The best thing about this class was learning and sharing with an incredibly talented group of writers, all going through the same process as I was–both mentally and emotionally. The latter can’t be underemphasized, with writing being a lonely sort of pastime, and almost always a labor of love. Along Read more
This class was a huge help in getting me to take a step back and figure out what my WIP is actually about. Barbara is supportive, knowledgeable, and kind. She has given me new tools to identify story problems and find innovative ways to fix them. The homework assignments challenged Read more
What a useful course. This structured approach to revision was so very helpful. I would not have worked it out for myself. Barbara was wonderful and my classmates’ critiques were very valuable to my writing. I recommend this course without hesitation. –MARIE HANNAN-MANDEL
Getting the Big Picture gave me a new focus for revision. The lectures were full of useful information, but even more valuable were the assignments and the critiques. The homework pushed me to dig deeper, and the feedback from both my classmates and the instructor was so helpful. –LAURA JANE Read more
If you dread the question, “What is your book about?” this course is for you. You’ll develop an understanding of what your story promises and how to revise your novel so that it delivers on that promise. Your assignments and critiques will give you insight into how to keep your Read more
A novel is a huge project and Barbara’s course really helped me focus my work. She took me through a process that allowed me to see my novel as a thematic and spiritual whole. Once I understood better “what I meant to say” with this story, I was able to Read more
Getting mired in the details when editing? Overfocused on the page-to-page action, rather than the overall arc? Learn how unifying concepts can make a novel feel more powerful and give it that sense of completeness—rather than the meandering feeling that leaves the reader wondering what the point of the story Read more
As an author unfamiliar with the Sci-Fi genre, Getting the Big Picture provided me with the tools and knowledge I was seeking. My private meeting with Barbara Ashford was insightful and gave me a clear path for the revision of my current novel. –MARTIN ETCHART
I really appreciated the thoughtful way that this class was structured, along with the clarity and organization of all the materials. I learned so much in such a short time! I feel as if I am walking away with a whole new set of tools for reviewing and reshaping my Read more
Barbara was wonderful to work with and learn from–she helped me better visualize the backbone of my story, and the areas (particularly in Act II) that needed strengthening. She introduced me to Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey, which has been an eye-opening guide to storytelling, and a work that I Read more