Jennifer Lauck's Blog, page 8

"Thank you so much - you are a wonderful instructor, you should know this as many times as you've to heard it. As a very old teacher I love your touch with people." ~ Helen

This page is for all the students in the AM Craft Class at The Attic. We are in the midst of taking registration and students for the April class.  If you are signed up, get a jump by checking out the current schedule and the recommended reading. 

Class Detail:  Writers will read each class - 2 pgs - these are smaller works assigned in class and refined prior to class that contain a beginning, middle, end.  You'll be critiqued on the critique you give in these smaller break out reads.  And we'll workshop - as a group - two longer submissions (schedule announced once registration complete).  You'll have your longer works workshopped by large group twice.  These are intense, fine tune, line edit style workshops from Jennifer as well. 

My goal, in this class, is to teach you all I know about crafting fine scenes via the incorporation of dialogue, sensory details, character development and forward momentum of action.  It is also my intention to give you basic information about plot, structure and character, from a readers view point, so you can better shape your ideas to read the reader. 

AM WORKSHOP DEPTH READERS:  
 (8-10 pg. double spaced, 12 pt. font, normal 1 inch margins)  

Homework:  Read Following chapters.  Fiction: Premise from The Art of Dramatic Writing or Non-Fiction:  Simplicity from On Writing Well. 
Read 1st 25% of Financial Lives of Poets.   
2 pg. Essay:  Prompt-Heart Break (inspired by Cherish this Ecstasy)

Class 2 ~ Jan. 27: Prompt:  Heart Break (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Discuss: 1st 25% of Jess Walters The Financial Lives of the Poets. 
  Lesson:  Premise/Simplicity
  Readers:

Class 3 ~ Feb. 10: Prompt:  Stealing  (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  The Thief by Jess Walter
  Lesson:  Premise/Simplicity
  Readers:

Class 4 ~ Feb. 24: Prompt:  Birth (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Links by Jennifer Lauck
  Readers:

Class 5 ~ Mar. 10: Prompt:  The Perfectionist (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Omelas by Ursula LeGuin
  Readers: 

Class 6 ~ Mar. 24: Prompt:  The Crush (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  101 Ways to Cook a Hamburger by Bernard Cooper
  Readers: 

Class 7 ~ Apr. 7: Prompt:  In the Woods (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  The Greatest Nature Essay Ever by Brian Doyle
  Readers:

Class 8 ~ Apr. 21: Prompt:  Vengance (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Abbey Pinola by Tom Rachman (The Perfectionists) 
  Readers:

"Thank you so much - you are a wonderful instructor, you should know this as many times as you've to heard it. As a very old teacher I love your touch with people." ~ Helen This page is for all the students in the PM Craft Class at The Attic. We are in the midst of taking registration and students for the April class.  If you are signed up, get a jump by checking out the current schedule and the recommended reading. 

Class Detail:  Writers will read each class - 2 pgs - these are smaller works assigned in class and refined prior to class that contain a beginning, middle, end.  You'll be critiqued on the critique you give in these smaller break out reads.  And we'll workshop - as a group - two longer submissions (schedule announced once registration complete).  You'll have your longer works workshopped by large group twice.  These are intense, fine tune, line edit style workshops from Jennifer as well. 

My goal, in this class, is to teach you all I know about crafting fine scenes via the incorporation of dialogue, sensory details, character development and forward momentum of action.  It is also my intention to give you basic information about plot, structure and character, from a readers view point, so you can better shape your ideas to read the reader. 

PM WORKSHOP DEPTH READERS: John Cooney, Megan 
 (8-10 pg. double spaced, 12 pt. font, normal 1 inch margins)  

Homework:  Read Following chapters.  Fiction: Premise from The Art of Dramatic Writing or Non-Fiction:  Simplicity from On Writing Well. 
Read 1st 25% of Financial Lives of Poets.   
2 pg. Essay:  Prompt-Heart Break (inspired by Cherish this Ecstasy)

Class 2 ~ Jan. 27: Prompt:  Heart Break (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Discuss: 1st 25% of Jess Walters The Financial Lives of the Poets. 
  Lesson:  Premise/Simplicity
  Readers: Erin, Cloie, Vicky

Class 3 ~ Feb. 10: Prompt:  Stealing  (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  The Thief by Jess Walter
  Lesson:  Premise/Simplicity
  Readers: David, Lisa, Keri

