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WOW! Women On Writing
Classes & Workshops
Spotlight Course: Writing Your Novel From the Ground Up
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Greetings!
Is writing a novel one of your New Year's goals? If so, we have a great duo to help you do it! Now is the time to pick up your pen (or laptop) and write your book! Editor/author Diane O'Connell and productivity coach Renate Reimann will teach you how to build your novel like a house, starting with a vision and a clear blueprint. They'll also show you how to banish fear and procrastination, so that you can complete your manuscript. They're a super team and they'll be at your side, step by step. Diane and Renate's brand new class, Writing Your Novel From the Ground Up: How to Build Your Story While Building Yourself as a Writer for Long-Term Success, starts Wednesday, January 4, 2012, runs for 8 weeks, and is limited to 20 students. They are offering the class at a $250 Introductory Rate (which will rise to $295 after this first class is offered). With enrollment, you'll also receive BONUS Gifts including free downloads of Renate's latest audio book, Move Beyond Procrasination and Get Things Done (which includes a PDF workbook), and Diane's e-book, 50 Ways to Avoid the Rejection Pile. In the article below, co-instructor Renate Reimann PhD addresses the issues that have been keeping you from writing your novel. Read on to find out the "good news" she has for you. We also have many more great classes that start in January, so be sure to check out the whole list of offerings! Don't miss the first group that start right away in January, including Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an E-Book (Jan 2), How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published (Jan 7), and How to Write a Craft Book (Jan 7, Special Winter Discount of $50 Off! This session only). Happy writing! Marcia & Angela  Marcia & Angela Classroom Managers WOW! Classes & Workshops
classroom@wow-womenonwriting.com
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What's keeping you from writing your novel?
By Renate Reimann, PhD
We all have dreams. Some we easily turn into reality while others keep eluding us for no apparent reason. Especially big projects like turning an idea into a book can haunt us that way. They can feel heavy and ethereal at once.
To make it real and doable, think of writing your novel as building a house--from the ground up. There is a clear process you can follow. That process includes creating practical and psychological structures that support you in your art. To give your writing a home requires identifying your ideal set-up as well as your blocks.
So what specifically keeps you from turning your novel idea into a book right now? Is it lack of time or space? Are you not clear about where to start? Do you feel you are not really a writer? Are you afraid of looking bad? Write down your thoughts for maximum clarity.
The good news: no matter what your specific hurdles are, there are simple methods to address them. For example, if space is an issue, carving out a "writing only" area --even just a writing nook--in your house and your head is an important step. Or maybe leaving your home and going to a café gives your creativity a boost. Which environment is truly productive for you?
Or is lack of time holding you back? In my coaching practice, I always ask my clients to keep a detailed time log for at least a month. What a revelation. For many it is like looking in the mirror and seeing themselves for the first time: "Am I really spending an hour a day aimlessly surfing the web?" "Why do I let myself be pulled into other people's conflicts so often?" Uncovering our own time habits offers insights and ideas of how to change our daily lives to make them more rewarding and less stressful. Start a time log today. Remember to include how various activities make you feel. Your emotions will point to a richer life.
Most of all, deeply explore what works for you as an individual. You are unique in what motivates you and what blocks you. For example, often we think something is too silly or embarrassing to be acknowledged--like needing your favorite toy next to you in order to write. So what? We are all entitled to some quirks--especially when they stimulate and comfort us.
Now, let us explore your ideal set-up. If you had all the money and time in the world, what role would writing play in your daily life? How would you feel about sitting down and creating fictional worlds? What would be your reward--financial and emotional? How would other people see you? Feel free to put your dreams on paper in as much detail as possible. The clearer your vision the more motivated you will be.
Let the writing begin!
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From the top: Diane O'Connell
and Renate Reimann
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Writing Your Novel from theGround Up: How to Build Your Story While Building Yourself as a Writer for Long-Term Success
Instructors: Diane O'Connell and Renate Reimann
Workshop Length: 8 Weeks
Price: $250 (Introductory Rate!)
Start Date: January 4, 2012
Limit 20 Students
Course Description: Writing a novel is like building a house: you need to start with a vision and a clear blueprint, then construct it from the inside out. This class will help you learn techniques to write your novel effortlessly, as well as to overcome the obstacles that may block you from completing your manuscript.
Book Editor and Author Diane O'Connell will teach you how to create a solid foundation and reliable structures for your story. Productivity Coach Renate Reimann, PhD, will guide you in restructuring your life in support of your writing, as well as overcoming fears and self-doubt. Once you have made writing an essential part of your daily life, and have your writing techniques firmly in place, nothing and no one can stop you. Visit the Classroom Page for a complete listing and what you'll be learning week by week. 
