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The writing life is a twisty one, full of as many challenges as there are joys. In order to stay persistent on the path to publication, writers need to develop deep, creative roots that remind you why you write, and skills to cope with the rejections, frustrations and revisions of taking a project from conception to final polish. This course draws upon ideas such as apprenticeship, resilience, accountability and more to teach you the skills you need to build a deep and lasting writing practice that not only survives the trials of the craft, but sets you up for success in publication.

This workshop will demystify the key points-of-view, including first person, third person limited, omniscient and second person, and explain how to identify when you’re in the flow or falling out of POV. It will also provide helpful character cues to demonstrate character in every scene and teach you how to identify POV slips.

Do you struggle to finish your story or get stuck in the middle? Getting down the bones or architecture of plot is one of the most important parts of writing a compelling story. Whether you consider yourself a “pantser” or a “plotter” this class will demystify multiple types of plot structures, help you identify the key markers and turning points of character transformation, and break down your plot at the scene level.

You may think you’ve done the hardest part, completing your manuscript. But many writers find that writing a query letter—the introductory sales pitch you make to a literary agent or publisher—is even harder. I can help you simplify this process. You send me one query letter, and I’ll edit three total drafts (the original and two revisions). Price: $150 per unique letter. *Please note that I may require up to two weeks from date of purchase to complete initial edit.

The relief of a first draft often gives way to the panic of how to polish and revise. In this workshop we’ll learn strategies for revising in waves, from the sentence level to the architecture of plot, shoring up scenes and deepening characters. All classes are non-refundable, but you may receive a credit for any reason, which can be applied to any of Jordan's services. This class will explore: 1. Attitudes about revision and tips from writers on revision 2. Plot and story framework 3. Backstory/Frontstory 4. Scene level revision 5. Character arc 6. Character voice/dialogue 7. World building/setting 8. Sentence level revision

Scenes are the building blocks of great fiction and memoir. Scenes bring flat narrative into full color action, demonstrate compelling characters and add up to create powerful plots. When you feel connected to the characters and in the midst of action, you're in scenes. In this class, writers will learn scene essentials and ingredients, how to design them, how to demonstrate characters in scene, how to evoke setting, the senses and use images, and how to make every scene count toward the plot. All classes are non-refundable, but you may receive a credit for any reason, which can be applied to any of Jordan's services.

From now through June 30th, all my self-paced classes are on sale. Take any of the following for just $79 each. Purchase here and email me which classes you're purchasing: jordanwritelife@gmail.com. *These sale classes do not include a critique.* Available classes include:

• How to Write a Page Turner
• Scene Stealer
• Powerful Plotting
• Emotion & Imagery
• Write Killer Sentences
• Writing the Intimate Character
• Revise & Polish

• Nail your Novel's Voice & Tone
• Point of Who

In addition to a query letter, many literary agents or small publishers will require a 1-2 page synopsis of your entire novel. A synopsis is not the time to let your writing style flourish; it’s to “give away” the entire plot of your novel so the agent can decide if it’s right for them. I can help you with this process: You send me a 1 to 2 page synopsis (1000 words max) and I’ll edit three total drafts (the original and two revisions). Price: $200. *Please note that I may require up to two weeks from date of purchase to complete initial edit.

Women in Red

May 31, 2021

Dead-broke single mother Stella Russo, daughter of a world-class prima ballerina, has nearly given up on her own professional aspirations–much less true love–when a dazzling impromptu stunt by a mysterious troupe reminds her just how empowering performing onstage can be. Convincing herself that a dependable gig with such a company just might be the ticket to a better life for her musical-prodigy daughter and now-invalid mother, Stella takes a giant jeté of faith and joins up. But when she lands in the clutches of an enigmatic and demanding impresario bent on making her his star at any cost, has she risked too much? As Stella untwists the troupe’s troubling secrets, she becomes entangled in turns she could never imagine–and is forced to face her own past as well. Women in Red draws readers into the dark, dangerous, and dramatically sexy underworld of the dance–but also into the longing of every living, breathing being for a family of one’s own.

Write Free: Attracting the Creative Life with Rebecca Lawton

May 31, 2021

Equal parts writer’s workshop and spiritual journey, this open-hearted guide will show you how to attain and sustain the creative life you desire. Based on a time-tested principle and using methods pioneered by the authors, Write Free provides a wealth of inspiration, advice, and activities. Exploring how we attract the conditions and events in our lives, Write Free is an invaluable aid for writers, creative souls, and others who want to envision and achieve the inspired life of their dreams.

Writers get so busy nailing down characters and plot that we often forget about the humble sentence. Your story may be great, but do your sentences sing? In this 8-10 week workshop you'll learn to transform serviceable sentences with arresting prose and sensory images that convey emotion and theme with subtlety. We'll explore a variety of writing styles, assess and shape your writing voice, and pin down what it means to have a writing style. You’ll tease apart metaphor and simile and play with the sound of words and useful literary devices for prose that wows instead of whimpers.