MSW Classes & Workshops
The Big Picture:
Structuring Long Prose Narratives
A Three Hour Summer Saturday Workshop
For writers of Novels, Long Stories, Novellas,
Memoir and More withMeredith Sue Willis
$100.00 fee includes a critique by MSW of up to 1,000 words of a passage from your work.
Saturday, August 13, 2022
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. EDT
By Zoom
Now that you've enjoyed some summer relaxation-- while your mind and mood are expansive and open-- it's time to contemplate the shape of your novel or other long prose narrative.
Consider joining a small group of writers for a 3 hour workshop on the big picture for your project. We'll talk about plot versus story arc, outlines versus scenic structure. We'll discuss ways to find an ending; how to sustain momentum in the writing; and a lot more.
There will be a couple of (very) brief mini lectures, some in-class writing, a lot of discussion, and-- you get the critique of a passage of up to 1,000 words from your project by the teacher.
To apply, and for more details, click here.
Meredith Sue Willis Home
E-mail: MSW@meredithsuewillis.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online writing workshop with Meredith Sue Willis? Online Writing Workshops with Meredith Sue Willis are creative writing classes taught by Meredith Sue Willis through Zoom, e-mail and the Internet. The classes include short lectures, reading assignments and other material, writing assignments, and one-on-one responses and critiques in some workshops.
Who is Meredith Sue Willis? Meredith Sue Willis is a writer and veteran teacher of writing with experience from university level to work with small children, teens, and people in between. For information about her teaching career and her publications, see her publication page, her resumé, and/or her biography.
What is the format? Everything in the classes happens through e-mail and online or with synchronous Zoom sessions--or in some combination.
E-mail and Internet access are required in all classes. Zoom classes also require a camera and microphone and free registration for Zoom.com.
What are the writing assignments like? For a sample of MSW's free sample writing exercises—not necessarily from an online writing classes—go to Writing Exercises.
How much do these online writing classes cost? Prices vary. A half day-with critique workshop usually costs @ $100. Long term asynchronous classes (no Zoom) cost $50 per session times the number of sessions. You pay in full, in advance, by personal check or money order. Payment must be received before you are officially enrolled in the class.
There are no cash refunds.
When does the next class begin? Watch here for information.
What do students say about these online writing classes with Meredith Sue Willis? Read some testimonials by people who took the classes.
How do I enroll? Enrollment is always limited and closes early if the class fills. Go to information for instructions for the current class.
Details for
The Big Picture: Structuring
Long Prose Narratives
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The workshop takes place on Saturday, August 13, 2022 Saturday, August 13, 2022 from
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. EDT by Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link about a week before the class. -
The class covers techniques for getting the big, structural picture of your book; exercises for thinking about high points; ways to end; ideas for improving the process of drafting. If you participate in the discussions, listen to the mini-lectures, and do all the in-class exercises, you will have a better picture of the overall shape of your long prose narrative and, with luck, an overview or working outline.
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The workshop costs $100, payable in advance, and includes a critique by the teacher of up to 1000 words (@ 4 or 5 pp)
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To apply, send a note to MSW explaining why you think this would be a useful class to you. If you are accepted into the class, you will receive information on where to send your check made out to Meredith Sue Willis. You may also pay MSueWillis@aol.com by PayPal or Venmo.
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Fee must be received by Friday, July 29, 2022.
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Sample for critique must be received by Friday, August 5, 2022.
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Enrollment is strictly limited.
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Class may close without notice if it fills.
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Class will be synchronous by Zoom. You must attend at the time stated, but you can be anywhere you have a computer and wi-fi.
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Class will be in workshop format with in-class participation, in-class writing, discussion, short readings, and mini-lectures. The focus will be on the Big Picture: the shape of your long prose narrative and how to create its momentum.
Additional Information
Enrollment is always extremely limited as the teacher is primarily a working writer. No applications will be accepted after the closing date, and the class will close early if it fills up. You are not enrolled until payment has been received. There will be no cash refunds, and all pieces for critiquing must be received before the deadline state. They will be returned shortly after the workshop.
There are no cash refunds.
For more information about how online classes with Meredith Sue Willis operate, see Frequently Asked Questions.
Online with Meredith Sue Willis:
A mini-lecture on Scene by MSW: click here. (free)
MSW Youtube talk on Revision (free) click here.
