Writing Jumpstart

REGISTRATION CLOSED!

It kills me when people tell me they would love to write, but they don’t have time. Or when someone describes a story that’s burning within them, or the ideas that wake them up at night, and how they wish they had the outlet to get these out. “I used to be creative,” they might say. Or: “I’ll write after I retire.”

I believe that writing isn’t something you put off for retirement. I believe that anyone who feels an urge to write should respect it—treat it as a calling, even. I want everyone who wants to be a writer to write.

But I also know that writing can be intimidating, especially if you’re out of practice. It’s hard to know where to start. It’s even harder to get past your fear and worry that maybe, just maybe, you’re not good enough.

That’s why I’m here. I know there is a reason that you feel this urge to write. I know you can become the writer you were meant to be. And I also know you don’t need hours of free time every day in which to do it.

I’m a successful author with scores of writing credits and over 20 years of experience as a professional editor. I’ve taught earlier versions of this course to hundreds of students, with great success. (See my testimonials below!) As I taught the course, I honed my material, responded to student feedback, and added new features. Writing Jumpstart is the result.

Writing Jumpstart will:

• Establish and deepen your writing practice
• Provide you with one-on-one feedback and encouragement
• Boost your confidence with fun, inspiring exercises and prompts
• Entertain you while you’re learning
• Connect you to a community of fellow writers
• Help you discover your strengths as a writer, as well as areas of potential improvement

Writing Jumpstart is an introductory-level course, created for people with little to no creative writing experience. (It’s also useful for more experienced writers who feel blocked or uninspired!) It is appropriate for students interested in nonfiction (memoir, personal essay, blogging) and/or fiction (short stories or novels). We will only be discussing work produced for the course and will focus on creating new work (as opposed to revising). Students should not bring previous work to the course.

The course contains 30 lectures (written or in downloadable audio format). Each lecture includes a writing prompt, to help you spark new ideas and take your writing down new avenues. You'll try out memoir, fiction, and even poetry.

You'll also get 31 Writing Prompts for free (and immediately accessible—no waiting for course launch!)

Writing Jumpstart is self-directed. There are six weeks of content goodness, but you can work at your own pace, on your own time.

And you’ll be part of a supportive community of fellow writers. You can comment on the course website, after each lecture. Upon registration you'll automatically be invited to join our private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share your thoughts, and discuss your work. And, of course, you'll have me on hand—on Facebook and via email—to provide all the encouragement you need.

Module 1: Establishing Your Writing Habit. How to create a habit; the importance of ritual and reward; the concept of “deep practice”

Module 2: Make Friends with Fear. Getting to know your “lizard brain” and how it can trip you up; strategies for befriending it and/or distracting it with something shiny while you get work done

Module 3: Getting Crafty. Digging deeper into the craft of writing with in-depth exercises; writing about family; why details are so important; making trouble on the page

Module 4: Let’s Get Inspired. Video interviews with author Jessie Sholl (“Dirty Secret”) and author/actor Julie Klausner (“Terrible People”); reading for inspiration; getting out of the doldrums; why it’s never too late and you’re never too old (with examples)

Module 5: Writing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint. How to keep your habit going; keeping yourself accountable; dealing with other people’s expectations

Module 6: Tying It All Together. Everything you need to fly away from the nest, my little nestling!

Writing can change your life. As you move through the course, you will be amazed at how a daily writing practice can transform your day. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a regular writing habit and the tools you need to reach your goals.

I can’t wait for you to join me!