“Jump Start Your Novel” with Sara Kocek
March 1, 2023 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CST
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
Click here to learn more about benefits of membership
$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
All registrants will have access to the class recording for one month.
Are you ready to take your novel manuscript to the next level?
Now more than ever, a strong opening is vital for a novel’s success. Your manuscript has very little time in an agent’s hands or a reader’s hands before they decide whether or not to keep going. In order to stand out from the hundreds of other novels, your opening pages need to be polished and diamond-sharp. In this class, we’ll cover everything you need to jump start your manuscript with compelling tension and a vivid, distinct, voice.
This class will cover:
- The six elements of a strong beginning
- How NOT to open your first chapter
- How to create a flexible outline that grows with your novel
- How to set—and raise—the stakes of your novel
- Simple methods for organizing your work in progress
In addition, this class will include a live workshop component where you can get feedback on the opening page of your novel from your class peers. While workshop participation is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged! To participate in the workshop, please bring the opening page of your novel draft (between 250-400 words) and be prepared to read it aloud to a small group of 4-6 people. We will make our best effort to group similar genres together.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF
- You are just beginning the process of working on a novel.
- You’re curious about what it takes to write a compelling novel that will keep your readers engaged from the get-go.
- You are knee-deep in the process and want to hone your opening pages.
- You have an idea for a novel, but don’t know where to start.
The deadline to register for this class is Wednesday, March 1 at 5:00 PM CST.
Instructors
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Sara Kocek is the founder of Yellow Bird Editors and the author of the novel Promise Me Something (Albert Whitman). She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University, where she taught fiction and poetry to undergraduates. Prior to pursuing her MFA, Sara graduated with a B.A. in English from Yale University, where her fiction was published in the Yale Literary Magazine and where she was awarded several of the university’s top writing prizes. A former full-time editorial intern at Random House and Penguin, she now lives in Austin, Texas, where she worked for several years as the Program Director for the Writers’ League of Texas before launching Yellow Bird.
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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.