You know you want to. You've known for a long time. You dream of writing.
Here at The Writer's Path at SMU, we teach adults how to write books and how to make those dreams come true.
The Writer's Path at SMU is there for you, from your first idea through the process of the doing the work and completing it, to the necessary revision stages, polish, rewrite and final polish. For those who want to take their book -- fiction or nonfiction -- to the world stage, there is a traditional New York publishing component (for those who qualify). For those who want to blog or write short pieces, we have your class, too.
Step onto the Path.
Second summer session open for registration!
Creative Writing Foundation
The prerequisite, offered EVERY session! Explore your inner poet, screenwriter, travel author and short story writer in this course that teaches the basics of the craft.
NOVEL: THE STORY
Taught by authors with distinctive voices, this is the first part of the journey. Answer the questions: What is my story? Why are character and plot inseparable? How do my characters relate to each other? What is pacing? What is my story arc? Why is it important for my hero to have her/his own arc? What's my theme, my genre, my style? Answer these and other fundamental questions as you create an outline and draft key scenes in this class. Prerequisite: Creative Writing Foundation.
NOVEL: THE PLOT
Strengthen your understanding of story components, learn how the advanced elements of structure can expand your manuscript while transforming an overwhelming concept into a manageable project. Practice your craft while acquiring skills in creating tension bonds, developing dramatic scenes and deepening character and plot. Prerequisites: Creative Writing Foundation, Novel: The Story.
NOVEL: CHAPTERS
You're on the road of actual writing -- join this class for weekly deadlines, accountability, direction and encouragement. Writing requires allies, and this class is full of them. From any point of the writing experience, in any genre, this class can help you get closer to your goals. Prerequisites: Foundation, Story, Plot and/or instructor approval
NOVEL: POLISH
Polish covers the minutiae, details, trimming and edits that will help you perfect the words on the page -- the difference between "done" and "finished." The class includes synopsis writing, logline pitches and every step up to the query letter. Be sure your book is as good as you can make it. This class is spit and polish, not rewriting. Prerequisite: all classes.