Novel Critique Group with Angela Rydell

Section 2: Saturday April 21, 28, May 12, 26

Eager for stimulating feedback from an experienced teacher and fellow writers?  This ongoing workshop offers detailed, practical critiques for writers beginning or continuing a novel.  

Join a writing community and get support and encouragement as you write your novel and commit to finishing it.   

Each session includes craft tips all novelists need to know, such as:

• Techniques for creating complex characters. Readers love conflicted characters they can empathize with.  Conflict forces characters to make choices. The more difficult the choices, the greater the conflict, the better the payoff for the character—and your novel.  Empathetic characters aren’t idyllic stereotypes of the girl or boy next door.  Imperfections make your characters believable, and give them something to progress toward in the story. 

• Essentials for building riveting scenes. Good scenes need a character with a goal, and complications that force change—for better or worse.  Complications thicken plot and move your story forward.  And opening and ending scenes with a hook makes readers turn pages.  But does everything you write need to be in scene? We’ll explore how to render the most important events in scene and cut to the chase with relevant summary.  

• Tricks for writing well-paced dialogue. Conversation that stirs up needs, desires and dreams provides insight into personality while propelling plot. Realistic dialogue isn’t transcription, but conversation selected to offer subtext, conflict, character quirks and motivations.  With careful crafting, the best dialogue reveals dynamic characters that appear to speak for themselves. 
  

In workshop, we’ll discuss how to apply these strategies—and more—directly to your work-in-progress.  Writing prompts and process tips keep you working on scenes and chapters while holding plot and character arcs in mind.  You’ll get feedback to help identify what’s working, revision tips that inspire resourceful solutions, and fresh ideas for clarifying your vision of where you’re headed.  All in a supportive atmosphere where peers share craft challenges, writing successes and creative discoveries. 

Out of class option:
Additional 10 pages of instructor critique, submitted at the conclusion of the workshop.  Fee: $40.

Prior to workshop:
Contact Angela for more details on submitting work:  ajrydell@wisc.edu

Fee: Section 2= $150/4 meetings, $190 includes 10 additional pages of instructor critique.

Student comments

“Lots of clarity in the instruction, lots of good feedback (and generous too!)… and lots of good critiques with everyone.”  Jo Ortel, Madison, WI

“The format of the critiques was great.”  ~Marian Holton-Manuel, Madison, WI

“Loved the productivity of all the critiques—great “teaching moments” that were truly applicable.  Written critiques were extremely helpful, and facilitation of comments in class worked well.”  ~Emily Fiocco, Madison, WI

 “It helped me find ways to bring the classic story structure into my own work.  I particularly liked getting the multiple person reactions to my work—what did or didn’t work and the different assumptions that were made.  I also like the way the “teaching” was incorporated into the critiques, so the lesson could be put into a practical, real context in the class.” ~Jennifer Bailey, Chicago Ridge, IL

“I really benefited from Angela’s critiques.  An excellent class.  Very helpful!” ~John Walsh, Madison, WI

Your instructor

Angela Rydell, MFA, has taught creative writing through UW-Madison Continuing Studies since 2006. Programs include Write-by-the-Lake Writer's Workshop & Retreat, School of the Arts, Writers' Institute, and Weekend with Your Novel. She has taught at Edgewood College, in the national program Senior Summer School, been a poet-in-residence in elementary schools, and was the lead judge for the 2010 Wisconsin People & Ideas poetry contest. She is a recipient of Poets & Writers' Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. Her work has appeared in Poets & Writers, The Sun, Alaska Quarterly, Inkwell, Daily Science Fiction, Prairie Schooner, Beloit Poetry Journal, Crab Orchard Review, and other journals.

For more information about this workshop, email Angela Rydell at ajrydell@facstaff.wisc.edu, or call workshop coordinator, Christine DeSmet, 608-262-3447.

How to register

By phone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll free 800-725-9692

By mail: Print and mail the UW-Madison Continuing Studies registration form

By fax: Print and fax the UW-Madison Continuing Studies registration form

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.

• Section 2: 4 classes/$150

Related resources

• Business writing workshops: Stay on top of important workplace writing skills.