LITERARY ALCHEMY
A 6-MONTH BOOK WRITING COURSE TO FIND YOUR GOLD AND WRITE YOUR ESSENTIAL STORY
PLEASE JOIN OUR MAILING LIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEXT SESSION OF LITERARY ALCHEMY IN JULY, 2021.
Do you want to write a book, but can’t figure out how to organize your time or even where to begin?
Or maybe you’ve already written 100 pages, but you’re ready to either burn the work or lock yourself in a room for three weeks (or three months!) with the hope that you can find a way to make it all hang together.
Maybe lessons learned from a life-changing experience won’t leave you alone, but no matter how hard you try to put the words on the page your wisdom seems to slip through your fingers mid-sentence.
Or perhaps you’re crystal clear what you want to say, but crave that extra dose of courage to speak your truth. The words are rumbling around inside if only you could spill them out.
While you may not be sure how to write that book, there is one thing you do know—you want to claim your truth, speak those words and know the profound satisfaction of holding your manuscript in your hands....
Class runs January 21 - June 24, 2021
THE BEST OF 20+ YEARS OF WRITING AND BOOK COACHING EXPERIENCE: I will serve as your guide to offer insights into the structure of narrative, boots-on-the-ground know-how to get you from outline to a strong first draft, craft tools, exercises in meditation and mindful awareness to explore your role as narrator, deadlines and encouragement every step of the way.
CRAFT CLASSES and READING WORKSHOP: We will meet three Thursdays a month from 4-6pm PST/ 7-9 pm EST for two Craft Classes and one Reading Workshop where you share your pages and get feedback from fellow Alchemists.
1-on-1 SESSIONS: Each month you will submit up to 15 pages for review. We meet for a one-hour, 1-on-1 session to discuss your work and writing process in depth.
WRITE A PAGE A DAY (and more if you're inspired) of your Memoir or work of Literary Non-fiction: You will write a page a day with the goal of writing 60,000 words in 6 months to complete a very strong first draft of your work. Literary Alchemy is structured to support memoirists and writers of literary non-fiction. There are exceptions for general non-fiction depending on the project.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO WRITE A BOOK: Classes will be structured to guide you on everything from outlining, information organization and research, honing your vision, finding your voice, scene study, character development, the role of awareness in writing and more.
THE CONFIDENCE TO CALL YOURSELF A WRITER: Literary Alchemy will help you to gain an understanding of the scope of your vision, the process and path to express it, insight into working with inner and outer obstacles, support when you want to quit, an inspired and committed community of writers and, at the end of it all, the profound satisfaction of holding a strong draft of your manuscript in your hands.
Writer. Teacher. Lover of alliteration. Meditator. Tree Dreamer. Alchemist.
So much more than I could have dreamt of or expected.~ Ardith, California |
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Kristin is a creative, eloquent, super-organized, resourceful and positive genius! I loved every module, all the reading selections—especially as they illuminated the lessons at hand, which built upon one another beautifully. If one truly wants to write a book, one needs tremendous emotional, psychic and structural support. Kristin is an unbelievably magical teacher, a kind of flashlight shining light in dark places and coach in this process. |
Like the alchemy practices of old, turning base metal to gold, this class turned my base thoughts about 2020 into the gold of growth and learning. This class is a life changing experience and Kristin is a masterful teacher. |
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I don't usually buy online courses, but there's much more here than just a course. Literary Alchemy not only gave me the tools, accountability and confidence to finally make becoming an author a reality, but it changed how I hold my power and the way I see writing. Take this course and anything else this goddess offers. You'll discover more about yourself, too. You'll be guided into the actual pages of your book. You'll finally get it done and be ready for publishing. You will grow as a human being and connect with other people you didn't realize you needed until you are cheering each other on through writing, reading and learning together. I've made lifelong friends here, I know myself better and I'm taking the course again because there's more to write and this is the best way to be expertly supported to get it done and out in the world. |
It's amazing to look back six months and see how far I've come in my writing process. Kristin has a real gift for guiding aspiring writers. Her positivity and intuitive ability have taken me to such a different place than I originally had in mind. I'm grateful for all of it. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is considering writing a book and learning about the elements that go into creating your first draft. |
COURSE OVERVIEW and IMPORTANT DETAILS
Class List for Literary Alchemy
ZOOM RECORDING
Goal-setting and Your Writing Partner
GOAL-SETTING: Book Plan
GOAL-SETTING: Monthly Plan
Confidentiality Agreement
Signed Confidentiality Agreement
ForCallingtheSpiritBack
For Calling the Spirit Back - prompts
How to Have a Good Writing Day
WRITING BETWEEN SESSIONS
RECORDED ZOOM
TheSituation&TheStory - Vivian Gornick
DEFINITION: The Situation & The Story
Small self, Big Self and The Nature of the Narrator
Flying Over Your Life
WRITING BETWEEN SESSIONS
PROCESS & ELEMENTS CHECKLIST
The Angel of Conception
The Winged Energy of Delight
Zoom Recording
Narrative Structure & Working Outlines
Three Act Structure
Three Act - Story Development - The Wizard of Oz
Memoir & Creative Non-fiction Structure
Untamed--Glennon Doyle
Untamed Contents
IronMaidensTOC
Hero's Journey
General Non-fiction/ Brand Frame
Narrative Map
Storyboarding
WRITING BETWEEN SESSIONS
Adrift - Mark Nepo
Schedule Your Session
Upload pages by 2/21 for review
ZOOM RECORDING
UPLOAD your pages by 3pm EST.
Sample-Margarit
Prologue-Natsu
AGoodBeginning-Carolyn
READING-Rachel
RECORDED ZOOM
Scenes, Exposition & Transitions
HisforHawk-HelenMacdonald
Inheritance-DaniShapiro
How to Write a Scene
WRITING BETWEEN SESSIONS
SCENE PRACTICE: Film Study
SCENE PRACTICE: Photo scroll
Scholarship Opportunity
I am very happy to partner with Conscious City Guides to offer a full scholarship through their Bharani Exchange program for one spot in Literary Alchemy. Applications for the next session of Literary Alchemy will be accepted beginning in June, 2021. Join our mailing list at the bottom of this page to receive an announcement when the applications will be accepted.
Literary Alchemy is for writers who are committed to writing the first draft of their book. The goal is to write 60,000 words in six months, which is roughly equivalent to writing a page a day. The course is structured to support you in setting goals and providing step-by-step guidance. You will need to carve out time to write, whether it is each day or in dedicated chunks of time during the week. Deadlines and consistency are key.
I like to keep the class small and have a maximum limit of 10-12 students.
Literary Alchemy offers step-by-guidance, tools and support to guide you on your book writing journey. I will read up to 15 pages of your work in preparation for each of our 1-on-1 sessions, but the course is not designed for a full manuscript review or edit. Additional 1-on-1 sessions and a full manuscript review can be booked for additional coaching and support.
Cancellations are accepted until 14 days before the start of class for a full refund. If you need to cancel after the cancellation period, but before class begins, and I am able to find a replacement for your spot, I will be happy to refund your course payment. If I am unable to fill the spot, then you can choose between the course fee applied as credit toward future Alchemy courses or a 50% refund. (All refunds will be issued minus applicable credit card fees.) After the course begins no refunds will be provided (including for fees scheduled on payment plans), except in cases of medical necessity or emergency.
Literary Alchemy offers a limited number of financial hardship discounts on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact me directly if you are interested.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? Email Kristin with questions about Literary Alchemy, 1-on-1 Coaching or Developmental Editing services.
Please add your name to the email list for every-so-often updates on Literary Alchemy and events with Kristin Kaye.