Authors’ Sala workshop for writers
By Camie Sands, Sept, 15, 2006


Writers’ Sala Workshop, “How to Structure Your Fiction” with Richard Crissman

Saturday, September 30, 10am–1pm, Posada San Francisco, Plaza Principal 2


If you have a book or TV or film script started but keep it under lock and key, or, conversely, if your friends are tired of reading it and giving you advice, or if you want to start a novel or screenplay and have not yet taken the first step, then Richard Crissman’s “How to Structure Your Fiction” workshop is for you. In addition to the workshop itself, Crissman will read up to 30 pages of your manuscript and will review it and return it with comments within a few weeks.

The workshop takes place Saturday, September 23, from 10am to 1pm at Posada San Francisco. The cost is 100 pesos. All proceeds benefit the San Miguel Authors’ Sala. Preregister by emailing Alice Sperling at alicesperling@hotmail.com. Walk-ins are also welcome for 125 pesos.


In the workshop, you will learn how to write scenes that move the main characters along the story path without dead pages of description or explanation. You’ll also learn about point of view, setting, the seven prototypes of character development and how to link climaxes. 

I had genuine breakthroughs in Crissman’s class. I had read the books Crissman recommends, The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler and Story, Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee, but this workshop gave me the discipline and inspiration I needed to get my book off the ground. 

Crissman is the author of several novels about money and what it does to people. His characters are eccentric, foolish and very human. His plots are unexpected, and his action scenes are exciting. He writes about such characters as financier Cyrus Bull, accountants Mallas & Payne, and the crooked lawyer James O’Mally Moyle. His upcoming book is titled How to Structure Your Fiction. Crissman is a sought-after public speaker who entertains as he educates.