How Writers Write Fiction

Exciting news! The International Writing Program at the University of Iowa is offering another free writing course online. The subject this year is Storied Women, with a focus on female authorial voices and female literary characters.

The MOOC (massive open online course) runs from October 11 to November 21. Margot Livesey will lead the course with the Director of the program, Christopher Merrill. It is completely free and open to writers at all levels. Each week there is a class video, a reading assignment and a writing assignment. Do as little or as much as you please. Then post your work for community feedback.

I took part two years ago after I finished my mentorship at the Humber School for Writers and wanted to continue working on my book. I found the class exercises opened up new thought processes and helped me make a few meaningful revisions to my work.

The timing is perfect too as it overlaps with NANO. Have you got a story idea with a strong female lead? Are you revising a novel or putting the finishing touches on a story? No matter where you are in your writing journey, How Writers Write Fiction can provide a lift and a lot of inspiration.

I have signed up and am eager to dive in. The only question is: will I work on my novel-in-stories or a brand new book? Check back and see.