Here's some new information about the 2010 autumn course, updated July 12, 2010.

NOTE: Two-month, 16hr. format.

The next course begins Saturday September 25, 2010 and ends Saturday November 13, 2010.

Application and Eligibility: The application process is simple. Send me a sample of your work, via e-mail . . . just a few pages to give me a sense of your style, etc. Let me know what you're working on, where you would like to take your practice as a writer. If you have a sense of your own strengths and weakness which you'd like to share briefly, that would help. If you'd prefer to chat by phone in this regard, so much the better.

Eligibility: When applied to an artist established in his or her own practice, eligibility is determined by passion and dedication. If you have the time and drive . . . welcome aboard.

The course evolves over 8 two-hour sessions, four Saturday afternoon sessions (2-4 pm EST) and, concurrently four Wednesday evening session (7-9pm EST).

During sessions 1-3 we work character. Typically, I begin with a twenty-minute session on the nuts and bolts of the craft of writing. We assess the alternate, deeper meaning of words, the tools of our trade, really, which we normally take for granted: like character (eg., one definition The OED gives is this: Instrument for marking or graving, impress, stamp, distinctive mark, distinctive nature, to make sharp, cut furrows in, engrave). Great way to think about a character, yes? A craftsperson's tool as well as a fictional being.

We'll do the same with words like conflict, plot, story, dynamics, etc.

In the 1/2 hour writing exercises we construct five characters . . . Protagonist, Antagonist, secondary P and A and The Fifth Business, the character/force Robertson Davies described as the wild card, the disruptive external force who, along with the antagonist forces change upon the protagonist. We'll assess all characters from spiritual, physical emotional and intellectual perspectives.

Sessions 4-6 we switch our focus to the story. We'll examine the five classical structural elements of narrative; introduction, development, climax, dénouement and resolution. We'll take what we've learned from the perspective exercises (three per character) and apply it to the tale we wish the characters to tell. We construct a 750 word story outline during this phase.

Sessions seven and eight we examine the most mysterious aspect of narrative prose and dramatic fiction, the construction of the plot, the mysterious how and why things happen, which we blend with the practicalities . . . the who what where when of the story.

Throughout, we respond to and comment on each other's work using a series of listening exercises I developed at McGill, Concordia and The National Theatre School of Canada. These exercises have been further refined in my workshops in France and across Canada to the point where respectful, precise assessment from your peers becomes a great positive force providing terrific insight and potential for improvement.

The course costs $1500.00 Cdn, plus taxes where applicable. I'm happy to take three payments of $500 each: the first on sign up; the second day one of the course; the third and final before the beginning of the third session.

Please don't hesitate to call for more information. (see Contact, below)

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