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"Thank you for giving the gift of higher education to our community."

Arthur Guilford, University of South Florida

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"Your lessons made me a better writer...we've gone into a second print."

Beverly

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"I loved this course. What I liked most: the tips, assignments and the encouraging responses. I read a variety of books on writing. This course provided a lot of information that was new to me, and something I plan to use! Also, you were a great instructor—very genuine, and personable. You always responded in a timely fashion. You could tell in your responses that you have a great deal of experience.
What did I like least? There wasn't really anything I liked least.
What would I want to see more of? Perhaps, I'd like to have gotten a final (and brief) criticism of my overall strengths and weaknesses. Otherwise, it was an excellent course. Thank you so much!"

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"I've checked out and enrolled in alternate classes in the past year.  I found that none of them generated the creative juices yours do.  Also didn't find the range your classes offer. Glad to be back with you." 
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"Seven Common Writing Problems was my first class with you - but it won't be my last.  I loved it.  You were superb and very supportive,  and the chats were great for getting to know the others in the group and exchanging ideas.
You obviously know your craft inside and out, and you were very patient and inspirational.   Your lessons were well planned, and texts were sent in plenty of time to complete the assignments - and your comments were always constructive and helpful.
I  appreciated your welcome-to-the-course note, with more details  about preparation, where to find suggested course materials, text and assignments for the first class, sent well in advance.
Expect me in another course soon, Patrika.  You're great to work with."
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"The lessons were much more than I expected:  easy to understand, challenging,   and direct.  It was a pleasure to accomplish so much more than I had previously.
I'll apply what I learned through the exercises to everything I write.  My writer's group complimented me on how my writing has improved.  Surprised them, I guess."
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"What I got out of Strip Tease Writing was an increased awareness of "show, not tell"  in writing....in completing the assignments, I learned to hone my writing skills.  I'd recommend the course to the beginner, to learn good word-crafting right from the start.  I'd also imagine that the experienced writer could benefit from this course as a reminder.
Thanks so much, Patrika.  Perhaps we'll meet in another course..."
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"The tutorial,  Is Self-Publishing For You? was invaluable.  By learning the criteria for self-publishing success and finding out each of the steps involved, I was able to save a lot of time and thousands of dollars in costs. 
My book has only been out a month so I don't know yet if it will make me rich, but sales so far are already approaching the break-even point."
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"What a lovely boost -- a real, for sure, in-the-flesh published writer!   Were it not for you and your insightful teachings, I'm sure my story wouldn't have made the cut." 

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"Thanks for your support and feedback.  I'm very pleased with your online method of teaching." 

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I thank you, for all you do for the students! You've really helped contribute to our success!
Martha G. L.

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Online Classes
Seminars/Workshops/Tutorials

Here’s your chance to take interactive classes or sit in on seminars without leaving home. 

These events have been presented from Florida to Finland for writers
at various skill levels.  For beginners, they introduce you to the skills needed to write good, publishable manuscripts. For more advanced writers, they help to identify your writing problems and show you how to solve them.  

Here’s how they work:   

CLASSES:  Once you sign up for a class, you’ll be e-mailed the first week's text.  Exercises to help you apply the skills discussed  will be included in each week's text   Read the text early; do the exercises and email them  to your instructor, who will critique them and get back to you with an emailed report.       

SEMINARS & TUTORIALS:  If you want the information but aren’t interested in critiques of you work, sign up for these.
     Seminars:
                 All the up-to-the-minute pertinent information you
                 need to be effective in today's globally competitive market

    Tutorials:
                 Up-to-the-minute information on how to get your writings into print.

One-on-One TUTORING:
Please note: The tutoring and the writing classes are entirely separate: you don't need to take a class to register for tutoring, and you don't need to pay for a tutor to participate in a class. See description below or click above.
 

To Register:  All classes begin the first Friday of each month. Register anytime for the next class start.

2009 CLASSES    Starting at only $120.00

NEW! "QUICKIE" CLASSES!

Now you can take quick segments of specific information at only $6.00 each.
Currently available (but the list is growing):

1 ) 10 Tips on How to Cultivate Relationships with Magazine Editors

2) Increasing Book Sales

Here’s the class menu and schedule:  Beginning   Intermediate  Advanced  
(to see full class descriptions, press the Control key and click on class title)

