Course Offerings

Many book lovers dream about writing their own story. Are you one of them? 

Join me for this pre-recorded class where students will write a novel and prepare to seek traditional publication. By combining video lessons with assigned coursework, we will explore aspects of the writing and publication process including: 

-plot, character & setting development

-techniques for completing the first draft

-receiving, giving & implementing editorial feedback

-revising, revising, revising! 

-writing contests & writing groups

-how to research and query a literary agent

-an in-depth look at the publication process

Interested students should enjoy reading and the creative process. They may expect 5-6 hours of homework per week with an increased time investment during the drafting stage of the writing process. If they complete  assignments according to the syllabus schedule they will draft and revise a 50,000 word novel by the end of the course. 

Content suitable for adult and high school writers.

Cost:  $100

Student Supplied Textbooks:

-Writing Fiction for Dummies, by: Peter Economy and Randy Ingermanson

ISBN 978-0-470-53070-2

-NaNoWriMo Young Novelist Workbook for High School(downloadable  pdf or hardcopy)

Overview

This seminar style course will read and discuss the Christian imagination as seen in the literature of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, and George Macdonald. On sixteen alternating weeks, students will attend 60-minute streaming seminars during which we will discuss the themes of our readings in light of the Christian imagination. In addition, students will have the option to complete related writing assignments explained by video uploads.

During the year, you will:

• Grow your reading skills in order to effectively and objectively summarize plots, identify how authors weave purposeful ideas into their stories, and respond creatively and thoughtfully to the assigned books.
• Strengthen your writing muscles in the following areas: creative story-telling, essay writing, and a complete research paper.
• Develop your ability to recognize characteristics of plot, setting, symbols, and themes in stories.
• Learn to identify the following literary elements: metaphor, allusion, allegory, symbolism, flashback, foreshadowing, and sensory language.
• Appreciate the place of the Christian imagination in literature and ponder the wide variety of expression among individual authors.
• Collaborate with other students virtually for certain assignments and discussions.
• Participate in class discussions in an online format.

In an effort to keep tuition low, editorial feedback and grading will only  be available at a la carte pricing. The class is open  to middle school students after discussion between teacher and parent. Class runs September -May.

Cost - varies according to student enrollment

Cost - class plus grading/evaluation for 6 standard written assignments  (3 creative/3 academic):  additional $150

Additional graded assignments: $50 per assignment

Syllabus /schedule only: $50

Upon purchase student will receive downloaded syllabus and can expect to be contacted via email with additional course information and access.

Student Supplied Textbooks  (any edition of unlinked books is fine):

-The Innocence of Father Brown, by: G.K. Chesterton

-Out of the Silent Planet, by: C.S. Lewis

-Perelandra, by: C.S. Lewis

-That Hideous Strength, by: C.S. Lewis*

-Phantasties, by: George MacDonald*

-The Princess and the Goblin, by: George MacDonald

-The Princess and Curdie, by: George MacDonald

-The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature and Writing, by: Leland Ryken

-Whose Body?, by: Dorothy Sayers

-The Man Born to Be King, by:  Dorothy Sayers

-The Fellowship of the Ring, by: J.R.R. Tolkien

-The Two Towers, by: J.R.R. Tolkien*

-The Return of the King, by: J.R.R. Tolkien*

*optional advanced-reader texts