This course builds on the foundations covered in Narrative Styles 1 by examining in detail the various styles of narrative approaches in fiction writing. Narrative points of view are examined, and students hone their skills in recognizing and writing the narrative styles that best enhance their work. Students learn to understand the ideas of well-known literary critics and publishers in order to assess the appeal of the story line and plot. They study how to review the clarity of the overall structure of the story.

In this advanced course, students refine skills in assessing the completeness of the characters’ backgrounds, place, setting, and milieu. They develop their abilities to assess characters for the clarity of their relationship among other characters. Students also critique personal manuscripts for problems relating to characterization and character development, and prepare rewrites as necessary. They hone skills in plot development and advancement, as well as in style usage. Style devices are examined closely to understand how elements such as the use of active verbs, contrast, repetition for emphasis, parallelism, and the avoidance of empty words and clichés can greatly enhance writing.

Students work and rework their own and others’ manuscripts to bring them to a professional, publishable level. They outline the characteristics of simple and plain writing styles and contrast those with the features and elements of mid-style, as well as more complex and higher forms of writing. They practice the avoidance of awkward syntax, grammatical errors, inconsistent verb tenses, incorrect punctuation, and the use of archaic words and phrases. They work on critiquing manuscripts for problems relating to style, plot, characterization, description, syntax and other elements, and prepare rewrites as needed.

This advanced course prepares students for the practical business of being a professional author/writer. They research the needs and demands of the creative writing marketplace, prepare query letters, and book proposals. They develop skills in finding and identifying agents who best suit their needs, and then in contacting and developing business relationships with them. They develop abilities for marketing their creative writing, and learn to submit their work in required formats and styles. They also research and learn to comprehend the standard elements of a writing/book contract, and how to submit their work for writing awards and competitions.

This course prepares students to understand the relationship between a published author and the world at large. Having a manuscript published is only the beginning of the process for authors. Authors have to learn to work with publishers and editors in terms of providing revisions/rewrites. They also have to conduct public readings of their works, be interviewed by the electronic and print media, and judge others’ works of writing/art. Published writers are frequently asked to review other manuscripts for literary journals, arts sections of newspapers and magazines, and for radio, television and the Internet. They are also often asked to appear as guest speakers, attend public functions, and meet various dignitaries. This course prepares students for all of these practical working duties of being a published writer.