About the Instructors: Diane O'Connell has been a New York publishing professional for 25 years and has worked as an editor at some of the top publishing houses, including Random House. Since forming Write to Sell Your Book, LLC, she has helped dozens of writers become published authors-including a first-time novelist who got a $500,000 two-book contract from Bantam after working with her. Diane is also the author of five traditionally published books, including the groundbreaking, critically acclaimed Divorced Dads: Shattering the Myths, which was the subject of a 20/20 report by John Stossel. A passionate writing coach, teacher, as well as editor, Diane is also the instructor of WOW! Women on Writing's Mastering Point of View. Her company specializes in helping first-time writers become published authors. Renate Reimann, PhD, is the founder of FreshLife Coaching and a Certified Life Coach. She developed the Beyond Procrastination™ Coaching System to help her clients jump-start important projects and changes. This system is especially effective for artists and writers. Teaching is one of Renate's passions. As a sociology professor, she has taught at Hamilton College as well as at Queens College and Brooklyn College in New York City. She is currently offering classes on improving productivity at the Center for Continuing Education at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. A published author herself, Renate understands the rigors of the writing process. She is currently working on a book on overcoming procrastination and new educational audio and video resources for improving productivity while increasing work/life balance. Renate holds a Certificate in Personal and Life Coaching from New York University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She lives in New York City and works with clients all over the world. |
 Instructors' Posts @ The Muffin
Have you checked out what's cookin' at The Muffin? Our instructors are stopping by and sharing their words of wisdom!
If you're too busy to stop by but don't want to miss out, you can always sign up to get blog posts via e-mail here.
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 The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Writing Scenes
By Diane O'Connell
Have you ever seen pictures of a Hollywood back lot? The buildings look amazingly real, but they're really just false fronts. There's no "there" there. Likewise, a scene in a novel may have all the elements that make it appear "real," but can be as flat as a Hollywood edifice. Events happen, characters say and do things, but the scene doesn't come alive. So what's wrong? Likely, the writer has made one or more of these mistakes...MORE
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 The Big Social Media Mistake
By Margo Dill
Social media is a great marketing tool. It's a chance to connect with writers, readers, publishers, editors, and agents like never before. It's easy, and it's fast; but in order to use it effectively, you still have to follow old-fashioned, pre-social media rules of networking and building relationships and connections...MORE
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 Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Try Freelancing
By Margo Dill
Besides impressing others by being able to say, "Oh, I'm a freelance writer," or "Yes, I've been published in Family Circle," there are other reasons why pursuing a freelance writing career or even working part-time as a freelancer are good for you as a writer...MORE
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Upcoming Classes & Workshops
All the classes operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or group listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--so you do not need to be present at any particular time (unless a phone chat is scheduled and arranged with your instructor). You can work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or email us at: classroom@wow-womenonwriting.com Enjoy!
Starts Every Friday (Self-Study Course):
Independent Publishing: How to Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business | $99 or $150 with 1 Hour Phone Consultation
January 2
Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an eBook New! | 4 Weeks | $299 | Limit: 10 Students
January 4
Writing Your Novel From the Ground Up New! | 8 Weeks | $250 Introductory Rate | Limit: 20 Students
January 7
How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 15 Students
How to Write a Craft Book | 5 Weeks | $125 (New Year's Discount! $50 Off this session only! Normally $175) | Limit: 15 Students
January 9
Empower Your Muse, Empower Your Writing Self | 4 Weeks | $75 (New Year's Discount! $50 Off this session only! Normally $125) | Limit: 25 Students
Querying and Writing Non-fiction Articles | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students
Write From Your Soul: Memoir Workshop | 6 Weeks | $249 | Limit: 10 Students
See You at the Movies: Introduction to the Craft of Screenwriting | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students
All the World's a Stage: Introduction to Playwriting | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students
January 10
Breaking Into Magazine Writing With Regional Markets | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 10 Students
January 16
Literary Devices Writing Workshop | 8 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 8-10 Students
January 18
Social Networking for Writers: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and More | 4 Weeks | $100 | Limit: 20 Students
January 20
Spark and Sizzle: Crafting Flash Fiction New! | 5 Weeks | $170 | Limit: 10 Students
February 1
Writing Character-Driven Fiction New! | 6 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 20 Students
February 6
How to Write a TV Pilot New! | 4 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students
How to Get the Right Agent for Your Manuscript | 4 Weeks | $299 | Limit: 10 Students
February 10
Blogging 101 | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students
February 22
Writing a Middle-Grade Novel | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 20 Students
March 5
Writing for Children: Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers | 7 Weeks | $175 (Winter Sale! Regular price: $200) | Limit: 15 Students
March 21
Vampires Optional: Writing Young Adult Fiction New! | 6 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 10 Students
Click here to see all of our upcoming workshops |
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Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
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