Jim Weikart | Mystery Writing Workshop

SCHEDULE A

"Jim's fun-filled instructional morning workshops were followed by afternoon lectures and discussions, as well as evening readings. I've participated in other programs and classes, but the Manhattanville Writer's Week was my best experience—ever." —Barbara Nachman

Jim does a limited number of workshops as a participating leader. He is currently in a small group.

Jim says, "I like to work using a combination of skills I've learned in writing workshops and from life coaching. The workshops provided ideas for developing skills as a writer. The coaching provided ideas on how to get to a goal."

Graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Iowa, in 1968. Attended workshops at Columbia University from 1970 to 1975. Attended Michael Neill's coaching workshop titled Writing Naked on the Beach, 2007. Workshop Instructor, Manhattanville Writers Summer Week, June 2008.

Keep the story rolling (Stephen King)
Have an average day (Michael Neill)
Omit needless words (Elements of Style)
Throw up the first draft
The book is the boss (Alfred Belsler)
Use useful suggestions. Circular file the rest
You have permission to write anything
Recognize plot
Recognize development
Second draft = First draft minus 10%


	The Writer's Workshop, Stephen Koch \| On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King \| You Can Have What You Want \| Michael Neill

From the novel The Zahir by Paulo Coelho
Writing is one of the most solitary activities in the world. Once every two years, I sit down in front of the computer, gaze out on the unknown sea of my soul, and see a few islands—ideas that have developed and which are ripe to be explored. Then I climb into my boat—called The Word—and set out for the nearest island. On the way, I meet strong currents, winds, and storms, but I keep rowing, exhausted, knowing that I have drifted away from my chosen course and that the island I was trying to reach is no longer on my horizon. I can't turn back, though, I have to continue somehow or else I'll be lost in the middle of the ocean; at that point a series of terrifying scenarios flash through my mind, such as spending the rest of my life talking about past successes, or bitterly criticizing new writers, simply because I no longer have the courage to publish new books. Wasn't my dream to be a writer? Then I must continue creating sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and go on writing until I die, and not allow myself to get caught in such traps as success or failure. Otherwise, what meaning does my life have?

From The Writer's Workshop by Stephen Koch
The search for a story is a matter of slowly, calmly, carefully tentatively coaxing a hidden set of somethings into visibility.