THE EDITOR’S EYE: SELF-REVISION FOR WRITERS
INSTRUCTOR: BETH ILER

Recommended for intermediate to advanced writers aged 18+

Every writer knows the feeling: you’ve poured yourself into a manuscript, and now what? This class is a small group workshop designed to change that. Over the course of six monthly sessions, intermediate and advanced writers will develop the professional editorial instincts needed to diagnose and transform their own work. From big-picture story structure all the way down to the sentence level. Working through four essential craft texts alongside other writers, you’ll stop guessing at what your manuscript needs and start seeing it with the sharp eye of an editor. Bring your work in progress, bring your questions, and get ready to revise like a pro.

REQUIRED TEXTS
Students will read one book per month, applying each to their own manuscript before these group sessions:
JUNE: Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
JULY: The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
AUGUST: Understanding Show Don’t Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice Hardy
SEPTEMBER: Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style by Virginia Tufte

MATERIALS
Please bring a laptop or device for writing and note-taking and a current work in progress or completed manuscript you’d like to revise (any genre, any stage).

MONTHLY THEMES
MAY 3: Orientation: Meet the group, discuss class format, and set revision goals.
JUNE 7: Beat Structure: Using story beats as a revision diagnostic Save the Cat Writes a Novel.
JULY 12: Story Structure: Is your story doing what you think it’s doing? The Story Grid.
AUGUST 2: The Sentence Level: Show, tell, and when each one serves your story; Understanding Show Don’t Tell.
SEPTEMBER 13: Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style: Crafting sentences with intention and artistry.
OCTOBER 4: Putting It All Together & Final Celebration: Share you progress, celebrate your growth.

REGISTER NOW: SUNDAYS | MAY 3, JUNE 7, JULY 12, AUG. 2, SEPT. 13, OCT. 4 | 1 PM TO 3 PM | $250*

*This class is best experienced by attending all sessions, but if you would like to attend one or more (but not all) you may register for individual dates for $60 each by contacting Annie at classes@cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com or (719) 520-1899.