WU contributor David Corbett, author of four novels (The Devil’s Redhead, Done for a Dime, Blood of Paradise, and Do They Know I’m Running), and a must-have craft book for writers called The Art of Character, is teaching an online class about The Craft of Character this month. David is no stranger to teaching, having taught for the UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program, Book Passage, 826 Valencia and numerous writing conferences across the US, and we know from his posts with us here that he is a master of Character.
Want to know more? So did we. Read on.
Q: Is The Craft of Character meant for beginners, professionals, or writers at an in-between stage of development?
DC: I’ve had students of all stripes take this course, and they generally had positive things to say about the experience – i.e., they learned something useful about the writing craft, gained a fresh perspective for their current work in progress, and felt enthusiastic about taking the next step with it. (I always consider that last aspect – enthusiasm for moving ahead — the most important, and the best measure of how well I’m teaching.)
I also review student submissions on their own merits, with an eye toward identifying what’s single element of craft this particular writer could most benefit from mastering at this point in her education.
I try not to dictate methods or results, but instead engage with each student in such a way that they remain in control of their own work and the decisions they need to make to improve it.
Finally, I’m not such an arrogant knucklehead that I fail to realize I have a lot to learn as well. I often learn it from my students. I always encourage a broad range of skill-levels because students learn from each other (and by engaging with each other). And even skilled, accomplished writers sometimes need a sounding board, someone with enough knowledge of story and craft to be nothing more than an honest reader. If that’s all a student needs, I don’t try to shovel more down their throats.
Q: What is the goal of the course?
DC: To gain a fundamental, comprehensive understanding of how character drives story. Along the way students will learn how to use character to better stage conflict; how to use secondary characters to flesh out the often complex and even contradictory aspects of their main characters; how to use voice to enhance characterization; how to use point of view to provide narrative focus and achieve key dramatic effects; and how to use scene and dialog to both explore character and drive the story forward.
Q: The course if being given online. Is there a cap on attendance, and will attendees receive individualized instruction?
DC: Class enrollment is limited to 15, and each student will indeed receive individual attention. Each week every student will submit a ten-page excerpt from their current work in progress, and I will review those pages in detail for how they reflect that week’s lessons (along with other praise and suggestions as I see fit). Each student will also be assigned to a study group, usually comprised of 3-4 students, and will be required to read and comment on the work of the others in their group.
Q: How busy will attendees be throughout the course (and can they catch up on lessons if they miss something)?
DC: Each Tuesday I’ll publish the week’s lecture and the assignments based on that lecture. My lectures tend to be pretty meaty and full of (hopefully useful) information, so there’s a fair amount of reading involved, but that can be done anytime. I usually post all the lectures at the beginning of the class, so students can read ahead if they like.
The assignments are usually a handful of questions that require students to think about how that week’s subject matter applies to their work in progress. They also have to submit the ten pages from their work in progress that I mentioned above, again choosing a section that reflects that week’s subject matter. They also need to read and comment on the assignment answers and manuscript pages submitted by the other students in their study group.
Students should respond to each week’s assignments by the following week’s lecture, but they can choose their own pace within that format. Often, students work on the weekends and submit their homework on Monday, which is fine, though it tends to create a bit of a logjam at the start of the week as we all read and comment on the submitted work. That usually tends to work itself out, though. And I always make room for students whose work schedule or life circumstances dictate a little flexibility time-wise.
Q: What more would you like people to know about this course?
DC: My focus is always on how to help each student be creative. Writing is hard work, but it’s great work, and it becomes more fun the more confident you become in the decisions you make. My job is to help you gain that confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about David’s class, which begins at Lit Reactor on January 13th, please click HERE.
About
Writer Unboxed began as a collaboration between Therese Walsh and Kathleen Bolton in 2006. Since then the site has grown to include ~50 regular contributors--including bestselling authors and industry leaders--and frequent guests. In 2014, the first Writer Unboxed UnConference (part UNtraditional conference, part intensive craft event, part networking affair) was held in Salem, MA. Learn more about our 2019 event, ESCAPE TO WuNDERLAND, on Eventbrite. In 2016, the Writer Unboxed team published a book with Writer's Digest. AUTHOR IN PROGRESS: A No-Holds-Barred Guide to What It Really Takes to Get Published has been well-received by readers who seek help in overcoming the hurdles faced at every step of the novel-writing process--from setting goals, researching, and drafting to giving and receiving critiques, polishing prose, and seeking publication. James Scott Bell has said of the guide, "Nourishment for the writer's soul and motivation for the writer's heart." You can follow Writer Unboxed on Twitter, and join our thriving Facebook community.
David–
Regular readers of Writer Unboxed will be familiar with your contributions to the site. The learning you bring to your work, both wide and deep, and the precision with which you express complex thought are guarantees that the fifteen who take your course will be lucky indeed.
But teaching creative writing also calls for “character,” specifically for the quality of equipoise: an innate sense of tact matched with a commitment to truth-telling. I’m convinced by your WU work that these attributes are yours along with great learning. I wish you well, and truly regret being unable to apply.
Thanks, Barry. Very kind of you. If you know anyone who might be interested in the class, please pass word along.
I attended an online video session on character with David at Delve Writing about a year ago and it was awesome! I would love to attend this one as well, but I think attending the Writer Unboxed conference (which was totally worth it BTW) is going to be it for a while for me. But I also have his book, “The Art of Character,” that I can refer to to refresh my memory. I highly recommend his online class for anyone considering it.
Thanks! And so glad you enjoyed the Delve class.
Dave’s book is outstanding and is only surpassed by his skill as a teacher. I’ve taught with him many times over the years and he is always funny, witty, insightful, and on point. He has a gift for teaching.
DP Lyle
Being a writer is a life-long apprenticeship. Consider me interested! However, I see that the class is now sold out. David, will you be offering this same class again soon?
I love reading, didn’t have a chance for about 24 years when life dealt some hard times. For the last 10 I’ve read so much that when I wake at night I’m composing. Why is it I do so marvelously at night and write so wittingly when my eyes are still closed?
I participated in the 2013 NaNoWriMo writing my first draft of my first novel. I loved every minute of it. I now understand how committed writers are to their characters. They took my life and had me living within my imagination, making me laugh or cry as they spun their story.
I’ve continued reading since that awesome experience, knowing that I need to learn so much more about crafting a story which grips a reader. There are several books I need to read, along with yours Mr. Corbett, The Art of Character.
Online courses give me an opportunity that I don’t have in the physical realm. Thank you for providing this means. I’ll be receiving your newsletter and hopefully in the not too distant future I’ll be able to participate.
The door is always open, Eileen. And I really enjoying teaching online, since my students come from all over the world and have a wide variety of skill sets, interests, etc. I love it. Hope to see you in the virtual classroom some day.
I see it sold out already. Congrats. I guess that saves me from making a tough decision about priorities and time.
Jan: Apparently it sold out today. And I think WU has something to do with that. Thanks!!!
That’s good to hear!
Love your work, David! Went to sign up for the course even before reading your post and it was already sold out. So hope you’ll do it again soon!