START HERE

(Basic Writing Skills)

Uncertain how to begin?  Afraid you won't be good enough?  Not sure what's involved in putting your story together?   This 6-week course will fill you in on all the little tricks the pro's know -- things they learned the hard way, through trial and error, that you'll learn in a month -- that will help you write effortlessly and effectively. 

6-week class begins the first Friday of each month - or as One-on-One:  begin immediately upon registration) 

                take as a One-on-One course:
                    1) begin any time,
                    2) work one-on-one with your instructor, and
                    3) take up to 12 weeks to complete.

Fee: $ 115.00.  $175.00 for One-on-One

Click here to order: $115

Click here to order: $175

COURSE OUTLINE BY WEEK:


Week 1:

 

  Writing Fears & how to cure them. Don't let unnecessary fears paralyze you, giving you
     "writer's block" even before you begin. What you need to know Before You Begin

Week 2:   Factors of a well-written article, book or short story 


Week 3:  What writing style should you use?  How do you get started? 


Week 4:   Choosing your Subject, Characters, Plot, Tone & Theme


Week 5:  Creating Characters 


Week 6:   Creating your Plot

 

Student Comments:

"I started this story 3 years ago and - for the first time, with the help of your class - have actually figured out how to get to the end. I liked the one-on-one evaluation of my work and feel that I can apply these same story principles to the nonfiction articles, short stories and screenplays I’m working on.

Other things I particularly liked about your class:
1. The questions that writers should pose to help develop the story
2. How we didn’t start with our own stories, but the process actually helped to jumpstart my story
3. The general structure of the class is conducive to building a story and generating ideas to keep it going
4. I love your book, which deals with story structure in greater detail.

I feel much more confident as a writer since taking this class. I’ve actually recommended the class to my two writing buddies."
- Chandra Webb

"Before I took this course I'd get ideas for great stories and plunge into writing them - only to get bogged down somewhere in the middle, not knowing where to go from there.  I had a whole file cabinet of terrific story starts, but only one or two completed ones.   This course helped me see the forest for the trees.  Now, before I put words to paper, I know where I'm going and how to get there.  None of the other writing courses I've taken showed me this stuff.  This one's the best ever."  

"You have given me everything I was searching for and then some.  You have a way of infusing one with excitement instead of fear.  When I signed up for your class I was a bit timid but you soon put that to rest.  Your patience puts one at ease - important for opening the mind.  I wanted to apply everything you taught me as fast as I could: you brought back my drive.   The lessons were much more than I expected, easy to understand, challenging, direct, and it was a pleasure to accomplish more than I had previously.  My writer's group complimented me on how my writing has improved.  Surprised them, I guess.   Thanks for an excellent class."  

"I want to let you know how helpful the START HERE class has been for me.  I am sticking to a consistent writing schedule, developing solid chartacters and most of all, no longer hesitate in giving an answer when someone asks what I do for a living.  I say without reservation, "I am a Writer."  Your class has both motivated and encouraged me to be all that I can be in the writing field.  I will definitely be signing up for your next class in September.  Thank you." 

"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." 

"I appreciate everything you've taught me in this class.  You've been a big help - more than you could ever know.  I didn't tell you that I have dyslexia so writing is someting I enjoy doing as well as a challenging reward.  My doctors have told me that I could never work again. I refuse to collect diability so I started writing to bring in income to support myself.   Thanks for everything.  You've been a big help and you can put me on your mailing list." 

"Thanks for this class.  I found the lessons helpful and the assignments thought-provoking.  Most helpful was the contract.  It got me off my butt and into writing.  My story is finished already."  

"This was a great course.  It's given me some tools I didn't have before.  Having the contract gives me a feeling of worth for my story which I didn't have before, because there was no focus.  Going over the basic parts of the story -- characters, tone, voice -- really helps me focus on what I need to do.  And breaking it down into parts makes it feel more manageable.   Thanks. 

I have read a few writing manuals in the past with no inspiration but I found your book to be exactly what I needed.  Thank you for a great course and I will recommend it to anyone who feels the urge to write.

Thought for the day:  You can't teach a new mouse old clicks