Read Like a Writer
Reading well has very little to do with speed. What’s far more important is comprehension, and for the writer-reader, that means discerning nuances and subtexts, understanding the unstated, the merely implied, and being able to infer the significance of each detail—how it is part of an integral whole.
Nothing is gratuitous. If you find yourself saying about a novel, “Oh, I just skipped those parts,” then either you’re missing the significance of “those parts,” or the novel isn’t as good as it should be. Therefore, assume that everything in a story has a valuable purpose until you can confidently make the judgment that the element is gratuitous and therefore a flaw. With persistence, a writer should be giving the reader something new and/or necessary, something that drives the story forward. Ideally, every sentence enhances plot, character, setting, and/or theme.
In this course, you’ll join instructor Mark Spencer as he guides you through a close reading of a classic modern novel. Each session will focus on a different novel, with selections rotating over time. Take inspiration and instruction from some of the best writers of the modern age!
If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.
How to Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2024
This intensive and information-filled 120-minute live webinar helps you think like an industry insider who makes decisions every day on what work merits print publication. You’ll get practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction-plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors.
Agent One-on-One: First 10 Pages Boot Camp
As many writers know, agents and editors won’t give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. If you haven’t got them hooked by then, it’s a safe bet you won’t be asked for more material. Make sure you’ve got the kind of opening they’re looking for! In this invaluable event, you’ll get to work with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel or non-fiction book. You’ll learn what keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and the steps you need to take to correct them. The best part is that you’ll be working directly with an agent, who will provide feedback specific to your work.