Document Driven

16420 SE McGillivray, #103-103
Vancouver, WA 98683

ph: 503-789-6245
alt: janice@documentdriven.com

Workshops & Classes

  •  

     New workshop & classes 

    in the New Year!!

    Get your manuscripts ready for editors, agents, conferences, pitching, and contests!



    Working on Your Novel

    5-week Online workshop:  

     

    Friday, January 15th to February 19th, 2010

     

    Cost: $525 

     

    Limited to 4 participants and 1 novel each.

     

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: January 4th.

     

    Early registration discount: $50, if register by December 28th.

     

    You've worked hard to write and revise that novel; now give your novel the best chance of being accepted by an agent or editor and of becoming a best-selling author--your goals--by giving your novel some professional editing and realize your own dream.

     

    This workshop can be applied as a 50 percent discount toward the regular initial editing in the editing process.

     

    This workshop is for writers who want to improve  their novel--conflict, characters, structure, opening, etc. The workshop will both improve your novel, as well as your chances for acceptance during the submission process.

     

    Each week for 5 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback, depending on the manuscript.

    Writing Submission: Synopsis and manuscript. Since manuscripts vary, number of pages are negotiable.





     

    Beginnings Workshop: Submissions & the First 3 Chapters.

    4-week Online workshop: 

    You've worked hard to write and revise that novel; now give your novel the best chance of being read and published--your goal--by giving your submission materials a thorough review and quality improvements, while also checking your novel for any needed revisions.

    November 11th to December 13th, 2009 

    Cost: $200. Discounted for the holidays.

    October 29th: Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions.

    To register: you can register by email: janice@documentdriven.com.

    Writing submission: Send your query, 2-page synopsis, & 1st three chapters, up to 75 pages. 


    What you receive: For 4 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback,  depending on the manuscript, with continued feedback on any revisions 
    or rewriting that you submit.

    I send the feedback at the start of the weekend, so that writers have an opportunity to work on revisions over the weekend.

    This workshop is for writers who want to improve both their novel, and their submissions package--query, synopsis, and chapters.

    The Beginnings workshop will bring specific focus to the opening and first 3 chapters of your novel, as well as the synopsis and query, and will greatly improve your chances for acceptance during the submission process.

    As an editor, I've written hundreds of submission critiques  and have conducted this workshop numerous times with great success,  giving authors feedback on their plot, characters, writing, opening, 
    synopsis and query.

    See sidebar for feedback from previous participants in this workshop & others

     

     



     

     

    "Beginnings--Submissions & the First 3 Chapters."

     4-week Online workshop: 

    October 15th to November 12th, 2009 

    Cost: $275 

    September 25th: Deadline for registration, payment, and writing 
    submissions.

    Writing submission: Send your query, 2-page synopsis, & 1st three chapters, up to 75 pages.
    Since manuscripts vary, number of pages are 
    negotiable.

    What you receive: For 4 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback,  depending on the manuscript, with continued feedback on any revisions 
    or rewriting that you submit.

    I send the feedback at the start of the weekend, so that writers have an opportunity to work on revisions over the weekend.

    You've worked hard to write and revise that novel; now give your novel the best chance of being read and published--your goal--by giving your submission materials a thorough review and quality improvements, while also checking your novel for any needed revisions.

    This workshop is for writers who want to improve both their novel, and their submissions package--query, synopsis, and chapters.

    The Beginnings workshop will bring specific focus to the opening and first 3 chapters of your novel, as well as the synopsis and query, and will greatly improve your chances for acceptance during the submission process.

    As an editor, I've written hundreds of submission critiques  and have conducted this workshop numerous times with great success,  giving authors feedback on their plot, characters, writing, opening, 
    synopsis and query.

    See sidebar for feedback from previous participants in this workshop. 



    Working on Your Novel
    4-week Online workshop: 

    Friday, June 26th to July 23rd, 2009 

    Cost: $525 

    Limited to 4 participants and 1 novel each.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: June 18th.

    Writing submission: manuscript plus synopsis 
    Since manuscripts vary,  number of pages are negotiable.

    This workshop is for writers who want to improve  their novel--conflict, characters, structure, opening, etc. The workshop will both improve your novel, as well as your chances for acceptance during the submission process.

    Each week for 4 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback, depending on the manuscript.



     

    Workshop:

    "Beginnings--The First 3 Chapters."

