Spark to Flame to Fire: Novel Writing Class Package
January 29, 2025 - May 28, 2025
$177.00 – $357.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$177 for Members
$357 for Non-Members
From the spark of an idea to a polished manuscript, learn the tools to help you finally write the novel you’ve been dreaming about.
This class package aims to equip writers with the tools to transform their ideas for a novel into a polished draft over the course of this season. From capturing your idea and mapping out your story to getting your draft-in-progress through the finish line to even mapping out your completed draft’s revision, brilliant teacher and writer Charlotte Gullick will guide you through every step of the process.
The classes are spaced throughout the season, so that students will have time to work through and implement the takeaways before moving on to the next step of the novel writing process.
In addition, everyone who purchases the package will be invited to an exclusive class package meet-up on Wednesday, January 29, from 5:30-6:30 PM CST, a great opportunity to connect with fellow writers as you enjoy this shared experience.
Can’t make it to every class? No worries! All who register will have access to the class recordings until July 31, 2025.
Click on each individual title to view additional class details or to purchase a class independent of the package.
“Catching the Spark: Turning Ideas into a Novel” with Charlotte Gullick
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM CDT
Do you have an idea for a novel but aren’t sure where to start? This class will help guide you from the idea phase to laying the groundwork for your book-length project, setting you up for success in writing a novel.
We will explore how to outline our work (pantsing or plotting), how to deepen our understanding of character desire and tension, how to create routines that empower and embolden our writing, and how to connect with other writers to meet our goals. We’ll have a lot of fun by generating material and creating the map for our first drafts.
“Spark into Flame: Working with Early Drafts of a Novel” with Charlotte Gullick
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM CST
You’ve done it! You have an early draft of a novel, and now you want to take it to the next level.
This class will focus on how to improve your current draft by focusing on plot, characters, setting, dialogue and language. We will discuss the role of secondary characters, enlivening the mushy middle, and how to push through resistance and discouragement. The session will also help you create a concrete game plan for finishing with confidence and joy.
“Taming the Fire: Mapping Out Your Revision” with Charlotte Gullick
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM CST
In this class, you’ll create a roadmap for what is needed to revise a book-length draft into an engaging manuscript.
Students will assess what they have on the page, what is still needed, and create plans for closing the gap, while honoring the initial spark that started the work. Participants are asked to bring the first 5 and last 5 pages of their current draft, as well as 5 middle pages. We will look for themes, primary symbols, and subplots to deepen or eliminate. We will explore willingness (or lack thereof) to let go of current pages in order to create better ones.
Instructor
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Charlotte Gullick is a novelist, essayist, editor, educator. Charlotte’s first novel, By Way of Water, was published by Blue Hen Books/Penguin Putnam, and her nonfiction has appeared in The Rumpus, Brevity, The Best of Brevity, Pembroke, Dogwood, Barnstorm Journal, Pithead Chapel, and the LA Review. Her other awards include a Christopher Isherwood Fellowship for Fiction, a Colorado Council on the Arts Fellowship for Poetry, a MacDowell Colony Residency, a Ragdale Residency, the Evergreen State College 2012 Teacher Excellence Award as well as the Gold Star for Teaching and Mentorship from American Short Fiction (2020).
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
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Class & Event Registration Policy
Once a purchase has been made, registrations are not refundable and cannot be transferred to a different class or event. No exceptions will be made. If you purchase a registration and then find you cannot attend the class or event, someone else can attend in your stead. Simply contact us at wlt@writersleague.org and let us know the name and contact information for the person who will be using the registration so that we can update the class or event roster.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.