2011 WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Whole-Novel Workshop: Envision and Edit Your Story with the Pros

I. OVERVIEW
For hour-by-hour events, see Item II.

NOVELISTS: Have you completed and polished a draft of your manuscript, and workshopped the beginning pages “to death”? Are you ready to benefit from an in-depth review by an editor or agent—one who finds your manuscript appealing, and is willing to help you shape it into publishable form?

If you’re at this stage—or if you have a story beginning that sparkles, and a solid idea of where it’s going—our seminar may be perfect for you. This year’s whole-novel focus features in-depth critiques, advanced novel-crafting sessions, and an intimate group of savvy peers.

HIGHLIGHTS

Whole-Novel Critiques (Group A enrollees) are offered to six writers by one faculty agent or editor who has chosen the manuscript among qualifying submissions. At the workshop, writers receive a brief, written faculty critique, plus two in-person consults of 30 to 45 minutes with that same faculty. There may be approximately three peer observers at one or both consults. Observation is open to all enrollees who sign up in advance (choice of manuscripts: first-come basis) and submit a written critique of the manuscript in question.

Masterclass Critiques (Group B enrollees) are team-taught by editor and agent. Each 20-minute critique includes approx five minutes feedback per presenter (total 10 minutes), plus 10 minutes for the author to ask the faculty questions and/or for group Q&A, specific to the manuscript being critiqued. Faculty critiques include comments about the development of each synopsis, and comments on an optional “later chapter” (beyond the first 10 to 12 pages). These eight manuscript excerpts are available to critique before the workshop. Sessions are open to all; optional for Group A.

Teen Critiques (Group C enrollees) are offered by some adult enrollees as well as by adjunct faculty—experienced youth instructors who teach at the concurrent TeenSpeak Novel Workshop.

Spot Critiques are three-minute, public critiques by our editor-agent combo. Designed for teens and/or adults who receive no other core faculty critiques. Maximum one manuscript page per writer, available for all to review before the workshop. Available to six writers, or as time permits.

Focus sessions (in 2011, “Envision and Edit Your Novel with the Pros”) are highly interactive and hands-on. In brief, we specialize in craft with an eye to publication.

Dialogues du Jour is a specialized Q&A each morning, addressing writers’ questions. Moderated by editor, agent, and workshop director.

II. WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Your townhouse will be available starting Thursday at 4:00 PM. Check in Thursday (free night) or Friday early, and enjoy the beach!    Below, “regroup” means writers may walk outdoors to a nearby meeting room. Matching activities and tracks are color-coded.

Sit, dream, write! Photo: Pajaro Dunes Resort

Enjoy lunch in our private setting! Photo: Marsha Diane Arnold

Hungry minds! Teens wow adult colleagues all weekend. Photo: Claudia Pearson

FRIDAY
3:00	Teen session
4:00	Intros, icebreakers
4:30	Keynotes (editor and agent); Q&A
5:35	Masterclass critique #1
5:55	Spot Critiques #1, 2
6:00	Break
6:30	Dinner; then write, meet with peer-led critique group (may arrange before the workshop), socialize: gather ’round the living room fireplace for dessert, or roast s’mores over a beach bonfire.
SATURDAY
8:30	Continental Breakfast
8:45	Dialogues du Jour (Q&A with editor, agent), during breakfast
9:10	Regroup
9:20	Masterclass critiques #2, 3
10:00	Regroup
10:15	Whole Novel initial consults #1, 2 (concurrent editor, agent: 45 minutes)
	Teen Focus Session
11:00	Whole Novel initial consults #3, 4
	Teen Focus Session
11:45	Regroup
12:00	Lunch in your townhome, or step outside to the balcony and beach!
12:30	Free time (Teens and others: beach volleyball, basketball, tennis?)
1:50	Spot Critiques #3, 4
2:00	Masterclass critiques #4, 5
2:40	Break
2:50	Focus session: Novel-crafting topic (editor), with snack and break
4:50	Regroup
5:20	Whole Novel initial consults #5, 6
6:00	End session. Free time until dinner “on your own.” After dinner: optional peer-led critique groups, writing time. Activities for teens.

SUNDAY

Check out by noon. You may store luggage in our meeting room, all day.

8:45	Dialogues du Jour and Spot Critiques #5, 6
9:10	Masterclass critiques #6, 7, 8
10:10	Regroup
10:20	Whole Novel follow-up consults #1, 2 (concurrent with editor, agent: 30 minutes)
	Teen Focus Session (for those not observing Whole Novel sessions)
10:50	Whole Novel follow-up consults #3, 4
	Teen Focus Session
11:20	Regroup/checkout
11:40	Whole Novel follow-up consults #5, 6
	Teen Focus Session
11:45	Final Q&A; evaluations
12:15	Lunch
1:30	(or later) Farewell

 Optional: View previous adult and teen craft sessions with faculty authors.