Ready to get confident about self-editing so you can finally progress from that rough draft to your finished novel?
“The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its reader instead of its writer." ~ Zadie Smith
Is Self-Editing for Writers Right for You?
Take this class if any of the following apply to you:
THIS MASTER CLASS IS . . .
Online
The course takes place entirely online inside the Gutsy Great Novelist Writers Studio, an online community hosted by Joan Dempsey, and can be accessed from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or phone.
Convenient
Once you enroll, you can start immediately on the day the class opens, or any other time that's convenient for you. Work at your own pace, whenever you wish. You have lifetime access, too, so revisit the class at any time.
Valuable
Bite-sized lessons let you work in short bursts over time or binge-learn on a weekend, whichever works best for you. Each lesson is designed for learning that sticks – for your current project and all future novels.
Convivial
Easily engage with other writers who are all working on their novels – read each other's work, meet new friends, chat together, share tips and resources and celebrate your newfound writing skills – fun!
THE SIX-STEP EDITING PROCESS
Here's what you'll do inside the online class:
1 - Prepare to Edit
Get your head on straight so you're in the self-editing mindset.
2 - Assume Your Role as Editor
Practice various methods for seeing your work objectively.
3 - Determine Your Best Approach to Editing
Explore four approaches to self-editing and choose which works best for you.
4 - Master the Macro-Edit
Address all the big-picture elements in your manuscript.
5 - Practice the Micro-Edit
Tackle all the nitty-gritty details in your manuscript.
6 - Create Your Editing Checklist
Create a personalized checklist for this and all future editing projects.
WHAT WRITERS SAY ABOUT WORKING WITH
Joan Dempsey, Award-Winning Author and Your Guide for This Class
I highly recommend Joan Dempsey as a mentor to help aspiring authors produce publishable writing pieces.
I will always be in her debt.
Cheryl Abney
I am finished with what is now a published book—Waking in Havana—that grew from a project I had almost tossed away in frustration. I can’t say enough about the value of Joan's support to a self-doubting but determined writer!
Elena Schwolsky
As an instructor, Joan is present and active.
Her online courses were well worth my time and money. They have been the best investment in strengthening my writing craft.
Diana Rigor
Joan’s input and advice has made me a far better writer.
If you want a teacher who is honest, superb at her job, and kind as well, I unhesitatingly recommend Joan.
She’s the best!
Frances Barrett-Reed
“Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.” ~ Dan Brown
Ready to get confident about self-editing so you can finally progress from that rough draft to your finished novel?
Begin whenever you wish after you enroll – there's no set schedule.
"You fail only if you stop writing." ~ Ray Bradbury
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where does the course take place and when does it begin?
The course takes place entirely online inside the Gutsy Great Novelist Writers Studio, an online community hosted by Joan Dempsey, and can be accessed from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or phone. Once you enroll, you can start whenever it's convenient for you. Nothing is on a set schedule, and you have lifetime access, so start whenever you wish and proceed at your own pace.
Do I have to participate at specifically scheduled times?
Not usually, no. The course is asynchronous, which means you can participate at any time you wish, when it's convenient for you! No worries about scheduling, or living in different time zones. You have access to the full course at all times, and there's no end date, so come on back whenever you wish.
Depending on how the class is going, I might on occasion invite you to participate in a live, online, scheduled event, which would be optional. If this happens, I'll record the event so you can view it at your convenience if you can't participate live.
How long do I have to complete the course?
As long as you'd like. Work whenever you wish, whether two in the morning or one in the afternoon. It's entirely up to you. You'll have lifetime access to the course, so you can revisit the content at any time.
Do I have to complete the assignments?
It's entirely up to you. The proven way to truly master your learning, however, is for you to apply what you're learning by completing the assignments. If you don't, you're short-changing yourself. The assignments have been specifically designed with your learning in mind—complete them and you'll master new skills, leave them out and you won't. It's that simple.
Who facilitates the course?
I, Joan Dempsey, am your guide. I’m an award-winning author and writing teacher with advanced degrees in both from Antioch University Los Angeles. I love working with writers and I'll be with you every step of the way during your course.
When can I interact with Joan?
I will always be monitoring your progress, commenting when I can on your work in the comments section, and be available via e-mail to respond your questions, comments, or suggestions. I'm on US Eastern time and will be checking in numerous times a day, Monday through Wednesday, to see what you're up to. (Thursday and Friday I focus entirely on my own writing.)
I'm not that computer savvy - is the course hard to navigate?
No. Mighty Networks, which hosts the class, has designed an online learning environment that's streamlined and simple to navigate. There's helpful and friendly online support, and I can also assist if you run into trouble. Complicated tech stuff can be frustrating, so the course design is deliberately simple. So far all participants have easily managed. That said, if you are not adept at all with email and the internet, you might find it difficult to learn online.
Will I interact with other participants?
You bet! Learning from each other is as important a part of your learning experience as working with me. The Mighty Networks learning platform makes it easy for you to connect directly with other writers in the class, through the comments sections, via tagging and private chat.
