A Deep Delve into Writing the Novel with Patricia Skalka

Quality fiction combines the fine art of storytelling with the craft of good writing. In this course, we’ll explore both of these essential elements and show how you can apply them to your own work. You’ll learn new ways to think about your novel–either the one in progress or the one you want to write–and you’ll acquire specific tools and strategies related to basics like plot, dialogue, and character development that will make you a better writer. Each session will include short writing assignments and time for sharing and discussion.

Class meets in person, Monday – Thursday, November 4 – 7, 9 am – noon.

Class size: Maximum 12, minimum 6.

Member discount: Members of Write On receive a 10% discount on all classes and workshops. To become a member, please click here. To receive the discount, members must log in to the website using their unique password and enter member10 in the promotion code box. The code is case sensitive.

Teaching Artist: Patricia Skalka is the author of the popular Dave Cubiak Door County mysteries. She has won both the Midwest Book Award for Best Thriller/Mystery and the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award. During the pandemic, USA Today picked Death Stalks Door County, the first Cubiak mystery, as the book to represent Wisconsin in its special feature: “50 States/50 Books to Read.” Patricia has lectured about craft and taught workshops at numerous venues and conferences including UW-Madison Writers’ Institute, Bouchercon, Murder & Mayhem Chicago, and Magna Cum Murder. Her non-writing claim to fame: interviewing both Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, and Sophie Hannah, author of the new Hercule Poirot Mystery series, before live audiences of mystery writers. A former President of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a member of the Wisconsin chapter, she serves on the Board of the Society of Midland Authors and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Wisconsin Writers Association, and The Authors Guild. Patricia dividess her time between her home in Milwaukee and her cottage in Door County.