Class 4 ~ Feb. 24: Prompt:  Birth (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Links by Jennifer Lauck
  Readers: Lily, Paula, Carrie

Class 5 ~ Mar. 10: Prompt:  The Perfectionist (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Omelas by Ursula LeGuin
  Readers:  Megan, John, Heide

Class 6 ~ Mar. 24: Prompt:  The Crush (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  101 Ways to Cook a Hamburger by Bernard Cooper
  Readers:  Erin, Cloie, Vicky

Class 7 ~ Apr. 7: Prompt:  In the Woods (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  The Greatest Nature Essay Ever by Brian Doyle
  Readers: David, Lisa, Keri, Sara

Class 8 ~ Apr. 21: Prompt:  Vengance (2 pg. essay/short story with beginning, middle, end)
  Model essay:  Abbey Pinola by Tom Rachman (The Perfectionists) 
  Readers: Lily, Paula, Carrie



Reference texts:
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (required)
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks(required)

Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
The Elements of Style by Strunk/White
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman

"I'm so happy I signed up for this class. You have blown me away with your enthusiasm and passion. 
Wow, can't wait to dig in and do the work." ~ Michael T. 


Welcome to the page for participants in the Sunday PM, Bones of Storytelling Class.

We are in the midst of taking registration and students for the April class.  If you are signed up, get a jump on this terrific class by taking a look at the books required (one two are required).  They are listed at the bottom of this page.  You can also have a sneak peak by looking at the current class schedule.  

My goal, in this class, is to teach concept, theme, plot, structure and character and for each writer to walk away with a plan for writing their draft.   Everyone who takes this class, loves it.


Class 1 ~ Jan. 12
Intro, Set Concept - What If?'s & Theme discussion
Homework Class 1: 
1)  Finish What If questions.  Remember, there is no right or wrong.  Don't analyze while you create.  Just create. 
2)  Balance out your theme - pg. 125.  
3)  What do you love to read?  

Class 2 ~ Jan. 19
Plot
Homework Class 2: 
1)  Fine Tune What If Questions.   
2)  Figure out what your plot is. 
3)  Ask the question...what is my ending.  When you see the image of your ending and write it as an idea or a scene.   

Class 3 ~ Jan. 26
Character within Plot base
Homework Class 3: 

Class 4 ~ Feb. 2
Structure - W Charting

Class 5 ~ Feb. 9
Setting - W Charting

Class 6 ~ Feb. 23
Presenting 

Class 7 ~ Mar. 3
Presenting

Class 8 ~ Mar. 9
Presenting

Class 9 ~ Mar. 16
Presenting

Class 10 ~ Mar. 23 
Presenting  

"Thank you so much - you are a wonderful instructor, you should know this as many times as you've to heard it. As a very old teacher I love your touch with people." ~ Helen

This page is for all the students in the AM Craft Class  and the PM Craft Class at The Attic. We are in the midst of taking registration and students for the January class.  If you are signed up, get a jump on this terrific class.  Only two books are "required," but I highly recommend all of the below starred books.  

Reading and Teaching Schedule:  TBA

Class Detail:  Writers will read each week - 2 pgs - these are smaller works assigned in class and refined prior to class that contain a beginning, middle, end.  You'll be critiqued on the critique you give in these smaller break out reads.  And we'll workshop - as a group - two longer submissions (schedule announced once registration complete).  You'll have your longer works workshopped by large group twice.  These are intense, fine tune, line edit style workshops from Jennifer as well. 

Teacher Intention:  My goal, in this class, is to teach you all I know about crafting fine scenes via the incorporation of dialogue, sensory details, character development and forward momentum of action.  It is also my intention to give you basic information about plot, structure and character, from a readers view point, so you can better shape your ideas to read the reader. 

  
Class 1 ~ Jan. 13  (AM - 10:30 / PM - 5:30 every other week)  
AM
Class 2 ~ Jan. 20
Class 3 ~ Jan. 27
Class 4 ~ Feb. 3
Class 5 ~ Feb. 10
Class 6 ~ Feb. 17
Class 7 ~ Feb. 24
Class 8 ~ Mar. 3

PM
Class 2 ~ Jan. 27
Class 3 ~ Feb. 10
Class 4 ~ Feb. 24
Class 5 ~ Mar. 10
Class 6 ~ Mar. 24
Class 7 ~ Apr. 7
Class 8 ~ Apr. 21

 

Teacher Intention:  My goal, in this class, is to teach you all I know about crafting fine scenes via the incorporation of dialogue, sensory details, character development and forward momentum of action.  It is also my intention to give you basic information about plot, structure and character, from a readers view point, so you can better shape your ideas to read the reader. 


