So, roll call for those in the novel course...

[MargoMcP]

It looks like I'm going to be going backwards from some people.  I just wrote/finished something for NaNoWriMo and will sign up for the novel course when I get the papers here next week or so.  I want to work on the one or two train wrecks I have planned/started so I can "do" them for this year's NaNo.

Now that I've gotten my "free" CreateSpace proof copy, my time limits for editing are off (the offer for free coupon for NaNoWriMo winners was only good until July 13 or something) so I might wait until I get to some of the "editing" parts of the novel course before I start editing.

How long did the novel course take people?  I remember my "Basics of Writing Stories and Articles" course took me more than the full time the first time I took it; I had to ask/pay for an extension but I finished it and turned around and took it again right away and the second time it only took half as long, I think.  I think this time, I'm more prepared to work and have a better focus (getting lots learned/in place by November).  That and I'm retired now whereas I was working when I took all my other courses.

[Oceanscribe]

What is "Basics of Writing Stories and Articles"?

Dani,

That's the course I took. As far as I can tell, it's a shortened version of Breaking into Print. It includes the same lessons, but stops after lesson 8 and it costs less than BIP.

Oceanscribe

[MaryR]

It's a shorter course, but there's no guarantee that you'll produce something publishable, as there is in the BIP. You get basic instruction, but it's not fine tuned to YOU publishing.

Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor

[MargoMcP]

Yes, Mary, that's one reason I took the course twice, to work on some of the stories I'd written the first time through.  Even with excellent teaching, it took me a couple tries to "get it" so I understood I had to actually be present when writing the story, couldn't just be on the "outside" writing :-)  I still remember the shock of when I wrote my character into a corner the second time around and had to get her out by putting myself in her place and figuring out what would happen, what I would want to happen, "next" if it were me.

[porkypine]

Hi,

Writing a novel was always my original goal, even with the short story course.  I've been away for a few years and graduated from the short story program while they were still working on the novel course. My hubby had a rough couple of years health-wise but he's much better now.  I am not so terribly worried about him now so my imagination has perked up again.

I am on assignment three of the novel course. One thing about putting your story on the back burner for 2-3 years is that it simmers nicely along and you find that your characters have developed depth and interesting 'oddments' that enrich the story.

I have lapsed in my writing mechanics but my instructor pointed me in the correct direction so I can fix those errors. 

I am working on my plot planning right now and just bubbling over with ideas, so excuse my excesses. 

The story I am working on is right here and now in 21st century Montana but it has a fantastical twist and I think ends up being a love story, of sorts. There is a legend in Ireland of Brian Boru - how he tamed and rode a Pooka - a shape-shifting fairy being in horse form. Well, My story is about that fairy - 1,000 years later. He has been teased and ribbed through the intervening centuries and has been unable to redeem himself because the Irish are on to fairy tricks. So, one day his brother cooks up a way for him to emmigrate so he can find a naive, 'victim' descendant of Brian Boru to get even with, and thereby redeem himself amongst his fairy kin. 

He meets up with 'Row' in Montana and somehow finds that his magic doesn't work in her presence and it confounds him.  He is intrigued by it and eventually ends up falling in love with her. What he doesn't realize is that Row is short for Rowan - ancient belief is that rowan protects against malevolent spells. Her very name protects her from fairy vengeance.

I intend it to be a fun story. This jumbled telling is just to get the rough idea across to you.  I am enjoying the process of writing this story. 















 his brother cooks up

[Pam out West]

Roll call is a great idea!

It's kind of nice to know who is taking what class and putting some walls around the virtual classroom.
It sounds like all of you are serious writers and are not just testing the waters. Do you all have clips or previous novels? I know Angelia has a nonfiction book published.

I like your idea porkypine, even though I am not much for fantasy. I know many people who love it, especially several who traveled to Ireland.

Dani, I love your new picture!

Pam

[Brandon]

Well, I've started too.  Just got my books in yesterday, so I'm on assignment 1.