Class Title: Finding Your Voice, Part 1 Instructor: Amber Starfire Class Term: March 26-April 23, 2012 enroll in this class Synopsis 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. Class Description Finding Your Voice I begins with learning to identify the elements of voice in writing—what makes a person's writing uniquely identifiable? Then, through analyzing the writing of others and in-class writing exercises, we'll challenge our own preconceptions, discover and venture outside our own writing "comfort zones," and learn some techniques for strengthening voice in our own writing. Outline Unit 1: Defining and identifying the elements of voice. What makes someone's voice unique? "It's all about you." Unit 2: Challenging preconceptions about voice. Unit 3: Taking risks and playing games. Student Skills, Equipment, and Time 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: $128. Non-SCN members: $160. Instructor Bio Amber Starfire is Publisher & Editor of The Writer's Eye Magazine, freelance editor, writer, & photographer. She earned her Masters degree at Stanford University and has taught at community colleges and businesses for twenty years. Praise for Amber's Classes Amber Starfire is a clear, knowledgeable, and empathic teacher. I could not recommend a class with her more highly. I am delighted and amazed by how much i learned in such a short time. —Jacqueline H., Sebastopol CA Amber Starfire is wonderful. She has a direct approach to her critiques. She gets at what each writer needs to address in a clear, yet supportive way. She is encouraging, and managed to help us all connect with each other as helpful members of a writing group. I found this amazing given that we only communicated via email. —Linda S., Arcata CA Amber Starfire is a lovely instructor, ready to work with each person individually as well as the group as a whole. —Katherine D., Richardson TX I recommend this course for anyone wanting a better understanding of how to find their authentic voice. Amber Starfire helped me find my strengths which I plan to build upon in my pursuit of becoming a writer. —Shelly T., Edmonton AB CANADA It was great to connect with other writers and to give and receive feedback. I found it challenging and encouraging...so much so that I signed up for Amber Starfire's 2nd session. —Naomi S., Albuquerque NM Amber Starfire's course is well organized and clear, and she is friendly and supportive. —Florrie C., Oroville CA Amber Starfire was a sensitive an encouraging, insightful instructor!!! —Nancilynn S., Austin TX A great course inspiring me to finally start writing! I have taken two other writing courses on line but Amber Starfire's is the first that I can honestly say was worth the (more than worth) the registration fee! —K. Ann W., Nanaimo BC CANADA 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