Bones of Storytelling

You are such an amazing teacher. I am experienced and published, but when I came home I immediately started revising my novel. First chapter? Gone. Plot points? There. Heroine taking charge? You bet. You worked your ass off...we writers sure appreciate it. ~ Sue Lick

This teaching is the result of my own frustration with writing programs that do not teach structure to novelists and memoirists.  Why?" I've often wondered?  Are all stories really just brought into existence like Christ?  Does it take divinity to write a great book?  My answer, to myself, was NO!  There is an underlying structure to this work of writing.  This class is my discovery of this structure.  I've compiled a teaching, for myself, and those who work with me, that is clear, practical, smart and helpful!  You will learn, in order:  Concept, theme, plot, structure, character, antagonistic forces, and setting.  You will also walk away with a plan for writing a solid first & second draft.

The next class in this series will be a three day retreat in May. Details, click here.

 Everyone who takes this class loves it.  I hope you will too!  Sign up early.  Spots go fast.


Reference texts for craft and additional recurses:
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (Creative Non-Fiction)
The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick (Creative Non-Fiction)
From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler
Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Story by Robert McKee
Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri Keep it Short by Danny Heitman (Click on link)
Debra Gwartney on Memoir  (click on link) 
Philip Lopate on Writing Personal Essays  (click on link)
Cultivations of Kindness Meditation (for self acceptance): Click here 
Scrivener (free download for 30 days)