Basic Grammar for Writers

In this three-hour seminar, you'll learn the basics of grammar in a non-threatening environment. What's the difference between subjective and objective cases? What about possessives? What's the difference between regular and irregular verbs? How can you use prepostitional phrases to help your subject and verb agree? When should you use an apostrophe? What about a colon? And can diagramming sentences actually be fun? These questions and more will be answered clearly, helping you to make sense out of English grammar. 

Topics are broken down into easy-to-handle parts, and questions are encouraged.  Approximately one-third of the workshop will be dedicated to answering participants’ questions, including ones on topics which may not be covered in the class.

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid mistakes." - Unknown

"Jan has a fun, witty and comprehensive approach to teaching grammar.  I highly recommend her classes!" -- Carrie Benham, Fruita, CO



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                                 Writing for Magazines

What's a query letter and how do you write one? What are clips and how can you get some? What about copyright? Can someone steal your idea? How do you conduct an interview? What's a masthead and how can it help you? How do you format a manuscript? How do you insert a header? What rights should you offer for sale? Are contracts complicated? How do I keep the IRS happy? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this three-hour seminar.

Jan Weeks has published dozens of articles in local, regional, and national markets, as listed in the Publications section of this site. Let her experience put you on the track to magazine publication.

I loved how you showed us your early writing and shared your rejections. -- Bernadette Rodebaugh, Grand Junction, CO

You are an excellent presenter. Your material is clear and given with humor and good examples. I learned some good tips I can use. -- Janet Go, Grand Junction, CO

I liked the expertise of the presneter and the plethora of information.... She willingly entertained questions...and shared personal examples. -- Barbara Meeker, Grand Junction, CO

There was a lot of information...website [resources] and rights and contracts. -- Sandy Devining, Grand Junction, CO

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                           Basics of Creative Writing

Everyone knows how to write, but telling a story clearly is a mystery to many. In this workshop, you'll learn how begin and how to end a fiction piece. You'll find out how to establish setting and create a fictional world, maybe even use setting as a character.

Are your characters caricatures? Learn how to create multidimentional characters whom readers care about, using biography, action, and dialogue. And find out how to use real people in fiction without getting sued.

How is a plot different from a theme? What kinds of conflicts make good fiction? How do you handle time? And what about point of view? How do you stage a scene? What's a plot point? And how do you show instead of tell?

What is voice? How do you get it? What makes writing dynamic? Do you really need to revise? And how do you break through writer's block? Do you really need a critique group?

This workshop will answer these and many more questions, as participants practice what they've learned with writing exercises and discussion.

The workshop can be structured as an all-day (approximately seven hours) session or as a series of two- to three-hour sessions. 

          
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                     Show, Don’t Tell: How Do They Do That?

This three-hour workshop will show writers how to craft fiction and non-fiction that grabs readers and keeps them interested. This workshop relies heavily on audience participation, where people can practice skills in a non-threatening environment.

You'll learn to use strong verbs and active constructions by eliminating "being" verbs.  Minimize adverbs and adjectives by using precise nouns and verbs. Get rid of the "wrylies" and the deadly "-ly" ending.

You'll discover how to use dialogue to create a sense of character while avoiding the "as you know" trap and using action to replace tags. How much detail do you need? How can time and place set the mood and tone of your writing?

You'll learn about backstory and how to keep the reader wondering, and thus reading. Instead of summary, create a scene. Don't forget that actions speak louder than words!

Writing exercises and plenty of discussion and Q.and A. will move your writing to whole different levels. You can be the writer you've always known you are.

"Well paced. A lot of varied exercises. Good information, even for the experienced writer."               -- Pauline Mounsy, Sun City West, AZ

"Excellent! Thank you!" -- René Worden, Sun City West, AZ

"Informative...casual...helpful...not intimidating..." -- Zelda Peterson, Surprise, AZ

"Presenter's skills were excellent. Excellent 'show, don't tell' examples." -- Judy Reed, Sun City West

"Jan presented with such passion and enthusiasm ...." Lynn Norton, Sun City

"I usually don't like the workshop part, but these exercises were short enough to try out and then move on to the next part." -- Pam Larson, Grand Junction, CO

"...easy to follow, educational, helpful." -- Robert Hislop, Fruita, CO

"I liked the work sessions. It's alway interesting to hear interpretations of information by others." -- Terri Benson, Grand Junction, CO

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                        Writing Through the Hell of It

This workshop gives participants tools to deal with life’s ups and downs in a proactive, safe manner.  Through writing, they release old hurts and discover new ways to cope.  Participants also receive a bibliography of helpful books.

Participants write on selected topics, such as a letter to someone who cheered them on or harmed them in some way, construct lists of things they are thankful for or things they're proud of.  All writing is aimed at clearing feelings of helplessness, anger, and fear.  They also learn to construct a timeline of grief, which allows them to name and heal old and new, large and small hurts. They also learn a powerful release technique.

As Hemingway said, “Write hard and clear about what hurts.”  Only by exposing hurts can we heal them.  Writing moves the mind to other options than pain.

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For outlines and other information about these seminars and workshops, contact Jan Weeks by writing to PO Box 2704, Grand Junction, CO 81502; by e-mailing janweeks@acsol.net; or by calling (970) 255-6679.