Pollcode

 From DJMills on June 24, 2009 at 11:12 pm.  IP Logged, 124.186.114.x  Report Abuse 

I picked comedy but I could really use Reader's Emotions as well. Shame so many are being dropped. I guess Holly can hang on to the list for a future course for all of us who have three or four novels under our belts.

 From Nicola on June 24, 2009 at 10:37 pm.  IP Logged, 202.14.81.x  Report Abuse 

I wish to add my voice to a number of other posters here and say that it is the pacing modules that I am most interested in. I really hope some of them will be saved.

 From Sarah on June 24, 2009 at 10:17 pm.  IP Logged, 76.98.138.x  Report Abuse 

It seems weird to me that all the modules I seem to need are being dropped. Then again, I've already written four novels, so perhaps I've gotten past some of the early problems (getting your butt in the chair, finding an MC that you love, etc.) I wonder if maybe the majority of the people who took the poll are newbies to writing. That's not to say those problems aren't important or difficult, but I wonder if maybe these modules didn't get as many votes because fewer of us have been writing long enough to experience more "advanced" problems. (Like, if we were gymnasts, a lot of us would be struggling to keep our balance on the balance beam, but the more experienced gymnasts would be complaining that we can't figure out how to pull off a cartwheel on the balance beam. Both different 'levels' of problems, and both obstructing us from becoming better gymnasts. Or better writers.)

I could be way off on this, but Holly, would you consider maybe having two "levels" of this course, one with newer writers in mind and one for more experienced writers? I think the second course would be a lot shorter than the first, but I'd be really bummed to see some of these great course ideas get chucked out.

 From Charlotte on June 24, 2009 at 8:45 pm.  IP Logged, 24.136.5.x  Report Abuse 

Picking just one was impossible. I need everything. I only have about a half hour to write every night as it is and only a couple of hours over the weekend. How can I fit in classes? Whine off.

 From Marti Verlander on June 24, 2009 at 8:45 pm.  IP Logged, 66.142.232.x  Report Abuse 

Managing the readers' emotions is my vote as well. I'm finally learning how to delve more deeply into the characters' emotions, but I don't know how to be sure it's affecting the readers the way I want it to.

 From Annie on June 24, 2009 at 8:27 pm.  IP Logged, 70.90.217.x  Report Abuse 

My romantic challenge: I tend to rewrite my own romance -- but 30 years of HEA doesn't make for interesting romantic conflict. Help me give my characters the problems I missed out on (or have forgotten.)

 From Jeff on June 24, 2009 at 8:22 pm.  IP Logged, 70.243.64.x  Report Abuse 

Ditto to all those wondering why this module may be dropped. I saw more here that interested me than the others. I basically need all the pacing lessons.

 From Eika on June 24, 2009 at 8:08 pm.  IP Logged, 98.217.209.x  Report Abuse 

Guilds and Associations. What's right with them? What's wrong with them? I don't know.

Since I'm writing in a world of thousands of species, why do I focus only on three or four, and use generic stereotypes to 'cast' the ones from other species I put in? Since there aren't nationalities, am I right to use different species as a way to separate culture, even if they live side by side and in constant close contact?

If it's a traditional guild, how do they decide who leads? Do people have to be grandfathered in, can they get in by nomination, or can anyone just walk in? Storytellers are an elite group, different from Weavers and more important to royalty; how will their customs and positions differ? Should their general group make-up differ?

I've been struggling with a lot of these questions, at least partly because the more I have to delve into these in my story, the more I become terrified they all sound exactly the same... or worse, that all Elves will eternally be stuck-up and all Centaurs endlessly patient.