New weekly writing class coming to American Fork

I am very excited to announce that, starting this November, I will be teaching a weekly creative writing class in American Fork.

So excited!!

Sponsored by the American Fork Arts Council, I invite all aspiring writers, regardless of age or experience, to plan on attending and participating in this exciting new class.

On Wednesday, November 7th, I'll be holding a free, one-hour class about the art and science of creative writing. The free class will be from 7p-8p in the Historic American Fork City Hall, 31 North Church Street, in American Fork.

http://100historicbuildingsinutah.blogspot.com/

On the following Wednesday, November 14th, I'll begin teaching regular classes from 7p-10p each Wednesday night at the same location. Students can choose to pay $50 per month or $15 per class if they choose not to attend weekly. With the holidays coming up, both November and December will have abbreviated schedules with subsequent lower tuition, with a full schedule and full tuition being effective starting in January 2013.

The first hour or so of each class will consist of a lesson and writing activity. The second and third hours will be an opportunity for participants to workshop projects they are working on. Feedback from myself and class members will then be offered.

Participants won't be "required" to bring material, although that will certainly be encouraged. Sharing work you've written with others can be a daunting experience. Daunting is good. But I'm committed to making students feel they are in a "safe place," where they're free to fail and make mistakes - both required for any writer wanting to improve.

If you have questions or would like more information, I invite you to email me at sleye1stories@gmail.com

I'll be using this blog to post supplemental class materials in addition to blog posts on writing-related subjects.

I can't wait to get started. I love to teach, and I love to help those who want to get better. I look forward to helping you. 

I also want to express special thanks to Caleb Warnock, who has had such an influence on my writing and teaching. In more ways than I can even number, this class would not be possible without him. Thanks, Mr. C!

It has been my privilege for the past three years to work with many wonderful students as they've developed their writing skills. I look forward to working with many more. Here are some very kind comments from a few of the students I've been fortunate enough to work with...just so you know I'm legit ;-)

“Scott has provided a great deal of feedback for me on my first young adult novel, Fatal Threads. Not only is he a superb writer in his own right, but he is a willing and caring critique partner. Every recommendation for edits provided by him has been thoughtful and accurate (whether I initially could admit it to myself or not). Scott picks up on the subtleties often missed when we are too close, or too attached, to our own work. I would recommend Scott to anyone, period, and definitely to anyone looking for honest feedback from an expert in the craft of writing.”

“I have had the privilege of working with Scott for three years. He has been extremely instrumental in helping me strengthen my manuscripts to the point I was offered two contracts on the first MS I workshopped with him. We are now working on the third. Scott gives his all and is very insightful. He has a gift for plot holes and helping writers go beyond their original vision to make a much better product. Scott would be a great asset to any company.”

“I cannot say enough good things about Scott. I came to Scott wanting to improve my writing skills. I had first joined an online critique group and received comments on my postings, instructing me in basic writing craft. One reviewer said my writing was very tedious to read. Scott has spent a lot of time with me over the last year. I still post and receive critiques from the same online critique site. Nobody says the writing is tedious now. The change is remarkable. Scott has been very patient and instructive. He knows how to write and possesses talent and knowledge of the craft. I tell him when I don't fully understand his comments. He patiently replies. And, most importantly, can explain exactly why he is right. Thus far, whenever I take his comments and try to utilize those in a re-write, the writing is always better."

“I worked with Scott as a student of his in an online writing class. When he finally took over the class, I started to realize just how much I had missed before -- he provided some of the most on-target, practical guidance I had ever received as a writer. Thanks to his assistance, I made enormous progress in my own writing and am on my way to finishing my first manuscript. If you need help with your writing or are looking for an excellent teacher for your class, you should look no further than Scott.”

See you November 7th...and again on the 14th!