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Level 2 Genealogical Crime Mystery Writing Course

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Overview:

  • Duration: Six months

  • Live Sessions: Monthly 90-minute sessions, structured as a combination of teaching, manuscript reviews, and group discussions.

  • Focus: Advancing participants' manuscripts toward a coherent and engaging story, with a strong emphasis on story development, continuity, and readiness for eventual publication.

 

Core Components:

A. One-Hour Individual Proofreading/Editing at the Start

  • Objective: Provide personalized feedback on language, grammar, and formatting issues that could impede story clarity and polish.

  • Outcome: Students identify their specific areas of improvement before progressing further.

 

B. Monthly Live Sessions (90 minutes)

Each session includes:

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1. 20-30 Minute Focused Lecture
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  • Session 1: Dual Timelines: Mastering Structure and Flow
    Handling pacing and balance between past and present narratives.

  • Session 2: Sustaining a Compelling Story Over 80k Words (Led by MJ Lee for 1 hour)

  • Techniques for sustaining plots, managing subplots, and maintaining coherence.

  • Session 3: Emotional Resonance in Genealogical Mysteries
    Building emotional depth and reader connection with characters and discoveries.

  • Session 4: Creating Twists, Tension and Unpredictability
    Developing twists that are surprising yet believable, and maintaining suspense.

  • Session 5: Editing for Style, Voice, and Continuity
    Practical editing strategies to enhance tone and narrative consistency.

  • Session 6: Polishing and Preparing for Publishing
    Reviewing publishing options and polishing the manuscript for submission.

 

2.  Manuscript Review (Rotating Feedback)

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  • Each session, a portion of the group shares a section of their manuscript for detailed critique.

  • Feedback (peer and NDG) will address story flow, plot progression, character development, and style.

  • Focused discussions on specific challenges (e.g., sustaining tension, integrating historical elements).

 

C. Independent Writing Focus

  • Students work on advancing their manuscripts between sessions, focusing on writing linearly ("start to finish") to maintain narrative coherence and momentum.

  • Assignments:

    • Aim to write 5,000 words each month, focusing on integrating session topics.

    • Students submit excerpts for feedback during live sessions.

 

D. Final Submission and Critique

  • At the end of the course, students submit a full draft (up to 10,000 words) for detailed critique.

  • Feedback will include:

    • Strengths in narrative and storytelling.

    • Areas for improvement in pacing, character arcs, and plot coherence.

    • Suggestions for next steps toward completion or publication.

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The new course begins on Monday 3rd March 2025 and runs the first Monday of every month until 4th August 2025.

 

The live element, which will last around an hour and a half (depending on the number of participants), will be delivered via Zoom at 8pm UK time. Once again, we have tried to factor in as many timezones as possible! Here is a timezone converter.

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Any more questions? Please contact Nathan.

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©2024 by The Novel Guys Ltd (UK)

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