Lessons
Private Instruction in Writing
What is a lesson?
Why?
Sometimes it helps to have a teacher. How did Mozart learn to compose music? He took private lessons in composition from Haydn.
Requirements
- Your submission must be fiction. Your writing can be any of the following: short story, novella, or novel. Nonfiction is not acceptable material for this service.
- Submit the first 5,000 words of a completed work of fiction - your best work.
- Please do not submit any writing that contains the following: gratuitous vulgar language, sexually explicit content (erotica and/or literary pornography has no place on this site), and/or writing that contains a significant numer of spelling or grammatical errors.
- Your submission can be in any of the following formats: PDF, Microsoft Word, or Apple Pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take a lesson in writing?
Because it helps to have a teacher. How did Beethoven and Mozart learn to compose music? They took lessons. Mozart learned composition from Haydn. Beethoven wanted to take lessons from Mozart, but I don't think he ever got the chance due to Mozart's untimely and unfortunate demise. I have known professional musicians who took lessons from teachers. It helps to havea. good teacher - no matter what the profession or practice.
Also, there is a difference between words on the page and good words on the page. You need to learn to discern the difference between the two, and sometimes it helps to have someone provide feedback on your writing as you learn the craft.
Cost.
You should not have to spend thousands of dollars to learn the craft of writing fiction.
Why 5,000 words?
This is only for the initial lesson - to keep your costs down. More words means more time (from me) which, in turn, means more money (from you). 5,000 words is a good place to start.
Why do submissions have to be a finished product?
A finished product allows me to assess your understanding of various elements of writing such as plot structure, character development and more. I need to see your very best writing.
What does instruction look like?
Instruction comes in the form of written feedback. Upon payment and submission of your writing, I will print and read what you have written. I like to work with pen and paper (obviously). I will read your writing several times and make comments and corrections...and ask questions. I like to ask questions when I review a piece of writing because I want you to think about what you have written. I will evaluate your writing with respect to the following: grammar and mechanics, understanding of plot structure, character development, and other criteria as set forth in Pen & Paper.
Can I take more than one lesson?
Yes, certainly.
However - and this is important - there is no need to for you to take weekly, or even monthly, lessons. You should spend the bulk of your time writing. My recommendation would be to purchase a lesson once per quarter...if, and only if, you are actively writing and working on your craft. There is no need to spend the money on a lesson on a regular basis if you are not investing serious time in learning the craft of writing. Also, if you do decide to take another lesson, then the word count for your submission may change. It depends upon the student. Each individual student is unique and has different needs. After the initial lesson, I may ask for 10,000 words for the next lesson. Why would this be the case? If I don't have to pore over a text correcting mistakes, then it is easier for me to look at the finer points.
Lessons are designed to help you become a better writer - not to bleed you dry. You should not have to spend thousands of dollars learning how to write. You should spend your time writing.
