|
| |
|
Workshop Descriptions & Instructors
|
Josh Emmons “It Was A Dark And Stormy Night. . .”—Novel Beginnings Writing The Novel: Diamonds In The Rough
“It Was A Dark And Stormy Night. . .”—Novel Beginnings How does a great novel begin? Like asking, “What goes into a great meal?” this question is almost meaningless, because it’s possible for two great novels to have very little in common. What can be said is that nothing is more important to readers and editors than a novel’s opening, because if it’s bad—if its night is dark and stormy—no one will read on to discover the beautiful language and exciting plot twists and heartbreaking pathos to follow. In this course designed for all skill levels, we will look at a variety of novel beginnings and identify what makes them work—i.e., how they establish the tone, setting, plot and character concerns that will hook and propel the reader to finish the book. Armed with these precedents and in-class writing exercises designed to start you on a novel, you will be prepared to write your own “All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Writing The Novel: Diamonds In The Rough You’ve worked for a month or a year or—say it proudly—ten years, and you’ve finished a portion of a novel. Or perhaps an entire volume. So long as you have at least a beginning and are committed to transforming it from a rough to a publishable draft, this course is for you. We will spend most of our class time workshopping the section you put up for discussion, so be prepared to give and receive valuable feedback on your and others’ manuscripts, with the goal of helping each become an artistic and professional success. Whether you have specific questions about characterization, voice, pacing, plot, language or dialogue, or whether you’re open for whichever perspectives arise in class, this course will allow you to discover what works and what needs help in your writing, from a group of fellow writers committed to literary growth. Biography
|
|
Site
Map | Welcome | Workshops
by Session Date | Workshops
by Instructor Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education Last updated on January 10, 2008 |
|