New Online Writing Class

I'm sorry to say that I won't be offering a class at John C. Campbell in late May as planned. I'm not comfortable with the risk at this time. 

But, beginning  January 28, I'll be leading another critique workshop for UNC-Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program. Completely online, it's a chance to join in what is always a very enriching experience for a writer. And since it's online, we could have folks from Boone to Brasstown to New Bern and points in between joining in. (Or beyond, but it's a tad pricey for out of state folks.)

Here are the details.:

Lang 473: Workshoppers at Home: Online Creative Prose Workshop

Instructor: Vicki Lane
Starts January 28, Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Here’s your chance to have up to sixty pages of your creative prose – novel excerpts, short stories, essays, memoir – carefully line edited by the instructor and thoughtfully assessed by a group of your fellow writers, concentrating on what is working and what needs attention. And all in the comfort of your home! We will meet online though Zoom, a venue that allows you to see and hear your fellow classmates.

This fifteen-session workshop is aimed at writers with work (novel, short stories, memoir, or other creative prose) in progress, almost completed, or completed but in need of a final polishing. Each student will submit up to sixty pages (twenty at the beginning of the course, twenty during weeks 6-10, and the final twenty during weeks 11-15) for discussion and critique by the class and close editing with written comments by the instructor. We will focus on the effective use of key techniques such as creating an intriguing opening line and a compelling first chapter, creating a likable and/or engaging protagonist, weaving in back story in small, manageable doses, setting up a dilemma that begs to be resolved, making the most of action scenes—in general, producing a page-turner. We will attempt to weed out the mistakes that mark the amateur writer and turn each student into a discerning editor of their own work.  The goal will be to polish those pages till they are ready to catch the attention of an agent, an editor, a publisher and make them ask for more. The reference text will be the highly acclaimed Don’t Sabotage Your Submission by career manuscript editor Chris Roerden (Bella Rosa books –ISBN 978-1-933523-31-6.)

   If you have questions about the class, I'm happy to answer. You can learn more HERE

The pictures are of Lake Logan--from the archives.

Kicking and Screaming (Internally,) into the Zoomosphere

My brain hurts. Last night was the first meeting of my online class via Zoom. Just after lunch I participated in an online session for those of us instructors new to Zoom, and I began to wonder if I could do this. Last semester we used Google Hangouts which was fairly simple (especially as one of my students was also an administrator of the program and she did all the signup and inviting for me) but one of my this term students had told me that Zoom worked better for him.

Endeavor to persevere, I told myself, and with the help of the above-mentioned administrator, managed to get into Zoom and formulate the invitation to the class. I realized that much of what the formal session was about (breakout rooms! Whiteboards! Etc.!) was stuff I wouldn't be using. I'm of the old school persuasion--a (virtual) log with the teacher on one end and the student on the other. 

Not quite ready to age out of the new technology. I even spent a little time trying out a recording of a Birdie story. It was interrupted by barking dogs. Also, while I can post a video to Facebook, I can't put one of any length on this blog. I guess I could upload it to YouTube and post the link. Anyway, I'm working on it. 

On Line Class

As you may know, my spring writing class moved online a while back. Night before last was our 6 or 7th meeting and I asked the group for a candid assesment of the online format. All of them agreed it was better than not having the class at all and all of them indicated that they would not be opposed to taking another online class with Great Smokies Writing Program. Some even said they preferred the online format -- no commute, wear whatever, have a glass of wine with class...

I agree. I've been pleasantly surprised at how personal the format can be-- see and hear the speaker, meanwhile others can insert comments in the captions at the bottom of the screen. And the normal commute for me is about an hour each way so it's nice not to have to do that. Plus the bedroom slippers.

I told the director of the program all this and he was pleased. The summer classes will all be online but no real decision has been made for fall. I suggested that there might be some who'd be happy for the online alternative, even if the university was offering in person classes. He asked if I'd like to lead another online critique workshop. Of course I would.

So we're going to give it a go. It will begin in September and meet one night a week-- probably Tuesday or Thursday -- from 6 to 8:30 E.S.T. Over the years, a lot of my online friends have said they'd like to take one of my classes--if only they didn't live so far away. Well, this is your opportunity . . .

Tentative class description:

Workshoppers at Home: Online Creative Prose Workshop - 15 weeks

Here’s your chance to have up to sixty pages of your creative prose – novel excerpts, short stories, essays, memoir – carefully line edited by the instructor and thoughtfully assessed by a group of your fellow writers, concentrating on what is working and what needs attention. And all in the comfort of your home! We will meet online though Google Hangouts, a venue that allows you to see and hear your fellow classmates with the option of captions as well.

