Having been on several writing courses over the last couple of years, I was looking for something that would move me on to the next stage with my novel:
Novel aspirations
- I wanted editing skills I could use for myself and for future work, thereby cutting down on the cost of editing out-of-house.
- I wanted – indeed needed – very detailed feedback about my prose.
- I also thought that a solid editing course from a reputable company with a ‘what editors look for’ approach might help me in the world of publishing.
I studied the course details, and saw that instead of repeating what I had learnt in many previous courses, this online course would allow me to look specifically at my prose in my book.
Hopefully, it would teach me the skills I was looking for and at the same time move me onwards and upwards towards my aim of breaking into the publishing world.
In brief, the course indicated that it would build on everything I’ve learned and shape my novel into a better-finished article for pitching to agents and for pre-publication.
Plotting, character and POV
So far, we’ve plotted in great detail the arc of our stories and superimposed onto that arc characters whose weaknesses and strengths we have been shown how to analyse — something I have not encountered in other groups I’ve attended.
We have drafted letters to agents using a template I had not met before, which I will file away for future reference.
We’ve had a couple of intense weeks on point of view, with the tutor watching very carefully how we are doing and stepping in if we need help, redirecting us if we get lost in such a vast area.
So far, so very good.
Kathryn Price and Fiona Egglestone genuinely take the time to reach out to students, acknowledging the time and energy they have put into the writing.
– Stella Soerensen
Building confidence
Fundamental respect is given to the standard of writing on this course, with the assumption that work has been intelligently and carefully constructed.
Cornerstones tutor Kathryn Price tries to understand and appreciate all the work we upload in each class.
She and moderator Fiona Egglestone genuinely take the time to reach out to students, acknowledging the time and energy they have put into the writing.
There isn’t the harsh criticism of the work presented that I have met on other courses (not, I hasten to add, with Faber Academy courses).
Nothing and nobody is dismissed because of age or subject matter. Instead, we’ve had positive criticism in its best possible form, suggesting ways to improve our artistry.
This acceptance allows me to write more confidently, which in turn improves the way I write.
When Kathyrn remarked ‘you have fulfilled the brief very well’, I thought: yes! Someone appreciates how much time I am putting into getting it right and how seriously I am taking this course. What’s more, I genuinely feel listened to.
It is so important that an online group gels — this depends on personality types, standards, commitment and so on. Cornerstones have done an excellent job of ensuring that the participants have a lot to gain from each other.
My online group is supportive and constructive in its criticism. In other words, while they give positive feedback it isn’t always just ‘good’ feedback: it does contain criticism, but couched in such a way (there are critiquing guidelines) that I feel I learn and want to continue.
I will miss the group when the course finishes.
The range of literature we are working on as a group is very varied which, on a personal note, means I am not ‘stuck with’ a genre that perhaps is not my most favourite.
– Stella Soerensen
Range and genre
The range of literature we are working on as a group is very varied which, on a personal note, means I am not ‘stuck with’ a genre that perhaps is not my most favourite.
I have been able to find other writers who appreciate my genre and whose genre I also like. That means that when I give feedback, I can draw on some background knowledge and don’t need to do extra work to research a genre I am not familiar with.
We have two weeks for each intensive session and I need to devote most of that to just doing the exercises set and redrafting my novel to include what I’ve learned.
Also — and perhaps, for me, more importantly — I find the tutor is taking seriously every type of genre we have on the course and is not dismissive of one over the other.
It is such a relief after some of my experiences to find such care when, after all, the course does cost hard-earned money.
Each session has an extract from a book or books that illustrates the notes, videos and podcasts for the session, and the exercises are directly relevant to each session.
– Stella Soerensen
Course level and quality
I am always a little wary of online courses, as I have planned and run them myself and know very well how they can go wrong.
This course has had a lot of thought put into it and it demands a lot from those who take it, including that they have reached a certain standard.
The cycle of Learn; Research into; Produce an example of own work; Receive feedback has a solid educational foundation.
Initially, I felt a little overwhelmed at not having a master’s in creative writing like some of the other writers on the course, but I am discovering that the more I put in, the more I can take from the course materials.
For example, each session has an extract from a book or books that illustrates the notes, videos and podcasts for the session. The exercises set are directly relevant to the point of each session.
What’s more, the final exercise in each class is directly geared to what the session has been teaching — there’s no straying off-target or changing direction or being pulled up for an area that wasn’t pinpointed in that particular session.
Luckily, over my years of study, I have on my shelves textbooks from various courses, so I can read around and go more in-depth if I have the time.
If I go off-track my tutor is there most days and brings me or others back into the fold.
I feel that I am developing a solid grasp of what editing fiction involves – which is exactly what I wanted.
– Stella Soerensen
The next chapter
In terms of where I go within the publishing world, I feel that I am developing a solid grasp of what editing fiction involves – which is exactly what I wanted.
The course has given me a step-up, so that, while I’ve always enjoyed reviewing classmates’ work because you learn so much, now I’m beginning to think I could critically evaluate new books, and certainly new writers.
The course is giving me such a depth of understanding of what the editing of fiction involves that I may even add these skills to my CV.
Now, that can’t be bad, can it?
