Self-Editing Your Manuscript

Writers

Self-Editing Your Manuscript

The power behind a gut-punch climax starts early. Learn how to plant seeds of tension to help stick the landing.

Member

$100.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Guest

$125.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies

Meeting Times
  1. Sat, 4/19/2025 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Sat, 4/19/2025

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Type:
Class, No Prerequisite

Location:
Writers' Studio

Interests:

About

If you're looking to gain self-editing skills and wrangle your NaNoWriMo draft into something more refined, this is a good place to start. Practice making your climax land effectively by working backward — planting seeds throughout your manuscript starting in the first chapter. You'll learn about general storytelling concepts (such as story structure and tension), analyze samples, brainstorm with classmates about your own story, and apply strategies directly to your manuscript.

You'll be asked to fill out and submit a brief survey by April 13 describing your previous writing experience, the state of your draft, and your desired accommodations for the class. The survey will include a spot for a 250-word sample of your manuscript. These materials will be viewed by the instructor before the class begins.

Details

  • You must have a manuscript in progress.
  • Experience level: Any level is welcome. This course is directed especially toward new writers who word-dumped for NaNoWriMo and want to begin revising.
  • You'll be actively revising your manuscript during class, so bring your preferred drafting medium (such as a laptop).
  • You may be invited to write down thoughts before sharing them, so bring a notebook and pen.
  • We'll take several short breaks and a 12:30 - 1 PM lunch break. Bring snacks and a lunch. There is a refrigerator and microwave on the lower level.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Kaitlin Schmidt

Kaitlin is a queer, neurodivergent author and editor. Her writing passion is queernorm high fantasy with a spicy romantic subplot, and her editing style is to chase down every detail possible until someone tells her to go to bed because it’s 4 AM. With a bachelor's degree in English and a master's in teaching from Whitworth University in Spokane, she began her editing journey as an editorial assistant for the literary magazine Rock & Sling, then went on to copyedit for The Spokesman-Review. She taught high school English for five years in Arlington, Wash., before returning to the editing scene as a freelancer specializing in book editing. Her debut F/F romantasy, “The Cartomancer's Curse,” was released in September 2024.

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