12 WEEKS TO A FIRST DRAFT SEMINAR

There are numerous things to keep in mind while writing your first draft but don't let yourself get overwhelmed in the process. Novelist Kathy Leonard Czepiel said to "think of your first draft as the clay, not the sculpture." There is time to revise later on in subsequent drafts. Author James Ellison said, “You write your first draft with your heart, and you rewrite with your head.” The beginning stages of writing are the perfect time to receive feedback from a published novelist. Learn how to shape your story in the 12 Weeks to a First Draft workshop. The 12 Weeks to a First Draft class will provide you with the skills needed to write a first draft. You'll learn how to open your novel, build tension, plant seeds, use dialogue correctly, and wrap things up for the final scene. You'll have the opportunity to finish either a half-draft (of half of your novel) or a rough “in-progress” draft during the twelve weeks. At the end of this workshop, you will have accomplished every writer’s goal – an “in-progress” working first draft. Stephen Mertz teaches the online class starting on Thursday, September 4th. "This course will appeal to new writers who, in addition to a professional’s constructive criticism, could benefit from the structured discipline of a labor intensive workshop in creating that all important first draft. The course is also ideal for writers who have completed their first draft and are ready to begin the revision process."   ~ Stephen Mertz A former student said, "Steve Mertz is an outstanding instructor. His critiques of my work captured my attention and interest in a very effective way." Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the peer critique section of the class with other participating class members. Students are encouraged to share their work with the rest of the class. The course system is open 24 hours a days so that class members can work on their own time. There is no scheduled time to meet. WDU Students come from all corners of the world and can log in when it is convenient. Assignments in this class are due every Sunday night. Make progress on your first draft. Join the 12 Weeks to a First Draft Workshop. Enroll Today!   All upcoming courses can be viewed at this link. Thank you for being part of the writing community.

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12 Weeks to a First Draft with Stephen Mertz Stephen Mertz is the author of dozens of adventure novels including Night Wind and Some Die Hard. Steve’s latest published novel is The Castro Directive (Crossroad Press). Throughout military service, travel, and a wide variety of jobs, his goal remained to become a publishing, full-time freelance professional. "It was never a question for me of if, but always when." His first novel, a detective thriller entitled Some Die Hard, was published under the pseudonym of Stephen Brett. Another Brett novel, The Vampire Chase , followed, as did a string of mystery and suspense short stories. Steve emerged as one of the country’s most in-demand writers of adventure paperback novels, averaging four books per year for ten years. In addition to a dozen novels in the bestselling Mack Bolan, “Executioner” series, Steve created and wrote the MIA Hunter series for Berkley-Jove using the pen name Jack Buchanan, the Cody’s Army series for Warner Books as Jim Case, and the Vietnam-era Tunnel Rats book for Popular Library as Cliff Banks. Recent novels include Devil Creek and The Korean Intercept, which received this rave review from Booklist : “Fans of political thrillers will relish this high-action tale! An adrenaline rush!” REGISTER NOW!