Instructor: Blythe Camenson (see bio below) Email: bcamenson@aol.com Class Meets: Via Email Only Duration: Six Weeks Registration Fee: $180; $165 for FWC members (Nonrefundable) Recommended Texts:
Give 'Em What They Want the right way to pitch your novel to editors and agents by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook
The market for fiction writers today is fiercely competitive. To be a player, and ultimately a winner, you have to arm yourself with the knowledge and skill to present a finely crafted, professional manuscript.
This course provides step-by-step, hands on guidance that will give you the skills to produce professional quality work. You will learn the techniques of plotting, characterization, dialogue, conflict, action, and resolution. These skills will take you confidently from the idea to the finished product. Each week during the course, we will concentrate on a particular technique, with assignments and feedback. You may work at your own pace within the 6-week period, and each step will be charted to help you move smoothly through your assignments so you can continue on your own to reach your goal of a finished manuscript.
Instructor Bio
Blythe Camenson is a full-time writer of both nonfiction and fiction. She is director of Fiction Writer's Connection (FWC), a membership organization for new and seasoned writers. Through FWC she edits a newsletter, provides free critiquing to members, and runs a website. She also organizes seminars and conducts classes and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to writers.
To date she has more than four dozen books in print published by McGraw-Hill. The book she co-authored with Marshall J Cook, Give Em What They Want, is published by Writer's Digest Books. Her articles and photographs have appeared in 100+ publications. Two of her novels have had movie options.
WEEK BY WEEK OUTLINE (Assignments will be emailed to you each week)
Week 1 - Plotting
Assignment:
Describe your plot in one compelling sentence, including the main character and his or her core conflict. In the same email submit a chronological list of plot points/scenes your book will have. (20 to 25) Keep each listing brief. No more than one sentence. Make sure to include the opening conflict, climax, and conclusion of your book.
Week 2 - Character Development
The center of your story is the main character. Who is this person? What makes him/her interesting? Create realistic character traits and provide a realistic view of the life of your protagonist.
Assignment:
Submit a character sketch (up to one page, double-spaced) describing your character. Include profession, quirks, flaws, strengths, goals, and conflicts. Also include what's at stake for this character if he or she doesn't resolve the core conflict.
Week 3 - Point of View (POV)
Whose story is this? Choose a narrator/viewpoint character for your story and remember that the narrator is providing the "eyes" through which your reader sees. Make the journey seamless and smooth by not leaping from one POV to another.
Assignment:
State the viewpoint you are using in your book. Examples: Third person, multiviewpoint; first person (or third person) limited; omniscient. In the same email submit a one-page (double-spaced) scene that provides the reader with a clear look at the point of view you've chosen. The scene should be description/narration-letting us see important plot information from the eyes of your viewpoint character.
Week 4 -Dialogue
Learn to "hear" your characters and let them "speak" for themselves.
Assignment:
Submit a brief exercise (one to two pages, double-spaced) of dialogue between your main character and a supporting character. Dialogue should be formatted properly (look in any published novel for guidelines), include tags (he said/she said) where necessary, and description/narration where necessary. The dialogue must either provide characterization or move the story forward-ideally both at the same time. Do not include dialogue in your book (or in this assignment) that does not do one of those two things. (Hint: avoid using any adverbs in this exercise.)
Week 5 - Conflict, Action, and Suspense
Keep the pace going; keep the readers turning pages.
Assignment:
Submit up to three pages (double-spaced) of a scene that show conflict, action, and suspense. Important: The scene must come at the end of a chapter-and must not be resolved at the end of the chapter. In other words, this should be a "cliffhanger" scene. Pick up the scene again and resolve it at the beginning of the next chapter.
Week 6 - Opening Hooks and Balancing the Elements
Involve your reader within the first three pages of your work. Begin with conflict, and blend in a balance of the elements of dialogue, action, narration, introspection and description.
Assignment:
Submit your first three pages (double-spaced.)
Register forElements of Novel Writing NOW
Fiction Writer's Connection To pay by phone call (505) 450-7448
