Writing class: So you want to write a novel, taught by Anya Groner Time: Saturday, June 23 from 1pm - 4:30pm Instructor: Anya Groner Location: The NOCCA Institute, 2832 Royal Street ABOUT THIS CLASS You've got a setting, a few characters, perhaps even some ideas for climactic scenes, but when you sit down to write, nothing happens. The task, which thrilled you before you opened your computer, now feels insurmountable. How does one go about a project that's so big you can barely hold all the pieces in your head at one time? This one-day course is designed to help you structure, organize, and break down the process of novel writing into manageable pieces. Using a variety of guided exercises, you'll exam the material you already have and expand on it, set goals, identify necessary scenes and essential conflicts, making your writing more purposeful and fun. REQUIREMENTS No previous experience is required. Enrollment is limited to adults 18 and over. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Anya Groner’s essays, poems, and stories have appeared in journals including Guernica, The New York Times, The Oxford American, Ninth Letter, and The Atlantic. She received her MFA in fiction from the University of Mississippi where she was a John and Renee Grisham Fellow and has since been awarded scholarships and grants from the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, the Sewanee Writers Conference, the Barbara Deming Award, Loyola University, and the Louisiana Board of Regents. Before teaching at NOCCA, she taught writing at Xavier University and Loyola University in New Orleans. NOTE A minimum number of students must enroll in this class for it to "make". If fewer students enroll than are necessary, the class will be cancelled and full refunds will be issued. If we have to cancel the class, we'll make every effort to notify students at least one week before the first class meeting. WAIVER, RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT By registering for this class ("the Activity"), which is offered by The NOCCA Institute, you represent, covenant, and agree, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, assigns, and any other person claiming by, under, or through you, as follows: 1. You acknowledge that participating in the Activity involves certain risks (some of which you may not fully appreciate), and that injuries, death, property damage or other harm could occur to yourself or others. You accept and voluntarily incur all risks of any injuries, damages, or harm which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, including any associated travel, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of The NOCCA Institute, NOCCA, and/or its or their departments, trustees, affiliates, employees, officers, agents, or insurers ("Released Parties"). 2. You waive all claims against any of the Released Parties for any injuries, damages, losses, or claims, whether known and unknown, which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties. You release and forever discharge the Released Parties from all such claims. 3. You agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from all losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and other litigation costs and expenses) incurred by any of the Released Parties as a result of any claims or suits that you (or anyone claiming by, under, or through you) may bring against any of the Released Parties to recover any losses, liabilities, costs, damages, or expenses which arise during or result from your participation in the Activity, regardless of whether or not caused in whole or part by the negligence or other fault of any of the Released Parties. 4. You have carefully read and reviewed this Waiver, Release, And Hold Harmless Agreement. You understand it fully, and you execute it voluntarily by registering for the Activity. This class is hosted by the New Orleans Writers Workshop in partnership with The NOCCA Institute, NOCCA's nonprofit support and advocacy organization. Proceeds support an array of programs for NOCCA students, faculty, and the community.