2017
Deep point of view (POV) is the quickest, cheapest tool in the writer's toolbox for shoe-horning your reader into your character's skin. It is driven by your characters' experience and emotions. This workshop explains how close third person POV combines the advantages of first person POV with the versatility and wider camera lens of third person POV.
Elements to consider in writing deep POV include the character's gender, education level, environment, age, career, and needs and conflicts. Using first and final drafts from Virginia Kantra's own work and examples from bestselling and RITA-nominated books, this workshop will explore when and why deep POV is effective and discuss how to write it in description, narrative, and dialogue/subtext. Special attention will be paid to formatting; techniques for switching POV within a scene; and to writing in male POV, including "Virginia's Guide to Guy-Speak."
Emotion: More Than Words (Master Class - 2 hours)
Last offered: Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference, March 2017
Practical strategies to build the emotion in your story from opening conflict to final payoff. Layering emotion is more than adding adjectives and adverbs. It’s about creating worthy protagonists with compelling motivations and then dragging the reader along on every step of their emotional journey through everything those characters see, say, and do. Virginia will discuss how to craft emotionally authentic and engaging stories through the use of deep point of view, dominant mood, significant, specific triggers, visceral reactions, pacing, and payoffs. Hook your readers’ emotions and bring them back for more!
Writing Emotion: Opening a Vein (NEW Master Class - 2 hours)
THIS SESSION WILL NOT BE RECORDED
Last offered: Romance Writers of America National Conference July 2017
For experienced writers seeking to recharge and reconnect. Writing from the heart involves opening a vein--being emotionally honest with our characters, our readers, and ourselves. Virginia Kantra offers practical strategies on writing emotion, from the first-page promise to the reader to the final payoff. An in-depth, advanced discussion on using premise, deep point of view, scene selection, motivation/reaction units, dominant mood, body language, subtext, and significant, specific triggers to create emotionally compelling characters in conflict.
Last offered: Wisconsin RWA Conference May 2017
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference, March 2017
Practical strategies to build the emotion in your story from opening conflict to final payoff. Layering emotion is more than adding adjectives and adverbs. It’s about creating worthy protagonists with compelling motivations and then dragging the reader along on every step of their emotional journey through everything those characters see, say, and do. Virginia will discuss how to craft emotionally authentic and engaging stories through the use of deep point of view, dominant mood, significant, specific triggers, visceral reactions, pacing, and payoffs. Hook your readers’ emotions and bring them back for more!
Writing Emotion: Opening a Vein (NEW Master Class - 2 hours)
THIS SESSION WILL NOT BE RECORDED
Last offered: Romance Writers of America National Conference July 2017
For experienced writers seeking to recharge and reconnect. Writing from the heart involves opening a vein--being emotionally honest with our characters, our readers, and ourselves. Virginia Kantra offers practical strategies on writing emotion, from the first-page promise to the reader to the final payoff. An in-depth, advanced discussion on using premise, deep point of view, scene selection, motivation/reaction units, dominant mood, body language, subtext, and significant, specific triggers to create emotionally compelling characters in conflict.
Reinvention: When Is It Right for Me?
with Suzanne Brockmann
Last offered: Romance Writers of America National Conference July 2017
Everybody says, "Do what's right for you," but there's no road map for writers facing tough financial and creative realities. How do you write authentically? What are the trade offs? How do you find your individual balance in your shifting personal life and the shifting world of publishing? Join three award-winning, bestselling authors as we share our process of reinvention and suggest strategies to assess your career, retool your creativity, and make right-for-you-right-now choices.
Reinvention in three steps: Evaluate (where am I?); Imagine (where do I want to be?) and Act (mapping a path/getting there)
with Suzanne Brockmann
Last offered: Romance Writers of America National Conference July 2017
Everybody says, "Do what's right for you," but there's no road map for writers facing tough financial and creative realities. How do you write authentically? What are the trade offs? How do you find your individual balance in your shifting personal life and the shifting world of publishing? Join three award-winning, bestselling authors as we share our process of reinvention and suggest strategies to assess your career, retool your creativity, and make right-for-you-right-now choices.
Reinvention in three steps: Evaluate (where am I?); Imagine (where do I want to be?) and Act (mapping a path/getting there)
Upcoming Events
The First Page: Character and Conflict
Last offered: New Jersey Romance Writers Conference, October 2019
Where and how do you begin your story? Whether you are a perfectionist from page one or write "shitty first drafts," Virginia Kantra shares practical strategies to create a world, establish character, and set up conflict on page one. This workshop will focus on the use of setting, dialogue, action, and point of view to create an opening hook that will engage your readers' hearts and attention.
Last offered: New Jersey Romance Writers Conference, October 2019
Where and how do you begin your story? Whether you are a perfectionist from page one or write "shitty first drafts," Virginia Kantra shares practical strategies to create a world, establish character, and set up conflict on page one. This workshop will focus on the use of setting, dialogue, action, and point of view to create an opening hook that will engage your readers' hearts and attention.
Dear friends and favorite readers,
I'm celebrating the release of Beth & Amy with two virtual events. I hope to see you soon!
I'm celebrating the release of Beth & Amy with two virtual events. I hope to see you soon!
Book Launch and Virtual Book Signing for Beth & Amy!
It's a party! Pre-order now to get your signed copy of Beth & Amy. I can't wait to share their story with you.
Join me and my writer pal, bestselling author Kerry Winfrey, to celebrate and chat about the March sisters, Louisa May Alcott, and all things Little Women.
Online Event.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
7:00pm to 8:00pm ET
Quail Ridge Books, North Hills Mall, 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
It's a party! Pre-order now to get your signed copy of Beth & Amy. I can't wait to share their story with you.
Join me and my writer pal, bestselling author Kerry Winfrey, to celebrate and chat about the March sisters, Louisa May Alcott, and all things Little Women.
Online Event.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
7:00pm to 8:00pm ET
Quail Ridge Books, North Hills Mall, 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
Book Discussion and Q&A
Hosted by Orem Public Library
Join us via Zoom to talk about first loves, sibling rivalry,
and why Laurie/Trey should really marry Amy.
FREE admission
Online Event
Thursday, May 27, 2021
9:00pm to 10:00pm ET (7:00pm MT)
Hosted by Orem Public Library
Join us via Zoom to talk about first loves, sibling rivalry,
and why Laurie/Trey should really marry Amy.
FREE admission
Online Event
Thursday, May 27, 2021
9:00pm to 10:00pm ET (7:00pm MT)