May 18, 2013, 01:08:42 PM
bigger smaller reset 800px Wide width Full width Reset * *

Post A Note

  
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Post-a-Note is now moderated.
Post A Note > Writing Talk > The Novel Course > Should I or shouldn't I? That's the question....
 « previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 Print
Author Topic: Should I or shouldn't I? That's the question....  (Read 2466 times)
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« on: January 09, 2012, 03:54:38 PM »
I just got the invitation to sign up for the Novel course.  Am on fixed income so the cost is a consideration.  Do have an idea for a novel and have done some work on it.   I read lots of novels so have an inkling what goes into a novel.  Have not had formal study other than BIP and reading I do on my own about the craft and types of writing.  Tend to get lost in all the subgenres.  The structure of a course and professional feedback would be helpful.  Undecided  Those of you who took the novel course or are taking it---are you glad you did and what did you find most helpful about it?  I'd appreciate any input from you all.  Sitting on the fence is getting a bit uncomfortable.  Tongue Roll Eyes
Logged
lizbeth
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 2805



WWW Email
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2012, 04:53:18 PM »
Get off the fence!! Yes go for it!!! I took it and it was a huge help. I can't say what I found most helpful - it was all helpful!
 I finished my novel in October and have been querying agents. Today  I got a request from one of the agents for more pages!! But, I also have logged 7 rejections. And of course, just because they want more doesn't mean they'll like it, but at least it's not a flat-out rejection.  Now back to you. I think you should do it. If you don't you'll always wonder "What if?"  Good luck!!
Logged
Please visit my website at http://karolinebarrett.com/ and follow me on Twitter @KarolineBarrett
DonnaH
Full Member
***
Posts: 181



WWW Email
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2012, 11:03:47 PM »
Congrats and go for it. If I am asked I will most likely do it.  Also if you don't you may wonder if you should have.
Logged
http://415639752402588940.weebly.com/index.html

My Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donna-Hernandez-Books/434714843240485
Angelia Almos
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 547


Unicorn Keep Coming Soon


WWW
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2012, 10:13:24 AM »
If you want to do it, the course can be very helpful. I know I finally mastered synopsis' while in the course. The only thing I hadn't liked was it only takes you through a submission package (query, synopsis, and first three chapters). I remember there was talk of offering a second one-one feedback thing so you could finish your novel, but I don't know if that has happened yet.

Angelia
Logged

Young Adult Fantasy, Space Opera and Horsey Nonfiction - http://www.angeliaalmos.com
Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance - http://www.angiederek.com
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2012, 12:34:53 PM »
Thanks, Lizbeth, Donna, and Angelia.  Your feedback was encouraging and helpful.  Have to see if I can rework that budget and swing it.  I, too, would find it more helpful if it went beyond three chapters.  Would a writing group help move it beyond Chapter 3, I wonder.  Haven't been part of one so don't really know how they go.  Does anyone belong to a group?  How do you find one?  I live in a small AZ town so pickings are probably slim. 
Logged
ann
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1094
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2012, 06:33:01 AM »
Hi all I'm back from the Land of the Unexpected as Papua New Guinea is called.

Marcy I to have done the novel course I agree with Angelia I finally mastered the synopsis and the query letter. To be honest I would never have got it right without my tutors guidance. Never in a million years. Like Lizbeth said 'it was all helpful'. I agree it would be nice if we were able to still get feedback in some way despite the fact that we have the skills now to continue on our own. I have never belonged to a group but there are fellow students here who have been a big help to me.
Hope my comments add to your decision.
Ann
Logged
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2012, 12:08:57 PM »
Welcome back from the Land of the Unexpected, Ann.  Sounds like a great place to go to.  Thanks for your comments.  I am leaning towards investing in the course.  Am thinking that it's important to use the money for what I feel led to do NOW instead of saving it to take me as far as my death, and who knows when that will be....  I've never done a synopsis or query letter so that would be a good skill to learn.
Logged
ann
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1094
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2012, 04:02:06 AM »
Thanks Marcy. PNG is a typical third world country. I've been there so long now nothing fazes me. lol. I think this is a course that if you don't do it you will continue wondering what if...
Ann
Logged
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2012, 02:47:04 PM »
Hi all,
Just to let you know I bit the bullet (never did understand that saying) and signed up for the course.  Thanks for the advice and encouragement. 
Logged
ann
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1094
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2012, 07:38:17 PM »
Good for you Marcy. If I can help just Coo-ee
Ann
Logged
MaryR
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 3163



Email
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2012, 12:36:59 AM »
Good for you, Marcy, you'll love it!  Let me know if you're my student! You'll hear before I get your file.

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor
Logged
DonnaH
Full Member
***
Posts: 181



WWW Email
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2012, 11:52:12 AM »
Good for you. It seems like a great course.
Logged
http://415639752402588940.weebly.com/index.html

My Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donna-Hernandez-Books/434714843240485
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2012, 10:41:42 AM »
Looking forward to starting.  Mary, I got assigned Anne Grant.  Her bio sounds good.  How do they make these assignments anyway?
Logged
Angelia Almos
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 547


Unicorn Keep Coming Soon


WWW
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2012, 11:58:02 AM »
I had Anne. She was great.  Kiss Very helpful for me with the synopsis skills.

Angelia
Logged

Young Adult Fantasy, Space Opera and Horsey Nonfiction - http://www.angeliaalmos.com
Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance - http://www.angiederek.com
Marcy
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 364
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2012, 01:11:40 PM »
Well, just heard Ann has health issues and I got assigned to Carolyn Wheat instead.  Has anyone had her?
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 Print 
« previous next »
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.7 | SMF © 2006-2008, Simple Machines LLC
Leviathan design by Bloc | XHTML | CSS