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!
And I’m happy to announce that the first in-person session will be taking place at the Carlingwood Branch of the Ottawa Public Library on Friday February 20 at 1:00!
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 soft-launched the seminar at the 2025 LegendHaven convention for Sci-Fi & Fantasy writers, hosted by the LegendFiction organisation.
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.
If you can’t make the in-person event, or don’t live in Ottawa, stay tuned for information on my first virtual Zoom-based session of “What’s Your Story Stranger?” hopefully coming later in February.
If you have any question, contact me via the form below, or at info@emonaliterary.com.
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.
Please consider supporting Emona Literary Services™ to help me expanding my publishing and content creation projects, via Patreon, Ko-fi, or directly through Paypal by scanning the QR code below:
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© Joel Balkovec — Published by Emona Literary Services™.
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