Romance Novel Writing Course
Parts 1 & 2

INSTRUCTOR: Lori Soard

(click here to read more about Lori)

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE

EMAIL COURSE: This course will be conducted through a special private listserv.

We've found that a course conducted via email, as opposed to in a chatroom, gives everyone a chance to participate and ask questions at their convenience, with no time limits. This means you can learn more, interact more.

 DATES: Monday, December 4 - Saturday, December 9, 2000
(that's 6 days of workshop lessons and interaction with your instructor!)

NOTE: Space is limited so register today to assure your seat:)

Fee: $65.00, payable by PAYPAL (Visa or MC) or check or money order.

Description of course topics below...

To pay by CREDIT CARD...

If paying by credit card (Visa and MC), we use PayPal, a free service (sign up to use PayPal now and receive a $5.00 credit to your account as a new user!). Once you've registered with PayPal, simply sign up for the workshop and PayPal will bill your credit card! It's safe and convenient:)

SIGN UP for the FREE PayPal service now! CLICK the banner 

 Then register for our workshop...just click the banner below...

To pay by check or money order...

Make checks payable to TRC and mail to PO BOX 457 Orwell, OH 44076

Enclose the following information with your check or money order (on separate paper): Name, address, daytime phone, email address, and name of workshop you are reserving your space for. Reservations should be made as soon as possible to assure your seat, and so that we may add your email address to our private workshop listserv. There is a 25.00 fee for all returned checks.

If you have questions, email LMALCOTT@aol.com -- put workshop info in subject area

COURSE TOPICS...

I Basic Grammar

A Stress Importance of good grammar

B Lessons--Specific
1) Punctuation
2) Dangling Modifiers and other common mistakes
a) worksheet--choose correct sentences
b) worksheet--common mistakes
3) Sentence structure
a) fragments
b) run-on sentence
c) prepositions

II CREATING AND STRUCTURING A STORY LINE

A Finding Story Ideas
1) World around you
2) Read, read, read
3) Write, write, write
4) Playing with titles
a) exercise handout

B Classic Plot
1) Hero/Heroine Introduced--there is some sort of conflict
2) The character attempts to solve problem but only slips deeper into trouble
3) Black moment
4) Change and resolution
a) plot potential exercise

III Characterization

A Characters
1) The well developed h/h
2) Virtue and sympathy
3) Acting hero-like
a) hand-out of character charts

B Motivation and Background
1) What things motivate?
2) Settings/actions
a) game--interview of a character.

IV Style

A Dialogue
1) Forget reality
2) Cliches

B Transitions
1) simplicity
2) examples and exercise

V Point of View

A What Are the Different POV's?
1) First person
2) Third person--single
3) Omnicient and modified omni
a) exercise--the engagement party

B How to Decide Whose POV to Write in
1) Most at stake
2) Varying pov
a) exercise on writing same scene/different povs

VI Publishing Biz and Wrap-up

A Publishing Pitfalls
1) Writing isn't easy
2) Selling what you write
a) choosing correct publisher
b) multiple submissions
c) hand-out of most common mistakes editors reject manus. for

B Wrap-up
1) Read, read, read
2) Write, write, write
3) Submit, listen, re-submit

Finishing the Novel

I Finishing the Darn Thing!

A. Motivating Yourself to Write
1. Tried and true tricks for overcoming procrastination
2. Overcoming Writer's Block

B. Biggest Mistakes Writers Make

II Polishing, Polishing, Polishing

A. Editing Tips
1. Ten checkpoints
2. Biggest mistakes

B. Input from Others
1. Critique Groups
2. Editing Services
3. Other

C. Writing Active
1. Subleties of POV
2. Words to watch for

D. Foreshadowing
1. Keep your reader reading
2. Hooks and grabbers

III Queries, Synopsis

A. Writing the Query Letter
1. Content
2. Ask for the sale

B. Writing the Synopsis
1. Content
2. Five Main things

C. A Great Cover Letter
1. Content
2. Hook em!

IV Knowing the Market

A. Networking
1. Conferences
2. Online

B. Who to Send To
1. Make sure it suits
2. Referrals and contacts

C. Biggest Mistakes Editors Don't Like to See
1. Top Ten
2. Closing comments

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