UTA Class: Editing Your Fiction: Novel Writing Unit 6 – LIVE WEBCAST

Wish your writing had a little more polish? Or are you almost ready to submit your work to publishing professionals? In this course, students will learn the difference between substantive editing and line editing, what it really means to show not tell, how to recognize purple prose, why word choice matters, and more. They will practice editing their own work, and learn from editing the work of others. The class will cover writing narration, writing believable dialogue, pacing and more.

Material covered relates to modern writing theory, and discusses the structure of recently published works, and is suitable for students writing in all genres, including both commercial and literary fiction. The teaching method accommodates the needs of students who want to shape their work for publication, as well as those who are writing to create an heirloom, or for personal fulfilment. The instructor has published in both science fiction and mystery, and critiques manuscript partials in a number of genres for major writing conferences.

This is a hands-on class, with writing assignments (in-class and as homework) and assignments to apply observation skills to the real world and to evaluate elements of other books, films, etc. Students will have the opportunity to have samples of their work critiqued each week. Worksheets used in this course series are from the instructor’s textbook, Story Like a Journalist: a Workbook for Novelists. This book applies the 5-Ws and H from journalism theory to creating a deep story world with people and events that feel real enough to have been ripped from the headlines. The textbook is not required, but is recommended.

NOTE for Novel Writing Unit Classes: These topical modules do not have to be taken in order. Take them all or focus on the skills you need.