Reference texts:

*Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
*Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
*Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (required for Creative Non-Fiction)
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
*Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
*Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walters (required)
The Elements of Style by Strunk/White
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman

"I'm so happy I signed up for this class. 
You have blown me away with your enthusiasm and passion. 
Wow, can't wait to dig in and do the work." ~ Michael T. 

Welcome to the page for participants in the Tuesday, Bones of Storytelling Class

Sept. 17/ CLASS 1:     Plot unmasked - seven possibilities
Sept. 24/CLASS 2:      Concept/Theme and Creation (Three, four and five part) 
Oct. 1/CLASS 3:         Character unmasked - seven characters &light/dark interp.  
Oct. 8/CLASS 4:         Structure Unmasked 
Oct. 15/CLASS 5:       Structure Practical Application
Oct. 22/CLASS 6:       ASSIGNMENT TO MEET TOGETHER
Oct. 29/CLASS 7:       Present
Nov. 5/CLASS 8:        Present
Nov. 12/CLASS 9:      Present
Nov. 19/CLASS 10:    Present - Scene discussion/Writer's Block. 

Homework Class 4:

1) Finish your lists of characters and assignments of rolls.
2) Finish character studies
3) Watch a couple of movies with a stop watch and get those plot points mapped out.   

Homework Class 3:  1)     List out your characters and isolate your hero (the one who changes the most).  2)     Write down labels for each of the characters in the story following the Booker and Campbell model. 3)     Ask the questions on pg. 112-114 of your hero (include in your final report). 4)     Free write essays where you ask each of the other “main” characters to talk you.  
Homework Class 2: 
1)  Finish What If questions.  Remember, there is no right or wrong.  Don't analyze while you create.  Just create. 
2)  Balance out your theme.  

Homework Class 1:
1)  Ask yourself what books you love to read (or loved to read) and consider writing in that genre.
2)  Ask yourself what your ending is.  Wait until you can see it and then, write it. 
3)  See where your own story fits in the seven plots discussed in class. Reference texts:

Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks (required)
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (required)
Punctuation Basics (link--print please) 

You leave this class with a definitive plan to write your book. 

"Thank you so much - you are a wonderful instructor, you should know this as many times as you've to heard it. As a very old teacher I love your touch with people." ~ Helen

This page is for all the students in the PM Craft Class at The Attic. 


Reading and Teaching Schedule:  TBA

Class 1 ~ Jan. 13:  

Class 2



Reference texts:

*Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
*Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
*Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller (required for Creative Non-Fiction)
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
*Zero by Jess Walters (required)
The Elements of Style by Strunk/White
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman

"I'm so happy I signed up for this class. 
You have blown me away with your enthusiasm and passion. 
Wow, can't wait to dig in and do the work." ~ Michael T. 

Welcome to the page for participants in the Sunday PM and Tuesday AM, Bones of Storytelling Class

Reference texts:

Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks (required)
Tell it Slant by Brenda Miller
Screenwriters Problem Solver by Syd Fields
Zero by Jess Walter
Punctuation Basics (link--print please) 

You leave this class with a definitive plan to write your book. 

 
Yes! Yes! Yes!

Evaluations:  I take about 10 manuscript submissions a year.  I'm evaluating for fall now, so get your requests in.  Evaluations are $850.00 and take about 4 to 6 weeks.

Edits:  Line edits are $10.00 per page with a 8 pg. min.

Consults:  One on one consults are a four meeting minimum at $100.00 per hour.  I accept three writers a week, and these book up, so let me know how I can help and get on the calendar. 


Write to me at [email protected] and let's get started.

Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. 

One day ___. 
Because of that, ___. 

Because of that, ___. 

Until finally ___.

Pixar Tips:

Once upon a time there was ___. 
Every day, ___. 

One day ___. 
Because of that, ___. 

Because of that, ___. 

Until finally ___.