August 30, 2007
I’m Giving a Class
I’m going to be giving an online class in October. I’ve never taught an online class, although I’ve done oodles in person, so this should be interesting.
Course No.: 103
Here’s what I believe: Novels that involve the reader are about characters. Special characters. Characters who, through the course of the novel, go through a transformation. In romance novels, the characters transform because of their involvement with the other primary character (as opposed to, say, finding Moby Dick). I also believe that the only reason for plot is to force our characters into situations that make them have to chose. To transform.
The Core Decision is all about creating characters. It’s about using your own life, the joys, the tragedies, the love, the desperation that made us who we are. It’s about breathing life into your hero and heroine and your villain so that each of them leap off the page and into the reader’s heart. In this workshop, we will cover:
The Core Decision
* The Child’s Interpretation
* The Decision
* The Fallout
* Reinforcements
* Recognition
* The New Decision
* Actions = Transformations
The Process of Discovery
* Remembering
* Writing it out
* Shame
* Pain
The Fatal Flaw
* Character Arc and Emotions
* Transference — how plot reveals character
* Multiple Levels of Interaction — All the Yous of You
About the Instructor: Jolie Kramer, who writes romance under the name Jo Leigh, is a two-time RITA finalist and bestselling author of over 45 novels. She began her career in film, where she studied with Robert McKee, Syd Field and other brilliant teachers. Her TV series Mystagogue was optioned by Cinemax, and her screenplay Geezer’s Run was optioned by Northern Lights Productions. She also ghost-authored Great Big Beautiful Doll- The Anna Nicole Smith Story. Jolie has taught story structure and writing classes in workshops all over the country. To get her complete bibliography and learn more about her, go to www.joleigh.com/bio
Deadline to Register: September 28th.
This is hideously immodest, I know, but oh, well – the thing is, this class normally costs a whole heck of a lot more than $25. Seriously. So if it’s something you’re interested in, I’d go for it because I doubt very much that I’ll be offering it again at $25.
Be sure and let me know if you’re going to come play!
Also, I’m at Romancing the Blog today with serious questions about stuff. :)
Shout Out! Jo Leigh @ 12:00 am | Online Classes, Writing
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I saw this advertised and it looks great (and timely)! I’m definitely going to sign up!
August 30th, 2007 at 6:24 pmI really want to sign up – but I have to check schedule and make sure I could devote all the time I would need. I really hope I’m able to do this!
September 1st, 2007 at 8:40 amI look forward to seeing you there, Julie!
Bri, I hope you can make it
September 1st, 2007 at 9:10 amThis definitely sounds interesting. I’m not seeing the details of the schedule on the course description, though. Can you clarify how this works? What days/times are the classes, or is it done on an individual basis? I’ve never done an online workshop through PASIC. Don’t want to commit till I know more what I’m committing to.
Thanks!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:48 amI just registered–this class sounds fantastic!
September 5th, 2007 at 9:14 amJenifer,
The details can be found at http://www.pasic.net/class_100107.html
How it works is that you take the class as a group. I post lectures and assignments to the Yahoo group, and we have discussions about those, also in the Yahoo group. Attendees are free to post or not, discuss or not. And you can do the work whenever you like. After the class is over, the group (including assignments and discussion) is deleted, but you can save whatever you like before that happens. All we ask is that you don’t give out the material – it’s for your private use.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and I’ll see what I can do to help.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:06 amJoely! What fun. I’m looking so forward to this!
September 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am[...] out more about the class by visiting Jo’s blog, or, if you just want to take the class, go to the sign up [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 10:23 amYour “Novel” philosophy makes real sense, and I’m looking forward to the course.
Thanks for taking the time at such a low cost: I teach (community college English), so beyond the value embedded in any class, this one won’t cost me next month’s latte allowance.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:18 amI’m looking forward to seeing you there, Shawn.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:10 am