Writing
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- July 1, 2018
- Writing
- How to Write Compelling Fiction 1
How to Write Compelling Fiction 1
Summary
A course for beginning fiction writers looking for help getting started, anyone bogged down in the midst of a fiction project, and veteran writers who want to get recharged, refocused, and refreshed. Create fiction that comes alive through lessons and feedback. We cover beginnings, point of view, plot, dialogue, characterization, and more. Option 2 includes a detailed critique of up to 2,000 words of your fiction.
Details
Learn to write stories others can’t stop reading
Most people have probably heard the dictum: Write what you know. The acclaimed writer Flannery O’Connor had a slightly different approach: “Start with anything you can make real.” This class will focus on helping writers get past those difficult beginnings and explore ways to take what you can make real on the page and turn it into well-crafted fiction. Each lesson will include techniques, examples, and exercises so that you can put what you’re learning into practice immediately.
You will receive prompt feedback and enjoy an ongoing discussion with your instructor, all included in Option 1. With Option 2, you’ll get all of this plus a detailed critique of up to 2,000 words of your own writing.
You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It’s all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. Work at your own pace; you have up to a year to finish the course. Some classes have materials on a web site, but you can access those at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you’ll find them an excellent “coaching” or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own — hey, that’s fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own and pass on the feedback if you’d rather do that. We’re also here throughout the year if you have questions.
Outline
What we cover in this course
In 7 easy-to-understand lessons, you’ll learn specific techniques to help you develop your fiction. Among other topics, we’ll cover:
- Gathering material
- Developing characters
- Point of view
- Conflict and plot
- Crafting believable and interesting dialogue
A course for beginning fiction writers looking for help getting started, anyone bogged down in the midst of a fiction project, and veteran writers who want to get recharged, refocused, and refreshed. Create fiction that comes alive through lessons and feedback. We cover beginnings, point of view, plot, dialogue, characterization, and more. Option 2 includes a detailed critique of up to 2,000 words of your fiction.
Details
Details
Learn to write stories others can’t stop reading
Most people have probably heard the dictum: Write what you know. The acclaimed writer Flannery O’Connor had a slightly different approach: “Start with anything you can make real.” This class will focus on helping writers get past those difficult beginnings and explore ways to take what you can make real on the page and turn it into well-crafted fiction. Each lesson will include techniques, examples, and exercises so that you can put what you’re learning into practice immediately.
You will receive prompt feedback and enjoy an ongoing discussion with your instructor, all included in Option 1. With Option 2, you’ll get all of this plus a detailed critique of up to 2,000 words of your own writing.
You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It’s all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. Work at your own pace; you have up to a year to finish the course. Some classes have materials on a web site, but you can access those at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you’ll find them an excellent “coaching” or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own — hey, that’s fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own and pass on the feedback if you’d rather do that. We’re also here throughout the year if you have questions.
Outline
What we cover in this course
In 7 easy-to-understand lessons, you’ll learn specific techniques to help you develop your fiction. Among other topics, we’ll cover:
- Gathering material
- Developing characters
- Point of view
- Conflict and plot
- Crafting believable and interesting dialogue
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Click here to view an explanation of credit hours
What Attendees Are Saying:
“The course is exactly the jolt that my writing life needed. The lessons themselves delve into technique in a very practical way, and Angela’s critiques are specific and detailed — enough so that I was able to start using them in my writing immediately. I’m happy I took this course, and I plan on signing up for further classes that Angela has in the future.”
“Thanks so much for the excellent advice and insight. Having Angela’s analyses of my course work has been invaluable in working towards writing good fiction.”
“The course pushed me to explore areas of my writing I had not touched upon. That was great. We all need a little push now and then. When you work out of your comfort zone, you find out things about your writing and yourself. Angela gave great feedback and was a positive influence…very encouraging throughout the process.”
Upcoming Dates
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Schedule
Start anytime.
Instructor(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.
Fees & CEUs
Option 1: 1.0 CEU $150 | Option 2: 2.0 CEUs $175
Location
Complete Online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
View the explanation of credit hours
Questions?
Contact:- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
- 608-262-3447
Continuing Studies FAQs
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
More Writing Offerings
Memoir Writing Workshop
Genres of Writing and Workshop
The Business of Writing
What Attendees Are Saying:
“The course is exactly the jolt that my writing life needed. The lessons themselves delve into technique in a very practical way, and Angela’s critiques are specific and detailed — enough so that I was able to start using them in my writing immediately. I’m happy I took this course, and I plan on signing up for further classes that Angela has in the future.”
“Thanks so much for the excellent advice and insight. Having Angela’s analyses of my course work has been invaluable in working towards writing good fiction.”
“The course pushed me to explore areas of my writing I had not touched upon. That was great. We all need a little push now and then. When you work out of your comfort zone, you find out things about your writing and yourself. Angela gave great feedback and was a positive influence…very encouraging throughout the process.”
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
Have Questions?
Contact:- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
- 608-262-3447
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
Available Online
9004-19-LAAS
Register by phone: 608-262-2451
Schedule
Start anytime.
Add to CalendarInstructor(s)
Fees & CEUs
Option 1: 1.0 CEU $150 | Option 2: 2.0 CEUs $175
Location
Complete Online
Earn Credit Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Questions about this program?
Contact:- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
- 608-262-3447
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
More Writing Offerings
Memoir Writing Workshop
Genres of Writing and Workshop
The Business of Writing
What Attendees Are Saying:
“The course is exactly the jolt that my writing life needed. The lessons themselves delve into technique in a very practical way, and Angela’s critiques are specific and detailed — enough so that I was able to start using them in my writing immediately. I’m happy I took this course, and I plan on signing up for further classes that Angela has in the future.”
“Thanks so much for the excellent advice and insight. Having Angela’s analyses of my course work has been invaluable in working towards writing good fiction.”
“The course pushed me to explore areas of my writing I had not touched upon. That was great. We all need a little push now and then. When you work out of your comfort zone, you find out things about your writing and yourself. Angela gave great feedback and was a positive influence…very encouraging throughout the process.”
- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
- 608-262-3447
Cancellation Policy:
Our cancellation policy varies by type of program. View our policies page for more details about cancelling a program.
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