Writing
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- July 1, 2020
- Writing
- Take Your Characters to Dinner
Take Your Characters to Dinner
Summary
Embark on a lively email journey through the elements of fiction. Written assignments for each unit take beginning to advanced writers through character revelation, dialogue, plot, point of view, and setting, and then on to a first story or the beginning of a novel. Text: Take Your Characters to Dinner by Laurel Yourke. Option 2 includes a more in-depth exploration.
Enrollment for this course is open through June 30, 2021, but exercises must be completed by June 30, 2021. Please enroll early enough to allow time for interaction with your instructor.
Details
Take your characters to dinner — and ask them to write your story and novel! An enjoyable and professional way to write character sketches and profiles that really work for your story.
How the course works
You receive supportive, detailed, professional critiques for each exercise that will speed you onward toward writing your own novel or story with mastery. This course strengthens the skill of beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers. Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish this course.
This course is ideal for all levels of writers, beginning through advanced, novel and short story writers, and professional or aspiring writers, creative writing teachers, English majors, and anyone looking to add depth to their characters.
Option 1: Take the first 6 units or chapters, plus one chapter of your choice from chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Option 2: Take all 11 units for an intermediate/advanced, thorough exploration of the broad spectrum of elements that go into writing novels and short stories.
Textbook
The course textbook Take Your Characters to Dinner is available from the University Bookstore, Madison, WI, (608-257-3784), the publisher (1-800-462-6420), or through major book retailers (plus shipping/handling when applicable).
Outline
What we cover in this course
Unit Titles:
- Design a credible world
- Create multi-dimensional characters to populate it
- Capture the sound of conversation
- Build a plot
- Immerse your characters in conflict
- Choose a narrator to pull it all together
- How setting and character work hand in hand. How to add a “symbol”
- Just enough details create reality
- Create the texture that deepens plot and character
- Revision tactics and tips for polishing like a pro
- Connect with the reader: insuring credibility and plausibility
Embark on a lively email journey through the elements of fiction. Written assignments for each unit take beginning to advanced writers through character revelation, dialogue, plot, point of view, and setting, and then on to a first story or the beginning of a novel. Text: Take Your Characters to Dinner by Laurel Yourke. Option 2 includes a more in-depth exploration.
Enrollment for this course is open through June 30, 2021, but exercises must be completed by June 30, 2021. Please enroll early enough to allow time for interaction with your instructor.
Details
Details
Take your characters to dinner — and ask them to write your story and novel! An enjoyable and professional way to write character sketches and profiles that really work for your story.
How the course works
You receive supportive, detailed, professional critiques for each exercise that will speed you onward toward writing your own novel or story with mastery. This course strengthens the skill of beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers. Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish this course.
This course is ideal for all levels of writers, beginning through advanced, novel and short story writers, and professional or aspiring writers, creative writing teachers, English majors, and anyone looking to add depth to their characters.
Option 1: Take the first 6 units or chapters, plus one chapter of your choice from chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Option 2: Take all 11 units for an intermediate/advanced, thorough exploration of the broad spectrum of elements that go into writing novels and short stories.
Textbook
The course textbook Take Your Characters to Dinner is available from the University Bookstore, Madison, WI, (608-257-3784), the publisher (1-800-462-6420), or through major book retailers (plus shipping/handling when applicable).
Outline
What we cover in this course
Unit Titles:
- Design a credible world
- Create multi-dimensional characters to populate it
- Capture the sound of conversation
- Build a plot
- Immerse your characters in conflict
- Choose a narrator to pull it all together
- How setting and character work hand in hand. How to add a “symbol”
- Just enough details create reality
- Create the texture that deepens plot and character
- Revision tactics and tips for polishing like a pro
- Connect with the reader: insuring credibility and plausibility
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Continuing Education Hours
10
Continuing Education Units, CEU
1
What Attendees Are Saying:
“By keeping their pointers and advice in the forefront of my mind while writing, I was able to perk up my prose to a publishable standard. Several submitted assignments were tweaked into scenes for incorporation into the novel.”
Upcoming Dates
All times shown are central time.
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Register by mail: printable registration form
Schedule
Start anytime
Instructor(s)
Fee
Option 1: 10 CE Hours $175; Option 2: 20 CE Hours $195
Location
Complete online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Questions?
Registration:
You can contact Customer Service at
info@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-262-1156.
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
Accessibility Accommodations:
Please email the contact person listed above at least 2-3 weeks prior to the start of class if you require an accessibility accommodation.
What Attendees Are Saying:
“By keeping their pointers and advice in the forefront of my mind while writing, I was able to perk up my prose to a publishable standard. Several submitted assignments were tweaked into scenes for incorporation into the novel.”
Have Questions?
You can contact Customer Service at info@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-262-1156.
Continuing Studies FAQs
ANGELA RYDELL
ANGELA RYDELL (MFA, Warren Wilson College) has been a writing coach and instructor for Continuing Studies since 2006. She's a recipient of the Poets & Writers' Writers Exchange Award and a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her fiction and poetry have been published in many journals.
Stay In Touch
Keep up to date about Writing offerings at Continuing Studies. You'll receive upcoming announcements and information related to Writing.
Upcoming Dates
All times shown are central time.
Online, start anytime
9006-21-LSA
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Register by mail: printable registration form
Schedule
Start anytime
Add to CalendarInstructor(s)
ANGELA RYDELL
ANGELA RYDELL (MFA, Warren Wilson College) has been a writing coach and instructor for Continuing Studies since 2006. She's a recipient of the Poets & Writers' Writers Exchange Award and a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her fiction and poetry have been published in many journals.
Fee
Option 1: 10 CE Hours $175; Option 2: 20 CE Hours $195
Location
Complete online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Continuing Education Hours
10
Continuing Education Units, CEU
1
Questions?
Registration:You can contact Customer Service at info@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-262-1156.
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
Accessibility Accommodations:
Please email the contact person listed above at least 2-3 weeks prior to the start of class if you require an accessibility accommodation.
What Attendees Are Saying:
“By keeping their pointers and advice in the forefront of my mind while writing, I was able to perk up my prose to a publishable standard. Several submitted assignments were tweaked into scenes for incorporation into the novel.”
Have Questions?
We have collected answers to common questions in our
FAQs.
You can also contact Customer Service at or
608-262-1156.
Continuing Studies FAQs
Previous Class
9006-20-LSA
Schedule
Start anytime
Instructor(s)
ANGELA RYDELL
Location
Complete online