Class Title: Writing in Sepia Instructor: Naomi Sandweiss Class Term: January 30-March 5, 2012 We are not accepting any more enrollments for Naomi's class; the class has started. Synopsis This five-week class introduces writers of memoir, essays, family history or historic fiction tools to incorporate compelling and accurate historic details into their writing. Class Description During this class, participants will use artifacts, photographs, texts and historic fact-finding and engage in writing exercises to flesh out historic details in their writing; discover creative methods to gather accurate details; apply the methods learned to several pieces of writing, fiction or non-fiction. At the end of this class, students will be able to find the resources that they need to bring accurate historic detail and perspective to their writing. I will deliver instructional materials, receive students' written work, comment and communicate by email through our course Yahoo group. Outline Unit 1: Introductions; examples of compelling historic writing; looking for the details. Unit 2: The slender shards of history. Review of primary and secondary sources. Uncovering a shard of history that interests you, using at least one primary source. Unit 3: Historic Character Profile. Develop a profile around a character or individual of your choice. Unit 4: Immersion. Immersion activity to increase your understanding of a character or individual. You will be amazed at what actually living an experience brings to your writing. Unit 5: The Journey. Discussion of how characters grow and change as a result of their experiences. Student Skills, Equipment, and Time Required All levels of writing welcome. Ability to use email, upload/download attachments, and participate in a Yahoo group. Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week, including readings and writing. Tuition/Fees for this course SCN members: $160. Non-SCN members: $200. Instructor Bio Naomi Sandweiss writes and lives in New Mexico. Her most recent book, Jewish Albuquerque 1860-1960, was published in March 2011. She serves as editor of Legacy, the publication of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society and has articles, essays and poems in numerous publications. She enjoys sharing her love of historic writing with others. Visit her website. Praise for Naomi's Classes Thoroughly enjoyed taking [Naomi Sandweiss'] course. Liked the small number of people, and the good exchange we were able to have because of it. Still have questions that need answered, but Naomi gave us good sources and encouragement to find answers on our own. —Karen D., Columbia MO This was my first attempt at an on-line writing class, my first attempt at writing fiction, my first attempt at writing historical fiction; it was my first attempt to put down on paper an outline for a story that I wish to incorporate into my storytelling repetoire. It was a great success. Naomi Sandweiss was spot on with her assignments, gave helpful hints and suggestion and supported my efforts in many positive ways. I have recommended your site to many of my women writing friends. Thanks. —Thea N., Des Moines IA Naomi Sandweiss offers a class that is engaging, supportive, and full of good resources and suggestions. She encouraged interaction between class members, and I came away feeling that I had learned more about the craft of writing historical fiction, with the added bonus that I learned new things from the interesting historical stories that my colleagues presented. I would definitely recommend this course. —Karen D., Columbia MO