As the leaves start to turn and the geese gather overhead, it’s hard not to think about back-to-school. I loved school. While many were mourning the passing of summer, I was anxious for the start of September, new books, new clothes, new class. So many exciting possibilities. (Yes, the excitement soon waned by mid-October.)
I LOVE learning and I LOVE reading. Two things that school was all about. Of course, seeing all my friends was a bonus too. Since I loved school, I knew I wanted to go to University—didn’t matter what I was learning, as long as I was in school. I decided to become a Chartered Accountant (now called a CPA). This was a path that would take seven years to complete. The culmination of that was a 16 hour exam spread over 4 days with a 50% failure rate. I made it!
But I was traumatized. I haven’t written an exam since. I’d look at taking an English class here, or there. But the thought of formal tests, exams, or even papers—shook me to my core and I never went back. (I do take courses, but they don’t have major exams.) Instead, I’ve preferred a course of self-study with workshops and seminars to help support my learning.
And while seven years to become an accountant sounds like a long-time, it pales in comparison to how long it’s taking me to be a published novelist. (I’ll let you know when I get there!) And as September rolls around, I can’t help thinking about school and courses.
I’m in the midst of trying to pitch my first novel and start my second novel. I have areas to work on in both. But every time I read a course description, it doesn’t quite seem to fit what I need to learn, or my timeline. Yet still, I’m drawn to them. Still looking for an outside teacher.
But nobody knows better what I need to learn, than me. I am my best teacher. The resources out there are endless. I already have a shelf full of books on writing, but a few more must-have’s popped up recently and found there way to my front door. I was a bit overwhelmed with choice and what I wanted to focus on. I needed structure, so I decided to design my own course, just for me. Perfectly tailored to my current needs and my schedule. And with absolute flexibility.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course you will have completed:
- A first draft of your new novel
- A rework of the first 50 pages of your old novel and a complete submission package including: synopsis, pitch and query
Required Resources by topic:
Creative Writing:
- The 90-Day Novel, Alan Watt
Structure:
- The Virgin’s Promise, Kim Hudson
- Outlining Your Novel Workbook, K.M. Weiland
- Structuring Your Novel Workbook, K.M. Weiland
- Save The Cat Writes a Novel, Jessica Brody
Pitch & Query:
- Sell your Story in a Single Sentence, Lane Shefter Bishop
Editing & Revising:
- Intuitive Editing, Tiffany Yates Martin
Craft:
- Steering the Craft, Ursula K. LeGuin
- Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer’s Craft, Professor Brooks Landon
Additional Resources:
- A Passion for Narrative, Jack Hodgins
- Thesaurus of the Senses, Linda Hart
- Websites:
We will keep this course fluid to flow with the many demands of life and also give you the ability to decide what you want to work on every day.
Homework:
This is a program of self-study, however, certain areas must be completed before moving on. You may practice craft at any time! The more the better.
The first part of the course will be building up to writing the first draft of your second novel and completing your first novel to be ready to either pitch, or hire and editor. Use the resources provided.
The second part of the course will be devoted strictly to writing your new draft.
Possible completion: Part 1—December 2023, Part 2—April 2024
Course may be revised at any time!
I’m also excited to be doing a workshop with Gail Anderson-Dargatz at the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival in September. Gail had done the substantive edit on my first novel. Her course description fit write in to working on my second novel: Pantser or Planner? Approaches to Plotting Your Novel
Moral of the Story: Unless you’re a complete beginner, you know what you need to learn. Maybe you do best in a structured course, or maybe you’re more like me, someone who likes to learn at their own pace. But even then, there are courses and seminars to help bolster your progress. And don’t forget to find your writers groups, either online or in person, or both!
