Class Title: The Power of Writing Short Instructor: Len Leatherwood Class Term: January 9-February 13, 2012 We are not accepting any more enrollments for Len's class; the class has started. Synopsis Have you read powerful pieces of short-short fiction/memoir (1000 words or less) and admired how so much could be conveyed in so few words? Have you been intrigued by the possibility of writing in a short-short form, also called flash, sudden, postcard, skinny or furious fiction/memoir? You may have already discovered the task isn't quite as simple as sitting down and dashing out a vignette or a memory. If you'd like to learn more about a type of writing that is not only popular and marketable, but will also bolster your writing skills in both fiction and nonfiction, then this 5 week intensive may be right for you. Class Description Over a period of 5 weeks, this course will help you understand the beauty of writing �..short.�.� You will learn about basic story elements and structure, the power of language, and the importance of resonance in your writing. You will have weekly lessons, reading assignments, as well as exercises. You'll experiment with analyzing what works in powerful examples of flash fiction & memoir in order to discern what techniques the writer employed. You will also discover the importance of thoughtful critique to aid your fellow writers and your own work. In addition, you'll come away with information regarding potential markets and how to tailor your work to specific guidelines. In this class, students will learn the basic principles of writing short-short fiction/memoir; understand more clearly the basic story elements required for effective storytelling; become aware of potential publishing opportunities for short-short fiction/memoir; and create several first-draft fiction/memoir pieces (and perhaps some completed ones), along with a list of future flash fiction/memoir ideas. Weekly lessons and prompts will be provided via our Yahoo Group site. Students will be asked to read information from various sources and do specific assignments related to story analysis and prompts for flash fiction/memoir. Students will be encouraged to discuss their problems and discoveries using group emails. Completed assignments will be uploaded as Word or PDF documents to each student's file on the website, for the instructor and classmates to offer feedback. Outline Unit 1: Introduction to Flash Fiction/Memoir. This session is for introducing the flash fiction/memoir genre: what qualifies as "flash," different types of flash fiction/memoir, a brief history of the genre, and who are some of the eminent writers who publish work in this form. Participants will read selected material, will work on a story analysis, and will begin writing story/memoir pieces prompted from an exercise. Unit 2: Basic Story Structure. This session will discuss basic story elements (setting, character, plot, etc.) and how to use them effectively for flash fiction/memoir. Students will have selected story/memoir pieces to analyze and will write from a choice of story prompts. Unit 3: Keeping it Concise, but Conveying Resonance. This session will discuss the concept of succinctness in creating flash fiction/memoir. We will explore various "simple" (but outstanding) fiction/memoir pieces to uncover how such short-short pieces can convey such profound impact. There will be selected fiction/memoir pieces to analyze and selected exercises to practice. Unit 4: The Joys of Editing and Revision. This week's focus will be on shifting one's thinking from, "Oh, no, I have to re-write," to, "Oh yes, I get to make my writing better." We will read about the importance of rewriting and learn specific methods to make this process more positive and rewarding. There will be selected fiction/memoir pieces to analyze and an opportunity to practice revision from one of the pieces produced earlier in the workshop. Unit 5: Markets for Flash Fiction/Memoir. This final week will discuss markets for flash fiction/memoir pieces and look specifically at the submission process. We will also wrap up final critiques, final story analysis, and allow time for any further questions. Student Skills, Equipment, and Time Required All writing levels are welcome. Basic Internet and computer skills, such as word processing, web browsing and e-mail are needed. Participation in Yahoo group is required. Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week, though it's likely students will discover they want to spend more time writing, just for the fun of it. Tuition/Fees for this course SCN members: $160. Non-SCN members: $200. Instructor Bio Len Leatherwood has been teaching writing privately to students in Beverly Hills for the past eleven years. She has received a national teacher award for the past three years from the Scholastic Artists and Writers Awards, the oldest and most prestigious writing contest for youth in the U.S. She is a published writer of "flash" fiction/memoir with pieces appearing in flashquake, a quarterly journal dedicated to short-shorts, longstoryshort, a weekly e-zine, as well as All Things Girl, a monthly ezine for women. Her work has also appeared in the 2008, 2010, & 2011 editions of Story Circle Network's True Words Anthology, as well as in A Cup of Comfort Cookbook, currently available on Amazon. Praise for Len's Classes I greatly appreciated Len Leatherwood's perceptive comments, her careful editing, and gentle suggestions for improvements. The readings were relevant and insightful. —Lorraine C., Calgary AB CANADA Len Leatherwood's course was exactly what I needed. I plan to submit at least two of the pieces I wrote for publication within the next week to ten days. —Juliana L., Canyon TX This is my second course with Len Leatherwood. I find her extremely knowledgeable, professional, and a joy to work with. —Mary Ann P., Sugarland TX I loved this course. Len Leatherwood is an excellent teacher and had a very organized curriculum and stimulating readings. She gave excellent critiques in a constructive way. This course was so good I'd like to take it again! —Janice K., Austin TX I highly recommend Len Leatherwood's work as a teacher and critic. She has energized my food and recipe writing, and I am already going through recipes to work on other food and memoir pieces. My family has asked me to do this for a long time, but Len really helped me think I could do it and be excited about it! I am also considering beginning my own food/memoir blog One of my blogs already has alot of content which fits this and in spite of the glut of food blogs, I really think I would enjoy doing one devoted to this theme. Mary Ann P., Sugarland TX The Power of Writing Short is an excellent online class for anyone interested in writing short fiction or life stories. Len Leatherwood is a wonderful teacher who provides encouragement, great writing prompts and honest but gentle critiques. There is a great feeling of warmth among Len and the members and that's really special for a virtual classroom. —Renee C., Hicksville NY If you want to take a fun ride in your writing life, sign on with Len Leatherwood. Her sharp ear for what I had to say pushed me to expand my thought. —Anne W., West Chester PA Len Leatherwood got me writing and critiquing my work as well as others in the class. There were lots of readings, sample stories and links to information about writing flash fiction. I did feel it focused more on fiction than memoir, but that actually worked for me so no complaints about that. —Renee C., Hicksville NY Outstanding course. Len Leatherwood's critique's were extremely helpful and supportive. I learned a lot! —Katharine A., Makawao HI I learned so much in Len Leatherwood's class about writing, editing, the art of critiquing, and the value of being critiqued. The instructor was accessible, knowledgeable and encouraging, and her detailed line-editing was an eye-opening experience. —Linda A., St. Louis MO I feel that I learned a considerable amount [in Len Leatherwood's class] and became inspired to focus some of my writing toward flash fiction. Perhaps toward publishing one day. —Linda S., Cedar City UT Len Leatherwood is a caring and adept writer and instructor. She offers loads of information through the yahoo group including video links that were extremely helpful. Her critiques are very helpful and comments are right on point making all of us better writers. —Renee C., Hicksville NY Len Leatherwood was accessible, knowledgeable and encouraging, and her detailed line-editing was the most helpful, eye-opening experience in my writing life. The class loved her. —Linda A., St. Louis MO Len Leatherwood has an exuberant and encouraging nature, and was easily able to work well with different levels of writing experience in this course. No one was ever excluded for their opinions, writings, or input to classmates. Len's critiques are excellent, and inspire students to want to do the rewriting necessary to improve their stories. —Linda S., Cedar City UT