On-Line Classes at WriterU

November 3-28, 2008
"The Heart of Your Story"
by Bob Mayer
Registration $30 at www.WriterUniv.com/

Can you say what your book is about in 25 words or less? Summarizing your original idea is essential to both writing a tight book and then selling it. Participants will get the opportunity to share their idea and have it discussed by the instructor and group.

Find out what you really meant to write, and the level of interest it generates. In this highly interactive workshop, you'll learn how to:

* Find and state your original idea in order to...
* Excite the reader and stay the course while writing
* Focus your creative energies
* Keep from having a new idea supplant it during the creative process
* Be able to pitch the book to an agent and editor succinctly
* Allow your agent and editor to be able to sell the book
* Give you the center of your marketing plan for your book

New York Times best-selling author Bob Mayer graduated West Point and served in the Infantry and Special Forces (Green Berets) before earning his MA in Education. He's the author of over 35 fiction and non-fiction books, including The Novel Writer's Toolkit: a Guide to Writing Great Fiction and Getting it Published. He has been a speaker for over 500 groups and organizations, ranging from the US Army and the CIA to the University of Georgia and the Maui Writers Conference, on topics including the use of Special Operations Theory and Tactics in the Civilian World. Check him out at www.bobmayer.org.

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November 3-15, 2008
MASTER CLASS: "Mastering Scene & Sequel"
by Sherry Lewis
Registration $55 at www.WriterUniv.com/
Prerequisite: Must have a completed manuscript ready to submit

You've heard about scene and sequel, and the idea of using it makes sense -- but can you use scene and sequel and still maintain the fluid style of writing you prefer? Will using scene and sequel box you in, or can you still fly by the seat of your pants? Learn how to use scene and sequel to create powerful scenes while maintaining your own artistic integrity.

By taking this course you'll learn how to:

* Identify the anatomy of scene and sequel
* Use scene/sequel structure to build tension and highlight conflict
* Use it to drive your story from scene to scene
* Create hooks that keep the reader turning pages
* Make characterization, motivation & conflict work together powerfully
* Decide what to include and leave out of your manuscript
* Avoid wandering off your story's path
* Tailor scene-sequel to fit your writing style and unique story

Sherry Lewis is an award-winning, bestselling author, writing teacher and writing coach for both published and aspiring writers. She has been using scene and sequel techniques in her own work since 1992, and teaching it to others around the country and online for more than 15 years. Read more about her at www.sherrylewisbooks.com.