Begins Tuesday, May 14th, 2024

The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 7:00PM - 9:00PM EST

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.

Led by Ying Chang Compestine, award-winning author of 25 books, including fiction, picture books, and cookbooks. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and are read worldwide. She’s regularly featured on numerous national television programs and prestigious news media agencies, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Huffington Post. She’s also been named one of the “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show.

Have you ever wondered why some books become bestsellers while others fade into obscurity? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build a solid foundation for your story, create a memorable and three-dimensional character, and craft an immersive conflict with a satisfying ending. Most importantly, you will learn to revise your work to avoid frequent mistakes in story crafting.

This course is designed as an immersive experience, offering in-depth, intensive training that covers the fundamentals of writing. You’ll also master proper editing and critiquing skills through a supportive network of classmates who critique and edit other students’ work, encouraging one another long after the class finishes. Join this enriching program to enhance your storytelling abilities and form lasting connections within a community of passionate writers.

Join us in this transformative journey, where you will enhance your writing skills and become part of a network that nurtures and grows your talent beyond the classroom. Embrace the opportunity to turn your story ideas into captivating narratives with the guidance of Ying and the support of like-minded peers. Enroll now and start your path to becoming a master storyteller!

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK ONE: “The Basics of Writing” – Students will gain confidence as writers and develop a clear sense of what their project is about, covering the writing process, basic story structure, and different types of plot arcs.

WEEK TWO: “Character Development” – Students will learn to create engaging three-dimensional characters, complex antagonists, and rich secondary casts.

WEEK THREE: “Conflict, Stakes, Climax, and Ending” – Students will learn the different types of conflicts, raising the stakes, crafting an unforgettable climax, and writing a surprising yet satisfying ending.

WEEK FOUR: “Revision” – Students will learn editing tips on revising and addressing the most common writing problems. Note: This workshop can be two or 2-and-a-half hours.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Comprehensive learning on building a solid foundation for your story.
• Techniques for creating memorable, three-dimensional characters.
• Guidance on crafting immersive conflicts with satisfying endings.
• Aim to enhance writing skills and establish a supportive network for ongoing peer editing and critique.
  

TESTIMONIALS:

“Ying was a tremendous resource on all aspects of the professional writing experience…She was a thoughtful editor, an engaging group leader, and an attentive mentor…Ying is also simply delightful company, ready and able to engage audiences large or small in just the ways that they need to be engaged, deftly encouraging growth and engagement in a powerfully natural fashion.” -J. Eric Smith, Writing Workshops, Hawaii retreat, Student

“I appreciated your interest in what each of us sought to learn from the workshop and your clear effort to incorporate our personal goals into the program. Most importantly, I found your confidence and ambition infectious.” -Maura Weiler, Workshop Student

“Thank you so very much for putting on that workshop, it was not only amazing to get first-hand tips, but completely invaluable. Your guidance has completely revolutionized how I put a story together so that I keep the agents and publishers in mind to keep life easier for them, and also for the reader in how I construct my paragraphs and chapters. I’ve even taken the hook that I wrote in your class and started a book with it! I laid out the chapters first, as if I were going to present it to a publisher, and it has made the writing process a lot more productive than just going with the flow.” -Quinn Whittaker, Book Passage Workshop Student

"I had the distinct pleasure of working with Ying during our September 2023 fiction workshop in Paris, France. From the outset, it was evident that Ying possesses a profound understanding of the craft of storytelling and an unparalleled ability to impart that knowledge. Over the week, she expertly guided our students through an immersive journey into the world of fiction, blending rigorous instruction with inspiration and hands-on experience. Ying's teaching style is captivating and empowering, ensuring that each participant feels challenged and supported. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our students serves as a testament to Ying's expertise and dedication as an instructor. I wholeheartedly endorse Ying Compestine for any educational or literary endeavor, confident in her ability to bring excellence to any room she enters." -Blake Kimzey, Director, Writing Workshops Paris

This class will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays.

• Instructor: Ying Chang Compestine
  

• The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 7:00PM - 9:00PM EST

• All classes will meet online via Zoom.