As writers we spend a lot of time working out how best to write a scene, how to convey emotion and character at the sentence level. We get pretty good at this, we finish a book and send it out to agents and get feedback that reads something along the lines of: this is fantastic writing, but the book just isn’t quite working as a whole. This class will help you avoid feedback like this by helping you evaluate the cohesiveness of your novel. We’ll cover how to create and maintain tension, how to strengthen both the internal and external journeys of our characters, and take a look at ways to ensure our plot holds the reader’s attention throughout.
This class is appropriate for anyone in a late drafting stage to identify and fix problem areas or for writers in the early drafting stages to make a plan that will save you many revisions.
About Our Asynchronous Classes: We use an online platform called Wet Ink for asynchronous classes. Rather than meet at a specific time and place in person or via Zoom, this platform allows writers to log in on their own time to post comments and critiques directly to authors’ works (for 8-week workshops). You can also view deadlines, track revisions, and watch video or listen to audio. At the end of the class, each student will receive an email that contains an archive of all their content and interactions. Everyone who participates in an online workshop will also become part of the ongoing Lighthouse community within Wet Ink, where you can share and receive exercises and calls for submissions. Stay in touch with your fellow students (if you like) via the Lighthouse community when the class has ended.
By the end of the day on the Monday that class begins, you’ll receive an invitation to join Wet Ink. There are no browser requirements, and Wet Ink is mobile-friendly. If you have any questions about the technical requirements, please email info@lighthousewriters.org. Students are welcome to enroll up until the Friday of the starting week.
