Note: This thread is too long, so I've started a new sign up thread here:

http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=17&topic_id=84170&mesg_id=84170&page=

This thread is now locked, but it's not too late to sign up.

Starting in January 2010, I will again offer the Two Year Novel Course, usually called 2YN.

This may be the last year that I offer this as a free course, so if you are interested, be sure to sign up.

This is a weekly course -- 104 classes in all -- and covers everything from basic idea formation all the way to submission of the project. This class is a presentation of how I approach writing novels with a few suggestions I've gleaned from other writers and books, and like any course of this type -- no matter who presents it -- the work will not suit everyone. It is also a very slow class -- it takes quite a while before we get to the actual writing part.

However, this is a free class so all you have to provide is a willingness try new things and a determination to do the work.

Having taught this class for several years now, I've learned that there is a third thing that will help, though it's not necessary: you should be willing help by commenting and suggesting ways for others in the class to improve their material. You should be prepared to spend time on the 2010 2YN board offering what help you can. This is not a requirement, but I think you'll find it helpful for your own work as well.

While there is usually a high sign up rate, many people will not show up for the classes and a considerable number more will drop the course over the first few months. This is, again, because the class doesn't suit everyone. One of the longest sections (in number of weeks) is worldbuilding, which is important to everyone, whether you're writing in the 'real world' or setting your story on a planet light-years away. The class does require you to write at least a minimal outline as well. There is also a long outlining section, though the outline that you create need not be long.

The course will be held on a private board for participants. Classes are posted there and participants post assignments to their personal threads. There is no genre limitation (within the general rules of the site -- in other words, no Erotica or fanfiction novels).

For class purposes, you should have nothing more than a basic idea for a story. This should not be part of a series or anything with already developed characters or worldbuilding. However, bear in mind that you can use the same techniques that you learn in the class for any other manuscript you are working on -- just not as the work material for the course. In fact, I encourage you to work on something else at the same time, because the class will go slowly in some areas, and you might find it frustrating to hold back.

Only people who are serious and can commit to two years of work should consider this program. Some months will be more intensive than others, and there will be some leeway as people finish different sections at different times. Though the classes are presented once a week (usually posted sometime over the weekend), the work proceeds at your own pace. You may not have completed the work by the end of the two years, but you will still have all the material you need to finish.

People who are in the ongoing 2009 class cannot sign up this year. However, if you have completed any of the previous years, you are welcome to join again. If you dropped out early in the 2009 class you can sign up again, but let me know in your post to this thread.

If you are interested, post to this thread and when I set up the new board I'll give you access.

You might also consider buying the 2YN: Year 1 book, which is available in PDF (Download) format and which you can print out. This is the material that I'll present in the class, so it's not necessary that you have it. However, some people have found it helpful to have the book since they can look ahead and do the work in an order that is more natural to them, though they cannot post material before the class is presented on the boards. It is also helpful so you can do the work even if they are not able to get to the computer on days I put the material up.

http://shop.hollylisle.com/index.php?crn=206&rn=366&action=show_detail

Year One topics:

• Writing Basics: Ideas, Genres, Themes, Conflict and more


• Character development


• Worldbuilding


• Outlining
  
• Writing, including what to do when you get stuck

• Completing your first draft


• The second draft


• Final edits


• Submission

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