Midwest Furfest 2024: Full Schedule

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11:00am CST

Writing 101

Friday December 6, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST

We all start somewhere, and it's no different for writing. Whether you hope to one day write the Great American Furry Novel, or just want to do better at the stories you share with friends, come and learn some of the basics of good storytelling and some of the pitfalls and common beginner mistakes to avoid.

Speakers

Gre7g

Furry, writer, brewer, sausage maker, baker, and programmer.

Kaevon

I do writing. Sometimes it's transformation. Sometimes it's fanfic. Othertimes it's cool.I'm kinda neat and stuff! Usually hosting Lupus in Tabula, momming my friends, and being type 1 diabetic. Trying to get rid of that last one though.

The OC Doctor

Hello! I am The OC Doctor and I'm here to help you with Original Characters, World Building, Story Development and so much more! Any questions you might have about creating an OC, fleshing out a current one, or need a sounding board for new ideas I'm here to help! Happy to be returning... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

12:00pm CST

Plot and Conflict

Friday December 6, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

No matter how good your characters are, you'll need interesting things for them to do, or events they must react to. What makes for a compelling, perhaps riveting plot? One of the key elements in any plot is conflict. In this panel we discuss some of the different plots and types of conflict that can drive a story and keep your readers wondering what happens next.

Speakers

The OC Doctor

Ocean Tigrox

Friday December 6, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

1:00pm CST

Characters and Dialogue

Friday December 6, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

Characters are arguably the most important element to any story. What makes characters believable, memorable, and compelling? A big part of any characters is the relationships they have with other characters, and one of the primary means of showing characters and their relationships is through dialogue. Come join us as we discuss what makes good characters and dialogue.

Speakers

Kirisha Raptoress

Devon

Reo

Friday December 6, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

2:00pm CST

Setting and World Building

Friday December 6, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

Stories can take place in a lot of different places and time periods, whether it's someplace in our modern world, a setting from our history, a futuristic alien society, or a magical world of fantasy. Join us as we discuss the possibilities and the pitfalls, the challenges and rewards of creating or choosing a setting where your characters live and their stories play out.

Speakers

Utunu

Slip Wolf

Friday December 6, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

3:00pm CST

Upcoming Releases from Furry Small Presses

Friday December 6, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

Join us as we spotlight upcoming releases from the Furry fandom's independent publishers, offering a sneak peek at the unique works our community has to offer. If you're a fan of storytelling, this is your chance to rediscover beloved voices and find new ones that will put the swag in your wag.

Speakers

Kit Silver

Publicist, 24 Carat Words

Friday December 6, 2024 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

4:30pm CST

Scene and Story Structure

Friday December 6, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

Ever had a story idea in which you knew where you wanted to go but not how to get there? Or you have some pieces but aren't sure how they fit together? Or maybe it's a question of keeping the reader interested along the way. This panel will cover approaches to structuring your story, concepts like scene and sequel, pacing, and how to get elements of a story to fit together well.

Speakers

Devon

Hyena

The OC Doctor

Friday December 6, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

6:00pm CST

Furry Fiction Showcase

Friday December 6, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

A panel for furry readers! Come watch a dog who reads way too many books tell you about the best furry fiction of the year. I'll give you the resources you need to get your paws on great furry stories from great furry writers. You might even leave with a free book!

Speakers

Shiloh Skye

Friday December 6, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

7:00pm CST

The Doctor is In! Criminal Writing 101!

Friday December 6, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

“You son of a dog, I’m in” Heists are amazing! They are full of action, betrayal, trust, instinct, suspense and most of all fun! But how do you capture that in words? How do you avoid cheesy twists and obvious plot points? Well you are in luck for The OC Doctor is here to help! Together we will dive into the criminal underworld to help give you the tools to create a heist of your own! So kid, are you in or out?

Speakers

The OC Doctor

Friday December 6, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

8:00pm CST

Queer Fiction

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

Furry is and always has been a largely queer space, and the intersection of queer fiction and furry is only natural in a lot of writing. Come and consider the specifics of the genre intersection, how it can often blend with other genres as well, and what makes a story particularly queer. This panel is for those 18 years of age and older; ID required.

Speakers

Kit Silver

Publicist, 24 Carat Words

Friday December 6, 2024 8:00pm - 9:00pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing

9:00pm CST

Actually Writing That (Adult) Story

Friday December 6, 2024 9:00pm - 10:30pm CST

Hyatt - Hartsfield

You've been to panels on world-building, character development, even how to run the business side of being a writer. But now it's time to actually write a story. At this panel, we'll have an in-depth look at putting sentences together, figuring out story flow, and (by the time we're done) actually have the start of a story done. Learn the craft by doing the craft. It's really been a blast to run in the past. This panel is for those 18 years of age and older; ID required.

Speakers

Hyena

Friday December 6, 2024 9:00pm - 10:30pm CST
Hyatt - Hartsfield

Writing