    4-week Online workshop: 

    Friday June 26th to July 23rd, 2009 

    Cost: $275

    In Sidebar, see feedback from recent participant in the Beginnings Workshop.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: June 18th.

    Writing submission: Send your 2-page Synopsis, query & 1st three chapters, up to 80 pages. Since manuscripts vary,  number of pages are negotiable.

    What you receive: For 4 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback, depending on the manuscript, with continued feedback on any revisions or rewriting that you submit. I send the feedback at the start of the weekend, so that writers have an opportunity to work on revisions over the weekend.

    You've worked hard to write and revise that novel; now give your novel the best chance of being read and published--your goal--by giving your submission materials a thorough review and quality improvements, while also checking your novel for any needed revisions.

    This workshop is for writers who want to improve both their novel and their novel's beginning chapters, query and synopsis, for submissions. The workshop will bring specific focus to the opening and first 3 chapters of the novel, and the synopsis and query. The workshop will greatly improve your chances for acceptance during the submission process. As an editor, I've written hundreds of submission critiques and have conducted this workshop numerous times with success, giving authors feedback on their plot, characters, writing, opening, synopsis and query. (SEE AUTHOR FEEDBACK IN SIDEBAR.)



    Workshop: "Working on Your
    Nonfiction Book"

    Online Workshop

    4-week session:

    June 4th thru 25th, 2009.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants in each workshop.

    SEE FEEDBACK from Nonfiction client on the Nonfiction webpage.

    May 28--Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions.

    Amount: $450, up to 400 pages. Nonrefundable deposit of $100 to hold place. 

    Discounts for previous workshop participants.

    Limited to one nonfiction work.

    This workshop will give you, the author, one-on-one time working with an editor for ongoing feedback on your nonfiction book--structure, style, and so on. An inexpensive way to have a lot of editing done.

    Starting the 1st week, at least a 2-page response every 2 weeks, allowing time for author responses, plus suggestions within the manuscript--depending on the manuscript.

     

     



     

    Combined Workshop:

    Working on Your Novel
     &
    Beginnings--The First 3 Chapters.

    6-week Online workshop: 

    Friday, May 1st to June 12th, 2009 

    Cost: $625 (Can register for workshops separately)

           "Working on Your Novel"--$450

           "Beginnings-The First 3 Chapters"--$250

    Limited to 4 participants and 1 novel each.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: April 18th.

    Writing submission for each workshop:  
    Working on Your Novel: Send manuscript and synopis.
    Beginnings: Send 2-page synopsis, query & 1st three chapters, up to 80 pages. 
    Since manuscripts vary,  number of pages are negotiable.

    This combined workshop is for writers who want to improve both their novel--conflict, characters, structure, etc.--and their novel's beginning chapters, query and synopsis, for submissions. The workshop will cover the novel, plus bring specific focus on the opening and first 3 chapters of the novel, and the synopsis and query. The workshop will both improve your novel and the first chapters, as well as your chances for acceptance during the submission process. As an editor, I've written hundreds of submission critiques, giving authors feedback on their plot, characters, writing, opening, synopsis and query. 

    Each week for 6 weeks, you will receive 2 pages of feedback, depending on the manuscript.


    Critique Group:

    The group's focus will be on Professional Publication.

    Fiction: Mainstream, Romance, Thrillers, Mystery/Suspense, Literary and Young Adult.

    Meeting: 2 times per month

    Time: 2 hours

    Place: To be arranged

     

    If you are interested, contact Janice@documentdriven.com for further details.

     



     

    Workshop:

    Beginnings--The First 3 Chapters.

    4-week Online workshop: 

    Thursday, March 26 to April 16th, 2009 

    Cost: $250

    Limited to 4 participants and 1 novel each.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: March 19th.

    Writing submission: Send synopsis, query & 1st three chapters, up to 80 pages. Since manuscripts vary,  number of pages are negotiable.

    This class is for writers who want to improve their novel's beginning chapters, query and synopsis. It will cover the opening and first 3 chapters of the novel, plus the synopsis and query. The workshop will both improve your novel and the first chapters, as well as your chances for acceptance during the submission process.

    As an editor, I've written hundreds of submission critiques, giving authors feedback on their plot, characters, writing, opening, synopsis and query. 
    Each week, you will receive 2 pages of feedback, depending on the manuscript.


