Learning from the greats is one of the best ways to improve a skill. This class will explore great works of literature, great authors, and techniques, while we also work to improve our own writing projects. Each week, we will discuss a different author/authors, a work of fiction, or techniques (or a combination thereof). Then we will have a prompt and writing time/sharing time.

As a published author myself, I believe we learn best when learning from each other. The purpose of this class is to help students improve their writing, while also having fun with literature, just like the Inklings did at Oxford in the 1930s and 40s. The Inklings believed in the importance of fantasy in fiction, as well as gathering to sharpen each others' minds and writing.Thus, this class is focused on fiction/fantasy writing/authors and discussion.

The structure of the class will be:
***1-5 minutes for introducing [new] students and their projects
***15-20 minutes for discussion of that week's author(s), work, or topic
***15-20 minutes of writing activity time
***5-10 minutes of sharing and feedback
***1-5 minutes for question and answers

This is a drop-in weekly club; and while students can take it every week if they choose, they can also come in at any time and not be lost or left behind. Each week, we will review some great authors and works of fantasy/fiction, or different aspects of the writing process. We will discuss where they got their ideas, what their writing process was, and the features of their writing. We will look at their fantasy worlds and their characterizations. We will look at any retellings that may have happened over the years (books, graphic novels, movies, etc). We will find out what we can learn from them to improve our writing. 

After a writing activity, we will share projects we are working on. This will give students a chance to offer feedback, and hear from others. 

Authors I have chosen to cover are (in no particular order):
*** C.S. Lewis (fiction work)
*** Madeleine L'Engle 
*** J.R.R. Tolkien 
*** Lewis Carroll 
*** J.M. Barrie 
*** Hans Christian Anderson 
*** Brothers Grimm 
*** Christopher Paolini 
*** A.A. Milne 
*** Mary Shelly
*** Jane Austen 
*** Brontë Sisters 
*** Agatha Christie  
*** Mark Twain 
*** Edgar Allen Poe 
*** Suzanne Collins & Veronica Roth 
*** Ray Bradbury & Ayn Rand 
*** Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy 
*** Eoin Colfer 
*** Rick Riordan 
*** Ancient writings and myths 

*I am open to hearing from students if they'd like to discuss another author not listed, and would consider adding them to the rotation.