Next Online Classes

UPDATE: I'm definitely offering Book in a Week starting March 2 and ending April 3. Please let me know ASAP if you want to sign up.

Also a quick note on why Perfect Pitch: I often coach writers (in an impromptu as well as formal way) on how to pitch their projects to editors and agents. These pitches tend to be quite successful. I know that pitching can be stressful and this class is designed to take away some of that stress and up the odds that a writer will get a request for their manuscript from their dream editor or agent.

Why the character workshop: If a writer is having problems with dialogue, plot, a sagging middle, etc., the answer is almost always that the characters are not driving the story. Compelling characters who behave true to who they are supposed to be can make a story so successful that readers are willing to overlook other flaws the story might have.

Format for all classes: All lessons and discussion are handled via email loop set up for that purpose.

Class 1: Perfect Pitch (for writers) $25
Dates: March 9, 2009 to March 13, 2009
Deadline to sign up: March 6, 2009
Class Description: Do you have an editor and/or agent appointment lined up?What are the key elements that will catch the attention of an agent or publisher? How can you best present yourself in the 10 or 15 minutes you may have to pitch your proposal? This class will cover those issues and more as well as a brief critique (if you choose) of YOUR pitch.
Class size limited.

Class 2: Creating Characters Who Write Their Own Story $40
Dates: March 23, 2009 to April 3, 2009
Deadline to sign up: March 20, 2009
Class Description: When your characters come alive, they can all but write the novel themselves. You know the moment—it's when they start to argue with you about what should happen next! But how do you create such characters? This class will take you through the steps of creating characters whose personalities and quirks will bring them alive and make them real both to your readers and to you.
Class size limited.

Class 3: Book in a Week Dates:
March 2, 2009 to April 3, 2009 (because of the short notice) $65 ($35 if you have taken it before)
April 13, 2009 to May 15, 2009 $75 ($40 if you have taken it before)
Deadlines to sign up: March 2, 2009 for the March 2 workshop and April 10, 2009 for the April 13 workshop
Class size limited.

Class Description: This class will take you through every step of the writing process—from beginning to brainstorm all the way through sending material out to be published. It's also designed to help you discover who YOU are as a writer. (More detailed description on my website.)

To sign up email me at aprilkihlstrom@yahoo.com with the title of the class you wish to take in the header and in the body of the email please put: your name and whether you prefer to pay by check or Paypal (and whether you want March or April if it's the Book in a Week class). Also, please let me know if you have taken the class before.

Pet Stains

Thanks to everyone who privately emailed me suggestions about how to get out pet stains. The most unusual was to try shaving cream and hey, I was desperate enough to try pretty much everything. The shaving cream worked as well or better than any of the other products on one stain but didn't do much on another that I thought was the same kind of stain. I have no idea why.

I think at this point I'm going to be looking at steamcleaners to really get the stains out!

Meanwhile.....I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. I got to spend part of it at the Pflugerville library's Romance Reader event. It was nice for me to meet them and to be able to tell them about the Austin RWA chapter and the great writers we have right in the area!

Help!

It's my turn to request help. I adore my dog Sophy. And she's settling in nicely—now. But we've gone through a few challenges and she still loves MUD. So...this time I'm asking for your help. What are your best tips for dealing with pet stains?