Class Title: The Next Step Towards Publication Instructor: Lynn Goodwin Class Term: January 9-January 30, 2012 We are not accepting any more enrollments for Lynn's class; the class has started. Synopsis Frustrated by your prose manuscript? Unsure what to do next? Submit up to 750 words of a manuscript per week and I'll offer both positive feedback and questions/exercises to take you to the next level. Class Description Share goals and obstacles that both your characters and you are facing. Ask questions about your work. Be prepared to try new approaches. Class members may share what they love in a manuscript and what they'd like to know more about. I'll share my comments and ask questions to take you to a new level. The next week you share your individual work and either a revision or a different passage, depending on your work. After the introduction, it's all individualized. At the end of the class, students will be able to move forward through stuck places; ask themselves questions about their writing; have a dialogue with each character; and have insights for getting unstuck. We'll communicate through a Yahoo Group and e-mail. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase a copy of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, even if they are not caregivers. It's a great writing tool. Outline Unit 1: Introduce self and prose project. Personal stories, personal essays, fiction projects, and letters or journals you'd like to develop are all great material for this class. Present up to 750 words ASAP. I'll respond with individual comments telling you what I like, asking questions, and possibly suggesting exercises to move the story forward. I'll tell you whether I want to see a rewrite or want to see the next section after I see your work. Unit 2: Share results of exercises unless you prefer to keep something private. Present either a revised passage or a new one. Suggestions/exercises will vary depending on what you submit. NOTE: If you want to try an exercise given to another participant, please do. Unit 3: Strategize your next steps. Present results of exercises unless you prefer to keep something private. Present either a passage, a query, or a summary—depending on where you are. I'll send my comments within 24 hours whenever possible. Student Skills, Equipment, and Time Required The ability to access a Yahoo Group (or we can do this by private e-mail.) The ability to send and receive e-mail either on a home or library computer. Microsoft Word or the ability to cut and paste text into an e-mail. Time Commitment: At least one hour per week and no more than 4 hours per week unless the student is exceptionally dedicated. Tuition/Fees for this course SCN members: $96. Non-SCN members: $120. Instructor Bio Lynn Goodwin is a freelance writer, editor, teacher, former caregiver, and the author of You Want Me To Do What? Journaling for Caregivers (Tate Publishing). She is published in Voices of Caregivers; Hip Mama; the Oakland Tribune; the Contra Costa Times; the Danville Weekly; Staying Sane When You're Dieting; Small Press Review; Dramatics Magazine; Career; We Care; Families of Loved Ones Magazine; The Sun and numerous e-zines and blogs. She's taught workshops and written reviews for Story Circle Network. She currently works for StudySync, and Caregiver Village. She facilitates writing workshops and publishes Writer Advice. Visit her website. Praise for Lynn's Classes Lynn Goodwin inspires you to confront the creative process at the level you need to address. She is warm, encouraging, and specific in her comments to each writer's needs. My hands are cramping from her input to me, and her matra, "Keep writing. Just keep writing," is helping me release all kinds of wonderful things I had no idea would so freely emerge for me. —Linda S., Cedar City UT This is the second class I've taken with Lynn Goodwin and again she gave so much of her time to each writer, always responded quickly, and offered encouraging and thoughtful comments that made me want to keep writing. She really makes the online classes work and I will take another class from her any time she offers one. —Margaret S., Austin TX This is the best online writing course I have taken. Lynn Goodwin was gentle and generous with her comments. I came away having a strong sense of what my strengths are and where I can take new direction. —Carol Z., St. Louis MO Great Class. Terrific feedback. Interesting Group exchanges/writers added to the benefits of the class. —Jane L., Oakland CA Absolutely splendid! [Lynn Goodwin's] response was timely, thorough, and specific. —Carol Z., St. Louis MO Lynn Goodwin was great. Prompt, encouraging. —Jane L., Oakland CA Lynn Goodwin's comments were extremely encouraging. —Maria A., San Gabriel CA