Adult Ed

It's looking like I'll be teaching a writing adult ed class this fall. I've been pondering the possibilities for a few days, and I think I'm going to go with Write That Novel! (or something close to that, anyway). I'm thinking a 6 week class, meeting a week for two hours a session. There will be handouts and, hopefully, much discussion. :)

I have to clear everything with the coordinator, but this is my current 6-week lesson plan of action! :)

Week 1: Decisions to Make Before You Actually Start to Type

• Writing Isn't Easy, it's WORK
• Creating Dedicated Time and Space to Write
• Nailing down the Concept
• Choose the Right Genre
• Choosing a Workable Yet Sellable Length
• WTF is POV?
• Tense and Tension
• Your Unique Voice
• Daily Word Counts
• Manuscript Format

Week 2, Part 1: How Much Structure Do You Need?

• Building the Framework of Structure
• Winging it vs Pre-Planning
• Types of Outlines and Methods
• The Hero's Journey
• When it's Okay to Go Off Path
• Where to Put Key Events, Inciting Incident, Etc.
• Characters, Part One: Protagonist and Antagonist

Week 2, Part 2: The Opening

• Where Does the Story Start?
• The Opening Sentence, Paragraph, and Page
• Characters, Part Two: The Supporting Cast
• Frontloading Narrative
• Keeping it TIGHT

Week 3: Getting Past the Hump

• The Muddle in the Middle
• Writing And Story Fatigue
• Life Distractions
• Getting Lost While Staying On Track
• How Your Structure Can Help
• Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard

Week 4: Finish That First Draft!

• Keep Pushing, Even if it Sucks
• Ratchet that Tension!
• What Does A Climax Need?
• Denouement, or Letting Go
• Checking Your Story Threads
• What if You Missed Something?
• Set it Aside. Yes, I Mean It.

Week 5: Revision

• The Read Through
• Taking Notes and Making Them Work For You
• Writing Groups and Taking Critique
• Spelling and Grammar Check
• It's Not a Baby, It's A Book
• All Things Serve The Story
• Kill Those Darlings
• Tighten, Tighten, Tighten

Week 6: The Art of Getting Published

• What do YOU Want?
• Traditional, Indi, and Vanity Publication
• Formatting Your Manuscript
• Querying Agents
• How New York Works
• Submissions
• Contracts
• Marketing
• Getting Paid
• Start The Next Book!

That's what I'm thinking. There's a LOT to cram into a 6 week class.

Any thoughts?