Advanced Novel

My Resources  for writers

Best All Around Resources for Writers: New Pages 

Resources for Teachers of Writing:

Teachers & Writers

  Send Mail to MSW

More information on MSW--Upcoming Classes, Etc.

Kids

Teens

Blogger Blog
Website Blog
Snapshots

2008 Blog
(Blog archives, click here)
Blog Archives 1st half 2006
Blog Archives 2nd half 2006
Blog archives 2005
Blog Archives 2004

MSW's Books
School Visits

New Book for Kids
Billie of Fish House Lane
From Montemayor Press
Read a chapter:
Click on Catalogue,
Literature for Children

About MSW

Upcoming MSW Events
News About MSW
Special Page for Kids

Books by MSW
Book Page
Order Books
Picture Album
Online Classes
MSW Online Writing
MSW Biography
Nonfiction by MSW
School Visits Workshops
Free Newsletter
Writing Exercises
Interview with MSW
Article about MSW
MSW's Resume
Story Pedestal Magazine
Review Main Street Rag

A literary Map of
West Virginia!

Some Literary/Book Review Blogs
Reading Red
Maud Newton
Tayari Jones
Lit mob
My newsletter: Books for Readers

Writers' Links
& Resources
Resources for writers

How Artists Get Paid
Int. Women's Writing Guild
New Publishing Paradigm
Quotations from Writers about Writing
Resources for writers
Thunderburst
Edwards Bros. Printers
Things for Writers to Read

Poetry & More
Tool for Finding Poems Online
Americcan Life in Poetry
Poetry Daily
Writers Almanac

Writing by MSW
Online Fiction
Online Nonfiction
Article on Revision
Article on Dialogue
Getting Published
Reviews
Books
Adult Fiction
Books for Children
Books on Writing
Free Newsletter
for Readers

Blogs I Like
Dory Adams: In this Light
Barbara Riddle-Dvorak
The Compulsive Reader
National Book Critics Circle Claudia Carlson
Sherry Chandler
Shelley Ettinger: Read Red
Fred First
Judy Moffett
Valerie Nieman
Cat Pleska 
Dee Rimbaud
Save the Papers
(Woody Lewis)
Larissa Shmailo
Diane Simmons
Christopher Vera
David Weinberger
Lisa WIlliams
Loho (Group Blog about the Lower East Side)
Brooklyn Parrots Blog!

Writers' Websites: You need one!

Here's a webpage at Yahoo that I set up in about 5 minutes.

A reasonably priced place for author websites: http://www.webforauthors.com

Deedee Agee
Roberta Allen
Belinda Anderson
Pat Arnow
Ellen Bass
Neva Jean Bryan
Ed Davis
Norah Dooley
Barbara Crooker
Jane Ciabattari
Pamela Erens
Carol Emshwiller
Shelley Ettinger
Hanging Loose Press Blog
Jane Hicks
Monique Raphel High
Silas House
Tayari Jones
Nathan Leslie
Phillip Lopate
George Ella Lyon
Jeff Mann
Lee Maynard
Sara Miller
Judith Moffett
Ed Myers
Hilton Obenzinger
Lance Olsen 
Cat Pleska
Thaddeus Rutkowski
Larissa Shmailo
Juanita Torrence-
Thompson
Laura Thompson
Rhea Tregebov
Robert W. Walker
BJ Ward
Crystal Wilkinson
Edgardo Vega Yunque
Larry Zirlin

FamilyOriented Websites
Ellen Kahaner's Mural class
Reading and Traveling with Kids

More
Jeremy Osner

Photos and Art
Linda Adato
Tim Barnwell Appalachian Images
Rachel Burgess
Charlie Cowger
In this Light: A Blog of Images and Narrative
Ann Olson
Rochelle Ratner
Kevin Scanlon
Duane Smith
Randi Ward
Ella Yang

Want some great graphics?
http://ann-s-thesia.com/

Music& Mixed Media Websites
Peter Sciaino
Deep Listening

More Links

Columbia U. 1968 Page
Nordic Walking
Weinberger Explains the Web
MSW's Favorites
Ethical Culture Society
Appalachian Audiobooks
Sam. Pepys Diary
Poetry Daily
Smashbooks Digital Books
Verse Daily
Poet of the Week from NC
World Wide Words
Writers Almanac

Jan Plan 2010 is now closed.