In addition, the class takes place inside the larger Gutsy Great Novelist Writers Studio, a free online community where serious creative writers gather to finish their novels, and as of the time I'm writing this, there are more than 1,000 writers in the studio, all of us working on novels. There's a lot of great stuff going on in the studio, so that's an added benefit.
I'm not sure I can take the course right now—will you offer it again?
You're welcome to sign up right now and begin the class whenever you're good and ready, a week from now or six months from now; that's the beauty of "lifetime access!" If you're too busy right now, sign up anyway and start when it makes the most sense for you. You'll still get every single benefit from the class, and I'll still provide you with personalized feedback on your work.
I'm on a limited income - do you have scholarships or discounts?
I don't. The price of this course has been set to be as reasonable for you as possible while still allowing me fair compensation (I'm a sole proprietor and a working writer). Compared to similar online courses, my prices are more than fair.
What is the cost of tuition?
$129.99 USD
What if I don't like the class? Can I get my money back?
Yes! If, within 15 days of the date you enrolled, you discover it's not for you, simply contact me to request a refund and I'll give you 100% of your money back, no questions asked. Please do not ask for a refund later than 15 days after you enroll.
I have another question that's not answered here—who can help?
Reach out via email to support [at] joandempsey [dot] com (replace the "at" with @ and the "dot" with a period).
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FULL CURRICULUM
WELCOME – Start Here
1 – Welcome video
2 – Set yourself up for success
3 – Where to get help
4 – Where and how to add your comments
Module 1 – Why Write a Gripping First Page
1 – The purpose and definition of "gripping"
2 – Whatever works (or, there are always exceptions)
3 – The power of a great opening sentence
4 – Your opening sentence(s)—give and receive feedback
Module 2 – Elements to Consider for Your Opening Page
1 – Quickly establish point-of-view
2 – Embrace your particular voice or style
3 – Begin your story in media res (in the middle of things)
4 – Open in a specific setting
5 – Introduce some sense of conflict or action
6 – Include an emerging narrative theme
7 – Build anticipation
8 – Establish mood and atmosphere
9 – Begin with interesting dialogue
10 – Write lean and strong sentences
BONUS – Make your reader crave answers
Module 3 – What to Avoid on Your Opening Page
1 – Excessive backstory (and other information dumps)
2 – The waking up and dream scenes
3 – Long passages of landscape description
4 – Withholding your protagonist's name
5 – Talking heads
7 – Generic settings
8 – Boring or disembodied dialogue
9 – Too many characters
Module 4 – Analyze First Pages
1 – Study and assess first pages from published novels
2 – Your first page draft—give and receive feedback
3 – Share your polished first page
Assess Your Progress and Determine What's Next
1 – Reflect on your progress
2 – Farewell video—what's next for you?
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THE FULL CURRICULUM
Welcome
1 - Set Yourself Up for Success
2 - How to Get the Most Out of the Master Class
3 - Where to Get Help
4 - Managing Your Comments (add, edit, reply)
Module 1 – Prepare to Edit Your Own Writing
Introduction to Module One
1 - Examine Your Attitude
2 - There are No Rules - A Self-Editing Philosophy
3 - The Shitty First Draft vs. Editing as You Write
4 - How to Cope with Feeling Overwhelmed
Module 2 – Assume Your Role as Editor
Introduction to Module Two
1 - Let it Lie Fallow
2 - Hang It Up or Lay It Out
3 - Listen Carefully
4 - Different Printing
5 - Transcription
6 - Leave it to Readers
7 - Foreign Environment
8 - Edit Backwards
Other Methods
Module 3 – Determine Your Best Approach to Editing
1 - Big Picture (Macro-Editing)
2 - The Details (Micro-Editing)
3 - Four Approaches to Self-Editing
Module 4 – Master Your Macro-Editing Skills
1 - Open Strong, Avoid Backstory
2 - Are Your Characters Compelling?
3 - Watch Out for Point of View Violations
4 - Driving Plots—What's Your Throughline?
5 - The Necessity of Purposeful, Vivid Settings
6 - Managing Time (Chronology, Transitions)
7 - Check Your Tone for Consistency
8 - Develop Your Themes (and what's a leitmotiv?)
9 - Is Your Structure Sound?
10 - Foreshadowing Propels Your Narrative
11 - That's a Wrap - Compelling Endings
Module 5 – Excel at the Micro-Edit
1 - Resist Those Tempting Qualifiers
2 - Is "That" Necessary?
3 - Just Don't Simultaneously Show AND Tell
4 - Avoid Filtering
5 - That's Implicit, Get Rid of It
6 - Weak Repetition, Effective Repetition
7 - Only Vivid Modifiers
8 - Beware Redundancy
9 - Simplify Dialogue Tags
10 - Cut Out Dull Dialogue
11 - Use Action, Not Activity (and how to tell the difference)
12 - Don't Kill Your Darlings
13 - Take Care When Using "It" as a Subject
14 - Scrutinize "To Be"
Module 6 – Create Your Personalized Self-Editing Plan
1 - Create Your Self-Editing Plan
2 - Why Use a Checklist?
3 - Create Your Personalized Self-Editing Checklist
Farewell Video
Additional Resources
Punctuate Like a Pro
Links to Articles on the Craft of Writing
Recommended Books