Reserve Your Seat! New Online Classes from The Whole Megillah

At The Whole Megillah,  we know you’re busy. That’s why we’re offering four online classes that proceed around the pace of your life, no matter where you are in the writing process. Reserve your seat now in one (or more!) of the following:

• Online Fiction Class I
• Online Fiction Class II
• Online Memoir Class I
• Online Memoir Class II

The fiction classes start May 10, so now’s the time to register. Just contact Barbara at the email address below.

Online Fiction Class I

Whether you’ve been writing fiction for a while, want to reconnect with your fiction, or are just starting out, the Online Fiction Class I can help.

Using a combination of Google Drive and a private Facebook page, students engage in a six-week writing experience covering:

• Imagery
• Characterization
• Setting
• Plot
• Point of view
• Revision

There is one short story to read for each class (from an online source, so no purchases required) and visual and other prompts to spur your writing.

Cost: $300, including a 15-page manuscript critique

Start date: May 10, 2015

Reviews from January 2015 participants

“I had never taken an online class before taking this fiction class, and I was hesitant. But I enjoyed it and learned a lot, and will be open to taking other online classes. Barbara Krasner’s lessons were interesting, clear, and easy to follow. The writing exercises were appropriate and increased understanding of the ideas emphasized in each lesson. Posting the writings online allowed participants to read and learn from Barbara’s feedback on each person’s writings. Overall, the class was both challenging and fun. I’m sure what I’ve learned has already improved my writing.”—Diane Khoury, New Jersey

“Barbara challenged me to create outside of my comfort zone. The exercises encouraged me to stretch stories that I had, and reach for new stories to fulfill the writing styles and concepts. I look forward to continuing to grow my writing through this helpful process.”—Drora Arussy, New Jersey

“Barbara Krasner’s online fiction course provides a thorough and clear description of the elements of a good story. She provides helpful, detailed commentary that gets straight to the point. The reading assignments made me focus on the techniques of excellent writers who employ a variety of styles. The writing exercises helped me to uncover a new way of thinking and provided an opening to a whole new way of writing for me, one that is both inspiring and exhilarating.”—Madelyn Hoffman, New Jersey

“This course was profoundly rewarding. I’d been a nonfiction writer who wanted to explore some of the more fanciful aspects of writing. Now I’ve learned that the elements of fictional craft can also enhance my narrative nonfiction. I’ve taken many workshops before, but the online experience gave me the inspiration to take risks and gain nurturing feedback from Barbara and my classmates. All within the comfort of my home.”—Barbara Walsh, New Jersey and Florida

Online Fiction Class II

Targeted at those who have already completed Online Fiction Class I or have the permission of the instructor, this six-week online class allows to you work on a manuscript of your choice and bring it further along. Through a series of exercises on a private Facebook page, you’ll learn more advanced techniques to:

• Drive your protagonist’s emotional journey and transformation
• Heighten conflict
• Deepen characterization and sharpen dialogue

Cost: $300

Start date: May 10, 2015

Memoir Class I

Similar in fashion to Online Fiction Class I, memoir writing students will learn elements of craft in a five-week class using a private Facebook page:

• Imagery
• Theme
• Plot
• Selectivity
• Voice

We will read an excerpt of memoirs from Tobias Wolff, Joan Didion, Sue William Silverman, Augusten Burroughs, and others for each class.

Cost: $250

Start Date: May 24, 2015

Memoir Class II

Targeted to students I’ve worked with before, we’ll engage in a five-week course where you’ll work on a single manuscript. You’ll engage in exercises using a private Facebook page to:

• Hone your selective use of plot and character
• Heighten dramatic moments
• Track your emotional journey
• Find and use metaphors to sharpen meaning

We’ll also read excerpts from published memoirs.

Cost: $275

Start Date: May 24, 2015

About the instructor

Barbara Krasner is the award-winning author of several hundred articles, books, short fiction, and poetry. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Lilith, Jewish Women’s Literary Annual, Jewishfiction.net, Nimrod, Paterson Literary Review, and other journals. Her debut children’s book, Goldie Takes a Stand! Golda Meir’s First Crusade, was named a 2015 Sydney Taylor Honor Book. Barbara teaches creative writing at William Paterson University and works one-on-one with writers to shape their fiction and nonfiction manuscripts.

For more information, contact Barbara at barbarakrasner(at)att(dot)net or reply to this post with a comment.