	Class Dates & Times (See Course Descriptions for starting dates. To access, click on the class title which appears below, in blue.) Thought for the day:  Peace and love begin with simple kindness, and joy to the world happens one heart at a time. (To view more pithy thoughts, see each of the Course Description pages)
BEGINNING
START HERE Basic Writing Skills (Click on title for course description and to order)	All the things nobody ever told you that you need to know before you write,  so you can write like a pro from Day One. (6 weeks)
OPENINGS THAT HOOK READERS (Click on title for course description and to order)	Every opening has three functions.  Learn what they are, plus eight opening techniques for accomplishing them   (4 weeks)
BODY-BUILD YOUR STORY  (Telling the Tale) (Click on title for course description and to order)	Make your writing tighter, sharper, clearer, more salable; add strength and tone, using these time-tested muscle-building writing techniques (4 weeks)
STRIP-TEASE WRITING (Show, don't tell) (Click on title for course description and to order)	Good writing reveals rather than explains.  Learn to get out of the way to let readers experience the episodes, events and people you're writing about. (4 weeks)
WRITING COACHING (Click on title for course description and to order)	You and your Coach will work together to strengthen any writing weaknesses and/or address whatever aspects that concern you. (4 weeks)
WRITE YOUR OWN LIFE STORY (Click on title for course description and to order)	Our can't-fail method shows you how to write your story (or your family's saga); how to turn it into a book and get it published (8 weeks)
INTERMEDIATE
CHOOSING YOUR VOICE (Click on title for course description and to order)	Why does Hemingway sound like only Hemingway?  Faulkner like Faulkner?   Why do your favorite fictional characters sound like distinct people?  Answer: VOICE - the author's, the narrator's and the character's.  Click on the class title to find out more. (4 weeks)
WRITING DIALOGUE (Click on title for course description and to order)	Are the things your characters say believable?  Interesting to your readers?  If not, this workshop is probably for you. (6 weeks)
WRITING DIALECT (Click on title for course description and to order)	How do you indicate a foreign accent or dialect without exhausting your readers with hard-to-read phonetic dialogue?  There are several tricks for accomplishing this.   See the class description by clicking   on the class title. (8 weeks)
MAKE 'EM CARE! Involving Readers' Emotions (Click on title for course description and to order)	A good story quivers, breathes and sweats.  It keeps readers riveted to the page, won't let them put it down.  Learn how to get readers involved in everything you write - fiction and non-fiction.         (4 weeks)
SEVEN COMMON WRITING PROBLEMS & How to Solve Them (Click on title for course description and to order)	Examine the  most common problems that keep a manuscript from being  publishable. Learn to correct them.   (8 weeks)
STALKING THE MARKETS  (Click on title for course description and to order)	You've written the perfect piece.  Now how do you get it into print?   Stop wasting time and money on submissions that don't work. Find out how to tell    which magazines, which book publishers, are right for your  works. (4 weeks)
Beyond the basics of good writing lie the more creative elements; skills that, once mastered, elevate the CRAFT of writing to the ART of writing. Take your writing to the next level--no matter what kind of writing you do. Advanced  WORKSHOPS
BRINGING YOUR CHARACTERS   TO LIFE (Click on title for course description and to order)	Develop characters that come alive on the page, that have individuality and that readers will love and/or hate. A 6-week workshop just for you, with lots of exercises to sharpen your skills and One-on-One guidance and critiques. (6 weeks )
SELL YOUR BOOK THROUGH TALK SHOWS (Click on title for course description and to order)	Imagine promoting your book to thousands of people, absolutely free. That’s what you get every time you become a guest on a radio or television show. ...You can reach potential buyers across the world with your message, without paying a penny for air time. (4 weeks One-on-One course)
Book Promotion - Time Table (Click on title for course description and to order)	All authors, whether self-published or published by a publishing house, must take major responsibility for the promotion of their books.  Learn what needs to happen and when each step should be taken. (6 weeks) (sequel to Book Promotion seminar)
Coming soon: WRITING DESCRIPTION	This writing workshop will help you get the lead out of your writings, by giving you the skills that help you make your writings come alive.  Lots of exercises for you to practice on. (4 weeks)
Advanced   TUTORIAL
IS SELF-PUBLISHING FOR YOU? (Click on title for course description and to order)	Find out the advantages and disadvantages and what's involved in this new and profitable way to get your book before the public. (One-on-One: 4-8 weeks)
Advanced   SEMINAR
SELLING TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (Click on title for course description and to order)	The world is shrinking and markets are going global.  Find out how to place your products and your writings in foreign markets, using today's advanced technologies. (8 weeks)
Book Promotion (Click on title for course description and to order)	Even the best book won't sell unless people know it's available.  Learn how to present your book for greater sales, whether you have a publisher or are self-publishing.  (6 weeks)
INDIVIDUAL TUTORING
One-on-One Tutoring (Click on title for course description and to order)	You will work one on one with a personal instructor/editor who will  read your work and offer critiques, making corrections and suggestions for improvement. (by the hour)
QUICKIES
QUICKIE: 10 Ways to Cultivate Relationships with Magazine Editors	Tips to help ingratiate you in the ears and minds of editors and get them to invite you to submit more works. Only $6.00! Click here to order:
QUICKIE: Increasing Book Sales	Discover the many non-bookstores that will buy/sell your books. Only $6.00! Click here to order:

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