What's a Writer to Do?

Historically, there have been three ways we can improve ourselves as writers:

Self-Study, including instructional books and self-guided exercises.

Informal writing groups, including local and online groups, and paid writing workshops.

Formal, college-level study, including under-graduate degree programs, graduate full- and low-residency MFA programs.

What I offer is a different solution: paid, direct instruction of creative writing with many of the benefits of formal, college-level study, without the high cost of college courses and writing workshops.

Private Writing Instruction

Private writing instruction is a great option if you fit into one of these three categories:

You've always wanted to try your hand at creative writing, without the high costs and commitment of college-level courses.

You've done some creative writing in the past and are looking for a kick-start, a refresher, a reason to write again.

You write on a regular, or semi-regular, basis, but you've hit a slump and are looking for something to stimulate more (or better) writing.

These are three very different places to find yourself, but all three of these situations call for you to find a community of writers who will hold you accountable for ACTUALLY WRITING and provide you with opportunity for personal growth as a writer.

What My Courses Offer Writers

Here's what you get when you participate in a writing course with me:

Direct instruction of key writing concepts.

Reading assignments and group discussion of the readings.

Writing exercises and strategies, both in-group and outside of the instructional time.

Opportunity for critique and discussion of your writing. (Concrete and constructive feedback!)

A community of writers to encourage and inspire you.

So, are you content with self-study? Perhaps you are ready to spend $1,000 or more for a long-weekend or week-long writing workshop? Are you ready for college-level courses? An undergraduate degree? An MFA? All of these options have their strengths, and I encourage you to consider which of these options might be best for you.

Only you can decide what is right for you, but if you decide that private instruction is a good fit, I hope you will contact me. I'd love to talk to you about expanding your writing life. Please, send me an email and let's talk about what you want to accomplish, and how you might best meet your goals.

I am currently offering three opportunities for private instruction in the Bradenton & Sarasota area: Two courses in fiction writing, and one in legacy writing. The details are listed below. Each course will be limited to 3 or 4 participants, so please let me know if you are interested in joining us.

Fiction Writing Basics

Fiction Writing Basics (on-line or in-person) will focus on core principles of fiction writing. We will look at basic concpets (plot, characters, setting, story structure, point-of-view, etc), read several classic short stories that demonstrate mastery of the craft, and discuss the "typical" writing process and its variants. The course will feature in-class writing exercises and writing assignments to be done by the student. Each student will have their work critiqued, with a focus on improving the piece while providing encouragement for growth.

There WILL be a reading and writing assignment to accomplish PRIOR TO the first class, so we can hit the ground running! Details of the initial assignment will be forwarded to students after they have registered.

10 sessions, 1.5 hours for each session.

Minimum of 3, maximum of 5 student participants per section. One-on-one instruction available via the "MFA Alternative" option.

Curriculum of reading, instruction, writing exercises, and critique of student work.

$150.00, includes instructional materials. (Students will need writing instruments of their choosing.)

Email me with questions or to reserve your spot.

Fiction Writing Intermediate

This course will cover more in-depth content, compared to the Fiction Writing Basics course, but will be similar in presentation and structure.

10 sessions, 1.5 hours for each session.

Minimum of 2, maximum of 4 student participants. One-on-one instruction available via the "MFA Alternative" option.

Curriculum of reading, instruction, writing exercises, and critique of student work.

$150.00, includes instructional materials. (Students will need writing instruments of their choosing.)

Email me with questions or to reserve your spot.

Legacy Writing Basics

If you've lost a loved one - a parent, spouse, even a child - you know the desire to have "one more day, one more conversation, one moment more" with that dear, departed one.

Legacy Writing is writing creatively about your life - not quite biography, not quite memoir, but with elements of both - which passes on to your children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews parts and pieces of their heritage, their origins, the influences of the past that have shaped their present and will linger into their future.

Memories, from the big events of life to the smallest detail of an "average" childhood, die with their owner, unless you've taken the time to put those memories into words. If YOU have ever said, "I wish Grandpa (or Grandma, or Great Aunt Sally) had told me more about..." then you owe it to YOUR family to leave a legacy of writing.

Legacy Writing Basics will focus on ways to begin to explore your personal story. We will discuss core writing principles and look at ways to stimulate the "writer within". Even if you've never written prose for others to read, this legacy writing course is a great place to start. You already know the subject matter (YOU!) and I'll be there to help you find and refine your words.

10 sessions, 1.5 hours for each session. (Allow 1.5 hours per class.)

Minimum of 5, maximum of 10 student participants. One-on-one instruction available via the "MFA Alternative" option.

Curriculum of reading, instruction, writing exercises, and critique of student work.

$120.00, includes instructional materials. (Students will need writing instruments of their choosing.)

Email me with questions or to reserve your spot.

Don't Live in Florida? No Problem!

I also offer on-line, video/teleconference versions of both the Fiction Writing and Legacy Writing classes. The content of the classes will be similar, but we will meet in a virtual classroom, and have our discussions through the video/microphone/chat capabilities of our computers.

If you live outside of the Manatee County area, or if you just like the idea of instruction that comes to you, please feel free to get in touch with me and I will keep you updated on the online versions of these classes.

Not Sure? No Problem!

Wondering if spending the time and money on a writing class makes sense? That's understandable. So, here are two things you can keep in mind:

1. I would LOVE to talk to you (email or meet for coffee) prior to you making a decision to participate. That way, you'll get a feel for what I can offer you, and I'll get an idea of where you are in your writing life and how I can best meet your writing needs.

2. I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you attend the first session and decide you've made a mistake, I'll refund your instructional fees. Period.

I am passionate about writing, and helping others improve their writing. I have a strong commitment to my students and fellow writers, and I think you'll find our time together to be beneficial, not just in the short-term, but for your overall, long-term literary and creative development. Check out some of the testimonials of people who have worked with me in various capacities.

More...

You can also find out more about me in my Resume, Experience, and Portfolio sections of the website.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Content Copyright: 2011, Eric Sheridan Wyatt

An Ernst Wiley Production - Bradenton, Florida