Beyond the Blank Page

K.D. Miller may not be one of ours -- as in a Biblioasis author -- but she's one of mine, as in a writer I greatly admire. She has a new creative writing course, and I thought I'd post information about it here. Spread along to any who might be interested.


BEYOND THE BLANK PAGE

Do your plans for spring cleaning include dusting off a manuscript you put away months or years ago? Do you have a novel, memoir, play or film script, short story or poetry collection in the works? Could you use some positive, practical feedback? If so, you may want to sign up for "Beyond the Blank Page: A creative writing course to help you revise and revitalise your work-in-progress."

This six-week course will introduce you to a community of writers who, like you, have a work in progress. Come and share your writing, give and receive valuable commentary, and sharpen your self-editing skills.

When and Where: I will be teaching the course at Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre (28 Fairlawn Ave. just a few steps west of Yonge St.) on the following Wednesday evenings from 7:30 till 9 pm: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7. The Centre is six blocks north of Lawrence subway station. Public parking is available just east of Yonge on Glenforest Ave.

Cost is $150.00 per person.

To register, phone the Centre at 416 - 488 - 3446 and ask about Course AE14

NOTE: Each participant is asked to submit to Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre between 5 and 20 typed, double-spaced pages of their work-in-progress prior to the start of the course.

Please share this message with anyone else you think might be interested. Below my signature, I've pasted in the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Hope to see you there,

K. D. Miller
(416) 487-0966
kdmiller@sympatico.ca
Enjoy my books:
http://www.hips.com/kdmiller

BEYOND THE BLANK PAGE – Frequently Asked Questions

Q – I wasn’t able to take the first Blank Page course. Can I still take this one?

A – Yes. The only prerequisite for Beyond the Blank Page is to submit between 5 and 20 manuscript pages of your original, unpublished writing to Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre prior to the first class, which will take place April 2, 2008. Your submission should be identified with your name, phone number and the words “Beyond the Blank Page.”

Q – What is meant by “manuscript page”?

A – 8 ½’ X 11”, typed, double-spaced, one side. The type should be clean, clear and legible, to allow for photocopying. Poets should allow one poem per page (length permitting.) Novelists or writers of other longer projects may submit a brief synopsis with their excerpt.

Q – What will a typical class involve?

A – A brief talk by the instructor on a topic related to revising and self-editing - characterization, structure, dialogue, etc. - followed by discussions of the writing of two of the participants. At the end of the class, copies of two more manuscripts will be handed out, for the next week’s discussion.

Q – Will people criticize my writing?

A – The class will have had a week to read and think about your submission. They will evaluate the strengths of your work, and offer constructive suggestions for making it stronger. You will have a chance to respond and ask for more specific feedback. At all times, the atmosphere will be courteous, supportive and professional. And remember – you will also be evaluating the work of your colleagues.

Q – What if I have more questions before the course starts?

A – You are welcome to contact the instructor, K.D. Miller, by e-mail: kdmiller@sympatico.ca or by phone: (416) 487-0966.