Class Title: Finding Your Voice, Part II Instructor: Amber Starfire Class Term: We are not accepting any more enrollments for Amber's class; the class has started. Class Description Each writer has a unique way of seeing and experiencing life. Each writer also has a unique style, or "voice," a one-of-a-kind way of expressing herself, yet it requires practice and skill to identify and allow that voice to be "heard" through the act of putting words on paper. What makes your writing authentic, powerful, and uniquely yours? Find out in this two-course series. You can take one or both of the four-week courses; there are no prerequisites other than a desire to learn. Finding Your Voice II begins with looking at the importance of place and time in writing and how they influence a writer's voice. We'll also explore the importance of backstory, both implicit and implied. Then we'll discuss and explore our own roots, discovering our personal life metaphors along the way. Lastly, we'll look at the power of emotion in writing, define our own reading audiences, and practice putting all of what we've learned together through authentic, heartfelt writing. Class Outline Unit 1: A place and a time—why backstory makes a difference. Unit 2: Understanding your roots; discovering your personal metaphors. Unit 3: The power of emotion, knowing your audience, and writing from the heart. Student Skills, Equipment required Participants need only beginning computer experience: ability to word process, copy and paste, and use email (including how to attach, send, and download documents). You will spend 2-6 hours per week reading and writing. Tuition/Fees for this course SCN members: $90. Non-SCN members: $130. Instructor Bio Amber Lea Starfire is Publisher & Editor of The Writer's Eye Magazine, freelance editor, writer, & photographer, Editor of SCN's 2009 True Words Anthology. She earned her M.A. from Stanford University in Education ("The Design & Development of Educational Programs"). Amber has developed and taught a variety of courses and workshops for schools and businesses, from one-day to 12-week courses, including "Effective Business Writing," "Journaling for Self-Discovery," and "Journaling Through the Chakras." Praise for Amber's Classes Heretofore I knew little about the chakras. I came out of this course feeling quite knowledgeable and experienced and with greater insights. I feel that each of the course members are my new friends. Amber Starfire's guidance was excellent and her responses to my/our journaling and conversation was insightful, explanatory and thoughtful. I felt that we were in really good hands. Amber is full of wisdom and understanding, as are the other members of the group. We were able to counsel each other and to share our knowledge about related subjects as time went on, and I learned much from other course members. I highly recommend this course. —PJ P., Austin TX