Taming the Beast: Gaining Perspective on Your Novel Draft [Ross McMeekin and Robin Oliveira]

Upon completing a novel draft, writers are often bewildered. What is this mess I wrote? Who are these characters? What am I supposed to do now? Early drafts don’t often include what readers, editors, and publishers crave: compelling plot, solid structure, and sophisticated development of characters. We’ll discuss ways to gain perspective on your novel and develop plans for revision. Considering The Great Gatsby as a model, we will discover the gaps in your novel. Students should have a rough draft of a novel before class begins. See website for required texts.