Pen a Kick-arse Short Story Masterclass - ONE-ON-ONE
How hard can it be to write a short story? It has to be easier that writing a novel because, well, they’re short … right? But just because there are less words in a short story, it doesn’t mean it takes any less skill to engage and satisfy your reader.
Short stories do, however, take less time to write. So if you’re struggling to learn the ins and outs of how to write a novel, try penning a short story first and take the time to practise your craft before attempting a longer work.
Learning how to write a submission-worthy short story means you’ll develop the skills you need to create well-rounded character arcs and construct interesting and well-paced plots. You’ll also learn how to make every word count—so much so that it’ll become second nature to know when to show and when to tell. It goes without saying, then, that you’ll keep your reader hooked and turning pages until the very end.
Offered as a short group course in 2020, this masterclass option of Pen a Kick-arse Short Story in 9 Easy Steps gives participants the chance to work one-one-one with Libby M Iriks to develop a short story from beginning to end. Not only will you receive plenty of crucial feedback in the planning stages, but Libby will also provide developmental feedback on an early draft and give the manuscript a second developmental pass and light proofread once revisions have been made.
Week 1 - Planning: idea conception, character sketches, POV, character development and plot outline. Participant to submit character sketches and character development and plot outline for detailed feedback.
Week 2 - Drafting: tracking word count, hooking the reader, showing and telling, satisfying the reader. Participant to submit first line.
Week 3 - Editing: developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading. Seeking feedback. Participants submit their manuscript for developmental feedback.
Week 4 - Revise and polish: choosing a title, analysing/implementing feedback, final revisions and corrections. Participants submit revised manuscript for second developmental review and light proofread.
Pre-course preparation
The course is designed for those writers who are still developing their craft. All concepts will be explained for those who come with little writing experience. Participants who completed the group course in 2020 can still benefit from the opportunity to workshop a new story and receive specific developmental feedback on a completed draft.
Course duration
10-20 hours. Participants are strongly encouraged to complete the course within four weeks, though I am happy to allow up to eight weeks for completion.
Presenter-participant interaction
Participants will submit five assignments, most as uploaded Word documents via Moodle. Feedback will be given using Word's commenting tool.
Presenters Bio
Libby M Iriks is a specialist romance editor. She is dedicated, supportive and professional, and enjoys nothing more than helping authors shape and polish their manuscripts until they shine.
With in-house experience as a commissioning romance editor, Libby knows what readers want. In a competitive market, romance stories must meet readers’ genre expectations, so who better to edit your romance manuscript than a professional who knows the genre?
Libby writes contemporary romance stories set in small towns where the chemistry sizzles and love is forever. Her debut novella, The Game of Love, is available now. Find out more about it on her author website: https://libbymiriks.com.
When she’s not reading, writing or editing stories about people falling in love, you can find her trying to keep her small collection of house plants alive or listening to the soft snores of her cat, Poppy.
Libby offers romance manuscript assessments, and editing and mentoring services. Contact her today at http://perfectpearediting.com to find out how she can help you polish your manuscript and become a better writer.
Course Dates (each month may extend to 8 weeks):
- 1st - 28th February 2021
- 1st - 31st March 2021
- 1st - 30th April 2021
- 1st - 31st May 2021
- 1st - 30th June 2021
- 1st - 31st July 2021
- 1st - 30th September 2021
- 1st - 31st October 2021
- 1st - 30th November 2021
Cost: RWA-Member – $165.00 Non RWA-Member – $198.00
* Please note, there is a $0.50 Trybooking fee at checkout.
Venue: Online - RWA Moodle Platform
Participants will receive a log in 2 days prior to course commencement
(Participants will be notified of access/login details via email from the RWA Academy Registrar 2 days prior to the commencement of the course)
RWA Academy Courses
PO Box Q740
Queen Victoria Building
NSW 1230
Contact Details: Claudine Tinellis RWA Academy Registrar academyregistrar@romanceaustralia.com
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