Writing
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- July 1, 2020
- 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.
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.
Success stories
David Horton publishes two flash fiction stories in literary journal
Shortly after taking UW-Madison’s online courses How to Write Compelling Fiction 1 and Writing Powerful Scenes in Fiction and Nonfiction, both taught by Angela Rydell, Dave Horton of Sun Prairie, WI published two stories in Flash Fiction Magazine under his pen name David Lee: “Karma” and “Food Fight.”
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.
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.
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.
Success stories
David Horton publishes two flash fiction stories in literary journal
Shortly after taking UW-Madison’s online courses How to Write Compelling Fiction 1 and Writing Powerful Scenes in Fiction and Nonfiction, both taught by Angela Rydell, Dave Horton of Sun Prairie, WI published two stories in Flash Fiction Magazine under his pen name David Lee: “Karma” and “Food Fight.”
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.
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:
Continuing Education Hours
10
Continuing Education Units, CEU
1
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
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:Questions about this program:
- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
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:
“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.”
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.
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Upcoming Dates
All times shown are central time.
Online, start anytime
9004-21-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:Questions about this program:
- Christine DeSmet
- christine.desmet@wisc.edu
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:
“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
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
Previous Class
9004-20-LSA
Schedule
Start anytime
Instructor(s)
ANGELA RYDELL
Location
Complete online