A seminar by MSW at Short and Helpful
Seminar on Character with Meredith Sue Willis
Short and Helpful Online Writing Workshops. (has a fee)Writing Prompts (free)
The Practical Writing Journal (a free online journal about writing)
Testimonials for MSW's online classes
I have taken several of Meredith Sue Willis's online classes and I treasure all of them. Each of her lessons brought me into her deep understanding of the imagination and the creative process. Not only have I finished a first draft of a novel through her classes, but in this last class I began to grapple with more looming problems of revision. Always her teaching and feedback is clear-eyed. It invites you to keep writing at your best. I look forward to the next class.
—Dreama Frisk
You have given me confidence to do something I never thought I could do – write scenes and dialogue rather than just description.
—William Jarvis
My novel needed major revisions. Meredith Sue Willis' Summer Solstice Master Class had me soon writing with a fresh approach, opened creative ways of expressing my ideas and set aside some doubts. I made real progress. To anyone who is looking for assistance in making your writing reflect more of what you can imagine, I encourage you to take this online class.
— Jean Prendergast.
I'd recommend MSW's on-line writing classes to any writer at any level. She has deeply considered the best components for such a course, keeping them simple to manage yet very likely to get quality writing from each participant. The exercises are numerous, original, challenging and, best of all, fun. Instructor feedback is fast and useful. Not only did I have a blast, but I feel quite positive about the story I got a good running start on. I'd take another class without hesitation.
— Ed Davis
I found the exercises and the way they were positioned helpful and informative on a variety of levels. I liked how some got us thinking about our characters, some pulled us forward to stretch and see our novels as having length, and others asked us to think about structure. I found these last ones most fruitful, and I think that’s because I’ve been wanting to ask myself where I’m headed.
—Chris Echaurre
If you're looking for a concise, insightful, personal writing class, look no further. Meredith Sue Willis' on-line writing class is well worth it! She'll challenge you, make you stretch, make you think.
—Carter Seaton
The guidance provided by Meredith Sue not only encouraged me to continue with my project, it taught me to review my material from a more professional standpoint. Her comments were insightful; her suggestions stimulating, provocative and very much on-target. I have participated in many workshops and groups. I found Meredith Sue’s on-line course to be a significantly positive influence on my writing. I am eager to sign up for the next course with her.
— Savannah Gill
The January Plan for Novel and Memoir Writers offered on-line by Meredith Sue Willis was truly a gem of a course. Although a professional writer all of my life, I felt I needed a shot in the arm, as well as some good advice as I pursued a genre unfamiliar to me as a writer, the novel. The assignments, both major and minor, as well as the pacing of these exercises all seemed just right – hard enough to push me into new places and yet always easily understandable and somehow accessible. I appreciated, as well, the flexibility built into the overall course which allowed me to stray from the letter of the assignment if I felt I needed to do so. Quite frankly, however, I found the assignments so compelling that even when they didn’t 'fit' the particular needs of my project, I pursued them anyway. Furthermore, and of equal value were Ms. Willis’s comments upon my submitted work. Every word of advice, every critical observation I felt had been weighed carefully and meted out with just the right admixture of encouragement and suggestion. I simply can not recommend her instructional skills too highly and envy those students who count her as their teacher.
—Marc Harshman
Just wanted to say what a great get-back-to-work kick in the pants this session has been. That sounds a bit too harsh though, since the most wonderful aspect of it was how supported and encouraged I felt by your thoughtful and insightful reading and response. Each session was chock full of ideas for getting going with writing, and I felt very cared for by the generosity of the assignments both in their number and originality. I especially thought the last one, to write a dream for a character, or write about a dream you yourself had was great. I know I'll be responding to that one and the one on the weather again and again. I appreciated reading the other students' work, though right now I'm in such a private kind of space, that I didn't make comments or join in the on-line community, though I think it's another wonderful aspect of the course and I most likely would take part at another time.
—Deedee Agee
I'd recommend your workshops to anyone who wants coherent, polished writing. The exercises are extremely valuable, and the editing techniques you pass on turn a good idea into something worth reading....I've enjoyed the sessions, and it was good to keep my fingers moving over the keys while traveling. Just enough work, and lots to occupy my thoughts while driving.
—Lynne Gleason
Meredith Sue Willis's class, guaranteed to jump-start my writing, did more than that. One of the characters in my novel may not be dead after all and the others have more definition. Meredith Sue's careful editing and comments helped me feel like I am on the right track and gave me more tools to help me get where I want to go. Her warmth and humor shows through with each interaction, an incredible gift in a teacher, particularly when one is interacting through cyberspace.
— Jamie Rhein
Helped me to stretch my imagination by using challenging exercises. I came away feeling I really am a writer as a result of her positive supporting comments and suggestions.
— Suzanne Gluck
The experience of Meredith Sue is well worth your time and money
—Martha Jo Goff
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