After a successful soft launch in 2025, I am pleased to announced that Emona Literary Services™ will be publicly launching its Fantasy character writing seminar, “What’s Your Story Stranger?” in 2026!
Stay tuned for more information on dates and locations, as well as preview clips going live on the Emona Literary Services™ YouTube channel.
I wanted this seminar to primarily be a way for gamers to get more comfortable developing their characters’ stories — though the lessons are applicable to anyone who wants to tell a better story.
With that in mind, I thought it might be helpful to tell some of my own story:
In a hole in the ground – well, it was more of a basement – there lived a devastatingly handsome freelance writer and editor. One day, he was brainstorming business ideas with a program faciliator.
(Shout-out to Rise‘s Small Business Lending Program, without which you would not be reading this).
“Well,” the writer said. “I could help people write better Dungeons & Dragons characters.”
The facilitator replied, “That sounds like a good idea. Do that.”
And that challenge was the spark of the adventure that gave us his writing seminar “What’s Your Story, Stranger?”
And some other stuff happened. He held a T. Rex skull. He tried Thai food. Got locked in a shed once…
Ahem.
After about a year of work and planning – and the self-doubt and second-guessing that accompanies any entrepreneurial endeavour – I presented “What’s Your Story, Stranger?” in its earliest form.
This was supposed to be the beginning of a rollicking Fantasy RPG adventure, so it made sense to start in a familiar place:
Like many Fantasy adventures, we begin in a tavern. Put yourself in the mindset of an adventurer and as you settle down with your drink, reflect on the moments and history that brought you here.
Based on his experience as an author, RPG player, and GM, Joel Balkovec guides participants through an interactive workshop that will turn a basic character concept into a fleshed-out individual with a full history, backstory, and personality.
By the time you leave the tavern tonight, you’ll be fully equipped with an ideal character.
I envisioned the seminar as a series of questions for participants to answer. The seminar’s name comes from what I expected would be the first – and most important – question the tavern’s barmaid asks the participants’ characters.
That story is what transforms an RPG character from a ream of numbers on a sheet to a character with hopes and dreams and history – a real person.
I have held sessions of “What’s Your Story, Stranger?” for the local Ottawa gaming community at branches of the Ottawa Public Library, as well as online for international audience, including at the LegendHaven convention for Sci-Fi & Fantasy writers, hosted by the LegendFiction organisation.
In these sessions, I have guided participants through the process of turning a ream of numbers on a character sheet into a developed character with a clear history, personality, and goals.
Although “What’s Your Story, Stranger?” was created for gamers and Fantasy fans, the writing advice I’m trying to give in the seminar is applicable to the real world.
It’s a seminar about storytelling, after all, and everyone has a story to tell.
Part of telling a story is learning how to tell a story together. “What’s Your Story, Stranger?” is the perfect team-building exercise for your gaming or writing group or business organisation.
In-person sessions of the workshop are currently limited to local Ottawa-based groups. Other groups can book a virtual session the seminar, held via Zoom.
If you would like to book a session of “What’s Your Story, Stranger?” for your group or organisation, fill out the form below:
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Now, a quick reminder that I am a professional writer and editor, and if you’re in need of writing and editing support, please consider taking a look at the work and rates currently offered by Emona Literary Services™ and reach out if you think I can help you.
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© Joel Balkovec — Published by Emona Literary Services™.
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