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| "Thank you for shepherding me through your class. I found your approach both encouraging and honestly, usefully, critical — in the best sense of the word. I expect to become a better writer because of it." - Will Jantelezio, Green Bay |
Embark on a lively e-mail journey through the elements of fiction. Written assignments for each of the 12 units take beginning to advanced writers through character revelation, dialogue, plot, point of view, and setting, and on to your first story or beginning a novel. The instructor, Laurel Yourke, provides professional feedback on your submissions.
Unit Titles:
You’ll receive supportive, detailed, professional critiques of 12 one-page sketches. Course fee includes detailed feedback and links to relevant web sites. This course strengthens the skill of beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers. Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish this course.
You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It's all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. Some classes have materials on a web site, but you can access those at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops, and we have success stories. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you'll find them an excellent "coaching" or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own-hey, that's fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own and pass on the feedback if you'd rather do that. We're also here throughout the year if you have questions.
Who this course is for: |
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* All levels of writers, beginning through advanced. * Novel and short story writers. * Professional or aspiring writers, creative writing teachers, English majors, etc. |
Laurel Yourke, of the UW-Madison Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts, is the author of "Waiting for Beethoven" (a poetry collection) and "Take Your Characters to Dinner: Creating the Illusion of Reality in Fiction." She has received the UW-Madison Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Council of Wisconsin Writers Award for Encouragement of Wisconsin Writers. An associate director of Writer's Institute, she has taught literature and creative writing in ongoing intermediate and advanced writing workshops, School of the Arts at Rhinelander, Write by the Lake, public school and college classrooms, Distance Education courses, Elderhostel, College Week for Kids, Senior Academy, Arts Week and interactive television. She has published reviews, feature articles and print- and web-based course materials on fiction, poetry, composition, literature, and advanced creative writing. Her poetry has appeared in various university presses and other periodicals including "Wisconsin Academy Review," "The Larcom Review," "The Wisconsin Fellowship Poets Calendar" and twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.
"I reall thought I didn't need this call. Taking your Characters to Dinner? C'mon. You kidding me? Boy, I was stupid. This course, and this teacher, helps you choose attire for the literary ball. It transcends its description. My manuscript is leaner, meaner, and a Hell of a lot better. Don't pass this up." ~ Steve Roisum, La Crosse, Wisconsin
"I'd like to take just a moment or two and thank you for all the help you've given me in the past 12 weeks. Its been challenging but beneficial to recieve your suggestions. Even though I had to keep my work to just one page (very, very difficult for me!) it was an excellent challenge that sharpened my revision/cutting skills greatly. Feedback on my writing is very important for me, so consistently recieving yours every week in a row for 12 weeks was exactly what I needed. Not only has this course challenged and stretched me as a writer, but it has inspired me to go above and beyond the "average" and strive for the highest standard. I've completed "Take Your Characters to Dinner" with an increased level of confidence, and have discovered much more about who I am as a writer.
As a 15-year-old student, I have an entire life ahead of me to continue perfecting my skills at writing. One of my lifetime dreams is to write a novel someday and actually get it published! Before I took this course, that was just a dream. But over the past 12 weeks, I've discovered that that dream has turned into a goal that I know I can accomplish.
Thank you for everything!" ~ Hallie Klecker, Mazomanie, Wisconsin
"I have been privileged to participate in Laurel's critique groups, in her workshops, in her teaching at School of the Arts and now in the on-line course, "Take Your Characters to Dinner." Laurel is a gifted teacher, knowing just when to encourage and when to challenge. During this course I was amazed at how timely her feedback was when she had no idea when I would be sending her my assignments. I would usually receive feedback within 24 hours or less, making me feel like I was her only student. The book supporting this course, which Laurel wrote, was an invaluable reference during the course. It illustrates so very well the techniques that it is teaching.” ~ Sharon VanderZyl, Livingston, Texas
"I just completed Laurel Yourke’s Take Your Characters to Dinner on-line course, and feel that, through Laurel’s patience guidance, I have progressed considerably as a writer. Her thoughtful, insightful comments were always appropriate, honest, and encouraging.