Check back here for the next online class
with Meredith Sue Willis.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

Jan Plan 2010 is a class for intermediate and advanced prose writers who want to get a prose writing project started or restarted-- or just need feedback on their writing. The class welcomes writers of all kinds of prose narrative (novels, stories, memoir, and more). We will explore the techniques that are common to all these forms, emphasizing narrative, dialogue, description, and the shaping of a piece.

Four Tuesdays in January:

January 5, 2010
January 12, 2010
January 19, 2010
January 26, 2010

The course costs $200, payable in advance until January 1, 2010. Price goes to $240 on January 1, 2010. To apply, read the information below, then email Meredith Sue Willis explaining why you think this class would be a good match for you. If you are accepted, she will send you the next steps. You must apply, be admitted, and have your payment arrive by Monday, January 4, 2010.

THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED TO FURTHER APPLICATIONS.

There will be no cash refunds.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an online writing class with Meredith Sue Willis?

Online Writing Classes with Meredith Sue Willis are creative writing classes taught by Meredith Sue Willis through email and the Internet. The classes include written lectures, writing assignments, and one-on-one responses to homework. The sessions are emailed to the students, but it is recommended that students read the sessions online. The students then e-mail passages of their writing to the teacher who e-mails back her comments.

 

Who is Meredith Sue Willis?

Meredith Sue Willis is a writer and veteran teacher of writing with experience that includes everything from university level teaching to work with small children. For information about her teaching career and her publications, see her biography, her publication page, and her resumé,

 

 

What is the format?

The classes are asynchronous: that is, everything will be done by email and online. Email is required; Internet access is recommended but not required. You work at your own pace, at any hour that suits you.

 

 

What are the writing assignments like?

For a variety of free sample writing exercises--not necessarily from the online writing classes--go to Writing Exercises.

 

 

How much do these online writing classes cost?

Cost until January 2010 is $50 a session. After January 2010, price goes to $60 per session.

Thus, a four session course until January 2010 is $200. Payment is by personal check or money order in advance. Payment in full must be received before you are officially enrolled in the class. There are no cash refunds.

 

When does the next class begin?

The classes happen irregularly, but are often scheduled for the summer, or in January. If you are interested, check back at this page for announcements and at Meredith Sue Willis's home page. If you want to be notified directly, send an email request for notification to Meredith Sue Willis.

 

 

What do students say about these online writing classes with Meredith Sue Willis?

Go to testimonials above to see comments by students.

 

How do I enroll?

Enrollment is limited and will close early if the class fills. Go to the top of the page for instructions for the latest class.

 

 

 

For more information:

If you want to get on Meredith Sue Willis's mailing list, send a blank e-mail to Readerbooks-subscribe@topica.com. You'll receive MSW's free newsletter for readers and writers and notice of all online classes. You may also send e-mail to MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com .

 

 

Testimonials

 

I hate to think what I would have missed if I had not taken the class.

-- Dreama Frisk

 

I'd recommend MSW's on-line writing classes to any writer at any level. She has deeply considered the best components for such a course, keeping them simple to manage yet very likely to get quality writing from each participant. The exercises are numerous, original, challenging and, best of all, fun. Instructor feedback is fast and useful. Not only did I have a blast, but I feel quite positive about the story I got a good running start on. I'd take another class without hesitation.

– Ed Davis

 

 

I found the exercises and the way they were positioned helpful and informative on a variety of levels. I liked how some got us thinking about our characters, some pulled us forward to stretch and see our novels as having length, and others asked us to think about structure. I found these last ones most fruitful, and I think that’s because I’ve been wanting to ask myself where I’m headed.

– Chris Echaurre

 

If you're looking for a concise, insightful, personal writing class, look no further. Meredith Sue Willis' on-line writing class is well worth it! She'll challenge you, make you stretch, make you think.

