Master Class With Margaret Atwood

I stumbled across the Master Class series some time ago. At that time I thought that an all access pass was the way to go. My wallet decided otherwise! I just signed up for the class that I was primarily interested in - Margaret Atwoods class on writing. The link above talks about the general outline of what is offered. This post takes a look at what I am actually experiencing in the class.

"Creativity is one of the essential things about being human. So you don't have to apologize for it. It's something human beings do." ~ from the workbook

I downloaded the workbook - which is a true gem!  In it, Atwood references her own work, as well as presenting writing prompts for her students. There are assignments, links to reference material, examples of various techniques that can be used to create beginnings, middles, and ends, deciding on what voice to use in a story, and so much more!

In her videos, Atwood is very clear about her topic, has a very eloquent speaking voice, and a lovely sense of humor. The next chapter that I am going to be working with is all about layered narratives and how to structure a story. I am very happy that I took the plunge and paid for this course ... you will see better work coming from me in the very near future!

(c) July 2019 Bonnie Cehovet

Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.

Master Class - Online Classes

What exactly is a Master Class? It is a class, in any subject, that is taught by an expert in that subject. As writers, why do we want to take a master class? For that matter, why do we want to take classes at all? Let's discuss the last question first. As writers, we take classes to learn new skills, to bring structure into our writing (hey - I am a "pantser", so a little structure doesn't hurt!), to help to motivate us and keep us focused, and perhaps to learn from a master craftsman - a writer that we admire, and that we want to learn from/be like. 

There it is - the master craftsman teaching the master class! In my wanderings I found a class offered by Margaret Atwood on creative writing, being offered through the Master Class site. This is a site where over 45 instructors offer classes on subjects ranging from writing, to cooking, game design and theory, playing the guitar, photography, wine appreciation, and more. Other writing classes include those given by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Shonda Rhimes, Aaron Sorkin, R.L. Stine, Judy Blume, and David Mamet. 

Looking at Margaret Atwood's class, this is the structure: there are 23 video lesson's (the content of each lesson is listed on the site), a downloadable class workbook, and a critique on student work.  Also included are some of Atwood's original research and notes.

Classes on this site can be taken singly, or there is an option for an all access pass for a yearly fee. Looking at what is being offered, I am inclined to purchase the all access pass.  

I can't think of a better place to grow some feet for a beginning writer, or to fine tune one's work for a more accomplished writer.

(c) January 2019 Bonnie Cehovet

Reproduction prohibited without written permission from the author.