Writing   

A story's strength is often measured by its characters. Good characters resonate with the reader and create lifelong fans. In this course, students will learn how to write empathetic heroes, believable villains, interesting side-characters, and colorful bit-players.

While good writers understand the fundamentals of putting a story together, a great writer uses words, sentences, and paragraphs to craft a compelling work of art. Come join award-winning author and freelance editor Lindsay Schopfer as he explores the delicate process of fine-tuning a story. Students will learn how to choose the right words, how to maintain proper pacing, and how to apply concepts like narrative flow to their novels and short stories.

Are you interested in writing stories, but don't know where to start? Published author and creative writing instructor Lindsay Schopfer offers an informative introduction to the world of writing. Students will learn everything they need to know to get started in their craft, including how to structure a story, how to show a scene instead of telling it, and how to avoid writer's block.

Come practice the craft of creative writing with an award-winning author! Every week, participants will be given time to work on their own original stories in a safe, supportive environment. Participants will also have the opportunity to give and receive positive, encouraging feedback on what they've been working on.

We write everyday: emails, social media posts, work projects, and even non-fiction or creative writing. Improving is just a matter of knowing some simple tricks to make your writing more impactful and readable, and may help get you a promotion at work or avoid rejection from a publisher. In this hands-on session, there will be writing/editing examples and exercises so you can see in real time how to make sentences flow properly while still maintaining reader interest, and you will leave with a workbook full of writing tips and tricks, which is included in the class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

If your goal is to become a published freelance writer by selling a magazine article, short story, poem, or even a novel to a traditional publisher, this comprehensive workshop will guide you to, then past the editor's desk. You will discover how to: become a "published" writer overnight, submit manuscripts the correct way, find the right publisher for your work, write irresistible query letters, determine when and how to get an agent, and 100 ways to make money as a freelance writer. If you really want to succeed, this step-by-step workshop is a must!

ChatGPT (AI) is here to stay and is the future for writers and content creators. Don't be left behind! No prior AI experience required. Do you want to learn how to incorporate the power of cutting-edge technology to gain ideas and inspiration, write web content, articles, and even novels or scripts? In this beginner-friendly course, you'll learn how to: register for a FREE ChatGPT account, input effective writing prompts to avoid nonsense responses, build creative content, from stories to marketing copy, determine its capabilities and limitations, understand ethical/legal considerations using ChatGPT. There's no doubt ChatGPT and similar AI systems will force the job market to evolve. It's crucial for everyone to adapt, learn new skills, and be open to working in collaboration with AI, so start building your expertise in the world of ChatGPT now! The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Whether you need to make a dull work presentation more lively, mix laughter with learning in the classroom, or ultimately want to write for print/production or perform your own stand up routine, this fast-paced session will show you how to apply humor to all aspects of your life. You will learn the anatomy a joke, how to use your powers of observation to sharpen your wit, write different types of jokes, and use humor to entertain and influence people. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former stand-up comedian at places like The Laugh Factory in Hollywood, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Self-Publishing is all the rage, but is it the best option for YOU? (participants must also attend "Beginner's Guide to Getting Published") And, can you do both? You will discover the pros and cons of all the self-publishing options, including print-on-demand and e-book publishing, as well as Amazon options, and see how they compare to traditional publishing. Informative handouts, including a rated description of 50 self-publishing companies for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

If you love to travel and love to write, this is for you! We will discuss how to use all your senses in a new destination to create more detailed and in-depth descriptions that capture and maintain readers' interest, and whether or not you need to include photos with your work. You will also learn how to find and submit your finished product to print and online markets, the business side of travel writing (how to take travel tax deductions), and how to avoid worn-out travel writing cliches. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

Romance is the #1 selling fiction genre. Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this comprehensive session will help you sharpen your skills with practical step-by-step advice. You will discover the different romance sub-genres and understand the proven romance formula. You will also learn to create a unique setting, introduce your protagonist (lead character), percolate friction, and write relatable dialogue as well as intimate scenes. Publishing options will also be discussed. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

You don't need to be famous to have a legacy to leave behind. Create an inspirational autobiography for family, friends, and others. Learn how to recall vivid memories, analyze events and people that shaped who you are, and bring your story to life. Your handout, included in the class fee, will have an outline to help you organize and write your memoir step-by-step. Printing/publishing options will also be discussed. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

In this comprehensive session, you will learn about special screenwriting terms and formats for television and the big screen. You will also learn how to plot a story, develop characters, and execute your work in the proper screenwriting format. You will discover the difference between a Treatment, a Spec Script and a Shooting Script and when to do each. And, you'll get an inside look into the business of selling your script to agents and producers. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link and materials will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

Have you ever wanted to talk to a real agent or publisher? Are you tired of having your manuscripts critiqued by non-professionals or paying an editor too much money to change your writing to their voice? Email one page of your in-progress manuscript for an in-class critique of one page of your poetry, article, short story, screenplay, novel, non-fiction book, or children's book. The instructor is a journalist, author, screenwriter, agent, publisher, and adjunct online professor at Harvard. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

Whether you're looking to publish a paperback novel or short ebook now or in the future, this detailed tutorial will teach you step-by-step how to create an Amazon KDP account, format your manuscript and upload it to the platform, easily create a book cover from available templates, determine pricing and royalties, develop a sales pitch for your Amazon page, and write an Amazon author bio. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link and materials will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

Become a mystery writer for fun or profit! You will discover the different sub-genres and three-act story structure of mystery writing and create an intriguing cast of characters. Learn how to research and pick your setting, make sure your opening grabs readers' attention, use "red herrings" to misdirect your readers and create suspense until you're ready for the final reveal. Publishing options will also be discussed. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

This intensive course provides a schedule of crafting a novel from start to finish, which you can finish in as little as 90 days! This class will also help you stay motivated throughout the journey. You will learn how to: select your novel genre and develop a compelling premise, create multidimensional characters and immersive settings, craft a detailed plot outline, manage your time to keep your writing flow consistent, combat common roadblocks including writer's block, master the art of self-editing: refining your plot, and fixing pacing, dialogue, and characterization problems, receive constructive criticism from beta readers, explore publishing options. By the end of this class, you will know how to complete your novel and have the knowledge and confidence to move forward with the publishing process. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

You don't need a journalism degree or previously published articles to write for anyone's online blog, magazine, or website. Some opportunities offer exposure, while many pay well -- $1 a word and more. In this fast-paced session, you will learn how to: find ideas, sources, and more than 1,000 opportunities that pay, conduct interviews and create interesting content, protect your copyright, write query letters, and then use this credibility to sell other articles or even your self-published novel. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link and materials will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.