     
    "Working on Your Novel" Workshop

    Online Workshop 

    6-week session:

    February 18th thru March 30th, 2009.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants in each workshop.

    Deadlines for registration, payment, and writing submissions: 

    Early registration: January 26th, $400**

    Registration: February 2nd, $450** 

    **Includes nonrefundable deposit of $100 to hold place. 

    Novel: 450 pages. Above 450, negotiable.

    Discounts for previous workshop participants.

    Limited to one fiction work.

    This workshop will give you, the author, one-on-one time working with an editor for ongoing feedback on your novel--structure, plot, characterization, suspense, and so on. An inexpensive way to have a lot of editing done.

    Starting the 1st week, at least a 2-page response every 2 weeks, allowing time for author responses, plus suggestions within the manuscript--depending on the manuscript.

      

    "Working on Your Novel" Workshop 

     



    "Working on Your Novel" Workshop 

     

    Online Workshop 

    4-week accelerated session:

    December 1st thru December 22nd
    Nov. 20: Deadline for registration, payment and writing submissions.



      



     

    "Working on Your Novel" Workshop 

    Online Workshop: 4-week accelerated 

    October 1st thru October 22nd

    Sept. 22: Deadline for registration, payment and writing submissions.

     

     


     

    Workshop: "Working on Your
    Nonfiction Book"

    Online Workshop

    6-week Mid-November session:

    November 13th thru December 18th, 2008.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants in each workshop.

    Oct 25--Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions.

    Amount: $450, up to 400 pages. Nonrefundable deposit of $100 to hold place. 

    Discounts for previous workshop participants.

    Limited to one nonfiction work.

    This workshop will give you, the author, one-on-one time working with an editor for ongoing feedback on your nonfiction book--structure, style, and so on. An inexpensive way to have a lot of editing done.

    Starting the 1st week, at least a 2-page response every 2 weeks, allowing time for author responses, plus suggestions within the manuscript--depending on the manuscript.

     

     

     


     

    Workshop: "Working on Your

    Nonfiction Book"

    Online Workshop

    6-week session:

    September/October Session:

    September 18th thru October 23th, 2008.

    Location: Online by email.




     

    If you would like to have your name placed on a waiting list for the "Working on Your Novel" workshop or for any other workshop or class, please fill out the form on the CONTACT US webpage.



     

    "Working on Your Novel"  CLOSED. 

    Online Workshop  (See sidebar for author feedback on this workshop.)

    6-week sessions:

    September Session: September 4th thru October 16th, 2008.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants in each workshop.

    September Session--Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: August 20th, 2008. Deposit of $100 to hold place. No deposit refunds.




    Online Workshop  CLOSED.

    6-week sessions:

    August Session: August 7th thru September 18th, 2008.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants in each workshop.

    August Session--Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: July 21st, 2008. Deposit of $100 to hold place. No deposit refunds.




     

    Working on Your Novel 

                               Closed.

    Online Workshop 

    6-week session: July 3 thru August 14th.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: June 13th, 2008. Deposit of $100 to hold place.


    (See sidebar for author feedback on this workshop.)


     


                                Closed.

     

    Online Workshop 

    6-week session: July 3 thru August 14th.

    Location: Online by email.

    Limited to 3 participants.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: June 13th, 2008. Deposit of $100 to hold place.




     

    Beginnings--The First 3 Chapters:

    Class and/or Online Workshop.

                              Class Closed.

    Class: Beginnings--The First 3 Chapters.

    Thursday, May 1st, 7 - 9 pm.

    $50.00.

    Vancouver, WA.

    Limited to 8 participants.

    Deadline for registration, payment, and writing submissions: April 19th.

    Writing submission: Send synopsis & 1st 10 pages.

    This class is for writers who want to improve their novel's beginning chapters. It will cover the opening and first 3 chapters of the novel.



    See Sidebar for feedback from authors in previous "Working on Your Novel" Workshops.)



    Workshop: Working on Your Novel 
    Work one-on-one with the Consulting    Editor.
    Four-week session: February 9 thru March 3, 2008.
    Location: Online, by email.
    Limited to 3 participants.
    Deadline: for Registration, payment, and writing submission: January 27, 2008.



     

     

     

More workshops & classes coming!

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New Classes:

Characterization

&

Structure of the Novel

{See feedback on workshops below}

This is a 2-part class. You can sign up for one or both.

