C.J. Redwine, author of the Defiance Trilogy young adult fantasy series, conducted a created writing workshop Monday for students in the Gifted and Talented Program in the Allen County School District.
Gifted and Talented students from the Allen County-Scottsville High School, the James E. Bazzell Middle School, the Allen County Intermediate Center, and the Allen County Primary Center had an opportunity to spend about 90 minutes with Redwine in three workshops during the day.
Redwine spoke to the students about how a writer of fiction should create the fictional world for their characters. She challenged the students to consider a wide range of elements when writing the story.
“I have broken creating a fictional world down into components,” Redwine explained. “As a writer, you have to understand your culture, your government, your economy, your topography, and all the elements that go into place to create a world that is textured and real. This is for the reader because the reader feels like they are being completely transported to another world. It’s also for the characters because it gives the characters options. They are not just in a blank slate where they are moving around doing what you want them to do but they have a fully utilized, populated world. Thus, when you run into plot issues, they have options and places to go. They have things they can use as resources. So, I am showing students how to do this.”
Redwine spoke to students ranging from primary school to high school. Despite the age differences, she built her presentation upon the students’ questions and interests.
“Everybody who enjoys reading in a fictional world and has experimented with fictional writing will benefit from this,” Redwine added. “What I try to do is respond to the actions I am getting from the crowd and tailor the presentation to the age group.”
The visit was organized by Vicki Cooper, Director of the Gifted and Talented Program in the school district.
“Our students experienced a rare opportunity to get small group and one-on-one instruction from a successful published writer in the flesh,” Cooper noted.
Redwine authored the Defiance Triology series which is published through Harper Collins. She is a resident of Nashville and the mother of five children, ranging from preschool age to teenagers.