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This Wild Summer - June to August, 2008 Are you having a wild summer? Are you getting ready to go to a place that has more mosquitos than internet? I'm going to a place where the bats ate all the mosquitos, but that echolocation thing doesn't do me any good in terms of internet. So if you notice that class registration is slow or that the newsletter seems nonexistent until August or so, please don't be alarmed. We are still here, still running classes. While I'm away, Kat, Ryan G., and Liz are running courses. And we will continue accepting new students for our Summer Freewriting Seminar (take a look to your right under "Creativity Starts Here"). Currently, we're planning our "big expansion" beginning in September. What does this mean, really? It means we'll begin offering more classes more often (always good), and that the administration should be a bit more consistent. For the summer, though, the focus is on running our current classes and maintaining the quality for our enrolled students. Once I have more time, I'll begin training more instructors. I'll also enlist some outside help to streamline the website and make everything more user-friendly. So, if you're new to 1-2-Writing or have already enjoyed our classes, please be patient during our steady transition. In the long run, the site will continue to provide free online writing courses to writers at all levels. I'm currently working on setting up a merit system to encourage new instructors to join in - essentially, those who teach courses will have first pick among courses they'd like to take. To make it truly fair, those who teach the best courses (based on student feedback) will be recognized for their work. My fellow instructors - Kat, Ryan G., and Liz - are the ones who have made classes possible over the past few months, and I'm looking forward to having more writers join them. Creative writing is a broad and varied field, and the best way to "learn the ropes" is to share our techniques and experiences with one another. If this is your first time visiting the site, please feel free to register for Summer Freewriting or sign up for our Newsletter to receive regular updates. In the meantime, Happy Writing. Ryan Edel 1-2-Writing Administrator June 20, 2008
Do you want to learn to write? Do you face Writers' Block? Is it time to start a New Chapter in Your Writing? Learn how Freewriting can help you become a stronger writer!
Would you like to Publish Your Work? Would you like to write effective characters? Craft believable protagonists? 1-2-Writing: Learn to write snappy dialogue Develop your writing voice Learn to Write Fiction in the First Person and Third Person |
1-2-Writing: Your time is important. At 1-2-Writing, I'm developing a new online workshop. A way to master the fundamentals of creative writing while experimenting with new work. A way to share your work from the comfort of home. A chance to meet fellow writers.
What makes 1-2-Writing Different? At 1-2-Writing, I treat writing as a two-step process. First, we must write. And then we must examine our writing and refine it. I follow the writing workshop methods taught by several of my own writing teachers. Where I differ from many online courses is this emphasis on the workshop process -- your Step Two. The key to success in any online writing workshop is learning what it takes to evaluate and critique creative work. There is a difference between a good critique and useless feedback. The former will motivate you to write while providing direction for growth - the latter can choke a budding writer with uncertainty. Through carefully directed questions and examination of the stories submitted for class, you will learn to see stories in a new light. You will identify and use the techniques of great fiction. Your writing -- the First Step -- will never again be the same. Why Online? Online Writing Workshops have become one of the fastest growing sources for creative training among writers. As the internet expands and free time goes down, online writing workshops are often the only access new writers have to guidance and instruction in writing creatively. You can enjoy your classes with 1-2-Writing from the comfort of home, in your spare time, whether early morning or late at night. Why Free? It takes a lot of work to develop an effective class, particularly in creative writing. It's a tightrope act, teaching new skills while maintaining an environment open to new ideas. As I solidify the curricula and develop new exercises, I will need students to let me know which activities help them the most. I will need writers who can tell me how much their stories have improved. As these courses become more developed, I will charge reasonable rates for a variety of skill levels. Please, check out the list of writing workshops. Take the opportunity to discover your writing voice.
Workshop Leaders Training Course Because of this focus on the workshop, 1-2-Writing is unlike other workshops in that workshop participants will have the chance to become workshop leaders. In the future, I will offer the Workshop Leaders class to participants who are interested in teaching fellow writers. Although publication is always a good thing, it will not be a requirement for becoming a writing workshop leader at 1-2-Writing. I am looking for students of writing who are dedicated, open-minded, and ready to help other writers excel in their work. Writing samples and strong participation in the online writing workshops will be required for admission to the Workshop Leader Training Course. As this project develops, these will become paid positions. As a writer, you will have the chance to gain valuable teaching experience in creative writing. - |
Returning Students: Visit the Blog In the creative writing blog, I encourage writers through daily discussion to experiment, to push the limits of their writing. By learning the essentials of good writing and -- more importantly -- learning to identify these elements, you will develop your voice. Recent Articles: Inspiration for Creative Writing The Hazards of Being a Writer (featuring Dagny) - Newsletter Sign up for the Free Writing Workshop Newsletter. I'll keep you up-to-date on new workshops and developments in the creative writing community. You'll be the first to hear about new opportunties for writers on this website. Plus, each newsletter will include tips on how to improve your writing. Or, if you're daring... Submit your Fiction! Each edition of the newsletter will feature a short bit of fiction (or poetry or nonfiction) to get the creative juices flowing. If you would like your name and your story to be shared, Submit Your Story Here! |
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