Classes
Coming 2027
Unit One:
Developing Plot
You probably have an idea of the story (or stories) you want to tell, and I want to equip and empower you to tell that story in the most compelling way possible. Here are some of the skills we will dive into:
* Orienting the reader in every scene
* Providing a proportional balance between
narrative summary vs. immediate scene
* Creating plot twists that produce the desired impact on the reader
* Producing sequential scenes that are intentionally
connected by cause/effect, leading up to the climax
* Building suspense to elicit an elevated response in the reader, chapter by chapter
* Monitoring pacing and structure in scene
* Proportionally navigating Acts I, II & III
* Resisting the urge to explain by writing scenes
that require readers to infer
* Infusing figurative language, imagery and symbolism
* Plus, I've created a 'Skills Grid' to help you track your progress!
Unit Two:
Creating Characters
If you're a character-driven writer, you might want to consider starting right here and take the Plot Classes down the road. Here is what you will be working on:
* Always orienting the reader with each
character on the stage and justifying their purpose
* Deciding whether the narrator is reliable or unreliable
and executing that decision effectively
* Intertwining each character’s story arcs with the others
* Utilizing secondary characters that support the protagonist,
push the story forward and have a story arc of their own
* Forming dynamic characters who change by the end
and/or static characters who change everything everyone else
* Designing heroes & villains who are formed by societal conditions
* Provide the highest stakes possible for each character
* Relying on the backstories of each character
to show motive, flaws, bravery, etc.
* Strategically choosing the best, most effective
POV for the desired narrative distance
Unit Three:
Curating Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the most difficult writing skills to teach--even if a writer is pretty good at it. That is why we're going to explore examples intended to help you create conversation that:
* Reveal who they are
* Push the story forward
* Provide background information
* Explain ‘off stage’ actions
* Set the tone and establish the mood/vibe of a scene
* Ramp up the tension
* Reveal characters’ inner thoughts
* Strike a balance between dialogue tags vs. action beats,
especially when more than two people are talking
* Is believable, distinct and authentic
Unit Four:
Bringing Your Settings to Life
This is the class that you will move beyond creating a setting that goes beyond simply establishing a time, place, tone and mood. I've got research-based content for you that will help you create what social scientists call ‘total situations’ resulting in macro-societal conditions that produce heroes and/or villains. I know that's a mouthful, but I can't wait to unpack it with you. Also, we will:
* Contemplate and create settings that
intentionally curate mood, tone and atmosphere
* Create a setting as character
* Create a setting as genre
* Create a setting as a driving force
* Utilize the setting to heighten the stakes for characters
* Reference and incorporate real-life
historical events in your manuscript
* Ensure that the settings for real places, people and time periods are depicted respectfully and authentically
Unit Five:
Weaving Themes & Throughlines
Coming Soon
* Defining theme and being familiar with the extensive lists
f basic universal themes/thematic components
* Delineating between universal themes,
thematic components, throughlines & motifs
* Triangulating scenes where a particular event impacts a character (or group of characters) to establish thematic content
* Triangulating scenes where a character’s actions—or characters’ actions—impact an event to establish thematic content
Unit Six:
So! I Wrote a Book! Now What?
Once you finish the first draft of your book, my dream for you is to DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH IT!
But what does that look like? How will you even begin? Here's where you learn to navigate the 'Now what?' I'll be covering a couple different foundational paths to publishing, including:
* Transitioning from 'art' to 'business'
* Honing your craft into perpetuity
* Finding writing groups, beta-readers, conferences,
membership opportunities and continuing education
* Pursuing self-publishing
* Pursuing traditional publishing
* Surviving the dreaded query hellscape
* Building your platform
* Embracing your side-hustles
* Leaving a legacy