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Darcy Pattison’s popular

Novel Revision Retreat

is now available online.

In 1999, Darcy Pattison started teaching the Novel Revision retreat and it has received rave reviews. Over the course of seven years, the workbook went from about 30 pages to the current 124 page book, Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise. With the publication of the workbook, it is possible to offer the retreat in an online format that has certain advantages. Find a full description of the workbook here.

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Congratulations! You’ve finished a novel.

What an accomplishment! Now what?
Now, you need a passionate, in-depth guide to revision.

Why Revise?

Before revision: Nice Story
After revision: Richer, deeper–the novel of your dreams.

Novice or Seasoned. . . For aspiring novelists, mid-list novelists who want to break out, novelists who want to self-publish–successfully, writers who have completed NaNoWriMo but don’t know what to do next, and writing critique groups looking for a way to help each other to the next level.

Revising has never been easier:

• Systematically inventory and diagnosis your manuscript
• Visually manipulate your manuscript to diagnose problems
• Transform dull characters into fascinating, memorable people
• Strengthen the narrative and emotional arcs
• Sharpen dialogue
• Morph dull settings into backdrops that set the mood
• Bring to life narrated events by selecting the right details
• Use language with confidence
• Add depth with narrative patterning
• In-depth professional development
• Plan your novel’s metamorphosis

The results: A stronger, richer, deeper story, a story that makes readers weep and cry and turn the next page.

Unlike most books on revision, Novel Metamorphosis turns theory into radical new tools which are practical, tangible, concrete.

• cut straight to the heart of your manuscript’s problem
• develop your writing and editing skills
• understand the critical underlying structure of your story
• learn theory as you work
• spark in-depth discussions in your critique group

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ONLINE COURSE V. WEEKEND RETREAT

In contrast to the weekend retreat format, the online class offers these advantages:

• Working at your own pace
• more time to complete activities
• more time to think about activities
• Online forum
• more time to discuss concepts with Darcy and your group members
• Collaborative group project for each novel
• hard copy of critiques of your group members to help you target your revision efforts
• No travel required--Anyone, anywhere can take this course
  
• You just need internet access for the eight weeks of the course
• Easy to fit into your own schedule or circadian rhythms

What stays the same as the weekend retreat format:

Same workbook; same detailed, innovative activities.
Same group work. You work in groups of four, so you have three others who have read your entire manuscript and can comment on it in detail
Same goal: You will have a detailed revision plan for YOUR novel.


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COURSE STRUCTURE

4 Weeks of Reading

The first four weeks are for you to read the manuscripts from your group and the required books. This is also a good time to acquaint yourself with the simple software and participate in an informal get-acquainted forum.

4 Weeks of Critiquing

The second four weeks, is the intensive part of the workshop and you should plan to spend a couple hours a day, five days a week.

Reading assignments from Novel Metamorphosis will introduce a topic and an online Discussion Forum will be available for general discussion of the assignment. You'll immediately apply the concepts by evaluating your manuscript with simple activities.

To further develop understanding and to give/get feedback within your group, you will work on a collaborative group evaluation of each novel evaluating each novel in your group.

RESULTS
By the end of the eight weeks, you will have detailed plan for revising your novel.

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to sign up for the course?

1. You must have a complete draft of a novel. It must be completed and ready to submit by the date the course starts.
2. You will be placed in a group with three other novelist. Before the start date, you must read the three other novels from your group and be ready to comment on their mss.
3. You must read two basic books on writing before the start date. You can read a library copy or a friend’s copy.
• The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.
4. Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise is the required workbook for the course.

What do you define as a novel?

A story that is extended over a goodly number of pages. While I don’t have page limits on either end, it is suggested that your story run 100-300 pages, typed, double-spaced (standard manuscript formatting).

Why do I have to read three other novels?

Yes. The course works on the assumption that you will receive feedback from three others in your group. You may not always like the others’ novels, but it will still help you to read another work-in-progress. Often, authors tell me that they saw a weakness in someone’s novel and then realized they were doing the same thing. You will learn as much from this exercise as any other.

Will you critique my novel?

No. I teach you how to revise and how to see your own manuscript with new eyes. You will learn far more if you realize your strong and weak areas, than if I point them out to you. I will read your cover letter, synopsis and first chapter. That’s usually enough for me to make sure the Group Project stays on track and addresses your needs as a novelist.

Is the course software hard to learn?

No. You will upload files, use a forum and create a collaborative group project. Time to learn the programs is built into the schedule in the first month, so that when it’s crucial to know how to use the program, you will already be comfortable with it.

What is your refund policy?

I’m happy to cancel your course and refund money up until the date a course begins. After that, there are no refunds except for extreme emergencies. I’ve reserved time and class space for you and since I limit the number of participants, you should carefully consider your commitment.

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ABOUT DARCY PATTISON

In 1999, writer and writing teacher Darcy Pattison created the Novel Revision Retreat to meet the needs of struggling novelists. Since then, her passionate teaching has touched writers nationwide as she encouraged them, “I believe in your story.”
Translated into eight languages, her books include Nineteen Girls and Me, Searching for Oliver K. Woodman, The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman, The Wayfinder and The River Dragon. Her books have been recognized for excellence by starred reviews in Kirkus and BCCB, Child magazine Best Books of the Year 2003, Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Books of the Year 2003. She has written two books about writing: Paper Lightning: Prewriting Activities to Spark Creativity, and Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise. For more information, see her website. www.darcypattison.com/about/



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REGISTER FOR COURSE NOW

Easy to Sign Up
It's easy to sign up now.

1. Select dates and pay through PayPal's simple site.
2. You will receive an enrollment key and instructions on how to create a profile on the Workshop website. Deadline for June-July course is May 25.

Dates for Course

June-July 2008August-September 2008September-October 2008October-November 2008