This fifteen-session workshop is aimed at writers with work (novel, short stories, memoir, or other creative prose) in progress, almost completed, or completed but in need of a final polishing. Each student will submit up to sixty pages (twenty at the beginning of the course, twenty during weeks 6-10, and the final twenty during weeks 11-15) for discussion and critique by the class and close editing with written comments by the instructor. We will focus on the effective use of key techniques such as creating an intriguing opening line and a compelling first chapter, creating a likable and/or engaging protagonist, weaving in back story in small, manageable doses, setting up a dilemma that begs to be resolved, making the most of action scenes -- in general, producing a page-turner. We will attempt to weed out the mistakes that mark the amateur writer and turn each student into a discerning editor of their own work.  The goal will be to polish those pages till they are ready to catch the attention of an agent, an editor, a publisher and make them ask for more. The reference text will be the highly acclaimed Don't Sabotage Your Submission by career manuscript editor Chris Roerden (Bella Rosa books --ISBN 978-1-933523-31-6.

The classes are through University of NC-Asheville. They are for credit and tuition is charged. You can find more info HERE

Appreciation--Paying It Forward

I received the following email recently. This is the sort of thing that makes a teacher grin with delight. And feel the need to pay it forward.


Hey Vicki,

This is ____ from your early June class at John C. Campbell last year.  I feel considerably accomplished as I have recently completed the rough draft of my manuscript. Things started clicking in my brain just recently and I wrote the last twelve chapters in 8 weeks (out of 38). Understand, this draft is so rough, even you might get splinters just reading about it.

After completing your class, I felt terribly inadequate, not because I hadn't learned anything, but because I had learned so much. First, I came to the conclusion that I really didn't have a book, but a collection of stories that were associated with each other by character and setting. The collection had no significant meaning and no character arcs. I didn't do any writing for a couple of months while I let this problem stew. Then, like a 200 car train, I delved back into it with slight hints as to how to make these stories coalesce into a story were everything was related to each other: each chapter, paragraph and sentence was integral to the story line and contributed to the emotion building, resolution and character arc of a grand story!  Ok, Ok, if I can't get excited about my book, then who is.

I am editing all prior chapters, written ages ago, for content consistency. At 105,000 words, the process of winnowing out has begun. My aim is for 95,000. I'm on chapter 5 of this process and have only reduced it by 1,500 words.  I know I have some upcoming chapters that will yield better numbers.

Also, I have found a critique group since the beginning of the year. We have 3 very purposeful participants, including myself. And there are 3 dabblers. I am seeing some benefit and will hang in there.

I appreciate you and your lessons. Thanks so much for being accepting to all. 

Wasn't that nice? Now I need to do the same.

I doubt I have any teachers still living. Wait, not so. There's the fella who taught the Writing Fiction That Sells class that got me started. Perhaps I can track him down and send him an appreciative note. 

And Herself, the redoubtable editor of my six Goodweather novels. I learned more from her editing than a slew of classes could have taught me.

Okay,  done. I've emailed them both. Do you have teachers in your past that you appreciate? 

Writing Class at John C. Campbell

From the Department of Shameless Self-Promotion:

Come June, on the 7th to the 13th, I'll be back at John C. Campbell for my eighth year of leading a class called A Practical Guide to Writing Popular Fiction.

The class is open to anyone writing or even thinking about writing fiction -- all levels of expertise welcome.

The beautiful surroundings and friendly non-competitive spirit at JCC make this a perfect chance to kick-start a new project or breathe new life into a partially finished one.

Follow THIS LINK to learn more. If you have a question about the class or JCC, I'll try to answer it

From the Department of Shameless Commerce

Another reminder of some classes/workshops I'll be leading this summer. 

Wildacres Writing Workshop  July 7 - 14, Little Switzerland, NC. This is a critique workshop for serious writers with a novel in progress (or even just begun -- but at least 20 pages worth.)

Wildacres folks were thrilled to learn that the Wildacres Writing Workshop was listed recently in National Geographic's 100 Places That Will Change Your Life.

John C. Campbell Folk School  June 10-16, Brasstown, NC. This is a writing boot camp for all levels including beginners.

Great Smokies Writers Program (Asheville) --  Writing to prompts -- a no-stress, no homework short class (5 meetings) Tuesdays, 6/5,6/14. 6/26, 7/3, 7/17, 6-8:30.  My class has just been added and may not appear on the schedule yet but will be there soon. You could always call the office and ask to be added. 

If you're interested in any of these opportunities, follow the links or ask me about the offerings. (vicki3laneYOUKNOW WHAT GOESHEREgmail.com

Who knows, one of these classes might change your life!