Sometimes all we need is a nudge in the right direction to get our stories, and an editor to make our stories sing.

I am excited to announce that this summer I will be teaching a couple of fiction writing courses for St. Louis Community College at Meramec. The courses are being offered through their Continuing Education program, which means it is a low-cost and low-time commitment way to get started. Whether you need the inspiration begin writing the story that is rattling in your head, or you’re looking for ways to generate writing ideas, join me this summer to get it started.

Focus on Fiction: Characters – Memorable characters are the backbone of any story. Their actions keep the reader turning pages, and their individual personalities stay with the reader long after they’ve closed the back cover. It’s a daunting challenge – crafting compelling characters from our imaginations. But if you can create dimensional characters, you’ll be well on your way to writing a story that is believable, compelling, and perhaps unforgettable. In this course, you will discover techniques for developing heroes, antiheroes, villains, and more. Through lecture, examples, and in-class exercises, you will learn how to breathe life into your characters, flesh them out, make them captivating, and bring them to life on the page.

Focus on Fiction: Writer’s Creative Toolbox -Have you ever wondered how prolific writers generate so many ideas for characters and plots? Inspiration can strike at any time and come in many forms. The key is recognizing what captures your imagination, grabbing that inspiration, and staying motivated when your idea loses some of its shine. In this course, you will discover ways to recognize and generate story ideas, tips for organizing these creative sparks, and different methods for building stories from what inspires you. Through lecture, examples, and exercises, you will learn how to find and unleash your many potential muses.

You can sign-up by contacting the St Louis Community College registration desk at 314-984-7777. And not to worry, if the timing isn’t right for you this summer, keep an eye out for fall course offerings, which will include a genre fiction focus!