The Word Cellar ~ professional freelance writing and editing

Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing

Next Session: April 2 – May 11, 2012

A six-week online course to help you deepen and w i d e n your writing

OVERVIEW

Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing combines writing techniques, tips, and inspiration to help you transform your words and ideas into meaningful stories.

Learn writing techniques to create beautiful, meaningful stories that connect with readers.
Discover tips and tricks to overcome your writing challenges.
Embrace the creative life and enliven your writing.
Connect with other writers in a private online community.

Alchemy: a power or process of transforming something common into something special

In this course:
Something common = words
Something special = your beautiful, meaningful stories

Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing is packed with writing lessons and exercises, fabulous guests, oodles of inspiration, and a private creative community. We'll look at how to combine techniques and inspiration to deepen and w i d e n our writing. Each week we'll focus on a particular craft topic and apply it to our stories. You'll choose the kind of writing you want to do, maybe blog posts, essays, articles, or a book project. It's up to you. (We'll even dabble in some poetry!) Bring whatever stories are clamoring to be told. I'll also provide prompts and nudges to help you find topics and capture inspiration if you need some guidance. (In addition, you can register for private editing and coaching sessions with me at reduced rates.)

WHAT PAST STUDENTS SAY

"I am still amazed at the sheer amount of amazing (and totally usable/practical/universal) content you provided in Alchemy. It was so full of goodness. I'm not sure i conveyed how satisfying it was to take part and access your brain for those weeks of writing." ~Meredith Winn, featured guest and course participant

"This class is amazing, and you are an amazing person and gifted teacher." ~ Ell C.

"I really appreciated your feedback! Your words were not at all what I had expected; my writing experiences have been met with red pen/pencil and all the things that are wrong... Your feedback was gentle and very encouraging!" ~ Lisa Lewis

"I'm really enjoying Jenna's Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing course. I've loved Jenna's writing for a while now, so I was super excited to take the class and learn from her. The e-course is not only well-organized but it's inspiring, filled with interesting prompts and insights and really dissects the art of writing. I love that Jenna features a variety of different experts to lend their insights, too. While I haven't finished the course yet, I can already say without hesitation that I highly recommend it." ~ Margarita Tartakovsky

THE STORY

I created this course because it's the course I was looking for several years ago when my writing had plateaued, and before I decided to pursue my MFA in writing. The elements covered in it have transformed my writing. We explore some important foundational techniques that you may have missed or forgotten, and we look at how to apply them in practical ways to improve our writing craft. This is not about technicalities for the sake of being technical. This is about the tools of the trade that help you make art with your words. We also cover techniques that make your prose sparkle, including ways to polish it and hone it so that you're using language in a way that best serves your stories.

DETAILS & CONTENT

You get the following:

12+ core writing lessons (to get you started)
6+ bonus lessons (to take your writing deeper)
Nitty-gritty writing tips (with fun examples)
Weekly writing exercises and prompts
Video posts
Interviews with featured guests
Nuggets of inspiration and encouragement
A private online community with your own virtual notebook to share your writing and support your fellow Alchemists
New! An ebook of course lessons to keep

Here's a sampling of the topics covered in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing.

Finding your stories
Finding your writing voice
Experimenting with style and structure
Using imagery, metaphors, and the senses
Creating universal meaning to connect with readers
Editing as a creative act
Examining what writing clichés and rules really mean
Capturing everyday beauty and extraordinary events in words

YOUR GUIDE

My name is Jennifer McGuiggan, but I usually go by Jenna. I've worked as freelance writer, editor, and coach for the past eight years. I have an undergraduate degree in English, plus an MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing (creative nonfiction focus) from Vermont College of Fine Arts. I love helping people create beauty with words. Through The Word Cellar, I work with creative individuals (such as artists, bloggers, writers, entrepreneurs) and organizations with heart. To learn more about my writing experience and credentials, please visit the About and Portfolio pages.

FEATURED GUESTS

Each week a featured guest will share wisdom, insight, and encouragement through interviews and guest posts. Past guests have included Brené Brown, Marianne Elliott, Liz Lamoreux, Cynthia Newberry Martin, Kyran Pittman, Meredith Winn, and Susan Wooldridge.

**IS ALCHEMY: THE ART & CRAFT OF WRITING RIGHT FOR YOU?**

The material in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing is designed to benefit people in the intermediate to intensive stages of the writing life.

This course is meant for you if...

...you write at least semi-regularly for work or pleasure and want to improve your writing.
...you want to enhance your writing skill set and knowledge base.
...you're ready to devote time and energy to your craft.
...you want to move beyond your current writing plateau.
...you believe that writing is one part inspiration, one part technique, and one part practice.
...you want to connect with other creative souls who are also exploring the writing life.

The material in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing is designed to benefit writers with some experience, though that range is rather wide. The curriculum consists of core lessons and exercises to get you started, plus bonus materials that invite you to go deeper. The course will focus on prose, but we'll also play with some poetry.

This is a place of art, friendship, and respect, not competition and criticism. Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing is for you if you want to learn practical writing techniques in a friendly space where a belief in magic and inspiration float right alongside the tips and techniques.

(If you have little or no writing experience, please check out Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing, which is designed for writers in the introductory to intermediate stages of the writing life. Seasoned writers looking for in-depth small group workshops for feedback are invited to join The Word Cellar Workshops.)

WHAT YOU NEED

Before the course begins, you'll receive an email invitation with directions on joining the private course website and online community. All you need to participate is a computer with Internet access and an email address.

ARE THERE DEADLINES?

No. (Each week of the course includes writing exercises and prompts, which you can complete at your own pace.)

and finally...WHY THIS COURSE IS SPECIAL

Technique + Inspiration + Practice = Magic

I believe that writing is a combination of technique, inspiration, and practice. Alchemy is not a dry, how-to course filled with rules and regulations about what you "must" or "must not" do to be a better writer. It's also not simply a course about inspiration, even though there will be plenty of encouragement and nuggets of inspiration along the way. After all, what good are techniques without the muse?

As with all art forms, writing is a magical combination of the artist and the materials.

My photographer friends often say that it's not the camera that takes great shots, but rather the person behind the lens. But they know how the gear works, how to find the light, and how to frame the shot. Likewise, a painter creates the painting, but she benefits from knowing how to use different brushes, paints, and mediums.

And this is the magic: When you understand the tools and techniques of your craft, you know how to create pieces that express your unique vision. In Alchemy we'll explore writing tools and techniques to help you tell your stories in your voice.

QUESTIONS?

Please email me: jennifer{at}thewordcellar{dot}com. I'd love to see you in Alchemy!

REGISTRATION

Option 1: Course (includes ebook & private community): $169
Option 2: Course (includes ebook & community) + 1 private session: $219
Option 3: Course (includes ebook & community) + 2 private sessions: $249

Editing session: Written feedback and editorial comments (via email) on one piece of writing (up to 1,000 words)
Coaching session: One-hour coaching session (via Skype or phone) to discuss a writing project, or topic of your choice

(Add one session and save 17% off my normal session rates. Add two and save 33%.)

When you click "Add to cart" you'll be asked to complete your payment through PayPal. (You do not need a PayPal account to pay this way. If you'd prefer to pay by check, please contact me.) After your payment is processed you'll receive a confirmation email from PayPal.