I loved working with Laurel. I felt she gave her all when critiquing my work, and her concern lay with helping me advance as a writer. The course material was excellent, and forced me to try my hand at otherwise foreign concepts. As a result, I have more tools at my disposal to pull readers into my story.
In her book, Take Your Characters to Dinner, she covered all the important points of novel writing in a light-hearted manner. I read every lesson twice before attempting the stretching exercises, learning something new each time.
Now that I’m done with her course, I feel that I have a better sense of balancing narrative, dialogue and emotion. Through her gentle prodding, I feel ready to take the next step – write my novel." ~ Maureen Marty, Longmont, Colorado
"As to an evaluation of the course: what did I get from it? Your expert commentary has been invaluable. It has helped launch me from the tenuous steps of a wanna-be writer into the purposeful gait of one who confidently knows that she is a writer. Whatever faults and weaknesses I came with into the course have been addressed and many corrected. It is an ongoing process for all of us, I know. Whatever strengths I may have had have blossomed under your direction. Laurel, it is obvious to me that your deep love of writing is very present in your contact with your students. It is infectious.
Could the course have been better? Hmm, not unless you would have let me pitch a tent in your backyard and let me run through your kitchen door every time I had a question. But, really the structure and sequence of the class assignments are excellent in leading the student writer to their best work. And, although most of us would probably love to send you 50 pages every chance we might, I understand the brilliance and necessity of limiting our words to one page. It makes our writing tight. It makes us focus on the elements asked for. If I can write every page of my book the way you asked me to write each assignment, then I know I'll be able to call myself a professional." ~ Mandi Isaacson, Oshkosh, WI
"I absolutely loved your book. The different elements that were put into play made the reading and study compelling. And Georgina is an ingenious device. She is quite lively and creative. And makes her point well.
Also, I felt your comments were insightful, to the point, and pushed me to improve my writing. It's been a very rewarding learning experience.
Registration is only $130. The course textbook Take Your Characters to Dinner is available from the University Bookstore, Madison, WI, (608-257-3784), the publisher (1-800-462-6420), or through major book retailers for $24.50 (plus shipping/handling when applicable). Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish. You will earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) when you complete the course.
Your contact for more information about Take Your Characters
to Dinner is Laurel Yourke. 608-265-3972, lyourke@dcs.wisc.edu.
The same writing staff that bring you these great online classes also provide individualized writing critique services. Learn more by visiting our writing critique services Web page.
Receive
the Writing News, our free e-mail newsletter.
If you subscribe, then 4-5 times a year you will receive from the Department
of Liberal Studies and the Arts a detailed e-mail with information about
our upcoming writing programs as well as news about student acheivements,
new programs, and opportunities for writers. To subscribe send a blank
e-mail message to: join-writing-news@lists.wisc.edu.
More distance education: Independent Learning journalism and writing courses are another option for distance education through University of Wisconsin-Extension. Most courses are available for college or high-school credit. Take Your Characters to Dinner (program #9006).
| Who this course is for: |
| * All levels of writers, beginning through advanced. * Novel and short story writers. * Professional or aspiring writers, creative writing teachers, English majors, etc. |
| Your contact: |
| Your contact for more information about Take
Your Characters to Dinner is Dr. Laurel Yourke. 608-265-3972 |
Telephone:
Call 608-262-2451 to register. Our phone is answered
M-F, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Central Time. At other times please leave a message,
and we will return your call. If you have other questions, call toll-free 1-877-336-7836.
Online: Register
now online with our secure server.
E-mail: E-mail us your
name and contact information at
LSAonline@dcs.wisc.edu and
we will respond as soon as possible to assist you with registration.
Fax: Print
and fax our registration form.
Mail: Print
and mail
our registration form.
| Department of Liberal Studies & the Arts | UW-Madison Continuing Studies |
|
File last updated: June 2007 |