– Carter Seaton

 

 

The guidance provided by Meredith Sue not only encouraged me to continue with my project, it taught me to review my material from a more professional standpoint. Her comments were insightful; her suggestions stimulating, provocative and very much on-target. I have participated in many workshops and groups. I found Meredith Sue’s on-line course to be a significantly positive influence on my writing. I am eager to sign up for the next course with her.

Savannah Gill

The January Plan for Novel and Memoir Writers offered on-line by Meredith Sue Willis was truly a gem of a course. Although a professional writer all of my life, I felt I needed a shot in the arm, as well as some good advice as I pursued a genre unfamiliar to me as a writer, the novel. The assignments, both major and minor, as well as the pacing of these exercises all seemed just right – hard enough to push me into new places and yet always easily understandable and somehow accessible. I appreciated, as well, the flexibility built into the overall course which allowed me to stray from the letter of the assignment if I felt I needed to do so. Quite frankly, however, I found the assignments so compelling that even when they didn’t 'fit' the particular needs of my project, I pursued them anyway. Furthermore, and of equal value were Ms. Willis’s comments upon my submitted work. Every word of advice, every critical observation I felt had been weighed carefully and meted out with just the right admixture of encouragement and suggestion. I simply can not recommend her instructional skills too highly and envy those students who count her as their teacher.

–Marc Harshman

 

Just wanted to say what a great get-back-to-work kick in the pants this session has been. That sounds a bit too harsh though, since the most wonderful aspect of it was how supported and encouraged I felt by your thoughtful and insightful reading and response. Each session was chock full of ideas for getting going with writing, and I felt very cared for by the generosity of the assignments both in their number and originality. I especially thought the last one, to write a dream for a character, or write about a dream you yourself had was great. I know I'll be responding to that one and the one on the weather again and again. I appreciated reading the other students' work, though right now I'm in such a private kind of space, that I didn't make comments or join in the on-line community, though I think it's another wonderful aspect of the course and I most likely would take part at another time.

–Deedee Agee

 

More Testimonials

.

I'd recommend your workshops to anyone who wants coherent, polished writing. The exercises are extremely valuable, and the editing techniques you pass on turn a good idea into something worth reading....I've enjoyed the sessions, and it was good to keep my fingers moving over the keys while traveling. Just enough work, and lots to occupy my thoughts while driving.

– Lynne Gleason

 

Meredith Sue Willis's class, guaranteed to jump-start my writing, did more than that. One of the characters in my novel may not be dead after all and the others have more definition. Meredith Sue's careful editing and comments helped me feel like I am on the right track and gave me more tools to help me get where I want to go. Her warmth and humor shows through with each interaction, an incredible gift in a teacher, particularly when one is interacting through cyberspace.

– Jamie Rhein

 

Helped me to stretch my imagination by using challlenging exercises. I came away feeling I really am a writer as a result of her positive supporting comments and suggestions.

– Suzanne Gluck

 

The experience of Meredith Sue is well worth your time and money

– Martha Jo Goff

 

Subscribe to Meredith Sue Willis's Free Newsletter
for Readers and Writers:

Subscribe!

Enter your email to join ReaderBooks today!

Send mail

MSW's Books

Click on the book cover for more information.

In the Mountains of America (Appalachian Short Stories )

Dwight's House and Other Stories
(Short Stories)

Oradell at Sea
(Novel)

The City Built of Starships
(Science Fiction)

Quilt Pieces (chapbook)

Higher Ground
(Novel-- First book of the Blair Morgan Trilogy)

Only Great Changes
(Novel-- Second book of the Blair Morgan Trilogy)

Trespassers
(Novel-- Final book of the Blair Morgan Trilogy)

A Space Apart
(MSW's First Novel-- reprint edition)

Billie of Fish
House Lane
(Novel for Children )

The Secret Super
Powers of Marco
(Novel for Children )

Marco's Monster
(Novel for Children )

Blazing Pencils
(How-to-Write
Book for Students )

Personal Fiction Writing
(How-to-Write for Teachers & Writers )

Deep Revision
(How-to-Write for Teachers & Writers )