It’s not a class and it’s not a workshop. It’s an ongoing discussion where the participants share information, ideas and help one another to meet the difficult challenges of completing a novel.

Each month we’ll have a different topic to discuss and opportunities to learn from one another. Essays about writing and personal writing goals will spark discussion. We’ll even assign you a writing buddy to check in with and rally you forward in-between meetings.

Possible 2011-12 Topics include: Goals, Challenges, What We Should be Reading, Character Voice, Ugh! This Isn’t Working, Chapter/Section Breaks, Adding Suspense, Novel Restrictions and Work-Arounds, Revision, Getting Out There, Changes in Publishing.

Also, one of the highlights each session will be listening to a different roundtable member read a portion of her/his novel to the group.

NOTE: There is a limit of 15 members and new students are accepted before the September or January meetings.

For more information, please contact Jill at jill@storystudiochicago.com or by calling 773.477.7710.

2011-2012 Scheduled Dates:

September 19
October 17
November 21
January 16
February 20
March 19
April 16
May 21

Writer’s Roadmap
This class makes an excellent supplement to Writing Your Novel Writing or the Novel Workshop. Many students repeat this course to further develop their work and their writer’s network.

About the Instructor: Jill Pollack is the founder and director of StoryStudio Chicago. Before creating StoryStudio, Jill worked as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, trade periodicals, and political journals. She is the author of three books for young adults: Shirley Chisholm, named a Best Book by Science and Film Magazine; Lesbian and Gay Families: Redefining Parenting in America, and Women on the Hill, a history of women in Congress. Jill also leads the Chicago Literary Alliance to connect our city’s great literary organizations. She was recently named #23 in the Newcity Lit Top 50 list of literary leaders in Chicago.

Date/Time: Meets monthly on the dates above; 6:30pm to 9pm

Course Fee: Student (non-member): $395 / Member: $375