Dates:

Class 1:Characterization-November 4th.

"Characterization" Class: Registration deadline: Nov 1st.

______________________

Class 2: Structure of the Novel-November 18th.

"Structure of the Novel" Class: Early Registration deadline: Nov 4th.

Last day to register for "Structure" class: Nov 11th.

_____________________

Time: 3-5 pm

Place: Downtown Portland.

Each class is $50.

In the characterization class, we will cover character motivations and goals, as well as developing well-rounded characters who are believable and sympathetic.

In the Structure class, we will cover the structure of the novel, as a whole and by chapters.

The instructor is a freelance editor and writer, with 6 years of editing experience, and a Master's degree in Writing. She as a recent article published in The 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, called "The Unsympathetic Protagonist"--available now.

________________

Feedback on workshop:

I attended Janice Hussein's workshop [Sympathetic Protagonists] in Emerald City, and I think she's got a lot to offer.
  
--Delle Jacobs
SINS OF THE HEART
ADVENTURE as rich as gold * LOVE as delicious as chocolate
www.dellejacobs.com



Feedback from recent Beginnings workshop participant: 

"The Document Driven Beginnings Workshop gave me the well focused comments I’ve needed to sharpen my query and synopsis and to define and prioritize tasks for the final revision of my manuscript.  Just when I could no longer see my own work, Janice Hussein identified strengths and weaknesses in my plot and characterization.  The online format made it possible for me to work with a consulting editor a continent away and get more valuable input that I’ve been able to find in other in-person workshops.  I’ll be back for more of her editing services when I complete my revisions."

--Ann Hagemann, April 09

Ann submitted her first ten pages to the 2009 Alabama Writers' Conclave writing competition last Spring--she received an Honorable Mention!



 

Craft of Fiction Class

Learn more about the craft of fiction--openings, point of view, and characterization--from an experienced editor.

  • What makes a great opening.
  • What are the ins and outs of POV--defining, how to chose which and common mistakes.
  • What makes a great character.

Cost: $50 

Date: to be announced

Time: 2 to 4 pm -- 2-hour class

Place: CubeSpace

         622 SE Grand Ave

           Portland, OR  97214

If you are interested, please contact Janice on the "Contact Us" webpage or email at janice@documentdriven.com.

Registration & payment by April 18th.

 



 

If you would like to be placed on a mailing list for future workshops and classes, please leave your contact information on the "Contact Us" webpage.

 

 



 

 

Craft of Fiction Class

   Learn more about the craft of fiction--openings, point of view, and characterization--from an experienced editor. What makes a great opening. What are the ins and out of POV--defining, how to chose which and common mistakes. What makes a great character.

Cost: $50 

Date: April 19th

Time: 2 to 4 pm -- 2-hour class

Place: Luepke Center.

          1009 E McLoughlin

          Vancouver, WA.

 (Note: Downtown Vancouver, just over the bridge. Three   blocks off Interstate 5. About 15 minutes from downtown Portland. See directions below.)

Maximum Class: 10

Deadline for registration & payment: March 18th.

Register on "Contact Us" page, including name, phone number, writing interests, publishing credits. 

Class size minimum: 4.

Must be 18 years or older.

______________

 Directions:

Take I-5 North, over the I-5 bridge.

Exit at Mill Plain East exit, & turn right onto Mill Plain.

At next intersection, turn left onto Ft. Vancouver Way.

Drive one block, turn left onto E. McLoughlin.

The building is immediately on the left--the Luepke Center is right behind Marshall Center.

Pull into the Marshall Center parking lot, and drive straight back to the 2nd building.

The conference room is within sight of the front door.

Coffee and tea provided.



 

 

Workshop feedback from authors:

Workshop: 

"Working on Your Novel":

"I found Janice's feedback and guidance to be invaluable. Her comments were thorough and targeted the weak spots in my manuscript. I highly recommend this workshop."--Harry Green

 

"The first response was extremely helpful ... .I have made the suggested changes and the story flows much more smoothly."

 

"The workshop was a huge help."

 

See other author feedback on the nonfiction webpage.



 

Copyright 2008, 2009 DocumentDriven.com  All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

16420 SE McGillivray, #103-103
Vancouver, WA 98683

ph: 503-789-6245
alt: janice@documentdriven.com