Community, Courses and Writing Resources
Upcoming Course Schedule
| On demand | The Critique Clique Community Meet-Up Schedule: 8 pm Eastern on August 20 October 1 | |
| All courses on hiatus |
Foundations of Feedback
For many writers—especially those of us who write CNF—the process of giving and receiving feedback can be a struggle because it feels so personal. Yet critiques are key to becoming a confident and more skilled writer who actively participates in writing communities. Wouldn’t it be great to jump for joy at the thought of reading a critique of your work? To view comments in “Track Changes” as potentials for growth rather than threats to self-identity?
In this four-week foundational course, students will learn a structure for giving constructive critiques. Participants will practise critiquing one another’s writing in a safe and respectful environment. Before receiving feedback, we’ll delve into the psychology behind our own reactions to critiques and learn how to reduce the sting. By methodically reading feedback of our own writing, we’ll learn how to use critiques to foster a growth identity. Once we’ve become skilled in the art of giving and receiving feedback, we’ll look at steps to take after the critique process is over.
Over the next year, I’ll be launching several courses aimed at polishing specific sub-genres of creative nonfiction. Foundations of Feedback is the backbone of all Hone & Polish courses and will grant you access to subsequent Hone & Polish courses and communities.
If you’re interested in more information about me and the structure of Hone & Polish Your Writing, please watch the replay of my webinar.
Critique Clique
The search for an ideal critique partner is no easy feat. This self-paced course takes a step-by-step approach to find a potential exchange partner. First, participants learn what to look for in an ideal mate, complete a needs assessment and complete a speed-dating package to be presented on a trial run. Once the course has been completed, participants will enjoy a one-year membership to The Critique Group. Sunday Night Speed-Dates, where members meet live, will be scheduled on a bi-monthly basis.
Please Note: Foundations of Feedback is a pre- or co-requisite to this course. You must complete Foundations of Feedback before receiving access to The Critique Clique members’ room.
Introduction to Lyric Prose & Nontraditional Narrative Structures
Do you want literary magazine editors to accept your fiction and creative nonfiction for publication? This 4-week course delves into the foundations of lyric prose and nontraditional forms–which makes up the majority of creative prose you read in online and in print.
In week 1, we will discuss elements of lyric prose and generative techniques. Weeks 2 to 4 will be dedicated to reviewing model prose in a variety of nontraditional forms. Each week, we’ll examine an element of craft, one or two nontraditional prose forms and generate new writing geared towards these prose forms. At the end of the course, we will meet on Zoom where we will discuss the course and you can opt to read one of the pieces you’ve generated and revised in this course. By course end, you will have up to 5 new writing drafts (one for each nontraditional narrative structure we study).
You will have a week from the end of the course to submit up to 2 narratives or 1500 words (whichever limit is first reach) to me for critique.
Revision After Rejection
This 3-week course presents strategies and tools to analyze and diagnose writing that has received multiple rejections. At the end of the course, participants submit up to 2 narratives or 1500 words (whichever limit is first reached) to the instructor for editing suggestions and feedback on intended submission plans.
This is an “on-demand” course–sign up and complete the coursework anytime!
Generative Workshop (CNF & Fiction)
In this 4-week generative course, each week is centred around a theme that will help you push your writing to the next level. Every Monday, you will learn a new generative technique. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will receive a specific prompt with fiction and CNF samples as models. Wednesdays and Fridays, you can post up to 700 words to share with peers (and you can offer one another general feedback). By the end of this course, you will have several new drafts to work with.
Week 1: Playing with Time
Week 2: Playing with Form
Week 3: Playing with Language
Week 4: Playing with POV
There will be no personalized instructor feedback in this course.
Master Class: Hone & Polish Your Flash Fiction & Nonfiction
This 6-week class is designed for those who have already explored the basics of life writing and wish to move on to a form with constraints.
In weeks 1, 2 & 3, we’ll examine craft techniques used in flash essays, follow writing prompts to practise those techniques in our own writing. You’ll enjoy my interviews with two of the up-and-coming authors featured in the sample essays! In weeks 2 & 3, you’ll exchange first drafts with your critique partner(s). Of course, we’ll do a quick review of the strategies learned in Foundations of Feedback!
In Weeks 4 & 5 we’ll discuss revision, revise our essays, and exchange revised flash essays with the same partners. Then we’ll research literary journals accepting flash essays. We’ll watch interviews with two authors whose essays we’ve read discuss their revision and submission strategies.
In week 6, we’ll polish our flash essays, do a final partner exchange and create a submission plan. You will be invited to submit up to 1500 words (whichever limit is first reached), a cover letter and your bio for my “editor’s” critique in the week following the course.
Master Class: Hone & Polish Your Lyric Essays: Collage, Panel and Braided Essays
This 8-week course delves into three sub-genres of the lyric essay: collage, panel and braided essays. Throughout the course, we will read sample essays, generate writing ideas and cover a few craft topics. By the end of the course, you will have written, revised and polished up to three lyric essays.
Each of weeks 2, 3 & 4 will be dedicated to honing in on collage, panel and braided essays respectively. We’ll examine craft and model essays, listen to an interview with up-and-coming author, and use writing prompts to practise the essay form. At the end of each week, you will submit your essay draft to your critique partner(s).
Weeks 5, 6 & 7 will focus on revision. You’ll revise up to three essays and do a second exchange. We’ll also research lit mags accepting lyric essays.
In week 8, you’ll polish your essays, participate in a final exchange with a new partner and create a submission plan. You’ll be invited to a “farewell” Zoom meeting where you’ll have the opportunity to do a practise reading, ask any burning questions, and meet the people with whom you’ve been interacting. You have up to one week after the course closes to submit up to 2 essays or 3000 words (whichever limit is first reached), a cover letter and your bio for my “editor’s” critique.
Master Class: Hone & Polish Your Lyric Essays: Hermit Crab Essays
This 6-week class is designed for those who wish to move on to more challenging forms of literary prose.
In weeks 1 to 3, we will examine craft techniques used in hermit crab narratives and follow writing prompts to practise those techniques in our own writing. Early drafts will be exchanged with one or two partners. You will also have access to an interview with an up-and-coming author.
In Weeks 4 & 5 we’ll discuss revision, revise two hermit crab narratives, and have another round of peer exchanges. We’ll also research literary journals accepting hermit crab essays and watch a panel interview that includes 3 authors (whose essays we read) as they discuss writing and revision specific to hermit crab narratives.
In week 6, you will polish your hermit crab essays, do a final partner exchange, and create a submission plan. You will have up to a week after course end to submit a cover letter, author bio and up to 2 narratives or 1500 words (whichever limit is first reached) for my editor’s critique.